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
1274 words
deny
B1
/dəˈnaɪ/
To say that something is not true.
assure
B2
/əˈʃɔː(ɹ)/
To tell someone something confidently so they feel less worried.
package
B1
/pa.ked͡ʒ/
Something wrapped or boxed up to be carried or sent; a parcel.
shine
A2
/ˈʃaɪn/
To give out or reflect bright light.
charity
B1
/ˈt͡ʃɛɹəti/
An organization that helps people in need.
balance
B1
/ˈbæləns/
A state in which different parts or forces are equal or steady, so nothing tips over or dominates.
surrender
B2
/səˈɹɛndə(ɹ)/
To stop fighting and admit that you have been defeated.
routine
B1
/ɹuˈtin/
A fixed set of things you usually do in a regular order.
injured
B1
/ˈɪnd͡ʒɚd/
Hurt or harmed physically.
cage
B1
/keɪd͡ʒ/
A container made of bars or wire for keeping animals or birds.
awkward
B1
/ˈaːk.wɐd/
Making you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
aim
B1
/eɪm/
To plan or intend to do something.
timing
B2
/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/
The choice of the right moment for something to happen.
determined
B1
/dɪˈtɝmɪnd/
Having decided firmly to do something and not letting anything stop you.
motive
B1
/ˈmoʊtɪv/
A reason that makes someone want to do something.
prevent
A2
/pɹɪˈvɛnt/
To stop something from happening.
lend
A2
/ˈlɪ̟nd/
To let someone use something of yours for a while, expecting it back.
patrol
B1
/pəˈtɹoʊl/
The act of moving around an area regularly to keep it safe and watch for trouble.
fantasy
B1
/ˈfæntəsi/
Something you imagine that is pleasant but unlikely to happen.
apply
A2
/əˈplaɪ/
To make a formal request for something such as a job or a place.
shed
B2
/ʃɛd/
To get rid of something you no longer want or need.
capture
B1
/ˈkɛp.(t)ʃɘː/
To catch a person or animal and hold them as a prisoner.
shocked
B1
/ˈʃɑːkt/
Very surprised and upset by something.
pin
B1
/ˈpɪn/
A short, thin piece of metal with a sharp point, used to fasten things together.
helpful
A2
/ˈhɛlp.fl̩/
Giving help; useful.
liberty
A2
/ˈlɪb.ɚ.ti/
The freedom to live, think, and act as you choose.
thirsty
A2
/ˈθɝs.ti/
Feeling the need to drink.
aid
B1
/ˈeɪd/
Help or support, especially given to people in need.
brief
B1
/bɹiːf/
Lasting only a short time.
tend
B1
/ˈtɛnd/
To usually do something or be likely to behave in a certain way.
tap
A2
/tɐːp/
To hit something gently and quickly.
tent
B1
/tɛnt/
A shelter made of cloth stretched over poles, used for camping outdoors.
propose
B1
/pɹəˈpoʊz/
To suggest a plan or course of action for people to consider.
insult
B2
/ɪnˈsɒlt/
To say or do something rude that offends someone.
appropriate
A2
/əˈpɹoʊ.pɹi.eɪt/
Suitable or right for a particular person, situation, or purpose.
fridge
A2
/ˈfrɪdʒ/
A refrigerator; an appliance that keeps food cold.
recommend
B1
/ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/
To suggest something or someone as good or suitable.
effective
B1
/ɪˈfɛktɪv/
Working well and producing the result you want.
bothered
B2
/ˈbɑːðɝd/
Feeling annoyed, worried, or upset.
forbidden
B1
/fɚˈbɪ.dn̩/
Not allowed; officially banned.
coin
A2
/ˈkoɪ̯n/
A piece of money made of metal, usually round and flat.
washing
A2
/ˈwɑʃ.ɪŋ/
Clothes and other items that need to be, are being, or have been washed.
audition
B2
/ɑˈdɪʃən/
A short performance to show whether an actor, singer, or musician is suitable for a role.
register
B1
/ˈɹɛd͡ʒ.ɪ.stɚ/
To put your name on an official list in order to do something.
combination
B1
/ˌkɑmbɪˈneɪʃən/
A mix of two or more different things joined together.
threaten
B2
/ˈθrɛtən/
To say that you will hurt or punish someone, especially to make them do what you want.
include
A2
/ɪnˈkluːd/
To have something as a part of a whole.
assistance
B1
/əˈsɪstəns/
Help given to someone who needs it.
rely
B1
/ɹɪˈlaɪ/
To depend on or trust someone or something to do what you need.
commitment
A2
/kəˈmɪtmənt/
A promise or willingness to give your time and energy to something you believe in.
embrace
B2
/ɛmˈbɹes/
To hold someone closely in your arms to show affection; to hug.
fuss
B1
/fʊs/
Unnecessary worry, excitement, or activity about something small.
envelope
A2
/ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/
A flat paper cover in which you put a letter before posting it.
Ms.
A2
/ˈmɪz/
A title used before a woman's name when you do not want to show whether she is married.
perfume
A2
/ˈpɝfjuːm/
A liquid with a pleasant smell that people put on their skin.
forbid
A2
/fɚˈbɪd/
To order someone not to do something.
depend
A2
/dɪˈpɛnd/
To be affected or decided by something else.
helpless
B1
/ˈhɛlplɪs/
Not able to look after yourself or do things without help.
inspiration
A2
/ˌɪn.spɚˈeɪ.ʃən/
A feeling of excitement or new energy that makes you want to create or do something.
luxury
B1
/ˈlʌɡ.ʒə.ɹi/
Great comfort and pleasure, usually involving expensive things.
slice
A2
/slaɪs/
A thin, flat piece cut from something.
scheme
B2
/skiːm/
An official plan or programme to achieve something.
consent
B2
/kənˈsɛnt/
Permission for something to happen or be done.
accurate
B1
/ˈæk.jə.ɹɪt/
Correct and free from mistakes.
curtain
B1
/ˈkɜɹt(ə)n/
A piece of cloth hung over a window to keep out light or give privacy.
included
A2
/ɪnˈkluːdɪd/
Contained as part of something, often at no extra charge.
phrase
B1
/fɹeɪz/
A group of words that go together and act as a unit, but do not form a full sentence.
spite
B2
/spaɪt/
A desire to hurt, annoy, or upset someone out of ill will.
fortunate
B1
/ˈfɔɹ.t͡ʃə.nɪt/
Lucky; having or bringing good luck.
confusion
B1
/kənˈfjuːʒən/
A state of not understanding clearly or not knowing what to do.
precise
A2
/pɹɪˈsaɪs/
Exact, clear, and accurate.
capacity
B1
/kəˈpæ.sɪ.ti/
The amount that something can hold or contain.
assist
B1
/əˈsɪst/
To help someone do something.
proposed
B2
/pɹəˈpoʊzd/
Suggested or planned but not yet put into action.
kidnap
C1
/ˈkɪdnæp/
To take and hold someone illegally, often to demand money for their release.
engage
B1
/ɪnˈɡeɪd͡ʒ/
To take part in something or get involved with it.
relaxed
A2
/ɹɪˈlækst/
Calm and free from worry, stress, or tension.
ambition
A2
/æmˈbɪʃ.ən/
Something you very much want to do or achieve.
umbrella
A1
/ˈʌm.bɹɛl.ə/
A folding frame covered in cloth that you hold over your head to keep off rain or sun.
spoon
A2
/spuːn/
A utensil with a small bowl-shaped end and a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving.
cooperation
B2
/koʊˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
The act of working together toward a shared goal.
involve
B1
/ɪnˈvoːv/
To include something as a necessary part or result
manual
B2
/ˈmæn.j(u)əl/
A book that explains how to use or operate something.
pursue
A2
/pɚˈsu/
To work hard to achieve or get something you want.
torch
B2
/tɔɹt͡ʃ/
A small electric lamp you hold in your hand; a flashlight.
fulfill
B2
/fʊlˈfɪl/
To do or complete something you promised or were required to do.
sequence
B1
/ˈsi.kwəns/
A set of things arranged or happening one after another in a particular order.
tolerate
B2
/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/
To allow something you dislike to happen without trying to stop it.
courtesy
B2
/ˈkɝɾəsi/
Polite and considerate behaviour.
divided
B2
/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
Separated into different parts or pieces.
cease
B2
/sis/
To stop happening or to stop doing something.
bribe
C1
/bɹaɪb/
To secretly give someone money or gifts so they will do something dishonest for you.
cue
B2
/ˈkjuː/
A signal or event that tells someone to do something.
attract
B1
/əˈtɹækt/
To make someone interested in or want to come to something.
encourage
A2
/ɪnˈkʌɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/
To give someone confidence, hope, or support
clip
B1
/klɪp/
A small device used to hold things together or in place.