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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stock | /stɑk/ | n. | goods ready to sell | The store has more stock this week. | |
| storage | /ˈstɔrɪdʒ/ | n. | space for keeping things | This room has a lot of storage. | |
| stores | /stɔrz/ | n. | places where people buy things | The stores close at nine tonight. | |
| stories | /ˈstɔriz/ | n. | tales about events or people | Grandpa tells funny stories at night. | |
| Storm | /stɔrm/ | n. | Bad weather with wind | The storm is loud. | |
| Stove | /stoʊv/ | n. | Used for cooking | The stove is hot. | |
| Strawberry | /ˈstrɔˌbɛri/ | n. | A small red fruit | I like strawberries. | |
| Student | /ˈstudənt/ | n. | Someone who learns | I am an English student. | |
| students | /ˈstudənts/ | n. | people who study at school | The students are in the classroom. | |
| studies | /ˈstʌdiz/ | v. | learns about a subject | She studies English every evening. | |
| Study | /ˈstʌdi/ | v. | To learn something | I study English. | |
| subscribe | /səbˈskraɪb/ | v. | to sign up to get something regularly | Please subscribe to our email list. | |
| Sugar | /ˈʃʊgər/ | n. | Sweet white powder | Do you take sugar? | |
| Suit | /sut/ | n. | Formal clothes | He wears a suit. | |
| summary | /ˈsʌməri/ | n. | a short statement of main points | Write a summary of the story. | |
| Sunlight | /ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/ | n. | Light from the sun | Plants need sunlight. | |
| super | /ˈsupər/ | adj. | very good | We had a super day at the beach. | |
| Supermarket | /ˈsupərmɑrkɪt/ | n. | A large food shop | I buy milk at the supermarket. | |
| supplies | /səˈplaɪz/ | n. | things needed for a task | We bought school supplies yesterday. | |
| supply | /səˈplaɪ/ | n. | an amount of something available | We have a good supply of water. | |
| System | /ˈsɪstəm/ | n. | A set of parts working together | The system is working. | |
| systems | /ˈsɪstəmz/ | n. | sets of connected parts | Computer systems need regular checks. | |
| t | /tiː/ | n. | the twentieth letter of the alphabet | T is the first letter of "table". | |
| taken | /ˈteɪkən/ | v. | carried or moved from one place | She has taken the books home. | |
| taking | /ˈteɪkɪŋ/ | v. | getting or carrying something | She is taking her books to class. |
