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
anticipate
B2
/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/
To expect something to happen and be ready for it.
observer
B2
/əbˈzɝvɚ/
A person who watches something happen.
coordinate
C1
/koʊˈɔɹ.də.nɪt/
To organize different people or activities so that they work well together.
puncture
B2
/ˈpʌŋkt͡ʃɚ/
a small hole made by a sharp point
devote
B2
/dɪˈvoʊt/
To give your time, energy, or attention fully to a person, activity, or purpose.
hygiene
B2
/ˈhaɪˌd͡ʒiːn/
The practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean to stay healthy.
render
C1
/ˈɹɛn.dɚ/
To cause someone or something to be in a particular state.
feat
B2
/fiːt/
An impressive achievement that needs great skill, strength, or courage.
orgy
C2
/ˈɔɹd͡ʒi/
any act of immoderate indulgence
obedience
B2
/oʊˈbidiəns/
The act of doing what you are told to do by someone in authority.
forfeit
C1
/ˈfɔɹ.fɪt/
To lose or give up something as a penalty for a mistake or wrongdoing.
decoration
B2
/ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/
Something added to make a place or object look more attractive.
amused
A2
/əˈmjuːzd/
Finding something funny or entertaining.
folly
B2
/ˈfɑli/
Foolish behaviour that shows a lack of good sense.
distinguish
B1
/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/
To recognize the difference between two or more things.
divert
B2
/daɪˈvɝt/
To change the direction or route of something.
duo
C1
/ˈdu.oʊ/
Two people who perform, work, or act together.
oblige
C1
/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/
To force or require someone to do something, by law, rules, or circumstances.
anticipation
B2
/ænˌtɪs.əˈpeɪ.ʃən/
A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.
paralysis
B2
/pəˈɹæləsəs/
The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
participation
B2
/pɑɹˌtɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/
The act of taking part in an activity or event.
exhale
C2
/ɛksˈheɪl/
give out (breath or an odor)
refresh
B2
/ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/
To make someone feel less tired and more energetic.
exterminate
C2
/ɪkˈstɝ.mɪ.neɪt/
kill en masse
prosper
B2
/ˈpɹɑspɚ/
To be successful and do well, especially financially.
handicap
B2
/ˈhændikæp/
Something that makes it harder to do or achieve something.
endurance
B2
/ɪnˈdʊɹəns/
The ability to keep going through pain, difficulty, or long effort.
inevitably
B2
/ˌɪˈnɛvətəbli/
In a way that cannot be avoided or prevented.
expectation
B2
/ˌek.spekˈtæɪ.ʃən/
A belief that something will happen or that someone will do something.
reclaim
B1
/riːˈkleɪm/
To get back something that was taken away or lost.
overload
B1
/ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/
to put too much weight, work, information, or demand on someone or something
inquire
B2
/ɪnˈkwaɪɹ/
To ask for information about something.
prediction
A2
/pɹɪˈdɪkʃən/
A statement saying what you think will happen in the future.
disperse
C2
/dɪˈspɝs/
To spread out or scatter in different directions, or to make a group do so.
detain
C1
/dɪˈteɪn/
To officially hold someone and prevent them from leaving, especially by the police.
imitate
B1
/ˈɪmɪteɪt/
To copy the way someone speaks, behaves, or looks.
incentive
B2
/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/
Something that encourages you to do something, often a reward or payment.
hypocrisy
C1
/hɪˈpɑkɹəsi/
The act of pretending to have beliefs or standards that you do not actually follow.
administer
C1
/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stɚ/
To manage or be in charge of running something, such as an organization or system.
refusal
B1
/ɹɪˈfjuːzl̩/
The act of saying you will not do or accept something.
riddance
B1
/ˈɹɪdn̩(t)s/
welcome relief at the removal or departure of an unwanted person or thing, especially in the phrase good riddance
serene
B2
/səˈɹi(ː)n/
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
amaze
B2
/əˈmeɪz/
To surprise someone very much; to fill with wonder.
complicate
B1
/ˈkɑmplɪkeɪt/
To make something more difficult to understand or deal with.
pharmacist
B2
/ˈfɑɹməsɪst/
A person whose job is to prepare and sell medicines and give advice on how to use them.
authorize
B2
/ˈɔθəɹaɪz/
To give someone official permission to do something.
namely
C1
/ˈneɪmli/
Used to give more exact detail about what you have just mentioned; that is to say.
cherished
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɛɹɪʃt/
Loved and considered very important or valuable.
inability
C1
/ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
The fact of not being able to do something.
delegate
B2
/ˈdɛlɪɡət/
A person chosen to speak or act for a group of others.
accessible
B1
/əkˈsɛs.ɪ.bəl/
Easy to reach, enter, or get to.
deployment
C1
/dɪˈplɔɪmənt/
The movement of military forces into position, especially before action.
disclosure
C1
/dɪsˈkloʊʒɚ/
The act of making known a fact that was hidden or secret.
spur
B2
/spɝ/
To encourage or push someone to do something.
consensus
B2
/kənˈsɛnsəs/
General agreement among the members of a group.
ignite
C2
/ɪɡˈnaɪt/
arouse or excite feelings and passions
endeavor
B2
/ɛnˈdɛv.ɚ/
A serious effort or attempt to do something
unwilling
B2
/ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/
Not wanting to do something; reluctant.
startling
C1
/ˈstɑɹ.tl̩.ɪŋ/
So surprising or sudden that it shocks or alarms you.
benevolent
B2
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
Kind and wanting to help others.
persist
B2
/pɚˈsɪst/
To keep trying to do something despite difficulty or opposition.
wield
C2
/wiːld/
to hold and use a tool, weapon, or object effectively
compel
C1
/kəmˈpɛl/
To force someone to do something.
depraved
C2
/diːˈpreɪvd/
Morally corrupt; wicked and disturbing.
denounce
C2
/diˈnaʊns/
To criticize someone or something strongly and publicly.
indispensable
B2
/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
So important or necessary that you cannot manage without it.
shroud
C2
/ˈʃɹæʊ̯d/
cover as if with a shroud
favorable
B1
/ˈfeɪ.vɚ.əbl/
Showing approval or support.
independently
B2
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/
Without help or control from others; on your own.
dependable
B2
/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/
Able to be trusted to do what you need or expect.
rustle
C1
/ˈɹʌsəl/
To make a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
nudge
C2
/nʌd͡ʒ/
to push against gently
prospective
C1
/pɹəˈspɛktɪv/
Likely to become or do a particular thing in the future.
discourage
B1
/dɪsˈkɝɪd͡ʒ/
To make someone feel less confident or less willing to do something.
avail
C2
/əˈveɪl/
to use to one's advantage
tantrum
C1
/ˈtæn.tɹəm/
A sudden outburst of bad temper, especially by a child.
motivate
B1
/ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/
To give someone a reason or the enthusiasm to do something.
diligence
B1
/ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/
Hard, careful, and steady effort in your work or duties.
compulsion
C1
/kəmˈpʌl.ʃən/
A strong, often irresistible urge to do something.
dispense
C1
/dɪˈspens/
To give out or distribute something to people.
tout
C2
/taʊt/
advertize in strongly positive terms
repression
B2
/ɹəˈpɹɛʃən/
The use of force or control to keep people from acting or speaking freely.
exaggeration
B2
/ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/
A statement that makes something seem larger, better, or worse than it really is.
distressing
B2
/dɪˈstɹɛsɪŋ/
Causing worry, sadness, or upset.
facilitate
B2
/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
To make something easier or help it happen.
jolt
C2
/d͡ʒoʊlt/
a sudden jarring impact
recycled
B1
/riːˈsaɪkəld/
Made from materials that have been processed and used again.
exert
C1
/ɪɡˈzɝt/
To use power, influence, or effort in order to make something happen.
indulgence
C2
/ɪnˈdʌl.d͡ʒəns/
Something you allow yourself to enjoy as a special treat.
verb
A2
/vɝb/
A word that describes an action, event, or state, such as 'run' or 'be'.
gracefully
A2
/ˈɡɹeɪsfəli/
in a smooth, attractive, and controlled way
mobilize
C1
/ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz/
To organize people or resources so they are ready to take action.
activation
C1
/ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/
The act of making something start working or become active.
swindle
C2
/ˈswɪnd(ə)l/
deprive of by deceit
sanction
C1
/ˈsæŋkʃ(ə)n/
An official action taken to punish a country or group, such as a trade ban.
hinder
C2
/ˈhɪndɚ/
To make it harder for something to happen or for someone to do something.