290 English words
A2 English vocabulary (elementary)
English words at CEFR level A2: words for describing daily life, plans, feelings and past events in simple sentences.
Words
A
- ableadjectiveA2having the skill, time or chance to do somethingWill you be able to come to the meeting tomorrow?
- acceptverbA2to take or agree to something that is offeredShe accepted the job offer right away.
- acrossprepositionA2from one side to the other side of somethingWe walked across the bridge.
- actverbA2to do something, especially to deal with a situationThe government must act quickly to stop the flooding.
- actionnounA2the process of doing something to achieve a goal or deal with a problemWe need to take action before it’s too late.
- activitynounA2something you do for fun or for a purposeThe camp offers activities like swimming and hiking.
- actuallyadverbA2used to say what is really true, often when it is surprisingThe test was actually easier than I expected.
- adultnounA2a person or animal that is fully grownTickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children.
- againstprepositionA2not agreeing with or supporting somethingMost people voted against the plan.
- allowverbA2to give someone permission to do somethingMy parents don’t allow me to stay out late.
- almostadverbA2very nearly but not completelyIt’s almost midnight.
- aloneadjectiveA2without other peopleShe lives alone in a small apartment.
- alongprepositionA2moving in a line on or beside a road, river or pathWe walked along the beach at sunset.
- alreadyadverbA2before now, or earlier than expectedI’ve already finished my homework.
- anyonepronounA2any person; used in questions and negative sentencesDid anyone call while I was out?
- articlenounA2a piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine or websiteI read an interesting article about sleep.
- artistnounA2a person who paints, draws or makes other artThe artist painted the mural in a week.
- asprepositionA2in the role or function ofShe works as a nurse.
- attentionnounA2careful thought, listening or lookingPlease pay attention to the instructions.
- audiencenounA2the people watching or listening to a show, speech or filmThe audience clapped for five minutes.
- authornounA2a person who writes a book, article or reportWho is the author of this novel?
- availableadjectiveA2able to be used, bought or foundThe book is available online.
B
- barnounA2a place where people buy and drink alcoholWe met at a bar downtown.
- becomeverbA2to begin to be somethingShe wants to become a doctor.
- billnounA2a statement of how much you must pay for somethingDid you pay the electricity bill?
- billionnumberA2the number 1,000,000,000; a thousand millionThe project cost three billion dollars.
- bloodnounA2the red liquid that flows around your bodyThe nurse took a sample of my blood.
- boardnounA2a flat piece of wood or other material used for a purposeThe teacher wrote the answer on the board.
C
- capitalnounA2the city where a country’s or state’s government is basedTokyo is the capital of Japan.
- careverbA2to feel that something or someone is important to youI don’t care what other people think.
- carryverbA2to hold something and take it with you from one place to anotherCan you help me carry these bags?
- casenounA2a particular situation or example of somethingIn some cases, the medicine causes headaches.
- catchverbA2to take hold of something that is moving through the airHe caught the ball with one hand.
- centurynounA2a period of one hundred yearsThe church was built in the 15th century.
- certainadjectiveA2completely sure about somethingI’m certain I locked the door.
- certainlyadverbA2without any doubtIt will certainly rain later today.
- chancenounA2the possibility that something will happenThere’s a good chance it will snow tonight.
- characternounA2a person in a book, film or playThe main character is a young detective.
- choicenounA2the act of choosing between two or more thingsYou have to make a choice between the two jobs.
- clearadjectiveA2easy to understand, see or hearThe instructions were short and clear.
- clearlyadverbA2in a way that is easy to see, hear or understandPlease speak clearly into the microphone.
- coachnounA2a person who trains a sports team or helps someone improve a skillOur coach makes us run every morning.
- collectionnounA2a group of similar things that someone has gathered, often as a hobbyHe has a huge collection of old coins.
- commonadjectiveA2happening often or found in many placesSmith is a very common last name.
- compareverbA2to look at two or more things to see how they are alike or differentCompare the prices before you buy.
- containverbA2to have something inside or as a partThis drink contains a lot of sugar.
- continueverbA2to keep doing something or keep happening without stoppingThe rain continued all afternoon.
- controlnounA2the power to decide what someone or something doesThe driver lost control of the car.
- couplenounA2two people who are married or in a romantic relationshipA young couple moved in next door.
- coververbA2to put something over something else to protect or hide itCover the bowl with a plate.
- createverbA2to make something new existThe new factory will create 500 jobs.
- crimenounA2an action that is against the lawStealing a car is a serious crime.
- culturenounA2the way of life, customs and beliefs of a group of peopleI love learning about Japanese culture.
- customernounA2a person or business that buys things from a shop or companyThe store gives free coffee to its customers.
D
- deadadjectiveA2no longer aliveWe found a dead bird in the garden.
- deathnounA2the end of someone’s lifeHis death was a shock to everyone.
- decideverbA2to choose something after thinking about itWe decided to stay home tonight.
- decisionnounA2a choice you make after thinking about itMoving abroad was a big decision.
- deepadjectiveA2going a long way down from the top or a long way inThe lake is very deep in the middle.
- degreenounA2a unit for measuring temperature or anglesIt’s 30 degrees outside today.
- designnounA2the way something is planned and made, or a drawing that shows thisI love the design of their new phone.
- detailnounA2a small fact or piece of information about somethingPlease send me the details of the trip.
- developverbA2to grow or change into something bigger, stronger or more advancedThe town developed into a busy city.
- dieverbA2to stop livingHer grandfather died last year.
- directionnounA2the way someone or something is moving or facingWe walked in the direction of the river.
- directornounA2a person who manages a company or organizationShe is the sales director at a large firm.
- discoververbA2to find something for the first timeScientists discovered a new type of frog.
- discussverbA2to talk about something with other peopleWe need to discuss the budget.
- discussionnounA2a conversation about something, often a serious oneWe had a long discussion about our plans.
- dreamnounA2pictures and events you see in your mind while you sleepI had a strange dream last night.
- dropverbA2to let something fall, or to fallCareful, don’t drop that glass!
- duringprepositionA2all through a period of time, or at some point within itThe phone rang during dinner.
E
- educationnounA2the process of teaching and learning, especially in schools and collegesEducation is free for children in many countries.
- eitherdeterminerA2one or the other of two things or people, it does not matter whichYou can park on either side of the street.
- elseadverbA2in addition to or different from the person, thing or place already mentionedIs there anything else you need?
- energynounA2the strength and ability to be active without getting tiredKids seem to have endless energy.
- enterverbA2to come or go into a placePlease knock before you enter the room.
- especiallyadverbA2more than usual or more than others; in particularI love fruit, especially mangoes.
- evenadverbA2used to show that something is surprising or more than expectedEven my grandmother uses social media now.
- eventnounA2something that happens, especially something important or unusualThe fall of the Berlin Wall was a major historical event.
- everadverbA2at any time, used mostly in questions and negative sentencesHave you ever been to Japan?
- exactlyadverbA2completely correct, with no difference at allThe train left at exactly 9:15.
- expectverbA2to think that something will probably happenWe expect the package to arrive on Monday.
- experiencenounA2knowledge or skill you get from doing something for a long timeDo you have any experience working with children?
- explainverbA2to make something clear or easy to understand by giving detailsCan you explain how this machine works?
F
- factnounA2something that is known to be trueIt’s a fact that water boils at 100°C.
- failverbA2to not succeed in doing somethingTheir first business failed after a year.
- feelingnounA2an emotion, like happiness or angerIt’s hard to describe my feelings right now.
- fieldnounA2an area of land used for growing crops or keeping animalsCows were eating grass in the field.
- fightverbA2to use physical force against someone, or to take part in a warTwo boys were fighting in the playground.
- fillverbA2to make something full, or to become fullCan you fill this bottle with water?
- finaladjectiveA2coming at the end; lastThis is the final episode of the series.
- finallyadverbA2after a long time or a lot of waitingAfter two hours, the bus finally arrived.
- foreignadjectiveA2from or connected with a country that is not your ownHow many foreign languages do you speak?
- formnounA2a type or kind of somethingWalking is a great form of exercise.
- forwardadverbA2toward the front or the direction you are facingTake one step forward, please.
G
- gasnounA2a substance like air that is not solid or liquidOxygen is a gas.
- generaladjectiveA2including or affecting most people or things; not detailedCan you give me a general idea of the plan?
- goalnounA2something you hope or plan to achieveMy goal is to run a marathon next year.
- governmentnounA2the group of people who officially control a country or areaThe government plans to build more schools.
- groundnounA2the surface of the earth that you stand onThe ground was wet after the rain.
- growverbA2to become bigger or taller over timeChildren grow so fast.
- guessverbA2to give an answer without knowing for sureGuess how old my grandmother is.
- guynounA2a man (informal)He seems like a really nice guy.
H
- hangverbA2to attach something at the top so it is held above the groundHang your coat on the hook.
- healthnounA2the condition of your body and mindSmoking is bad for your health.
- heatnounA2the quality of being hot, or hot weatherI can’t sleep in this heat.
- heavyadjectiveA2weighing a lot and hard to lift or carryThis box is too heavy for me to lift alone.
- herselfpronounA2used when the woman or girl doing an action is also affected by itShe hurt herself while playing tennis.
- himselfpronounA2used when the man or boy doing an action is also affected by itHe taught himself to play the guitar.
- historynounA2the study of events that happened in the pastShe is studying European history at college.
- hitverbA2to touch someone or something quickly and with forceThe ball hit the window and broke it.
- holdverbA2to have something in your hand or armsCan you hold my coffee for a second?
- hopeverbA2to want something to happen and think that it mightI hope you feel better soon.
- hugeadjectiveA2extremely large in size, amount or degreeThey live in a huge house on the hill.
- humanadjectiveA2relating to people rather than animals or machinesThe accident was caused by human error.
I
- imagineverbA2to form a picture or idea of something in your mindImagine you’re lying on a warm beach.
- improveverbA2to become better or make something betterMy English has improved a lot this year.
- includeverbA2to have something as one part of a wholeThe price includes breakfast.
- includingprepositionA2used to show that someone or something is part of a group or totalTen people came, including my parents.
- increaseverbA2to become larger in amount or number, or make something largerThe number of students has increased this year.
- insteadadverbA2in place of someone or something elseWe didn’t take the bus; we walked instead.
- interestnounA2the feeling of wanting to know more about somethingHe has a strong interest in history.
- internationaladjectiveA2involving two or more countriesShe works for an international company.
- interviewnounA2a formal meeting where someone is asked questions, for example for a jobI have a job interview on Friday.
- itemnounA2a single thing in a list, group or setThe store sells over 500 items.
K
L
- landnounA2the solid part of the earth’s surface, not the seaAfter weeks at sea, the sailors finally saw land.
- lawnounA2an official rule made by a governmentThere is a law against smoking in restaurants.
- lawyernounA2a person whose job is to give legal advice and represent people in courtYou should talk to a lawyer before signing the contract.
- leadverbA2to show the way by going in frontThe guide led us through the forest.
- leadernounA2a person who leads or controls a group, country or organizationWorld leaders met to discuss the crisis.
- leastdeterminerA2the smallest amount of somethingWho did the least work on this project?
- lessdeterminerA2a smaller amount of somethingYou should eat less sugar.
- levelnounA2the amount, degree or standard of somethingHer level of English is very high.
- lieverbA2to be or put yourself in a flat positionI’m going to lie down for a few minutes.
- localadjectiveA2relating to the area near you or a particular placeWe buy vegetables from a local farm.
- loseverbA2to be unable to find somethingI lost my keys again.
- lowadjectiveA2not high, or close to the groundThe plane was flying very low.
M
- machinenounA2a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power to do workPut the dirty towels in the washing machine.
- mainadjectiveA2largest or most importantThe main reason I came was to see you.
- managernounA2a person who is in charge of a business, department or teamI asked to speak to the store manager.
- matternounA2a subject or situation that you need to deal withThis is a serious matter.
- maymodal verbA2used to say that something is possible but not certainIt may rain later, so take an umbrella.
- meanverbA2to have a particular meaning or to express a particular ideaWhat does this word mean?
- meetingnounA2an event where people come together to discuss or decide thingsWe have a team meeting every Monday morning.
- membernounA2a person who belongs to a group, club or organizationShe is a member of the school chess club.
- mightmodal verbA2used to say that something is possible, often less likely than with “may”We might go to the beach if it’s sunny.
- mindnounA2the part of a person that thinks, feels and remembersI can’t get that song out of my mind.
- missverbA2to feel sad because someone or something is not with youI really miss my family when I travel.
- modelnounA2a small copy of something, such as a building or vehicleMy son built a model of a plane.
- modernadjectiveA2of the present time or the recent pastModern life is very busy for most people.
- momentnounA2a very short period of timeCould you wait a moment, please?
- mostdeterminerA2almost all of a group of people or thingsMost students passed the exam.
- mustmodal verbA2used to say that something is necessary or very importantYou must wear a seat belt in the car.
- myselfpronounA2used when the speaker is both the subject and object of a verbI cut myself while cooking.
N
- nationaladjectiveA2connected with a whole country rather than one part of itThe story was on the national news.
- naturaladjectiveA2existing in nature and not made by peopleThe country is rich in natural resources.
- naturenounA2plants, animals, weather and the physical world not made by peopleWe love walking in nature on weekends.
- nearlyadverbA2almost, but not completelyIt’s nearly ten o’clock, we should go.
- necessaryadjectiveA2needed in order to do something or to get a resultIs it necessary to book a table?
- nonepronounA2not any or not one of a group of people or thingsNone of my friends could come to the party.
- notenounA2a short written message or record to help you rememberI left a note on the kitchen table.
- noticeverbA2to see or become aware of somethingDid you notice that she changed her hair?
O
- offerverbA2to ask if someone would like something or would like you to do somethingHe offered me a cup of coffee.
- oilnounA2a thick liquid from plants or animals used in cookingFry the onions in a little olive oil.
- onceadverbA2one time onlyI’ve only been to Paris once.
- orderverbA2to ask for food, drink or goods to be brought or sent to youWe ordered two pizzas for dinner.
- otherspronounA2different people or things from the ones already mentionedSome students walk to school, others take the bus.
- ownadjectiveA2belonging to a particular person and no one elseI finally have my own room.
P
- painnounA2the feeling you have when part of your body hurtsI have a sharp pain in my back.
- paintingnounA2a picture made with paintThere’s a beautiful painting above the fireplace.
- partnernounA2the person you are married to or in a relationship withAre you bringing your partner to the party?
- passverbA2to succeed in a test or examDid you pass your driving test?
- pastnounA2the time before nowIn the past, people wrote letters by hand.
- perhapsadverbA2used to say something is possible but not certainPerhaps she missed the bus.
- periodnounA2a length of timeThe store will be closed for a short period.
- personaladjectiveA2belonging to or affecting one particular person, not othersEveryone has a personal locker at the gym.
- pickverbA2to choose someone or something from a groupPick any card you like.
- piecenounA2a part that is cut, broken or separated from something biggerWould you like a piece of cake?
- plantnounA2a living thing that grows in soil and usually has leaves, stems and rootsI water my plants every Sunday.
- playernounA2a person who takes part in a game or sportEach team has eleven players on the field.
- pointnounA2an idea or fact that someone says in a discussion, or the main meaning of itThat’s a good point, I hadn’t thought of that.
- policenounA2the official organization whose job is to keep order and stop crimeThe police are looking for the driver.
- popularadjectiveA2liked or enjoyed by many peopleThis café is very popular with students.
- possibleadjectiveA2able to happen, exist or be doneIs it possible to change my flight?
- powernounA2control or influence over people and eventsThe president has the power to veto laws.
- practicenounA2doing something again and again to improve your skillSpeaking a language well takes a lot of practice.
- prepareverbA2to get ready, or to make something ready, for a future eventI need to prepare for my interview.
- presentnounA2something you give to someone, for example on their birthdayThanks for the birthday present!
- presidentnounA2the leader of a country that does not have a king or queenThe president gave a speech on TV last night.
- privateadjectiveA2for one person or group only, not for everyoneThis is a private beach, so we can’t swim here.
- probablyadverbA2very likely; used when you are almost sure something is true or will happenIt will probably rain this afternoon.
- productnounA2something that is made or grown to be soldThe company launched three new products this year.
- professornounA2a teacher at a college or university, especially one of high rankMy history professor gives long but interesting lectures.
- programnounA2a show on TV or radioWhat’s your favorite TV program?
- projectnounA2a planned piece of work with a particular goalWe’re working on a group project about climate change.
- publicadjectiveA2for everyone to use or know about, not privateThe library is open to the public.
- pullverbA2to move something toward you or along behind you using forcePull the door to open it.
- pushverbA2to move something away from you using forcePush the button to start the machine.
R
- racenounA2a competition to see who is fastestShe won the 100-meter race.
- reasonnounA2a cause or explanation for somethingWhat was the reason for the delay?
- receiveverbA2to get something that someone gives or sends youDid you receive my email?
- recentlyadverbA2not long agoI’ve recently started learning to cook.
- recordnounA2written information kept about something so it can be checked laterThe clinic keeps records of every visit.
- reportnounA2a spoken or written description of an event or situationI have to finish the sales report by Friday.
- restnounA2the part or people that remainI’ll eat the rest of the pizza tomorrow.
- resultnounA2something that happens because of something elseThe flood was the result of heavy rain.
- returnverbA2to come or go back to a placeHe returned home after ten years abroad.
- rocknounA2the hard solid material that forms part of the earth, or a large piece of itWe sat on a rock by the river.
- rulenounA2an official instruction that says what is allowed or not allowedThe rules say no phones during the exam.
S
- safeadjectiveA2not in danger, or not likely to cause harmIs it safe to swim here?
- saveverbA2to keep someone or something safe from danger or harmThe firefighter saved a child from the fire.
- sciencenounA2the study of the natural and physical world through observation and experimentsScience was my favorite subject in school.
- scientistnounA2a person who studies or works in one of the sciencesScientists have found a new species of frog.
- scorenounA2the number of points each player or team has in a game, or a mark on a testThe final score was 3–1.
- seemverbA2to give the impression of being or doing somethingYou seem tired today.
- seriousadjectiveA2bad or dangerous enough to make you worryHe was in a serious accident.
- serveverbA2to give food or drink to someone, especially in a restaurantBreakfast is served from 7 to 10.
- servicenounA2the help that staff give to customers in a store, hotel, or restaurantThe food was good, but the service was slow.
- setverbA2to put something in a place or positionShe set the plates on the table.
- severaldeterminerA2more than two but not very manyI’ve read that book several times.
- shakeverbA2to move something quickly up and down or from side to sideShake the bottle before you open it.
- shareverbA2to have or use something together with other peopleI share an apartment with two friends.
- shouldernounA2the part of the body between the neck and the top of the armShe carried her bag on her shoulder.
- sidenounA2the left or right part of something or someoneThere’s a door on the left side of the house.
- signnounA2a board or notice with words or pictures giving informationThe sign said “No parking”.
- similaradjectiveA2almost the same but not exactlyMy bag is similar to yours.
- simpleadjectiveA2easy to understand or doThe instructions are very simple.
- sinceprepositionA2from a time in the past until nowI’ve lived here since 2015.
- singleadjectiveA2only oneHe didn’t say a single word.
- situationnounA2all the facts and conditions at a certain time and placeThe situation is getting better.
- skillnounA2an ability to do something well, usually learned through practiceGood communication skills are important in this job.
- skinnounA2the outer layer that covers the body of a person or animalThis cream is good for dry skin.
- smileverbA2to make your mouth curve up because you are happy or friendlyShe smiled when she saw me.
- socialadjectiveA2connected with society and the way people live togetherPoverty is a serious social problem.
- soldiernounA2a person who is a member of an armyThe soldiers marched through the town.
- sortnounA2a type or kind of person or thingWhat sort of music do you like?
- soundnounA2something that you hearI heard a strange sound outside.
- spacenounA2an empty area that can be usedIs there enough space for my bag?
- stagenounA2a part or point in a processThe project is in its early stages.
- statenounA2the condition of someone or something at a certain timeThe house was in a terrible state.
- stepnounA2the act of moving one foot in front of the otherThe baby took her first steps.
- stilladverbA2continuing until now and not finishedAre you still working on it?
- straightadjectiveA2not bent or curvedDraw a straight line across the page.
- stuffnounA2things in general, when you don’t name them exactly (informal)Put your stuff in the closet.
- stylenounA2a particular way of doing, making, or designing somethingI like the style of this building.
- successnounA2the result of reaching a goal or doing something wellHard work is the key to success.
- successfuladjectiveA2achieving what you wanted or plannedThe meeting was very successful.
- suchdeterminerA2used to make a noun phrase strongerIt was such a beautiful day.
- suddenlyadverbA2quickly and without warningSuddenly, the lights went out.
- suggestverbA2to give an idea or plan for others to think aboutI suggest that we leave early.
- supportverbA2to help or encourage someone or somethingMy parents always support my decisions.
- systemnounA2a set of connected parts or methods that work togetherThe city has a good public transportation system.
T
- tasknounA2a piece of work that must be doneMy first task is to answer these emails.
- technologynounA2scientific knowledge used to make machines and tools, or the machines themselvesNew technology makes our lives easier.
- themselvespronounA2used when the people doing an action are also affected by itThe kids enjoyed themselves at the party.
- thoughtnounA2an idea or opinion that comes into your mindI had a sudden thought about the problem.
- throughprepositionA2from one side or end of something to the otherWe drove through the tunnel.
- throwverbA2to send something through the air with your handThrow me the ball!
- tournounA2a trip visiting several places, or a short visit around a building or siteWe took a guided tour of the museum.
- trainingnounA2the process of learning the skills for a job or activityNew staff get two weeks of training.
- troublenounA2problems, difficulties, or worryI had trouble finding your house.
- truthnounA2the real facts about somethingJust tell me the truth.
- typenounA2a group of people or things that share qualitiesWhat type of music do you like?
V
W
- warnounA2fighting between countries or groups using weaponsMany people died in the war.
- weightnounA2how heavy someone or something isWhat’s the weight of this box?
- westnounA2the direction where the sun goes downThe sun sets in the west.
- whileconjunctionA2during the time that something else happensI listened to music while I cooked.
- wholeadjectiveA2all of something; completeI spent the whole day cleaning.
- whosedeterminerA2used to ask who something belongs toWhose bag is this?
- wideadjectiveA2measuring a large distance from one side to the otherThe river is very wide here.
- windnounA2air that moves naturally across the landThe wind blew my hat off.
- wishverbA2to want something that is not true or not likely to happenI wish I had more free time.
- withoutprepositionA2not having or using somethingI can’t see without my glasses.
- wonderverbA2to think about something and want to know moreI wonder what time it is.
- workernounA2a person who works, especially in a particular jobThe factory has 200 workers.
- worryverbA2to keep thinking about problems or things that could go wrongDon’t worry; everything will be fine.
- writernounA2a person whose job is writing books, articles, or storiesMark Twain is a famous American writer.
Y
- yardnounA2the area of grass or ground around a houseThe kids are playing in the back yard.
- yeahinterjectionA2an informal way of saying “yes”Yeah, I’d love to come.
- yetadverbA2until now; used in questions and negativesHave you finished your homework yet?
- yourselfpronounA2used when the subject and object are the same person, “you”Be careful not to hurt yourself.