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
grind
C1
/ˈɡɹaɪnd/
To crush something into small pieces or powder.
sniff
B2
/snəf/
To breathe in through your nose in a short, audible way, often to smell something.
considerable
B1
/kənˈsɪdəɹəbl̩/
Large in amount, size, or degree.
positively
B1
/ˈpɑ.zɪ.tɪv.li/
In a hopeful or optimistic way.
vague
B1
/veɪɡ/
Not clear or exact; not giving enough detail.
partly
A2
/ˈpɑɹtli/
In some degree but not completely.
insight
B1
/ˈɪnsaɪ̯t/
A clear, deep understanding of a person, situation, or subject.
quiz
A2
/kwɪz/
A short test or competition in which you answer questions.
repeatedly
B1
/ɹɪˈpiːtɪdli/
Many times; again and again.
bun
B2
/bʌn/
A small, round bread roll, either plain or sweet.
moss
B1
/mɔs/
A small, soft, green plant with no flowers that grows in thick patches on damp ground, trees and stones.
convenience
A2
/kənˈvinjəns/
The quality of being easy to use and saving you time or effort.
notorious
C1
/nəˈtɔ.ɹi.əs/
Famous for something bad.
experimental
C1
/ɪkspɛɹəˈmɛntəl/
Relating to or based on scientific experiments.
ghetto
B2
/ˈɡɛ.toʊ/
A poor area of a city where people of one ethnic group or background live, often separated from the rest.
infant
B2
/ˈɪn.fənt/
A very young child or baby.
severely
B1
/səˈvɪrli/
To a very serious or great degree.
ribbon
A1
/ˈɹɪbən/
A long, narrow strip of cloth used for decorating or tying things.
greatness
B2
/ˈɡɹeɪtnəs/
The quality of being remarkable, important, or admirable.
flick
C1
/flɪk/
To hit or touch something with a quick, light movement.
packet
B2
/ˈpæk.ɪt/
A small pack or bag containing something.
rhyme
B2
/ˈraɪm/
To have the same ending sound as another word.
determination
B1
/dɪˌtɝːməˈneɪʃən/
The quality of trying hard to do something and not giving up.
beaver
B1
/ˈbivɚ/
A large furry animal with a flat tail that lives near water and builds dams.
testament
C1
/ˈtes.tə.mənt/
Proof or clear evidence that something is true or that someone has a quality.
bronze
B1
/bɹɑnz/
A hard reddish-brown metal made by mixing copper and tin
astonishing
B2
/əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ/
So surprising that it is hard to believe.
berry
B2
/ˈbɛri/
A small, soft, round fruit such as a strawberry or blueberry.
coral
B2
/ˈkɔɚɹəl/
A hard, stony substance formed in the sea by tiny animals, often building large reefs.
biscuit
A2
/ˈbɪs.kɪt/
A small, flat, sweet baked food that is hard and crisp (British English); a cookie.
redemption
B2
/ɹɪˈdɛmpʃən/
The conversion (of a security) into cash.
dispute
B2
/ˈdɪs.pjut/
A serious disagreement or argument, especially an official one.
capsule
B1
/ˈkæps(ə)l/
A small, smooth case containing medicine that you swallow whole.
firmly
B1
/ˈfɝmli/
In a strong, definite way that shows determination.
immense
C1
/ɪˈmɛns/
Extremely large in size, amount, or degree.
thesis
B2
/ˈθisɪs/
A long piece of writing based on research, especially for a university degree.
extensive
B2
/ɪkˈstɛn.sɪv/
Covering a large area or amount; very large in size or range.
crocodile
B2
/ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/
A large reptile with a long body, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth that lives in and near rivers in hot countries.
mist
B2
/mɪst/
A thin cloud of tiny water drops in the air that makes it hard to see.
merit
C2
/ˈmɛɹɪt/
A good quality that deserves praise or reward.
smoothly
A2
/ˈsmuːðli/
Without any problems or difficulties.
leopard
B2
/ˈlɛp.ɚd/
A large wild cat with a spotted coat, found in Africa and Asia.
scenery
A2
/ˈsiːnəɹi/
The natural features of an area, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, seen as beautiful.
refreshing
C1
/ɹəˈfɹɛʃɪŋ/
Making you feel cool, fresh, and full of energy again.
frequently
B1
/ˈfriːkwəntli/
Often; many times.
operational
C1
/ˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃə.nəl/
Working and ready to be used.
gale
C2
/ɡeɪl/
A very strong wind.
unaware
B2
/ˌʌnəˈwɛɚ/
Not knowing or realizing that something exists or is happening.
transformation
B1
/ˌtɹæns.fɔɹˈmeɪ.ʃən/
A complete change in the appearance, character, or condition of someone or something, often for the better.
evidently
B2
/ˈɛvɪdəntli/
In a way that is clear and easy to see; obviously.
limp
B1
/lɪmp/
To walk unevenly because one leg is hurt or weak.
excessive
B2
/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/
Much more than is reasonable or necessary; too much.
hump
B2
/hʌmp/
a rounded raised mass, bulge, or protuberance, including the raised part of a camel's back
rattle
B2
/ˈɹæ.təl/
To make short, sharp knocking sounds, often by shaking.
declaration
B1
/ˌdek.ləˈɹæɪ.ʃən/
A formal or strong statement announcing something.
substantial
B1
/səbˈstænʃəl/
Large in amount, size, or importance.
peep
B2
/pip/
To look quickly or secretly, especially through a small opening.
eminence
C2
/ˈɛmɪnəns/
The state of being famous and highly respected in a field.
speculation
C1
/ˌspek.jəˈlæɪ.ʃən/
An opinion or guess formed without firm evidence.
squash
B2
/skwɔʃ/
To press something hard so that it becomes flat or loses its shape.
separately
B2
/ˈsɛp.ɹət.li/
Apart from others; not together.
athletic
B1
/æθˈlɛtɪk/
Having a strong, fit, and muscular body.
evaluation
B2
/ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃn̩/
A careful judgement about the value or quality of something.
precision
C1
/pɹəˈsəʒ.ən/
The quality of being exact, accurate, and careful.
cube
B2
/kjub/
A solid shape with six equal square sides, like a dice or a box.
titanic
C1
/taɪˈtæn.ɪk/
enormous in size, strength, force, or importance
dedication
B2
/ˌdɛdəˈkeɪʃən/
The hard work and commitment you give to something you care about.
batter
C1
/ˈbætɚ/
To hit something hard and repeatedly.
apron
A1
/ˈeɪ.pɹən/
A piece of clothing worn over the front of your clothes to keep them clean, especially when cooking.
dim
B2
/dɪm/
Not bright; giving or having little light.
steep
B1
/stiːp/
Rising or falling sharply at a high angle.
presumably
B2
/pɹɪˈzuːməbli/
Used to say that something is probably true, based on what you know.
assumption
B2
/əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/
Something you accept as true without proof.
furthermore
B1
/ˈfɝ.ðɚˌmoɹ/
In addition; what is more (used to add another point).
trek
B2
/tɹɛk/
To make a long, slow, or difficult journey, especially on foot.
conventional
B2
/kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/
Following the usual, traditional, and widely accepted way of doing things.
abnormal
B1
/ˌæbˈnɔɹ.ml̩/
different from what is normal or expected, often in a worrying way
bandage
B1
/ˈbændɪd͡ʒ/
A strip of soft material wrapped around a wound or injury to protect it.
standby
B2
/ˈstændˌbaɪ/
A state of being ready to act at any moment if needed.
probable
B2
/ˈpɹɑbəbl̩/
Likely to be true or to happen.
predictable
B2
/pɹɪˈdɪktəbl̩/
Able to be known or guessed in advance because it happens in a regular way.
slash
B2
/slæʃ/
To reduce something, such as a price or budget, by a large amount.
tightly
B1
/ˈtaɪtli/
Firmly and securely; in a way that is hard to move or undo.
intriguing
C1
/ɪnˈtɹiːɡɪŋ/
Very interesting because it is strange, mysterious, or unexpected.
clarity
C1
/ˈklæɹ.ɪ.ti/
The quality of being clear and easy to understand.
daft
B2
/dæft/
Silly, foolish, or stupid (informal).
glamorous
B2
/ˈɡlɛ.mə.ɹəs/
Attractive in an exciting and stylish way.
fossil
C1
/ˈfɑsl̩/
the preserved remains or shape of a plant or animal that lived long ago
paddle
B1
/ˈpædl̩/
To move a boat through water using a paddle or your hands.
fiery
C2
/ˈfaɪəɹi/
like or suggestive of fire
typically
B1
/ˈtəp.ə.kə.li/
Usually; in most cases.
persistent
B2
/pɚˈsɪstənt/
Continuing for a long time and difficult to stop.
mischief
B1
/ˈmɪs.tʃɪf/
Playful behaviour that causes small trouble or annoyance, especially by children.
flexible
B2
/ˈflek.sɪ.bəl/
Able to change easily to suit new or different conditions.
funk
B2
/fɐŋk/
A style of dance music with a strong rhythm, related to jazz and soul.
acute
B2
/əˈkjut/
very serious or severe