Compilation of 150+ English vocabulary by topics for beginners

English vocabulary about Family

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Mother

/ˈmʌðər/

a female parent

My mother is a teacher. 

Father

/ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent

My father enjoys playing soccer. 

Son

/sʌn/

your male child

Their son is studying engineering at university. 

Daughter

/ˈdɑːtə/

your female child

My daughter loves painting. 

Brother

/ˈbrʌðər/

a man or boy with the same parents as another person

My younger brother is a talented musician. 

Sister

/ˈsɪsər/

a girl or woman who has the same parents as another person

My sister and I enjoy going shopping together. 

Grandparent

/ˈɡrænpeərənt/

the father or mother of a person's father or mother

My grandparents live in a small village. 

Aunt 

/ænt/

the sister of someone's father or mother, or the wife of someone's uncle or aunt

My aunt works at the local hospital. 

Uncle 

/ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of someone's mother or father, or the husband of someone's aunt or uncle

My uncle is a pilot. 

English vocabulary about Friends

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Friend

/frend/

a person who you know well and who you like a lot, but who is usually not a member of your family

Sarah is my best friend. 

Acquaintance

/əˈkweɪntəns/

a person that you have met but do not know well

I met John at a conference, and now we're acquaintances. 

Companion

/kəmˈpænjən/

a person you spend a lot of time with often because you are friends or because you are traveling together

Emma is a great companion in this journey. 

Friendship

/ˈfrɛn(d)ˌʃɪp/

a situation in which two people are friends

Their friendship has lasted for over a decade. 

Close friend

/kloʊs frend/

someone that you have a strong connection with and like a lot

Mark is a close friend who I can trust with anything. 

Childhood friend

/ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd frend/

a friend that a person had when both of them were children

Sarah and I have been friends since we were kids. She's my childhood friend.

English vocabulary about Hometown

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Homeland

/ˈhoʊmlænd/

the country you were born in

She left her homeland to pursue better opportunities abroad. 

Hometown

/ˈhoʊmtaʊn/

the town or city that a person is from, especially the one in which they were born and lived while they were young

Whenever I visit my hometown, I feel a sense of nostalgia. 

Village

/ˈvɪlɪdʒ/

a group of houses and other buildings that is smaller than a town, usually in the countryside

The village where I grew up is surrounded by beautiful green fields.

Agriculture /’æɡ.rɪ.kʌl.tʃər/

the practice or work of farming

Agriculture is the main economic activity in this region. 

Buffalo /ˈbʌfələʊ/

a large animal of the cattle family, with long, curved horns

Farmers in this area use buffaloes for plowing the fields. 

Farmer 

/ˈfɑːmə/

someone who owns or takes care of a farm

English vocabulary about Occupation

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Job

/dʒɒb/

the regular work that a person does to earn money

I have a part-time job as a waiter at a local restaurant. 

Occupation

/ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/

a person's job

Her occupation is a doctor. 

Career

/kəˈrɪər/

the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money

He has had a successful career in finance for over 20 years. 

Workplace

/ˈwɜːrkˌpleɪs/

a building or room where people perform their jobs, or these places generally

Our company recently moved to a new workplace downtown. 

Colleague

/ˈkɒliːɡ/

one of a group of people who work together

I enjoy working with my colleagues because we make a great team. 

Boss

/bɒs/

the person who is in charge of an organization and who tells others what to do

My boss is very supportive. 

Deadline

/ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/

a time or day by which something must be done

We have to finish this project before the deadline. 

Promotion

/prəˈməʊʃən/

the act of raising someone to a higher or more important position or rank

She received a promotion to a managerial position. 

Salary

/ˈsæləri/

a fixed amount of money agreed every year as pay for an employee, usually paid directly into his or her bank account every month

The company offers competitive salaries to attract top talent. 

English vocabulary about Education

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Education

/ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/

the process of teaching or learning, especially in a school or college, or the knowledge that you get from this

Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of individuals and societies. 

School

/skuːl/

a place where children go to be educated

I attended a private school. 

Student

/ˈstuːdənt/

a person who is learning at a college or university

The students were excited about their upcoming field trip. 

Teacher

/ˈtiːʧər/

someone whose job is to teach in a school or college

Ms. Johnson is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher. 

Classroom

/ˈklæsruːm/

a room in a school or college where groups of students are taught

The students entered the classroom and took their seats. 

Curriculum

/kəˈrɪkjələm/

the subjects studied in a school, college, etc. and what each subject includes

The school has a well-rounded curriculum. 

Knowledge

/ˈnɒlɪdʒ/

understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study, either known by one person or by people generally

Reading books helps to broaden one's knowledge. 

Homework

/ˈhoʊmwɜːrk/

work that teachers give their students to do at home

I need to finish my math homework. 

English vocabulary about Tourism

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Travel

/ˈtrævəl/

to make a journey, usually over a long distance

I love to travel around the world. 

Vacation

/vəˈkeɪʃən/

a time when someone does not go to work or school but is free to do what they want, such as travel or relax

We're planning to go to Hawaii for our summer vacation.

Tourist

/ˈtʊrɪst/

someone who visits a place for pleasure and interest, usually while on holiday

The city attracts millions of tourists each year with its historical landmarks. 

Destination

/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən/

the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken

Paris is a popular destination for romantic getaways. 

Adventure

/ədˈvɛnʧər/

an unusual, exciting, and possibly dangerous activity, such as a trip or experience, or the excitement produced by such an activity

I'm always up for an adventure, whether it's hiking in the mountains or exploring a new city. 

Souvenir

/ˌsuːvəˈnɪr/

something you buy or keep to help you remember a holiday or special event

I bought a keychain as a souvenir. 

English vocabulary about Weather

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Climate

/ˈklaɪmət/

the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place

The climate in this region is known for its hot summers. 

Sunny

/ˈsʌni/

bright because of light from the sun

It's a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine. 

Windy

/ˈwɪndi/

with a lot of wind

Be careful, it's quite windy outside. 

Dry

/draɪ/

used to describe something that has no water or other liquid in, on, or around it

The desert is known for its dry climate. 

Humid

/ˈhjuːmɪd/

(of air and weather conditions) containing extremely small drops of water in the air

The tropical rainforest has a humid climate with high levels of moisture in the air. 

Stormy

/ˈstɔːmi/

with strong wind, heavy rain, and often thunder and lightning

The sky turned dark and stormy, and heavy rain started pouring down.

Sunshine

/'sʌnʃain/

the light and heat that come from the sun

After days of rain, the sunshine finally broke through the clouds. 

Frost

/frɒst/

the thin, white layer of ice that forms when the air temperature is below the freezing point of water, especially outside at night

The overnight frost covered the ground with a thin layer of ice. 

Rainbow

/ˈreɪnbəʊ/

an arch (= curved shape) of different colours seen in the sky when rain is falling and the sun is shining

After the rain stopped, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. 

English vocabulary about Culture

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Culture 

(ˈkʌltʃə(r))

the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time

The country has a rich culture with diverse traditions and customs.

Cultural exchange 

(ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ)

the reciprocal exchange of ideas, information, values, and other aspects of culture among people, communities, and countries

The university promotes cultural exchange by hosting international students and organizing cultural festivals.

Cultural festival 

(ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈfestɪvl)

an event that celebrates and showcases the unique customs, traditions, art, music, cuisine, and other elements that define a particular culture or community

Cultural heritage 

(ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ)

the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations

The preservation of cultural heritage is essential for future generations to understand their roots. 

Ancient monument 

(ˌeɪnʃənt ˈmɒnjumənt)

an old building or place that is an important part of a country's history

The ancient monument stands as a testament to the civilization that existed thousands of years ago. 

Historic site 

(hɪˈstɒrɪk saɪt)

a location that has been identified, preserved, and protected due to its historical, cultural, or archaeological significance.

The historic site attracts tourists who are interested in learning about the region's rich history. 

National identity 

(ˈnæʃnəl aɪˈdentəti)

a sense of belonging, allegiance, and solidarity that individuals feel towards their nation or country

The flag represents the national identity and unity of the country. 

Race conflict 

(reɪs ˈkɒnflɪkt)

the tensions, hostilities, and struggles that arise between different racial or ethnic groups within a society

The country has been facing racial conflicts, which have led to tensions and social divisions. 

English vocabulary about Festival

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Festival

/ˈfɛstɪvəl/

a special day or period, usually in memory of a religious event, with its own social activities, food, or ceremonies

The city holds a grand festival every summer to celebrate its cultural heritage. 

Celebration

/ˌsɛlɪˈbreɪʃən/

a special social event, such as a party, when you celebrate something

The family gathered for a joyful celebration of their grandmother's 80th birthday. 

Costume

/ˈkɒstjuːm/

the set of clothes typical of a particular country or period of history

Children dressed up in colorful costumes for Halloween. 

Firework

/ˈfaɪərwɜːrk/

a small container filled with explosive chemicals that produce bright coloured patterns or loud noises when they explode

The sky was illuminated by spectacular fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Street fair

/striːt fɛr/

a type of community event or festival that takes place in the streets, sidewalks, or other public spaces of a neighborhood or town

The community organized a lively street fair with food stalls, live music, and games. 

Vietnamese Lunar New Year/ Tet holiday

a cherished tradition that reflects the country's rich cultural heritage, family values, and belief in auspicious beginnings

During the Tet holiday, families gather together and enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes.

English vocabulary about Health

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Flu

/ðə fluː/

a common infectious illness that causes fever and headache

He was absent from work for a week due to the flu.

Nausea

/ˈnɔːziːə/

a feeling of illness in the stomach that makes you think you are going to vomit

The pregnant woman experienced constant nausea. 

Headache

/ˈhedhek/

a pain you feel inside your head

He took a pain reliever to ease his headache. 

Cough

/ˈkɔːf/

the act of coughing, or the sound this makes

He had a persistent cough that lasted for weeks. 

Sore throat

/sɔːr θroːt/

a condition in which your throat is red and feels painful, especially when you swallow

She drank warm tea with honey to soothe her sore throat. 

Runny nose

/ˈrʌniː noʊz/

the excessive production and discharge of nasal mucus

His runny nose was a result of seasonal allergies. 

Fever

/ˈfiːvər/

a medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than usual

The child had a high fever and was advised to see a doctor. 

English vocabulary about Food

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Food

/fuːd/

something that people and animals eat, or plants absorb, to keep them alive

She enjoys trying different types of food from around the world. 

Dish

/dɪʃ/

food prepared in a particular way as part of a meal

The chef prepared a delicious seafood dish with fresh ingredients. 

Cuisine

/kwɪˈziːn/

a style of cooking

Thai cuisine is known for its bold and vibrant flavors. 

Recipe

/ˈrɛsəpi/

a set of instructions telling you how to prepare and cook food, including a list of what food is needed for this

She followed a traditional Italian recipe to make homemade pasta. 

Ingredient

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

a food that is used with other foods in the preparation of a particular dish

The recipe calls for a variety of fresh ingredients, including tomatoes and herbs. 

Flavor

/ˈfleɪvər/

how food or drink tastes, or a particular taste itself

The soup had a rich and savory flavor. 

Spicy

/ˈspaɪsi/

containing strong flavors from spices

He enjoys eating spicy food. 

Sweet

/swiːt/

(especially of food or drink) having a taste similar to that of sugar; not bitter or salty

The dessert was incredibly sweet. 

Dessert

/dɪˈzɜːt/

sweet food eaten at the end of a meal

English vocabulary about Personality

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Brave 

/breɪv/

showing no fear of dangerous or difficult things

The firefighter showed incredible bravery while rescuing people from the burning building. 

Careful

/ˈkeəfl/

giving a lot of attention to what you are doing so that you do not have an accident, make a mistake, or damage something

She is a careful driver. 

Friendly

/ˈfrendli/

behaving in a pleasant, kind way towards someone

The new neighbor greeted us with a friendly smile. 

Generous

 /ˈdʒenərəs/

willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

She is known for her generosity. 

Hardworking

/ˌhɑːd ˈwɜːkɪŋ/

always putting a lot of effort and care into your work

He is a hardworking student who devotes many hours to studying. 

Polite

/pəˈlaɪt/

behaving in a way that is socially correct and shows understanding of and care for other people's feelings

She always uses polite language and shows respect to others.

Smart = Intelligent

able to think quickly or intelligently in difficult situations

He is a smart student who excels in all subjects. 

English vocabulary about Environment

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Earthquake 

/ˈɜːθkweɪk/ 

a sudden violent movement of the earth's surface, sometimes causing great damage:

The earthquake shook the city. 

Environment

/ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ 

the conditions that you live or work in and the way that they influence how you feel or how effectively you can work

It's important to protect the environment by reducing air pollution. 

Air pollution 

/eər pəˈluː.ʃən/ 

harmful substances in the air, often consisting of waste from vehicles or industry

Erosion

/ɪˈrəʊʒən/ 

the fact of soil, stone, etc. being gradually damaged and removed by the waves, rain, or wind

The constant rainfall and strong winds caused erosion. 

Fossil fuel

/ˈfɒsl fjʊəl/ 

fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago

Most vehicles still rely on fossil fuels. 

Greenhouse effect 

/ˈgriːnhaʊs ɪˈfɛkt/ 

an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere (= mixture of gases around the earth), that is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the surface of the earth

The greenhouse effect is responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere. 

Atmosphere

/ˈæt.mə.sfɪər/ 

a mixture of gases that surrounds any planet

Solar power 

/ˈsəʊlə ˈpaʊə/ 

energy that uses the power of the sun to produce electricity

Many households are installing equipment to harness solar power. 

Climate change 

/ˈklaɪ.mət tʃeɪndʒ/

changes in the world's weather, in particular the fact that it is believed to be getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

The increasing temperatures are clear signs of climate change. 

Draught

/drɑːft/ 

a current of unpleasantly cold air blowing through a room

The prolonged drought has caused water shortages. 

English vocabulary about Movie

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Action film

 /ˈæk.ʃən fɪlm/

a type of film in which a lot of exciting things happen

Mission Impossible is an action film filled with thrilling chase scenes. 

Horror film

/ˈhɔːr.ɚi fɪlm/

a film in which very frightening or unnatural things happen, for example dead people coming to life and people being murdered

"The Conjuring" is a popular horror film. 

Romance film

/ˈroʊ.mæns fɪlm/

a genre of film that focuses on the emotional and romantic relationship between two or more characters

South Korea is famous for romantic films. 

Documentary

/ˌdɑː.kjəˈmen.t̬ɚ.i/

a film or television or radio programme that gives facts and information about a subject

"Planet Earth" is a highly acclaimed documentary series. 

Comedy

/ˈkɑː.mə.di/

a (type of) film, play, or book that is intentionally funny either in its characters or its action

I often watch comedy and cartoons on weekends for entertainment. 

Cartoon

/kɑːrˈtuːn/

a TV programme or short film, usually a funny one, made using characters and images that are drawn rather than real

English vocabulary about Games

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Hide-and-seek

a children's game in which a group of children hide in secret places and then one child has to go to look for them

The children played hide-and-seek in the park. 

Tug-of-war

a type of sport in which two teams show their strength by pulling against each other at the opposite ends of a rope, and each team tries to pull the other over a line on the ground

The two teams lined up on opposite sides of the rope and engaged in a fierce tug-of-war. 

Blind man’s buff

a children's game in which one person has a cloth tied over their eyes and tries to catch the others

The children blindfolded one player and spun them around before they caught their friends in a game of blind man's buff.

See-saw

a long plank balanced in the middle on a fixed support, on each end of which children sit and swing up and down by pushing the ground alternately with their feet

The children took turns going up on the see-saw, enjoying the rhythmic motion and laughter. 

Bag jumping

an extreme sport and form of parachuting that involves jumping from a platform or object while using a parachute or wingsuit to descend safely

The bag jumping trains physical health and ingenuity for children. 

English vocabulary about Animal

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Dog 

/dɒg/

a common animal with four legs, especially kept by people as a pet or to hunt or guard things

I took my dog for a walk in the park. 

Cat 

/kæt/

a small animal with fur, four legs, a tail, and claws, usually kept as a pet or for catching mice

The cat gracefully leaped onto the windowsill. 

Duck 

/dək/

a bird that lives by water and has webbed feet (= feet with skin between the toes), a short neck, and a large beak

The mother duck led her ducklings to the pond. 

Mouse 

/maʊs/

a small mammal with short fur, a pointed face, and a long tail

I saw a tiny mouse scurrying across the kitchen floor. 

Crab 

/kræb/

a sea creature with five pairs of legs and a round, flat body covered by a shell, or its flesh eaten as food

The children found a crab on the beach. 

English vocabulary about Color

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

White

/waɪt/

of a colour like that of snow, milk, or bone

The bride looked stunning in her white wedding dress. 

Blue

/bluː/

of the colour of the sky without clouds on a bright day, or a darker or lighter type of this

The clear blue sky was dotted with white clouds. 

Green

/griːn/

of a colour between blue and yellow; of the colour of grass

The lush green meadow was a perfect spot for going sightseeing. 

Yellow

/ˈjel. əʊ/

a colour like that of a lemon or gold or the sun

The vibrant yellow flowers bloomed brightly in the garden. 

Orange

/ˈɒr. ɪndʒ/

a round sweet fruit that has a thick orange skin and an orange centre divided into many parts

The sun set in a breathtaking display of orange, pink and red hues. 

Pink

/pɪŋk/

of a pale red colour

Red

/red/

of the colour of fresh blood

Black

/blæk/

having the darkest colour there is, like the colour of coal or of a very dark night

The night sky was adorned with stars. 

English vocabulary about Sport

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Football

/ˈfʊtbɔːl/

a game played between two teams of eleven people, where each team tries to win by kicking a ball into the other team's goal

Football is the most favorite sport in the world. 

Basketball

/ˈbæskɪtbɔːl/

a game played by two teams of five players who score points by throwing a large ball through an open net hanging from a metal ring

The basketball player dribbled the ball skillfully. 

Tennis

/ˈtenɪs/

a game played between two or four people on a special playing area that involves hitting a small ball across a central net using a racket

The tennis match was intense as the two players battled it out. 

Swim

/ˈswɪm/

to move through water by moving the body or parts of the body

I enjoy swimming in the pool.

Run

/ˈrʌn/

(of people and some animals) to move along, faster than walking, by taking quick steps in which each foot is lifted before the next foot touches the ground

Every morning, I go for a run in the park to start my day. 

Cycling

/ˈsaɪklɪŋ/

the sport of riding a bicycle

My family decided to go cycling together on the weekend. 

English vocabulary about Time

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Minute

/ˈmɪn.ɪt/

one of the 60 parts that an hour is divided into, consisting of 60 seconds

He checked his watch every minute to see if it was running late. 

Hour

/aʊr/

a period of 60 minutes

The meeting is scheduled to last for an hour. 

Week

/wiːk/

a period of seven days, especially either from Monday to Sunday or from Sunday to Saturday

After a long and busy week at work, I am looking forward to relaxing. 

Month

/mʌnθ/

a period of about four weeks, especially one of the twelve periods into which a year is divided

She has been studying Spanish for several months. 

Year

/jɪr/

a period of twelve months, especially from 1 January to 31 December

They celebrated their wedding anniversary, reminiscing about the past year. 

Century

/ˈsen.tʃər.i/

a period of 100 years

The ancient artifact dates back to the 18th century. 

Weekend

/ˈwiːend/

Saturday and Sunday, or Friday evening until Sunday night; the part of the week in which many people living in the West do not go to work

I like to unwind and recharge during the weekend. 

English vocabulary about Crime

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Criminal

/ˈkrɪm.ə.nəl/

someone who commits a crime

The detective builds a case against the criminal. 

Cybercrime

/ˈsaɪ.bɚ.kraɪm/

crime or illegal activity that is done using the internet

With the rise of technology, the threat of cybercrime has increased.

Kidnapper

/ˈkɪd.næp.ɚ/

someone who takes a person away illegally by force, usually in order to demand money in exchange for releasing them

The police launched a manhunt to capture the kidnapper. 

Murderer

/ˈmɝː.dɚ.ɚ/

someone who illegally and intentionally kills another person

The murderer was sentenced to life in prison. 

Rapist

/ˈreɪ.pɪst/

a person who forces someone to have sex with them

The community rallied together to ensure that justice was served for the rapist's heinous act. 

Robber

/ˈrɑːbər/

someone who steals

The robber entered the bank with a masked face. 

Terrorist

/ˈter.ər.ɪ.zəm/

(threats of) violent action for political purposes

The government implemented stringent security measures to prevent terrorist attacks.

Thief

/θiːf/

a person who steals

The thief stealthily entered the house and stole valuable jewelry.

Vocabulary

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Easy-going

/ˌiːzi ˈɡəʊɪŋ/

relaxed and not easily upset or worried

He is an easy-going person who adapts well to different situations. 

Occupation 

Job

Workplace

Skills 

• Doctor 

• Teacher 

• Chef 

• Hospital 

• School

• Restaurant 

• Problem-solving 

• Teaching

• Cooking