Word list · A1 Beginner

A1 vocabulary list

155 words at A1 level, each with pronunciation, a plain definition and a sentence showing it in use. A1 words carry the basics: family, food, numbers, days, the verbs you need to ask for something and understand the answer.

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1
abundant
/əˈbʌn.dənt/

Existing in large quantities; more than enough.

The garden produced an abundant harvest of tomatoes this summer.
2
actor
/ˈæk.tər/

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

The actor delivered his lines with great emotion.
3
and
/ænd/

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

She bought bread and milk at the store.
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
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
anything
/ˈen.i.θɪŋ/

A thing of any kind, no matter what.

Is there anything I can do to help you?
7
arrive
/əˈraɪv/

To reach a destination at the end of a journey.

The train is expected to arrive at noon.
8
ask
/ɑːsk/

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

I want to ask you a quick question.
9
august
/ˈɔː.ɡəst/

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

We always go to the seaside in August.
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
beer
/bɪr/

An alcoholic drink made from grain and flavored with hops.

He ordered a cold beer with his pizza.
12
behind
/bɪˈhaɪnd/

At or toward the back of someone or something.

The cat was hiding behind the sofa.
13
below
/bɪˈloʊ/

In or to a lower position than something else.

The temperature dropped below zero last night.
14
bill
/bɪl/

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

The waiter brought us the bill after dinner.
15
bird
/bɜːrd/

An animal with feathers and wings that usually can fly.

A small bird landed on the windowsill.
16
boldly
/ˈboʊld.li/

In a confident and courageous way.

She boldly challenged the unfair policy in front of everyone.
17
book
/bʊk/

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

She is reading a book about ancient Rome.
18
both
/bəʊθ/

Each of the two, or of the two kinds.

"Did you want this one or that one?" — "Give me both."
19
bottle
/ˈbɑː.təl/

A container with a narrow neck used for holding liquids.

He filled a bottle with water before the hike.
20
box
/bɒks/

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

She packed her belongings into a cardboard box.
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
brother
/ˈbrʌð.ər/

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

My brother is two years older than me.
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
bye
/baɪ/

Used to say goodbye when leaving someone informally.

Bye! See you tomorrow at school.
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
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
clean
/kliːn/

Free from dirt, marks, or stains.

Please keep the kitchen clean after cooking.
28
company
/ˈkʌm.pə.ni/

A business organization that sells goods or services.

She works for a software company in the city.
29
concert
/ˈkɑːn.sərt/

A live performance of music in front of an audience.

Thousands of fans attended the rock concert.
30
cooking
/ˈkʊk.ɪŋ/

The activity of preparing food by heating it.

He learned cooking from his grandmother.
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
cream
/kriːm/

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

She added a spoonful of cream to her coffee.
33
create
/kriˈeɪt/

To bring something into existence.

The artist worked for months to create the sculpture.
34
cunning
/ˈkʌn.ɪŋ/

Having skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.

The cunning fox found a way into the henhouse.
35
dancer
/ˈdæn.sər/

A person who dances or whose profession is dancing.

The dancer moved gracefully across the stage.
36
dark
/dɑːrk/

With little or no light.

The room was completely dark after the power outage.
37
deceive
/dɪˈsiːv/

To cause someone to believe something that is not true.

He attempted to deceive the authorities with forged documents.
38
design
/dɪˈzaɪn/

To plan and draw how something will look or work.

An architect was hired to design the new museum.
39
difference
/ˈdɪfəɹən(t)s/

The quality of being different.

You need to learn to be more tolerant of difference.
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
downstairs
/ˌdaʊnˈsterz/

On or to a lower floor of a building.

She went downstairs to make breakfast.
42
draw
/drɔː/

To make a picture with a pen or pencil.

The children love to draw animals in art class.
43
dreadful
/ˈdred.fəl/

Causing or involving great suffering; extremely bad.

The dreadful noise kept everyone awake all night.
44
drive
/draɪv/

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

He learned to drive when he was eighteen.
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
each
/iːt͡ʃ/

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

Each answer is worth 20 points.
47
ear
/ɪə̯/

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

the left/right ear
48
easy
/ˈiː.zi/

Not difficult; needing little effort or skill.

The test was so easy that everyone passed.
49
eighty
/ˈeɪ.ti/

The number 80, equal to eight times ten.

My grandmother just turned eighty.
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
end
/end/

The final part or last point of something.

The end of the movie surprised everyone.
52
enough
/ɪˈnʌf/

As much or as many as required.

We have enough food to last the entire week.
53
exam
/ɛɡˈzæm/

The act of examining.

to take an exam
54
exhaust
/ɪɡˈzɔːst/

To drain someone of their physical or mental resources.

The long hike exhausted everyone in the group.
55
famine
/ˈfæm.ɪn/

Extreme scarcity of food across a wide area.

The famine left millions of people in desperate need of aid.
56
fat
/fæt/

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

The vet said our dog is getting a little fat.
57
feast
/fiːst/

A large meal, typically a celebratory one.

The family prepared a grand feast for the holiday.
58
february
/ˈfeb.ruː.er.i/

The second month of the year, after January.

It often snows here in February.
59
feel
/fiːl/

To experience an emotion or physical sensation.

I feel happy when the sun is shining.
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
fill
/fɪl/

To make something full.

Please fill the kettle with water.
62
find
/faɪnd/

To discover something after searching for it.

I can't find my keys anywhere.
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
for
/fɔːr/

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

I bought this gift for my sister.
65
girl
/ɡɵːl/

A female child, adolescent, or a young woman.

a little girl of six
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
gladly
/ˈɡlæd.li/

With pleasure; willingly.

She gladly accepted the invitation to the event.
68
great
/ɡreɪt/

Very good, or much larger than usual.

We had a great time at the party.
69
hair
/her/

Any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin.

She brushed her long hair before going out.
70
happy
/ˈhæp.i/

Feeling or showing pleasure and joy.

The children were happy to see the snow.
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
hasty
/ˈheɪ.sti/

Done or acting with excessive speed or urgency.

She made a hasty decision that she later regretted.
73
have
/hæv/

To own, hold, or possess something.

They have a big house in the countryside.
74
health
/helθ/

The condition of a person's body or mind.

Regular exercise is good for your health.
75
here
/hɪr/

In, at, or to this place or position.

Please wait here while I check the schedule.
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
his
/hɪz/

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

Tom left his umbrella on the train.
78
home
/hoʊm/

The place where a person lives.

After a long trip, it felt wonderful to be home.
79
horse
/hɔːrs/

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

She rides her horse in the fields every morning.
80
hotel
/hoʊˈtel/

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

We booked a hotel near the beach.
81
hungry
/ˈhʌŋ.ɡri/

Feeling that you want or need to eat.

The kids are always hungry after football practice.
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
improve
/ɪmˈpruːv/

To make something better, or to become better.

She practiced daily to improve her English.
84
in
/ɪn/

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

The keys are in my coat pocket.
85
inquire
/ɪnˈkwaɪ.ər/

To ask for information.

She called to inquire about the job opening.
86
journey
/ˈdʒɜːr.ni/

An act of traveling from one place to another.

The long journey across the country took several days.
87
june
/dʒuːn/

The sixth month of the year, after May.

Their wedding is planned for June.
88
lesson
/ˈles.ən/

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

We have a piano lesson every Tuesday.
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
married
/ˈmer.id/

Having a husband or wife.

They have been married for ten years.
91
meal
/miːl/

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

We enjoyed a delicious meal at the new restaurant.
92
member
/ˈmem.bər/

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

She became a member of the chess club.
93
metre
/ˈmiːtə/

To measure with a metering device.

a 50-metre swimming pool
94
near
/nɪr/

At or to a short distance away.

The school is near the park.
95
next
/nekst/

Coming immediately after the present one in order or time.

We will discuss this at the next meeting.
96
nineteen
/ˌnaɪnˈtiːn/

The number 19, one more than eighteen.

My cousin is nineteen years old.
97
only
/ˈoʊn.li/

No more than; nothing or no one except.

There is only one cookie left in the jar.
98
opposite
/ˈɒpəsɪt/

Something opposite or contrary to something else.

Hot and cold are opposites.
99
own
/oʊn/

Belonging to a particular person and nobody else.

She finally bought her own apartment.
100
parent
/ˈper.ənt/

A person's mother or father.

Every parent wants the best for their child.
101
passport
/ˈpæs.pɔːrt/

An official document that lets you travel to other countries.

Don't forget your passport at the airport.
102
pencil
/ˈpen.səl/

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

He sketched the portrait with a pencil.
103
personal
/ˈpɜːr.sən.əl/

Belonging or relating to one particular person.

Please don't read my personal emails.
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
positive
/ˈpɑː.zə.tɪv/

Hopeful and confident, or showing agreement or approval.

Try to stay positive even when things go wrong.
106
possible
/ˈpɑː.sə.bəl/

Able to happen, exist, or be done.

Is it possible to finish the project by Friday?
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
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
question
/ˈkwes.tʃən/

A sentence that asks for information or an answer.

The teacher asked a question about the homework.
110
ready
/ˈɹɛdi/

Ready money; cash

Just a minute—I'm almost ready.
111
result
/rɪˈzʌlt/

Something that happens because of something else; an outcome.

The result of the match was a draw.
112
road
/roʊd/

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

The road to the village winds through the hills.
113
run
/rʌn/

To move quickly using your legs, faster than walking.

She runs five kilometers every morning.
114
sad
/sæd/

Feeling unhappy, especially because something bad has happened.

He was sad when his best friend moved away.
115
science
/ˈsaɪ.əns/

The study of the natural world through observation and experiments.

She loves science, especially chemistry.
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
sentence
/ˈsen.təns/

A group of words that expresses a complete thought.

Write a sentence using each new word.
118
she
/ʃiː/

Used to refer to a woman or girl already mentioned.

Anna said she would join us later.
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
sit
/sɪt/

To rest your body on a chair or other surface.

Come and sit next to me on the bench.
121
skill
/skɪl/

The ability to do something well; expertise.

Learning a new skill takes patience and practice.
122
sleep
/sliːp/

To rest with your eyes closed and your mind unconscious.

Most adults need to sleep about eight hours a night.
123
small
/smɔːl/

Little in size or amount.

They live in a small house near the river.
124
so
/soʊ/

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

It was so cold that the lake froze.
125
sound
/saʊnd/

Something that you can hear.

The sound of rain on the roof helped me sleep.
126
speak
/spiːk/

To say words; to talk to someone.

Could you speak more slowly, please?
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
story
/ˈstɔːr.i/

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

Grandpa told us a story about his childhood.
129
strong
/strɔːŋ/

Having great physical power, or not easily broken.

You need to be strong to lift these boxes.
130
sure
/ʃʊr/

Certain that something is true; having no doubt.

Are you sure you locked the door?
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
swiftly
/ˈswɪft.li/

At high speed; quickly.

The ambulance arrived swiftly at the scene.
133
tall
/tɔːl/

Having greater than average height.

The basketball player is over two meters tall.
134
teacher
/ˈtiː.tʃər/

A person whose job is to help students learn.

Our math teacher explains everything clearly.
135
team
/tiːm/

A group of people who work or play together.

Our team won the championship this year.
136
then
/ðen/

At that time, or next in order.

We had dinner, and then we watched a movie.
137
think
/θɪŋk/

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

Take some time to think about the offer.
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
tomorrow
/təˈmɒr.oʊ/

On the day after today.

The meeting has been rescheduled to tomorrow.
140
tremble
/ˈtrem.bl̩/

To shake involuntarily, typically from fear or cold.

Her hands began to tremble as she opened the envelope.
141
true
/truː/

Based on facts; correct and not invented.

Is it true that you're moving to Canada?
142
twice
/twaɪs/

Two times; on two occasions.

She checked the document twice before submitting it.
143
under
/ˈʌn.dər/

Below or beneath something.

The dog is sleeping under the table.
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
until
/ənˈtɪl/

Up to a particular time or event.

The shop stays open until nine o'clock.
146
want
/wɑːnt/

To wish for or desire something.

The children want ice cream for dessert.
147
wear
/wer/

To have clothing or jewelry on your body.

You should wear a coat because it's freezing outside.
148
what
/wɔt/

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

What is your name?
149
white
/waɪt/

Of the color of milk or fresh snow.

She wore a beautiful white dress to the ceremony.
150
why
/waɪ/

For what reason or purpose.

Why did you arrive so late?
151
without
/wɪˈðaʊt/

Not having or not using something.

I can't read small print without my glasses.
152
work
/wɜːrk/

To do a job, especially to earn money.

She works at a hospital downtown.
153
write
/raɪt/

To form letters or words on paper or a screen.

He sat down to write a letter to his aunt.
154
wrong
/rɔːŋ/

Not correct, or not morally right.

I took the wrong bus and ended up across town.
155
yes
/jes/

Used to give a positive answer or to agree.

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

How to use a list like this

Reading a word list start to finish is the least effective thing you can do with it. Vocabulary sticks when you meet a word in context, need it, and retrieve it later. A list is useful for two narrower jobs: finding the gaps, and checking whether the level you were assigned matches what you actually know.

A practical pass: scroll through, mark the words you could not define to a friend, and put only those into whatever review system you use. Twenty unknown words handled properly beat two hundred skimmed.

Where these levels come from

Each word here carries the level our own test assigns it, based on frequency banding rather than an official CEFR wordlist. The CEFR describes what you can do with a language, not which words you must know, so no authoritative per-word list exists. Treat the level as a useful sorting of frequency, not a ruling.

Background on the numbers: vocabulary size by CEFR level, how many English words the average person knows and the native speaker gap.

All levels A2 word list →

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A1 vocabulary list

Are you actually at A1?

abundant

actor

and

animal

any

anything

arrive

ask

august

bank

beer

behind

below

bill

bird

boldly

book

both

bottle

box

bread

brother

brown

bye

cat

cinema

clean

company

concert

cooking

cool

cream

create

cunning

dancer

dark

deceive

design

difference

door

downstairs

draw

dreadful

drive

dvd

each

ear

easy

eighty

elephant

end

enough

exam

exhaust

famine

fat

feast

february

feel

festival

fill

find

follow

for

girl

girlfriend

gladly

great

hair

happy

harbor

hasty

have

health

here

him

his

home