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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentence | /ˈsɛntəns/ | n. | A group of words | Write a sentence. | |
| sep | /sɛp/ | n. | September; the ninth month of the year. | School starts in Sep for many children. | |
| September | /sɛpˈtɛmbər/ | n. | The ninth month of the year | School starts in September. | |
| services | /ˈsɝːvəsɪz/ | n. | help or work for others | The hotel offers many services. | |
| Seventy | /ˈsɛvənti/ | num. | The number 70 | My grandfather is seventy. | |
| Shall | /ʃæl/ | v. | Used for suggestions | Shall we go? | |
| Shark | /ʃɑrk/ | n. | A large dangerous fish | The shark is in the sea. | |
| Sharpener | /ˈʃɑrpənər/ | n. | Used for pencils | Where is my sharpener? | |
| Shelf | /ʃɛlf/ | n. | Used for keeping books | The book is on the shelf. | |
| shipping | /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/ | n. | sending goods to a buyer | Shipping is free for this book. | |
| Shoes | /ʃuz/ | n. | Clothing for the feet | My shoes are black. | |
| shown | /ʃoʊn/ | v. | displayed or made visible | The results are shown on the screen. | |
| shows | /ʃoʊz/ | n. | programs people watch or performances | We watch cooking shows on TV. | |
| Shy | /ʃaɪ/ | adj. | Afraid to speak to people | The girl is shy. | |
| Side | /saɪd/ | n. | A surface or edge | Look at this side. | |
| Singer | /ˈsɪŋər/ | n. | A person who sings | He is a singer. | |
| sites | /saɪts/ | n. | places on the internet | I visit news sites every morning. | |
| Sixty | /ˈsɪksti/ | num. | The number 60 | An hour has sixty minutes. | |
| Skating | /ˈskeɪtɪŋ/ | n. | Moving on ice with skates | I like ice skating. | |
| skills | /skɪlz/ | n. | things you can do well | Reading and writing are useful skills. | |
| Slowly | /ˈsloʊli/ | adv. | Not quickly | Walk slowly. | |
| smith | /smɪθ/ | prop. n. | a common family name | Ms. Smith is our English teacher. | |
| Snail | /sneɪl/ | n. | A very slow animal | The snail is slow. | |
| Snowboarding | /ˈsnoʊˌbɔrdɪŋ/ | n. | Moving on snow with a board | He goes snowboarding. | |
| Socks | /sɑks/ | n. | Clothing for the feet inside shoes | I need new socks. |
