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
participle
B1
/ˈpɑɹtɪˌsɪpəl/
A form of a verb that can act as an adjective or help make tenses, such as 'broken' or 'running'.
simplification
B2
/ˌsɪm.plə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The act of making something easier to do or understand.
hypothesize
C2
/haɪˈpɑ.θəˌsaɪz/
To suggest an explanation for something without yet having proof.
encapsulate
C1
/ɪnˈkæps(j)ʊˌleɪt/
to express the main meaning of something briefly and clearly
facilitation
C1
/fəˌsɪlɪˈteɪʃən/
The act of making something easier or helping it happen.
vegetate
C2
/ˈvɛdʒəˌteɪt/
to live in a passive, monotonous, or mentally inactive way
galvanize
C2
/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/
to stimulate muscles by administering a shock
genomic
C2
Relating to a genome, the complete set of genes in an organism.
interlace
C1
/ˌɪntərˈleɪs/
to cross, weave, or twist things together so that they form a connected pattern
pell-mell
C2
/ˌpɛlˈmɛl/
in a confused, disorderly rush, without plan or restraint
spay
C2
/ˈspeɪ/
remove the ovaries of
overtax
C1
/ˌoʊvɚˈtæks/
to make excessive demands on a person's strength, attention, or resources
retell
B1
/ɹiˈtɛl/
To tell a story or event again, often in your own words.
emulation
C2
/ˌɛm.juˈleɪ̯.ʃən/
The effort to match or do as well as someone you admire.
unpremeditated
C2
/ˌʌnpriˈmɛdəˌteɪtɪd/
not planned or thought out in advance; spontaneous but not necessarily accidental
unlace
C2
/ʌnˈleɪs/
undo the ties of
euphemistic
C2
/ˌjuːfəˈmɪstɪk/
Using mild or indirect words to replace ones that seem harsh or offensive.
untwist
B1
/ʌnˈtwɪst/
to remove a twist from something or separate strands that have been twisted together
unfix
C2
/ʌnˈfɪks/
to loosen, detach, or remove something from a fixed position
mishandle
C2
/mɪsˈhændəl/
to deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.
seclude
C2
/səˈkluːd/
formal: to keep oneself or another person apart from contact with other people
extrude
C2
/ɪkˈstɹuːd/
to shape a material by forcing it through a die or opening with a fixed cross-section
bestir
C2
/bɪˈstɝ/
usually bestir oneself: to begin acting or moving with energy after a period of inactivity
subdivide
C2
/ˌsʌb.dɪˈvaɪd/
divide into smaller and smaller pieces
adroitly
C2
/əˈdɹɔɪtli/
skillfully and cleverly, especially in handling a difficult situation
categorization
B2
/ˌkæt.ə.ɡɚ.əˈzeɪ.ʃən/
The act of sorting things into groups based on shared features.
mell
C2
/mɛl/
To deal, concern oneself; to interfere or meddle.
regularize
C2
/ˈɹɛɡjəlɚaɪz/
To make regular.
frizzle
C2
/ˈfrɪzəl/
to fry or grill something until it becomes crisp, curled, or slightly burned
engorge
C2
/ɪnˈɡɔrdʒ/
to fill a body part or vessel excessively with blood or another fluid
unclasp
C2
/ˌʌnˈklæsp/
to open or release a clasp or other fastening
deprecate
C2
/ˈdɛp.rɪˌkeɪt/
To declare something outdated and advise against using it, even though it still works (often of software features).
hypocritically
C1
In a way that contradicts the beliefs or standards one claims to hold.
appall
C1
/əˈpɔːl/
To shock and horrify someone deeply.
cosset
C2
/ˈkɑsɪt/
To care for and indulge someone too much; to pamper.
overemphasize
B2
/ˈoʊvɝˈɛmfəˌsaɪz/
To give too much importance to something.
unloosen
C2+
/ˌʌnˈluː.sən/
to loosen or unfasten something that is tied, fixed, or held tightly
impanel
C2
/ˌɪmˈpænəl/
To enrol (jurors), e.g. from a jury pool; to register (the names of jurors) on a "panel" or official list.
enshroud
C2
/ɪnˈʃraʊd/
to cover, wrap, or conceal as if with a shroud
abrade
C2
/əˈbreɪd/
to scrape, rub, or wear away the surface of something by friction
purvey
C2
/pɚˈveɪ/
supply with provisions
sentimentalize
C1
/ˌsɛn.təˈmɛn.təˌlaɪz/
act in a sentimental way or indulge in sentimental thoughts or expression
unstop
C2+
/ʌnˈstɑp/
to clear a blockage from an opening, pipe, or passage
obtrude
C2
/əbˈtruːd/
to force oneself, one's opinions, or something else upon people where it is unwelcome
extemporize
C2
/ɪkˈstɛmpəˌraɪz/
perform without preparation
unloose
C2
/ˌʌnˈluːs/
to release or unleash something that has been restrained or suppressed
proscribe
C2
/pɹəˈskɹaɪb/
To officially forbid or ban something.
plash
C2
/plæʃ/
to splash or beat liquid against something
unbar
C1
/ʌnˈbɑr/
to remove a bar or bolt from a door, gate, or other entrance
reassume
C2
/ˌriəˈsum/
to take on a role, manner, condition, or activity again
demarcate
C1
/dɪˈmɑɹˌkeɪt/
set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
overbear
C2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈbɛr/
to overcome, suppress, or carry aside by superior force, influence, or weight
unyoke
C2
/ʌnˈjoʊk/
remove the yoke from
misapplication
C1
/ˌmɪsˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the use of something in an incorrect, unsuitable, or unintended way
counterplot
C2
/ˈkaʊn.tɚ.plɑt/
a plot intended to subvert another plot
wreathe
C2
/ɹið/
to surround, cover, or encircle something in a ring or curling mass
rechristen
C2
/ˌriːˈkrɪsən/
to give a new name to a person or thing
subserve
C2
/səbˈsɝːv/
formal: to help to promote, advance, or achieve a purpose
laik
C2
/leɪk/
Northern English dialect: to play or amuse oneself
foregather
C2
/ˌfɔrˈɡæðər/
to meet or assemble, especially socially
overset
C2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈsɛt/
to turn, knock, or tip something over; to overturn
reseat
B2
/ɹiːˈsiːt/
to sit down again, or cause someone to sit down again
unsling
C2+
/ʌnˈslɪŋ/
to remove something from a slung or hanging position
chouse
C2+
/t͡ʃaʊ̯s/
To cheat, to trick.
tendance
C2
/ˈtɛndəns/
archaic: care, attendance, or the act of tending to someone or something
enwrap
C2
/ɪnˈræp/
to wrap around, cover, or envelop completely
disoblige
C2
/ˌdɪsəˈblaɪdʒ/
to inconvenience or disappoint someone by refusing a request or failing to accommodate their wishes
disburden
C2
/dɪsˈbɝːdən/
to free a person, animal, or thing from a physical load; to unload
combiner
C2
/kəmˈbaɪnɚ/
a person or thing that joins separate elements to form a whole
bestrew
C2
/bɪˈstruː/
to scatter things over a surface, or to cover a surface with things scattered here and there
prehension
C2
/prɪˈhɛnʃən/
the act or power of grasping and holding something, especially with a hand, limb, or prehensile organ
preconcerted
C2
/ˌpriːkənˈsɝtɪd/
arranged, agreed, or planned in advance
underdo
C2
/ˌʌndərˈduː/
to do less than is needed, expected, or possible; especially, to cook insufficiently
backdown
C2
/ˈbækˌdaʊn/
an act of withdrawing a demand, threat, claim, or previously stated position
undig
C2+
/ʌnˈdɪɡ/
To undo the process of digging; to fill up (a hole or grave) or bury again (something unearthed).
besprinkle
C2+
/bɪˈsprɪŋkəl/
literary: to scatter drops, grains, or small particles over something; to sprinkle all over
intermeddle
C2
/ˌɪntɚˈmɛdəl/
formal or dated: to interfere officiously in matters that are not one's concern
unwrinkle
C2+
/ʌnˈrɪŋkəl/
To remove wrinkles from.
crimple
C2+
/ˈkrɪmpəl/
literary or archaic: to wrinkle, crinkle, curl, or crumple; to become wrinkled or curled
disembarrass
C2
/ˌdɪsəmˈbɛrəs/
to free someone from a burden, hindrance, unwanted object, or difficult situation
fulfiller
B2
/fʊlˈfɪlər/
a person or thing that carries out, completes, or brings something promised or expected into reality
refasten
C1
/ˌriːˈfæs.ən/
to fasten something again after it has been opened or come loose
begird
C2+
/bɪˈɡɝd/
To bind with a band or girdle; to gird.
transportal
C2+
/tɹænˈspɔɹtəl/
the act or process of carrying something from one place to another; transport or conveyance; now rare
chivy
C2+
/ˈtʃɪv.i/
to chase, harry, or drive someone or something about persistently
misapply
C1
/ˌmɪsəˈplaɪ/
to use or apply something incorrectly, or for the wrong purpose, person, or situation
unstring
C2+
/ʌnˈstrɪŋ/
to remove the string or strings from a bow, musical instrument, or similar object
granulate
C2
/ˈɡræn.juːl.eɪt/
to form, break, or collect into small grains or granules
snoozle
C2+
/ˈsnuːzəl/
regional: to nuzzle or push affectionately with the nose
overmaster
C1
/ˌoʊvɚˈmæstɚ/
to overpower, subdue, or overcome completely, especially through superior force or intense emotion
exchange rate
B1
porten
C2
desolate
C2+
/ˈdɛsələt/
deserted, bleak, and devoid of comfort or inhabitants
chuck
C2+
/tʃʌk/
to throw something carelessly, or to pat affectionately under the chin
compact
C2+
/kəmˈpækt/
closely and neatly packed together; an agreement or covenant
abet
C2+
/əˈbɛt/
to encourage or assist someone in a wrongdoing