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
855 words
conscience
B2
/ˈkɑn.ʃəns/
The part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is right or wrong.
unhappy
A2
/ʌnˈhæpi/
Sad; not feeling happy.
atmosphere
B1
/ˈætməsˌfɪɹ/
The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth or another planet.
annoying
A2
/əˈnɔɪ.ɪŋ/
Making you feel slightly angry or impatient.
lousy
B2
/ˈlaʊ.zi/
Very bad; of poor quality.
uncomfortable
A2
/ʌnˈkʌm.fɚ.tə.bl̩/
Not pleasant to use, wear, or sit in; causing physical discomfort.
worrying
B2
/ˈwʌɹ.i.ɪŋ/
Causing you to feel anxious or concerned.
relief
B2
/ɹɪˈliːf/
The good feeling you get when worry, pain, or trouble ends or eases.
yell
B1
/jɛl/
To shout something in a very loud voice.
gambling
B2
/ˈɡæm.bl̩.ɪŋ/
The activity of risking money on a game or event in the hope of winning more.
tragedy
B1
/ˈtɹæd͡ʒɛdi/
A very sad event, especially one involving death or great loss.
creepy
B2
/ˈkɹipi/
Causing an uneasy, frightened feeling, as if something were crawling over your skin.
romance
A2
/roʊˈmæn(t)s/
A romantic relationship or love affair between two people.
grief
B2
/ɡɹiːf/
Deep sadness, especially after someone you love dies.
headache
A2
/ˈhɛdeɪk/
A pain in the head.
prick
B2
/pɹɪk/
To make a small hole in something with a sharp point.
bitter
B1
/ˈbɪ.tɚ/
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste that is not sweet.
nerves
B2
/nɝvz/
Feelings of worry or fear, especially before an important event.
happily
A2
/ˈhæp.ə.li/
In a happy, cheerful way.
depressed
B1
/dɪˈprɛst/
Feeling very sad and without hope.
buzz
B2
/bʌz/
To make a low, continuous humming sound, like a bee.
anxious
A2
/ˈæŋ(k).ʃəs/
Feeling worried or nervous about something that might happen.
admire
A2
/ədˈmaɪɹ/
To respect and approve of someone or something.
madness
B2
/ˈmæd.nəs/
The state of being mentally ill; insanity.
fond
B1
/fɑnd/
Having a liking or affection for someone or something.
flip
B2
/flɪp/
To turn something over quickly so the other side shows.
affect
B1
/əˈfɛkt/
To have an effect on something or someone; to change or influence it.
humor
B1
/ˈhjuːmɚ/
The quality of being funny or amusing.
betray
B2
/bɪˈtɹeɪ/
To harm someone who trusts you by being disloyal or untrue to them.
delighted
B1
/dɪˈlaɪtəd/
Very pleased and happy.
temper
B1
/ˈtɛmpɚ/
A tendency to become angry quickly.
horror
A2
/ˈhɔɹ.ɚ/
A strong feeling of fear or shock.
tragic
B1
/ˈtɹæd͡ʒɪk/
Very sad, especially because it involves death or suffering.
sore
B1
/soɹ/
Painful and sensitive, especially from injury or overuse.
explode
B1
/ɪkˈsploʊd/
To burst suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise.
hunger
B1
/ˈhʌŋɡɚ/
The feeling of needing or wanting to eat.
stab
B2
/stæb/
To push a knife or other sharp object into someone or something.
scandal
B2
/ˈskændəl/
An event that shocks people and damages the reputation of those involved.
disturbing
C1
/dɪsˈtɝ.bɪŋ/
Causing worry, distress, or a feeling of unease.
excitement
B1
/ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
A feeling of being very happy and eager.
relieved
B2
/ɹɪˈliːvd/
Feeling happy and free from worry because a problem or fear has gone.
adorable
B1
/əˈdoɹ.əˌbəl/
Very attractive and easy to love, especially in a sweet or charming way.
misery
B1
/ˈmɪz(ə)ɹi/
A feeling of deep unhappiness and suffering.
flame
B2
/fleɪm/
The bright burning gas you see in a fire.
emotion
B1
/ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən/
A strong feeling such as love, anger, fear, or joy
content
B1
/kənˈtɛnt/
Happy and satisfied with what you have.
hopeless
B1
/ˈhoʊplɪs/
With no chance of success or improvement.
aggressive
B1
/əˈɡɹɛs.ɪv/
Behaving in an angry, threatening way and ready to attack or argue.
sorrow
B1
/ˈsɑɹoʊ/
A deep feeling of sadness, especially after a loss.
dull
B1
/dʊl/
Boring; not interesting or exciting.
grip
B2
/ɡɹɪp/
To hold something tightly with your hand.
envy
A2
/ˈɛnvi/
A feeling of wanting something that someone else has.
hatred
B1
/hetɹɪd/
A very strong feeling of dislike or hostility.
blank
A2
/ˈblæŋk/
With no writing, marks, or pictures on it; empty.
vain
B1
/ven/
Too proud of your own appearance, abilities, or achievements.
affection
B1
/əˈfɛk.ʃən/
A gentle feeling of fondness, liking, or love for someone.
instinct
B2
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
A natural way of behaving or feeling that you are born with, not learned.
furious
B2
/ˈfjʊɹ.i.əs/
Extremely angry.
troubled
C1
/ˈtɹʌbl̩d/
Worried, anxious, or upset.
dizzy
A2
/ˈdɪzi/
Feeling as if everything is spinning and you might fall over.
approval
B1
/əˈpɹuvəl/
Official permission or agreement that something can happen.
disappoint
B1
/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/
To make someone sad or unhappy by not being as good as they hoped or expected.
sympathy
B1
/ˈsɪm.pəθ.i/
A feeling of pity and sorrow for someone who is suffering.
dreadful
B2
/ˈdɹɛd.fl̩/
Extremely bad or unpleasant.
lust
C1
/ˈlɜst/
A strong feeling of sexual desire.
butterfly
A1
/ˈbʌ.tə(ɹ).flaɪ/
A flying insect with large, often brightly coloured wings.
eager
B1
/iɡə/
Very keen and excited to do or have something.
gratitude
B1
/ˈɡɹætɪtjud/
The feeling of being thankful and wanting to show appreciation.
passionate
B2
/ˈpæʃənɪt/
Showing or feeling very strong emotions or enthusiasm.
wooden
A2
/ˈwʉdn̩/
Made of wood.
sickness
B1
/ˈsɪknɪs/
The state of being ill, or a particular illness.
possessed
B2
/pəˈzɛst/
Controlled by an evil spirit.
whew
C2+
/hjuː/
used to express relief, exhaustion, or the release of tension
stressed
B1
/stɹɛst/
Feeling worried or under mental pressure.
congratulate
B1
/kənˈɡɹæt͡ʃ.ʊˌleɪt/
To tell someone you are pleased about their success or good news.
anxiety
B1
/ˌæŋ(ɡ)ˈzaɪ.ɪ.ti/
A feeling of worry or unease about something that might happen.
strongly
A2
/ˈstɹɔŋli/
In a way that shows powerful feeling or firm opinion.
despair
B1
/dɪˈspɛɚ/
The feeling of having lost all hope.
distress
C1
/dɪˈstɹɛs/
A feeling of great emotional pain, worry, or suffering.
sadness
B1
/ˈsædnəs/
The feeling of being unhappy.
sensible
B1
/ˈsɛn.sə.bəl/
Showing good judgement; reasonable and practical.
sentimental
C1
/ˌsɛntiˈmɛntl̩/
Based on or showing tender emotions rather than reason.
emotionally
B1
/ɪˈmoʊʃənəli/
In a way that relates to feelings
explosive
B2
/ɛkˈsploʊsɪv/
Able to explode or likely to explode.
stew
B2
/stʃʉː/
A dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid.
triumph
B1
/ˈtɹaɪ.əmf/
A great success or victory after effort or difficulty.
thankful
B1
/ˈθæŋkfl̩/
Feeling or showing gratitude; glad about something.
compassion
B2
/kəmˈpæʃən/
A strong feeling of sympathy for people who are suffering, together with a wish to help them.
frightening
A2
/ˈfɹaɪtənɪŋ/
Making you feel afraid; scary.
pine
B2
/ˈpaɪn/
A tall evergreen tree with long thin needles instead of leaves.
thrill
B2
/θɹɪl/
A sudden strong feeling of excitement and pleasure.
identification
B2
/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/
An official document that proves who you are.
loneliness
B2
/ˈloʊnlinəs/
The sad feeling of being alone and without company.
yacht
B2
/jɑːt/
A light, fast boat used for pleasure trips or racing.
frighten
A2
/ˈfɹaɪ.tən/
To make someone feel afraid or scared.
disappointment
B1
/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/
The sad feeling you get when something is not as good as you hoped or expected.