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Word
English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2, plus C2+ for rare words beyond the CEFR scale) — 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 27,899 wordsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
115 words
fight
A2
/fəɪt/
To take part in a physical or violent struggle against someone.
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war
A2
/wɔɹ/
An armed fight between countries or large groups, usually involving military forces.
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gun
A2
/ˈɡʌn/
A weapon that fires bullets or other projectiles.
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attack
A2
/əˈtæk/
To use violence against someone or something.
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army
B1
/ˈɑɹ.mi/
A country's military force, especially the part that fights on land.
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peace
A2
/pis/
A situation without war or fighting between countries or groups.
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colonel
C2+
/ˈkɝ.nl̩/
A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).
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enemy
B1
/ˈɛn.ə.mi/
A person who hates you, opposes you, or wants to harm you.
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battle
B1
/ˈbætl̩/
A fight between armies or groups of people during a war.
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sergeant
B2
/ˈsɑɹ.d͡ʒənt/
The highest rank of noncommissioned officer in some non-naval military forces and police.
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weapon
B1
/ˈwɛp.ən/
An object such as a gun, knife, or sword used to fight or harm people.
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bomb
B1
/bɑm/
A weapon that explodes and causes damage.
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military
A2
/ˈmɪl.ɪˌtɛ.ɹi/
Relating to the armed forces such as the army, navy, and air force.
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soldier
A2
/ˈsoʊld͡ʒɚ/
A person who serves in an army.
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sword
B1
[sɔɹd]
A weapon with a long metal blade and a handle, used for cutting or stabbing.
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defense
B1
/ˈdiːˌfɛns/
The act of protecting someone or something from attack or harm.
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violence
B1
/ˈvaɪ.(ə.)ləns/
Behaviour that uses physical force to hurt, damage, or kill.
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conflict
B1
/ˈkɑn.flɪkt/
A serious disagreement or fight between people or groups.
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alliance
B2
/əˈlaɪ.əns/
An agreement between countries or groups to work together, often for military or political reasons.
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corporal
B2
/ˈkoɹ.pɚ.əl/
A low-ranking officer in the army, above a private and below a sergeant.
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invasion
B1
/ɪnˈveɪʒən/
The act of entering a country or area with an army to take control of it.
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missile
B2
/ˈmɪs.(ə)l/
A flying weapon that is powered and can be steered toward its target.
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corps
C1
/kɔɹ/
A large military unit made up of several divisions.
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regiment
B2
/ˈɹɛd͡ʒɪmənt/
a military unit made up of several smaller groups of soldiers
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dagger
C2
/ˈdæɡɚ/
A stabbing weapon, similar to a sword but with a short, double-edged blade.
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cavalry
B2
/ˈkæ.vəl.ɹi/
The military arm of service that fights while riding horses.
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bomber
B2
/ˈbɑmɚ/
A military aircraft built to carry and drop bombs.
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troop
B2
/tɹuːp/
Soldiers, especially when thought of as a group.
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commandant
C1
/ˈkɑːmənˌdænt/
the officer in charge of a military unit, fort, camp, school, prison, or district
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gunman
C2
/ˈɡʌnmən/
a criminal armed with a gun, especially a professional killer.
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mercenary
C2
/ˈmɝ.sə.ˌnɛɹ.i/
A soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them, rather than out of loyalty.
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horseman
C2
/ˈhɔɹsmən/
A soldier on horseback, especially a cavalryman.
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outpost
B2
/ˈaʊt.poʊst/
a small military position located some distance from the main force or base
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firearm
B2
/ˈfaɪəɹˌɑː(ɹ)m/
A gun that can be carried and used as a weapon.
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court-martial
C1
/ˈkɔrtˌmɑr.ʃəl/
a military court, or a trial held by such a court, for members of the armed forces accused of breaking military law
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machete
C2
/məˈʃɛ.ti/
a large heavy knife used for cutting vegetation or as a weapon
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deployment
C1
/dɪˈplɔɪmənt/
The movement of military forces into position, especially before action.
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armory
C2
/ˈɑːrmɝi/
A building where weapons and military equipment are stored.
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wartime
B2
/ˈwɔː(ɹ)taɪm/
A period of time during which a war is being fought.
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emir
C2
/əˈmɪr/
a ruler, prince, governor, or military commander in an Islamic country or polity
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blaster
B2
/ˈblæs.tɚ/
a powerful fictional hand weapon that fires an energy beam or pulse
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crusader
C2
/kruˈseɪdɚ/
a participant in one of the medieval Christian military expeditions known as the Crusades
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bayonet
C2
/ˌbeɪəˈnɛt/
a blade designed to be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle and used as a close-combat weapon
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armada
C2
/ɑrˈmɑdə/
a large fleet of warships or other military craft
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musket
C2
/ˈmʌskət/
a long, muzzle-loading shoulder firearm, especially the smoothbore infantry weapon used before rifles became standard
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fife
C2
/ˈfaɪf/
a small, high-pitched transverse flute, traditionally played with drums in military music
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ordnance
C1
/ˈoɹdnəns/
military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment
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adjutant
C2
/ˈædʒətənt/
a military officer who assists a commanding officer, especially with administration
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musketeer
C2
/ˌmʌs.kəˈtɪə(ɹ)/
historical: a foot soldier armed with a musket
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quartermaster
C2
/ˈkwɔːr.t̬ɚˌmæs.tɚ/
a military officer or specialist responsible for supplies, equipment, transport, and often accommodation
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khaki
C2
/xɑki/
a dull yellowish-brown color or sturdy cloth, especially as used for military uniforms
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medley
C2
/ˈmɛdli/
Combat, fighting; a battle.
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javelin
C2
/ˈdʒæv.lɪn/
a light spear designed to be thrown by hand as a weapon in war or hunting
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lancer
C2
/ˈlæn.sɚ/
historical: a cavalry soldier armed with a lance
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junta
C2
/ˈhʊntə/
a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power
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dragoon
C2
/dɹəˈɡun/
historical: a mounted soldier trained to fight on foot, later a cavalry soldier
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hetman
C2
/ˈhɛtmən/
a Cossack leader or military commander
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paratrooper
B2
/ˈpæɹətɹupəɹ/
A soldier trained to jump from aircraft by parachute into a battle area.
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truncheon
C2
/ˈtrʌn.tʃən/
a short, thick club carried as a weapon by a police officer
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billet
C2
/ˈbɪl.ət/
temporary lodging assigned to a soldier or another member of an organization
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conscription
C2
/kənˈskrɪpʃən/
compulsory enlistment of people into military service
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guardsman
C2
/ˈɡɑrdzmən/
a soldier who belongs to a guard unit, especially an elite or ceremonial one
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sapper
C2
/ˈsæpɚ/
a military engineer trained to build or destroy fortifications, bridges, roads, and similar works
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aide-de-camp
C2+
/ˌeɪd.dəˈkæmp/
a military officer serving as a confidential assistant to a senior officer or head of state
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hussar
C2
/həˈzɑːr/
historical: a soldier in one of the light-cavalry units of Hungary or other European armies
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grenadier
C2
/ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪr/
a soldier originally trained to throw grenades, and later a member of an elite infantry regiment or guard unit
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reservist
C2
/rɪˈzɝːvɪst/
a member of a military reserve who can be called into active service
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disintegrator
C2
/dɪsˈɪntəˌɡreɪtɚ/
a fictional weapon or device that destroys matter by breaking it apart
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infantryman
C1
/ˈɪn.fən.tri.mən/
a soldier who serves in the infantry and is trained to fight primarily on foot
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munition
C2
/ˌmjuˈnɪʃən/
usually plural: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other supplies used in war
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yeomanry
C2
/ˈjoʊmənɹi/
a British volunteer cavalry force organized in 1761 for home defense later incorporated into the Territorial Army
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emplacement
C2
/ɪmˈpleɪsmənt/
military installation consisting of a prepared position for siting a weapon
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artilleryman
C2
/ɑrˈtɪlərimən/
a soldier trained to operate artillery weapons
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subaltern
C2
/sʌbˈɔːl.tɚn/
historical British military usage: a commissioned army officer below the rank of captain, such as a lieutenant
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comitatus
C2
/ˌkɑmɪˈteɪtəs/
historical: a band of warriors or nobles bound by loyalty to a ruler or military leader
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trireme
C2
/ˈtraɪ.riːm/
an ancient Mediterranean war galley propelled chiefly by oars arranged in three banks on each side
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greatcoat
C2
/ˈɡreɪtˌkoʊt/
a long, heavy overcoat worn for warmth, especially as part of a historical military uniform
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generalship
C2
/ˈdʒɛnɝəlˌʃɪp/
skill or performance in commanding an army and directing military operations
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bolas
C2
/ˈboʊ.ləs/
a throwing weapon of connected cords and weights that entangles an animal's legs
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flanker
C2
/ˈflæŋ.kɚ/
a soldier or unit positioned to guard, attack, or operate on the side of a military formation
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cannoneer
C2
/ˌkænəˈnɪ(ə)ɹ/
An artillery soldier who maintains and operates (historical) a cannon, or (now) some other piece of heavy artillery.
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hoplite
C2
/ˈhɑːplaɪt/
a heavily armed citizen infantry soldier of ancient Greece, typically carrying a spear and large round shield
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epaulet
C2
/ˌepəˈlet/
an ornamental shoulder piece on a uniform, especially one indicating military rank
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ballista
C2
/bəˈlɪs.tə/
an ancient torsion-powered missile weapon resembling a giant crossbow and used to launch heavy bolts or stones
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regimentals
C2
/ˌrɛdʒəˈmɛntəlz/
the uniform and insignia of a soldier's regiment; a plural-only and often historical noun
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rapine
C2
/ˈræp.ɪn/
the violent seizure of property, especially widespread pillage during war or civil disorder
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impressment
C2
/ɪmˈprɛsmənt/
historical: the forcible recruitment of people into military service, especially sailors into a navy
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zouave
C2
/zuːˈɑːv/
a soldier of a French light-infantry corps originally recruited in Algeria and known for a distinctive, brightly colored uniform
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bandsman
C2
/ˈbændz.mən/
a musician who plays in a band, especially a brass or military band
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polemarch
C2
/ˈpɑləˌmɑɹk/
in ancient Greece, a senior military commander or war leader
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catapulta
C2
/ˌkætəˈpʌltə/
historical: a Roman military engine for launching arrows, stones, or other projectiles
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air force
B1
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fire brigade
B2
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firing
C2+
/ˈfaɪərɪŋ/
the act of discharging a weapon, dismissing staff, or baking pottery
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affray
C2+
/əˈfreɪ/
a noisy public fight or brawl disturbing the peace
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arsenal
C2+
/ˈɑrsənəl/
a store or collection of weapons and military equipment
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