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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usually | /ˈjuʒəwəli/ | adv. | Most of the time | I usually wake up at seven. | |
| v | /viː/ | letter | the twenty-second letter of English | V is the first letter in violin. | |
| values | /ˈvæljuz/ | n. | important beliefs about right and wrong | Family values are important to him. | |
| Vegetable | /ˈvɛdʒtəbəl/ | n. | A plant used as food | Eat your vegetables. | |
| Very | /ˈvɛri/ | adv. | To a high degree | It is very hot. | |
| videos | /ˈvɪdioʊz/ | n. | moving pictures recorded on a device. | I watch English videos every day. | |
| views | /vjuːz/ | n. | ideas or opinions about something | We shared our views in class. | |
| virginia | /vərˈdʒɪnjə/ | prop. n. | a state in the eastern United States | My cousin moved to Virginia last year. | |
| Volleyball | /ˈvɑliˌbɔl/ | n. | A game with a net and a ball | She plays volleyball. | |
| w | /ˈdʌbəl.juː/ | letter | the twenty-third letter of English | W is the first letter in water. | |
| Wait | /weɪt/ | v. | To stay in a place until something happens | Wait for the bus. | |
| Waiter | /ˈweɪtər/ | n. | A person who serves food | He is a waiter. | |
| Wake | /weɪk/ | v. | To stop sleeping | I wake up at seven. | |
| Want | /wɑnt/ | v. | To wish for something | I want an ice cream. | |
| wanted | /ˈwɑːntɪd/ | v. | needed or wished for something | I wanted a glass of water. | |
| was | /wʌz/ | v. | past form of "is" | She was at home yesterday. | |
| Wash | /wɑʃ/ | v. | To make something clean with water | Wash your hands. | |
| washington | /ˈwɑʃɪŋtən/ | n. | the capital city of the US | They visited Washington in the spring. | |
| Way | /weɪ/ | n. | A path or method | Which way is it? | |
| wed | /wɛd/ | abbreviation | short form of Wednesday | Our class meets on Wed morning. | |
| weeks | /wiːks/ | n. | periods of seven days | We stayed there for two weeks. | |
| Well | /wɛl/ | adv. | In a good way | He speaks English well. | |
| went | /wɛnt/ | v. | past of go | We went to the park after lunch. | |
| were | /wɝː/ | v. | past form of "are" and "is" | They were late for class. | |
| West | /wɛst/ | n. | A direction | Go west. |
