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
sedate
C1
/səˈdeɪt/
Calm, quiet, and unhurried.
versatile
C1
/ˈvɝ.sə.təl/
Able to do many different things well
imprison
B2
/ɪmˈpɹɪzən/
To put someone in prison or keep them locked up.
unforeseen
B2
/ˌʌnfɔɹˈsin/
Not expected or predicted in advance.
overwhelm
B1
/ˌo.vɚˈʍɛlm/
To affect someone so strongly with a feeling that they cannot think or react clearly.
constitute
B1
/ˈkɑnstɪt(j)uːt/
To be or be considered as something.
outlive
B2
/ˌaʊtˈlɪv/
To live longer than someone else.
reinforcement
B2
/ˌɹiɪnˈfɔɹsmənt/
The act of making something stronger or more solid.
playmate
B2
/ˈpleɪˌmeɪt/
A companion, especially a child, that someone plays with.
integrate
B2
/ˈɪn.təˌɡɹeɪt/
To combine two or more things so that they work together as one.
stoke
C1
/stoʊk/
to make a strong feeling or situation grow stronger
utilize
C1
/ˈju.tə.laɪz/
To make use of something for a practical purpose.
flaunt
C2
/flɔnt/
to display something ostentatiously so that it attracts notice or admiration
headstrong
C1
/ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ/
Determined to do what you want and unwilling to listen to advice.
jiggle
C2
/ˈdʒɪɡ.əl/
to move or cause something to move with quick, small movements from side to side or up and down
brainwashing
C1
/ˈbreɪnˌwɑːʃɪŋ/
The act of forcing people to give up their beliefs and accept new ones through intense pressure.
celibate
C2
/ˈsɛləbət/
abstaining from sexual intercourse
bracket
B2
/ˈbɹækɪt/
One of a set of ranges into which things are grouped, such as for tax or age.
repertoire
B2
/ˈɹɛp.əɹ.twɑɹ/
The set of pieces (songs, plays, etc.) that a performer or group is ready to perform.
tamper
B1
/ˈtæm.pɚ/
to interfere with or alter something without permission, often dishonestly or in a way that causes damage
revision
B1
/ɹəˈvɪʒ.ən/
The act of changing or improving something to make it better or more correct.
inaccurate
B2
/ɪnˈæk.jə.ɹɪt/
Not correct or exact; containing mistakes.
ineffective
B2
/ˌɪn.ɪˈfɛk.tɪv/
Not producing the result you want.
recapture
B2
/ˌriːˈkæp.tʃɚ/
to capture a person, place, or thing again after it has escaped or been lost
carelessness
B1
/ˈkɛɹləsnəs/
A lack of care or attention.
headway
C1
/ˈhɛdweɪ/
progress toward a goal, especially after effort or difficulty
scour
C1
/ˈskaʊɚ/
to search a place, text, or collection thoroughly and energetically
tote
B2
/toʊt/
informal: to carry something, especially something heavy or awkward
terrify
A2
/ˈtɛɹɪfaɪ/
To frighten someone very badly; to fill with terror.
pave
B2
/peɪv/
To cover a road or area with a hard surface such as stone or concrete.
signify
B2
/ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ/
To mean or be a sign of something.
classification
B2
/ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The act of arranging things into groups based on shared qualities.
reassurance
C1
/ˌriːəˈʃʊrəns/
Words or actions that make someone feel less worried and more confident.
impractical
B2
/ɪmˈpɹæktɪkəl/
Not sensible or realistic to do or use in real life.
dabble
C2
/ˈdæb.əl/
to take part in an activity casually or without serious commitment
recourse
C2
/ˈɹiːkɔɹs/
The use of someone or something for help in a difficult situation.
handout
B2
/ˈhændˌaʊt/
A printed sheet of information given out to people, for example in a class.
restriction
B2
/ɹɪˈstɹɪkʃən/
A rule or limit that controls what you can do.
amok
C2
/əˈmɑk/
in an uncontrolled, often violent frenzy, chiefly in the expression 'run amok'
immerse
B2
/ɪˈmɝs/
To put something completely into a liquid.
opt
C1
/ɑpt/
To choose to do something rather than something else.
flay
C2
/fleɪ/
to strip the skin from a person, animal, or carcass
shrug
B2
/ˈʃrʌg/
To raise your shoulders to show that you do not know or do not care.
outset
C1
/ˈaʊtsɛt/
The very beginning of something.
bustling
B2
/ˈbʌs(ə)lɪŋ/
Full of energetic and noisy activity.
pucker
C1
/ˈpʌkɚ/
to draw, or become drawn, into small tight wrinkles or folds
ply
C2
/ˈplaɪ/
to keep supplying someone with something, especially food, drink, or questions
limitation
B1
/lɪmɪˈteɪʃən/
A weakness or shortcoming that reduces what something can do.
clinch
C2
/klɪnt͡ʃ/
To settle or win something finally and for certain.
sift
C2
/sɪft/
to pass a dry substance through a sieve in order to remove lumps or separate particles
sunder
C2
/ˈsʌndɚ/
literary: to split, sever, or force apart
bookshelf
A2
/ˈbʊkˌʃɛlf/
A shelf or set of shelves for keeping books on.
hindrance
C2
/ˈhɪndɹəns/
Something that makes it harder to do something; an obstacle.
blurt
B2
/ˈblɝt/
To say something suddenly and without thinking.
single-handed
B2
/ˌsɪŋ.ɡəlˈhæn.dɪd/
done by one person without help from anyone else
depiction
C1
/dɪˈpɪk.ʃən/
A picture or description of someone or something.
alienate
C1
/ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪt/
To make someone stop being friendly or supportive towards you.
quibble
C2
/ˈkwɪbəl/
argue over petty things
concise
C1
/kənˈsaɪs/
expressing much in few words
brainstorming
B1
/ˈbreɪnˌstɔrmɪŋ/
A way of solving problems by having a group share many ideas freely.
bridle
C2
/ˈbɹaɪdəl/
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
fabled
C2
/ˈfeɪbəld/
Famous in stories or legends.
outweigh
B1
/ˌaʊtˈweɪ/
To be more important or valuable than something else.
electrocute
C2
/ɪˈlɛktɹəkjuːt/
kill by electrocution, as in the electric chair
disqualify
B2
/dɪsˈkwɔləfaɪ/
To officially stop someone from taking part in something, usually for breaking a rule.
ejection
C2
/əˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
the act of forcing out someone or something
fascinate
B1
/ˈfæsɪneɪt/
To attract and hold someone's interest very strongly.
pillowcase
B2
/ˈpɪloʊˌkeɪs/
A cloth cover that you put over a pillow and can take off to wash.
exhume
C2
/ɛksˈhuːm/
to remove a buried body or other object from the ground, especially for examination or reburial
dignify
B2
/ˈdɪgnəˌfaɪ/
To treat something unworthy as if it deserved serious attention.
dilation
C2
/ˌdaɪˈleɪʃən/
the act of expanding an aperture
rumple
C1
/ˈɹʌmpəl/
to make hair, fabric, or another surface untidy with wrinkles, folds, or creases
fritter
C1
/ˈfrɪtər/
to waste time, money, energy, or an opportunity gradually on unimportant things, usually with away
authenticate
C1
/ɔˈθɛn.tɪ.keɪt/
to establish the authenticity of something
mete
C2
/miːt/
to allot, dispense, or administer something, especially punishment or reward, usually in the phrase mete out
glint
B1
/ɡlɪnt/
A quick flash of light reflected from a shiny surface.
abolition
C1
/ˌæb.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
the act of abolishing a system or practice or institution (especially abolishing slavery)
materialize
C2
/məˈtɪɹiəlaɪz/
To actually happen or become real, especially after being planned or expected.
wooded
C1
/ˈwʊdɪd/
Covered with trees.
whittle
C2
/ˈwɪt.əl/
to cut or shape wood by repeatedly shaving off small pieces with a knife
grouping
B1
/ˈɡɹuːpɪŋ/
A collection of people or things put together as a group.
redesign
B2
/ˌɹiː.dɪˈzaɪn/
design anew, make a new design for
outdo
B2
/aʊtˈdu/
To do something better than someone else or better than before.
compliant
C1
/kəmˈplaɪənt/
Willing to do what others want; obedient and cooperative.
inclusion
C1
/ɪnˈkluːʒən/
The act of including someone or something in a group, list, or whole.
mutilate
C2
/ˈmjuː.tɪˌleɪt/
destroy or injure severely
equip
B2
/ɪˈkwɪp/
To provide someone or something with the tools or supplies needed for a task.
adjustable
C1
/əˈd͡ʒʌstəbəl/
Able to be changed to fit your needs or preferences
unscrew
B1
/ʌnˈskruː/
to loosen or remove something by turning it
eagerness
B1
/ˈiɡɚnəs/
A strong feeling of wanting to do something or be involved in it.
constrained
C2
/kənˈstɹeɪnd/
Limited or restricted in what can be done.
averse
C2
/əˈvɝːs/
Strongly opposed to or unwilling to do something (usually followed by 'to').
indiscriminate
C2
/ˌɪndɪˈskrɪmənət/
not marked by fine distinctions
rebuke
C2
/ɹiˈbjuːk/
To criticise or scold someone sharply.
philanthropy
C2
/fɪˈlæn.θɹə.pi/
The act of giving money and help to good causes to improve people's lives.
astonish
B2
/əˈstɑnɪʃ/
To surprise someone very greatly.