Stepping up from the absolute basics? This A1 vocabulary list is packed with around 900 words that you’ll actually use — in shops, at work, with friends. No fluff, no obscure dictionary words nobody says. Each entry shows you the word, how to say it in US IPA, a straightforward meaning, and a real example sentence you might hear in everyday life. There’s even a play button so you can hear the word out loud.
At A1, you’re a beginner who can handle simple conversations — asking for a coffee, introducing yourself, talking about your family. That’s exactly the kind of vocabulary we’ve gathered here. It’s not just a random dump; these words are chosen to match what you need at this stage.
Use the table to listen and repeat until the words feel natural. When you’re away from your screen, grab the PDF download — the button’s right there below the table. Take it to the park, scroll through it on the bus, or scribble notes in the margins.
Of course, words are only half the battle. Our free English lessons teach you to put those words into real phrases you can actually say. Browse the lesson library or dive straight into Lesson 1: First Greetings — it’s where most people start.
- English Vocabulary hub
- Learn English guide
- Pre-A1 English Vocabulary List
- A2 English Vocabulary List
- B1 English Vocabulary List
- CEFR levels overview (Council of Europe)
- British Council — English learning resources
A1 Vocabulary Quiz
Think you’ve nailed these A1 words? Hit the quiz below and see how many you really know — it’s a quick, no-pressure check.
Essential A1 English Vocabulary
| Grammar Word | IPA | Type | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Die | /daɪ/ | v. | To stop living | Flowers die without water. | |
| Different | /ˈdɪfərənt/ | adj. | Not the same | We have different ideas. | |
| Dish | /dɪʃ/ | n. | A container for food | Put the food on a dish. | |
| do | /duː/ | v. | perform an action | I do my homework after dinner. | |
| Doctor | /ˈdɑktər/ | n. | Someone who helps sick people | Go to the doctor. | |
| documents | /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/ | n. | official papers with information | Please put the documents on my desk. | |
| does | /dʌz/ | v. | third person form of "do" | He does his work every day. | |
| doing | /ˈduːɪŋ/ | v. | performing an action | She is doing her homework now. | |
| Dolphin | /ˈdɑlfɪn/ | n. | A friendly sea animal | I see a dolphin. | |
| done | /dʌn/ | adj. | finished; completed. | I am done with my homework. | |
| Double | /ˈdʌbəl/ | adj. | Twice as much | I want a double room. | |
| Down | /daʊn/ | prep. | To a lower place | Sit down, please. | |
| downloads | /ˈdaʊnˌloʊdz/ | n. | files moved from the internet to a device. | My music downloads are on my phone. | |
| Dream | /drim/ | n. | Pictures in your mind when you sleep | I had a strange dream. | |
| Drive | /draɪv/ | v. | To control a car | Can you drive a car? | |
| Driver | /ˈdraɪvər/ | n. | A person who drives | He is a taxi driver. | |
| Dry | /draɪ/ | adj. | Not wet | The clothes are dry. | |
| due | /du/ | adj. | needed by a certain time. | My homework is due tomorrow. | |
| During | /ˈdʊrɪŋ/ | prep. | While something is happening | I sleep during the day. | |
| e | /iː/ | n. | the fifth letter of the alphabet | E is in the word "pen". | |
| Each | /itʃ/ | adj. | Every one of two or more | Each student has a book. | |
| Eagle | /ˈigəl/ | n. | A large bird of prey | The eagle is high. | |
| Early | /ˈɜrli/ | adj. | Before the usual time | I wake up early. | |
| East | /ist/ | n. | A direction | The sun rises in the east. | |
| ebay | /ˈiːbeɪ/ | prop. n. | a website for buying and selling things | She bought a bag on eBay. |
