Word list · A2 Elementary

A2 vocabulary list

214 words at A2 level, each with pronunciation, a plain definition and a sentence showing it in use. A2 adds the vocabulary of routine: work, travel, shopping, describing what happened yesterday and what happens next week.

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1
ability
/əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

The skill or power to do something.

She has the ability to learn languages quickly.
2
accept
/ækˈsɛpt/

To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.

He asked me to marry him and I accepted.
3
achieve
/əˈtʃiːv/

To successfully reach a desired objective through effort.

She worked hard to achieve her goal of graduating with honors.
4
advantage
/ədˈvæn.tɪdʒ/

Something that helps you or puts you in a better position.

Speaking two languages is a big advantage when job hunting.
5
after
/ˈɑːf.tər/

In the time following an event.

We went for a walk after dinner.
6
ah
/ɑː/

Used to express surprise, pleasure, or understanding.

Ah, now I see what you mean!
7
ajar
/əˈdʒɑːr/

Slightly open.

She left the door ajar so the cat could come in.
8
alive
/əˈlaɪv/

Living; not dead.

The old traditions are still alive in this village.
9
alley
/ˈæl.i/

A narrow passageway between or behind buildings.

The children played in the alley behind the shops.
10
ambiguous
/æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/

Open to more than one interpretation; not having a clear meaning.

The politician's ambiguous statement left reporters confused.
11
ancient
/ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past; very old.

They discovered ancient ruins beneath the modern city.
12
ankle
/ˈæŋ.kl̩/

The joint connecting the foot with the leg.

She twisted her ankle while running on the uneven path.
13
arrange
/əˈɹeɪndʒ/

To set up; to organize; to put into an orderly sequence or arrangement.

arrange something The party was arranged quickly.
14
author
/ˈɔː.θər/

A person who writes books, articles, or other texts.

The author signed copies of her new novel.
15
back
/bæk/

The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.

Could you please scratch my back?
16
bait
/beɪt/

Food used to entice prey; something intended to tempt.

The fisherman attached fresh bait to the hook.
17
bald
/bɔːld/

Having a scalp wholly or partly lacking hair.

He went completely bald by the age of thirty.
18
based
/beɪst/

Having something as a main place or starting point.

The company is based in Berlin.
19
belly
/ˈbel.i/

The front part of the human body below the chest; the stomach.

He patted his belly after the large meal.
20
belt
/belt/

A strip of leather or cloth worn around the waist.

He tightened his belt and put on his jacket.
21
biology
/baɪˈɑː.lə.dʒi/

The scientific study of living things.

In biology we studied how plants make food.
22
blink
/blɪŋk/

To shut and open the eyes quickly.

Bright lights made her blink rapidly.
23
blow
/bloʊ/

To send out air from the mouth, or to move as air does.

The wind began to blow harder in the evening.
24
bright
/braɪt/

Giving out or reflecting a lot of light; intelligent.

The bright stars filled the clear night sky.
25
brilliant
/ˈbrɪl.jənt/

Exceptionally clever or talented.

She came up with a brilliant idea to solve the problem.
26
burp
/bɜːrp/

To expel gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth.

The baby let out a loud burp after feeding.
27
businessman
/ˈbɪz.nɪs.mæn/

A man who works in business, especially at a senior level.

The businessman flew to Tokyo to close the deal.
28
bustle
/ˈbʌs.l̩/

To move in an energetic or noisy manner.

People bustled through the crowded market.
29
can
/kæn/

To be able to do something, or to be allowed to.

She can speak three languages fluently.
30
careful
/ˈker.fəl/

Giving attention to avoid mistakes, danger, or damage.

Be careful when you cross the busy street.
31
cartoon
/kɑːrˈtuːn/

A funny drawing, or an animated film, often for children.

The kids watch a cartoon every Saturday morning.
32
celebrate
/ˈsel.ə.breɪt/

To do something enjoyable to mark a special occasion.

We celebrate my grandmother's birthday with a big dinner.
33
character
/ˈkæɹəktə/

A being involved in the action of a story.

the main character in the film
34
check
/tʃek/

To examine something to make sure it is correct or safe.

Always check your answers before submitting the test.
35
clap
/klæp/

To strike the palms of the hands together repeatedly.

The audience began to clap enthusiastically after the performance.
36
clay
/kleɪ/

A stiff, sticky fine-grained earth used for making pottery.

The potter shaped the clay into a beautiful vase.
37
clearly
/ˈklɪr.li/

In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.

Please speak clearly so everyone can hear you.
38
clever
/ˈklev.ər/

Quick to understand, learn, and apply ideas.

She found a clever solution to the puzzle.
39
close
/kloʊs/

A short distance away; to shut something.

The shop is close to the train station.
40
clothing
/ˈkloʊ.ðɪŋ/

Items such as shirts and trousers that people wear.

The store sells warm clothing for winter.
41
clutch
/klʌtʃ/

To grasp or hold something tightly.

She clutched the railing as the ship rocked.
42
coherent
/koʊˈhɪr.ənt/

Logical and consistent; able to speak clearly.

He gave a coherent account of the events that night.
43
comment
/ˈkɑː.ment/

A spoken or written remark giving an opinion.

The teacher wrote a helpful comment on my essay.
44
compatible
/kəmˈpæt.ɪ.bl̩/

Able to exist or occur together without conflict.

The software is compatible with all major operating systems.
45
complain
/kəmˈpleɪn/

To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.

Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
46
condition
/kənˈdɪʃ.ən/

The state that something or someone is in.

The used car was in excellent condition.
47
connect
/kəˈnekt/

To join two or more things together.

Connect the printer to your laptop with this cable.
48
context
/ˈkɑːn.tekst/

The situation or words around something that help explain its meaning.

You can often guess a word's meaning from its context.
49
contradict
/ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪkt/

To deny the truth of a statement by asserting the opposite.

The evidence seemed to contradict his testimony.
50
corner
/ˈkɔːr.nər/

A place where two streets or walls meet at an angle.

The bakery is just around the corner.
51
cozy
/ˈkoʊ.zi/

Warm, comfortable, and snug.

They spent a cozy evening by the fireplace.
52
cradle
/ˈkreɪ.dl̩/

A baby's bed or cot, typically on rockers.

She gently placed the infant in the cradle.
53
creative
/kriˈeɪ.tɪv/

Good at producing new ideas or things using imagination.

She found a creative way to reuse old jars.
54
danger
/ˈdeɪn.dʒər/

The possibility of suffering harm or injury.

The hikers were warned about the danger of falling rocks.
55
dangle
/ˈdæŋ.ɡl̩/

To hang or swing loosely.

Keys dangled from the hook by the door.
56
deaf
/def/

Lacking the power of hearing or having impaired hearing.

He has been deaf since birth.
57
definitely
/ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/

Without any doubt; certainly.

I will definitely come to your graduation.
58
dentist
/ˈden.tɪst/

A doctor who examines and treats people's teeth.

I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow.
59
deplete
/dɪˈpliːt/

To use up the supply of something.

Years of mining depleted the region's natural resources.
60
digital
/ˈdɪd͡ʒɪtəɫ/

A digital option.

a digital camera
61
disaster
/dɪˈzɑːs.tər/

A sudden event causing great damage or suffering.

The earthquake was the worst natural disaster in decades.
62
discovery
/dɪˈskʌv.ər.i/

The act of finding something new or learning it for the first time.

The discovery of penicillin changed medicine forever.
63
discrepancy
/dɪsˈkrep.ən.si/

A lack of compatibility between two or more facts.

There was a discrepancy between the two financial reports.
64
dizzy
/ˈdɪz.i/

Having or involving a sensation of spinning and losing one's balance.

Looking down from the tall building made her feel dizzy.
65
double
/ˈdʌb.əl/

Twice the size, amount, or number of something.

He ordered a double portion of fries.
66
electric
/ɪˈlek.trɪk/

Powered by or producing electricity.

She bought an electric car last year.
67
electrical
/ɪˈlek.trɪ.kəl/

Relating to electricity or using it.

An electrical fault caused the blackout.
68
empty
/ˈemp.ti/

Containing nothing; not full.

The fridge was empty, so we ordered pizza.
69
endeavor
/ɪnˈdev.ər/

An attempt to achieve a goal through effort.

The charity endeavors to provide clean water to remote villages.
70
ending
/ˈen.dɪŋ/

The last part of a story, film, or event.

The movie has a surprisingly happy ending.
71
enormous
/ɪˈnɔːr.məs/

Extremely large in size or amount.

An enormous crowd gathered in the square.
72
excellent
/ˈek.səl.ənt/

Extremely good; of very high quality.

The food at that restaurant is excellent.
73
exist
/ɪɡˈzɪst/

To be real or present in the world.

Do you believe life could exist on other planets?
74
experience
/ɪkˈspɪr.i.əns/

Knowledge or skill gained by doing something, or an event you live through.

She has five years of experience in marketing.
75
feasible
/ˈfiː.zə.bl̩/

Possible to do easily or conveniently.

Building a bridge at that location is not financially feasible.
76
ferry
/ˈfer.i/

A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods across water.

They took the ferry across the channel to the island.
77
finally
/ˈfaɪ.nəl.i/

After a long time or much delay; at last.

After hours of waiting, the train finally arrived.
78
fish
/fɪʃ/

A limbless cold-blooded animal that lives in water.

He caught a large fish in the stream.
79
fluctuate
/ˈflʌk.tʃu.eɪt/

To rise and fall irregularly in number or amount.

Oil prices tend to fluctuate based on global demand.
80
following
/ˈfɑː.loʊ.ɪŋ/

Coming next in time or order.

We met again the following week.
81
fortunately
/ˈfɔːr.tʃən.ət.li/

Luckily; in a way that brings good results.

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident.
82
gas
/ɡæs/

A substance like air that is neither solid nor liquid; also fuel.

The balloon was filled with a light gas.
83
glide
/ɡlaɪd/

To move smoothly and effortlessly.

The swan glided across the surface of the lake.
84
greed
/ɡriːd/

An intense and selfish desire for something.

Corporate greed was blamed for the financial crisis.
85
gun
/ɡʌn/

A weapon that fires bullets.

The police officer carried a gun on her belt.
86
habit
/ˈhæb.ɪt/

Something you do regularly, often without thinking.

Biting your nails is a hard habit to break.
87
handsome
/ˈhæn.səm/

Good-looking; attractive in appearance.

The handsome actor was admired by millions of fans.
88
hope
/hoʊp/

A feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen.

They held onto hope that the missing hikers would be found.
89
huge
/hjuːdʒ/

Extremely large in size, amount, or degree.

They live in a huge house with ten rooms.
90
human
/ˈhjuː.mən/

Relating to people, or a person.

Making mistakes is a normal part of human life.
91
increase
/ˈɪnˌkris/

An amount by which a quantity is increased.

price/tax/wage increases
92
inside
/ɪnˈsaɪd/

In or into the inner part of something.

It started to rain, so we went inside.
93
instrument
/ˈɪnstɹəmənt/

A device used to produce music.

The violinist was a master of her instrument.
94
jam
/dʒæm/

A sweet food made from cooked fruit and sugar, spread on bread.

She spread strawberry jam on her toast.
95
joke
/dʒoʊk/

Something said or done to make people laugh.

He told a joke that made the whole class laugh.
96
learner
/ˈlɜːr.nər/

A person who is learning a subject or skill.

She is a fast learner who picks up new concepts quickly.
97
least
/liːst/

Smallest in amount or degree.

Choose the phone that costs the least.
98
ledge
/ledʒ/

A narrow horizontal surface projecting from a wall or cliff.

The mountain climber rested on a narrow ledge.
99
level
/ˈlev.əl/

A position or amount on a scale; a height or standard.

The water level in the river rose after the storm.
100
little
/ˈlɪt.əl/

Small in size or amount.

They have a little garden behind the house.
101
look
/lʊk/

To direct one's gaze toward someone or something.

Look at the beautiful rainbow in the sky.
102
lorry
/ˈlɒɹi/

A motor vehicle for transporting goods, and in some cases people; a truck.

a lorry driver
103
mark
/mɑːrk/

A small spot or sign on a surface, or a grade for school work.

There was a dirty mark on his white shirt.
104
material
/məˈtɪr.i.əl/

A substance from which things can be made.

This jacket is made of waterproof material.
105
meadow
/ˈmed.oʊ/

A piece of grassland, especially one used for hay.

Wildflowers covered the meadow in a carpet of color.
106
media
/ˈmiː.di.ə/

Television, radio, newspapers, and the internet as sources of news.

The story was widely reported in the media.
107
mediocre
/ˌmiː.diˈoʊ.kər/

Of only moderate quality; not very good.

The restaurant received mediocre reviews from food critics.
108
midget
/ˈmɪdʒ.ɪt/

An extremely small person or thing.

The midget submarine was used for covert underwater missions.
109
mine
/maɪn/

Belonging to me.

That blue umbrella by the door is mine.
110
moon
/muːn/

The natural satellite of the earth.

The full moon illuminated the entire landscape.
111
motorcycle
/ˈmoʊ.tər.saɪ.kəl/

A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine.

He rode his motorcycle along the coast road.
112
napkin
/ˈnæp.kɪn/

A square piece of cloth or paper used at a meal to wipe the fingers.

She placed the napkin on her lap before eating.
113
need
/niːd/

To require something because it is necessary.

Plants need sunlight and water to grow.
114
network
/ˈnet.wɜːrk/

A group of connected people, computers, or things.

The office computers are linked in one network.
115
normally
/ˈnɔːr.mə.li/

Usually; in the way that is expected.

I normally get up at seven on weekdays.
116
obscure
/əbˈskjʊr/

Not discovered or known about; uncertain.

The reference was too obscure for most readers to understand.
117
ocean
/ˈoʊ.ʃən/

One of the very large areas of salt water on Earth.

The Pacific is the largest ocean in the world.
118
offer
/ˈɔː.fər/

To ask someone if they would like something, or to provide it.

They decided to offer her the job.
119
organization
/ˌɔːr.ɡən.əˈzeɪ.ʃən/

A group of people who work together for a shared purpose.

She volunteers for a charity organization.
120
original
/əˈrɪdʒ.ən.əl/

Existing first or being the earliest form; not a copy.

The museum displays the original painting, not a copy.
121
ostrich
/ˈɒs.trɪtʃ/

A large flightless bird native to Africa.

The ostrich is the largest living bird species.
122
palace
/ˈpæl.ɪs/

A very large, grand house, especially the home of a king or queen.

Tourists lined up to visit the royal palace.
123
paradox
/ˈpær.ə.dɒks/

A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true.

It is a paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.
124
pay
/peɪ/

To give someone money owed for work, goods, or a debt.

I need to pay the electricity bill before Friday.
125
penny
/ˈpen.i/

A small coin worth one cent or one hundredth of a pound.

He found a penny on the sidewalk.
126
per
/pɜːr/

For each; used to show a rate.

The speed limit here is fifty kilometers per hour.
127
perform
/pərˈfɔːrm/

To do something such as act, sing, or play in front of people.

The band will perform live at the festival.
128
permission
/pərˈmɪʃ.ən/

The act of allowing someone to do something.

You need permission from your parents to join the trip.
129
photograph
/ˈfoʊ.tə.ɡræf/

A picture made with a camera.

She framed a photograph of her grandparents.
130
physics
/ˈfɪz.ɪks/

The science of matter, energy, and forces such as motion and heat.

We learned about gravity in physics class.
131
pick
/pɪk/

To choose something, or to take fruit or flowers from a plant.

Pick a number between one and ten.
132
plank
/plæŋk/

A long, thin, flat piece of timber.

They carried a heavy plank across the construction site.
133
plausible
/ˈplɔː.zɪ.bl̩/

Seeming reasonable or probable.

His explanation sounded plausible but was ultimately false.
134
polite
/pəˈlaɪt/

Having good manners and showing consideration for others.

It is polite to hold the door open for the person behind you.
135
position
/pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

The place where something is, or a job in a company.

She applied for a position at the law firm.
136
predominant
/prɪˈdɒm.ɪ.nənt/

Present as the strongest or main element.

English is the predominant language in international business.
137
prevalent
/ˈprev.əl.ənt/

Widespread in a particular area at a particular time.

The flu was particularly prevalent during the winter months.
138
prevent
/pɹəˈvɛnt/

To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).

I brush my teeth regularly to prevent them from turning yellow.
139
produce
/prəˈduːs/

To make, create, or grow something.

The factory produces thousands of cars each month.
140
prosperous
/ˈprɒs.pər.əs/

Successful in material terms; flourishing financially.

The prosperous merchant owned several ships.
141
protect
/prəˈtekt/

To keep safe from harm or injury.

It is our duty to protect the environment.
142
quantity
/ˈkwɑːn.tə.ti/

An amount or number of something.

The recipe needs a small quantity of salt.
143
quarrel
/ˈkwɒr.əl/

An angry argument or disagreement.

The brothers had a quarrel over who would inherit the farm.
144
queen
/kwiːn/

A female ruler of a country, or the wife of a king.

The queen waved to the crowd from the balcony.
145
quietly
/ˈkwaɪ.ət.li/

With little or no noise; in a calm manner.

She quietly left the room so as not to wake anyone.
146
raft
/rɑːft/

A flat structure for floating or transport on water.

They built a raft from logs to cross the river.
147
raise
/reɪz/

To lift something higher, or to increase an amount.

Raise your hand if you know the answer.
148
recently
/ˈriː.sənt.li/

Not long ago; a short time before now.

They recently moved to a new apartment.
149
reckless
/ˈrek.ləs/

Without thinking or caring about the consequences.

Reckless driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents.
150
recognize
/ˈɹɛkənaɪz/

To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing.

I recognised his face immediately.
151
reconcile
/ˈrek.ən.saɪl/

To restore friendly relations between; to make compatible.

The couple went to counseling to try to reconcile their differences.
152
region
/ˈriː.dʒən/

A large area of a country or the world.

This region is famous for its vineyards.
153
relationship
/rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/

The way two or more people or things are connected.

They have a close relationship with their neighbors.
154
respond
/rɪˈspɒnd/

To say or do something as a reaction.

The company was slow to respond to customer complaints.
155
ring
/rɪŋ/

A small circular band worn on a finger; a clear resonant sound.

He gave her a diamond ring for their anniversary.
156
rock
/rɑːk/

The hard, stony material of the Earth, or a piece of it.

The waves crashed against the rock.
157
roof
/ruːf/

The covering on top of a building.

Heavy snow piled up on the roof.
158
sale
/seɪl/

The act of selling something, or a time when prices are reduced.

The store is having a big sale this weekend.
159
save
/seɪv/

To keep someone safe from harm, or to keep money or time for later.

She saves part of her salary every month.
160
scarce
/skers/

Insufficient for the demand; not easily found.

Clean drinking water is scarce in many parts of the world.
161
scary
/ˈsker.i/

Frightening; making you feel afraid.

That horror film was too scary for me.
162
scatter
/ˈskæt.ər/

To throw in various random directions.

The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.
163
scent
/sent/

A distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant.

The scent of fresh roses filled the room.
164
search
/sɜːrtʃ/

To try to find something by looking carefully.

Rescue teams continued the search for survivors.
165
seat
/siːt/

A place where you can sit, such as a chair.

Is this seat taken, or may I sit here?
166
seep
/siːp/

To flow or leak slowly through porous material.

Water began to seep through the crack in the wall.
167
serve
/sɜːv/

An act of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games.

Whose serve is it?
168
shaggy
/ˈʃæɡ.i/

Having long, thick, and unkempt hair or fur.

The shaggy dog shook water everywhere after the bath.
169
shovel
/ˈʃʌv.l̩/

A tool with a broad blade for moving earth or other material.

He used a shovel to clear the snow from the driveway.
170
shrill
/ʃrɪl/

High-pitched and piercing in sound.

The shrill whistle signaled the end of the game.
171
sign
/saɪn/

A symbol, notice, or board that gives information or directions.

The sign says the museum is closed on Mondays.
172
ski
/skiː/

To move over snow on long, narrow boards attached to your boots.

They learned to ski in the Alps last winter.
173
skin
/skɪn/

The outer layer that covers a person's or animal's body.

Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
174
soap
/soʊp/

A substance used with water for washing and cleaning.

Wash your hands with soap before dinner.
175
solemn
/ˈsɒl.əm/

Formal and dignified; serious.

The judge spoke in a solemn tone as she read the verdict.
176
state
/steɪt/

A condition that something is in, or a region with its own government.

The old bridge is in a dangerous state.
177
stern
/stɜːrn/

Serious and unrelenting; the back of a ship.

The teacher gave the misbehaving student a stern warning.
178
stoop
/stuːp/

To bend one's head or body forward and downward.

He had to stoop to get through the low doorway.
179
store
/stɔːr/

A place where goods are sold; a shop.

I'm going to the store to buy some milk.
180
stove
/stoʊv/

An apparatus for cooking or heating that uses fuel or electricity.

She heated the soup on the stove.
181
straight
/streɪt/

Without bends or curves; directly.

Draw a straight line under the title.
182
strange
/streɪndʒ/

Unusual or unexpected; difficult to explain.

I heard a strange noise coming from the attic.
183
stubble
/ˈstʌb.l̩/

Short stalks of grain left after harvesting; short growth of beard.

A day's growth of stubble covered his chin.
184
sturdy
/ˈstɜːr.di/

Strongly and solidly built.

The sturdy bridge withstood the heavy rains.
185
suggestion
/səˈd͡ʒɛstjən/

Something suggested (with subsequent adposition being for)

I have a small suggestion for fixing this: try lifting the left side up a bit.
186
tan
/tæn/

A yellowish-brown color; to make or become brown by sun exposure.

She got a nice tan after a week at the beach.
187
target
/ˈtɑːr.ɡɪt/

Something you aim at, or a goal you try to achieve.

Our sales target for this year is one million dollars.
188
taste
/teɪst/

The flavor of food or drink, or to try food by eating a little.

This soup has a slightly sweet taste.
189
tease
/tiːz/

To make fun of or provoke in a playful way.

He liked to tease his younger sister about her messy room.
190
temperature
/ˈtem.pər.ə.tʃər/

How hot or cold something is.

The temperature dropped sharply after sunset.
191
thick
/θɪk/

Having a large distance between opposite sides.

The castle had thick stone walls for protection.
192
thief
/θiːf/

A person who steals things.

A thief broke in and stole the television.
193
throttle
/ˈθrɒt.l̩/

A device controlling the flow of fuel to an engine; to strangle.

The pilot pushed the throttle forward for takeoff.
194
throw
/θroʊ/

To send something through the air with your hand.

Throw the ball to me and I'll catch it.
195
tie
/taɪ/

To fasten something with string or rope.

He stopped to tie his shoelaces.
196
tool
/tuːl/

A device used to carry out a particular function.

A hammer is a basic tool found in every household.
197
towards
/təˈwɔːrdz/

In the direction of someone or something.

She walked towards the exit without looking back.
198
tower
/ˈtaʊ.ər/

A tall, narrow building or structure.

The clock tower can be seen from across the city.
199
track
/træk/

A path or rough road, or the rails a train runs on.

We followed a muddy track through the forest.
200
twin
/twɪn/

Either of two people (or, less commonly, animals) who shared the same uterus at the same time; one who was born at the same birth as a sibling.

She's expecting twins.
201
upstairs
/ˌʌpˈsterz/

On or to a higher floor of a building.

The bedrooms are upstairs.
202
view
/vjuː/

What you can see from a place, or an opinion.

The hotel room had a beautiful view of the bay.
203
virus
/ˈvaɪ.rəs/

A tiny living thing that causes disease, or a harmful computer program.

The flu virus spreads quickly in winter.
204
vivid
/ˈvɪv.ɪd/

Producing strong, clear images in the mind; intensely deep in color.

She gave a vivid description of the sunset.
205
wag
/wæɡ/

To move rapidly to and fro.

The dog wagged its tail excitedly when its owner came home.
206
wait
/weɪt/

To stay where you are until something happens or someone arrives.

We had to wait twenty minutes for the bus.
207
wallet
/ˈwɒl.ɪt/

A small flat folding case for holding money and cards.

He realized he had left his wallet at the restaurant.
208
wave
/weɪv/

To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.

The flag waved in the gentle breeze.
209
weary
/ˈwɪr.i/

Feeling or showing tiredness.

The weary travelers finally arrived at the inn.
210
weasel
/ˈwiː.zl̩/

A small slender carnivorous mammal; a deceitful person.

The weasel darted through the undergrowth.
211
while
/waɪl/

A period of time; during the time that.

We waited for a while before the bus arrived.
212
whose
/huːz/

Used to ask or show who something belongs to.

Whose jacket is hanging by the door?
213
wish
/wɪʃ/

To want something to happen, especially something unlikely.

I wish I could travel around the world.
214
worse
/wɜːrs/

Less good; of lower quality than something else.

The weather today is even worse than yesterday.

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.

← A1 word list All levels B1 word list →

Turn the gaps into a review deck

English Vocabulary Size Test on Android tests you on the same words, keeps your history, and schedules the ones you missed for spaced repetition. Works offline, 16 interface languages.

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A2 vocabulary list

Are you actually at A2?

ability

accept

achieve

advantage

after

ah

ajar

alive

alley

ambiguous

ancient

ankle

arrange

author

back

bait

bald

based

belly

belt

biology

blink

blow

bright

brilliant

burp

businessman

bustle

can

careful

cartoon

celebrate

character

check

clap

clay

clearly

clever

close

clothing

clutch

coherent

comment

compatible

complain

condition

connect

context

contradict

corner

cozy

cradle

creative

danger

dangle

deaf

definitely

dentist

deplete

digital

disaster

discovery

discrepancy

dizzy

double

electric

electrical

empty

endeavor

ending

enormous

excellent

exist

experience

feasible

ferry

finally

fish