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
746 words
oh
A1
/[ö̞]/
Used to express surprise.
okay
A1
/ˌoʊˈkeɪ/
used to express agreement, acceptance, or readiness to move on
tell
A1
/[tʰɔː]/
To give someone information by speaking or writing.
say
A1
/seɪ/
To speak words; to tell something in speech or writing.
uh
A2
/ʌː/
used to mark hesitation, uncertainty, or a pause while speaking
maybe
A1
/ˈmeɪ.bi/
Perhaps; possibly.
call
A1
/kɔl/
To telephone someone.
talk
A1
/tɔk/
To say things; to speak to someone.
listen
A1
/ˈlɪs.ən/
To pay attention to a sound with your ears.
ask
A1
/ask/
To say something to someone in order to get an answer or information.
um
A2
/ʌm/
a sound used while hesitating, thinking, or searching for words
word
A1
/wɜɹd/
A single unit of language that has meaning and can be spoken or written.
read
A1
/ɹid/
To look at written or printed words and understand their meaning.
speak
A1
/spik/
To say words using your voice.
question
A1
/ˈkwɛʃ.tən/
A sentence asking for information or an answer.
wow
A2
/waʊ/
Used to express excitement, surprise, or admiration.
whoa
A2
/woʊ/
used as a command for a horse or other animal to stop or slow down
answer
A1
/ˈæn.sɚ/
Something you say or write in reply to a question, letter, or request.
hmm
C2+
/hm̩/
a sound used to show that someone is thinking, hesitating, doubtful, or mildly interested
write
A1
/ɹaɪt/
To make letters, words, or symbols on a surface, usually with a pen or pencil.
voice
A2
/vɔjs/
The sound a person makes when speaking or singing.
sign
A2
/ˈsaɪn/
A board or notice that gives information, directions, or a warning.
ooh
C2
/ˈuː/
used to express surprise, admiration, pleasure, or discomfort
explain
A2
/ɪkˈspleɪn/
To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it.
goodbye
A1
/ɡʊdˈbaɪ/
Said when leaving someone or ending a conversation.
message
A1
/ˈmɛs.ɪd͡ʒ/
A short piece of information sent from one person to another, spoken or written.
swear
B1
/ˈswɛɚ/
To use rude or offensive language.
letter
A1
/ˈlɛtɚ/
A written or printed message that you send to someone, usually by mail.
English
A1
/ˈɪŋ.ɡlɪʃ/
the West Germanic language that originated in England and is now spoken in many countries around the world
er
A2
/ɜr/
a sound used while hesitating or searching for words
yo
B1
/joʊ/
informal: a greeting or call used to attract someone's attention
yep
A2
/jɛp/
informal: yes; used to give an affirmative answer or confirm a statement
shh
A2
/ʃ/
used to ask or tell someone to be quiet
mention
A2
/ˈmɛnʃən/
To talk or write about something briefly.
written
B1
/ˈɹɪ.tn̩/
Expressed in writing rather than spoken.
reading
A1
/ˈɹiːdɪŋ/
The activity of looking at and understanding written words.
apparently
A2
/əˈpæɹ.ənt.li/
According to what you have heard or read, though you are not certain.
language
A1
/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪd͡ʒ/
A system of words and grammar used by the people of a particular country or community to communicate.
conversation
A1
/ˌkɑn.vəɹˈseɪ.ʃən/
A talk between two or more people in which they exchange news and ideas.
copy
A2
/ˈkɑpi/
Something made to look exactly like another thing.
doc
B1
/dɑk/
An informal word for a doctor.
example
A1
/ɪɡˈzam.pəl/
A particular thing chosen to show what a larger group is like.
whoo
C2
/wuː/
an exclamation or cry representing a long whooping, hooting, or wailing sound
discuss
A1
/dɪˈskʊs/
To talk about something with other people, often to share ideas or make a decision.
audience
A2
/ˈɔ.di.əns/
The people watching or listening to a performance, speech, or program.
dumb
B2
/dʌm/
Stupid or silly (informal).
desk
A1
/ˈdɛsk/
A table where you sit to write, read or work, often with drawers.
Spanish
A2
/ˈspænɪʃ/
the Romance language originating in Spain and spoken widely in Spain, Latin America, and elsewhere
speech
A2
/spiːt͡ʃ/
A formal talk given to an audience.
Japanese
B1
/ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
relating to Japan, its people, culture, or language
telephone
A1
/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/
A device used to talk with someone over a distance by converting sound into electrical signals.
statement
A2
/ˈsteɪtmənt/
Something you say or write to express a fact or opinion clearly.
request
A2
/ɹɪˈkwɛst/
To ask for something politely or formally.
hm
C2
/həm/
used to show that the speaker is thinking, hesitating, doubtful, or considering what has just been said
text
A2
/tɛkst/
The written words of a book, document, or other piece of writing.
solve
A2
/sɑlv/
To find the answer to a problem or question.
spoken
B1
/ˈspoʊ.kən/
Past participle of speak.
clue
A2
/kluː/
A piece of information that helps you find an answer or solve a problem.
leading
B1
/ˈlidɪŋ/
Most important, best, or most successful.
negative
A2
/ˈnɛɡ.ə.tɪv/
Bad, harmful, or unwanted.
chat
A2
/ˈtʃæt/
To talk in a friendly, informal way.
rolling
B1
/ˈɹol.ɪŋ/
Rising and falling in gentle slopes, used to describe land.
tone
A2
/ˈtoʊ̯n/
The quality of a person's voice that shows how they feel.
express
A2
/ɪkˈsprɛs/
To show or make known your thoughts or feelings in words or actions.
accent
B1
/ˈæk.sɛnt/
the way someone pronounces words, showing where they come from
describe
A1
/dɪˈskɹaɪb/
To say what someone or something is like using words.
script
A2
/skɹəpt/
The written text of a play, film, or broadcast.
goodnight
C2
/ˈgʊdˌnaɪt/
an instance of saying “good night”; a nighttime farewell.
ending
A2
/ˈɛndɪŋ/
The last part of a story, film, or event
response
A2
/ɹɪˈspɑns/
A reply to a question, request, or message.
ouch
A2
/aʊtʃ/
used to express sudden physical pain
comment
B1
/ˈkɒm.ɛnt/
Something you say or write that gives your opinion or reaction.
represent
A2
/ˌɹep.ɹɪˈzent/
To act or speak officially for a person, group, or country.
respond
B1
/ɹɪˈspɑnd/
To say or write something back; to reply.
attached
B2
/əˈtætʃt/
Feeling fondness or affection for someone or something.
review
A2
/ɹɪˈvjuː/
A written or spoken opinion that judges a book, film, product, or performance.
communication
A2
/kəˌmju.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The act of sharing information or ideas with others.
discussion
A2
/dɪsˈkʊʃ.ən/
A conversation in which people talk about something and share their ideas.
Dutch
B2
/dʌtʃ/
relating to the Netherlands, its people, culture, or language
announce
B1
/əˈnaʊn(t)s/
To tell people about something officially or publicly.
error
A2
/ˈɛɹəɹ/
A mistake or something done wrong by accident.
speaker
A2
/ˈspikɚ/
A device that produces sound from a phone, computer, or stereo.
instrumental
C1
/ɪnstɹəˈmɛntəl/
Playing an important part in making something happen.
aha
B1
/ɑˈhɑ/
used to express sudden understanding, discovery, or recognition
declare
B1
/dɪˈklɛɚ/
To announce something publicly or officially.
platform
B1
/ˈplætfɔɹm/
The area beside the tracks at a station where you get on and off a train.
negotiate
B1
/nəˈɡoʊ.ʃi.eɪt/
To discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement.
reply
A2
/ɹɪˈplaɪ/
To answer, in speech or writing.
email
A1
/ˈiˌmeɪl/
A message sent from one person to another using computers and the internet.
label
B1
/[ˈleː.b(ə)ɫ]/
A small piece of paper or other material attached to something to give information about it.
presentation
B1
/pɹisɛnˈteɪʃən/
A talk in which you show or explain something to a group of people.
draft
B2
/ˈdræft/
An early version of a piece of writing that you may still change.
persuade
B1
/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪd/
To make someone agree to do or believe something by giving them good reasons.
translation
B1
/tɹænzˈleɪʃən/
Words or text that have been changed from one language into another.
initial
B1
/ɪˈnɪʃəl/
Happening at the very beginning; first.
interrogation
C2
/ɪnˌteɹ.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
The act of questioning someone closely, often by police.