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
4363 words
universal
B2
/ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/
Shared by or true for everyone in a group.
cane
B2
/keɪn/
A thin stick that someone leans on to help them walk.
exotic
B2
/ɪɡˈzɑtɪk/
From a faraway country and seeming exciting or unusual.
extent
B1
/ɪkˈstɛnt/
The degree or level to which something happens or is true.
spaghetti
A2
/spəˈɡɛti/
A type of pasta made in long, thin strings.
shallow
B1
/ˈʃæl.oʊ/
Not deep; measuring only a short distance from top to bottom.
feather
A2
/ˈfɛð.ɚ/
One of the light, soft structures that cover a bird's body.
reflection
B1
/ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/
An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface.
venture
B2
/ˈvɛn.t͡ʃɚ/
A new project or business activity, especially a risky one.
define
B1
/dɪˈfaɪn/
To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.
utterly
B2
/ˈʌtɝli/
Completely and totally.
coconut
B2
/ˈkoʊ.kəˌnʌt/
The large brown fruit of the coconut palm, with a hard, hairy shell and sweet white flesh inside.
acknowledge
B1
/əkˈnɑ.lɪd͡ʒ/
To admit or accept that something is true or real.
thoroughly
B2
/ˈθɜɹ.ə.li/
In a careful and complete way.
submarine
B1
/sʌb.məˈɹin/
A ship that can travel under the surface of the water.
proposition
C2
/ˌpɹɑpəˈzɪʃən/
An idea, plan, or suggestion that is offered for consideration.
clumsy
B2
/ˈklʌmzi/
Moving in an awkward way and often dropping or knocking things.
garlic
A2
/ˈɡɑɹlɪk/
A plant with a strong-tasting bulb, used to add flavour to food.
unlucky
B1
/ʌnˈlʌki/
Having or bringing bad luck.
hike
A2
/haɪk/
A long walk in the countryside, usually for pleasure or exercise.
mock
B2
/mɔk/
To laugh at someone or something in an unkind way.
challenging
B1
/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪn.d͡ʒɪŋ/
Difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability.
workshop
B1
/ˈwɝk.ʃɑp/
A short, practical course where a small group learns or works on something together.
naval
B2
/ˈneɪvəl/
Connected with a navy or its ships.
peach
B2
/piːt͡ʃ/
A soft, round, juicy fruit with sweet yellow flesh and a fuzzy reddish-yellow skin.
lively
A2
/ˈlaɪvli/
Full of energy and enthusiasm.
primitive
B1
/ˈpɹɪmɪtɪv/
Belonging to an early stage of human development, before modern technology.
peculiar
B1
/pɪˈkjul.jɚ/
Strange or unusual in a way that is hard to explain.
mint
B2
/mɪnt/
A place where coins are officially made.
fuse
C1
/fjuːz/
To join or blend two or more things into one.
freezer
B1
/ˈfɹizɚ/
An appliance or compartment that keeps food frozen at a very low temperature.
artistic
B1
/ɑɹˈtɪs.tɪk/
Relating to art or artists.
tidy
A2
/ˈtaɪ.di/
Arranged neatly, with everything in its proper place; not messy.
acceptable
A2
/əkˈsɛp.tə.bəl/
Good enough to be approved or allowed.
realistic
B1
/ˌɹɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/
Sensible and practical about what can actually be done or expected.
demonstrate
B1
/ɖᵻˈmɔns.ʈreʈ/
To clearly show that something is true or real.
roar
B2
/ˈɹoɹ/
Of an animal such as a lion, to make a long, loud, deep sound.
ant
B1
/[ɛənt]/
A small insect that lives in large, organized groups underground.
ape
B1
/eɪp/
A large primate such as a gorilla or chimpanzee, without a tail.
camel
B1
/ˈkæm(ə)l/
A large desert animal with one or two humps on its back, used for carrying people and goods.
runner
A2
/ˈɹʌnɚ/
A person who runs, especially in a race or for exercise.
irrelevant
C1
/ɪˈɹɛl.ə.vənt/
Not connected with or important to the subject being discussed.
greatly
A2
/ˈɡɹeɪtli/
Very much; to a large extent.
dinosaur
A2
/ˈdaɪnəsoɹ/
A large reptile that lived millions of years ago and is now extinct.
bacteria
B2
/bækˈtɪɹ.i.ə/
Tiny living things, too small to see, that exist almost everywhere and can cause disease or help digestion.
purely
B2
/ˈpjʊɹli/
Only; entirely and nothing else.
profound
C1
/pɹəˈfaʊnd/
Very great or intense; deeply felt.
detailed
B2
/dɪˈteɪld/
Giving a lot of information and including many small facts.
superb
B2
/suˈpɝb/
Extremely good; of the highest quality.
knot
B2
/nɑt/
A fastening made by tying a piece of rope, string, or cord.
regularly
A2
/ˈɹɛɡjəlɚli/
Often and at fixed or even times.
invent
A2
/ɪnˈvɛnt/
To design or create something completely new for the first time.
terrace
B2
/ˈtɛɹəs/
A flat, usually paved outdoor area next to a house or restaurant.
weep
A2
/wiːp/
To cry, especially quietly and with deep feeling.
elementary
B2
/ˌɛləˈmɛntəɹi/
Very simple and easy to understand.
mold
B2
/moʊld/
To shape a soft material into a particular form.
successfully
A2
/səkˈses.fə.li/
In a way that achieves what was wanted; without failing.
potentially
B2
/pəˈtenʃəli/
In a way that is possible but has not yet happened; possibly.
strangely
B1
/ˈstɹeɪnd͡ʒli/
In an unusual or surprising way.
authentic
C1
/ɔˈθɛn.tɪk/
Real and genuine, not a fake or copy.
addiction
B2
/əˈdɪkˌʃən/
the condition of not being able to stop taking a drug or doing something harmful
swift
B2
/swɪft/
Happening or moving very quickly.
gifted
B1
/ˈɡɪftɪd/
Having a special natural ability or talent.
obtain
B1
/əbˈteɪn/
To get something, especially by making an effort.
gorilla
B1
/ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/
A very large, powerful ape that lives in the forests of central Africa.
roughly
A2
/ˈrʌfli/
Approximately; not exactly.
surprisingly
B1
/səˈpɹaɪzɪŋli/
In a way that is unexpected or causes surprise.
slavery
B1
/ˈsleɪvəɹi/
The system of owning people as property and forcing them to work.
exceptional
B2
/ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl/
Unusually good; far better than average.
slit
C2
/ˈslɪt/
a long narrow opening
impulse
B2
/ˈɪmpʌls/
A sudden strong wish to do something without thinking first.
rag
B2
/ˈɹeɪ̯ɡ/
A piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning.
worldwide
A2
/ˈwɝldˌwaɪd/
Existing or happening in every part of the world.
marble
B1
/ˈmɑɹ.bəl/
A hard, smooth stone, often white or patterned, used in buildings and statues.
curly
B1
/ˈkɝli/
Having curls; growing or shaped in curves rather than straight.
pentagon
B2
/ˈpɛn.təˌɡɑn/
A flat shape with five straight sides and five angles.
scooter
B2
/ˈskuːtɝ/
A small two-wheeled vehicle with a handlebar and a board to stand on, pushed along with one foot.
relatively
B1
/ˈɹɛl.ə.tɪv.li/
To a fairly large or noticeable degree; quite.
slippery
C2
/ˈslɪpəɹi/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
verify
C1
/ˈvɛɹɪfaɪ/
To check that something is true, accurate, or correct.
apparent
B1
/əˈpæɹ.ənt/
Easy to see or understand; clear and obvious.
grim
B2
/ɡɹɪm/
Worrying, unpleasant, and offering little hope.
denial
C1
/dɪˈnaɪəl/
A statement that something is not true.
memo
C1
/ˈmɛmoʊ̯/
A short written message sent within an organization.
funky
B2
/fʌŋki/
Stylish and modern in an unusual, eye-catching way.
kitten
B1
/ˈkɪt.n̩/
A young cat.
deceive
B2
/dɪˈsiːv/
To make someone believe something that is not true; to trick or mislead.
curve
B1
/kɚv/
A smooth bend in a line, road, or surface, without sharp angles.
valid
B2
/ˈvælɪd/
Able to be legally or officially used or accepted.
breeding
B1
/ˈbɹiːdɪŋ/
The keeping of animals or plants in order to produce young or new types.
machinery
C1
/məˈʃiːnəɹi/
Machines as a group, especially large ones used in industry.
carrot
A2
/ˈkæɹ.ət/
A long, pointed, orange vegetable that grows underground.
expertise
B2
/ˌɛkspɚˈtis/
A high level of skill or knowledge in a particular field.
handkerchief
B1
/ˈhæŋkɚt͡ʃəf/
A small square piece of cloth used for wiping your nose, eyes, or face.
understandable
B2
/ˌəndɝˈstændəbəl/
Easy to understand; clear.
toothbrush
A2
/ˈtuθ.bɹʌʃ/
A small brush used with toothpaste to clean the teeth.