What is vocabulary?
The word “vocabulary” simply means “words”, and “English vocabulary” means lots and lots of words.
Just think of English vocabulary as the bricks of the language: To help you build up your vocabulary we have organised these pages using a thematic approach and used lots and lots of pictures and sounds to go with the words. Take your time, and remember to practise what you have learnt.
Basic English Vocabulary
THE ALPHABET
ANIMALS
COLOURS
COMPUTERS
DAYS AND DATES
GREETINGS
NATIONALITIES AND COUNTRIES
NUMBERS
SEASONS
SHAPES
TIME
THE WEATHER
THE UK
(BUSINESS ENGLISH BASICS)
PEOPLE – APPEARANCES
PEOPLE – FAMILIES
More English Vocabulary
BUILDINGS
CLOTHES
EDUCATION
FOOD AND DRINK – EATING AT HOME
FOOD AND DRINK – EATING OUT
ENTERTAINMENT
FOOD
FOOTBALL
AROUND THE HOUSE – ROOMS IN A HOUSE
HUMAN BODY
JOBS AND WORK – PROFESSIONS
JOBS AND WORK – OFFICES
LIFE AND DEATH
MONEY
POLITICS – ELECTIONS
SHOPPING
SPORT
TRANSPORT
EXPANDED THEMES
ENGLISH IDIOMS AND INFORMAL ENGLISH
PHRASAL VERBS
Learn English through pictures
A picture can paint a thousand words
armchair | backbone | backlog | bedspring
bittersweet | blackmail | blackout | bolthole
brainstorm | breadbin | butterfly
cardboard | carpet | chairman | childhood | Christmas tree
copyright | earring
fingerprint | firework | flagship | freehold | friendship | frostbite
grasshopper | gridlock | gunpowder
haircut | headdress | headphones | heartbreak
keyboard
lawsuit | lipstick | livestock | loanshark | loophole
manhandle | mastercopy | milestone | nightcap | nightmare | overhear
pigtail | pillowcase | ponytail | receivership
scarecrow | sinkhole | skyscraper
soapbox | stepladder
teamwork | timesheet | timetable | tiptoe | toothpaste | toothpick
wallpaper | waterfall | whitewash | workmanship | workout
More Vocabulary Practice
TRICKY WORDS
HOMOPHONES
ABBREVIATIONS
Do you want more of a challenge? Get involved and learn by doing.
Interesting Words | Favourite Words | Power Words
Unusual Words | Oxymorons
Technical Terms
How to use these pages:-
Double click on any word for its definitions, and to listen to the pronunciation.
Beginners:
- Learn the basic words at the beginning of each theme.
- Do the vocabulary tests.
- Search for different images on Google Images and make a collection of links for each word.
- Review the words regularly.
Intermediate Learners:
- Make sure you know the words at the beginning of each theme.
- Study the build-up section and dialogues at the end of each section.
- You should be able to do the games and tests.
- Make up your own dialogues (you can share them with us on the forum, and we will correct them).
- Go to the expanded themes page.
Advanced Learners:
- You should already know all the words at the beginning of each theme.
- You should be able to understand the build-up section and dialogues at the end of each section.
- You should be able to easily complete the games and tests.
- You should be able to comfortably read the culture articles for each section.
- Why not write your own guide to the culture in your country for each topic (you can share it with us on the forum if you like).