Ready to move from simple phrases to real conversations? This CEFR-aligned A2 list gives you around 1600 practical words you’ll actually hear and use — on the street, while traveling, or at a café. No fluffy lists, just vocabulary that helps you connect.
Each entry comes with a clear meaning, an everyday example sentence, and easy-to-read US IPA so you can say it right. Tap the play button next to any word to hear it spoken aloud — that way you’re not just reading, you’re training your ears too.
A2 is the level where things start to click: you can describe your weekend, make plans, and handle simple transactions. This list covers the words that make those moments flow. When you’re ready to study offline, look for the PDF download button just below the table — it packs everything into one neat file.
Words are great, but you need chunks you can blurt out without thinking. Our free chunk-based lessons teach real phrases with audio and speaking practice. If you’re just starting, Lesson 1 — First Greetings will have you chatting in minutes.
- English Vocabulary hub
- Learn English guide
- Pre-A1 English Vocabulary List
- A1 English Vocabulary List
- B1 English Vocabulary List
- CEFR levels overview (Council of Europe)
- British Council — English learning resources
A2 Vocabulary Quiz
Think you know these A2 words? Give the list a quick scroll, then jump into the quiz below to see how many stick.
Everyday A2 English Vocabulary
| Word | IPA | Type | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| guest-house | /ˈɡest.haʊs/ | n. | a small hotel or house for guests | We stayed in a guest-house by the sea. | |
| Guide | /gaɪd/ | n. | A person or book that shows the way | The tour guide was very helpful. | |
| guidebook | /ˈɡaɪdˌbʊk/ | n. | A book of information for tourists | I bought a guidebook for Rome. | |
| Gun | /ɡʌn/ | n. | A weapon from which bullets or shells are fired | The police officer carries a gun. | |
| Guy | /ɡaɪ/ | n. | A man | He is a nice guy. | |
| Gym | /ʤɪm/ | n. | A place where you go to exercise | I go to the gym three times a week. | |
| hail | /heɪl/ | n. | small hard balls of ice from the sky | Hail hit the car windows. | |
| Half | /hæf/ | num. | Either of the two equal or nearly equal parts that together make up a whole | Cut the apple in half. | |
| half-price | /ˌhæf ˈpraɪs/ | adj. | costing 50% less | These shoes are half-price today. | |
| hallway | /ˈhɔːlˌweɪ/ | n. | a long passage in a building | We meet in the hallway before class. | |
| hammer | /ˈhæmər/ | n. | a tool used for hitting nails | He used a hammer to fix the loose board. | |
| handbag | /ˈhænd.bæɡ/ | n. | a small bag for carrying personal things | She put her keys in her handbag. | |
| hands | /hændz/ | n. | the parts of the body at the end of your arms | She washed her hands before dinner. | |
| hang clothes | /hæŋ kloʊðz/ | verb phrase | to put clothes up to dry | I hang clothes outside in the sun. | |
| hang up | /hæŋ ʌp/ | verb phrase | to put clothes on a hook or hanger | I hang up my coat by the door. | |
| Happen | /ˈhæpən/ | v. | To take place usually without being planned | What happened yesterday? | |
| harbour | /ˈhɑːr.bɚ/ | n. | a place where boats stay | The boats are in the harbour. | |
| Hate | /heɪt/ | v. | To dislike someone or something very much | I hate waking up early. | |
| Have | /hæv/ | v. | To own | I have a car. | |
| have got to | /hæv ˈɡɑːt tuː/ | phrase | must; need to | I have got to leave now. | |
| have to | /ˈhæv tuː/ | phrase | must; need to | We have to wear uniforms at school. | |
| Headache | /ˈhɛˌdeɪk/ | n. | A pain in your head | I have a terrible headache. | |
| headboard | ˈhed.bɔrd | n. | the board at the head of a bed | The bed has a white headboard. | |
| headphones | /ˈhed.foʊnz/ | n. | a device you wear to listen to sound | I use headphones to listen to music. | |
| headteacher | /ˈhedˌtiː.tʃɚ/ | n. | the main teacher in a school | The headteacher spoke to the class. |
