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
153 words
haven
B1
/ˈheɪvən/
A safe place where someone can find protection.
safe
A2
/seɪf/
Not in danger and not likely to be harmed.
security
B1
/səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌti/
the state of being safe and protected from danger
protect
A2
/pɹəˈtɛkt/
To keep someone or something safe from harm or danger.
dangerous
A2
/ˈdeɪn.d͡ʒ(ə.)ɹəs/
Likely to cause harm, injury, or death.
accident
A2
/ˈæk.sə.dənt/
A crash involving a vehicle that causes damage or injury.
suddenly
A2
/ˈsʌd.ən.li/
Quickly and without warning.
risk
B1
/ɹɪsk/
The chance that something bad might happen.
destroy
A2
/dɪˈstɹɔɪ/
To damage something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be used.
danger
A2
/ˈdeɪn.d͡ʒɚ/
The possibility of being harmed or killed.
emergency
A2
/ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/
A sudden, dangerous situation that needs immediate action
damage
B1
/ˈdæmɪd͡ʒ/
Physical harm that makes something less useful or valuable.
safety
B1
/ˈseɪfti/
The state of being safe and not in danger.
sudden
A2
/ˈsʌd.ən/
Happening quickly and without warning.
warning
B1
/ˈwoɹnɪŋ/
Something said or written that tells you about a possible danger or problem.
threat
B1
/θɹet/
A statement that you will hurt or punish someone, especially if they do not do what you want.
protection
B1
/pɹəˈtɛkʃn̩/
The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm.
rescue
B1
/ˈɹɛs.kju/
To save someone or something from danger or harm.
secure
B1
/sɪˈkjʊə(ɹ)/
safe and protected from danger or harm
alert
B2
/əˈlɝt/
Awake, watchful, and quick to notice things.
siren
B2
/ˈsaɪɹən/
a device that produces a loud, rising and falling sound as a warning, or the sound it makes
crisis
B1
/ˈkɹɑesɪs/
A time of serious danger, difficulty, or trouble.
adventure
A2
/ədˈvɛn.t͡ʃɚ/
An exciting or unusual experience, often involving some risk or danger.
shelter
B1
/ˈʃɛltəɹ/
A place that gives protection from bad weather or danger.
threatening
B1
/ˈθɹɛtə.nɪŋ/
Likely to cause harm or danger; frightening.
safely
B1
/ˈseɪfli/
Without being harmed or causing harm.
survival
B1
/sɚˈvaɪ.vəl/
The fact of staying alive, especially through danger or hardship.
critical
B1
/ˈkɹɪt.ɪ.kəl/
Extremely important; essential for something to succeed.
vulnerable
C1
/ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩/
Easily hurt or harmed, physically or emotionally.
risky
B2
/ˈɹɪski/
Involving the chance of something bad happening; dangerous.
expose
B1
/ɪkˈspoʊz/
To uncover something so that it can be seen.
survivor
B1
/sɚˈvaɪvɚ/
A person who stays alive through a dangerous event such as an accident or disaster.
harmless
B2
/ˈhɑɹmləs/
Not able to cause any harm; safe.
deliberately
B2
/dɪˈlɪb.(ə.)ɹət.li/
On purpose; not by accident.
protective
B1
/pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv/
Designed or intended to keep someone or something safe.
bodyguard
B1
/ˈbɑːdiɡɑːrd/
a person or group responsible for protecting someone, especially an important public figure
compromised
C1
/ˈkɑːmprəˌmaɪzd/
Made weaker, less safe, or less effective than it should be.
defensive
C1
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/
Used or intended to protect against attack.
caution
B1
/ˈkɔʃ(ə)n/
Great care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.
refuge
B2
/ˈɹɛfjuːd͡ʒ/
A safe place where you are protected from danger or trouble.
poisonous
B1
/ˈpɔɪzənəs/
Containing poison; dangerous to eat, touch, or breathe.
misfortune
B2
/mɪsˈfɔɹt͡ʃən/
Bad luck.
cautious
B1
/ˈkɔːʃəs/
Careful to avoid danger, risk, or mistakes.
catastrophe
B2
/kəˈtæstrəfi/
A sudden event that causes great damage, suffering, or loss.
secrecy
C1
/ˈsiːkɹəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
hazard
B1
/ˈhæzɚd/
Something that is dangerous or could cause harm.
insecure
C1
/ɪnsəˈkjʊɹ/
Lacking confidence in yourself; uncertain and anxious.
destructive
B1
/dɪˈstɹʊktɪv/
Causing a lot of damage or harm.
menace
C2
/ˈmɛnɪs/
Something or someone that is a danger or threat.
endangered
A2
/ɛnˈdeɪndʒɝd/
At risk of dying out completely, said of animals or plants
goggles
B1
/ˈɡɑːɡəlz/
close-fitting protective eyewear worn for swimming, sports, laboratory work, or hazardous tasks
hedge
B2
/ˈhed͡ʒ/
A row of bushes or small trees that forms a boundary or fence.
disastrous
B1
/dɪˈzæs.tɹəs/
Causing great harm, damage, or a very bad result.
cramp
C2
/kɹæmp/
to secure with a cramp
violently
B1
/ˈvaɪ(ə)ləntli/
In a way that uses physical force to hurt or damage.
harmful
A2
/ˈhɑɹmfl̩/
Causing or able to cause harm or damage.
jeopardize
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɛp.ɚ.daɪz/
To put something at risk or in danger.
retribution
C2
/ˌɹɛt.ɹɪˈbju.ʃən/
the act of taking revenge, such as harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done, especially in the next life
adventurous
B2
/ædˈvɛn.t͡ʃɚ.əs/
Willing to try new things and take risks.
lifeguard
B1
/ˈlaɪfˌɡɑɹd/
A person whose job is to watch swimmers at a beach or pool and rescue them if they are in danger.
fallout
C2
/ˈfɔːlˌaʊt/
the harmful or unpleasant consequences that follow an event or decision
endanger
B1
/ɛnˈdeɪnd͡ʒɚ/
To put someone or something in danger or at risk of harm
unsafe
B2
/ʌnˈseɪf/
Dangerous; likely to cause harm or injury
abruptly
B2
/əˈbɹʌp.li/
suddenly and without warning
hazardous
B2
/ˈhæ.zɚ.dɪs/
Dangerous or risky; likely to cause harm.
goner
B2
/ˈɡɔːnɚ/
informal: a person or thing that is doomed, ruined, or beyond rescue
untraceable
C2
/ənˈtreɪsəbəl/
incapable of being traced or tracked down
extinguisher
B1
/ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɚ/
a portable device containing a substance used to put out a small fire
safeguard
B1
/ˈseɪfɡɑː(ɹ)d/
Something done to protect against harm, danger, or loss.
menacing
C2
/ˈmɛnɪsɪŋ/
Seeming dangerous and likely to cause harm; threatening.
maroon
C2
/məˈruːn/
to leave someone stranded and isolated in a remote place, especially an island
safekeeping
C1
/ˌseɪfˈkiː.pɪŋ/
protection or secure custody that keeps someone or something from harm, loss, or theft
insidious
C2
/ɪnˈsɪdi.əs/
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
brunt
C1
/brʌnt/
the main force, impact, or worst effects of an attack, event, or burden
contaminate
B2
/kənˈtæmɪneɪt/
To make something dirty, dangerous, or unsafe by adding harmful substances.
unscathed
C1
/ʌnˈskeɪðd/
not injured or damaged by a dangerous event
padlock
B2
/ˈpædˌlɑk/
a removable lock with a curved or sliding shackle that passes through a fastening
detrimental
C1
/ˌdɛtɹɪˈmɛntəl/
Causing harm or damage.
maul
C1
/mɔl/
to attack and injure someone or something severely by beating, scratching, or tearing
maim
C1
/meɪm/
to injure a person or animal so severely that a body part is permanently damaged or lost
cautionary
C2
/ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/
Serving to caution or warn; admonitory
ravage
B2
/ˈɹævɪd͡ʒ/
To cause great damage to something; to destroy.
cave-in
C2+
/ˈkeɪvˌɪn/
the sudden collapse of earth, rock, a roof, or another enclosing structure
coastguard
C2
/ˈkoʊstɡɑːrd/
chiefly British, an official employed to watch coastal waters, help vessels in danger, and enforce maritime law
detriment
C1
/ˈdɛtɹɪmənt/
Harm or damage to something.
misfire
C1
/ˌmɪsˈfaɪɹ/
to fail to fire, ignite, or detonate properly
preserver
C1
/prɪˈzɝː.vɚ/
a person or thing that protects someone or keeps something safe from harm or destruction
rescuer
B2
/ˈres.kjuː.ɚ/
a person who saves someone or something from danger, harm, or captivity
impale
C1
/ɪmˈpeɪl/
to pierce something with a long, sharp object so that it is fixed or held on the point
misadventure
C1
/ˌmɪsədˈvɛntʃɚ/
an unlucky accident or mishap, often caused without deliberate wrongdoing
undaunted
C1
/ənˈdɔntɪd/
Not discouraged or frightened by difficulty or danger.
conflagration
C2
/ˌkɑnfləˈɡɹeɪʃən/
a large, destructive, and uncontrolled fire
adversely
B2
/ædˈvɝːsli/
In a way that has a bad or harmful effect.
crossbones
C2
/ˈkrɔːsˌboʊnz/
two bones depicted or placed diagonally across one another, especially beneath a skull as a warning of danger or death
catastrophically
C2
In a way that causes a disaster or terrible damage.
menacingly
C2
/ˈmɛnəsɪŋli/
In a threatening way that suggests danger.