English Vocabulary

English vocabulary includes far more than single words and dictionary definitions. It also includes phrases, collocations, word families, phrasal verbs, idioms, formal and informal alternatives, and the patterns that make words sound natural together. A learner may know the meaning of decision, for example, but still need to learn that English speakers usually say make a decision, not do a decision.

Vocabulary affects every language skill. It helps you recognize meaning while reading, follow conversations and videos, express ideas while speaking, and choose accurate language in writing. Grammar gives sentences structure, but vocabulary gives you the content needed to communicate.

This page organizes useful English vocabulary by topic, level, profession, and real-life situation. You will find clear meanings, natural examples, common collocations, and notes on words that learners often confuse. You can use it as a reference, explore a topic related to your goals, or identify the vocabulary areas you should study next. The level labels are approximate, since a word can be easy in one meaning and advanced in another.

Quick Index

Core English Vocabulary | Arts and Entertainment | Clothing and Appearance | Communication | Education | English Vocabulary by Level

Everyday Life | Exam Vocabulary | Food and Drink | Health and Medicine | Places and the Environment | Science

Shopping and Money | Society and Culture | Sports | Technology | Transport | Travel and Tourism | University Vocabulary

Vocabulary by Profession | Vocabulary by Situation | Work and Business | Phrases and Collocations | Examples in Context | Mini Quiz

Core English Vocabulary

The following high-utility words and phrases appear across everyday conversations, study, travel, work, and online communication. The level column is only a practical guide. Learners may meet a word earlier or later depending on its meaning and context.

Word or phrase	Category	Part of speech	Clear English meaning	Example sentence	Approximate stage
available	Everyday life	adjective	ready to be used, obtained, or contacted	Is the meeting room available at three?	Often A2
arrive	Travel	verb	reach a place	We arrived at the airport early.	Often A1
borrow	Money and objects	verb	take something temporarily and return it later	Can I borrow your charger?	Often A2
choose	Decisions	verb	decide which person or thing you want	You can choose any topic for the presentation.	Often A1
crowded	Places	adjective	full of people	The city center gets crowded on Saturdays.	Often A2
delicious	Food	adjective	having a very pleasant taste	The soup was simple but delicious.	Often A1 to A2
depend on	General use	phrasal verb	be decided or affected by something	The price depends on the delivery date.	Often A2 to B1
device	Technology	noun	a piece of equipment made for a purpose	This device measures air quality.	Often B1
earn	Work and money	verb	receive money for work	She earns extra money by teaching online.	Often A2 to B1
environment	Nature and society	noun	the natural world or the conditions around someone	We need to protect the local environment.	Often B1
explain	Communication	verb	make something clear by giving details	Could you explain how this system works?	Often A2
fair	Society and decisions	adjective	reasonable and treating people equally	The teacher gave everyone a fair chance.	Often B1
improve	Learning	verb	become better or make something better	Reading daily can improve your vocabulary.	Often A2
issue	General and work	noun	a subject, problem, or matter to discuss	We need to solve this technical issue.	Often B1
join	Social life	verb	become part of a group or activity	Would you like to join us for lunch?	Often A1 to A2
keep in touch	Communication	fixed phrase	continue communicating with someone	We still keep in touch after university.	Often A2 to B1
likely	Probability	adjective	expected to happen or be true	Rain is likely this afternoon.	Often B1
manage	Work and daily life	verb	succeed in doing something, or control something	I managed to finish the report before noon.	Often B1
notice	Perception	verb	see or become aware of something	Did you notice the change in her tone?	Often B1
offer	Shopping and work	noun or verb	propose to give or provide something	They offered me a part-time position.	Often A2 to B1
ordinary	Description	adjective	normal and not unusual	It looked like an ordinary house from outside.	Often B1
patient	Personality	adjective	able to wait without becoming annoyed	Please be patient while the file uploads.	Often B1
prevent	Health and safety	verb	stop something from happening	Regular backups can prevent data loss.	Often B1 to B2
reliable	People and things	adjective	able to be trusted or depended on	We need a reliable internet connection.	Often B1 to B2
replace	Objects and systems	verb	put a new thing in the place of an old one	The mechanic replaced the damaged tire.	Often B1
request	Communication	noun or verb	a polite or formal act of asking for something	We received a request for more information.	Often B1
schedule	Time and work	noun or verb	a plan showing when activities will happen	The project is still on schedule.	Often B1
share	Social and digital life	verb	use, experience, or give something with others	I shared the document with the whole team.	Often A2
spend	Money and time	verb	use money or time	We spent two hours at the museum.	Often A1 to A2
suggest	Communication	verb	offer an idea for consideration	I suggest taking an earlier train.	Often B1
suitable	Choices	adjective	right or appropriate for a purpose	This course is suitable for intermediate learners.	Often B1 to B2
take part	Activities	fixed phrase	participate in an event or activity	More than twenty students took part in the debate.	Often A2 to B1
tidy	Home	adjective or verb	neat, organized, or made neat	Please keep the kitchen tidy.	Often A2
appointment	Health and services	noun	an arranged time to meet someone	I have a dentist’s appointment on Friday.	Often A2
afford	Money	verb	have enough money or time for something	We cannot afford to replace the car this year.	Often B1
behave	Society	verb	act in a particular way	The children behaved well during the visit.	Often B1
challenge	Learning and work	noun	a difficult task or situation	Speaking in public was a useful challenge.	Often B1
compare	Study and shopping	verb	examine two or more things to find similarities and differences	Compare the two plans before you decide.	Often A2 to B1
confident	Feelings and ability	adjective	sure of yourself or your ability	She feels more confident when speaking English now.	Often B1
convenient	Everyday life	adjective	easy and suitable for your needs	Online banking is convenient, but passwords must be protected.	Often B1
deadline	Work and education	noun	the latest time by which something must be completed	The deadline for the assignment is Monday.	Often B1
effort	Learning and work	noun	physical or mental energy used to do something	Your pronunciation has improved through regular effort.	Often B1
evidence	Study and science	noun	information that supports a conclusion or belief	The report provides evidence of a change in demand.	Often B2
feature	Technology and products	noun	an important or noticeable part of something	The app has a feature for offline practice.	Often B1
handle	Work and problems	verb	deal with or control a situation	Can you handle this customer complaint?	Often B1 to B2
increase	Numbers and change	noun or verb	become larger, or make something larger	Fuel prices increased last month.	Often B1
maintain	Work and systems	verb	keep something in good condition or at the same level	It is easier to maintain a habit than to restart one.	Often B2
opportunity	Work and learning	noun	a useful or favorable chance	The internship gave him an opportunity to gain experience.	Often B1
recognize	Perception and learning	verb	know someone or something because you have seen it before	I recognized the word but could not use it in a sentence.	Often B1
responsibility	Work and society	noun	a duty or something you are expected to manage	Safety is everyone’s responsibility.	Often B1 to B2

Arts and Entertainment

Arts and entertainment vocabulary helps you discuss films, books, music, theater, visual art, games, and live events. It is useful both for everyday conversation and for writing reviews or expressing more detailed opinions.

A genre is a type or category of creative work, such as comedy, science fiction, portrait painting, or jazz. A plot is the main sequence of events in a story, while a character is a person or figure in that story. The setting is the time and place in which the story happens. In music and film, a soundtrack is the recorded music connected with a production.

An exhibition is a public display of art or other objects. A performance is an act of presenting music, drama, dance, or another art form to an audience. A review gives an opinion and evaluation, while a preview gives an early look before the official release or event.

Useful collocations include hold an exhibition, give a performance, play the leading role, release an album, direct a film, and receive positive reviews.

The gallery is holding an exhibition of contemporary photography.

The plot was predictable, but the acting and soundtrack were excellent.

Learners often confuse watch, see, and look at. You usually watch something that continues over time, such as a film or performance. You may see a film at the cinema, meaning that you experience it, and you look at a painting or photograph deliberately.

Clothing and Appearance

Clothing vocabulary is practical when shopping, describing people, following dress codes, or discussing fashion and personal style. Appearance vocabulary also includes hair, facial features, body shape, and the general impression a person creates.

An outfit is a set of clothes worn together. Casual clothes are relaxed and suitable for informal situations, while formal clothes are appropriate for ceremonies, important meetings, or traditional professional settings. Smart can describe neat, stylish clothing, especially in British English. A plain item has no decorative pattern, while a patterned item may be striped, checked, or floral.

Three verbs are especially important:

Verb	Meaning	Example
fit	be the correct size	These trousers fit me well.
suit	look attractive or appropriate on someone	Dark green really suits you.
match	look good together because the colors or styles are similar	This belt matches your shoes.

For physical descriptions, build refers to the general shape of a person’s body, such as slim, athletic, or heavily built. Complexion describes the natural appearance and color of facial skin. Other useful terms include hairstyle, beard, freckles, shoulder-length hair, and well-dressed. Beauty and grooming vocabulary may include makeup, skin care, moisturizer, trim, and shave.

A common mistake is using wear and dress in the same way. You wear clothes: “She is wearing a blue jacket.” You get dressed or dress someone: “He got dressed quickly” and “She dressed the baby.”

Communication

Communication vocabulary helps you manage conversations, emails, presentations, messages, and misunderstandings. Good communication requires more than knowing what to say. Tone, timing, body language, and the level of formality also affect meaning.

To clarify means to make something clearer. To interrupt means to speak while another person is still talking. To confirm means to state that something is correct or arranged. If you misunderstand someone, you understand their meaning incorrectly. A gesture is a movement of the hands, head, or body that communicates an idea or feeling.

Body language vocabulary includes eye contact, posture, facial expression, personal space, and tone of voice. These signals can support spoken words, but their meaning may vary across people and cultures.

The verbs say, tell, speak, and talk are often confused. Use say before words or a statement: “She said that she was busy.” Use tell with a person: “She told me that she was busy.” Speak is common for languages and more formal communication, while talk often suggests a conversation.

In email vocabulary, common phrases include reply to a message, forward an email, attach a file, copy someone in, and follow up on a request.

Could you clarify what you mean by “final version”?

I am following up on the email I sent on Tuesday.

Education

Education vocabulary is useful for students, parents, teachers, and anyone taking a course or developing a new skill. Some terms change slightly between countries, but the main concepts are widely understood.

A curriculum is the full set of subjects and learning goals in a program. A syllabus usually describes the content, schedule, requirements, and materials for one course. An assignment is a piece of work given to a student, while a deadline is the latest time it must be submitted. A lecture is a formal educational talk, and a seminar is usually a smaller session with more discussion.

Useful verb combinations include attend a class, take notes, submit an assignment, revise for an exam, conduct research, earn a qualification, and apply for a scholarship. In American English, learners often say study for an exam. In British English, revise for an exam is common.

Learn focuses on gaining knowledge or ability. Study focuses on the activity of trying to learn. You can say, “I am studying biology,” and “I learned how cells divide.” You normally take or sit an exam, then pass or fail it. You do not usually say “give an exam” when you mean that you are the student.

Education vocabulary becomes more specialized at higher levels. University learners may need terms such as undergraduate, postgraduate, thesis, citation, assessment criteria, and peer review.

English Vocabulary by Level

CEFR vocabulary develops from concrete, high-frequency language toward more abstract, precise, flexible, and context-sensitive use. The CEFR does not require every learner at a level to know exactly the same list of words. Difficulty depends on the meaning, grammar pattern, collocation, register, and situation in which a word appears.

Level	Typical vocabulary focus	Representative examples
A1	Basic personal information, family, numbers, time, food, home, common places, and simple actions	name, sister, morning, bread, room, go, want, near
A2	Daily routines, shopping, simple travel, weather, basic work and study, feelings, and common descriptions	appointment, crowded, invite, journey, cheap, worried, repair, weekend
B1	Opinions, experiences, plans, familiar social issues, work, education, and common phrasal verbs	suggest, improve, manage, take part, advantage, relationship, deal with, reliable
B2	Abstract topics, detailed argument, common academic language, precise description, and stronger collocations	evidence, significant, maintain, perspective, consequence, highly effective, raise awareness
C1	Nuance, register, idiomatic language, advanced academic and professional vocabulary, and flexible reformulation	compelling, ambiguous, undermine, feasible, widespread, draw a distinction, address a concern
C2	Fine shades of meaning, specialized vocabulary, uncommon idioms, rhetorical effect, and highly precise word choice	meticulous, inadvertent, reconcile, counterproductive, by no means, a subtle implication

A1 and A2: Building a Usable Base

Beginner English vocabulary should support immediate needs. A1 learners benefit from words they can combine quickly, such as live, work, like, need, today, and because. At A2, the range expands to routine situations: making an appointment, describing a problem, buying a ticket, inviting someone, or explaining a simple plan.

At these levels, learn short phrases rather than isolated items. Take a bus, have breakfast, go home, and feel tired are more useful than memorizing each word separately.

B1 and B2: Expanding Range and Control

At B1, learners need enough vocabulary to tell stories, explain reasons, describe experiences, and discuss familiar issues. Common word families become important: decide, decision, decisive and apply, application, applicant.

At B2, vocabulary becomes more precise. Instead of always using good, a learner may choose effective, reliable, enjoyable, or beneficial. Collocation also matters more. Knowing that English speakers say strong evidence, a major concern, and reach a conclusion makes communication sound clearer and more natural.

C1 and C2: Precision, Nuance, and Register

Advanced English vocabulary includes academic terms, idiomatic expressions, professional language, and subtle differences between near-synonyms. C1 learners work on selecting words that fit purpose and register. For example, help is neutral, assist is more formal, and facilitate means to make a process easier.

At C2, progress is less about collecting rare words and more about controlling connotation, metaphor, humor, implication, and specialized language. A highly advanced learner can adapt the same message for a friend, a formal report, a public presentation, or a sensitive negotiation.

Everyday Life

Everyday life vocabulary covers routines, household tasks, errands, appointments, and the small problems people regularly solve. It is especially valuable because the same expressions appear repeatedly in conversation.

A routine is something you do regularly. A chore is a necessary household task, such as washing the dishes or taking out the trash. An errand is a short trip made to complete a practical task, such as collecting a parcel or buying medicine. A commute is the regular journey between home and work or school.

Natural combinations include set an alarm, make the bed, do the laundry, run an errand, book an appointment, pay a bill, and miss the bus. Notice the difference between do and make: English usually uses do for tasks and activities, but make for creating or producing something. You do housework but make dinner.

I need to run a few errands before the shops close.

My morning routine is easier when I prepare everything the night before.

Other useful words include neighborhood, household, landlord, tenant, delivery, repair, and spare time.

Exam Vocabulary

Vocabulary supports every part of an English exam, from understanding instructions to presenting a clear argument. Learners preparing for Cambridge English qualifications, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or similar tests should study language by function as well as by topic.

Instruction words are essential. Compare asks you to identify similarities and differences. Summarize means to present the main points briefly. Justify means to support an opinion with reasons or evidence. Infer means to reach a conclusion from information that is suggested rather than directly stated.

Academic vocabulary includes words such as factor, method, significant, indicate, approach, and consequence. These words are useful only when their patterns are also understood: a significant increase, indicate that, an effective approach to, and have serious consequences.

Writing and speaking tasks also require appropriate register. Kids get a lot of stuff online may be natural in casual conversation. In a formal essay, Children have access to a wide range of online content is usually more suitable. Strong preparation therefore includes topic vocabulary, collocations, paraphrasing, and practice choosing between formal, neutral, and informal language. Do not memorize complicated words simply to sound advanced. Accuracy and relevance matter more than rarity.

Food and Drink

Food and drink vocabulary helps with shopping, cooking, ordering in restaurants, reading menus, and describing taste. A dish is one prepared item, such as vegetable curry. A meal is an occasion when you eat, such as breakfast or dinner. Food is the general uncountable noun.

Cooking vocabulary includes chop (cut into small pieces), boil (cook in very hot water), fry (cook in hot oil), roast (cook with dry heat, usually in an oven), and grill (cook with strong direct heat). In baking vocabulary, common terms include dough, batter, preheat, knead, and rise.

Taste words include sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, bland, and savory. Useful collocations are strong coffee, a light meal, fresh ingredients, a generous portion, and a balanced diet.

This sauce is too bland, so I am going to add some herbs.

Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.

A cook is a person who prepares food. A cooker is an appliance used for cooking in British English. Coffee vocabulary also includes brew, roast, ground coffee, espresso, and decaffeinated.

Health and Medicine

Health vocabulary allows you to describe symptoms, understand basic instructions, and communicate with doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or emergency services. Precise language is useful, although vocabulary practice is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A symptom is a physical or mental change that may indicate illness. A diagnosis is the identification of a condition. Treatment is the care used to manage or cure it. A prescription is an official instruction for medicine, while a dose is the amount taken at one time.

Use ache in common compounds such as headache, toothache, and stomach ache. Pain is more general: “I have a sharp pain in my shoulder.” Sore is an adjective: “My throat is sore.” Other useful descriptions include dizzy, swollen, numb, short of breath, and allergic to.

Important collocations include make a doctor’s appointment, take medicine, recover from an illness, treat an injury, and have a check-up. Basic anatomy vocabulary includes joint, muscle, bone, skin, lung, and spine. Dental vocabulary includes gum, cavity, filling, and tooth decay.

To explore hospital departments, staff, equipment, admissions, tests, emergency care, and discharge language in greater detail, read our complete Hospital Vocabulary guide.

Places and the Environment

Vocabulary for places helps you describe cities, neighborhoods, buildings, landscapes, and directions. Environment and climate vocabulary lets you discuss how natural and human systems affect the places where people live.

In city vocabulary, a suburb is a residential area outside or near the center. A landmark is a recognizable place or structure. A pedestrian zone is an area where cars are restricted, and public space is an area open for community use. A place may be lively, peaceful, remote, densely populated, or well connected.

Environmental terms include habitat, pollution, waste, renewable energy, conservation, drought, and flooding. Useful combinations include reduce emissions, protect wildlife, conserve water, generate electricity, and adapt to climate change.

Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions, such as today’s rain or temperature. Climate describes typical patterns over a much longer period. Also note that country can mean a nation, while the countryside means rural land outside towns and cities.

The new cycle route connects the suburb with the city center.

The region has experienced a long period of drought.

Science

Science vocabulary is useful for school, university, documentaries, news, and discussions about how knowledge is tested. A hypothesis is an explanation that can be investigated. An experiment is a controlled test, and evidence is information that supports or challenges a conclusion. Scientists collect data, measure results, analyze findings, and draw conclusions.

Biology vocabulary includes cell, organism, tissue, gene, species, and ecosystem. In chemistry, a compound contains two or more different elements chemically combined, while a reaction is a process in which substances change. Astronomy vocabulary includes planet, star, orbit, gravity, galaxy, and solar system.

The researchers repeated the experiment to check whether the result was reliable.

Earth completes one orbit around the Sun in approximately one year.

Do not confuse experiment with experience. An experiment is a scientific test. Experience can mean knowledge gained through life or an event that happens to you. The verb research usually takes a topic directly: “They researched the effects of light,” not “researched about the effects.”

Shopping and Money

Shopping and money vocabulary helps you compare products, understand prices, use banking services, and manage online purchases. The price is the amount requested for an item. The cost is the amount paid or required, while value concerns how useful or worthwhile something is.

A receipt proves that a purchase was made. A refund returns your money, and an exchange replaces one product with another. A discount reduces the normal price. In banking vocabulary, a balance is the amount in an account, a transfer moves money, and a fee is a charge for a service.

Useful e-commerce phrases include add to basket, place an order, enter a delivery address, track a parcel, and request a refund. Common money collocations include save money, spend money on something, pay by card, take out a loan, and stick to a budget.

Remember that you borrow something from another person and lend something to them. “Can I borrow ten pounds?” and “Can you lend me ten pounds?” describe the same transaction from different viewpoints.

Society and Culture

Society and culture vocabulary helps learners discuss communities, traditions, identity, social change, and different ways of living. A custom is an accepted way of behaving in a group. A tradition is a belief or practice passed between generations. A social norm is an expectation about behavior, while a value is a principle considered important.

Other useful terms include community, identity, generation, diversity, equality, stereotype, and belonging. Natural combinations include preserve a tradition, challenge a stereotype, share common values, promote equality, and strengthen a community.

A habit is usually personal, such as checking your phone after waking up. A custom is shared by a social group, and a tradition often has a longer history or symbolic meaning.

Food plays an important role in the region’s cultural identity.

The program brings different generations together through music and storytelling.

When discussing cultures, precise and neutral descriptions are better than broad generalizations. Expressions such as tends to, in some communities, and can vary help show that a pattern is not true of every individual.

Sports

Sports vocabulary covers equipment, rules, training, competition, and performance. An athlete is a person who trains for and competes in sport. A coach prepares a player or team, while a referee or official applies the rules. An opponent is the person or team you compete against.

A tournament contains a series of matches or games. A draw is a result in which both sides have the same score. Useful collocations include score a goal, win a match, break a record, train regularly, take the lead, and suffer an injury.

Use win with a game, prize, or competition: “They won the final.” Use beat with the opponent: “They beat the defending champions.” In general, English uses play for games such as basketball and tennis, go with activities ending in -ing, such as swimming, and do for activities such as yoga or martial arts.

Basketball vocabulary includes court, hoop, dribble, pass, rebound, foul, and free throw. “She made three free throws” is more natural than “She did three free throws.”

Technology

Technology vocabulary changes quickly, but many core concepts remain useful. Hardware means the physical parts of a computer or device. Software means the programs it runs. A browser opens websites, an operating system manages a device, and a backup is a separate copy of data.

Common computer vocabulary includes install an application, download a file, upload a photo, connect to a network, restart a device, and update software. To sign up is to create an account. To log in is to enter an account that already exists.

Cybersecurity vocabulary includes password, encryption, malware, data breach, phishing, and two-factor authentication. Natural advice uses phrases such as protect personal data, detect suspicious activity, and report a security incident.

AI vocabulary includes model, training data, prompt, output, automation, and bias. An algorithm is a set of instructions used to solve a problem or perform a task. In everyday use, avoid treating AI as a precise label for every automated feature. Explain what the system actually does when that distinction matters.

Transport

Transport vocabulary is needed for commuting, driving, asking for directions, and understanding public announcements. A vehicle is any machine used to carry people or goods. A route is the way followed between places, while a fare is the price paid for a bus, train, taxi, or similar service.

At a station, you may need words such as platform, timetable, delay, connection, and departure. You board or get on a bus, train, plane, or ship, then get off at your stop. With a car or taxi, English usually uses get in and get out of.

Car and driving vocabulary includes steering wheel, brake, accelerator, seat belt, lane, junction, speed limit, and traffic jam. Useful combinations include miss a connection, catch a train, change lanes, fill up the tank, and give someone a lift.

Prepositions matter. You are normally on a bus, on a train, or on a plane, but in a car or in a taxi. You travel by bus and go somewhere on foot.

Travel and Tourism

Travel and tourism vocabulary helps with planning, airport procedures, accommodation, sightseeing, and unexpected problems. An itinerary is a plan of places and activities for a trip. Accommodation is a general term for somewhere to stay. A reservation or booking is an arrangement made in advance.

Airport vocabulary includes check-in desk, boarding pass, gate, security, customs, baggage allowance, and connecting flight. You check in for a flight, go through security, board the plane, and collect your luggage after arrival.

Tourism terms include destination, landmark, guided tour, local attraction, peak season, and travel insurance. Business travel vocabulary adds phrases such as book a return flight, claim travel expenses, and attend an overseas conference.

A trip is a particular visit or journey. Travel is the general activity and is usually uncountable. A journey focuses on movement from one place to another, while a tour involves visiting several places.

Our flight was delayed, so we missed the connection to Lisbon.

The hotel is within walking distance of the main attractions.

University Vocabulary

University vocabulary helps students understand applications, course structures, assessment, campus services, and academic communication. Some terms vary between institutions and countries, so check the official definitions and requirements used by your university.

An undergraduate is a student working toward a first degree, while a postgraduate is studying at a more advanced level after completing a first degree. A major is a student’s main subject, and a minor is a secondary area of study. A module or course unit is one part of a degree program. The word faculty can mean an academic division or the teaching staff, depending on the country and context.

A prerequisite is a course or condition that must be completed before another course can be taken. A credit represents a defined amount of study, while a transcript is the official record of a student’s courses and results. University assessment may include coursework, exams, presentations, laboratory reports, and a dissertation or thesis.

Useful collocations include meet the entry requirements, enroll in a course, attend a lecture, earn credits, submit coursework, request an extension, cite a source, carry out research, apply for financial aid, and graduate with a degree. Students may also visit a lecturer during office hours or book an appointment with an academic adviser.

I need to complete two prerequisites before I can enroll in the advanced module.

Please include every source in your reference list and submit the assignment before the deadline.

Do not confuse a lecture with a seminar. A lecture usually presents information to a larger group, while a seminar is often smaller and includes discussion. A reference list contains the sources cited in an assignment. A bibliography may also include sources consulted but not directly cited. Using another person’s words or ideas without proper acknowledgment is plagiarism and can lead to an academic penalty.

To explore this topic in greater detail, read our complete University Vocabulary guide, which covers degrees, campus life, teaching formats, assignments, exams, student applications, and common academic collocations.

Vocabulary by Profession

Professional vocabulary allows people to communicate accurately within a field. Begin with the words used in your daily tasks, then add common verbs, documents, equipment, and customer-facing language.

Profession or field	Useful terms	Example in context
Healthcare	diagnosis, patient record, treatment plan, referral	The doctor updated the patient’s treatment plan.
Dentistry	cavity, filling, gum, dental examination	The dentist found a small cavity during the examination.
Engineering	specification, prototype, load, tolerance, failure	The prototype did not meet the safety specification.
Education	curriculum, assessment, learning objective, feedback	Each lesson has a clear learning objective.
Banking and finance	transaction, interest rate, account balance, repayment	The customer asked about the loan repayment schedule.
Digital marketing	campaign, audience, conversion, engagement, analytics	The team reviewed campaign engagement by channel.
E-commerce	inventory, checkout, fulfillment, return policy	Low inventory caused a delay in order fulfillment.
Hospitality	guest, vacancy, reservation, housekeeping	Housekeeping prepared the room before the guest arrived.

Career vocabulary is useful across professions. A vacancy is an available job, an applicant applies for it, and a candidate is considered for the role. Other transferable phrases include gain experience, develop expertise, meet professional standards, and take responsibility for a task.

Vocabulary by Situation

Situational learning prepares you to use language when you need it, not only recognize it in a list. Study a small group of phrases for each likely situation, then practice changing the details.

At a restaurant, you might say, “Could we see the menu, please?”, “Does this contain nuts?”, or “Could we have the bill?” At a hotel, useful phrases include “I have a reservation under the name Kaya,” “What time is check-out?”, and “The air conditioning does not seem to be working.”

During a phone call, “May I speak to Ms Lee?”, “Could you repeat that?”, and “I will ask her to call you back” help manage the conversation. In an emergency, direct language is best: “I need help,” “Someone has been injured,” and “We are at the north entrance.”

For complaints, describe the problem before requesting a solution: “The item arrived damaged. Could you arrange a replacement?” For job interviews, prepare phrases such as be responsible for, solve a problem, work under pressure, and contribute to a team.

Polite forms such as Could you…? and Would it be possible to…? are usually more suitable than direct commands when asking strangers or service staff for help.

Work and Business

Business English vocabulary covers meetings, projects, finance, sales, operations, and professional relationships. An agenda lists topics for a meeting, while minutes record what was discussed and decided. A deadline is the final completion time, and a milestone is an important stage in a project.

A stakeholder is a person or group affected by a project or organization. Revenue is income generated by business activity, while profit is what remains after relevant costs are subtracted. A client receives professional services, and a supplier provides goods or materials.

High-value collocations include meet a deadline, chair a meeting, take minutes, allocate a budget, negotiate a contract, reach an agreement, launch a product, and provide feedback.

Do not confuse job, work, career, and profession. A job is a particular paid position. Work is the general activity and is usually uncountable. A career develops across years and may include several jobs. A profession usually requires specialized knowledge or training.

We need to reach an agreement before the current contract expires.

The project is within budget but slightly behind schedule.

Phrases and Collocations

Learning an isolated word tells you what it can mean. Learning its collocations tells you how English speakers normally use it. A collocation is a combination of words that commonly appear together. Another combination may be grammatically possible but sound unusual.

Pattern	Natural combination	Example
Verb and noun	make a decision	We need to make a decision today.
Verb and noun	conduct research	The team conducted research into customer needs.
Verb and noun	raise awareness	The campaign raised awareness of water waste.
Verb and noun	catch a train	We caught the last train home.
Adjective and noun	strong evidence	There is strong evidence to support the conclusion.
Adjective and noun	heavy traffic	We were delayed by heavy traffic.
Adjective and noun	balanced diet	A balanced diet includes a range of foods.
Adjective and noun	close friend	She is a close friend from university.
Fixed expression	keep in touch	Let us keep in touch after the course.
Fixed expression	within walking distance	The museum is within walking distance of the station.
Fixed expression	on the other hand	The train is cheaper. On the other hand, it takes longer.
Fixed expression	as far as I know	As far as I know, the meeting is still scheduled for Friday.

Register is part of phrase knowledge. Help is neutral, while assist is more formal. Ask for is common in conversation, while request often fits formal writing. Put off the meeting is conversational; postpone the meeting is more formal. Neither choice is automatically better. The best expression depends on the audience and situation.

When recording a new word, include one meaning, one natural example, two or three collocations, and any necessary grammar pattern. For responsible, for example, record responsible for something and take responsibility for something. This creates vocabulary you can use, not just recognize.

Examples in Context

The following sentences show vocabulary from different levels and topics in natural use.

1. I usually take the bus to work, but today my neighbor gave me a lift.
2. Could you lend me your umbrella until tomorrow?
3. The restaurant offers several vegetarian dishes, including a spicy bean stew.
4. She felt more confident after practicing her presentation twice.
5. Please attach the receipt when you request a refund.
6. The exhibition explores how city life has changed across three generations.
7. Our doctor advised us to make a follow-up appointment if the symptoms continued.
8. The researchers found no reliable evidence to support the original hypothesis.
9. Strong passwords help protect accounts, but two-factor authentication adds another layer of security.
10. The supplier could not meet the deadline because a shipment had been delayed.
11. Although the proposal is feasible, its long-term environmental consequences require further consideration.
12. Her response was deliberately ambiguous, so each listener interpreted it differently.

Mini Quiz

Find Your Current English Level

Knowing your current level can help you choose vocabulary that is challenging without being overwhelming. Take the Global English Test to identify your current CEFR English level, then focus on the topics, phrases, and word patterns that best match your learning goals.