Common English Words

Clear definitions, example sentences, IPA pronunciation and free practice exercises for 135 of the most useful English vocabulary words — from A1 to C1 level.

Why These 135 Words?

These words were selected because they appear repeatedly across spoken conversation, academic writing, news media, and exam vocabulary lists at A1–C1 level. Mastering them gives you a solid core that unlocks comprehension of a vast amount of everyday English text.

Each word page includes a clear definition, IPA pronunciation, five example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, common learner mistakes, a CEFR level badge, and 10 frequently asked questions. Every page links directly to relevant LexFizz practice exercises. The list has grown from 50 to 135 words to cover more high-frequency, academic, and advanced vocabulary.

Browse All 135 Words A–Z

Ability Abstract Achieve Action Adequate Agree Allow Amount Ambiguous Appear Apply Arduous Astute Austere Available Become Believe Benefit Category Cause Candid Change Choose Clear Cogent Common Complete Concept Consider Contain Continue Cordial Create Criteria Decide Demonstrate Develop Different Difficult Diligent Element Eloquent Emerge Enjoy Ephemeral Evaluate Evidence Example Explain Factor Fast Fastidious Feasible Feature Feel Focus Follow Foundation Generate Give Growth Happen Help Hypothesis Idea Identify Implement Important Improve Include Increase Indicate Information Inevitable Innovation Integrate Interest Interpret Involve Justify Know Language Learn Level Likely Lucid Manage Meaning Mention Method Mind Natural Need Offer Pay Perform Pertinent Place Plan Point Potential Power Practice Pragmatic Problem Process Profound Prudent Question Reason Result Salient Seem Scrutinise Serendipity Show Significant Skill Strategy Succinct Support Tend Tenacious Tenable Term Theory Ubiquitous Unprecedented Use Versatile Compelling Meticulous Nuanced Resilience Resilient

How to Use These Pages

Start with words at your CEFR level — A1 or A2 if you are a beginner, B1 or B2 if you are intermediate. Read the definition and example sentences, then try to make your own sentence before clicking through to the exercises. Return to each word a few days later to check your recall — this spaced repetition approach is the most efficient way to move vocabulary into long-term memory.

Pay particular attention to the "Synonyms" and "Common Mistakes" sections on each page. Synonyms expand your expressive range; knowing common mistakes helps you avoid the exact errors that lower marks in English exams and make writing sound unnatural.

Related Resources

Vocabulary Hub Grammar Glossary Flash Cards All Exercises

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common English words?
The most common English words include basic function words like 'the', 'is', 'and', but also high-frequency content words like ability, action, change, help, and learn. Mastering these core vocabulary items gives you a strong foundation for understanding most everyday English text.
How many words do I need to know to be fluent in English?
Research suggests that knowing the most frequent 2,000 words covers around 95% of everyday spoken English. The 5,000 most frequent words cover most written text. The 135 words on this page range from top-2,000 core vocabulary to useful academic and advanced B2–C1 words for ESL learners.
What is the best way to learn English vocabulary?
The most effective approach combines reading in context, spaced repetition (revisiting words at increasing intervals), and active use (writing and speaking). LexFizz's Flash Cards use spaced repetition, while the Complete the Sentence and Quiz exercises provide context-based practice.
What does CEFR level mean for vocabulary?
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) levels range from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Each level corresponds to a vocabulary range: A1-A2 (500-1,000 words), B1-B2 (2,000-4,000 words), C1-C2 (8,000+ words). The words on this page are labelled with their approximate CEFR level.
What is the difference between a word and a vocabulary item?
A single 'word' can have many different forms and meanings. The vocabulary item 'change', for example, includes the verb (to change), the noun (a change), the adjective (changeable), and the adverb (changeably). Learning the word family — all related forms — maximises your vocabulary growth.
How do I use example sentences to learn vocabulary?
When you read an example sentence, pay attention to: (1) the grammar pattern surrounding the word, (2) the words that typically appear with it (collocations), (3) the register (formal/informal). Then try writing your own example sentence. Active production is much more effective than passive recognition.
What are collocations and why do they matter?
Collocations are words that naturally go together in English: 'take action' (not 'do action'), 'make a decision' (not 'do a decision'), 'achieve a goal' (not 'reach a goal' in all contexts). Native speakers use collocations automatically. Learning them alongside individual words makes your English sound natural.
How is pronunciation shown on these word pages?
Pronunciation is shown using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), the standard system used in dictionaries worldwide. For example, /tʃeɪndʒ/ for 'change'. Each symbol represents one consistent sound, regardless of spelling. Learning basic IPA helps you decode any new word's pronunciation from a dictionary entry.
What is the difference between synonyms and collocates?
Synonyms are words with similar meanings (change, alter, modify). Collocates are words that typically appear together (big change, climate change, make a change). Both are important for vocabulary development — synonyms give you alternatives, while collocates show you how to use a word naturally in context.
How can LexFizz help me improve my vocabulary?
LexFizz offers free interactive exercises including Flash Cards (spaced repetition), Complete the Sentence (context practice), Vocabulary Quiz (testing recall), Hangman (spelling focus), and Word Search (visual recognition). Regular short sessions of 10-15 minutes are more effective than occasional long study periods.