🚀 Why C1 Vocabulary Matters
Reaching C1 English vocabulary means you can express yourself fluently, understand complex texts, and use language flexibly. But to truly communicate like an advanced speaker, you need a strong and precise vocabulary.
This guide gives you 100 C1-level English words and teaches you how to learn and memorize them effectively.

📝 How to Study C1 Vocabulary
Here are some proven strategies to help you make these words part of your active vocabulary:
- Chunking: Learn words in categories or themes.
- Spaced Repetition (SRS): Use tools like Anki or Quizlet to review words at increasing intervals.
- Contextual Learning: Read articles, listen to podcasts, and watch videos using these words in real-life contexts.
- Use It or Lose It: Make your own sentences. Use new words in conversations or writing.
- Visual & Story Memory: Link the word to an image or create a short story with it.
- Word Families: Learn the noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms together.
🚀 Why Expand Your C1 English Vocabulary?
C1 level (according to CEFR) reflects advanced language ability. Learners at this level should be able to understand complex texts, express ideas clearly, and interact fluently in professional and academic settings. A strong vocabulary helps you:
- Sound more natural and professional
- Understand advanced reading and listening materials
- Speak with nuance and confidence
🔑 100 C1 English Vocabulary Words + Meanings
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
1. Assertive | Confident and direct in expressing opinions |
2. Ambiguous | Having more than one possible meaning |
3. Tentative | Not certain or fixed; provisional |
4. Justification | A good reason or explanation for something |
5. Hypothesis | A proposed explanation for a phenomenon |
6. Implication | A possible effect or result |
7. Viable | Capable of working successfully |
8. Contradiction | A situation where two things are opposed |
9. Empirical | Based on observation or experience |
10. Plausible | Seemingly reasonable or probable |
11. Articulate | Able to express thoughts clearly |
12. Clarify | To make something easier to understand |
13. Assert | To state confidently |
14. Reiterate | To say something again for clarity |
15. Advocate | To support or recommend |
16. Emphasize | To give special importance to something |
17. Elaborate | To explain in greater detail |
18. Disclose | To reveal information |
19. Convey | To communicate or express |
20. Negotiate | To reach an agreement through discussion |
21. Evaluate | To judge or assess |
22. Interpret | To explain the meaning of something |
23. Perceive | To become aware of through the senses |
24. Reflect | To think carefully about something |
25. Deduce | To draw a conclusion based on logic |
26. Speculate | To guess based on incomplete info |
27. Infer | To conclude based on evidence |
28. Analyze | To examine in detail |
29. Scrutinize | To inspect closely |
30. Comprehend | To understand |
31. Delegate | To assign responsibility |
32. Facilitate | To make easier |
33. Collaborate | To work together |
34. Coordinate | To organize activities or people |
35. Mediate | To help settle differences |
36. Supervise | To oversee work or people |
37. Recruit | To hire or enlist people |
38. Promote | To support or advertise something |
39. Compensate | To repay or make up for something |
40. Stakeholder | A person with interest in a business |
41. Sustainability | Maintaining balance with nature |
42. Emissions | Pollutants released into the air |
43. Conservation | Protecting natural resources |
44. Renewable | Can be replaced naturally |
45. Legislation | Laws created by governments |
46. Inequality | Unequal access or treatment |
47. Globalization | Integration of world economies |
48. Infrastructure | Basic systems for a society (roads, energy) |
49. Urbanization | Growth of cities |
50. Demographic | A group defined by shared traits |
51. Investment | Putting money in something for profit |
52. Profitability | Ability to make a profit |
53. Subsidy | Financial support from the government |
54. Asset | Something valuable owned |
55. Liability | A legal responsibility |
56. Merger | Joining of two companies |
57. Dividend | Profit shared with shareholders |
58. Forecast | A prediction (usually economic or weather) |
59. Inflation | Increase in prices over time |
60. Consumption | The use of goods/services |
61. Innovation | A new idea or method |
62. Algorithm | A step-by-step procedure in computing |
63. Automation | Use of machines instead of humans |
64. Interface | A point of interaction between systems |
65. Simulation | Imitation of a real process |
66. Integration | Combining things into a whole |
67. Digitalization | Converting data into digital format |
68. Encryption | Securing data using codes |
69. Bandwidth | Data transfer capacity of a network |
70. Connectivity | Ability to connect to a network |
71. Intricate | Very detailed and complex |
72. Vivid | Bright, clear, or powerful |
73. Subtle | Not obvious; delicate |
74. Intense | Very strong or extreme |
75. Serene | Calm and peaceful |
76. Melancholy | A deep, gentle sadness |
77. Apprehensive | Nervous or worried |
78. Gripping | Very interesting or exciting |
79. Nostalgic | Longing for the past |
80. Overwhelming | Too much to handle or resist |
81. Jurisdiction | Legal authority to make decisions |
82. Sanction | Penalty or approval (depending on context) |
83. Testimony | Statement made in court |
84. Arbitration | Dispute settlement by a neutral third party |
85. Infringement | Violation of a law or right |
86. Prosecution | Legal action against someone |
87. Accusation | Claim that someone did something wrong |
88. Verdict | Final decision in court |
89. Compliant | Willing to follow rules |
90. Legitimacy | Lawfulness or acceptability |
91. Simultaneous | Happening at the same time |
92. Predominant | Most common or powerful |
93. Subsequent | Coming after something else |
94. Spontaneous | Done without planning |
95. Tentative | Hesitant or uncertain |
96. Resilient | Able to recover quickly |
97. Perpetual | Never-ending or continuous |
98. Feasible | Possible to do easily |
99. Compelling | Very interesting or convincing |
100. Ambivalent | Having mixed feelings |
What’s your English level?
Discover your level now: A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 and GET your certificate!
📊 C1 Vocabulary Quiz – 20 Sample Questions
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. What does “plausible” mean?
A) Strange
B) Likely to be true ✅
C) Boring
D) Dangerous
2. “Empirical” evidence is based on…
A) Theory
B) Belief
C) Observation ✅
D) Memory
3. A “stakeholder” is…
A) Someone who eats meat
B) A business competitor
C) Someone affected by a decision ✅
D) A lawyer
4. To “scrutinize” means…
A) To ignore
B) To look closely at ✅
C) To delete
D) To sketch
5. “Tentative” means…
A) Bold
B) Aggressive
C) Uncertain ✅
D) Confirmed
6. What does “advocate” mean?
A) To fight against
B) To support something ✅
C) To translate
D) To punish
7. “Vivid” colors are…
A) Faded
B) Dull
C) Bright ✅
D) Pastel
8. To “elaborate” means…
A) To cancel
B) To explain in more detail ✅
C) To make errors
D) To simplify
9. What is “inflation”?
A) Price increase ✅
B) Job increase
C) Interest rate decrease
D) Money saving
10. “Melancholy” describes a feeling of…
A) Joy
B) Sadness ✅
C) Anger
D) Hunger
11. A “contradiction” is…
A) A clear answer
B) A type of book
C) A conflict between ideas ✅
D) A new theory
12. If something is “feasible”, it is…
A) Unlikely
B) Expensive
C) Impossible
D) Achievable ✅
13. To “negotiate” means to…
A) Buy quickly
B) Argue
C) Discuss and reach agreement ✅
D) Complain loudly
14. “Simultaneous” events happen…
A) Repeatedly
B) Slowly
C) At the same time ✅
D) Unexpectedly
15. “Overwhelming” means…
A) Easy
B) Too strong to handle ✅
C) Boring
D) Irrelevant
16. “Compliant” people usually…
A) Disagree
B) Follow rules ✅
C) Refuse
D) Argue
17. “Sustainability” refers to…
A) Short-term profit
B) Economic growth
C) Long-term balance ✅
D) Innovation
18. “Resilient” people are…
A) Easily discouraged
B) Strong and recover quickly ✅
C) Lazy
D) Nervous
19. “Encryption” is related to…
A) Taxes
B) Data security ✅
C) Agriculture
D) Business law
20. “Urbanization” means…
A) Moving to cities ✅
B) Farming expansion
C) Rural living
D) Migration to other countries
🎯 Final Tip: Practice Daily
Even just 10 minutes a day with focused vocabulary study will grow your word power tremendously over time.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t just memorize — activate the words. Use them in writing, speaking, and thinking.
What’s your English level?
Discover your level now: A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 and GET your certificate!
📤 Ready to Take the Next Step?
✅ Save this list
✅ Choose 10 words today
✅ Start using them in real life!
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🧩 How to Memorize These C1 Words Easily
Method | What to Do |
---|---|
📒 Flashcards | Create digital or physical flashcards. Front = word, Back = meaning + sample sentence. |
📓 Notebook Practice | Write each word in your own sentence. Review weekly. |
🎧 Audio Repetition | Record the words and listen during walks or chores. |
🎭 Role Play | Use new words in pretend situations (job interview, debate, etc.) |
🔁 SRS Apps | Use tools like Anki to review words scientifically. |