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
1274 words
seize
B1
/siːz/
to take hold of something suddenly and firmly
straighten
B2
/ˈstɹeɪtn̩/
To make something straight or straighter.
desperately
B2
/ˈdɛsp(ə)ɹətli/
In a way that shows you want or need something very much.
amusing
B1
/əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
Funny and enjoyable; making you laugh or smile.
guidance
B1
/ˈɡaɪdəns/
Help or advice that tells you what to do.
satisfaction
B1
/sætɪsˈfækʃən/
The good, contented feeling you get when you achieve or get what you wanted.
frustrated
B1
/ˈfɹʌs.tɹeɪ.tɪd/
Annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or get what you want.
execute
B2
/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
To carry out a plan, order, or task.
assembly
B2
/əˈsɛmb.li/
A group of people who gather together for a shared purpose.
urge
B1
/ɝd͡ʒ/
To strongly advise or try to persuade someone to do something.
intent
B2
/ˌɪnˈtɛnt/
what you plan or aim to do; your intention.
tuck
C2
/tʌk/
to push or fold something into a safe, hidden, or close-fitting place
resolve
B1
/ɹɪˈzɑlv/
To find a solution to a problem or difficulty.
accomplish
B1
/əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/
To succeed in doing or completing something.
vow
B2
/vaʊ/
A serious, solemn promise.
registration
B1
/ˌɹed͡ʒ.ɪˈstɹæɪ.ʃən/
The act of putting your name on an official list to take part in something.
amazed
B1
/əˈmeɪzd/
Very surprised, often in a way that fills you with wonder.
tease
B1
/tiːz/
To make fun of someone in a playful way.
satisfy
A2
/ˈsætɪsfaɪ/
To please someone by giving them what they want or need.
whack
B2
/wæk/
to hit someone or something hard, usually with a quick forceful blow
marketing
B1
/ˈmɑɹkɪtɪŋ/
The activity of promoting, advertising, and selling products or services.
notify
C1
/ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/
To officially tell someone about something.
selection
B1
/səˈlɛkʃən/
a range of things to choose from
grasp
B2
/ɡɹasp/
To take and hold something firmly, especially with your hand.
adoption
B2
/əˈdɑp.ʃən/
The act of legally taking a child into your family to raise as your own.
doom
B2
/duːm/
A terrible fate, especially death or destruction, that seems impossible to avoid.
swap
C1
/sʋap/
To give one thing and receive another in exchange.
initiative
B2
/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/
A new plan or action started to solve a problem or improve something.
entertaining
B2
/ˌɛntəɹˈteɪnɪŋ/
Amusing and enjoyable; holding your interest.
temptation
B2
/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən/
A strong wish to have or do something you know you should avoid.
extension
B2
/ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
An extra part added to something to make it bigger or longer.
recommendation
B1
/ˌɹɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃən/
A suggestion about the best thing to do.
donation
B2
/doʊˈneɪʃən/
Something, especially money, given to a charity or good cause.
vanish
B2
/ˈvænɪʃ/
To disappear suddenly and completely.
addicted
B2
/əˈdɪktɪd/
unable to stop taking a drug or doing something harmful
impatient
A2
/ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/
Easily annoyed by waiting or delays.
repeated
B1
/ɹɪˈpiːtɪd/
Happening or done again and again.
preparation
B1
/prɪpəˈreʃən/
The act of getting ready for something.
vase
A1
/veɪs/
A tall open container used to hold flowers or as a decoration.
introduction
B1
/ˌɪntɹəˈdʌkʃn̩/
The first part of a book, essay, or talk that explains what will follow.
disappointing
A2
/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
Not as good as you hoped or expected; causing disappointment.
shaken
B2
/ˈʃeɪkən/
Upset, shocked, or frightened by something.
essay
A2
/ɛˈseɪ/
A short piece of writing on a particular subject, often for school or a magazine.
inspire
B1
/ɪnˈspaɪɹ/
To make someone feel they want to do something or to give them new ideas.
inherit
B2
/ɪnˈhɛɹɪt/
To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die.
manipulate
B2
/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/
To control or influence someone cleverly or unfairly, often for your own benefit.
contribute
B1
/kənˈtɹɪb.jut/
To give money, help, or ideas toward something shared.
liable
C1
/ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/
Likely to do or experience something, usually something bad.
perish
B1
/ˈpeɹɪʃ/
to die or be destroyed, especially suddenly or in harsh conditions
counseling
B1
/ˈkaʊnsəlɪŋ/
Professional help and advice for dealing with personal problems.
frustration
B1
/fɹʌsˈtɹeɪ.ʃən/
The feeling of being annoyed and impatient when you cannot do what you want.
oppose
A2
/əˈpoʊz/
To disagree with and try to prevent something.
prop
C1
/pɹɑp/
An object used by actors on a stage or film set.
exploit
B2
/ˈɛksplɔɪt/
To treat someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.
alternate
B2
/ɔlʈə(r).neʈ/
To do two things one after the other, by turns.
dispose
C1
/dɪsˈpoʊz/
To get rid of something, especially something unwanted (used with 'of').
harness
B1
/ˈhɑɹ.nəs/
To control and use something powerful, such as energy or natural forces.
exhausting
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔ(ː)stɪŋ/
Making you very tired.
pronounced
C1
/pɹəˈnaʊnst/
Very noticeable or strongly marked.
haste
B2
/heɪst/
Great speed in doing something, often with too little care.
exaggerate
B2
/ɛɡˈzæd͡ʒ.ə.ɹeɪt/
To make something seem larger, better, or worse than it really is.
dedicate
B1
/ˈdɛdəˌkeɪt/
To give all your time and energy to a particular activity or purpose.
stretching
C1
/ˈstɹɛt͡ʃɪŋ/
Exercise in which you extend your muscles and limbs to keep them flexible.
sustain
B2
/səˈstæɪn/
To keep something going or in existence over time.
wed
B2
/ˈwɛd/
To marry someone.
itch
B2
/ɪt͡ʃ/
To have an uncomfortable feeling on the skin that makes you want to scratch
ingredient
B1
/ɪnˈɡɹiːdi.ənt/
One of the foods or substances you combine to make a dish.
pry
B2
/pɹaɪ/
to force something apart, open, or out of position by using leverage
indulge
C1
/ɪnˈdʌld͡ʒ/
To allow yourself to enjoy something pleasant, especially something you do not usually let yourself have.
accustomed
C1
/əˈkʌs.təmd/
Used to something through repeated experience.
imminent
C1
/ˈɪmɪnənt/
About to happen very soon.
default
C1
/dɪˈfɔlt/
A setting or value used automatically when no other choice is made.
conceal
B2
/kənˈsil/
to hide something so that it cannot be seen or found out
marvel
C1
/ˈmɑɹvl̩/
To be filled with wonder or amazement at something.
thrilling
B2
/ˈθɹɪlɪŋ/
Very exciting and enjoyable.
instruction
B1
/ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/
A piece of information telling you how to do or use something.
pancake
B2
/ˈpæn.keɪk/
A thin, flat cake made from batter and cooked in a pan on both sides.
tempt
B1
/ˈtɛmpt/
To make someone want to have or do something, especially something they should avoid.
chant
C2
/t͡ʃænt/
to utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
unlimited
B2
/ʌnˈlɪm.ɪ.tɪd/
Having no limit; as much as you want.
clamp
C2
/ˈklæmp/
to impose or inflict forcefully
merge
B2
/mɝd͡ʒ/
To join or combine two or more things into one.
shred
C1
/ʃɹɛd/
to tear or cut something into small, narrow pieces
smug
C1
/smʌɡ/
Too pleased with yourself or your own cleverness, in a way that annoys others.
decorate
B1
/ˈdɛkəɹeɪt/
To make something look more attractive by adding things to it.
reluctant
B2
/ɹɪˈlʌktənt/
Not wanting to do something; unwilling.
amuse
B2
/əˈmjuːz/
To make someone laugh or smile.
cling
C1
/ˈklɪŋ/
To hold on to something very tightly.
refill
C2
/ˈriːfɪl/
to fill a container or supply again after some or all of its contents have been used
exhaust
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔst/
To make someone extremely tired.
disregard
B2
/dɪsɹɪˈɡɑɹd/
To ignore something or treat it as unimportant.
renowned
C1
/ɹɪˈnaʊnd/
Famous and admired for something.
upcoming
C1
/ˈʌpˌkəmɪŋ/
Happening or coming soon.
duplicate
B2
/ˈd(j)uː.plɪˌkeɪt/
An exact copy of something.
tangled
C1
/ˈtæŋ.ɡəld/
Twisted together into a messy, knotted mass.
appalling
C1
/əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
Shocking and extremely bad.