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
4363 words
dynamically
C1
in a way that keeps changing or developing
unimagined
C2
/ˌənɪˈmædʒənd/
not previously conceived, pictured, or expected
warty
C2
/ˈwɔrti/
covered with warts or wart-like growths
presuppose
C2
/ˌpɹiːsəˈpəʊz/
To assume that something is true before going on to argue or conclude something else.
reinterpret
C2
/ˌriːɪnˈtɝːprət/
To interpret again.
above-mentioned
C2+
/əˈbʌvˌmɛnʃn̩d/
mentioned or named earlier in the same text
friable
C2
/ˈfraɪəbəl/
easily crumbled, broken into small fragments, or reduced to powder
correspondingly
C2
/ˌkɔ.ɹəˈspɑn.dɪŋ.li/
in a corresponding manner
refutation
C2
/ˌɹef.jʊˈtæɪ.ʃən/
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
baronial
C1
/bəˈroʊniəl/
large, grand, and imposing in a way associated with a wealthy noble's home
chaotically
C1
In a confused, disorganised, and uncontrolled way.
voraciously
C1
In a way that shows a huge hunger or eager desire for something.
adulterate
C2
/əˈdʌltəɹət/
To make something weaker or lower in quality by adding another substance.
clearness
B2
/ˈklɪrnəs/
The quality of being easy to understand or perceive.
invariable
B2
/ɪnˈvɛɹ.i.ə.bl̩/
Never changing; always the same.
superfine
C1
/ˌsuːpərˈfaɪn/
of exceptionally high quality or fineness, especially as a grade of cloth or another commodity
intolerably
C2
/ˌɪnˈtɑːlɝəbli/
to an unacceptable degree
striation
C2
/[stɹaɪˈeɪ.ʃən]/
one of a series of narrow parallel lines, grooves, ridges, or bands
tediously
C1
/ˈtiːdiːəsli/
In a way that is boring and seems to last too long.
distaff
C2+
/ˈdɪstæf/
Of, relating to, or characteristic of women.
unenthusiastic
B2
/ʌnɛnθjuːziˈæstɪk/
Showing little or no excitement or interest.
blubbery
C2
/ˈblʌbəɹi/
Fat, soft, and wobbly, like blubber.
inexcusably
C1
/ˌɪnɪksˈkjuːzəbli/
In a way that cannot be justified or forgiven.
worm-eaten
C2+
/ˈwɝːmˌiːtən/
eaten, bored into, or damaged by worms or insect larvae
inextricable
C2
/ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbəl/
so closely connected or entangled that separation is impossible
illustrative
C2
/ɪˈlʌs.tɹə.tɪv/
Demonstrative, exemplative, showing an example or demonstrating.
tantalizingly
C2
/ˈtæntəˌlaɪzɪŋli/
In a way that tempts you with something desirable but just out of reach.
credibly
C1
/ˈkɹɛdɪbli/
In a way that can be believed or trusted.
infernally
C2
Extremely; to an annoying degree.
twiddly
C2
/ˈtwɪdəli/
informal: winding, twisting, or intricately shaped
unmodified
C2
not changed in form or character
wordlessly
B2
Without saying anything; in silence.
blue-black
C2+
/ˈbluːˌblæk/
black with a blue tint or sheen
axiomatic
C2
/ˌæk.si.əˈmæt.ɪk/
So obviously true that it needs no proof.
mottling
C2
/ˈmɑːtəlɪŋ/
spots or blotches of different shades or colours
plausibly
C1
/ˈplɔzəbli/
In a way that seems reasonable or likely to be true.
well-shaped
B2
/ˌwɛlˈʃeɪpt/
having an attractive, regular, or proportionate shape
unsurpassable
C2
/ˌʌnsɚˈpæsəbəl/
so excellent, great, or extreme that it cannot be surpassed
prohibitively
C1
/proʊˈhɪbətɪvli/
To a degree that makes something impossible to afford or do.
capriciously
C2
/kəˈprɪʃɪsli/
in a capricious manner
ignominiously
C2
/ˌɪɡ.nəˈmɪ.ni.əs.li/
In a shameful or dishonourable way.
vaporous
C2
/ˈveɪpɚəs/
filled with, consisting of, or resembling vapor; misty or gaseous
rumination
C2
/ˌɹuːmɪˈneɪʃən/
Deep, careful thinking about something over a long time.
remorselessly
C1
Without any pity or mercy.
robustly
C1
/ˌroʊˈbʌstli/
In a strong, firm, or vigorous way.
crudity
C2
/ˈkruːdəti/
the quality of being rough, primitive, or lacking refinement
coppery
C2
/ˈkɑpəɹi/
resembling copper, especially in having its reddish-brown color or metallic sheen
disparagingly
C2
/dɪˈspɛrɪdʒɪŋli/
In a way that shows a low opinion of someone or something; insultingly.
injudicious
C2
/ˌɪnd͡ʒʊˈdɪʃəs/
Showing poor judgement; not well judged.
unpunctual
C1
/ʌnˈpʌŋktʃuəl/
not arriving or happening at the agreed time
inseparably
C2
/ˌɪnˈsɛpɝəbli/
without possibility of separation
rufous
C2
/ˈruːfəs/
reddish-brown or rust-colored, especially in descriptions of animal fur or plumage
unquenched
C2
/ʌnˈkwɛntʃt/
not extinguished, cooled, or slaked
incorporeal
C2
/ɪnkɔː(ɹ)ˈpɔːɹiəl/
Having no material form or physical substance.
trumpery
C2
/ˈtɹʌmpəɹi/
showy but worthless objects, ornaments, or finery
ungentle
C2
/ʌnˈdʒɛntəl/
not gentle, kind, or considerate; harsh
insomuch
C2
/ɪnsəʊˈmʌt͡ʃ/
Because of; since; as a result of.
contextual
C1
/ˌkɑːnˈtɛksˌtʃuːəl/
Relating to or depending on the surrounding situation or context.
dapple
C2
/ˈdæp.əl/
to mark or cover something with contrasting spots or irregular patches of color, light, or shade
remonstrate
C2
/ˈɹɛ.mən.stɹeɪt/
To protest or argue against something, expressing strong disapproval.
distressful
B2
/dɪˈstrɛsfəl/
Causing or feeling distress, anxiety, or strain; distressing.
qualitatively
C2
/ˌkwɑːləˈteɪtɪvli/
in a manner relating to the value of something rather than the amount
inextinguishable
C2
/ˌɪnɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
impossible or extremely difficult to extinguish
believably
C1
In a way that seems true or convincing.
elongation
C2
/ˌiːlɔŋˈgeɪʃən/
The angular distance of a planet from the sun.
confabulation
C2
/kənˌfæbjəˈleɪʃən/
A false memory that someone genuinely believes is true, often caused by brain illness.
brushy
C2
/ˈbrʌʃi/
covered with or consisting of dense bushes, scrub, or undergrowth
prescriptive
C2
/pɹəˈskɹəptəv/
Giving firm rules or instructions about how something should be done.
unmusical
C1
Unpleasant to listen to; not sounding like music.
dubiously
C2
/ˈdub.i.əs.li/
In a doubtful or uncertain way, as if unsure something is good or true.
exactness
B2
The quality of being completely correct and precise.
gracefulness
B2
The quality of moving or behaving in a smooth, elegant way.
placidly
C1
/ˈplæsɪdli/
In a calm, peaceful manner.
stoutly
C2
/ˈstaʊtli/
in a resolute manner
scabrous
C2
/ˈskæb.rəs/
dealing with indecent, salacious, or scandalous subject matter
unpractical
C2
/ʌnˈpræktɪkəl/
not suitable or effective for use in real situations
unseasoned
B1
/ʌnˈsiːzənd/
not experienced or tested in a particular activity
laudatory
C2
/ˈlɔdəˌtɔri/
Expressing strong praise.
ebon
C2
/ˈɛbən/
literary: deep black in color, like ebony
fixedly
C2
/ˈfɪksɪdli/
in a fixed manner
rotundity
C2
/roʊˈtʌndəti/
roundness of shape or fullness of figure
largeness
C2
/ˈlɑːd͡ʒnəs/
large or extensive in breadth or importance or comprehensiveness
speckle
C1
/ˈspɛkəl/
a small spot or mark of a contrasting color
elfish
C2
/ˈɛlfɪʃ/
resembling or characteristic of an elf; strange, delicate, or otherworldly
grayness
B2
/ˈɡreɪnəs/
the quality or state of being gray in color
inchoate
C2
/ɪnˈkoʊət/
Just beginning and not yet fully formed or developed
unfeasibly
C2
To a degree that seems impossible or impractical.
arduously
C2
In a way that requires great effort and is very tiring.
untrimmed
B2
Not cut to make it neat or short
expiratory
C2
/ɪkˈspaɪrəˌtɔri/
of or relating to the breathing out phase of respiration
exuberantly
C1
In a lively, joyful, and enthusiastic way.
membranous
C2
/ˈmɛm.bɹən.əs/
characterized by formation of a membrane (or something resembling a membrane)
pervious
C2
/ˈpɝviəs/
able to be penetrated or passed through by water, air, or another substance
selectivity
C2
/sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvəti/
The quality of being careful or particular about what one chooses.
paradisiacal
C2
/ˌpærədɪˈsaɪəkəl/
idyllically beautiful, peaceful, or pleasurable
popularization
C1
/ˌpɑːpjəlɝəˈzeɪʃən/
The act of making something widely known and liked by the general public.