How to Use CEFR Vocabulary Lists: A1 to C2 Practice
Choose an English vocabulary list, practise words in context and check what you can recall. A practical A1 to C2 study routine without word-count targets.
Start with a list where you understand most examples but still find useful words you cannot explain. Work on those gaps, then use the words in something you want to say. Finishing a list is a study milestone; it does not certify a language level.
Our English vocabulary lists run from A1 to C2. Each entry has a definition, pronunciation and an example. The bands are our practice selections, not an official CEFR checklist.
Choose a starting list
Open one list and read a few examples before looking at the definitions. If almost every sentence needs a dictionary, try the preceding list. If you can explain the words and use them comfortably, sample the next one.
These are suggestions for choosing practice, not placement-test criteria:
| If you want to practise… | Start by sampling… |
|---|---|
| Everyday words for home, food and people | A1 vocabulary |
| Work, travel and daily routines | A2 vocabulary |
| Experiences, plans and familiar topics | B1 vocabulary |
| Explaining ideas and discussing events | B2 vocabulary |
| Choosing more precise expressions | C1 vocabulary |
| Formal, literary or specialised reading | C2 vocabulary |
You can also take our free vocabulary size test for an informal recognition estimate. It samples a small set of words and does not assess speaking, listening or writing. Use the result to explore a list, not as proof that you passed a level.
Try one short practice session
Pick five words you would actually use. Five is a manageable starting batch, not a required daily target. A sentence from an email, a book or a conversation can help you decide which words matter now.
- Read the example and guess the meaning.
- Check the definition and pronunciation.
- Write a sentence about something familiar to you.
- Cover the entry and explain the word without copying its definition.
- Return to your sentences later and see what you can still recall.
For example, recognising borrow is one task. Writing “Can I borrow your charger?” makes you choose the word in a sentence. Then compare it with “Can you lend me your charger?” The two sentences describe the same exchange from different sides. A word list is useful when it leads to this sort of practice.
If you need help every time you return to an entry, keep it in your next session. If you can explain it but hesitate when writing, practise a sentence you might need instead of reading the definition again.
Learn meanings and phrases, not only headwords
Knowing one meaning of run does not mean you understand run a business or run out of time. Keep a useful phrase beside the word in your notes. Add a second example when you meet a different meaning.
You do not need to collect every dictionary sense before moving on. Choose the meanings you meet in your reading and conversations. A specialised word that matters to your work may be useful before a more common word about an unfamiliar hobby.
What a CEFR level tells you
The Council of Europe describes A1 to C2 through language abilities. Its descriptors apply across languages. They are not a universal list of English words to memorise.
For instance, the B2 global description includes following complex material, interacting fluently and explaining a viewpoint. A recognition checklist covers only part of what you need for those tasks. Our guide to B2 vocabulary size explains why research estimates and test scores can differ.
If you need a level for admission or employment, check which assessment the institution accepts. For everyday study, combine vocabulary work with reading, listening and opportunities to use the language.
Keep the next step small
Choose a list, find a handful of useful gaps and write your own examples. When you return, check recall before opening the definitions. Move between lists as your needs change; there is no need to finish every lower band first.
Start with the A1 to C2 list directory, or explore the English Vocabulary Size Test Android app for illustrated exercises and a review deck. The browser test and word lists are available without an account.