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
noisily
B1
/ˈnɔɪzəli/
In a way that makes a lot of noise; loudly.
tactile
B2
/ˈtæktaɪl/
Relating to the sense of touch.
outwardly
B2
/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
In the way something appears on the surface; in outer appearance.
olfactory
C2
/ɑlˈfæktəri/
relating to the sense of smell or to the organs used for smelling
uncomfortably
B2
/ənˈkʌmftəbli/
In a way that is physically unpleasant.
cornet
B2
/kɔɹˈnɛt/
A brass musical instrument, slightly smaller than a trumpet and with a bright tone.
complementary
C1
/ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/
Combining well with something else to make a complete or better whole.
vapid
C2
/ˈvæpɪd/
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
dowdy
C2
/ˈdaʊdi/
lacking in smartness or taste
pitter-patter
C2
/ˈpɪtərˌpætər/
a rapid succession of light tapping sounds, especially footsteps or raindrops
exude
C2
/ɪɡˈzud/
To show a quality or feeling strongly and clearly through the way you look or behave.
twang
C2
/twæŋ/
a sharp, vibrating sound like that of a plucked string
gurgle
C1
/ˈɡɝɡəl/
to make a low bubbling sound, especially as liquid moves through a narrow space
telescopic
C2
/ˌtɛləˈskɔpɪk/
Made of parts that slide into one another so the whole can be made longer or shorter.
condiment
C2
/ˈkɑn.də.mənt/
a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment
muffle
C1
/ˈmʌfəl/
to make a sound quieter or less distinct, especially by covering its source
goggle
C1
/ˈɡɑɡəl/
to stare with the eyes wide open, especially in surprise or amazement
amplification
C1
/ˌæmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The act of making something larger, fuller, or more detailed.
crawly
C2
/ˈkrɔːli/
moving by crawling or seeming to be full of crawling creatures
binocular
B2
/bɪˈnɒkjʊlɚ/
using or involving both eyes together
hallucinatory
C2
/həˈluːsənəˌtɔri/
relating to, consisting of, or producing hallucinations
disquieting
C1
/dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
Making you feel worried or uneasy.
headphone
A2
/ˈhɛdfoʊn/
A small speaker worn on or in the ear to listen to sound, usually in a pair.
torchlight
C1
/ˈtɔːrtʃˌlaɪt/
light cast by a burning torch or, especially in British English, a handheld flashlight
murk
C2
/mɝk/
an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance
aural
C2
/ˈɔɹəl/
relating to or characterized by an aura
intelligible
C2
/ɪnˈtɛləd͡ʒəbəl/
well articulated or enunciated, and loud enough to be heard distinctly
mortify
B2
/ˈmoɹtɪfaɪ/
To make someone feel very embarrassed or ashamed.
whish
C2
/wɪʃ/
a soft rushing or hissing sound made by rapid movement through air or water
wearisome
B2
/ˈwɪəɹisəm/
Making you feel tired or bored; tedious.
sputter
C2
/ˈspʌt.ɚ/
to make a series of soft explosive, spitting, or popping sounds
chirrup
C2
/ˈtʃɪrəp/
a short, repeated high-pitched sound such as the call of a small bird or insect
cacophonous
C2
/kəˈkɑfənəs/
having an unpleasant sound
siss
C2
/sɪs/
to make or utter with a sharp hissing sound
odorous
C2
/ˈoʊdərəs/
having or giving off a noticeable or distinctive smell
whang
C2
/wæŋ/
a loud, sharp, resonant sound, especially one made by a forceful impact
resoundingly
C2
/rɪˈzaʊndɪŋli/
In a clear and unmistakable way; emphatically
nearsightedness
C2
/ˈnɪrˌsaɪ.tɪd.nəs/
the condition of seeing nearby objects clearly but distant objects indistinctly
euphonious
C2
/juːˈfoʊ.ni.əs/
pleasant, harmonious, and agreeable to the ear
attune
C1
/əˈtun/
to make someone receptive or sensitive to a situation, idea, need, or signal, often used as be attuned to
impalpable
C2
/ɪmˈpælpəbəl/
unable to be touched or physically felt; intangible or insubstantial
lorgnette
C2
/lɔːrˈnjet/
a pair of eyeglasses mounted in a frame with a handle and held in front of the eyes rather than worn
mechanize
B2
/ˈmɛkənaɪz/
To replace manual work with machines.
unclearly
B2
In a way that is hard to understand, see, or hear.
kinesthetic
C2
/ˌkɪnəsˈθɛtɪk/
relating to the sense of bodily position, muscular movement, and effort
insensibility
C2
/ɪnˌsen.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/
lack of physical sensation or awareness; unconsciousness
unperceived
C2
/ˌʌnpərˈsivd/
not perceived, noticed, or consciously registered
syllabic
C2
/sɪˈlæb.ɪk/
Relating to syllables.
clangor
C2
/ˈklæŋ(ɡ)ɚ/
a loud, resonant noise or confused series of metallic sounds
effulgence
C2
/ɪˈfʌldʒəns/
brilliant radiance or a dazzling emission of light
whinner
C2+
/ˈhwɪnər/
dialectal: to whine or cry in a weak, high-pitched manner
inartistic
C2
Lacking artistic skill or taste.
rat-tat
C2+
/ˈrætˌtæt/
a rapid series of short, sharp knocks or tapping sounds
sough
C2
/saʊ/
to make a low, continuous murmuring, sighing, or rustling sound
tangibility
C2
/ˌtændʒəˈbɪləti/
the quality of being perceptible by touch
pomander
C2
/ˈpoʊ.mæn.dɚ/
historical: a ball of aromatic substances carried for fragrance or as a supposed protection against infection
sedately
C1
/sɪˈdeɪtli/
In a calm, quiet, unhurried way.
unobserving
C2
/ˌʌnəbˈzɝvɪŋ/
failing to notice or pay careful attention; unobservant
luridly
C2
In a way that describes shocking things in too much vivid or sensational detail.
crepitation
C2
/ˌkrɛp.əˈteɪ.ʃən/
a crackling, rattling, or popping sound
tastebud
C1
/ˈteɪstbʌd/
One of the tiny organs on the tongue that let you taste flavours.
gustation
C2
/ɡʌˈsteɪʃən/
the sense or faculty of taste
unwinking
C2
/ʌnˈwɪŋkɪŋ/
not blinking or closing the eyes
collocation
B2
/ˌkɑl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/
A pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers.
guggle
C2+
/ˈɡʌɡəl/
to make the bubbling or gurgling sound of liquid flowing through a narrow opening
coruscation
C2
/ˌkɒɹəsˈkeɪʃən/
a sudden or striking display of brilliance
unmusically
C1
In a way that is unpleasant to hear or not like music.
dour
C2+
/dʊɹ/
stern, gloomy, or forbidding in manner or appearance
forbidding
C2+
/fɚˈbɪdɪŋ/
unfriendly or threatening in appearance; grim
fondle
C2+
/ˈfɑndəl/
to touch or stroke gently and affectionately
ken
C2+
/kɛn/
range of knowledge or sight; to know or perceive
apparition
C2+
/ˌæpəˈrɪʃən/
a ghostly figure or a sudden striking appearance
conspicuous
C2+
/kənˈspɪkjuəs/
clearly visible or attracting notice; striking
meek
C2+
/miːk/
quiet, gentle, and submissive
aroma
C2+
/əˈroʊmə/
a distinctive, usually pleasant smell
bleary
C2+
/ˈblɪri/
(of eyes or vision) dim, blurred, or tired-looking
delectable
C2+
/dɪˈlɛktəbəl/
delicious; highly pleasing to the taste or senses
vulgar
C2+
/ˈvʌlɡɚ/
lacking refinement or good taste; coarse
ching
C2+
/tʃɪŋ/
an imitation of a ringing metallic sound; slang for money
daybreak
C2+
/ˈdeɪˌbreɪk/
the first appearance of light in the morning; dawn
refined
C2+
/rɪˈfaɪnd/
elegant and cultured in taste or manner; freed from impurities
unrefined
C2+
/ˌʌnrɪˈfaɪnd/
not processed or purified; coarse in manner or taste
abash
C2+
/əˈbæʃ/
to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed
baffle
C2+
/ˈbæfəl/
to confuse or perplex; a device that restrains flow or sound
behold
C2+
/bɪˈhoʊld/
to see or observe, especially something remarkable
cheery
C2+
/ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; cheerful
din
C2+
/dɪn/
a loud, prolonged, confused noise
emit
C2+
/ɪˈmɪt/
to discharge or send out, as light, sound, or gas
espy
C2+
/ɪˈspaɪ/
to catch sight of, especially something distant or partly hidden
flavorful
C2+
/ˈfleɪvərfəl/
full of rich and pleasing flavor
flavorsome
C2+
/ˈfleɪvərsəm/
having a full, appetizing flavor
grope
C2+
/ɡroʊp/
to feel about uncertainly with the hands, as in the dark
loathe
C2+
/loʊð/
to feel intense dislike or disgust for
observant
C2+
/əbˈzɝvənt/
quick to notice things; attentive
tumult
C2+
/ˈtuːmʌlt/
a loud, confused noise or a state of violent disorder and commotion
uproar
C2+
/ˈʌprɔr/
a loud and impassioned noise or public outburst of protest