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
sunlight
A2
/ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/
The natural light that comes from the sun.
confront
B2
/kənˈfɹʌnt/
To deal with a difficult situation or problem directly.
glow
B2
/ɡloʊ/
To give off a soft, steady light without flames.
quarrel
B2
/ˈkwɔɹəl/
An angry argument or disagreement.
delight
B1
/dəˈlaɪt/
A feeling of great pleasure or joy.
warmth
B1
/wɔɹmθ/
A pleasant, moderate level of heat.
depressing
B1
/dɪˈpɹɛsɪŋ/
Making you feel sad and without hope.
hysterical
C2
/hɪˈstɛɹɪkəl/
Showing wild, uncontrollable emotion, such as panic, fear, or excitement.
annoyed
B1
/əˈnɔɪd/
Slightly angry or impatient about something.
enthusiasm
B1
/ɪnˈθuziæzəm/
A strong feeling of excitement and eagerness about something.
thirst
B1
/θɝst/
The feeling of needing or wanting to drink.
agony
B2
/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
Very severe pain.
despise
B2
/dɪˈspaɪz/
To hate someone or something and feel that they deserve no respect.
dearly
B2
/ˈdɪɹli/
In a way that shows deep love or affection.
devotion
B1
/dɪˈvoʊʃən/
Great love, loyalty, or commitment to someone or something.
appreciation
B1
/əˌpɹi.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən/
A feeling of being grateful, or a way of showing thanks.
supportive
B1
/səˈpɔɹtɪv/
Giving help, encouragement, or sympathy.
embarrassment
B1
/ɪmˈbæɹ.əs.mənt/
The uncomfortable feeling of shame or awkwardness in front of others.
ecstasy
B1
/ˈek.stə.si/
A feeling of very intense happiness or delight.
numb
C1
/nʌm/
Unable to feel anything in part of the body.
exquisite
B2
/ˈɛkskwəzət/
Extremely beautiful and delicate.
tickle
B2
/ˈtɪkl̩/
To touch someone lightly in a way that makes them laugh or twitch.
cherish
B1
/ˈtʃɛrɪʃ/
To love and care about someone or something very much.
resent
C1
/ɹiˈzɛnt/
to feel angry or bitter about something you think is unfair
devastating
B1
/ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/
Causing very great harm, destruction, or damage.
remorse
C1
/ɹɪˈmɔɹs/
A deep feeling of guilt and regret for something wrong you have done.
phew
B1
/fjuː/
used to express relief, fatigue, surprise, or amazement
consolation
B2
/ˌkɑn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/
Comfort you feel after a disappointment or loss.
fright
B1
/fraɪt/
A sudden, strong feeling of fear.
erotic
C2
/ɪˈrɑtɪk/
relating to sexual desire, love, or sexual excitement
disgust
C2
/dɪsˈɡʊst/
a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion
encouraging
B1
/ɪnˈkɝɹɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
Giving hope, confidence, or a positive feeling
calmly
B2
/ˈkɑːmli/
In a relaxed way, without showing worry, anger, or fear.
shameful
B1
/ˈʃeɪmfəl/
So bad that it causes shame or disgrace.
provoke
C1
/pɹəˈvoʊk/
To deliberately make someone angry or annoyed.
adrenaline
C1
/əˈdɹɛnəlɪn/
A hormone released by the body in moments of stress, fear, or excitement that speeds up the heart and prepares you to act.
bravery
B2
/ˈbɹeɪ.və.ɹi/
Courage; the quality of facing danger or pain without showing fear.
nervously
B2
/ˈnɝːvəsli/
In a worried or frightened way.
ache
B1
/ˈeɪk/
A dull, steady pain.
cruelty
B2
/ˈkɹuː(ə)lti/
Behaviour that causes pain or suffering to others, without any sympathy.
morale
B2
/məˈɹæl/
the degree of confidence, enthusiasm, discipline, and willingness to continue felt by a person or group, especially during difficulty or danger
damp
B1
/dæmp/
Slightly wet, in an unpleasant or unwanted way.
mourn
B1
/mɔɹn/
To feel and show deep sadness, especially because someone has died.
cowardly
B2
/ˈkaʊɝdli/
Lacking courage; afraid to face danger or difficulty.
annoy
A2
/əˈnoɪ̯/
To make someone slightly angry or impatient, especially by doing something repeatedly.
moody
B2
/ˈmuːdi/
Often changing mood and becoming unhappy or annoyed without warning.
certainty
B1
/ˈsɝtn̩ti/
The feeling of being completely sure about something.
glee
B2
/ɡliː/
Great joy or delight, often at one's own luck or another's misfortune.
scarlet
B2
/ˈskɑɹlɪt/
Of a bright, vivid red colour.
acquire
B1
/əˈkwaɪɚ/
to get or come to own something
gloomy
B2
/ˈɡlumi/
Dark in a way that feels depressing or unwelcoming.
outrage
B2
/ˈaʊt.ɹeɪd͡ʒ/
A strong feeling of shock and anger.
pep
C2
/pɛp/
lively energy, enthusiasm, and high spirits
wrench
C1
/ˈɹɪ̟nt͡ʃ/
To pull or twist something suddenly and violently.
infamous
C1
/ˈɪnfəməs/
Well known for being bad or evil.
boredom
B1
/ˈbɔɹ.dəm/
The feeling of being bored, with nothing interesting to do.
hopeful
B1
/ˈhoʊpfl̩/
Feeling that something good is likely to happen.
uneasy
A2
/ʌnˈiːzi/
Worried or nervous, with a feeling that something is wrong.
whoop
C2
/wuːp/
shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm
outbreak
B2
/ˈaʊtbɹeɪk/
The sudden start of something unpleasant, especially a disease.
desperation
B2
/ˌdɛspəˈɹeɪʃən/
A feeling of having no hope that makes you ready to do anything.
tremble
B1
/ˈtɹɛmbl̩/
To shake slightly, especially from fear, cold, or strong emotion.
hesitation
B2
/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/
A pause before doing something, usually because you are nervous or unsure.
melancholy
C2
/ˈmɛl.ənˌkɑ.li/
A deep, thoughtful sadness.
grieve
B2
/ˈgriːv/
To feel deep sadness, especially because someone has died.
awe
B2
/ɔ/
A feeling of great respect mixed with wonder or slight fear.
dread
B2
/dɹɛd/
To feel very afraid or anxious about something that is going to happen.
symbolic
B2
/sɪmˈbɑːlɪk/
Standing for or representing something else, often an idea or feeling.
shaky
B2
/ˈʃeɪki/
Shaking or trembling, often from weakness, fear, or illness.
tenderness
B2
/ˈtɛn.dɚ.nɪs/
A gentle, warm, and loving feeling toward someone.
patriotic
B2
/peɪ.tɹiˈɑ.tɪk/
Feeling or showing great love and support for your country.
well-being
C1
/wɛlˈbiː.ɪŋ/
The state of being healthy, happy, and comfortable.
sincerity
B2
/sɪnˈsɛɹəti/
The quality of being honest and truly meaning what you say.
admiration
B1
/ˌædmɝˈeɪʃən/
A feeling of great respect and approval for someone or something.
anguish
B2
/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/
Severe pain or suffering of the mind or body.
encouragement
B1
/[ɪnˈkʌɹɪd͡ʒmənt]/
Words or actions that give someone confidence and hope
picky
B2
/ˈpɪki/
Very fussy; only happy when things are exactly the way you want them.
unwell
B1
/ʌnˈwɛl/
Not feeling healthy; slightly ill.
cerebral
C2+
/səˈɹi.bɹəl/
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
heartbroken
B2
/ˈhɑːrtˌbroʊkən/
overwhelmed by grief, disappointment, or emotional loss
incense
B2
/ˈɪnsɛns/
A substance that gives off a sweet smell when it is burned.
graceful
B1
/ˈgreɪsfəl/
Moving in a smooth, elegant, and beautiful way.
heinous
C2
/ˈheɪnəs/
Totally reprehensible.
compassionate
B2
/kəmˈpæʃənət/
Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for people who are suffering.
pleasing
A2
/ˈplizɪŋ/
Giving pleasure, enjoyment, or satisfaction.
stormy
B1
/ˈstɔɹmi/
Affected by storms; with strong winds and heavy rain.
affectionate
B2
/əˈfɛkʃənət/
Showing fondness or love towards others.
carefree
B2
/ˈkɛɚfɹi/
Happy and relaxed because you have no worries or problems.
homesick
B1
/ˈhoʊmˌsɪk/
unhappy because one is away from home and misses familiar people and places
somber
C1
/ˈsɑmbɚ/
Serious, sad, or gloomy in mood
irritated
B2
/ˈɪɹ.ɪˌteɪ.tɪd/
Feeling slightly angry or annoyed
discomfort
B1
/dɪsˈkʌmfɚt/
A feeling of slight pain or of being physically uncomfortable.
humane
B2
/hjuˈmeɪn/
Showing kindness and care, and trying to avoid causing pain or suffering.
eruption
B2
/ɪˈɹʌpʃən/
The sudden throwing out of lava, ash, and gas from a volcano.
indebted
B2
/ɪnˈdɛtɪd/
Feeling grateful to someone for their help or a favour.
assurance
B2
/əˈʃɔːɹəns/
A promise or statement meant to make someone feel confident.