C1 English words

English words of level C1 (advanced): advanced vocabulary for nuanced, fluent English at work and in reading. Each word has its British and American transcription, audio in both accents and a short explanation in plain English. Choose your language to see translations and learn the words with flashcards.

Words 1–100 of 681

  1. 1abdomen
    abdomennounB2
    UK /əbˈdəʊmən/US /ˈæbdəmən/

    the rear section of an insect's body, behind the thorax

  2. 2abuse
    abusenounC1
    UK /əˈbjuːs/US /əˈbjuːs/

    cruel or violent treatment of a person

  3. 3abuse
    abusenounC1
    UK /əˈbjuːs/US /əˈbjuːs/

    using something wrongly or too much, like power or alcohol

  4. 4AC
    ACnounC2
    UK /ˌeɪ ˈsiː/US /ˌeɪˈsiː/

    electric current that keeps changing direction, like the power in homes

  5. 5accessorize
    accessorizeverbB2
    UK /əkˈsesəraɪz/US /əkˈsesəraɪz/

    style with accessories

  6. 6accountability
    accountabilitynounC1
    UK /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪti/US /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪlɪti/

    responsibility for results

  7. 7adrenal gland
    adrenal glandnounB2
    UK /əˈdriːnəl ˌɡlænd/US /əˈdriːnəl ˌɡlænd/

    small hormone-producing gland above a kidney

  8. 8affect
    affectverbA2
    UK /əˈfekt/US /əˈfekt/

    have an effect on something, e.g. weather affects your mood

  9. 9
    affectnounA2
    UK /ˈæfɛkt/US /ˈæfɛkt/

    the outward display of emotion or mood in psychology

  10. 10agricultural
    agriculturaladjectiveC1
    UK /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl/US /ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərəl/

    relating to farming

  11. 11aircraft
    aircraftnounB2
    UK /ˈeəkrɑːft/US /ˈerkræft/

    a vehicle that can fly

  12. 12alder
    aldernounB2
    UK /ˈɔːldə/US /ˈɔldɚ/

    a deciduous tree that often grows near rivers and lakes

  13. 13alert
    alertadjectiveC1
    UK /əˈlɜːt/US /əˈlɝt/

    able to think quickly and notice things

  14. 14alignment
    alignmentnounC1
    UK /əˈlaɪnmənt/US /əˈlaɪnmənt/

    being in agreement

  15. 15alleged
    allegedadjectiveB2
    UK /əˈledʒd/US /əˈledʒd/

    said to be true but not yet proven

  16. 16allegedly
    allegedlyadverbC1
    UK /əˈledʒɪdli/US /əˈledʒɪdli/

    used to say that something is said to be true but may not be

  17. 17allowance
    allowancenounC1
    UK /əˈlaʊəns/US /əˈlaʊəns/

    an amount of income you can earn without paying tax

  18. 18allow of
    allow ofphrasal verbC1
    UK /əˈlaʊ ɒv/US /əˈlaʊ ʌv/

    to show that something is possible

  19. 19allspice
    allspicenounC1
    UK /ˈɔːlspaɪs/US /ˈɔlspaɪs/

    a warm spice with a flavor reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves

  20. 20ally
    allynounC1
    UK /ˈælaɪ/US /ˈælaɪ/

    a person or country that supports you against others

  21. 21amendment
    amendmentnounC1
    UK /əˈmendmənt/US /əˈmendmənt/

    a change or addition made to a law or document

  22. 22anemone
    anemonenounC2
    UK /əˈneməni/US /əˈneməni/

    a flowering plant with brightly coloured, often cup-shaped flowers

  23. 23annual
    annualnounB2
    UK /ˈænjuəl/US /ˈænjuəl/

    a plant that completes its life cycle within one year or growing season

  24. 24annual declaration
    annual declarationnounB2
    UK /ˈænjuəl ˌdekləˈreɪʃən/US /ˈænjuəl ˌdekləˈreɪʃən/

    a declaration completed every year

  25. 25anteater
    anteaternounB2
    UK /ˈæntiːtə/US /ˈæntitɚ/

    a mammal with a long snout that feeds mainly on ants and termites

  26. 26anti-bribery policy
    anti-bribery policynounC1
    UK /ˌænti ˈbraɪbəri ˈpɒləsi/US /ˌænti ˈbraɪbəri ˈpɑːləsi/

    rules against bribery

  27. 27ape
    apenounB1
    UK /eɪp/US /eɪp/

    a large animal like a monkey but without a tail, such as a gorilla

  28. 28aphid
    aphidnounB2
    UK /ˈeɪfɪd/US /ˈeɪfɪd/

    a small insect that feeds by sucking sap from plants

  29. 29appeal deadline
    appeal deadlinenounB2
    UK /əˈpiːl ˈdedlaɪn/US /əˈpiːl ˈdedlaɪn/

    the latest date to appeal

  30. 30appeal form
    appeal formnounB2
    UK /əˈpiːl ˈfɔːm/US /əˈpiːl ˈfɔːrm/

    a form used to challenge a decision

  31. 31appeal request
    appeal requestnounB2
    UK /əˈpiːl rɪˈkwest/US /əˈpiːl rɪˈkwest/

    a request to challenge a decision

  32. 32approval workflow
    approval workflownounB2
    UK /əˈpruːvəl ˈwɜːkfləʊ/US /əˈpruːvəl ˈwɝːkfloʊ/

    a process for approving documents

  33. 33articulate
    articulateverbC1
    UK /ɑːˈtɪkjʊleɪt/US /ɑrˈtɪkjəleɪt/

    to express ideas clearly in words

  34. 34ash
    ashnounC1
    UK /æʃ/US /æʃ/

    a deciduous tree of the olive family with compound leaves and winged seeds

  35. 35asset
    assetnounB2
    UK /ˈæset/US /ˈæset/

    something valuable that a company or person owns

  36. 36aster
    asternounC1
    UK /ˈæstə/US /ˈæstɚ/

    a plant with daisy-like flower heads, often purple, pink, or white

  37. 37attraction
    attractionnounB1
    UK /əˈtrækʃən/US /əˈtrækʃən/

    a feeling of liking someone, especially romantically

  38. 38attribute
    attributeverbC1
    UK /əˈtrɪbjuːt/US /əˈtrɪbjuːt/

    to say that something is caused by someone or something

  39. 39
    authenticadjectiveC1
    UK /ɔːˈθentɪk/US /ɔːˈθentɪk/

    real and genuine; not a copy

  40. 40autonomy
    autonomynounC1
    UK /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/US /ɔˈtɑnəmi/

    the right or ability to govern yourself independently

  41. 41awareness
    awarenessnounB2
    UK /əˈweənəs/US /əˈwernəs/

    knowledge or understanding of a situation or fact

  42. 42azalea
    azaleanounC1
    UK /əˈzeɪliə/US /əˈzeɪliə/

    a shrub with brightly coloured flowers, often grown as an ornamental plant

  43. 43bail out
    bail outphrasal verbC2
    UK /ˌbeɪl ˈaʊt/US /ˌbeɪl ˈaʊt/

    to empty water from a boat using a small container

  44. 44balance out
    balance outphrasal verbB1
    UK /ˌbæləns ˈaʊt/US /ˌbæləns ˈaʊt/

    to become equal or even over time

  45. 45bale out
    bale out / bail outphrasal verbC2
    UK /ˌbeɪl ˈaʊt/US /ˌbeɪl ˈaʊt/

    to escape from a difficult situation

  46. 46bangers and mash
    bangers and mashnounC2
    UK /ˌbæŋəz ən ˈmæʃ/US /ˈbæŋɚz ən ˈmæʃ/

    a dish of sausages served with mashed potatoes

  47. 47bang on
    bang onphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbæŋ ˈɒn/US /ˌbæŋ ˈɑn/

    to talk about something for a long time in a boring and annoying way

  48. 48barberry
    barberrynounC2
    UK /ˈbɑːbəri/US /ˈbɑːrˌberi/

    small red tart berry from a barberry shrub

  49. 49battered
    batteredadjectiveC1
    UK /ˈbætəd/US /ˈbætɚd/

    dipped in batter

  50. 50bcc
    bccnounB2
    UK /ˌbiː siː ˈsiː/US /ˌbiː siː ˈsiː/

    a hidden extra person who gets a copy of an email

  51. 51beat down
    beat downphrasal verbB1
    UK /ˌbiːt ˈdaʊn/US /ˌbiːt ˈdaʊn/

    if the sun beats down, it shines with great heat

  52. 52beat off
    beat offphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbiːt ˈɒf/US /ˌbiːt ˈɔf/

    to prevent someone from physically attacking you by hitting them with your hands or with an object

  53. 53beat out
    beat outphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbiːt ˈaʊt/US /ˌbiːt ˈaʊt/

    to make a pattern of sounds by hitting an instrument or other object

  54. 54beech
    beechnounB2
    UK /biːtʃ/US /bitʃ/

    a deciduous tree with smooth grey bark and oval leaves

  55. 55beef bourguignon
    beef bourguignonnounC2
    UK /ˌbiːf ˌbɔːɡɪˈnjɒn/US /ˌbiːf ˌbʊrɡɪnˈjoʊn/

    a French beef stew cooked in red wine

  56. 56beef Wellington
    beef WellingtonnounC1
    UK /ˌbiːf ˈwelɪŋtən/US /ˈbiːf ˈwelɪŋtən/

    beef wrapped in pastry and baked

  57. 57begonia
    begonianounC1
    UK /bɪˈɡəʊniə/US /bəˈɡoʊniə/

    a decorative plant grown for its colorful flowers or leaves

  58. 58being
    beingverbB2
    UK /ˈbiːɪŋ/US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

    present participle of be; existing

  59. 59be jacked up
    be jacked upphrasal verbC1
    UK /ˌdʒæk ˈʌp/US /ˌdʒæk ˈʌp/

    to be very excited or nervous, especially because you have taken an illegal drug

  60. 60belief
    beliefnounB1
    UK /bɪˈliːf/US /bɪˈliːf/

    something people hold to be true, e.g. a traditional idea about spirits

  61. 61belt out
    belt outphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbelt ˈaʊt/US /ˌbelt ˈaʊt/

    to sing something very loudly

  62. 62bend over backwards
    bend over backwardsphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbend ˌəʊvə ˈbækwədz/US /ˌbend ˌoʊvɚ ˈbækwɚdz/

    do a lot to try to help or please someone

  63. 63be on
    be onphrasal verbC1
    UK /biː ˈɒn/US /bi ˈɑn/

    to be performing very well

  64. 64bid
    bidnounB2
    UK /bɪd/US /bɪd/

    an offer to pay a particular price

  65. 65big up
    big upphrasal verbC2
    UK /ˌbɪɡ ˈʌp/US /ˌbɪɡ ˈʌp/

    to praise someone or something a lot

  66. 66bill
    billnounA1
    UK /bɪl/US /bɪl/

    a written plan for a new law that lawmakers discuss

  67. 67biodiversity
    biodiversitynounC1
    UK /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti/US /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɝsəti/

    variety of living species

  68. 68biodiversity loss
    biodiversity lossnounC1
    UK /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti ˈlɒs/US /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɝsəti ˈlɔs/

    decrease in species diversity

  69. 69biometric data
    biometric datanounC1
    UK /ˌbaɪəʊˈmetrɪk ˈdeɪtə/US /ˌbaɪoʊˈmetrɪk ˈdeɪtə/

    personal physical data used for identification

  70. 70biometric screening
    biometric screeningnounC1
    UK /ˌbaɪəʊˈmetrɪk ˈskriːnɪŋ/US /ˌbaɪoʊˈmetrɪk ˈskriːnɪŋ/

    checking a person's identity using fingerprints, face or eye scans

  71. 71bishop
    bishopnounC1
    UK /ˈbɪʃəp/US /ˈbɪʃəp/

    a senior Christian priest

  72. 72blessing
    blessingnounC1
    UK /ˈblesɪŋ/US /ˈblesɪŋ/

    spoken good wish

  73. 73blue jay
    blue jaynounC2
    UK /ˈbluː ˌdʒeɪ/US /ˈbluː ˌdʒeɪ/

    a North American bird with blue plumage, a crest, and a loud call

  74. 74boar
    boarnounB1
    UK /bɔː/US /bɔr/

    male pig

  75. 75hair grip
    hair grip / bobby pinnounB2
    UK /ˈheə ˌɡrɪp/US /ˈbɑbi ˌpɪn/

    a small metal clip for holding hair in place

  76. 76bond
    bondnounB2
    UK /bɒnd/US /bɑːnd/

    a paper showing you lent money to a government or company for interest

  77. 77bough
    boughnounC1
    UK /baʊ/US /baʊ/

    a large branch of a tree

  78. 78bow down to
    bow down tophrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbaʊ ˈdaʊn tuː/US /ˌbaʊ ˈdaʊn tuː/

    to show respect to someone who is more powerful than you

  79. 79break for
    break forphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˈbreɪk fɔː/US /ˈbreɪk fɔr/

    to go somewhere quickly, especially in order to escape

  80. 80bream
    breamnounC2
    UK /briːm/US /briːm/

    a freshwater fish with a wide flat body, common in Europe

  81. 81bring down
    bring downphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbrɪŋ ˈdaʊn/US /ˌbrɪŋ ˈdaʊn/

    to cause a government or politician to lose power

  82. 82bring forward
    bring forwardphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbrɪŋ ˈfɔːwəd/US /ˌbrɪŋ ˈfɔrwɚd/

    to announce plans or ideas officially so that people can discuss them

  83. 83brother-in-law
    brother-in-lawnounB2
    UK /ˈbrʌðərɪnlɔː/US /ˈbrʌðərɪnˌlɔ/

    spouse’s brother

  84. 84build up
    build upphrasal verbB1
    UK /ˌbɪld ˈʌp/US /ˌbɪld ˈʌp/

    to build something by adding layers or parts

  85. 85burden
    burdennounC1
    UK /ˈbɜːdn/US /ˈbɝdən/

    something difficult or worrying that you must deal with

  86. 86burning
    burningadjectiveB1
    UK /ˈbɜːnɪŋ/US /ˈbɝːnɪŋ/

    very urgent or strong

  87. 87bust out
    bust outphrasal verbC1
    UK /ˌbʌst ˈaʊt/US /ˌbʌst ˈaʊt/

    to suddenly do or show something impressive

  88. 88buttercup
    buttercupnounC1
    UK /ˈbʌtəkʌp/US /ˈbʌtɚkʌp/

    a small wild plant with bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers

  89. 89buttermilk
    buttermilknounB2
    UK /ˈbʌtəmɪlk/US /ˈbʌtɚmɪlk/

    a slightly sour milk drink, often what is left after making butter

  90. 90butter up
    butter upphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbʌtə ˈʌp/US /ˌbʌtɚ ˈʌp/

    to be nice to someone so that they will help or support you

  91. 91butt in
    butt inphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbʌt ˈɪn/US /ˌbʌt ˈɪn/

    to join a conversation or activity without being asked to

  92. 92buy out
    buy outphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbaɪ ˈaʊt/US /ˌbaɪ ˈaʊt/

    to pay someone the rest of their contract money so they leave early

  93. 93buy out
    buy outphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbaɪ ˈaʊt/US /ˌbaɪ ˈaʊt/

    to pay a co-owner for their part of a business so that it becomes yours

  94. 94buzz off
    buzz offphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌbʌz ˈɒf/US /ˌbʌz ˈɔf/

    used for telling someone in a rude way to go away

  95. 95cabinet
    cabinetnounC1
    UK /ˈkæbɪnət/US /ˈkæbɪnət/

    the group of senior ministers who run a government

  96. 96call away
    call awayphrasal verbB2
    UK /ˌkɔːl əˈweɪ/US /ˌkɔl əˈweɪ/

    to ask someone to leave a place, usually by telephoning them or sending them a message

  97. 97call down
    call downphrasal verbC2
    UK /ˌkɔːl ˈdaʊn/US /ˌkɔl ˈdaʊn/

    to pray for something bad to happen to someone

  98. 98camellia
    camellianounC1
    UK /kəˈmiːliə/US /kəˈmiːljə/

    an evergreen shrub or small tree with large, showy flowers

  99. 99canopy
    canopynounB2
    UK /ˈkænəpi/US /ˈkænəpi/

    the upper layer of branches and leaves formed by trees in a forest

  100. 100canvas
    canvasnounC1
    UK /ˈkænvəs/US /ˈkænvəs/

    a strong, heavy cloth used for sails, bags and tents

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