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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | /ˈbɪznɪs/ | n. | The activity of buying and selling | He has a small business. | |
| Busy | /ˈbɪzi/ | adj. | Having a lot to do | I am very busy today. | |
| Butterfly | /ˈbʌtərˌflaɪ/ | n. | A beautiful flying insect | The butterfly is colorful. | |
| Buy | /baɪ/ | v. | To get something with money | I want to buy a car. | |
| Bye | /baɪ/ | interj. | Short for goodbye | Bye! See you tomorrow. | |
| c | /siː/ | n. | the third letter of the alphabet | C comes before D. | |
| ca | /ˌsiˈeɪ/ | prop. n. | short form of California | My brother moved to CA for work. | |
| Cabbage | /ˈkæbɪdʒ/ | n. | A round green vegetable | I like cabbage. | |
| california | /ˌkælɪˈfɔrnjə/ | n. | a state in the western US | My cousins live in California. | |
| Call | /kɔl/ | v. | To phone someone | Call me later. | |
| called | /kɔld/ | v. | named in a particular way. | The dog is called Max. | |
| came | /keɪm/ | v. | moved to this place | My friend came to my house yesterday. | |
| Camel | /ˈkæməl/ | n. | An animal with a hump | The camel is in the desert. | |
| Camera | /ˈkæmərə/ | n. | Something to take photos | I have a new camera. | |
| cameras | /ˈkæmərəz/ | n. | devices used to take pictures | Tourists carried cameras around the city. | |
| canada | /ˈkænədə/ | prop. n. | a country north of the USA | My uncle lives in Canada. | |
| Card | /kɑrd/ | n. | A small piece of stiff paper | I sent her a birthday card. | |
| cards | /kɑrdz/ | n. | small pieces of card or plastic | He keeps his bank cards in his wallet. | |
| Carefully | /ˈkɛrfəli/ | adv. | With great attention | Please drive carefully. | |
| carolina | /ˌkærəˈlaɪnə/ | prop. n. | the name of two U.S. states | Her family moved to North Carolina. | |
| Carry | /ˈkæri/ | v. | To hold and move something | Can you carry this bag? | |
| cars | /kɑrz/ | n. | road vehicles with four wheels | Many cars were parked on the street. | |
| cart | /kɑrt/ | n. | a container on wheels for carrying things | She put the milk in the cart. | |
| Case | /keɪs/ | n. | A situation or a box | In that case... | |
| cases | /ˈkeɪsɪz/ | n. | containers or examples of something | We packed the glasses in hard cases. |
