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
746 words
topic
A1
/ˈtɑpɪk/
A subject that people talk, write, or learn about.
Arabic
B1
/ˈærəbɪk/
a Semitic language spoken across North Africa and the Middle East and used as the liturgical language of Islam
info
B2
/ˈɪnfoʊ/
Information; facts or details about something.
hooray
A2
/hʊˈreɪ/
used to express joy, approval, or celebration
definition
B1
/ˌdɛf.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/
A statement that explains the meaning of a word or phrase.
translate
B1
/tɹænzˈleɪt/
To change words from one language into another.
pronounce
A2
/prɵˈnawns/
To make the sound of a word or letter.
reminder
B2
/ɹɪˈmaɪndəɹ/
A message or note that helps you remember something.
summon
C2
/ˈsʌmən/
to order or ask someone to come
context
A2
/ˈkɑn.tɛkst/
The situation or set of facts that surround an event and help you understand it.
twitter
C1
/ˈtwɪtəɹ/
to make a rapid series of light, high-pitched chirping sounds, especially as a bird
screenplay
C1
/ˈskɹiːnˌpleɪ/
The written script for a film or television show, including dialogue and stage directions.
greeting
B1
/ˈɡɹiːtɪŋ/
Something you say or do to welcome someone or acknowledge them.
morse
C1
/ˈmɔːɹs/
Morse code, a system representing letters and numbers by sequences of short and long signals
likewise
B2
/ˈlaɪkˌwaɪz/
In the same way; similarly.
riddle
B1
/ˈɹɪdl̩/
A puzzle or question that is hard to answer and often has a clever or tricky answer.
vocal
C1
/ˈvoʊ̯.kəl/
Expressing your opinions openly and forcefully.
metaphor
B2
/ˈmɛt.ə.foɹ/
A way of describing something by calling it something else to suggest they are alike, without using 'like' or 'as'.
stem
B1
/stɛm/
The main upright part of a plant that supports the leaves and flowers.
preach
C1
/ˈpriːtʃ/
To give a religious talk, especially in a church service.
brag
B2
/ˈbɹeɪ̯ɡ/
To talk with too much pride about what you have or have done.
oral
B1
/ˈɔ.ɹəl/
Spoken rather than written.
convey
B1
/kənˈveɪ/
To communicate or make a feeling, idea, or message known.
troll
B2
/tɹɑl/
someone who deliberately provokes or harasses people online
mailbox
B1
/ˈmeɪl.bɑks/
A box where letters are delivered to or collected from.
omega
C2
/ˌoʊˈmeɪɡə/
the twenty-fourth and final letter of the Greek alphabet, written Ω or ω
literary
B1
/ˈlɪtəɹɛ(ə)ɹi/
Relating to literature or written works.
gibberish
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɪ.bə.ɹɪʃ/
speech or writing that is unintelligible, incoherent, or meaningless
attach
B1
/əˈtæt͡ʃ/
To fasten or join one thing to another.
posh
B2
/pɑʃ/
Elegant, luxurious, and often expensive.
interpretation
B2
/ɪnˌtɝpɹəˈteɪʃən/
the meaning or explanation you give to something that is not clear.
interrogate
C2
/ɪnˈtɛɹ.əˌɡeɪt/
To question someone closely and often aggressively.
deliberate
B2
/dɪˈlɪb.ɚ.ət/
Done on purpose, not by accident.
subtitle
B2
/ˈsʌbtaɪtəl/
Words shown on screen that translate or write out the dialogue in a film or show.
ducky
C2
/ˈdʌki/
informal, especially British and sometimes dated: an affectionate form of address for a person
interpret
B2
/ɪnˈtɝ.pɹɪt/
to decide what something means; to understand it in a particular way.
mandarin
C2
/ˈmæn.də.rɪn/
the major group of Chinese varieties spoken across much of China, especially Standard Mandarin
applaud
B1
/əˈplɔd/
To show approval by clapping your hands.
adios
C2
/ˌædiˈoʊs/
goodbye; used when parting from someone
wraith
C2
/ɹeɪθ/
A ghost or specter, especially a person's likeness seen just after their death.
hoax
C1
/hoʊks/
a deliberately fabricated story, warning, or event intended to deceive people
dictate
C1
/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/
To speak words aloud for someone else to write down or record.
alphabet
B1
/ˈæl.fəˌbɛt/
The complete set of letters used to write a language.
verbal
B2
/ˈvɝ.bəl/
Spoken rather than written.
forum
B2
/ˈfɔɹəm/
A place, meeting, or website where people exchange ideas and opinions.
accountable
C1
/əˈkaʊntəbl̩/
Responsible for your actions and expected to explain or justify them.
aloud
B1
/əˈlaʊd/
In a voice that can be heard, not silently.
scramble
B2
/ˈskɹæmbl̩/
To climb or move quickly using your hands and feet, especially over rough ground.
attachment
B1
/əˈtæt͡ʃmənt/
A file sent together with an email or message.
whine
B2
/waɪn/
to complain in an irritating, high-pitched, or drawn-out voice; informal and disapproving
ahoy
C2
/əˈhɔɪ/
nautical: used to hail a ship, lookout, or person and attract attention
listener
A2
/ˈlɪs(ə)nɚ/
A person who listens, especially to a speech, music, or a broadcast.
completion
B2
/kəmˈpliːʃən/
The act of finishing something, or the state of being finished.
thank-you
A2
/ˈθæŋkˌjuː/
an expression, message, gift, or other acknowledgment of gratitude
eureka
C2
/jʊˈriːkə/
an exclamation of delight at suddenly discovering or solving something
unfold
B1
/ʌnˈfoʊld/
To open out something that was folded.
documentation
C1
/ˌdɑkjəmɛnˈteɪʃən/
Written records or papers that prove or support something.
fluke
C2
/fluk/
A lucky or improbable occurrence that could probably never be repeated.
proclaim
B1
/pɹoʊˈkleɪm/
To announce something publicly and clearly.
slang
B2
/ˈslæŋ/
Very informal words and expressions used in everyday speech rather than formal language.
forthcoming
B2
/fɔɹθˈkʌmɪŋ/
Going to happen or appear soon.
fluent
B1
/ˈfluənt/
Able to speak or write a language easily and accurately.
ditto
B2
/ˈdɪtoʊ/
in the same way; with the same statement applying to what follows
imagery
B2
/ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
Vivid language that creates pictures in the reader's mind, especially in writing.
modify
B1
/ˈmɑ.dɪˌfaɪ/
To change something slightly, especially to improve it.
articulate
C1
/ɑːɹˈtɪk.jə.leɪt/
To express your thoughts or feelings clearly in words.
ach
C2
/ɑːx/
An expression of annoyance.
ta-ta
C2+
/təˈtɑ/
informal: goodbye
eulogy
C2
/ˈjuː.lə.dʒi/
a speech or piece of writing praising a person who has died, usually delivered at a funeral
yap
C1
/jæp/
to give a quick, sharp, high-pitched bark or cry
rhetoric
C2
/ɹɪˈtɒɹɪk/
Language used skillfully, especially in speeches, to persuade or impress people.
dub
C1
/dɐb/
To give someone or something a nickname or descriptive name.
Basque
C2
/bæsk/
the language of the Basque people, spoken in parts of northern Spain and southwestern France and not known to be related to any other living language
rendering
C1
/ˈɹɛndəɹɪŋ/
A particular version or interpretation of a work, especially a performance.
confer
C1
/kənˈfʌɹ/
To talk with others in order to discuss something or reach a decision.
repetition
B2
/ˌɹɛp.əˈtɪʃ.ən/
The act of doing or saying something again.
signorina
C2
/ˌsiːn.jəˈriː.nə/
an Italian title or form of address traditionally used for an unmarried woman or young woman
converse
B2
/kənˈvɝs/
To talk with someone; to have a conversation.
specify
B2
/ˈspɛs.əˌfaɪ/
To state something clearly and exactly.
proverbial
C2
/prəˈvɝːbiːəl/
Used before a word from a well-known saying or metaphor to show you are not speaking literally.
comprehension
B2
/ˌkɑmpɹɪˈhɛnʃn̩/
the ability to understand something
rant
C1
/rænt/
to speak, write, or shout at length in a loud, angry, or uncontrolled way
misread
B1
/ˌmɪsˈriːd/
to read words, figures, or signs incorrectly
coherent
B2
/koʊˈhɛɹ.ənt/
Logical, clear, and well organized, with all the parts fitting together.
illustrate
B2
/ˈɪl.əˌstɹeɪt/
To make something clearer by giving an example or comparison.
eavesdrop
C1
/ˈiːvzdrɑːp/
to listen secretly to a private conversation without the speakers' knowledge
prose
B2
/ˈpɹoʊz/
Ordinary written or spoken language, as opposed to poetry.
verbally
B2
/vɝˈbæli/
In spoken words rather than in writing.
discourse
C1
/ˈdɪs.kɔːɹs/
Serious discussion or the exchange of ideas about a subject, in speech or writing.
pronunciation
A2
/pɹəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃn̩/
The way in which a word or language is spoken.
ovation
C2
/oʊˈveɪʃən/
an enthusiastic public reception, especially a sustained burst of applause
smirk
C1
/smɝk/
to smile in a smug, condescending, scornful, or self-satisfied way
mouthpiece
B2
/ˈmaʊθ.piːs/
the part of a pipe, musical instrument, telephone, or similar device placed at or near the mouth
whisperer
B2
/ˈwɪspɚɚ/
a person who speaks very quietly or in whispers
falter
B2
/ˈfɔltəɹ/
To become weaker or less steady; to lose strength or confidence.
depict
C1
/dɪˈpɪkt/
To show something in a picture, painting, or photograph.