226 English words
B1 English vocabulary (intermediate)
English words at CEFR level B1: words for work, study, travel and giving opinions, the level most exams call “independent user”.
Words
A
- abilitynounB1the power or skill to do somethingShe has the ability to explain hard ideas simply.
- accordingprepositionB1according to: as said or reported by someone or somethingAccording to the weather report, it will rain later.
- accountnounB1an arrangement with a bank to keep your money thereI opened a savings account last year.
- admitverbB1to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true or that you did something wrongHe admitted that he had lied.
- affectverbB1to cause a change in someone or somethingLack of sleep can affect your memory.
- agentnounB1a person whose job is to act or do business for someone elseHer agent found her a role in a new film.
- agreementnounB1an arrangement or promise between people, groups or countriesThe two companies signed an agreement.
- aheadadverbB1in front of someone or something, or forwardLook straight ahead and keep walking.
- althoughconjunctionB1used to introduce an idea that makes the main idea surprisingAlthough it was raining, we went for a walk.
- amongprepositionB1in the middle of or surrounded by a groupWe found a small house among the trees.
- amountnounB1how much there is of somethingA small amount of sugar is fine.
- appearverbB1to seemHe appears to be very tired.
- applyverbB1to ask formally for something, usually in writingI applied for a job at the bank.
- argueverbB1to speak angrily to someone because you disagreeMy brothers argue about everything.
- attackverbB1to try to hurt someone or damage something using violenceThe dog attacked a man in the park.
- attitudenounB1the way you think and feel about something, shown in how you behaveHe has a very positive attitude toward work.
- avoidverbB1to stay away from someone or somethingI try to avoid driving at rush hour.
B
- basenounB1the bottom part of somethingThe vase has a wide base.
- beatverbB1to win against someone in a game or competitionWe beat them 3–1.
- behaviornounB1the way a person or animal actsThe teacher praised the children’s good behavior.
- benefitnounB1a good result or advantage that you get from somethingRegular exercise has many health benefits.
- budgetnounB1the amount of money you have or plan to spendWe have a budget of $500 for the trip.
C
- campaignnounB1a planned set of activities to achieve a goal, such as winning an electionThe campaign raised money for clean water.
- cancernounB1a serious disease in which cells in the body grow in an uncontrolled waySmoking greatly raises the risk of lung cancer.
- candidatenounB1a person who is trying to be chosen for a job or elected to a positionThree candidates applied for the manager’s job.
- careernounB1the series of jobs a person does over their working life, usually in one areaHe began his career as a teacher.
- causeverbB1to make something happen, usually something badThe storm caused a lot of damage.
- cellnounB1the smallest living part of a plant or animalRed blood cells carry oxygen around the body.
- centraladjectiveB1in or near the middle of a placeOur hotel was in central London.
- challengenounB1something new and difficult that tests your skill or strengthLearning a new language is a real challenge.
- chargeverbB1to ask for an amount of money for somethingThe hotel charges $20 a night for parking.
- citizennounB1a person who legally belongs to a country and has rights thereShe became a US citizen last year.
- claimverbB1to say that something is true, although others may not believe itHe claims he saw a UFO last night.
- coastnounB1the land next to the seaWe drove along the coast for three days.
- commercialadjectiveB1connected with buying and selling things or making moneyThe film was a huge commercial success.
- communitynounB1the people who live in one areaThe new park is good for the whole community.
- concernnounB1a feeling of worry, or something that worries youSafety is our main concern.
- conditionnounB1the state that something or someone is inThe car is old but in good condition.
- conferencenounB1a large formal meeting where people discuss a subject, often over several daysShe spoke at a conference on climate change.
- considerverbB1to think carefully about something before decidingWe’re considering moving to the coast.
- consumernounB1a person who buys goods or services for their own useConsumers are spending less on clothes.
- convinceverbB1to make someone believe that something is trueShe convinced me that the story was real.
- courtnounB1the place where a judge decides legal cases, or the judge and officials themselvesThe case will go to court in June.
- culturaladjectiveB1connected with the customs, beliefs and arts of a group of peopleMoving abroad means facing many cultural differences.
- currentadjectiveB1happening or existing nowWhat is your current address?
D
- datanounB1facts or information, especially numbers, used to study or decide somethingThe data shows that sales are rising.
- dealnounB1an agreement, especially in businessThe two companies signed a deal yesterday.
- debatenounB1a discussion in which people give different opinions on a subjectThere is a lot of debate about the new tax.
- decadenounB1a period of ten yearsPrices have doubled over the last decade.
- defensenounB1the act of protecting someone or something from attackThe country spends a lot on defense.
- democraticadjectiveB1based on a system where people choose their government by votingThe country held its first democratic election.
- despiteprepositionB1without being stopped by something; even though something is trueDespite the rain, we enjoyed the trip.
- developmentnounB1the process of growing, changing or becoming more advancedSleep is important for a child’s development.
- devicenounB1a machine or tool made for a particular purposePlease turn off all electronic devices.
- diseasenounB1an illness of people, animals or plantsHeart disease is common in older people.
- drugnounB1a medicine used to treat an illnessThe new drug helps patients with asthma.
E
- economicadjectiveB1connected with trade, industry and money in a countryThe country is going through an economic crisis.
- economynounB1the system of trade, industry and money in a country or regionTourism is important to the local economy.
- edgenounB1the outer line or end part of a surface, area or objectDon’t put your glass so close to the edge of the table.
- effectnounB1a change or result that something causesThe new law had a big effect on small businesses.
- effortnounB1the physical or mental energy you use to do somethingLearning a language takes a lot of time and effort.
- electionnounB1a time when people vote to choose someone for an official positionWho do you think will win the next election?
- employeenounB1a person who is paid to work for a company or another personThe company has more than 500 employees.
- entertainverbB1to interest and amuse peopleThe clown entertained the children for an hour.
- entireadjectiveB1whole or complete, with nothing left outI spent the entire weekend cleaning the house.
- environmentnounB1the natural world of land, air, water, plants and animalsPlastic waste is harming the environment.
- evidencenounB1facts, signs or objects that show something is trueThere is strong evidence that exercise improves mood.
- existverbB1to be real or present in the worldDo you think life exists on other planets?
- expertnounB1a person with special knowledge or skill in a subjectWe asked a computer expert to fix the problem.
F
- fancyadjectiveB1expensive, stylish or with a lot of decorationThey had dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown.
- fearnounB1the bad feeling you have when you think something dangerous may happenShe has a fear of flying.
- figurenounB1a number, especially an official oneSales figures for this year look good.
- financialadjectiveB1connected with money or the management of moneyMany students have financial problems.
- firmnounB1a company or business, especially one that offers a serviceShe works for a law firm in Chicago.
- flagnounB1a piece of cloth with a colored design that represents a country or groupThe national flag was flying over the building.
- focusverbB1to give all your attention to one thingI can’t focus on my work with all this noise.
- forcenounB1physical strength or violenceThe police had to use force to open the door.
- formaladjectiveB1serious and following accepted rules, suitable for official occasionsPlease use formal language in your cover letter.
- formeradjectiveB1having been a particular thing in the past, but not nowThe former president gave a speech.
G
I
- identifyverbB1to recognize and name who or what someone or something isThe police identified the driver from the video.
- imagenounB1a picture, photo or shape seen on a screen or in a mirrorThe camera takes sharp images even at night.
- individualadjectiveB1considered separately from others in a groupEach individual student gets a laptop.
- industrynounB1the making of goods in factoriesThe town grew quickly when industry arrived.
- insistverbB1to say firmly that something must happen, used with “on” or “that”She insisted on paying for dinner.
- intendverbB1to plan or mean to do somethingI intend to finish the report before Friday.
- investmentnounB1putting money into something to make a profitBuying a house can be a good investment.
- involveverbB1to include something as a necessary partThe job involves a lot of travel.
- issuenounB1an important subject or problem that people discussClimate change is a global issue.
- itselfpronounB1used when a thing or animal doing an action is also affected by itThe cat was cleaning itself in the sun.
L
- layverbB1to put someone or something down carefully in a flat positionShe laid the baby on the bed.
- legaladjectiveB1allowed by the lawIs it legal to park here at night?
- likelyadjectiveB1probably going to happen or be trueIt’s likely to rain this afternoon.
- lossnounB1the fact of no longer having somethingMany workers fear the loss of their jobs.
M
- majoradjectiveB1very large or importantTraffic is a major problem in this city.
- majoritynounB1most of the people or things in a groupThe majority of students passed the exam.
- manageverbB1to succeed in doing something difficultWe managed to finish the project on time.
- managementnounB1the control and organization of a business or activityGood time management is important for students.
- marriagenounB1the legal relationship between two people who are husband and wife or partnersThey have a happy marriage.
- materialnounB1a substance used for making thingsWood is a common building material.
- measureverbB1to find the exact size, amount or degree of somethingWe measured the room before buying a carpet.
- medianounB1television, radio, newspapers and the internet as ways of giving news and informationThe story got a lot of attention in the media.
- medicaladjectiveB1connected with medicine, illness and the treatment of injuriesHe needs medical help right away.
- memorynounB1the ability to remember thingsMy grandfather has an amazing memory for names.
- mentionverbB1to speak or write about something brieflyDid she mention when she would be back?
- methodnounB1a particular way of doing something, often a planned oneThis is a simple method for learning new words.
- militaryadjectiveB1connected with soldiers or the armed forcesHe did two years of military service.
- movementnounB1a change of position or placeThe camera picks up any movement in the garden.
N
- nationnounB1a country, especially when thinking of its people, culture and governmentThe president spoke to the nation on television.
- networknounB1a system of connected lines, roads, computers or peopleThe city has a good bus network.
- norconjunctionB1used after “neither” to add another negative choiceNeither my brother nor I can swim.
- novelnounB1a long written story about imaginary people and eventsShe is writing her first novel.
O
- occurverbB1to happen, especially without being plannedThe accident occurred at about 8 p.m.
- officernounB1a police officerThe officer asked to see my license.
- officialadjectiveB1approved by or connected with people in authorityEnglish is one of the official languages of Canada.
- ontoprepositionB1moving to a position on a surfaceThe cat jumped onto the table.
- operationnounB1the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove somethingShe needs an operation on her knee.
- opportunitynounB1a time or situation when you can do something you wantThis job is a great opportunity to travel.
- optionnounB1something you can choose from a set of possibilitiesWe have two options: stay here or go home.
- organizationnounB1a group such as a company, club or charity with a shared purposeShe works for an organization that helps refugees.
- ownernounB1a person who owns somethingThe owner of the shop is very friendly.
P
- particularadjectiveB1used to talk about one specific person or thingIs there a particular book you’re looking for?
- particularlyadverbB1more than usual or more than othersIt was particularly cold last night.
- patientnounB1a person who is getting medical careThe doctor sees thirty patients a day.
- patternnounB1a regular way in which something happens or is doneDoctors noticed a pattern in his sleep problems.
- peacenounB1a situation with no war or fightingBoth countries want lasting peace.
- perprepositionB1for eachThe tickets cost ten dollars per person.
- performverbB1to entertain people by acting, singing, dancing or playing musicThe band will perform at the festival.
- performancenounB1the act of performing a play, piece of music or showThe evening performance starts at eight.
- physicaladjectiveB1connected with the body rather than the mindPhysical exercise helps you sleep better.
- plusprepositionB1added to; and alsoTwo plus three equals five.
- policynounB1a set of plans or rules agreed by a government, company or groupThe company has a strict no-smoking policy.
- politicaladjectiveB1connected with government, power and public affairsThe country is going through a political crisis.
- politicsnounB1the activities and ideas connected with governing a country or areaShe wants a career in politics.
- populationnounB1the number of people who live in a particular placeThe city has a population of about two million.
- positionnounB1the place where someone or something is, or the way they are sitting or standingMark the position of each chair on the floor plan.
- positiveadjectiveB1hopeful and confident, or thinking about the good parts of a situationTry to stay positive during the job search.
- pressurenounB1a worried feeling caused by having too much to do or too many demandsStudents are under a lot of pressure during exams.
- preventverbB1to stop something from happening or someone from doing somethingWashing your hands helps prevent illness.
- processnounB1a series of actions or steps that lead to a resultApplying for a visa is a slow process.
- produceverbB1to make or grow something, especially in large amountsThe region produces most of the country’s wine.
- productionnounB1the process of making or growing things, or the amount madeOil production fell by ten percent.
- professionaladjectiveB1connected with a job that needs special training or skillYou should get professional advice before investing.
- propertynounB1things that someone ownsThe hotel is not responsible for guests’ personal property.
- protectverbB1to keep someone or something safe from harm or damageSunscreen protects your skin from the sun.
- proveverbB1to show that something is true using facts or evidenceCan you prove that you were at home?
- provideverbB1to give someone something they need or wantThe hotel provides free breakfast.
- purposenounB1the reason why something is done, made or usedWhat is the purpose of your visit?
- pursenounB1(US) a handbag in which a woman carries money and personal thingsShe put her phone in her purse.
R
- raiseverbB1to lift or move something to a higher position or levelRaise your hand if you have a question.
- rangenounB1a number of different things of the same general typeThe store sells a wide range of shoes.
- ratenounB1how often or how fast something happens, often as a number or percentageThe unemployment rate fell last year.
- ratheradverbB1used in “would rather” to say what you preferI’d rather stay home tonight.
- reachverbB1to arrive at a place, level or pointWe reached the hotel after midnight.
- realitynounB1the true situation, not what people imagine or hopeWe need to face reality and cut costs.
- realizeverbB1to understand or become aware of somethingI didn’t realize it was so late.
- recentadjectiveB1having happened or started only a short time agoRecent studies show that sleep affects memory.
- recognizeverbB1to know someone or something because you have seen or heard them beforeI didn’t recognize you with short hair!
- reduceverbB1to make something smaller in size, amount or priceCycling to work reduces pollution.
- regionnounB1a large area of a country or the world, often without exact bordersThis region is famous for its cheese.
- relateverbB1to be connected with something, or to show a connectionThe questions relate to last week’s lesson.
- relationshipnounB1the way people or groups feel about and behave toward each otherShe has a good relationship with her boss.
- religiousadjectiveB1connected with religionThe town has many religious buildings.
- remainverbB1to stay in the same place or conditionPlease remain seated until the plane stops.
- removeverbB1to take something away from a placeRemove the cake from the oven after 30 minutes.
- representverbB1to act or speak officially for a person or groupShe represented her country at the Olympics.
- requireverbB1to need somethingThis recipe requires three eggs.
- researchnounB1careful study of a subject to discover new factsShe is doing research on bird migration.
- resourcenounB1something useful, such as money, people or materials, that you can useThe school doesn’t have enough resources for new computers.
- respondverbB1to say or write something as an answerShe hasn’t responded to my message yet.
- responsenounB1an answer or replyI’m still waiting for a response from the bank.
- responsibilitynounB1a duty to take care of someone or something as part of your job or roleIt’s my responsibility to lock up the office.
- riseverbB1to go up, or to increase in amount or levelPrices rose sharply last year.
- risknounB1the chance that something bad will happenSmoking increases the risk of heart disease.
- rolenounB1the job or function someone or something has in a situationParents play a key role in a child’s education.
S
- scenenounB1the place where something happens, especially something badPolice arrived at the scene of the accident.
- sectionnounB1one of the parts that something is divided intoRead section two of the report.
- securitynounB1actions and people that protect a place or country from crime or attackSecurity at the airport was very tight.
- senioradjectiveB1having a higher rank or more experience in a jobShe is a senior manager at the bank.
- sensenounB1one of the natural abilities of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touchDogs have a very good sense of smell.
- seriesnounB1a number of similar things or events that come one after anotherThere was a series of accidents on the highway.
- sexnounB1the biological state of being male or femaleThe form asks for your name, age, and sex.
- shootverbB1to fire a gun or other weaponThe hunter shot at the deer but missed.
- shotnounB1the act of firing a gun, or the sound it makesWe heard two shots in the distance.
- simplyadverbB1in a way that is easy to understandCan you explain it more simply?
- sitenounB1a place where something is, was, or will be builtThey visited the site of the new school.
- societynounB1people living together as a large community with shared laws and customsTechnology has changed modern society.
- sourcenounB1the place, person, or thing that something comes fromFruit is a good source of vitamins.
- southernadjectiveB1in or from the south part of a placeThey live in southern California.
- specificadjectiveB1relating to one particular thingDo you have a specific date in mind?
- speechnounB1a formal talk given to a group of peopleThe president gave a speech on TV.
- staffnounB1all the people who work for an organizationThe hotel staff were very friendly.
- standardnounB1a level of quality that is expected or reachedThe hotel has very high standards.
- statementnounB1something that someone says or writes officiallyThe company made a statement to the press.
- structurenounB1the way the parts of something are organizedWe studied the structure of the sentence.
- sufferverbB1to feel pain, illness, or sadnessShe suffers from headaches.
- surfacenounB1the top or outside layer of somethingClean the surface of the table.
T
- taxnounB1money that people and businesses must pay to the governmentThe price includes sales tax.
- tendverbB1to usually do or be somethingI tend to wake up early.
- termnounB1a word or phrase with a particular meaning“Byte” is a computer term.
- theorynounB1a set of ideas that tries to explain why something happensDarwin’s theory of evolution changed science.
- thoughconjunctionB1despite the fact thatThough it was late, she kept working.
- totalnounB1the number you get when you add everything togetherThe total came to fifty dollars.
- toughadjectiveB1difficult to do or deal withIt was a tough decision.
- towardprepositionB1in the direction ofThe dog ran toward me.
- tradenounB1the buying and selling of goods between people or countriesTrade between the two countries is growing.
- traditionaladjectiveB1following customs or ways that have existed for a long timeWe ate traditional food at the festival.
- treatverbB1to behave toward someone or something in a particular wayTreat others the way you want to be treated.
- treatmentnounB1medical care for an illness or injuryShe is receiving treatment for cancer.
U
V
- valuenounB1how much money something is worthThe value of the house has doubled.
- variousadjectiveB1several different kinds ofThe shirt comes in various colors.
- victimnounB1a person or animal hurt or killed by a crime, accident, or illnessThe victims of the flood need help.
- violencenounB1physical force used to hurt people or damage thingsThe movie has too much violence.
- voteverbB1to show your choice in an election or decisionDid you vote in the election?
W
- weaponnounB1an object such as a gun or knife used to hurt peoplePolice found a weapon near the scene.
- weighverbB1to have a certain weight, or to measure how heavy something isThe package weighs two kilos.
- westernadjectiveB1in or from the west of a placeThey live in western Canada.
- whateverpronounB1anything or everything thatEat whatever you like.
- whetherconjunctionB1used to talk about a choice between two possibilitiesI don’t know whether to stay or go.
- withinprepositionB1before a period of time has passedPlease reply within three days.