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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece | /pis/ | n. | A part of something | A piece of cake. | |
| pillow | /ˈpɪloʊ/ | n. | a soft thing for your head in bed | My pillow is very soft. | |
| Pilot | /ˈpaɪlət/ | n. | A person who flies a plane | He is a pilot. | |
| Place | /pleɪs/ | n. | An area or building | This is a nice place. | |
| planning | /ˈplænɪŋ/ | n. | thinking about what to do before doing it. | Good planning helps the trip go well. | |
| plans | /plænz/ | n. | things you decide to do | Our weekend plans changed this morning. | |
| players | /ˈpleɪərz/ | n. | people who play a game | The players ran onto the field. | |
| Please | /pliz/ | adv. | Used to be polite | Sit down, please. | |
| pm | /ˌpiːˈɛm/ | n. | time after noon | The movie starts at 7 p.m. | |
| points | /pɔɪnts/ | n. | marks or units in a game or system | Our team got ten points. | |
| poker | /ˈpoʊkɚ/ | n. | a card game for betting | They played poker after dinner. | |
| Police | /pəˈlis/ | n. | People who catch criminals | Call the police. | |
| policies | /ˈpɑləsiz/ | n. | official rules or plans | The school has clear safety policies. | |
| Poor | /pʊr/ | adj. | Having very little money | He is a poor man. | |
| Possible | /ˈpɑsəbəl/ | adj. | That can happen | Is it possible to come today? | |
| posted | /ˈpoʊstɪd/ | v. | put online for others to see | She posted a photo on her class website. | |
| posts | /poʊsts/ | n. | messages put online | Her posts are short and funny. | |
| Pot | /pɑt/ | n. | Used for boiling water | Put the pot on the stove. | |
| Power | /ˈpaʊər/ | n. | Strength or energy | The power is off. | |
| powered | /ˈpaʊərd/ | adj. | using energy to work. | This toy is battery powered. | |
| Practice | /ˈpræktɪs/ | v. | To do something many times to get better | I practice English every day. | |
| pre | /pri/ | prefix | before | Preview means to view something before it starts. | |
| Present | /ˈprɛzənt/ | n. | Something you give to someone | A birthday present. | |
| Pretty | /ˈprɪti/ | adj. | Attractive or beautiful | She is a pretty girl. | |
| Price | /praɪs/ | n. | The amount of money for something | What is the price of this? |
