English word lists by level
1594 words organised into our A1 to C2 study bands, each with pronunciation, a plain definition and a sentence showing it in use.
These are practice selections, not an official CEFR checklist; a vocabulary score alone cannot establish your language level.
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A1 vocabulary list · Beginner
155The basics: family, food, numbers, the verbs that get you through a day.
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A2 vocabulary list · Elementary
214Routine language: work, travel, shopping, yesterday and next week.
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B1 vocabulary list · Intermediate
192Everyday experiences, plans and opinions, with examples to practise.
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B2 vocabulary list · Upper-intermediate
250Words for discussing ideas, work and events in more detail.
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C1 vocabulary list · Advanced
381Less familiar vocabulary and precise ways to express an idea.
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C2 vocabulary list · Proficiency
402Formal, literary and specialised words for your reading and interests.
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What the levels mean in words
The Council of Europe's CEFR levels describe what you can do with a language. They do not set a single English word-count requirement for each level. Our lists group words into study bands; individual words can have different meanings and uses that you learn at different stages.
Start with a list where you recognise most words but still find gaps. Read the example before looking at the definition, then write a sentence of your own. For the limits of word-count comparisons, read vocabulary size by age and counting method.
Need a routine for the words you find? Follow our guide to practising with A1 to C2 vocabulary lists with examples, sentence practice and a recall check.