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
ecstatic
B2
/ɛkˈstætɪk/
Extremely happy and excited.
ballad
B2
/ˈbæləd/
A slow, romantic song.
enjoyment
B1
/ɪnˈd͡ʒɔɪ.mənt/
The feeling of pleasure you get from something.
shiver
B1
/ˈʃɪvɚ/
To shake slightly because you are cold or frightened.
astonished
B2
/æ- -d/
Feeling or showing very great surprise.
provocative
C1
/pɹəˈvɑ.kə.tɪv/
Deliberately causing a strong reaction, such as anger, argument, or interest.
quake
B1
/ˈkweɪk/
A sudden shaking of the ground; an earthquake.
inspirational
B2
/ˌɪnspəˈɹeɪʃənəl/
Making you feel excited, hopeful, or eager to do something good.
patriotism
B2
/ˈpeɪtɹi.əˌtɪzəm/
Love of your country and a willingness to support and defend it.
passionately
B2
/ˈpæʃənətli/
In a way that shows very strong emotion or enthusiasm.
unrest
B2
/ʌnˈɹɛst/
A state of trouble and anger among people, often shown through protests or riots
detachment
B2
/dɪˈtæt͡ʃmənt/
A feeling of not being emotionally involved with someone or something.
gulp
B2
/ɡʌlp/
To swallow food or drink quickly in large amounts.
yearn
B2
/jɝn/
To want something very much, especially something you do not have.
glare
B2
/ɡlɛɚ/
To stare at someone in an angry way.
gloat
C1
/ɡloʊt/
usually disapproving: to feel or show excessive satisfaction about one's success or another person's misfortune
angrily
A2
/ˈæŋ.ɡɹə.li/
In a way that shows anger.
detest
C1
/dɪˈtɛst/
To dislike someone or something very strongly; to hate.
quail
C2
/kweɪl/
small gallinaceous game birds
claustrophobic
C1
/ˌklɔstrəˈfoʊbɪk/
Feeling very uncomfortable or panicked in small, enclosed spaces.
reverence
B2
/ˈɹɛv.ə.ɹəns/
A feeling of deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
soothe
B1
/suːð/
To make someone feel calmer and less worried or upset.
unhappiness
B2
/ənˈhæpiːnɪs/
The feeling of being sad or not satisfied.
scorn
C1
/skɔɹn/
To feel or show that you think someone or something is worthless and deserves no respect.
madden
B2
/ˈmædən/
to make someone extremely angry, annoyed, or frustrated
eagerly
B2
/ˈiɡɚli/
In a keen and excited way; with great interest.
irritate
B1
/ˈɪɹ.ɪˌteɪt/
To make someone feel slightly angry or annoyed
reinforce
B2
/ˌɹi.ɪnˈfɔɹs/
To make something stronger, especially by adding extra support.
willingness
B1
/ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/
The fact of being ready and happy to do something.
overjoyed
B1
/ˌoʊvɚˈd͡ʒɔɪd/
Extremely happy.
lovingly
B1
/ˈlʌvɪŋli/
In a way that shows love or affection.
sulk
C2
/sʌlk/
a mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal
purify
B1
/ˈpjʊɹɪfaɪ/
To make something clean by removing dirt or harmful substances.
aggressively
B2
/əˈgrɛsɪvli/
In an angry, forceful, or threatening way.
rapture
C2
/ˈɹæpt͡ʃɚ/
A feeling of great joy, delight, or excitement.
disgruntled
C2
/dɪsˈɡɹʌnt(ə)ld/
In a dissatisfied, frustrated, or upset mood; in a bad temper or ill humour.
platonic
C2
/pləˈtɒnɪk/
free from physical desire
glum
C1
/ɡlʌm/
Sad, gloomy, and low in spirits.
instinctively
C1
/ɪnˈstɪŋktɪvli/
Automatically and without thinking, from a natural feeling.
dreadfully
B2
/ˈdɹɛd.fʊl.i/
very badly or unpleasantly
exhilarating
C1
/ɪgˈzɪlɝˌeɪtɪŋ/
Making you feel very happy, excited, and full of energy.
dissatisfied
B2
/dɪsˈsætɪsˌfaɪd/
Not happy or content with something.
eloquent
B2
/ˈɛləkwənt/
Able to express ideas clearly and in a powerful, persuasive way.
bitterly
B2
/ˈbɪtəɹli/
In a way that shows anger, hurt, or resentment.
dismal
C1
/ˈdɪzməl/
Sad, gloomy, and depressing.
pessimistic
B2
/ˌpɛ.səˈmɪs.tɪk/
Expecting that bad things will happen; having little hope.
erupt
B2
/ɪˈɹʌpt/
When a volcano erupts, it suddenly throws out lava, ash, and gas.
lament
C2
/ləˈmɛnt/
To express great sadness or regret about something.
fondness
B1
/ˈfɑndnəs/
A feeling of liking or affection for someone or something.
wallow
C2
/ˈwɑːloʊ/
To let yourself enjoy or sink into a feeling, often a sad or self-pitying one.
exalted
C2
/ɪɡˈzɔːltɪd/
Held in very high regard; of high rank or status.
euphoria
C2
/juˈfo.ɹi.ə/
A feeling of intense happiness and excitement.
cruelly
B2
/ˈkɹuːəli/
In a way that causes pain or suffering on purpose; unkindly.
anxiously
B1
/ˈæŋ(k).ʃəs.li/
In a worried or nervous way.
appreciative
B2
/əˈpɹi.ʃətɪv/
Showing that you are grateful or thankful.
flinch
C2
/flɪnt͡ʃ/
to draw back, as with fear or pain
grievance
C2
/ˈɡɹiː.vəns/
A complaint about being treated unfairly, especially one serious enough to act on.
disdain
C1
/dɪsˈdeɪn/
A feeling that someone or something is worthless and deserves no respect.
stomachache
A2
/ˈstʌməkˌeɪk/
A pain in the stomach or belly, often caused by eating too much.
tremor
B2
/ˈtɹɛmɚ/
A slight shaking or quivering movement, often from fear, illness, or weakness.
alleviate
C1
/əˈli.vi.eɪt/
To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
impatience
C2
/ɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
annoyance or restlessness caused by delay
exclaim
B2
/ɛkˈskleɪm/
To cry out or say something suddenly because of strong emotion.
pleasantly
B1
/ˈplɛzəntli/
In a way that is enjoyable and gives pleasure.
hater
B1
/ˈheɪtɚ/
a person who strongly dislikes someone or something
pleasurable
C1
/ˈplɛʒəɹəbəl/
Giving pleasure or enjoyment.
expressive
B2
/ɪkˈspɹɛsɪv/
Clearly showing thoughts or feelings.
narcissist
C2
/ˈnɑːrsɪsɪst/
One who shows extreme love and admiration for themself.
salve
C1
/sæ(l)v/
A soothing cream or ointment put on the skin to heal it.
mope
C2
/moʊp/
to remain dejected, listless, or self-pitying instead of acting
irritation
B2
/ˌɪɹ.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/
The feeling of being slightly angry or annoyed
apprehensive
C1
/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/
Worried or anxious that something bad might happen.
closeness
C1
/ˈkloʊs.nəs/
A feeling of being emotionally close to and connected with someone.
angst
C2
/ˈæŋ(k)st/
A deep feeling of anxiety, worry, or emotional turmoil.
infuriating
C1
/ɪnˈfjʊɹiˌeɪtɪŋ/
extremely annoying or likely to make someone angry
instinctive
C1
/ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
Done automatically without thinking, from a natural feeling.
frantically
B2
/ˈfɹæn.tɪk.li/
In a hurried, anxious, and uncontrolled way.
nourish
B2
/ˈnʌɹ.ɪʃ/
To give a person, animal, or plant the food it needs to live and grow.
gleam
B2
/ɡlim/
To shine softly, especially from a clean or polished surface.
nervousness
B1
/ˈnɝːvəsnəs/
The feeling of being worried or slightly frightened.
swoon
C2
/swuːn/
to lose consciousness briefly, especially because of weakness or intense emotion
forlorn
C2
/fɚˈlɔɹn/
Sad and lonely, especially because of being left alone or abandoned.
amazement
B2
/əˈmeɪz.mənt/
A feeling of great surprise and wonder.
profess
C1
/prəˈfɛs/
To claim or declare something openly, sometimes without it being true.
panicky
C2
/ˈpænɪki/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
elated
C2
/ɪˈleɪtɪd/
Extremely happy and excited
cheerfully
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɪɹfəli/
In a happy and willing way.
gruff
C2
/ɡɹɐf/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
abject
C2
/ˈæbˌd͡ʒɛkt/
Extremely bad and hopeless; complete and utter.
unafraid
B1
/ʌnəˈfɹeɪd/
Not afraid; having no fear.
loveless
C1
/ˈlʌv.ləs/
lacking love, affection, or emotional warmth
innocently
B2
/ˈɪnəsəntli/
In a naive or harmless way, without meaning any harm.
dismay
C1
/dɪsˈmeɪ/
A strong feeling of disappointment, sadness, or alarm.
sentimentality
C1
/ˌsen.tə.menˈtæl.ə.t̬i/
excessive, affected, or inappropriate tenderness and emotional feeling
disconcerting
C1
/ˌdɪskənˈsɝtɪŋ/
causing someone to feel uneasy, confused, or embarrassed
aspiration
B2
/ˌæspəˈɹeɪʃən/
A strong hope or ambition to achieve something.