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
drift
C1
/dɹɪft/
To be carried slowly along by water, air, or a current.
ruthless
C1
/ˈɹuːθləs/
Showing no pity or mercy towards others.
backpack
B1
/ˈbæk.pæk/
A bag carried on your back by straps over the shoulders.
aisle
A2
/ˈaɪl/
A passage between rows of seats or shelves, as in a theatre, plane, or shop.
resignation
B2
/ˌɹez.ɪɡˈnæɪ.ʃən/
The act of officially leaving a job or position.
sheer
B1
/ʃɪɚ/
Used to emphasize how great or pure an amount, degree, or quality is.
spaceship
A2
/ˈspeɪsˌʃɪp/
A vehicle designed to carry people through space.
blink
B2
/blɪŋk/
To shut and open your eyes quickly.
sponsor
B1
/ˈspɑn.sɚ/
A person or company that pays for an event or activity, often in return for advertising.
stray
C1
/stɹeɪ/
To wander away from the right path or place.
tramp
B2
/ˈtɹæmp/
A homeless person who travels from place to place and often begs for food or money.
arena
B2
/əˈɹiːnə/
A large building or enclosed space used for sports or entertainment events.
separation
B1
/ˌsep.əˈɹæɪ.ʃən/
The act of dividing or keeping people or things apart, or the state of being apart.
comb
A2
/koʊm/
A flat tool with a row of thin teeth, used to tidy and straighten your hair.
specialty
B2
/ˈspɛʃ.əl.ti/
A subject or skill that someone knows a lot about or is very good at.
protein
B2
/ˈpɹoʊ.tiːn/
A nutrient found in foods such as meat, eggs, and beans that the body needs to grow and stay healthy.
transportation
B1
/tɹænspɚˈteɪʃən/
The system or means of moving people or goods from one place to another.
teen
B1
/tiːn/
A person between 13 and 19 years old.
aspect
B1
/ˈæspɛkt/
A particular part or feature of something.
relate
B1
/rɪˈleɪt/
To understand and feel sympathy for someone or something.
fundamental
B2
/ˌfɐn.dəˈmɛn.təl/
Forming the basic and most important part of something; essential.
cozy
B2
/ˈkoʊzi/
Warm, comfortable, and pleasant, especially in a small space.
overboard
B2
/ˈəʊvə(ɹ)ˌbɔː(ɹ)d/
Over the side of a boat and into the water.
grown-up
B2
/ˈgroʊˌnəp/
An adult, especially as spoken about by or to children.
establishment
B1
/ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
A business or organization, or the place where it operates.
partial
B1
/ˈpɑɹʃəl/
Not complete; only a part of the whole.
neutral
B1
/ˈnuː.tɹəl/
Not supporting either side in an argument or conflict.
parallel
B2
/ˈpærᵊ.ləl/
(of lines or surfaces) Always the same distance apart and never meeting.
debris
B1
/dəˈbɹiː/
Scattered broken pieces left after something is destroyed or breaks apart.
irony
C1
/ˈaɪ.ɹə.ni/
A situation that is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what you expect.
humiliation
B2
/hjuːˌmɪliˈeɪʃən/
The feeling of being ashamed or foolish, especially in front of others.
stitch
B2
/ˈstɪtʃ/
One of the loops or lines of thread made when sewing or knitting.
unbearable
B2
/ənˈbɛrəbəl/
So unpleasant or painful that you cannot put up with it.
flute
B1
/flu(ː)t/
A musical instrument shaped like a long tube, played by blowing across a hole near one end.
glance
B1
/ɡlæns/
To look at something quickly and briefly.
collective
C1
/kəˈlɛktɪv/
Done by or shared between all members of a group.
strap
C1
/stɹæp/
A narrow strip of leather, cloth, or other material used to fasten, carry, or hold something.
banner
C1
/ˈbænɚ/
A large sign or strip of cloth with a message, often hung up or carried.
haunt
B1
/hɔnt/
(of a ghost) To appear repeatedly in a place.
bakery
B1
/ˈbeɪ.kə.ɹi/
A place where bread, cakes, and pastries are made and sold.
admission
B1
/ədˈmɪʃən/
A statement saying that something, often unpleasant, is true.
altitude
B2
/ˈælt.ɪˌtjuːd/
The height of something above sea level or the ground.
intruder
B2
/ənˈtɹudɚ/
Someone who enters a place or property without permission.
feedback
B2
/ˈfiːdˌbæk/
Comments and advice about how well someone has done something.
arctic
B2
/ˈɑɹ(k)tɪk/
Relating to the cold region around the North Pole.
strangle
B2
/ˈstɹeɪ̯ŋɡ(ə)l/
To kill or hurt someone by squeezing their throat so they cannot breathe.
slot
B1
/slɑt/
A narrow opening, such as one for inserting a coin.
roam
B2
/ɹoʊm/
To wander or travel about freely with no fixed destination.
sponge
B1
/spʌnd͡ʒ/
A soft, porous material used for washing or soaking up liquid.
calf
B1
/kæf/
A young cow.
humiliate
B2
/hjuːˈmɪliˌeɪt/
To make someone feel ashamed or foolish, especially in front of other people.
runaway
B1
/ˈɹʌnəweɪ/
A person, especially a young one, who has left home or escaped without permission.
spotlight
C1
/ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/
Public attention or the center of attention.
frontier
B2
/fɹʌnˈtɪɹ/
The border between two countries.
chimney
B2
/ˈtʃɪmni/
A vertical pipe or structure that carries smoke from a fire up and out of a building.
marker
B2
/ˈmɑː(ɹ)kə(ɹ)/
A pen with a thick, felt tip used for writing or drawing.
heap
B2
/hiːp/
An untidy pile of things lying on top of each other.
surround
B1
/səˈɹaʊnd/
To be all around something or someone on every side.
obstacle
B1
/ˈɑbstəkəl/
Something that makes it difficult to do or achieve something.
arise
B1
/əˈɹaɪz/
To happen or start to exist, especially a problem or situation.
regain
B1
/ɹiːˈɡeɪn/
To get back something you had lost.
bind
B2
/ˈbaɪ̯nd/
To tie or fasten something tightly with rope, string, or cord.
postcard
B1
/ˈpoʊstˌkɑɹd/
A card sent by mail without an envelope, often with a picture on one side.
reef
B1
/ɹiːf/
A ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the sea.
stool
B2
/stuːl/
A seat with legs but no back or arms.
fireplace
B2
/ˈfaɪɹpleɪs/
An open space in a wall where a fire can be lit, usually at the base of a chimney.
arch
B2
/ɑɹt͡ʃ/
A curved structure that spans an opening and supports the weight above it.
diaper
B1
/ˈdaɪ(ə)pɚ/
A soft cloth or padded garment worn around a baby's bottom to absorb urine and waste; a nappy.
nod
B1
/nɑd/
To move your head down and up to show agreement, greeting, or understanding.
closure
B2
/ˈkloʊ.ʒɚ/
The act of shutting something down, permanently or for a time.
descent
C1
/dəˈsɛnt/
The act of moving or coming down.
bypass
C1
/ˈbaɪpæs/
To avoid or go around something, such as a rule, problem, or place.
royalty
B2
/ˈrɔɪəlti/
Members of a royal family considered together.
spontaneous
C1
/spɑnˈteɪ.ni.əs/
Done suddenly, without planning, because you suddenly want to.
relay
B2
/ˈɹiːleɪ/
To pass on a message or piece of information to someone else.
daytime
B2
/ˈdeɪtaɪm/
The part of the day when it is light, between sunrise and sunset.
collision
C1
/kəˈlɪʒn̩/
An accident in which two moving objects hit each other.
Mediterranean
B1
/ˌmɛdɪtəˈɹeɪnɪən/
Relating to the Mediterranean Sea and the countries around it.
console
B2
/ˈkɑn.soʊl/
To comfort someone who is sad or disappointed.
recess
C1
/ˈɹiˌsɛs/
A short break from work or activity, such as a pause in a meeting, court session, or school day.
external
B2
/ɛkˈstɜɹ.nəl/
On or coming from the outside of something.
saloon
C1
/səˈlun/
A bar or public place where alcoholic drinks are served, especially in the American Old West.
successor
C1
/səkˈsɛsɚ/
A person who takes over a job, position, or title from someone else.
accidental
B1
/ˌæk.sɪˈdɛn.tl̩/
Happening by chance and not on purpose.
mushroom
A2
/ˈmɐʃˌɹʉːm/
A small fungus with a stem and a round top, some kinds of which can be eaten.
plum
B2
/plʌm/
A soft, round fruit with smooth skin and a single hard stone in the middle.
circulation
C1
/ˌsɝkjʊˈleɪʃən/
The movement of blood around the body
upright
B2
/ˈʌpɹaɪt/
Standing straight up; vertical.
remotely
C1
/ɹɪˈmoʊtli/
From far away, without being physically present.
solitude
C2
/ˈsɑlɪˌtud/
The state of being alone, often by choice and in a peaceful way.
northwest
B1
/nɔɹθˈwɛst/
The direction halfway between north and west.
install
B1
/ɪnˈstɔl/
To put a piece of equipment somewhere and prepare it so it is ready to use.
litter
B2
/ˈlɪt.ɚ/
Rubbish or trash left lying on the ground.
vicinity
C2
/vəˈsɪnəti/
The area near or around a particular place.
flank
C1
/ˈflæŋk/
the side of something, especially the side of a body or military formation
existing
B2
/ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
Present or in use now; already there.