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
454 words
head
A1
/hɛd/
The part of the body above the neck, containing the brain, eyes, and mouth.
heart
A2
/hɑɹt/
The organ in your chest that pumps blood around your body.
hand
A1
/ˈhænd/
The part of your body at the end of your arm, with fingers and a thumb.
body
A1
/ˈbɑ.di/
The whole physical structure of a person or animal.
blood
A2
/blʌd/
The red liquid that the heart pumps around the body.
pick
A2
/pɪk/
To choose one or more things from a group.
eye
A1
/ˈaɪ/
One of the two organs in your face that you see with.
mouth
A1
/maʊθ/
The opening in your face that you use for eating and speaking.
brain
A2
/ˈbɹæ̝ɪ̯n/
The organ inside the head that controls thought, memory, feeling, and movement.
blow
A2
/blaː/
To push air out through your mouth.
cell
B1
/sɛl/
The smallest basic unit that makes up all living things.
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).
foot
B1
/fʊt/
The part of the body at the end of the leg that you stand and walk on.
arm
A1
/ɑɹm/
The part of the body from the shoulder to the hand.
leg
A1
/leɪɡ/
One of the two long parts of the body that people use to stand and walk.
nose
A1
/[noːz]/
The part of the face above the mouth, used for breathing and smelling.
neck
A2
/nɛk/
The part of the body that joins the head to the shoulders.
skin
A2
/skɪn/
the natural outer layer that covers the body of a person or animal
finger
B1
/ˈfɪŋɡɚ/
One of the four long thin parts at the end of the hand, sometimes including the thumb.
stomach
A2
/ˈstʌm.ək/
The part of the body where food is digested after you eat.
suck
B2
/sʌk/
To pull liquid or air into your mouth using your lips and breath.
ear
A1
/ˈɛː/
One of the two organs on the sides of the head that you hear with.
bone
A2
/boʊn/
One of the hard white parts that form the skeleton of a person or animal.
tear
A2
/tɛɹ/
To pull or rip something apart, often by accident.
shoulder
A2
/ˈʃoʊldɚ/
The part of the body between the neck and the top of the arm.
joint
B1
/d͡ʒɔɪnt/
Done or shared by two or more people or groups together.
skull
B2
/ˈskʌl/
The bony framework of the head that protects the brain.
nerve
B2
/nɝv/
One of the thin fibres in your body that carry messages between your brain and other parts.
gene
B1
/d͡ʒiːn/
A part of a cell that carries information passed from parents to children and controls traits like eye colour.
powder
B1
/ˈpuː.dɐ/
A dry substance made of very fine particles.
resistance
B2
/ɹɪˈzɪstəns/
The act of fighting against or refusing to accept something.
muscle
B1
/ˈmʌs.əl/
One of the parts of the body that produce movement by tightening and relaxing.
stroke
B2
/stɹoʊk/
To move your hand gently over a surface, again and again.
lame
B2
/ˈleɪm/
Boring, weak, or not impressive.
towel
A2
/ˈtæʊ̯əl/
A piece of cloth used for drying something wet, such as your body or hands.
shield
B2
/ˈʃiːld/
A broad piece of metal, wood, or other material held in the hand to protect the body in battle.
tissue
B1
/ˈtɪʃ.(j)u/
A piece of soft, thin paper used for wiping your nose or face.
lung
B1
/lʊŋ/
One of the two organs in the chest that you use to breathe.
bleed
B1
/ˈbliːd/
To lose blood from your body.
organ
B1
/ˈɔɹɡən/
A part of the body that has a particular function, such as the heart or lungs.
wrist
B1
/ɹɪst/
The joint between the hand and the arm.
thumb
B1
/θʌm/
The short, thick finger on the side of the hand.
cheek
A2
/t͡ʃiːk/
The soft part of the face below each eye and beside the nose and mouth.
sperm
C1
/spɜɹm/
a male reproductive cell that can fertilize an egg cell
gesture
B1
/ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɚ/
A movement of the hands, head, or body to express something.
ankle
A2
/ˈæŋ.k(ə)l/
The joint that connects the foot to the leg.
AIDS
B2
/eɪdz/
A serious, often fatal disease that destroys the body's immune system, spread mainly through blood and sexual contact.
sexually
B1
/ˈsɛksjʊəli/
by sexual means
rash
B2
/ˈræʃ/
An area of red, irritated spots on the skin.
biological
B2
/ˌbaɪ.əˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪ.kəl/
Connected with biology or with living things.
chapel
C2+
/ˈt͡ʃɛp.əl/
a service conducted in a place of worship that has its own altar
feature
A2
/ˈfi.t͡ʃɚ/
An important or noticeable part or quality of something.
tumor
B2
/tuː.məɹ/
An abnormal lump of tissue that grows in or on the body and can be harmful.
pinky
B2
/ˈpɪŋ.ki/
the smallest finger, farthest from the thumb
donor
C1
/ˈdoʊnɚ/
A person who gives money or goods, especially to a charity.
burial
B2
/ˈbɛɹiəl/
The act of placing a dead body in the ground, usually with a ceremony.
urine
B2
/ˈjʊrɪn/
the liquid waste produced by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and discharged from the body
reject
B1
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɛkt/
To refuse to accept, agree to, or believe in something.
lid
B2
/lɪd/
A cover for the top of a container, such as a box, jar, or pan.
shaft
B1
/ʃæft/
a long rod or pole, especially the handle of an implement or the body of a weapon like a spear or arrow
spine
C1
/spaɪn/
The line of bones down the centre of the back; the backbone.
vomit
B2
/ˈvɑmɪt/
To throw up the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
sherry
C2
/ˈʃɛɹi/
A fortified wine produced in Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, or a similar wine produced elsewhere.
gong
C2
/ɡɔŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer
elbow
B1
/[ˈæ̝wbɐw]/
The joint in the middle of your arm where it bends.
donate
B1
/ˈdoʊˌneɪt/
To give money or goods to a charity or good cause.
lookout
C2
/ˈlʊkaʊt/
A vantage point with a view of the surrounding area.
squadron
C1
/ˈskwɑːdrən/
A body of troops drawn up in a square.
limb
B2
/lɪm/
An arm, leg, or wing of a person or animal.
cuff
B2
/kɐf/
The end part of a sleeve, around the wrist.
valve
B1
/ˈvælv/
a control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
cardiac
B2
/ˈkɑrdiˌæk/
relating to the heart or its action
specimen
C1
/ˈspɛsɪmɪn/
A single example of something, used to show what the whole group is like.
pitcher
B2
/ˈpɪt͡ʃ.ɚ/
the position on a baseball team of the player who throws the ball for a batter to try to hit
revealing
C1
/ɹɪˈvilɪŋ/
Showing or making known something interesting or important.
spinal
B2
/spaɪ.nəl/
of or relating to the spine or spinal cord
vein
B1
/ven/
One of the tubes in your body that carry blood back to the heart.
rejection
B2
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
The act of refusing to accept, agree to, or believe in something.
bruise
B2
/ˈbruːz/
To injure part of the body so that a dark mark appears on the skin without breaking it
bladder
C2
/ˈblædɚ/
A container in the form of a flexible bag.
bloodshed
C2
/ˈblʌdˌʃɛd/
the shedding of blood resulting in murder
anal
C2
/ˈeɪnəl/
of, near, intended for, or involving the anus
neural
B2
/ˈnʊrəl/
relating to nerves, neurons, or the nervous system
nipple
B2
/ˈnɪpəl/
the small projecting part of a breast or mammary gland through which milk can pass
urn
C2
/ɝn/
A vase with a footed base.
vitals
B2
/ˈvaɪtəlz/
the internal organs essential to life, especially the heart, lungs, and brain
harp
C2
/hɑɹp/
play the harp
saliva
B2
/səˈlaɪvə/
the clear liquid secreted into the mouth that moistens food and begins digestion
sneeze
B1
/sniːz/
To suddenly push air out through your nose and mouth because something irritates your nose.
inhale
B1
/ˌɪnˈheɪl/
To breathe air, smoke, or gas in through the nose or mouth.
glitter
C2
/ˈɡlɪtəɹ/
A bright, sparkling light; shininess or brilliance.
fungus
C1
/fʊŋ.ɡəs/
Any member of the kingdom Fungi; a eukaryotic organism typically having chitin cell walls but no chlorophyll or plastids. Fungi may be unicellular or multicellular.
slimy
C2
/ˈslaɪ.mi/
covered with or resembling slime
abdominal
C2
/æbˈdɑm.ə.nl̩/
of or relating to or near the abdomen
coalition
B2
/koʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
A group of political parties or organizations that join together for a shared aim.
spleen
C1
/spliːn/
a dark-red organ near the stomach that filters blood and supports the immune system