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
tribunal
C1
/tɹaɪˈbjunəl/
A type of court set up to settle particular kinds of disputes.
seaside
A2
/ˌsiːˈsaɪd/
The area next to the sea, especially a place people visit for holidays.
pear
A2
/pɛɹ/
A sweet, juicy fruit that is narrow at the top and round at the bottom.
accommodate
B2
/əˈkɑməˌdeɪt/
To have enough space or room for a number of people or things.
posture
C1
/ˈpɑst͡ʃɚ/
The way a person holds and positions their body.
disconnect
B2
/dɪskəˈnɛkt/
To break or stop a connection between two things.
confinement
C1
/kənˈfaɪnmənt/
The state of being kept in a closed space and not allowed to leave.
curl
B2
/kɜɹl/
A piece of hair that grows or is shaped in a curved, spiral form.
navigate
B2
/ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt/
To find the right way to get to a place, especially using a map or instruments.
exterior
C1
/ɪkˈstɪɹiɚ/
The outside surface or appearance of something.
widely
A2
/ˈwaɪdli/
By many people or in many places.
pinpoint
C2
/ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/
to identify or locate something with great precision
ironically
B2
/aɪˈɹɑnɪkli/
Used to point out that something is the opposite of what you would expect
vortex
C2
/ˈvɔɹtɛks/
A whirling mass of water, air, or other fluid that pulls things toward its centre.
hostility
C1
/hɑˈstɪlɪti/
Strong unfriendliness or opposition towards someone or something.
axis
B2
/ˈæksɪs/
An imaginary line through the centre of an object, around which it turns.
obsessive
B2
/əbˈsɛs.ɪv/
Thinking about one thing or doing one activity far too much.
midday
A2
/mɪdˈdeɪ/
The middle of the day; twelve o'clock noon.
interaction
B1
/ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.ʃən/
a conversation or exchange between people.
restraint
C1
/ɹɪˈstɹeɪnt/
Calm, controlled behaviour; the act of holding back strong feelings or reactions.
strand
B2
/stɹænd/
A single thin piece of something like hair, thread, or rope.
harass
C1
/ˈhæɹəs/
To annoy or trouble someone repeatedly, often in a threatening or aggressive way.
restoration
C1
/ɹɛstəˈɹeɪʃən/
The act of returning something to its original or former condition.
folding
B2
/ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
Designed to be folded up so it takes less space.
proximity
B2
/pɹɑkˈsɪm.ɪ.ti/
Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
conversion
B2
/kənˈvɝʒən/
The act of changing something from one form, system, or use into another.
knit
B1
/ˈnɪt/
To make clothing or fabric by joining yarn into loops with needles.
exhaustion
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔːs.t͡ʃən/
The state of being extremely tired.
long-distance
B2
/ˌlɔŋˈdiːstəns/
Covering or travelling over a great distance.
set-up
C1
/ˈsɛˌtəp/
The way something is organized or arranged.
placement
B2
/ˈpleːsmənt/
The act of putting something in a particular place; its position.
showcase
B2
/ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs/
To present something in a way that draws attention to its best qualities.
moisture
B1
/ˈmɔɪs.t͡ʃɚ/
Small amounts of water present in the air, on a surface, or inside something.
disagreement
B1
/ˌdɪsəˈɡɹimənt/
A situation in which people have different opinions and may argue.
density
C1
/ˈdɛn.sə.ti/
How much of something there is in a given space or area.
coastal
B1
/ˈkoʊstəl/
Located on or near the coast, or relating to the coast.
residential
B1
/ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl/
Consisting of homes rather than offices, shops, or factories.
boast
B1
/boʊst/
To talk proudly about yourself or what you have done.
installation
B2
/ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən/
The act of putting a piece of equipment or software in place so it is ready to use.
tack
B2
/ˈtæk/
A way of dealing with a problem; an approach or course of action.
barricade
C2
/ˌbæɹ.ɪˈkeɪd/
a barrier (usually thrown up hastily) to impede the advance of an enemy
accommodation
B1
/əˌkɑ.məˈdeɪ.ʃən/
A place to live or stay, such as a hotel room or apartment.
endlessly
B2
/ˈɛndləsli/
In a way that continues without stopping
elect
B2
/ɪˈlɛkt/
To choose someone for a position by voting.
diameter
B1
/daɪˈæmɪdɚ/
A straight line passing through the centre of a circle from one side to the other.
newcomer
B1
/ˈn(j)uˌkʌmɚ/
A person who has recently arrived in a place.
proceeds
C1
/ˈpɹoʊsidz/
The money received from an event, sale, or activity.
recession
B2
/ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩/
A period when a country's economy is weak and business activity falls.
upbringing
B2
/ˈʌpˌbrɪŋɪŋ/
The way a child is raised and taught while growing up.
exorcism
C2
/ˈɛk.sɔɹˌsɪ.zəm/
A ritual performed to drive out an evil spirit from a person, place, or thing.
intolerable
C2
/ɪnˈtɑləɹəbl̩/
incapable of being put up with
diverse
B1
/daɪˈvɝs/
Made up of many different kinds of people or things.
disadvantage
A2
/ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪd͡ʒ/
Something that makes a situation worse or less favorable; a drawback.
indoor
A2
/ˈɪndoɹ/
Located inside a building, or used or done inside a building.
ranking
C1
/ˈɹæŋ.kɪŋ/
A person's or thing's position in an ordered list, showing relative quality or success.
hoist
C2
/hɔɪst/
To raise or lift something heavy, often using ropes, pulleys, or other equipment.
faraway
B1
/ˈfɑɹəweɪ/
Very distant in space or time.
sympathize
B2
/ˈsɪmpəˌθaɪz/
To feel or show that you understand and share someone's sadness or troubles.
adolescent
C1
/ˌæd.əˈlɛs.ənt/
A young person who is no longer a child but not yet an adult; a teenager.
turnout
C1
/ˈtɜː(ɹ)naʊt/
The number of people who attend or take part in an event, especially an election.
brewery
B2
/ˈbɹuːəɹi/
A place or company where beer is made.
nucleus
B1
/ˈnuː.kli.əs/
The central part of an atom, made of protons and neutrons.
provocation
C2
/ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/
An action or remark that deliberately makes someone angry or upset.
upward
B1
/ˈʌpwɚd/
Toward a higher place or level.
predecessor
C1
/ˈpɹiːdɪsɛsɚ/
A person who held a job or position before someone else.
widespread
B1
/ˌwaɪdˈspɹɛd/
Found or happening over a large area or among many people.
concession
B2
/kənˈsɛʃən/
something you allow or give up to end an argument or reach agreement
eyebrow
B2
/ˈaɪˌbɹaʊ/
The line of hair growing above each eye.
vibration
B2
/vaɪˈbɹeɪʃən/
A continuous shaking movement, or the act of shaking quickly back and forth.
analogy
B2
/əˈnæləd͡ʒi/
A comparison between two things that are similar in some way, often used to explain something.
nominee
B2
/ˌnɒmɪˈniː/
A person who has been officially suggested for a job, position, or award.
hierarchy
C1
/ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/
A system in which people or things are ranked one above another by status or importance.
uphill
B1
/ˈʌpˌhɪl/
sloping or leading upward
neighboring
B2
/ˈneɪbəɹɪŋ/
Located very close by; next to or near something else.
wither
B1
/ˈwɪðɚ/
To dry up, droop, or shrink, especially from lack of water.
whirlwind
C2
/ˈ(h)wɝlwɪnd/
A column of air spinning rapidly as it moves across the ground.
outward
B1
/ˈaʊt.wɚd/
Relating to how something appears on the surface, rather than what is really felt inside.
rejoin
B2
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɔɪn/
To join or come back to a group, place, or activity after leaving it.
cordon
C2
/ˈkɔː(ɹ)dən/
A line of people or barriers placed around an area to guard or block it.
cocoon
C2
/kəˈkuːn/
The silky covering a caterpillar spins around itself before becoming a moth or butterfly.
landslide
B2
/ˈlændˌslaɪd/
A sudden fall of earth, rock, and mud down a slope.
hover
B2
/ˈhɑvɚ/
To stay in one place in the air, without moving forward.
justification
C1
/ˌd͡ʒɐstɪfɪˈkæɪʃən/
A good reason or explanation that makes an action or belief seem acceptable.
flutter
B2
/ˈflʌtɚ/
To move quickly and lightly up and down or back and forth.
hospice
B2
/ˈhɑspɪs/
A place that cares for people who are dying, keeping them comfortable.
relapse
C1
/ɹɪˈlæps/
To slip back into a bad habit or harmful behaviour after a period of improvement.
reside
C1
/ɹɪˈzaɪd/
To live in a particular place.
overtake
B2
/oʊ̯vɚˈteɪ̯k/
To pass another vehicle or person moving in the same direction.
continuity
C1
/ˌkɑn.tɪˈn(j)u.ə.ti/
The state of continuing steadily over time without interruption.
uncontrollable
B1
/ˌənkənˈtroʊləbəl/
Impossible to control, stop, or hold back.
conduit
C2
/ˈkɒnd(j)ʊɪt/
A pipe or channel that carries water, wires, or other things.
pedestal
C2
/ˈpɛdɪstəl/
A base on which a statue, column, or vase stands.
linear
C1
/ˈlɪni.əɹ/
Following a straight line or a single direction.
campsite
B1
/ˈkæmpˌsaɪt/
A place where people can put up tents and stay, especially on holiday.
birthplace
B2
/ˈbɝθˌpleɪs/
The place where a person was born.
alignment
C1
/əˈlɑen.mənt/
Agreement or support between people, groups, or ideas.