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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| benefits | /ˈbenəfɪts/ | n. | good things or advantages | Exercise has many health benefits. | |
| Best | /bɛst/ | adj. | Better than all others | You are my best friend. | |
| Better | /ˈbɛtər/ | adj. | More good than something else | I feel better today. | |
| Bicycle | /ˈbaɪsɪkəl/ | n. | A vehicle with two wheels | I ride my bicycle to school. | |
| bid | /bɪd/ | v. | to offer a price | He will bid on the old bike. | |
| Bill | /bɪl/ | n. | A piece of paper showing how much you owe | Can I have the bill, please? | |
| Biscuit | /ˈbɪskɪt/ | n. | A small baked cake | I eat a biscuit. | |
| Blog | /blɔg/ | n. | A website with personal stories | I write a travel blog. | |
| Blouse | /blaʊs/ | n. | A shirt for women | She wears a blouse. | |
| Body | /ˈbɑdi/ | n. | The physical part of a person | Exercise is good for your body. | |
| books | /bʊks/ | n. | written works with pages | These books are on the table. | |
| Boot | /but/ | n. | A type of strong shoe | Wear your boots in the snow. | |
| Bored | /bɔrd/ | adj. | Feeling unhappy because you have nothing to do | I am bored. | |
| Boring | /ˈbɔrɪŋ/ | adj. | Not interesting | This book is boring. | |
| Born | /bɔrn/ | v. | To come out of a mother's body | I was born in London. | |
| Bottom | /ˈbɑtəm/ | n. | The lowest part | The bottom of the sea. | |
| Brave | /breɪv/ | adj. | Not afraid | The boy is brave. | |
| Bring | /brɪŋ/ | v. | To take something to a place | Bring your books to class. | |
| british | /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/ | adj. | from the United Kingdom | She likes British music. | |
| browse | /braʊz/ | v. | to look around casually | We browse the books before buying one. | |
| Build | /bɪld/ | v. | To make something like a house | They build new houses here. | |
| Builder | /ˈbɪldər/ | n. | A person who builds | He is a builder. | |
| Building | /ˈbɪldɪŋ/ | n. | A structure with walls and a roof | That building is very tall. | |
| built | /bɪlt/ | v. | made something by putting parts together | My grandfather built this table. | |
| Bus | /bʌs/ | n. | A large vehicle for many people | Wait for the bus. |
