Word list · A1 Beginner

A1 vocabulary list

155 words with pronunciation, definitions and examples. Practise words for family, food, numbers and everyday needs.

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A1 words with examples

1. 1

   abundant

   /əˈbʌn.dənt/

   Existing in large quantities; more than enough.

   The garden produced an abundant harvest of tomatoes this summer.

2. 2

   actor

   /ˈæk.tər/

   A person who performs in plays, films, or television shows.

   The actor delivered his lines with great emotion.

3. 3

   and

   /ænd/

   Used to join words, phrases, or parts of sentences together.

   She bought bread and milk at the store.

4. 4

   animal

   /ˈæn.ɪ.məl/

   A living creature that can move and feed, such as a dog or bird.

   The zoo has every animal from lions to penguins.

5. 5

   any

   /ˈen.i/

   Used to refer to one, some, or all of a thing, no matter which.

   You can choose any seat you like.

6. 6

   anything

   /ˈen.i.θɪŋ/

   A thing of any kind, no matter what.

   Is there anything I can do to help you?

7. 7

   arrive

   /əˈraɪv/

   To reach a destination at the end of a journey.

   The train is expected to arrive at noon.

8. 8

   ask

   /ɑːsk/

   To say something in order to obtain information or a response.

   I want to ask you a quick question.

9. 9

   august

   /ˈɔː.ɡəst/

   The eighth month of the year, between July and September.

   We always go to the seaside in August.

10. 10

    bank

    /bæŋk/

    An organization where people keep their money or borrow it.

    I need to go to the bank to open a savings account.

11. 11

    beer

    /bɪr/

    An alcoholic drink made from grain and flavored with hops.

    He ordered a cold beer with his pizza.

12. 12

    behind

    /bɪˈhaɪnd/

    At or toward the back of someone or something.

    The cat was hiding behind the sofa.

13. 13

    below

    /bɪˈloʊ/

    In or to a lower position than something else.

    The temperature dropped below zero last night.

14. 14

    bill

    /bɪl/

    A written statement showing how much money you owe for something.

    The waiter brought us the bill after dinner.

15. 15

    bird

    /bɜːrd/

    An animal with feathers and wings that usually can fly.

    A small bird landed on the windowsill.

16. 16

    boldly

    /ˈboʊld.li/

    In a confident and courageous way.

    She boldly challenged the unfair policy in front of everyone.

17. 17

    book

    /bʊk/

    A set of printed pages bound together that you can read.

    She is reading a book about ancient Rome.

18. 18

    both

    /bəʊθ/

    Each of the two, or of the two kinds.

    "Did you want this one or that one?" — "Give me both."

19. 19

    bottle

    /ˈbɑː.təl/

    A container with a narrow neck used for holding liquids.

    He filled a bottle with water before the hike.

20. 20

    box

    /bɒks/

    A container with flat sides and a lid, used for storage.

    She packed her belongings into a cardboard box.

21. 21

    bread

    /bred/

    A basic food made from flour and water that is baked.

    We bought a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery.

22. 22

    brother

    /ˈbrʌð.ər/

    A boy or man who has the same parents as another person.

    My brother is two years older than me.

23. 23

    brown

    /bɹaʊn/

    A colour like that of chocolate or coffee.

    The browns and greens in this painting give it a nice woodsy feel.

24. 24

    bye

    /baɪ/

    Used to say goodbye when leaving someone informally.

    Bye! See you tomorrow at school.

25. 25

    cat

    /kæt/

    A small furry animal often kept as a pet that catches mice.

    The cat curled up and slept on the warm windowsill.

26. 26

    cinema

    /ˈsɪn.ə.mə/

    A place where people go to watch films on a big screen.

    We went to the cinema to see the new comedy.

27. 27

    clean

    /kliːn/

    Free from dirt, marks, or stains.

    Please keep the kitchen clean after cooking.

28. 28

    company

    /ˈkʌm.pə.ni/

    A business organization that sells goods or services.

    She works for a software company in the city.

29. 29

    concert

    /ˈkɑːn.sərt/

    A live performance of music in front of an audience.

    Thousands of fans attended the rock concert.

30. 30

    cooking

    /ˈkʊk.ɪŋ/

    The activity of preparing food by heating it.

    He learned cooking from his grandmother.

31. 31

    cool

    /kuːl/

    A moderate or refreshing state of cold; moderate temperature of the air between hot and cold; coolness.

    in the cool of the morning

32. 32

    cream

    /kriːm/

    The thick, fatty part of milk, often used in desserts.

    She added a spoonful of cream to her coffee.

33. 33

    create

    /kriˈeɪt/

    To bring something into existence.

    The artist worked for months to create the sculpture.

34. 34

    cunning

    /ˈkʌn.ɪŋ/

    Having skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.

    The cunning fox found a way into the henhouse.

35. 35

    dancer

    /ˈdæn.sər/

    A person who dances or whose profession is dancing.

    The dancer moved gracefully across the stage.

36. 36

    dark

    /dɑːrk/

    With little or no light.

    The room was completely dark after the power outage.

37. 37

    deceive

    /dɪˈsiːv/

    To cause someone to believe something that is not true.

    He attempted to deceive the authorities with forged documents.

38. 38

    design

    /dɪˈzaɪn/

    To plan and draw how something will look or work.

    An architect was hired to design the new museum.

39. 39

    difference

    /ˈdɪfəɹən(t)s/

    The quality of being different.

    You need to learn to be more tolerant of difference.

40. 40

    door

    /dɔːr/

    A flat panel that opens and closes the entrance to a room or building.

    Please close the door when you leave.

41. 41

    downstairs

    /ˌdaʊnˈsterz/

    On or to a lower floor of a building.

    She went downstairs to make breakfast.

42. 42

    draw

    /drɔː/

    To make a picture with a pen or pencil.

    The children love to draw animals in art class.

43. 43

    dreadful

    /ˈdred.fəl/

    Causing or involving great suffering; extremely bad.

    The dreadful noise kept everyone awake all night.

44. 44

    drive

    /draɪv/

    To operate a car or other vehicle and control where it goes.

    He learned to drive when he was eighteen.

45. 45

    dvd

    /ˌdiː.viːˈdiː/

    A disc that stores films, music, or data to be played on a machine.

    We watched an old DVD of our family holiday.

46. 46

    each

    /iːt͡ʃ/

    (operations) An individual item: the least quantitative unit in a grouping.

    Each answer is worth 20 points.

47. 47

    ear

    /ɪə̯/

    The organ of hearing, consisting of the pinna, auditory canal, eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes and cochlea.

    the left/right ear

48. 48

    easy

    /ˈiː.zi/

    Not difficult; needing little effort or skill.

    The test was so easy that everyone passed.

49. 49

    eighty

    /ˈeɪ.ti/

    The number 80, equal to eight times ten.

    My grandmother just turned eighty.

50. 50

    elephant

    /ˈel.ɪ.fənt/

    A very large gray animal with a long trunk and big ears.

    The elephant sprayed water over its back with its trunk.

51. 51

    end

    /end/

    The final part or last point of something.

    The end of the movie surprised everyone.

52. 52

    enough

    /ɪˈnʌf/

    As much or as many as required.

    We have enough food to last the entire week.

53. 53

    exam

    /ɛɡˈzæm/

    The act of examining.

    to take an exam

54. 54

    exhaust

    /ɪɡˈzɔːst/

    To drain someone of their physical or mental resources.

    The long hike exhausted everyone in the group.

55. 55

    famine

    /ˈfæm.ɪn/

    Extreme scarcity of food across a wide area.

    The famine left millions of people in desperate need of aid.

56. 56

    fat

    /fæt/

    Having too much flesh on the body; weighing too much.

    The vet said our dog is getting a little fat.

57. 57

    feast

    /fiːst/

    A large meal, typically a celebratory one.

    The family prepared a grand feast for the holiday.

58. 58

    february

    /ˈfeb.ruː.er.i/

    The second month of the year, after January.

    It often snows here in February.

59. 59

    feel

    /fiːl/

    To experience an emotion or physical sensation.

    I feel happy when the sun is shining.

60. 60

    festival

    /ˈfes.tɪ.vəl/

    A special event where people celebrate with music, food, or art.

    The town holds a music festival every summer.

61. 61

    fill

    /fɪl/

    To make something full.

    Please fill the kettle with water.

62. 62

    find

    /faɪnd/

    To discover something after searching for it.

    I can't find my keys anywhere.

63. 63

    follow

    /ˈfɑː.loʊ/

    To go behind someone or move in the same direction as them.

    Follow me and I'll show you the way.

64. 64

    for

    /fɔːr/

    Used to show who receives something or what purpose it has.

    I bought this gift for my sister.

65. 65

    girl

    /ɡɵːl/

    A female child, adolescent, or a young woman.

    a little girl of six

66. 66

    girlfriend

    /ˈɡɜːlfɹɛnd/

    A female partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.

    Marc went to the park with his girlfriend and watched the sunset with her.

67. 67

    gladly

    /ˈɡlæd.li/

    With pleasure; willingly.

    She gladly accepted the invitation to the event.

68. 68

    great

    /ɡreɪt/

    Very good, or much larger than usual.

    We had a great time at the party.

69. 69

    hair

    /her/

    Any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin.

    She brushed her long hair before going out.

70. 70

    happy

    /ˈhæp.i/

    Feeling or showing pleasure and joy.

    The children were happy to see the snow.

71. 71

    harbor

    /ˈhɑːr.bər/

    A sheltered area of water deep enough for ships to anchor.

    The fishing boats returned to the harbor at sunset.

72. 72

    hasty

    /ˈheɪ.sti/

    Done or acting with excessive speed or urgency.

    She made a hasty decision that she later regretted.

73. 73

    have

    /hæv/

    To own, hold, or possess something.

    They have a big house in the countryside.

74. 74

    health

    /helθ/

    The condition of a person's body or mind.

    Regular exercise is good for your health.

75. 75

    here

    /hɪr/

    In, at, or to this place or position.

    Please wait here while I check the schedule.

76. 76

    him

    /hɪm/

    Used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a male.

    She gave him the letter before leaving.

77. 77

    his

    /hɪz/

    Belonging to or connected with a man or boy already mentioned.

    Tom left his umbrella on the train.

78. 78

    home

    /hoʊm/

    The place where a person lives.

    After a long trip, it felt wonderful to be home.

79. 79

    horse

    /hɔːrs/

    A large animal that people ride or use to pull things.

    She rides her horse in the fields every morning.

80. 80

    hotel

    /hoʊˈtel/

    A building where people pay to stay and sleep when traveling.

    We booked a hotel near the beach.

81. 81

    hungry

    /ˈhʌŋ.ɡri/

    Feeling that you want or need to eat.

    The kids are always hungry after football practice.

82. 82

    important

    /ɪmˈpɔːtənt/

    Having relevant and crucial value.

    It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience.

83. 83

    improve

    /ɪmˈpruːv/

    To make something better, or to become better.

    She practiced daily to improve her English.

84. 84

    in

    /ɪn/

    Used to show that something is inside a place, time, or state.

    The keys are in my coat pocket.

85. 85

    inquire

    /ɪnˈkwaɪ.ər/

    To ask for information.

    She called to inquire about the job opening.

86. 86

    journey

    /ˈdʒɜːr.ni/

    An act of traveling from one place to another.

    The long journey across the country took several days.

87. 87

    june

    /dʒuːn/

    The sixth month of the year, after May.

    Their wedding is planned for June.

88. 88

    lesson

    /ˈles.ən/

    A period of time when someone is taught a subject or skill.

    We have a piano lesson every Tuesday.

89. 89

    library

    /ˈlaɪ.brer.i/

    A place where books are kept for people to read or borrow.

    I borrowed three novels from the library.

90. 90

    married

    /ˈmer.id/

    Having a husband or wife.

    They have been married for ten years.

91. 91

    meal

    /miːl/

    An occasion when food is eaten, or the food itself.

    We enjoyed a delicious meal at the new restaurant.

92. 92

    member

    /ˈmem.bər/

    A person who belongs to a group, club, or organization.

    She became a member of the chess club.

93. 93

    metre

    /ˈmiːtə/

    To measure with a metering device.

    a 50-metre swimming pool

94. 94

    near

    /nɪr/

    At or to a short distance away.

    The school is near the park.

95. 95

    next

    /nekst/

    Coming immediately after the present one in order or time.

    We will discuss this at the next meeting.

96. 96

    nineteen

    /ˌnaɪnˈtiːn/

    The number 19, one more than eighteen.

    My cousin is nineteen years old.

97. 97

    only

    /ˈoʊn.li/

    No more than; nothing or no one except.

    There is only one cookie left in the jar.

98. 98

    opposite

    /ˈɒpəsɪt/

    Something opposite or contrary to something else.

    Hot and cold are opposites.

99. 99

    own

    /oʊn/

    Belonging to a particular person and nobody else.

    She finally bought her own apartment.

100. 100

     parent

     /ˈper.ənt/

     A person's mother or father.

     Every parent wants the best for their child.

101. 101

     passport

     /ˈpæs.pɔːrt/

     An official document that lets you travel to other countries.

     Don't forget your passport at the airport.

102. 102

     pencil

     /ˈpen.səl/

     A thin tool with graphite inside, used for writing or drawing.

     He sketched the portrait with a pencil.

103. 103

     personal

     /ˈpɜːr.sən.əl/

     Belonging or relating to one particular person.

     Please don't read my personal emails.

104. 104

     plan

     /plæn/

     A set of decisions about how to do something in the future.

     We made a plan to travel across Europe next summer.

105. 105

     positive

     /ˈpɑː.zə.tɪv/

     Hopeful and confident, or showing agreement or approval.

     Try to stay positive even when things go wrong.

106. 106

     possible

     /ˈpɑː.sə.bəl/

     Able to happen, exist, or be done.

     Is it possible to finish the project by Friday?

107. 107

     problem

     /ˈprɑː.bləm/

     A difficult situation that needs to be dealt with or solved.

     We had a problem with the car on the way home.

108. 108

     programme

     /ˈproʊ.ɡræm/

     A planned series of events, or a show on television or radio.

     The school runs a reading programme for young children.

109. 109

     question

     /ˈkwes.tʃən/

     A sentence that asks for information or an answer.

     The teacher asked a question about the homework.

110. 110

     ready

     /ˈɹɛdi/

     Ready money; cash

     Just a minute—I'm almost ready.

111. 111

     result

     /rɪˈzʌlt/

     Something that happens because of something else; an outcome.

     The result of the match was a draw.

112. 112

     road

     /roʊd/

     A long, hard surface that vehicles travel on between places.

     The road to the village winds through the hills.

113. 113

     run

     /rʌn/

     To move quickly using your legs, faster than walking.

     She runs five kilometers every morning.

114. 114

     sad

     /sæd/

     Feeling unhappy, especially because something bad has happened.

     He was sad when his best friend moved away.

115. 115

     science

     /ˈsaɪ.əns/

     The study of the natural world through observation and experiments.

     She loves science, especially chemistry.

116. 116

     sea

     /siː/

     The large body of salt water that covers much of the Earth.

     We swam in the sea every day of the holiday.

117. 117

     sentence

     /ˈsen.təns/

     A group of words that expresses a complete thought.

     Write a sentence using each new word.

118. 118

     she

     /ʃiː/

     Used to refer to a woman or girl already mentioned.

     Anna said she would join us later.

119. 119

     shower

     /ˈʃaʊ.ər/

     A device that sprays water for washing, or the act of washing under it.

     I take a quick shower every morning before work.

120. 120

     sit

     /sɪt/

     To rest your body on a chair or other surface.

     Come and sit next to me on the bench.

121. 121

     skill

     /skɪl/

     The ability to do something well; expertise.

     Learning a new skill takes patience and practice.

122. 122

     sleep

     /sliːp/

     To rest with your eyes closed and your mind unconscious.

     Most adults need to sleep about eight hours a night.

123. 123

     small

     /smɔːl/

     Little in size or amount.

     They live in a small house near the river.

124. 124

     so

     /soʊ/

     To such a great degree; also used to show a result.

     It was so cold that the lake froze.

125. 125

     sound

     /saʊnd/

     Something that you can hear.

     The sound of rain on the roof helped me sleep.

126. 126

     speak

     /spiːk/

     To say words; to talk to someone.

     Could you speak more slowly, please?

127. 127

     spelling

     /ˈspel.ɪŋ/

     The way a word is written with letters in the correct order.

     Check your spelling before you hand in the essay.

128. 128

     story

     /ˈstɔːr.i/

     A description of events, real or imagined, told to entertain.

     Grandpa told us a story about his childhood.

129. 129

     strong

     /strɔːŋ/

     Having great physical power, or not easily broken.

     You need to be strong to lift these boxes.

130. 130

     sure

     /ʃʊr/

     Certain that something is true; having no doubt.

     Are you sure you locked the door?

131. 131

     sweater

     /ˈswet.ər/

     A warm piece of clothing with sleeves, worn on the upper body.

     She knitted a wool sweater for the winter.

132. 132

     swiftly

     /ˈswɪft.li/

     At high speed; quickly.

     The ambulance arrived swiftly at the scene.

133. 133

     tall

     /tɔːl/

     Having greater than average height.

     The basketball player is over two meters tall.

134. 134

     teacher

     /ˈtiː.tʃər/

     A person whose job is to help students learn.

     Our math teacher explains everything clearly.

135. 135

     team

     /tiːm/

     A group of people who work or play together.

     Our team won the championship this year.

136. 136

     then

     /ðen/

     At that time, or next in order.

     We had dinner, and then we watched a movie.

137. 137

     think

     /θɪŋk/

     To use one's mind to form ideas or make decisions.

     Take some time to think about the offer.

138. 138

     ticket

     /ˈtɪk.ɪt/

     A piece of paper that shows you have paid to enter or travel.

     I bought two tickets for the evening show.

139. 139

     tomorrow

     /təˈmɒr.oʊ/

     On the day after today.

     The meeting has been rescheduled to tomorrow.

140. 140

     tremble

     /ˈtrem.bl̩/

     To shake involuntarily, typically from fear or cold.

     Her hands began to tremble as she opened the envelope.

141. 141

     true

     /truː/

     Based on facts; correct and not invented.

     Is it true that you're moving to Canada?

142. 142

     twice

     /twaɪs/

     Two times; on two occasions.

     She checked the document twice before submitting it.

143. 143

     under

     /ˈʌn.dər/

     Below or beneath something.

     The dog is sleeping under the table.

144. 144

     understand

     /ˌʌn.dərˈstænd/

     To know what something means or how it works.

     I don't understand this question, so can you explain it?

145. 145

     until

     /ənˈtɪl/

     Up to a particular time or event.

     The shop stays open until nine o'clock.

146. 146

     want

     /wɑːnt/

     To wish for or desire something.

     The children want ice cream for dessert.

147. 147

     wear

     /wer/

     To have clothing or jewelry on your body.

     You should wear a coat because it's freezing outside.

148. 148

     what

     /wɔt/

     (Singlish) Used to contradict an underlying assumption held by the interlocutor.

     What is your name?

149. 149

     white

     /waɪt/

     Of the color of milk or fresh snow.

     She wore a beautiful white dress to the ceremony.

150. 150

     why

     /waɪ/

     For what reason or purpose.

     Why did you arrive so late?

151. 151

     without

     /wɪˈðaʊt/

     Not having or not using something.

     I can't read small print without my glasses.

152. 152

     work

     /wɜːrk/

     To do a job, especially to earn money.

     She works at a hospital downtown.

153. 153

     write

     /raɪt/

     To form letters or words on paper or a screen.

     He sat down to write a letter to his aunt.

154. 154

     wrong

     /rɔːŋ/

     Not correct, or not morally right.

     I took the wrong bus and ended up across town.

155. 155

     yes

     /jes/

     Used to give a positive answer or to agree.

     Yes, I'd love to come to the party.