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
299 words
kill
A2
/ˈkɪʊ̯/
To make a person, animal, or plant die.
dead
A2
/dɛd/
No longer alive.
saw
A1
/sɑ/
To cut something using a saw.
start
A1
/stɑɹt/
To begin doing something.
plan
A1
/plæn/
A set of decisions about what you are going to do and how to do it.
building
A1
/ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/
A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or office
machine
A1
/məˈʃiːn/
A device with moving parts that uses power to do a particular job.
jimmy
C1
/ˈdʒɪm.i/
a short crowbar used for forcing open a door, window, or lock
build
A1
/bɪld/
To make something by joining materials and parts together
knife
A2
/ˈnɐɪ̯f/
A tool with a sharp blade and a handle, used for cutting.
super
B2
/[ˈsypɑ]/
Excellent; very good.
bridge
A2
/bɹɪd͡ʒ/
A structure built over a river, road, or gap so that people can cross it.
planning
B1
/ˈplænɪŋ/
The act of deciding in advance how something will be done.
screw
A2
/skɹuː/
A small metal pin with a spiral thread, turned to fasten things together.
switch
B1
/swɪt͡ʃ/
A small device you press or move to turn electricity or a machine on and off.
factory
A2
/ˈfæk.tɚ.i/
A building where goods are made, usually using machines.
tower
A2
/[ˈtɑːə]/
A tall, narrow structure, either standing alone or part of a building.
equipment
B1
/ɪˈkwɪp.mənt/
The tools, machines, or items needed for a particular activity.
construction
B1
/kənˈstɹʌkʃən/
The act or process of building something.
nail
B1
/neɪl/
The hard, thin covering at the end of a finger or toe.
tune
A2
/tjuːn/
A series of musical notes that make a pleasant pattern; a melody.
frame
A2
/fɹeɪm/
A border that surrounds and holds a picture, photo, or mirror.
hammer
B1
/ˈhæm.ɚ/
A tool with a heavy metal head and a handle, used for hitting nails.
engineer
A2
/ˌɛnd͡ʒɪˈnɪ(ə)ɹ/
A person whose job is to design, build, or maintain machines, structures, or systems.
remote
A2
/[ɹɪˈmoʊt]/
Far away from towns, people, or other places; isolated.
crane
B2
/kɹeɪn/
a tall machine with a projecting arm, used to lift and move heavy objects
facility
B1
/fəˈsɪlɪti/
A building or place provided for a particular purpose or service.
motor
B1
/ˈmoʊtəɹ/
A machine that uses electricity or fuel to produce movement and power something.
structure
A2
/ˈstɹʌkt͡ʃɚ/
The way the parts of something are arranged or organised.
foundation
B1
/ˌfæʊ̯nˈdeɪ̯ʃən/
The solid structure built underground that supports a building.
needle
B1
/ˈniːdəl/
A thin, pointed metal tool used for sewing, with a hole at one end for thread.
tool
A2
/tuːl/
A device you hold and use to do a particular job.
engineering
B1
/ˌɛn.d͡ʒɪˈnɪ(ə)ɹ.ɪŋ/
The work of using science and maths to design and build machines, structures, and systems.
plug
B1
/plʌɡ/
The object with metal pins at the end of an electrical wire that you put into a socket.
mill
B2
/mɪl/
A building or factory where grain is crushed into flour, or where materials like cloth or paper are made.
instrument
A2
/ˈɪnstɹəmənt/
An object used to make music, such as a piano or guitar.
maintenance
B1
/ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns/
The work of keeping a machine, building, or system in good condition.
superintendent
B2
/ˌsjuːpəɹɪnˈtɛndənt/
A person who is in charge of supervising, directing, or managing something.
jaw
B2
/d͡ʒɔ/
The lower part of the face that holds the teeth and moves when you talk or eat.
mechanical
B1
/məˈkænəkəl/
Operated by or relating to machines or tools.
hose
B2
/hoʊz/
a long flexible tube used to carry water, gas, or another fluid
roller
B2
/ˈɹoʊ.lɚ/
a cylindrical object or part that turns, especially one used to move, flatten, press, or apply something
probe
B2
/pɹoʊb/
A careful investigation into something, especially something wrong.
mechanism
C1
/ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/
A part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job.
sewer
A2
/ˈsuː.ɚ/
an underground pipe or channel that carries away sewage or surface water, or a system of such pipes and channels
architecture
A2
/ˈɑɹ.kɪˌtɛk.t͡ʃɚ/
The art and practice of designing buildings.
plumber
B2
/ˈplʌm.ɚ/
A person whose job is to fit and repair water pipes, taps, and similar equipment.
stud
C1
/stʌd/
a small projecting fastener or ornament, usually made of metal
cutter
B2
/ˈkʌtɚ/
a tool or machine used for cutting a particular material
monument
B1
/ˈmɑnjʊmənt/
A structure built to remember a person or event.
trench
C2
/tɹɛnt͡ʃ/
a long, narrow ditch dug in the ground
burner
B1
/ˈbɝː.nɚ/
a device or part of a device in which fuel burns to produce heat
heater
B1
/ˈhitɚ/
A machine that produces heat to warm a room, building, or water.
lever
B2
/ˈlɛv.ɚ/
a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point and is used to lift or move something
screwdriver
B2
/ˈskɹuˌdɹaɪvɚ/
a hand or power tool shaped to engage a screw head so that the screw can be tightened or loosened
derrick
C2
/ˈdɛrɪk/
a crane with a movable boom, especially one used aboard a ship or at a construction site
timber
C1
/ˈtɪmbɚ/
Wood prepared for building or making things.
spade
C2
/speɪ̯d/
a digging tool with a flat blade and a handle
wedge
C1
/wɛdʒ/
a tapered piece used for splitting, tightening, lifting, or securing something
hopper
B2
/ˈhɑːpər/
a funnel-shaped container through which loose material is stored or fed into a machine
binoculars
B1
/bəˈnɑːkjəlɝz/
an optical instrument designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
bowie
C2
/ˈbuːi/
a Bowie knife: a large, heavy, single-edged sheath knife with a clipped point
demolition
C1
/ɖᵻˈmɔ.lɪ.ʃən/
The act of deliberately destroying a building or other structure
barrow
C2
/ˈbæɹoʊ/
a small handcart used for carrying loads
implement
B2
/ˈɪmpləmənt/
To put a plan, decision, or system into action.
hoop
C2
/huːp/
a rigid circular or curved band of metal, wood, or another material, used for holding, fastening, hanging, or forming a framework
cleaver
B2
/ˈkliːvɚ/
a heavy knife with a broad, usually rectangular blade, used especially for chopping meat and bones
pavilion
C1
/pəˈvɪl.jən/
a light, often open-sided roofed structure used for shelter or recreation in a park, garden, or public place
machete
C2
/məˈʃɛ.ti/
a large heavy knife used for cutting vegetation or as a weapon
socket
B2
/ˈsɑkɪt/
a hollow or receptacle into which a matching part fits
armory
C2
/ˈɑːrmɝi/
A building where weapons and military equipment are stored.
crowbar
B2
/ˈkroʊˌbɑːr/
a strong iron or steel bar, often flattened or curved at one end, used as a lever to force things apart
distributor
B2
/dɪˈstrɪbjətɝ/
A company or person that supplies goods to shops and customers.
trough
B2
/tɹɔf/
a long, narrow, open container used for food, water, mixing, or holding materials
erect
B2
/ɪˈɹɛkt/
Standing straight up; upright.
contraption
C2
/kənˈtræpʃən/
A strange or overly complicated machine or device.
finder
B2
/ˈfaɪn.dɚ/
a person who finds or discovers someone or something
dredge
C2
/drɛdʒ/
to remove mud, sand, or other material from the bottom of a body of water with a dredge
architectural
C1
/ˌɑɹkɪˈtɛkt͡ʃəɹəl/
Relating to the design and construction of buildings.
weir
C2
/wɪɹ/
a low dam built across a stream or river to raise the water level, regulate it, or divert its flow
demolish
B2
/dᵻˈmɒl.ɪʃ/
To knock down or completely destroy a building or structure.
weld
B2
/wɛld/
to join pieces of metal or plastic permanently by heat, pressure, or both
drainage
B2
/ˈdɹeɪnɪdʒ/
the process of removing excess liquid or allowing it to flow away
framework
B2
/ˈfɹeɪm.wɝk/
A basic set of ideas or rules used to plan or decide something.
ratchet
C1
/ˈrætʃ.ɪt/
a toothed wheel or bar with a pawl that permits motion in one direction while preventing motion in the other
woodwork
B2
/ˈwʊdˌwɝk/
the wooden parts or fittings of a building, such as doors, frames, and trim
moat
C1
/moʊt/
a deep, wide defensive ditch, often filled with water, around a castle or fortified place
silencer
C1
/ˈsaɪlənˌsɝ/
British: a device in a vehicle exhaust system that reduces engine noise
sickle
C2
/ˈsɪkəl/
a short-handled agricultural tool with a curved blade, used for cutting grain or grass
axle
C2
/ˈæk.səl/
a shaft or pin on which a wheel or other rotating part turns
appliance
C1
/əˈplaɪ.əns/
A machine or device used in the home, such as a fridge or washing machine.
harpoon
C2
/hɑːrˈpuːn/
a heavy spear with a barbed head, usually attached to a line, thrown or fired to catch whales and other large aquatic animals
catapult
B2
/ˈkætəˌpʌlt/
a device or ancient engine that launches a projectile with force
periscope
C2
/ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/
an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
manger
C1
/ˈmeɪn.dʒɚ/
an open box or trough in a stable from which horses, cattle, or other animals feed
ligature
C2
/ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃɚ/
a cord, band, or other fastening used to bind things together