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
738 words
evolutionary
C1
/ˌiː.vəˈluː.ʃən.ɛɹ.i/
Relating to the gradual development of living things over time.
afterward
B1
/ˈæf.tɚ.wɚd/
At a later time; after something has happened.
coloured
B1
/ˈkʌlɝd/
Having a colour, or a particular colour rather than black or white.
battered
C1
/ˈbætəɹd/
Damaged and worn out from being hit or heavily used.
indefinitely
C1
/ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪtli/
For a long or unlimited time, with no fixed end.
inflation
B2
/ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən/
A general rise in prices over time, which makes money worth less.
unavailable
B2
/ˌʌnəˈveɪləbəl/
Not able to be obtained, used, or reached.
formerly
B2
/ˈfɔɹmɚli/
In the past; at an earlier time.
latter
A2
/ˈlæt.ə(ɹ)/
Referring to the second of two things just mentioned.
eternally
B2
/ɪˈtɝ.nə.li/
Forever; for all time.
buffer
C1
/ˈbʌfəɹ/
Something that reduces the impact of a shock or protects one thing from another.
scarcely
B2
/ˈskɛɹsli/
Almost not at all; only just.
persecution
C1
/ˌpɝsəˈkjuʃən/
Cruel or unfair treatment of a person or group over time, especially because of race, religion, or beliefs.
specialized
C1
/ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/
Designed for or focused on one particular area, skill, or purpose.
maturity
B2
/məˈtʊəɹəti/
state of being mature
linger
B2
/ˈlɪŋɡɚ/
To stay somewhere longer than expected, often unwilling to leave.
ironing
B1
/ˈaɪɝnɪŋ/
The activity of pressing clothes smooth with a hot iron
stamina
C1
/ˈstæmənə/
The physical or mental energy to keep doing something tiring over a long time.
punctual
B2
/ˈpʌŋkt͡ʃuəl/
Arriving or happening at exactly the right time; not late.
traditionally
B1
/tɹəˈdɪʃ.ə.nə.li/
According to long-established custom.
promptly
B2
/ˈpɹɑmptli/
Quickly, with little or no delay.
recreation
B2
/ɹɛkɹiˈeɪʃən/
Activity done for enjoyment and relaxation in your free time.
spartan
C1
/ˈspɑː(ɹ)tən/
Very simple and plain, with no comfort or luxury.
prohibition
B1
/ˌpɹoʊ(h)ɪˈbɪʃən/
The act of officially forbidding something.
vogue
C2
/vəʊɡ/
the popular or general taste at a given time
nostalgia
C2
/nɑˈstæld͡ʒə/
A bittersweet longing for happy times in the past.
short-term
B2
/ˌʃɔrtˈtɝːm/
Lasting for or relating to a short period of time.
unison
C1
/ˈjunɪsən/
Complete agreement or coordinated action done together at the same time.
outlook
B2
/ˈaʊtˌlʊk/
Your general attitude or way of thinking about life.
sightseeing
A2
/ˈsaɪtˈsiːɪŋ/
The activity of visiting interesting places, especially as a tourist.
enduring
B2
/ɪnˈd(j)ʊɚ.ɪŋ/
Lasting for a long time without changing.
petrified
B2
/ˈpɛtrəˌfaɪd/
Extremely frightened; so scared that you cannot move.
nostalgic
C2
/nɔˈstældʒɪk/
Feeling or causing a fond longing for the past.
timetable
A2
/ˈtaɪmˌteɪbəl/
A list showing the times at which events happen, especially when buses, trains, or classes start.
wartime
B2
/ˈwɔː(ɹ)taɪm/
A period of time during which a war is being fought.
consistently
B2
/kənˈsɪstəntli/
In a way that stays the same and does not change over time.
attain
B1
/əˈteɪn/
To achieve something after a lot of effort.
recollection
B2
/ɹɛkəˈlɛkʃən/
A memory of something from the past.
diagram
B1
/ˈdaɪəˌgræm/
A simple drawing or plan that shows how something works or how its parts relate.
seasonal
B2
/ˈsiːzənəl/
Happening or available only at a particular time of year.
contemplate
C1
/ˈkɑn.təmˌpleɪt/
To think carefully about doing something as a possibility.
momentarily
B2
/ˌmoʊmənˈtɛrəli/
For a very short time.
tenure
C1
/ˈtɛn.jɚ/
The period during which someone holds a job or position.
thinker
B2
/ˈθɪŋ.kɚ/
A person who thinks deeply, especially an important intellectual or philosopher.
cultivate
B1
/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/
To prepare and use land to grow crops or plants.
summertime
B1
/ˈsʌmɚˌtaɪm/
the season or period of summer
subsequent
B2
/ˈsʌbsɪkwənt/
Coming or happening after something else in time or order.
prompt
B2
/pɹɑmpt/
To make someone decide to do something, or to cause something to happen.
timeless
B2
/ˈtaɪmləs/
Not affected by the passing of time; staying attractive or important forever.
vigil
C1
/ˈvɪd͡ʒəl/
a period of remaining awake to watch, guard, care for someone, or pray
aftermath
C1
/ˈæf.tɚˌmæθ/
The period and consequences that follow a serious or harmful event.
subsequently
B2
/ˈsʌbsəkwəntli/
Afterwards; at a later time.
interval
B1
/ˈɪntɚvəl/
a period of time between two events.
stricken
B1
/ˈstɹɪkən/
Seriously affected by something bad such as illness or disaster.
second-hand
B1
already owned or used by someone else; not new
thereafter
B2
/ˌðɛəɹˈæf.tə(ɹ)/
After that time; from then on.
efficiently
B2
/ɪˈfɪʃəntli/
In a way that works well without wasting time, money, or effort.
ponder
B2
/ˈpɑn.dəɹ/
To think about something carefully for a long time.
prolong
C2
/pɹoʊˈlɔŋ/
To make something last longer; to extend its duration.
nocturnal
C1
/nɑkˈtɝ.nəl/
Active at night rather than during the day.
secular
C2
/ˈsɛkjələɹ/
Not connected with religion or spiritual matters.
varied
B2
/ˈvɛɹid/
Consisting of many different types or kinds.
snooze
C1
/snuːz/
To sleep lightly for a short time, often when you did not mean to.
warranty
B1
/ˈwɔɹ.ən.ti/
A written promise from a seller to repair or replace a product for free if it breaks within a set time.
lengthy
B2
/ˈlɛŋθi/
Lasting or continuing for a long time, often too long.
correspond
B2
/ˌkoɹəˈspɑnd/
To match or be similar to something else.
inherent
C1
/ɪnˈhɪəɹənt/
Existing as a natural and permanent part of something.
concur
C1
/kəŋˈkɝ/
To agree with someone or share the same opinion.
momentary
B2
/ˈmoʊmənˌtɛɹi/
Lasting for only a very short time.
expire
C1
/ɪkˈspaɪə(ɹ)/
To come to an end and no longer be valid, especially after a set time.
latent
C1
/ˈleɪ.tənt/
Present but hidden or not yet active, with the potential to appear later.
coupled
C1
/ˈkʌpəld/
Joined or connected together, especially in a pair.
cornerstone
B2
/ˈkɔrnɝˌstoʊn/
The most important part of something, on which everything else depends.
solstice
C2
/ˈsɑl.stɪs/
either of the two annual times when the sun reaches its greatest apparent distance north or south of the celestial equator, producing the longest or shortest day
gushing
C1
/ˈɡʌʃɪŋ/
Expressing praise or emotion in an overly enthusiastic way.
tanned
B2
/tænd/
Having browner skin from spending time in the sun.
hourly
B2
/ˈaʊ̯ɚli/
Happening every hour.
instantaneous
C2
/ɪnstənˈteɪni.əs/
Happening immediately, with no delay at all.
rainfall
B1
/ˈreɪnˌfɔl/
The amount of rain that falls in a place over a period of time.
transient
B2
/ˈtɹæn.ʃənt/
Lasting only for a short time; not permanent.
doubly
B2
/ˈdʌb.li/
To twice the degree; much more than usual.
undying
C1
/ʌnˈdaɪ.ɪŋ/
lasting forever or never losing strength, especially of a feeling, memory, or reputation
adulthood
A2
/əˈdʌltˌhʊd/
the period of life after a person has reached physical and legal maturity
antiquity
C1
/ænˈtɪk.wə.ti/
Ancient times, especially the period of ancient Greece and Rome.
simultaneous
B2
/ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/
Happening or done at the same time.
gradual
B2
/ˈɡɹadʒuəl/
Happening slowly over a long period of time, in small steps.
squander
C1
/ˈskwɑn.dɚ/
To waste money, time, or opportunities carelessly.
wasteful
B1
/ˈweɪstfəl/
Using more money, time, or resources than is necessary.
paradigm
C1
/ˈpæɹ.ə.daɪm/
the generally accepted perspective of a particular discipline at a given time
lull
C2
/lʌl/
a period of calm weather
hibernation
C1
/ˌhaɪ.bəɹˈneɪ.ʃən/
The deep sleep-like state some animals enter to survive the winter.
unveil
C1
/ʌnˈveɪl/
To show or present something publicly for the first time.
hone
B2
/hoʊn/
To improve a skill or ability over time through practice.
reminisce
C1
/ˌrɛməˈnɪs/
To talk or think about pleasant events from the past.
botany
B2
/ˈbɑ.tə.ni/
The scientific study of plants.
inherently
C1
/ɪnˈhɛɹəntli/
In a way that is a natural, permanent part of something.