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
431 words
splash
A2
/splæʃ/
To make liquid fly about in drops, or to hit liquid noisily.
microphone
B2
/ˈmaɪ.kɹəˌfoʊn/
A device that turns sound into an electrical signal so it can be recorded or made louder.
yummy
B2
/ˈjʌm.i/
Very pleasant to taste; delicious.
trumpet
B1
/ˈtɹʌmpɪt/
A brass musical instrument that you play by blowing into it, making a bright, high sound.
zoom
B2
/zuːm/
To move very fast, often with a humming sound.
distinguished
B2
/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃt/
Very successful and respected; famous for great achievements.
tang
C2
/tæŋ/
a strong, sharp, and distinctive taste or smell
peacefully
B2
/ˈpiːsfəli/
In a calm and quiet way, without trouble or violence.
glimpse
B1
/ˈglɪmps/
A quick, incomplete look at something.
frustrating
C1
/ˈfɹʌsˌtɹeɪ̯tɪŋ/
Making you feel annoyed or impatient because you cannot do or achieve something.
relaxing
B1
/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/
Making you feel calm and free from stress; helping you to rest.
fascinated
B2
/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪd/
Extremely interested in something.
sunglasses
A2
/ˈsʌnˌglæsɪz/
Glasses with dark lenses that protect your eyes from bright sunlight.
bouquet
C1
/buːˈkeɪ/
A bunch of flowers arranged nicely, often given as a gift.
flatter
C1
/ˈflætɚ/
To praise someone, often insincerely, to please them or win favour.
pow
B2
/paʊ/
used to imitate or emphasize the sudden sound of a gunshot, explosion, or hard impact
revelation
B2
/ˌɹɛv.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
A surprising fact that is made known, especially one that changes how you see things.
distinct
B2
/dɪˈstɪŋkt/
Clearly different or separate from something else.
fiddle
C1
/ˈfɪdl̩/
To touch or play with something with your fingers, often nervously or aimlessly.
crisp
A2
/ˈkrɪsp/
Firm and fresh, in a pleasant way.
fragrance
B2
/ˈfɹeɪɡɹən(t)s/
A pleasant smell.
silently
A2
/ˈsaɪləntli/
Without making any sound.
tweet
C2
/ˈtwit/
a short, high-pitched chirping sound, especially one made by a small bird
raspberry
B1
/ˈɹæzbɹi/
A soft, sweet red berry that grows on a bush.
onstage
B1
/ˌɑːnˈsteɪdʒ/
Onto or on the part of the stage that the audience can see.
tiring
B1
/ˈtaɪəɹɪŋ/
Making you feel that you need rest; exhausting.
honk
C1
/hɑŋk/
To sound a car horn.
babysit
B1
/ˈbeɪ.bi.sɪt/
To look after a child for a short time while the parents are away, often for money.
clash
C1
/klæʃ/
To disagree strongly or come into conflict.
howl
C2
/ˈhæʊ̯l/
a long loud emotional utterance
resemble
B1
/ɹɪˈzembəl/
To look like or be similar to someone or something.
eyesight
B1
/ˈaɪˌsaɪt/
The ability to see; how well your eyes work.
squeak
B2
/skwiːk/
a short, high-pitched sound made by a small animal or by objects rubbing together
cola
A2
/ˈkoʊlə/
A sweet, dark, fizzy soft drink flavoured with kola nut and caramel.
stylish
B1
/ˈstaɪlɪʃ/
Attractive and fashionable in appearance or design.
perceive
B2
/pɚˈsiv/
To become aware of something through the senses, especially sight.
blindfold
B2
/ˈblaɪndfoʊld/
a strip of cloth or other covering placed over the eyes to prevent sight
blindly
B2
/ˈblaɪndli/
Without being able to see, or without looking.
safari
B1
/səˈfɑːɹ.i/
A trip, usually in Africa, to watch or photograph wild animals in their natural surroundings.
blindness
B2
/ˈblaɪndnəs/
The condition of not being able to see.
elegance
B2
/ˈɛl.ɪ.ɡəns/
Graceful beauty and good taste in appearance, manners, or style.
clang
C2
/ˈklæ̝ŋ/
a loud resonant repeating noise
fearsome
B2
/ˈfɪɹsəm/
Frightening, especially in appearance.
acoustic
C1
/əˈkuː.stɪk/
(of a musical instrument) producing sound naturally, without electrical amplification.
inadequate
B2
/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
Not enough or not good enough for what is needed.
malice
C2
/ˈmælɪs/
The desire to harm others or to see them suffer.
tiresome
B2
/ˈtaɪɚsəm/
Making you feel bored or annoyed; tedious.
hiss
C1
/hɪs/
a fricative sound, especially as an expression of disapproval
optical
C1
/ˈɑptɪkəl/
Relating to sight or the eyes.
perceptive
C1
/pɚˈsɛptɪv/
Quick to notice and understand things, especially subtle ones.
clank
C1
/klæŋk/
a loud, hard, resonant sound made when pieces of metal strike one another
degrading
C1
/dɪˈgreɪdɪŋ/
Treating someone without respect and making them feel worthless or ashamed.
visually
B1
/ˈvɪzju.əli/
By means of sight; in a way relating to seeing.
faintly
B2
/ˈfeɪntli/
in a way that is weak, quiet, dim, or hard to notice
unsettling
C1
/ənˈsɛtəlɪŋ/
Making you feel worried, uneasy, or uncomfortable.
distortion
B2
/dɪˈstɔrʃən/
A change that makes something untrue or inaccurate; a misrepresentation.
dazzle
B1
/ˈdæzəl/
To make someone unable to see clearly because of very bright light.
loudspeaker
B1
/ˈlaʊdspiːkɚ/
A device that turns an electrical signal into sound loud enough to be heard at a distance.
overhear
B2
/oʊ.vɚˈhɪɚ/
To hear something that you were not meant to hear, usually by accident.
tinkle
C2
/ˈtɪŋkəl/
to make a series of light, clear ringing sounds
glittering
C2
/ˈɡlɪtəɹɪŋ/
sparkling or shining with many small flashes of light
disruption
C1
/dɪsˈɹʌpʃən/
An interruption that stops something from continuing normally.
trample
B2
/ˈtɹæmpəl/
To step on something heavily and crush or damage it with your feet.
hue
C2
/hju/
a color or shade of color
decorative
B2
/ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/
Intended to make something look attractive rather than to be useful.
narcissistic
B2
/ˌnɑɹ.sɪˈsɪs.tɪk/
Excessively focused on oneself, one's appearance, or one's own importance.
tinny
C2
/ˈtɪni/
having a thin, harsh, metallic sound
tranquil
C1
/ˈtɹæŋ.kwɪl/
Calm, quiet, and peaceful.
tingle
C1
/ˈtɪŋ.ɡəl/
to feel or cause a slight prickling, stinging, or vibrating sensation
clack
C2
/klæk/
a sharp, hard sound made when solid objects strike together
shadowy
B1
/ˈʃæd.oʊ.i/
Full of shadows; dark and hard to see in.
squint
C2
/skwɪnt/
To look at something with your eyes partly closed, often because of bright light or to see better.
sizzle
B2
/ˈsɪzəl/
to make a hissing sound like food cooking in hot fat
interactive
B2
/ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/
allowing the user to take part and respond, rather than just watch or listen.
jangle
C2
/ˈdʒæŋɡəl/
to make or cause a harsh, discordant metallic ringing sound
homely
C1
/ˈhoʊmli/
Simple, comfortable, and reminding you of home (British usage).
grumble
C1
/ˈɡɹʌmbl̩/
To complain about something in a quiet, unhappy way.
blam
C2
/blæm/
used to represent a sudden explosive impact or gunshot
crackle
B2
/ˈkræk.əl/
to make a rapid series of short, sharp popping sounds
raspy
C1
/ˈræspi/
harsh, rough, or grating in sound
stately
C1
/ˈsteɪtli/
Grand, impressive, and dignified in appearance.
firework
B1
/ˈfaɪɚˌwɚk/
A device that explodes with bright colored lights and loud bangs, used for celebrations.
radiance
C2
/ˈɹeɪdi.əns/
bright light or a warm glow sent out from something
subtly
C1
/ˈsʌt.l̩.li/
In a quiet, delicate way that is not obvious or easy to notice.
amplifier
B2
/ˈæm.plə.faɪ.ɚ/
A piece of electronic equipment that makes a sound or signal louder or stronger.
mutter
B2
/ˈmʌtɚ/
To speak quietly and unclearly, often when complaining or annoyed.
gaudy
B2
/ˈɡɔ.di/
Too bright or showy in a way that lacks taste.
acoustics
C1
/əˈkuː.stɪks/
The qualities of a room or building that affect how clearly sound can be heard in it.
resounding
C2
/riːˈsaʊndɪŋ/
Very great and unmistakable; emphatic
thunderous
B1
/ˈθʌn.dɚ.əs/
Extremely loud, like thunder.
indignity
B2
/ɪnˈdɪɡ.nɪ.ti/
A situation that makes you feel ashamed or that you are not respected.
acidic
C1
/əˈsɪ.dɪk/
Containing acid, or having a pH lower than 7.
bellow
B2
/ˈbɛloʊ/
To shout in a very loud, deep voice.
sensuous
C2
/ˈsɛnʃuəs/
giving pleasure to or strongly appealing to the physical senses
spellbound
B2
/ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/
So fascinated by something that you cannot look or turn away; completely captivated.
lurid
C2
/ˈlʊɹɪd/
Describing shocking or horrifying things, especially violence or sex, in too much vivid detail.