English Vocabulary

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).

Have you read these pages, but you still have a question? Ask Ellie.

Maybe you're not sure how to say what you want to say. Ask on the forum.

If all else fails buy one of our recommended grammar books.

 TO EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY MORE CHECK OUT OUR RECOMMENDED VOCABULARY BOOKS.