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.
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All 27,237 words
269 words
earth
A2
/ɝθ/
The planet that we live on, third from the Sun.
land
A2
/lænd/
The solid, dry part of the earth's surface.
sea
A1
/siː/
The large area of salt water that covers much of the earth, or a particular part of it.
park
A1
/pɑɹk/
A public area of grass and trees in a town where people relax and play.
island
A1
/ˈaɪlənd/
A piece of land that is completely surrounded by water
tree
A1
/triː/
A tall plant with a wooden trunk, branches, and leaves.
river
A1
/ˈɹɪvɚ/
A large natural stream of water flowing across land toward the sea, a lake, or another river.
moon
A2
/mun/
The large round object that shines in the sky at night and circles the Earth.
nature
A2
/ˈneɪ̯.tʃə(ɹ)/
The physical world of plants, animals, and landscapes that people did not make.
stone
A2
/stoʊ̯n/
The hard substance that rock is made of, often used as a building material.
beach
A1
/bit͡ʃ/
An area of sand or small stones next to the sea or a lake.
natural
A2
/ˈnæt͡ʃ.(ə.)ɹəl/
Existing in nature and not made or caused by people.
mountain
A1
/ˈmuːn.tɪn/
A very high, steep hill, usually with rocky sides and a peak.
lake
A2
/ˈleɪk/
A large body of water surrounded by land.
hill
A2
/hɪl/
A raised area of land, higher than the ground around it but smaller than a mountain.
forest
A2
/ˈfɔɹəst/
A large area thickly covered with trees.
ocean
A2
/ˈoʊ.ʃən/
The vast body of salt water that covers most of the Earth.
desert
A2
/ˈdɛz.ɚt/
A large dry area of land, often covered with sand, where little grows.
flower
A1
/ˈfluː.ɐ/
The colourful part of a plant that produces seeds, often with a pleasant smell.
coast
A2
/koʊst/
The land along the edge of the sea.
valley
A2
/ˈvæli/
A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
bay
A2
/ˈbeː/
A part of the sea or a lake that curves into the land.
dirt
B1
/dɝt/
A substance such as mud or dust that makes things unclean.
cave
B1
/keɪv/
A large natural hole in the side of a hill or under the ground.
grass
A2
/ɡɹɑːs/
A common green plant with thin leaves that covers fields, lawns, and gardens.
seal
B2
/siːl/
A sea animal with smooth fur and flippers that lives partly in water and partly on land.
bush
A2
/bʊʃ/
A low woody plant with many stems, smaller than a tree.
blade
B2
/bleɪd/
The flat, sharp cutting part of a knife, sword, or tool.
shore
A2
/ʃɔɹ/
The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.
marine
B1
/məˈɹiːn/
Relating to the sea or living in the sea.
essential
B1
/ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl/
Extremely important and necessary.
pond
B1
/pɑnd/
A small area of still water, smaller than a lake and often man-made.
leaf
B1
/liːf/
The flat, usually green part of a plant that grows from a stem or branch.
landscape
A2
/ˈlæn(d)skɪp/
A wide view of an area of countryside, including its hills, fields, and other features.
marsh
C2+
/mɑɹʃ/
low wet land, often with grasses or reeds
shelf
B1
/ʃɛlf/
A flat board fixed to a wall or inside a cupboard, used to hold or store things.
preserve
B1
/pɹəˈzɝv/
To keep something safe and protect it from harm, loss, or damage.
volcano
B1
/vɑlˈkeɪ.noʊ/
A mountain with an opening through which lava, ash, and gas erupt from inside the earth.
hay
B2
/heɪ/
Grass that is cut and dried to feed animals.
horizon
B1
/həˈɹaɪ.zən/
The line in the distance where the sky seems to meet the land or sea.
glen
C1
/ɡlɪn/
a narrow, secluded valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland and often containing a stream
wilderness
B2
/ˈwɪldɚnəs/
A wild, natural area where few or no people live.
environmental
B1
/ənˌvaɪ.ɚnˈmɛn.təl/
Relating to the natural world and its protection from harm.
turf
C2
/tɝf/
the surface layer of earth held together by grass and roots
supernatural
B2
/ˌsu.pəɹˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/
Not able to be explained by the laws of nature; relating to ghosts, magic, or other mysterious forces.
sod
C1
/sɑd/
a piece or layer of grass-covered surface soil held together by its roots
lea
C2
/liː/
an open grassy field, meadow, or pasture; chiefly literary
terrain
C1
/təˈɹeɪn/
An area of land, especially with regard to its natural features.
ing
C1
/ɪŋ/
northern English dialect: a low meadow, especially one beside a river and liable to flooding
prairie
B2
/ˈpɹɛəɹi/
an extensive, relatively flat area of grassland with few or no trees, especially in North America
iceberg
C1
/ˈaɪs.bɝːɡ/
a very large mass of floating ice that has broken away from a glacier or ice shelf
boulder
B2
/ˈboʊldɚ/
a large, naturally detached or rounded rock
seaweed
B1
/ˈsiwid/
A plant or alga that grows in the sea.
avalanche
C2
/ˈævəlæn(t)ʃ/
a large mass of snow, ice, and sometimes rock that suddenly rushes down a mountain
peninsula
C1
/pəˈnɪn.sə.lə/
A long piece of land that sticks out into the sea, with water on most sides.
complexion
B2
/kəmˈplɛkʃən/
The natural colour and look of the skin on a person's face.
ness
B1
/nɛs/
A narrow piece of land that sticks out into the sea; a cape or headland.
solemnly
C1
/ˈsɑləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
geological
C1
/ˌd͡ʒi.əˈlɑdʒ.ɪk.əl/
relating to the rocks, soil, and physical structure of the Earth and how they have formed
riverside
C2
/ˈrɪv.ɚ.saɪd/
the land along or beside a river
underwood
C2
/ˈʌndɚˌwʊd/
shrubs, small trees, and other low vegetation growing beneath taller woodland trees
highland
C1
/ˈhaɪlənd/
an elevated, hilly, or mountainous area of land
coastline
B2
/ˈkoʊstˌlaɪn/
The outline or shape of a coast where the land meets the sea.
waterfront
C1
/ˈwɔtɝˌfrənt/
The land or part of a town next to a river, lake, or sea.
otter
C1
/ˈɑtɚ/
A small river or sea animal with webbed feet and thick brown fur that eats fish.
minefield
C2
/ˈmaɪnˌfild/
A situation full of hidden risks, dangers, or difficulties.
ecosystem
B1
/ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm/
All the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and their environment.
upstream
B1
/ˌʌpˈstriːm/
toward a river's source or against the direction of its current
quicksand
B2
/ˈkwɪkˌsænd/
loose, water-saturated sand that appears firm but gives way under weight and can trap people or objects
elemental
B2
/(ˌ)ɛləˈmɛntəl/
Basic and fundamental; forming an essential part of something.
aptitude
C2
/ˈæptɪˌtjuːd/
A natural ability or talent for learning or doing something.
gully
C1
/ˈɡʌl.i/
a narrow channel or small ravine cut into the ground by running water
grotto
C2
/ˈɡɹɑ.toʊ/
a small picturesque cave, especially one associated with water or unusual rock formations
sediment
B2
/ˈsɛd.ɪ.mənt/
matter that has been deposited by some natural process
skyline
C2
/ˈskaɪlaɪn/
the outline of buildings, mountains, or other objects seen against the sky
farmland
B1
/ˈfɑːɹmlænd/
Land that is used or suitable for growing crops and raising animals.
aquatic
C1
/əˈkwɑ.tɪk/
operating or living or growing in water
seawater
B1
/ˈsiːˌwɑːtɝ/
The salty water of the sea or ocean.
whirlpool
C1
/ˈwɝlpuːl/
a powerful circular current of water
terrestrial
C1
/tɪˈɹɛstɹɪ.əl/
operating or living or growing on land
riverbank
B1
/ˈrɪv.ɚˌbæŋk/
the sloping ground along the edge of a river
backwater
C2
/ˈbækˌwɔtər/
a part of a river away from the main current, where the water is still or slow-moving
fen
C2
/fɛn/
a low, waterlogged wetland fed by groundwater or runoff, often peat-forming and richer in minerals than a bog
knoll
C1
/noʊl/
a small, rounded natural hill or mound
wavy
C2
/ˈweɪvi/
of hair, having waves
grassy
C2
/ˈɡɹæsi/
abounding in grass
oceanic
B1
/ˌəʊʃiˈænɪk/
constituting or living in the open sea
seashore
C2
/ˈsiːʃoɹ/
the shore of a sea or ocean
arroyo
C2
/əˈrɔɪoʊ/
a steep-sided channel or creek bed in an arid region, usually dry but liable to fill after rain
playfully
B2
/ˈpleɪfəli/
in a playful manner
hilltop
C2
/ˈhɪlˌtɑːp/
The peak or crest of a hill.
fjord
C2
/fiˈɔrd/
a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between steep slopes or cliffs, typically carved by a glacier
mountainside
B2
/ˈmaʊn.tən.saɪd/
the sloping side of a mountain
geyser
C2
/ˈɡaɪzɚ/
a hot spring that periodically throws jets of water and steam into the air
clod
C2
/klɑd/
a compact lump of earth, clay, or a similar material
mountainous
C1
/ˈmaʊn.tɪ.nəs/
like a mountain in size and impressiveness