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
1536 words
outer
B1
/ˈaʊtɚ/
On the outside, or farther from the centre.
sunset
B1
/ˈsʌnˌsɛt/
The time in the evening when the sun disappears below the horizon.
handy
B1
/ˈhæn.di/
Useful and easy to use.
pace
B1
/peɪs/
The speed at which something happens or moves.
respected
B2
/ɹɪˈspɛktɪd/
Admired and looked up to by others.
scent
B2
/sɛnt/
A pleasant smell.
mortal
B2
/ˈmɔɹ.təl/
Certain to die one day; not able to live forever.
mature
B2
/məˈt͡ʃɔː(ɹ)/
Behaving in a sensible, grown-up way.
collapse
B1
/kɵˈlæps/
To fall down suddenly because of a loss of support or strength.
tide
B1
/taɪd/
The regular rise and fall of the sea, caused by the pull of the moon and sun.
orbit
B1
/ˈɔɹ.bɪt/
The curved path an object follows as it circles a planet, star, or other body in space.
toe
A2
/toʊ/
One of the five digits at the end of the foot.
encounter
B1
/ɪnˈkaʊntɚ/
To experience or be faced with something, especially a problem
phoenix
B1
/ˈfiːnɪks/
A mythical bird that burns itself to ashes and then rises again, born new from the ashes.
Atlantic
B1
/ætˈlæn.tɪk/
The Atlantic Ocean, between the Americas and Europe and Africa.
compromise
B1
/ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪz/
an agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wants
dock
B2
/dɑk/
A place where ships are loaded, unloaded, or repaired.
resort
B2
/ɹɪˈzɔːt/
A place where people go on holiday for rest and recreation.
explore
A2
/ɪkˈsploɹ/
To travel through a place in order to learn about it or discover something.
painter
A2
/ˈpeɪntɚ/
An artist who creates pictures using paint.
withdraw
B2
/wɪðˈdɹɔ/
To take money out of a bank account.
forehead
B1
/ˈfɔɹˌhɛd/
The part of the face above the eyebrows and below the hairline.
bracelet
B1
/ˈbreɪslət/
A band or chain worn around the wrist as decoration.
contain
B1
/kənˈteɪn/
To hold or have something inside.
bounce
B1
/baʊns/
To spring back after hitting a surface.
lighting
B2
/ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
The lights in a place, or the way a place is lit.
leadership
B1
/ˈlidɚʃɪp/
The ability or quality of being a good leader.
correctly
A2
/kəˈɹɛk(t).li/
In a way that has no mistakes; the right way.
pencil
A1
/ˈpɛnsəl/
A thin wooden instrument with a grey or coloured centre, used for writing or drawing.
bearing
B2
/ˈbɛɹɪŋ/
The way a connection or fact affects or relates to something.
earthquake
A2
/ˈɝθkweɪk/
A sudden, violent shaking of the ground caused by movements deep inside the earth.
echo
C2
/ˈɛkoʊ/
A sound that comes back to you after it bounces off a surface.
compound
B1
/ˈkɑmˈpaʊnd/
a substance made by combining two or more elements or ingredients
camping
A2
/ˈkæmp.ɪŋ/
The activity of staying in a tent or similar place outdoors for a holiday.
legacy
C1
/ˈleɪɡəsi/
Something passed down from the past or from a person who came before.
teenager
A2
/ˈtinˌeɪ.dʒɚ/
A person between thirteen and nineteen years old.
crowded
A2
/ˈkɹaʊdɪd/
Full of people or things, with very little space.
orphan
A2
/ˈɔɹfən/
A child whose parents have both died.
dot
B1
/dɑt/
A small round mark or spot.
isolated
C1
/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/
far away from other places, people, or things
hesitate
B1
/ˈhɛz.ə.teɪt/
To pause before doing something because you are nervous or unsure.
pose
B2
/poʊz/
To hold a particular position so that someone can paint, draw, or photograph you.
fold
B1
/ˈfɒld/
To bend something so that one part lies over another.
suitable
A2
/[ˈsju.tə.bɫ̩]/
Right or appropriate for a particular purpose, person, or occasion.
toxic
B2
/ˈtɑk.sɪk/
Poisonous; harmful or deadly if it gets into the body.
dam
A2
/ˈdæm/
A barrier built across a river to hold back or control the water.
opposed
B2
/əˈpoʊzd/
Strongly disagreeing with something; against it.
replacement
B2
/ɹɪˈpleɪsmənt/
A person or thing that takes the place of another.
flee
B2
/fliː/
To run away quickly, especially from danger.
corridor
B2
/ˈkɔɹəˌdɔɹ/
A long, narrow passage inside a building with rooms leading off it.
embarrass
B1
/ɪmˈbæɹəs/
To make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or uncomfortable in front of others.
resign
B2
/ɹiːˈsaɪn/
To officially leave a job or position.
fountain
B1
/[ˈfaʊn.tn̩]/
A structure that shoots water into the air, usually for decoration in a garden or public place.
fork
A2
/fɔɹk/
A tool with a handle and several points, used for eating or serving food.
inappropriate
C1
/ˌɪnəˈpɹoʊpɹi.ət/
Not suitable for a particular situation, time, or place.
vacuum
C1
/ˈvæ.kjuːm/
A space that contains no matter or air.
gap
B1
/ɡɛp/
An empty space or opening between two things.
scarf
A2
/ˈskɑɹf/
A piece of cloth worn around the neck or head for warmth or decoration.
poster
A2
/ˈpoʊstɚ/
A large printed sheet, often with a picture, put up on a wall to advertise something or for decoration.
housing
B2
/ˈhaʊzɪŋ/
Buildings where people live, considered as a group.
orchestra
B1
/ˈoɹ.kɪs.tɹə/
A large group of musicians who play instruments together, often including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
peak
B2
/piːk/
The pointed top of a mountain.
hollow
B2
/ˈhɑ.loʊ/
Having an empty space inside; not solid.
interior
B2
/ɪnˈtɪ.ɹi.ɚ/
the inside of a building, vehicle, or other enclosed space.
surrounding
B1
/səˈɹaʊndɪŋ/
Being all around a place; nearby on every side.
additional
A2
/əˈdɪʃənəl/
more than what is usual or already there; extra
ridge
B2
/ˈrɪdʒ/
A long, narrow strip of high ground, often the top of a row of hills or mountains.
popcorn
B1
/ˈpɑp.kɔɹn/
Corn kernels that burst open and puff up when heated, eaten as a snack.
layer
B1
/ˈleɪ.əɹ/
A single thickness of a material that covers a surface or lies between other things.
countryside
A2
/ˈkʌn.tɹiˌsaɪd/
Land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, and open space.
scattered
C1
/ˈskætɚd/
Spread out over a wide area at irregular intervals.
duel
B2
/ˈˈd͡ʒuːəl/
A formal fight between two people with weapons, arranged to settle a matter of honor.
disposal
B2
/dɪsˈpoʊ.zəl/
The act of getting rid of something.
violation
C1
/ˌvaɪ.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
An act that breaks a law, agreement, or right.
owl
B2
/aʊ(ə)l/
A bird of prey that is active mainly at night, with large forward-facing eyes, a flat face, and excellent hearing.
phantom
B1
/ˈfæntəm/
A ghost or something that seems to appear but is not really there.
untie
B2
/ʌnˈtaɪ/
To undo something that is tied, such as a knot or laces
waist
B2
/weɪst/
The narrow part of the body between the ribs and the hips.
overseas
A2
/ˌoʊvɚˈsiːz/
To or in a foreign country, especially one across the sea.
heel
B1
/hil/
The back part of the foot, below the ankle.
spa
B2
/ˈspɑ/
A place where people go to relax and have treatments like massages and facials.
ironic
C2
/aɪˈɹɑ.nɪk/
Surprising because it is the opposite of what you would expect.
farther
B1
/ˈfɑɹðɚ/
At or to a greater distance in space.
disappearance
B2
/ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
The act of something or someone disappearing or no longer being there.
opposition
B1
/ˌɑ.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
Strong disagreement with, or resistance to, something.
astronaut
A2
/ˈæstɹəˌnɔt/
A person who is trained to travel and work in space.
kneel
B2
/niːl/
To go down and rest on your knees.
justify
B2
/ˈd͡ʒʌstɪfaɪ/
To give a good reason for something so that it seems acceptable.
attraction
B1
/əˈtrækʃən/
A place or event that people enjoy visiting.
sunrise
B1
/ˈsʌnɹaɪz/
The time in the morning when the sun appears above the horizon.
battlefield
B2
/ˈbætəlˌfiːld/
The place where a battle is fought or has been fought.
inheritance
C1
/ɪnˈhɛɹɪtəns/
Money or property received from someone who has died.
ferry
B1
/ˈfeɹi/
A boat that regularly carries people, vehicles, and goods across water.
reflect
A2
/ɹɪˈflɛkt/
To throw back light, heat, sound, or an image from a surface.
comet
B1
/ˈkɒmɪt/
A small icy body in space that travels around the Sun and grows a bright glowing tail as it gets close to it.
cosmic
C2
/ˈkɑz.mɪk/
Relating to the universe or outer space.