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
527 words
make
A1
/meɪk/
To create or produce something.
better
A1
/ˈbɛt.ə/
Of a higher quality or standard than something else.
turn
A1
/tɔːn/
A change in the direction you are moving or facing.
change
A1
/ˈt͡ʃæ̝ɪ̯nd͡ʒ/
The act or result of something becoming different.
making
B2
/ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
The act or process of producing or creating something.
become
A1
/bɪˈkʌm/
To start to be something; to change into a particular state.
cause
A2
/kɔz/
The thing or person that makes something happen.
white
A1
/ˈwaɪt/
Having the colour of fresh snow or milk; the lightest colour.
peter
C2
/ˈpiː.tɚ/
usually peter out: to diminish gradually in strength, quantity, or activity and finally stop
upset
A2
/ɐpˈset/
Unhappy, worried, or distressed.
green
A1
/ɡɹin/
The colour of grass and leaves, between yellow and blue.
slow
A1
/slaː/
Not moving or happening quickly.
create
A2
/kɹiːˈeɪt/
To bring something into existence.
process
B1
/ˈpɹɑ.sɛs/
A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result.
signal
B1
/ˈsɪɡnəl/
A sound, gesture, or light used to give information, a warning, or an order.
effect
A2
/əˈfɛkt/
A change or result produced by an action or cause.
awake
A1
/əˈweɪk/
Not sleeping.
result
A1
/ɹɪˈzʌlt/
Something that happens because of an earlier action or event.
direct
A2
/dɑɪˈɹekt/
Going straight from one point to another, without stops or detours.
freeze
A2
/ˈfɹiːz/
To become solid or turn to ice because of cold.
steady
B1
/ˈstɛdi/
Firm and not shaking or moving.
arrange
A2
/əˈɹeɪnd͡ʒ/
To make plans for something to happen.
mix
A2
/ˈmɪks/
To combine two or more things so they become one.
practically
B2
/ˈpɹæktɪk(ə)li/
Almost; very nearly.
benefit
B1
/ˈbɛn.ə.fɪt/
A good or helpful effect that something has; an advantage.
thus
B1
/ˈðʌs/
As a result; therefore.
produce
A2
/pɹəˈd͡ʒuːs/
To make or manufacture something.
reveal
A2
/ɹɪˈvil/
To make known something that was secret or unknown.
smooth
A2
/smuːð/
Having an even surface with no bumps, lumps, or rough parts.
increase
A2
/ɪnˈkɹiːs/
To become larger in size, amount, or number.
active
B1
/ˈæk.tɪv/
busy doing things, especially physical activities
bend
A2
/bɛnd/
To make something curved or to become curved.
hostage
C1
/ˈhɑs.tɪd͡ʒ/
A person held by force, used to make others do what the captor wants.
necessarily
B1
/ˌnɛs.əˈsɛɹ.ə.li/
As a certain or unavoidable result; in every case.
operate
A2
/ˈɑpəɹeɪt/
To control or make a machine, device, or system work.
massage
B2
/məˈsɑ(d)ʒ/
The act of rubbing and pressing the body to relax muscles or relieve pain.
click
A2
/klɪk/
To press a button on a computer mouse, or to make a short sharp sound.
develop
A2
/ˈɖɛʋᵊ.ləp/
To grow or change gradually into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced.
improve
A2
/ɪmˈpɹuːv/
To make something better.
ensure
B1
/ɪnˈʃɔː(ɹ)/
To make sure that something happens or is the case.
growth
B1
/ɡɹoʊθ/
An increase in size, number, value, or strength.
shrink
B2
/ˈʃɹɪŋk/
To become smaller in size or amount.
establish
A2
/ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/
To start or create something that is meant to last, such as a company or organization.
lodge
B1
/lɑd͡ʒ/
To become stuck firmly in a particular position.
corrupt
B2
/kəˈɹʌpt/
Willing to act dishonestly in return for money or power.
developing
B2
/dɪˈvɛl.ə.pɪŋ/
In the process of growing or being formed.
addict
B2
/ˈæd.ɪkt/
a person who cannot stop taking a harmful drug
reduce
B1
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒuːs/
To make something smaller in size, amount, or degree.
sour
B1
/[ˈsɑːə]/
Having a sharp, acidic taste, like a lemon.
backing
C1
/ˈbæk.ɪŋ(ɡ)/
Support and approval given to a person, plan, or cause.
lethal
C1
/ˈliː.θəl/
Able to cause death; deadly.
warming
B2
/ˈwoɹmɪŋ/
The process of becoming warmer.
outcome
B2
/ˈaʊtkʌm/
The result or effect of an action, event, or process.
improved
B2
/ɪmˈpɹuːvd/
Made or become better in quality.
expand
B1
/ɪkˈspænd/
To become larger in size, amount, or extent.
activate
B2
/ˈæktɪˌveɪt/
To make a device, system, or alarm start working.
reform
B2
/ˌɹiːˈfɔɹm/
To change a system, law, or organization to make it better and fairer.
alter
B2
/ˈɔl.təɹ/
To change something, or make it different.
definite
B1
/ˈdɛfɪnɪt/
Certain and not likely to change; clearly decided.
transform
B1
/tɹænsˈfɔɹm/
To change something completely, usually for the better.
boost
B2
/buːst/
To increase or improve something.
telescope
B2
/ˈtɛl.əˌskoʊp/
An instrument that makes distant objects look closer and larger, especially stars and planets.
contribution
B1
/ˌkɑntɹɪˈbjuʃən/
Something you give, such as money, to help a shared cause.
promote
B1
/pɹəˈmoʊt/
To help something develop or become more successful.
lighten
B2
/ˈlaɪ.tn̩/
To become brighter, or to make something brighter.
transition
B2
/tɹænˈzɪ.ʃən/
The process of changing from one state, condition, or situation to another.
improvement
B1
/ɪmˈpɹuːvmənt/
The process of making something better.
decline
B1
/dɪˈklaɪn/
To politely refuse something.
propaganda
C1
/[ˌpɹɒp.əˈɡæn.də]/
Information, often biased or misleading, spread to promote a cause or point of view.
forge
C1
/fɔɹd͡ʒ/
To create or build something, especially a relationship, with great effort.
adapt
B1
/əˈdæpt/
to change your behaviour to fit a new situation
tailor
C1
/ˈteɪlɚ/
A person whose job is to make, repair, or alter clothes, especially suits.
convert
B2
/ˈkɑn.vɚt/
To change something into a different form, substance, or state.
weary
B2
/ˈwɪɹi/
Very tired, especially after a lot of effort.
consequence
A2
/ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwɛns/
A result or effect of an action or situation.
emerge
B1
/ɪˈmɝd͡ʒ/
To come out into view, especially from a hidden or enclosed place
effectively
B1
/ɪˈfɛktɪvli/
In a way that produces a good result.
notch
C2
/nɑt͡ʃ/
a V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface
reborn
B2
/ˌriːˈbɔːrn/
revived, renewed, or given a fresh sense of life
generate
B1
/ˈd͡ʒɛn.ɚ.eɪt/
To cause something to exist or happen; to produce.
dent
C2
/ˈdɛnt/
an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
tighten
B1
/ˈtaɪ.tən/
To make something firmer or more securely fastened.
intervene
C1
/ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈviːn/
To become involved in a situation in order to change or stop something.
productive
B1
/pɹəˈdʌk.tɪv/
Getting a lot done; achieving good results.
HIV
B1
/ˌeɪtʃˌaɪˈviː/
The virus that attacks the immune system and can cause AIDS.
revive
B2
/ɹəˈvaɪv/
To bring something back into use, activity, or popularity.
blur
B2
/blɝ/
To make something unclear or hard to see clearly.
havoc
C1
/ˈhævək/
widespread destruction, disorder, or confusion
decisive
B2
/dɪˈsɪsɪv/
Able to make choices quickly and firmly.
index
B2
/ˈɪndɛks/
An alphabetical list at the back of a book showing where topics can be found.
evolve
B2
/ɪˈvɑlv/
To change and develop gradually over time.
edit
B2
/ˈɛdɪt/
To change or correct a piece of writing to improve it.
strengthen
B1
/ˈstɹɛŋ(k)θən/
To make something stronger or more powerful.
convertible
B2
/kənˈvɝtəbəl/
capable of being changed, exchanged, or treated as equivalent to another form
adjustment
B2
/əˈd͡ʒɐst.mənt/
a small change made to something to improve it or make it fit
reasoning
C1
/ˈɹiːzənɪŋ/
The process of thinking carefully and logically to reach a conclusion.