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
impartial
B2
/ɪmˈpɑɹ.ʃəl/
Treating everyone fairly and not favouring one side over another.
compression
B2
/kəmˈpɹeʃ.ən/
the act of pressing or squeezing something into a smaller space
conserve
C1
/ˈkɒnsɜː(ɹ)v/
To use something carefully so that it is not wasted or used up.
perch
C2
/pɝt͡ʃ/
To sit or rest on a high or narrow place, especially of a bird.
plural
A2
/ˈplʊə.ɹəl/
Referring to more than one person or thing.
optimist
B2
/ˈɑptɪmɪst/
A person who expects good things to happen and looks on the bright side.
spacious
C1
/ˈspeɪʃ.əs/
Having a lot of space; large and roomy.
confine
B2
/kənˈfaɪn/
To keep something within certain limits.
toothache
A2
/ˈtuθˌeɪk/
A pain in or around a tooth.
furthest
B1
/ˈfɜː(ɹ)ðɪst/
At or to the greatest distance in space or time.
unpopular
B2
/ˌənˈpɑːpjəlɝ/
Not liked or supported by many people
winch
C2
/wɪnt͡ʃ/
pull or lift up with or as if with a winch
spontaneously
C1
/spɑnˈteɪ.ni.əs.li/
Suddenly and without planning, because you suddenly want to.
interim
C1
/ˈɪntəɹɪm/
Holding a position or in use only for a short time until a permanent arrangement is made.
adrift
C2
/əˈdrɪft/
floating without being moored or steered
self-conscious
C1
/ˌsɛlfˈkɑːnʃəs/
uncomfortably aware of how you look or behave in front of others
seismic
C2
/ˈsaɪzmɪk/
Relating to or caused by earthquakes.
situated
C1
/ˈsɪt͡ʃueɪtɪd/
Located in a particular place or position.
insubordination
C1
/ˌɪnsəˌbɔrdəˈneɪʃən/
Refusal to obey orders or accept the authority of someone above you.
partisan
B2
/ˈpɑɹ.tɪ.zən/
Strongly supporting one party, group, or cause, often without seeing the other side fairly.
vibrate
B2
/ˈvaɪ.bɹeɪt/
To move or shake quickly back and forth with small movements.
align
C1
/əˈlaɪn/
To agree with or support a person, group, or set of ideas.
timely
B1
/ˈtaɪmli/
Happening or done at the right or most useful moment.
appropriately
B2
/əˈproʊpriːɪtli/
In a way that is suitable or right for the situation.
nutshell
B2
/ˈnʌt.ʃɛl/
The hard outer covering around the seed of a nut.
sovereignty
C1
/ˈsɑv(ə)ɹənti/
The power of a country to govern itself without outside control.
trampoline
C1
/ˌtɹæmpəˈliːn/
A strong sheet of fabric stretched over a frame by springs, used for jumping on.
promenade
C2
/pɹɑməˈneɪd/
A wide public path for walking, often by the sea.
circulate
C1
/ˈsɝ.kjʊˌleɪt/
To move continuously around a system and back to the start
atop
B2
/əˈtɑːp/
on or at the top of something
corresponding
B2
/ˌkɔɹəˈspɑndɪŋ/
Matching or similar, especially in position or purpose.
repel
C1
/ɹɪˈpɛl/
To drive back or force away an attacker or advancing force.
tact
C1
/tækt/
The skill of dealing with people sensitively and saying the right thing without causing offence.
left-hand
A2
/ˌlɛftˈhænd/
On or towards the left side.
elevation
C1
/ˌɛlɪˈveɪʃn̩/
The height of a place above sea level.
devise
C1
/dɪˈvaɪz/
To invent or plan something clever, often a method, system, or scheme.
optional
B2
/ˈɑp.ʃə.nəl/
Not required; left to your own choice.
bourne
C2
/bɔːrn/
a boundary or limit, especially in archaic or literary use
intermission
B1
/ɪntɚˈmɪʃən/
a short break between the parts of a play, concert, or other performance.
skim
B2
/skɪm/
to read something quickly to get the main ideas without studying the details
fro
C1
/fɹoʊ/
away or backward, now used chiefly in the fixed expression to and fro
cardigan
B2
/ˈkɑːrdɪgən/
A knitted top that opens at the front and fastens with buttons or a zip.
tier
B2
/tɪr/
one of several rows, layers, or levels arranged above or below one another
line-up
C1
/ˈlaɪˌnəp/
The group of people or things chosen to take part in an event, team, or show.
pinnacle
C1
/ˈpɪnəkəl/
The highest point of success or achievement.
retrospect
B1
/ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/
Looking back at past events, often understanding them differently now.
farthest
B1
/ˈfɑɹðɪst/
To or at the greatest distance in space or time.
pendulum
C1
/ˈpɛnd͡ʒələm/
A weight hung from a fixed point so it can swing freely back and forth, often used in clocks.
anchored
C1
/ˈæŋkɝd/
Past tense and past participle of anchor: to hold something firmly in place.
girdle
C2
/ˈɡɝdl̩/
cut a girdle around so as to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients
inhabit
B2
/ɪnˈhæbɪt/
To live in a particular place.
nationalist
B1
/ˈnæʃ.ə.nə.lɪst/
A person who strongly supports their own nation, often above others.
illuminate
B1
/ɪˈl(j)umɪneɪt/
To light something up or shine light on it.
gambit
C2
/ˈɡæmbɪt/
A clever plan or action used to gain an advantage, often involving some risk.
internationally
B1
/ˌɪntɝˈnæʃənɑːli/
in a way that involves many countries; around the world.
thickness
B2
/ˈθɪknəs/
How thick something is; the distance between its two opposite surfaces.
spatial
C2
/ˈspæɪ.ʃəl/
Relating to space and the position, size, or arrangement of things in it.
relinquish
C1
/ɹɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
To give up something such as a possession, right, or position.
induction
C1
/ɪnˈdʌkʃən/
the act of formally introducing someone into a job, group, or position
viewpoint
B1
/ˈvjuː.pɔɪnt/
A way of thinking about a subject; an opinion or attitude.
crouch
C2
/kɹaʊt͡ʃ/
to sit on one's heels
brim
C2
/ˈbrɪm/
The top edge of a cup, bowl, or other container
forefront
C2
/ˈfɔɹfɹʌnt/
the part in the front or nearest the viewer
tenacity
C2
/təˈnæsəti/
The quality of being determined and refusing to give up.
punctuality
B2
/ˌpʌŋkt͡ʃuˈæləti/
The habit of arriving or doing things at exactly the right time.
contention
C1
/kənˈtɛnʃən/
An opinion or point that you state firmly in an argument.
compress
B2
/kəmˈpɹɛs/
to press or squeeze something into a smaller space
backdrop
C1
/ˈbæk.dɹɑp/
The background situation against which events take place.
escalator
A2
/ˈɛs.kə.leɪ.tɚ/
A moving staircase that carries people up or down between floors.
euphemism
C2
/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪz.əm/
A mild or indirect word used in place of one that is harsh, blunt, or offensive.
clutter
C1
/ˈklʌtɚ/
A messy, disordered collection of things
seedy
C2
/ˈsiːdi/
Dirty, run-down, and slightly disreputable.
syllable
B2
/ˈsɪl.ə.bᵻl/
A single unit of sound in a word, usually one vowel sound with consonants around it.
sarcastically
C1
/sɑː(ɹ)ˈkæstɪkli/
In a mocking way, saying the opposite of what you really mean.
splatter
B2
/ˈsplætɚ/
To splash and scatter in drops, landing in a messy, uneven way.
discriminate
B2
/dɪˈskɹɪm.əˌneɪt/
To treat a person or group unfairly because of their race, sex, age, or other quality.
enclosure
C1
/ɛnˈkloʊʒəɹ/
an area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier
stair
A2
/stɛɚ/
A set of steps for going up or down between levels of a building.
consist
A2
/kənˈsɪst/
To be made up of particular parts or things.
veranda
C2
/vɝˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building, sometimes partly enclosed
outback
B2
/ˈaʊtbæk/
The remote, dry inland regions of Australia, far from towns and cities.
coincide
B2
/ˌkoʊɪnˈsaɪd/
To happen at the same time.
bustle
B2
/ˈbʌsəl/
To move around quickly and busily.
revolve
B2
/ɹɪˈvɑlv/
To turn around a central point or axis.
reflective
B2
/ɹɪˈflɛktɪv/
Thinking carefully and quietly, often about the past.
fabrication
C2
/fæbɹɪˈkeɪʃən/
A made-up story or statement; a lie
restrict
B1
/ɹɪˈstɹɪkt/
To limit something or keep it within certain bounds.
aimlessly
C1
/ˈeɪmləsli/
Without purpose, goal, or direction.
derelict
C2
/ˈdɛɹəˌlɪk(t)/
Left empty and falling apart from neglect; run-down.
dispensary
C1
/dɪˈspɛnsɝi/
A place where medicines are prepared and given out.
anchorage
B2
/ˈæŋkəɹɪd͡ʒ/
A place where boats and ships can safely drop anchor.
unsuitable
B2
/ʌnˈsuːtəbəl/
Not right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation
autonomous
C2
/ɔˈtɑnəməs/
Able to govern itself or make its own decisions, without control from others.
coax
C2
/koʊks/
To gently persuade someone to do something, often with kind or flattering words.
sandal
B1
/ˈsændəl/
An open shoe held to the foot by straps across the top.
blight
C2
/ˈblaɪt/
Something that spoils or damages a situation, place, or life.