English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2) — A1 is the friendliest place to start — and browse its words grouped by topic: travel, food, the body, emotions, and more. Each word shows its meaning, example sentences, and US/UK pronunciation.
Choose your level
All 27,237 words
4363 words
abundantly
C2
/əˈbʌn.dn̩t.li/
In large amounts; plentifully.
softness
B2
/ˈsɔftnəs/
The quality of being easy to press or pleasant to touch.
savory
C2
/ˈseɪ.və.ɹi/
morally wholesome or acceptable
confidently
B2
/ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/
In a way that shows you are sure of yourself or your abilities.
marginal
C1
/ˈmɑɹ.d͡ʒɪ.nəl/
Very small in size or effect; not important.
pragmatic
C1
/pɹæɡˈmætɪk/
concerned with practical matters
spontaneity
C2
/ˌspɑːntəˈniːəti/
The quality of doing things naturally and on impulse, without planning.
eyesore
B2
/ˈaɪsɔɹ/
a thing that is conspicuously ugly or unpleasant to look at
toenail
B2
/ˈtəʊˌneɪl/
The hard covering at the end of a toe.
eyelash
B2
/ˈaɪlæʃ/
One of the short curved hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelids.
creatively
B2
/kɹiˈeɪtɪvli/
In a way that shows imagination and original ideas.
self-interest
C2+
/ˌsɛlˈfɪntəˌrɛst/
One's personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others.
idyllic
C2
/aɪˈdɪlɪk/
extremely peaceful, happy, or beautiful, with no apparent problems
meaty
C2
/ˈmiːti/
substantial, interesting, and rich in useful content
reliability
C1
/riːˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/
The quality of being trustworthy and able to be depended on to work well or behave correctly.
prissy
C2
/ˈpɹɪsi/
Too concerned with proper behaviour and easily shocked; prim and fussy.
adaptable
B2
/əˈdæptəbəl/
able to change easily to suit new conditions or situations
magnificence
C2
/mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
one-legged
C2+
/ˈwʌnˌlɛɡəd/
having only one leg or only one functioning leg
prolific
C1
/pɹəˈlɪf.ɪk/
Producing a great deal of work, results, or output.
lyrical
C2
/ˈlɪɹɪkəl/
Expressing deep personal emotion in a beautiful way.
unbridled
C2
/ʌnˈbraɪdəld/
not controlled, restrained, or limited
redheaded
C2
/ˈrɛdˌhɛdɪd/
having red hair and usually fair skin
sandstone
B2
/ˈsændˌstoʊn/
A soft rock formed from pressed sand, often used in building.
brainwash
C1
/ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/
To force someone to accept new beliefs by using strong pressure over a long time.
illumination
C1
/ɪˌlumɪˈneɪʃən/
painting or drawing included in a book, especially referring to illuminated medieval manuscripts
one-horse
C2
/ˈwʌnˌhɔːrs/
small, unimportant, or having very limited resources
rife
C2
/ˈraɪf/
Widespread and common, usually of something bad or harmful.
claustrophobia
C1
/ˌklɔː.strəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/
A strong fear of being in small, closed, or crowded spaces.
periodically
C1
/ˌpiːriːˈɑːdɪkəli/
In a manner that is regular or periodic.
vertically
C1
/ˈvɝ.tɪ.kəli/
in a vertical direction
voracious
C1
/vɔːˈɹeɪ.ʃəs/
Eating or wanting food in very large amounts.
vulgarity
C2
/vʌlˈɡɜɹɪti/
the quality of lacking taste and refinement
voluptuous
C2
/vəˈlʌp.t͡ʃu.əs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
pygmy
C2
/ˈpɪɡmi/
unusually small for its kind, especially in the common name of an animal or plant
undisputed
C2
/ˌəndɪsˈpjuːtɪd/
Universally agreed upon; not disputed.
dependence
C1
/dɪˈpɛndəns/
The state of needing or relying on someone or something.
enterprising
C1
/ˈɛntɝˌpraɪzɪŋ/
Showing imagination, energy, and a readiness to take on new projects.
beady
C2
/ˈbiː.di/
small, round, and bright like a bead, especially describing watchful or suspicious eyes
magenta
C1
/məˈdʒen.tə/
a vivid reddish-purple color; in printing, one of the primary subtractive colors
sumptuous
C2
/ˈsʌmpt͡ʃuəs/
Magnificent, luxurious, splendid.
ebb
C2
/ɛb/
(of the tide) To flow back away from the shore.
reminiscent
C1
/ˌɹɛməˈnɪsnt/
Reminding you of someone or something (usually followed by 'of').
fissure
C1
/ˈfɪʃ.ɚ/
A long, narrow crack or split, especially in rock or the ground.
patter
C1
/ˈpæt.ɚ/
a quick succession of light rapid sounds
behest
C2
/bɪˈhɛst/
An order or strong request, usually in the phrase "at the behest of".
eventful
C2
/ɪˈvɛntfəl/
full of important, interesting, or unusual events
conditional
C1
/kənˈdɪʃ.ə.nəl/
Depending on a particular condition being met first.
institutional
C1
/ˌɪn.stɪˈtju.ʃə.nəl/
Relating to or involving a large organization such as a bank, hospital, or university.
transistor
B2
/tɹænˈzɪs.tɚ/
A small electronic part used in devices to control or boost electrical signals.
thorny
C2
/ˈθɔɹni/
bristling with perplexities
infertile
C2
/ɪnˈfɝtɪl/
incapable of reproducing
leaflet
B2
/ˈliːflɪt/
A small printed sheet of paper that gives information or advertises something.
pandemic
B2
/ˈpaɳɖəmɪk/
A disease that spreads across many countries and affects a very large number of people.
omnipotent
C2
/ɑmˈnɪp.ə.tənt/
Having unlimited power, force or authority.
menial
C2
/ˈmiːni.əl/
Describing work that is boring, low in status, and needs little skill.
full-fledged
C1
/ˌfʊlˈfledʒd/
completely developed, established, trained, or qualified
overestimate
B2
/ˌəʊvəɹˈɛstɪmeɪt/
To think that something is larger, better, or more important than it really is.
bilateral
B2
/baɪˈlætərəl/
involving, affecting, or agreed by two parties, especially two countries
effortless
C1
/ˈɛfə(ɹ)tlɪs/
done so well that it seems to need no effort
boyish
C1
/ˈbɔɪ.ɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
stagnant
C2
/ˈstæɡnənt/
not growing or changing
parasol
C2+
/ˈpɛɹəˌsɑl/
To protect with, or as if with, a parasol; to shade.
bothersome
B2
/ˈbɔðəsəm/
Causing trouble or annoyance; irritating.
skeptic
C2
/ˈskɛp.tɪk/
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
distort
C1
/dɪˈstoɹt/
To give a false or misleading account of something.
veneration
C1
/ˌvɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/
Deep respect, reverence, or admiration for someone or something.
ambiguity
B2
/æm.bɪˈɡjuː.ɪ.ti/
The quality of having more than one possible meaning; lack of clarity.
auburn
C1
/ˈɑːbɚn/
reddish-brown in color, especially when describing hair
embody
C2
/ɪmˈbɑdi/
To be a perfect example of a quality or idea in a real, visible form.
jaunty
C2
/ˈdʒɔːnti/
showing cheerful self-confidence in a lively, carefree manner
lecherous
C2
/ˈlɛt͡ʃ.ɚ.əs/
given to excessive indulgence in sexual activity
leek
B2
/liːk/
A long vegetable related to the onion, with a white stem and green leaves and a mild flavour.
nano
B2
/ˈnænəʊ/
Relating to extremely small things at the nanoscale; short for nanoscale.
subterfuge
C2
/ˈsʌbtəɹˌfjuːd͡ʒ/
something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
helplessly
B1
/ˈhɛlpləsli/
without being able to protect yourself or change what is happening
frigate
B2
/ˈfrɪgət/
A small, fast warship used to protect other ships.
predominantly
C1
/pɹɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/
Mostly; mainly.
undignified
C1
/ʌnˈdɪɡnəˌfaɪd/
lacking dignity, seriousness, or proper self-control, especially in a way that causes embarrassment
unchanging
C1
/ənˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
remaining constantly unchanged
showy
C1
/ˈʃoʊ.i/
Attracting attention by being bright, large, or fancy, sometimes in a tasteless way.
uninteresting
B1
/əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
Boring; not interesting at all.
abnormally
B2
/æbˈnɔɹ.mə.li/
in a way that is different from what is normal or expected
steely
B2
/ˈstiːli/
Showing hardness and strong determination.
abound
C1
/əˈbaʊnd/
To exist in very large numbers or quantities.
traceable
C2
/ˈtreɪsəbəl/
capable of being found, followed, or identified by examining a sequence of evidence or records
undisclosed
C2
/ˌəndɪsˈkloʊzd/
Not disclosed.
speculative
C1
/ˈspɛkjuləˌtɪv/
Based on guessing rather than firm knowledge or evidence.
inexplicably
C1
/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbli/
In a way that cannot be explained or understood.
radiate
B2
/ˈɹeɪdieɪt/
To send out heat, light, or energy.
parable
C2
/ˈpæɹ.ə.bəl/
A short story that teaches a moral or religious lesson.
shoal
C2
/ʃəʊl/
A large group of fish swimming together.
unwavering
C1
/ˌənˈweɪvəɹɪŋ/
Firm and steady, never weakening or changing.
insurmountable
C2
/ˌɪnsɝˈmaʊntəbəl/
too great or difficult to overcome
footnote
B2
/ˈfʊtˌnoʊt/
A short note at the bottom of a page that gives extra information or a source.
monotony
C1
/məˈnɑtəni/
The dull sameness that comes from doing the same thing over and over with no variety.