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
338 words
car
A1
/[kʰäɾ]/
A road vehicle with four wheels and an engine, used to carry a small number of people.
street
A1
/stɹit/
A public road in a town or city, usually with buildings along it.
road
A2
/ɾoːɖ/
A hard surface built for vehicles and people to travel along.
ship
A2
/ʃɪp/
A large boat that carries people or goods across the sea.
train
A1
/tɹeɪn/
A line of connected railway carriages pulled by an engine.
station
A1
/ˈsteɪʃən/
A place where trains or buses stop so passengers can get on and off.
boat
A1
/ˈboʊ̯t/
A small vehicle for travelling on water.
plane
A1
/pleɪn/
A vehicle with wings and engines that flies through the air.
truck
A2
/tɹʊk/
A large road vehicle for carrying heavy goods.
board
A2
/bɔɹd/
A long, flat, thin piece of wood or other material.
bus
A1
/bʌs/
A large road vehicle that carries many passengers along a fixed route.
track
A2
/ˈtræk/
A path or rough road.
engine
A2
/ˈɪnd͡ʒɪn/
A machine that turns fuel or power into movement, used to drive vehicles and other machines.
van
A2
/væn/
A covered road vehicle, larger than a car, used for carrying goods or groups of people.
lee
B2
/liː/
the sheltered side of something, away from the wind
driver
A1
/ˈdɹaɪvɚ/
A person who controls and operates a vehicle.
bike
A1
/baɪk/
A bicycle; a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pedalling.
crash
B1
/kɹæʃ/
A serious accident in which a vehicle hits something.
traffic
A2
/ˈtræfɪk/
The cars and other vehicles moving along a road.
taxi
A1
/ˈtæksi/
A car with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere.
vehicle
A2
/ˈvi.ə.kəl/
A machine, such as a car, bus, or truck, used to carry people or goods from place to place.
cab
A2
/kæb/
A car with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere.
wheel
A2
/wil/
A round object that turns on its centre, used to move a vehicle or machine.
gear
B2
/ˈɡiə/
The equipment, clothing, or tools needed for a particular activity.
aboard
B1
/əˈbɔɹd/
on or onto a ship, plane, train, or bus
goods
B1
/ˈgʊdz/
Things that are made to be bought and sold.
transport
B1
/tɹænsˈpɔɹt/
The system or vehicles used for carrying people or goods from one place to another.
highway
A2
/ˈhaɪweɪ/
A main public road, especially a wide, fast one connecting towns and cities.
log
B1
/lɔɡ/
A thick piece of a tree trunk that has been cut.
ford
B1
/fɔːrd/
a shallow place in a river or stream where people, animals, or vehicles can cross without a bridge
tire
B1
/ˈtaɪ̯ɚ/
A rubber ring filled with air that fits around a wheel of a car or bicycle.
cart
C2
/kɑɹt/
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
wreck
B2
/ˈɹɛk/
To damage or destroy something badly so that it no longer works.
vessel
B1
/ˈvɛs.əl/
A ship or large boat.
aircraft
B2
/ˈɛɚ.kɹæft/
A vehicle that can fly, such as a plane or helicopter.
motorcycle
B1
/ˈmoʊtɚˌsaɪkəl/
A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine and handlebars instead of a steering wheel.
cargo
C1
/ˈkɑɹɡoʊ/
Goods carried by a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.
trailer
B2
/ˈtɹeɪlɚ/
A short preview of a film or TV show.
dial
B1
/ˈdaɪəl/
To enter a telephone number in order to call someone.
subway
A1
/ˈsʌbˌweɪ/
An underground railway used to move people around a city.
airplane
A1
/ˈɛɹˌpleɪ̯n/
A powered flying vehicle with fixed wings.
bachelor
C1
/ˈbæt͡ʃ.ə.lɚ/
A person, especially a man, who is socially regarded as able to marry, but has not yet.
passenger
A2
/ˈpæs.ɪn.d͡ʒɚ/
A person travelling in a vehicle who is not driving it.
bicycle
A1
/ˈbaɪsɪk(ə)l/
A vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing pedals with your feet.
sailing
A2
/ˈseɪ.lɪŋ/
The sport or activity of travelling in a boat that uses the wind.
transmission
B2
/tɹænsˈmɪʃən/
The act of sending out signals, messages, or information.
shuttle
C1
/ˈʃʌt.əl/
a bus, train, aircraft, or other service that travels regularly between two points
railroad
B1
/ˈɹeɪlɹoʊd/
A track with metal rails that trains run on; the railway system (American English).
brake
A2
/bɹeɪk/
A device that slows down or stops a wheel or vehicle.
railway
B1
/ˈɹeɪlˌweɪ/
A system of tracks that trains travel on, used to carry people and goods.
fare
A2
/ˈfeː/
The money you pay to travel by bus, train, taxi, or plane.
saddle
C1
/ˈsæd(ə)l/
a seat fastened on a horse, bicycle, or similar vehicle for a rider
hulk
C2+
/hʊlk/
a large abandoned ship, wreck, or shell
rider
B2
/ˈɹaɪ.dəɹ/
A person who rides a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, or similar.
steer
B2
/stɪɹ/
To control the direction of a vehicle, boat, or aircraft.
rail
B1
/ɹeɪ(ə)l/
The system of travelling by train.
container
A2
/kənˈteɪnɚ/
An object such as a box, jar, or bottle used to hold or store things.
stern
B2
/stɝn/
Serious and strict, expecting to be obeyed.
tow
B2
/toʊ/
to pull a vehicle, boat, or other object behind another vehicle, usually with a rope or bar
hull
C2
/hʌl/
The main body or frame of a ship or boat.
artery
B2
/ˈɑɹ.təɹ.i/
A tube in the body that carries blood away from the heart.
beacon
C1
/ˈbiːkən/
a fire, light, or signal used to warn or guide people
marquis
C2
/mɑɹˈki/
nobleman (in various countries) ranking above a count
conductor
B2
/kənˈdʌktɚ/
The person who leads an orchestra or other musical group.
chauffeur
C2
/ʃoʊˈfɝ/
a person employed to drive a private or luxury passenger vehicle
unload
B2
/ʌnˈloʊd/
To remove goods or cargo from a vehicle, ship, or container.
vicar
C2
/ˈvɪkɚ/
in the Church of England, a clergyman appointed to act as priest of a parish
sinner
B1
/ˈsɪnɚ/
A person who sins or has sinned.
diversion
B2
/dɪˈvɝ.ʒən/
A different route used when the normal road is closed.
believer
C2
/bɪˈlivɚ/
A person who believes; especially regarding religion.
depot
B1
/ˈdiːpoʊ/
a railway or bus station where passengers or goods are loaded and unloaded, especially in North American English
charter
C1
/ˈt͡ʃɑɹtɚ/
An official document that establishes an organization and sets out its rights and purposes.
clutch
C1
/klʌt͡ʃ/
To hold something tightly, usually with your hands.
lighthouse
B1
/ˈlaɪthaʊs/
a tower or other coastal structure with a powerful light that warns or guides ships
manifest
C1
/ˈmænəˌfɛst/
Clear and obvious; easily seen or understood.
pedal
B2
/ˈpɛdəl/
A lever you press with your foot to control or power a machine such as a bicycle, car, or piano.
salvage
C1
/ˈsælvɪd͡ʒ/
To save something from being lost, damaged, or destroyed.
detour
B1
/ˈdiːtʊr/
a longer or less direct route taken to avoid a blockage or reach a place indirectly
sleigh
C2
/sleɪ/
a vehicle on runners for traveling over snow or ice, usually pulled by an animal
motorbike
B2
/ˈmoʊtɚˌbaɪk/
A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine; a motorcycle.
cruiser
B2
/ˈkruːzər/
a fast, powerful warship designed for independent or fleet operations
lorry
B1
/ˈlɔɹi/
A large vehicle for carrying heavy goods by road; a truck.
navigation
B2
/nævɪˈɡeɪʃən/
The skill of planning and following a route for a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.
helm
C2
/ˈhɛlm/
The position of leadership or control of an organization.
hangar
B2
/ˈhæŋ.ɚ/
a large structure at an airport where aircraft can be stored and maintained
cockpit
B2
/ˈkɑːkˌpɪt/
the compartment in an aircraft where the pilots sit and operate the controls
missionary
B2
/ˈmɪʃ.əˌnɛɹ.ɪ/
One who is sent on a mission.
tram
A2
/tɹæm/
A public passenger vehicle that runs on rails set into the road, usually powered by electricity (called a streetcar or trolley in North America).
moor
C2
/mʊə/
To fix a boat or ship in place with ropes, chains, or an anchor.
radiator
C1
/ˈreːdijeː(j)tɐ/
A metal device that gives off heat to warm a room, usually carrying hot water or steam.
limousine
C2
/ˌlɪməˈziːn/
a large luxurious car, often with a chauffeur and sometimes with a lengthened passenger compartment
hymn
C2
/hɪm/
praise by singing a hymn
freighter
B1
/ˈfɹeɪtɚ/
a ship designed or used to carry cargo
navigator
C2
/ˈnavɪɡeɪtə/
in earlier times, a person who explored by ship
turbulence
B1
/ˈtɝ.bjə.ləns/
Sudden, violent movements of the air that shake an aircraft during flight.
traction
B1
/ˈtræk.ʃən/
the grip produced by friction between a moving object and the surface beneath it