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.
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All 27,237 words
346 words
boa
C2
/ˈboʊ.ə/
a long decorative scarf made of feathers, fur, or a similar fluffy material
barbershop
B2
/ˈbɑːrbɝˌʃɑːp/
A shop where men go to have their hair cut.
wrapper
B1
/ˈræp.ɚ/
paper, plastic, or another material folded around an object to cover or protect it
spruce
C2
/spɹuːs/
dress and groom with particular care, as for a special occasion
overcoat
B2
/ˈoʊvɚkoʊt/
A long, heavy coat worn over other clothes in cold weather.
turban
C2
/ˈtɝ.bən/
a head covering made by winding a long piece of cloth around the head, worn especially in several South Asian and religious traditions
overalls
C1
/ˈoʊvəɹɔːlz/
Loose trousers with a bib and shoulder straps, often worn for work.
plaid
B2
/plæd/
a pattern of crossing horizontal and vertical bands in two or more colors, often resembling tartan
bathrobe
C2
/ˈbæθˌɹoʊb/
a loose robe, often made of absorbent cloth, worn before or after bathing or while relaxing at home
muff
C2
/mʌf/
a tube of fur or warm fabric into which both hands are placed for warmth
henna
C2
/ˈhɛnə/
a reddish-brown dye made from the powdered leaves of the henna plant, used to color hair or decorate skin
britches
C2
/ˈbrɪtʃɪz/
informal or dialectal: trousers; especially breeches
corset
C1
/ˈkɔrsɪt/
a close-fitting, often stiffened undergarment worn to support or shape the torso and waist
necktie
A2
/ˈnɛk.taɪ/
a long, narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck beneath a collar and tied in a knot at the front
seam
C2
/siːm/
a line where two pieces of cloth, leather, or similar material are joined, usually by sewing
plait
C1
/pleɪt/
chiefly British: to braid hair, cord, or another flexible material by crossing strands over one another
garter
C1
/ˈɡɑrtɚ/
a band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking
clog
B2
/klɑɡ/
To block something, or to become blocked.
poncho
C2
/ˈpɑntʃoʊ/
a cloak made from a single piece of fabric with an opening for the head, traditionally worn in South America
duds
C1
/dʌdz/
informal, plural: clothes, especially ordinary, rough, or distinctive clothes
visor
C1
/ˈvaɪ.zɚ/
a movable part of a helmet that covers and protects the face
anklet
B2
/ˈæŋ.klət/
an ornamental band or chain worn around the ankle
pedicure
C1
/ˈpɛ.dɪ.kjʊɹ/
A beauty treatment for the feet and toenails.
well-dressed
B1
Wearing attractive, fashionable, or smart clothes.
kilt
B2
/kɪlt/
a knee-length pleated garment, usually made of tartan cloth and traditionally associated with Scottish Highland dress
tunic
C2
/ˈtunɪk/
a loose garment for the torso, typically reaching from the shoulders to the hips or knees
drape
C2
/dɹeɪp/
the manner in which fabric hangs or falls
up-to-date
B1
/ˌʌp tə ˈdeɪt/
Including the latest information or features; current.
dressmaker
B2
/ˈdɹɛsˌmeɪkɚ/
a person whose occupation is making, altering, or repairing dresses and other fitted women's clothing
wornout
B2
/ˈwɔɹnˌaʊt/
Used so much that it is no longer good enough to use.
haired
B1
/hɛɹd/
having hair, especially hair of a particular kind or color
toga
B2
/ˈtoʊɡə/
a long, loose outer garment draped around the body and worn by male citizens of ancient Rome
unbutton
A2
/ʌnˈbʌtən/
to undo the buttons of a garment or other object so that it opens
trig
C2
/trɪɡ/
dated or dialectal: neat, trim, and smart in appearance
bib
B1
/bɪb/
a piece of cloth or plastic fastened under the chin to protect clothing while eating
petticoat
C1
/ˈpɛt.ɪ.koʊt/
a light undergarment worn beneath a dress or skirt
sombrero
C1
/səmˈbɹɛɹ.oʊ/
in English, a broad-brimmed hat of a type associated especially with Mexico and the southwestern United States
trappings
C1
/ˈtræpɪŋz/
the outward signs, accessories, or equipment associated with a role, rank, or activity
waistcoat
B2
/ˈweɪs(t)kəʊt/
A close-fitting sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and usually under a jacket.
shaver
C2
/ˈʃeɪvɚ/
a tool or machine used for shaving, especially an electric razor
tracksuit
B1
/ˈtɹækˌsut/
A loose, comfortable top and trousers worn for sport or relaxing.
stubble
B2
/ˈstʌbəl/
short, stiff hair that remains or grows after shaving, especially on the face
headgear
C1
/ˈhɛd.ɡɪr/
anything worn on the head, such as a hat, helmet, hood, or ceremonial covering
visage
C1
/ˈvɪz.ɪd͡ʒ/
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
breeches
C2
/ˈbrɪtʃɪz/
short trousers fastened at or just below the knee, historically worn by men and now especially for riding
smock
C2
/smɑk/
a loose garment worn over other clothes to protect them, traditionally by artists, workers, or farm laborers
bandana
C2
/bænˈdænə/
a large, usually colorful square of cloth worn around the head or neck
eyeglasses
B1
/ˈaɪˌɡlæs.ɪz/
mainly North American: a frame holding two lenses, worn in front of the eyes to improve vision or protect the eyes
corduroy
C1
/ˈkɔːdɹɔɪ/
a durable cotton fabric with raised parallel ribs running along its surface
bangle
C2
/ˈbæŋ.ɡəl/
a stiff ornamental bracelet or anklet, usually slipped over the hand or foot or closed with a clasp
finery
C2
/ˈfaɪnəɹi/
showy, elegant, or elaborate clothes, jewellery, and ornaments
bodice
C2
/ˈbɑːdɪs/
the fitted upper part of a woman's dress, above the waist
cravat
C2+
/kɹəˈvæt/
a broad band or scarf worn around the neck
wearer
B1
/ˈwɛrɚ/
a person who is wearing or regularly wears a particular item of clothing, decoration, or equipment
passé
C2
/pæˈseɪ/
no longer fashionable, current, or generally admired
tartan
B2
/ˈtɑɹtn̩/
a woven fabric or pattern formed by horizontal and vertical bands of different colors crossing one another
embroider
B2
/ɪmˈbrɔɪ.dɚ/
to decorate cloth or clothing by sewing patterns or pictures directly onto it
aesthetically
C1
/ɛsˈθɛtɪkli/
In a way that relates to beauty or is pleasing to the senses.
nightdress
B1
/ˈnaɪtˌdrɛs/
a loose garment, traditionally worn by a woman or girl, for sleeping in
undershirt
C2
/ˈʌndɝˌʃɝːt/
a lightweight undergarment worn on the upper body beneath a shirt
mackintosh
C2
/ˈmækɪntɑʃ/
a waterproof raincoat, traditionally made from rubberized fabric
tassel
C1
/ˈtæsəl/
a decorative bunch of threads or cords tied together at one end and left hanging at the other
ulster
C2
/ˈʌlstər/
a long, loose, heavy overcoat, traditionally of rough wool and sometimes made with a shoulder cape
dressy
C2
/ˈdɹɛsi/
stylish or formal enough for a special occasion
headpiece
C1
/ˈhɛdˌpiːs/
something worn on or covering the head, especially an ornamental or protective item
buttonhole
B2
/ˈbʌtənˌhoʊl/
a slit in a garment through which a button passes to fasten it
nightshirt
C1
/ˈnaɪt.ʃɝːt/
a loose, shirt-shaped garment worn in bed
mitten
C1
/ˈmɪʔ.n̩/
a glove with one section for the thumb and another shared section for the four fingers
unfashionable
B2
/ənˈfæʃənəbəl/
Not in style; not following current fashion.
romper
C2
/ˈɹɑmpɚ/
A one-piece garment, often worn by young children at play.
patten
C2
/ˈpætən/
historical: a wooden clog or raised overshoe worn to keep an ordinary shoe above wet or muddy ground
detritus
C1
/dɪˈtɹaɪ.təs/
Scattered waste, rubbish, or leftover fragments.
unshaven
B1
/ˌʌnˈʃeɪ.vən/
not recently shaved, especially so that short facial hair is visible
wince
C2
/wɪns/
make a face indicating disgust or dislike
verve
C1
/vɝv/
Great energy, enthusiasm, and style, especially in art or performance.
topknot
C1
/ˈtɑːpˌnɑːt/
a knot, bun, or gathered arrangement of hair worn on the top of the head
shoestring
C2
/ˈʃuːstrɪŋ/
a cord or lace used to fasten a shoe
freckled
C2
/ˈfɹɛkəld/
covered with freckles or small brownish spots
threadbare
C2
/ˈθɹɛdˌbɛ(ə)ɹ/
having the nap worn away so that the threads show through
camisole
C1
/ˈkæm.ɪ.soʊl/
a short, sleeveless undergarment for the upper body, traditionally worn by women
milliner
C2
/ˈmɪl.ə.nɚ/
a person who designs, makes, or sells women's hats
togs
C2
/tɑːɡz/
informal, plural: clothes, especially clothes for a particular activity or occasion
tailcoat
C2
/ˈteɪlkoʊt/
a formal coat cut short at the front and extending into one or two long tails at the back
tress
C2
/tɹɛs/
literary, often plural: a long lock, curl, or braid of hair
diadem
C2
/ˈdaɪəˌdem/
an ornamental headband or crown worn as a sign of royalty
dressmaking
C2
/ˈdresˌmeɪ.kɪŋ/
the craft, work, or occupation of making women's clothing, especially custom-fitted dresses
chiselled
C1
Having sharp, clearly defined features, especially the face or body.
hosiery
C1
/ˈhoʊʒəri/
socks, stockings, tights, and similar close-fitting garments for the feet and legs, considered collectively
retouch
B2
/ˌriˈtʌtʃ/
to improve or alter an image, artwork, or other object by making small corrections to its details
moccasin
C2
/ˈmɑkəsɪn/
a traditional Indigenous North American soft leather shoe, made in varied regional styles from hide stitched around the foot
jerkin
C2
/ˈdʒɝː.kɪn/
a close-fitting jacket, often sleeveless and made of leather or rich fabric, worn especially by men in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
pinafore
C2
/ˈpɪnəˌfɔɹ/
a sleeveless, apron-like outer garment worn over other clothes, especially by a child
peignoir
C2
/peɪnˈwɑːr/
a woman's loose dressing gown, often light or sheer
frill
C1
/ˈfrɪl/
a narrow strip of gathered or pleated fabric used as a decorative edge
bedraggled
C2
/bɪˈdræɡəld/
wet, dirty, and hanging limply; untidy from exposure to bad weather
forelock
C2
/ˈfɔrˌlɑk/
a lock of hair that grows or falls over a person's forehead