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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health | /hɛlθ/ | n. | The condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness or the state of being well | Smoking is bad for your health. | |
| Heat | /hit/ | n. | The quality of being hot or warm or the temperature of something | I can't stand the heat in summer. | |
| heating | /ˈhiː.tɪŋ/ | n. | the system that makes a room or building warm | The heating is on because it is cold. | |
| Height | /haɪt/ | n. | The distance from the top to the bottom of something or the quality of being tall | What is your height? | |
| helmet | /ˈhelmɪt/ | n. | a hard hat that protects your head | Always wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle. | |
| Helpful | /ˈhɛlpfəl/ | adj. | Willing to help or useful | The staff was very helpful. | |
| Hero | /ˈhɪroʊ/ | n. | A person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great | He is a national hero. | |
| Herself | /hɜrˈsɛlf/ | pron. | Used when the subject of the verb is she or a female person and the object is the same person | She made it herself. | |
| hey | /heɪ/ | exclamation | a friendly word to get someone's attention | Hey, come here for a minute! | |
| Hide | /haɪd/ | v. | To put something or someone in a place where that thing or person cannot be seen or found or to put yourself somewhere where you cannot be seen or found | He tried to hide the money. | |
| highway | /ˈhaɪ.weɪ/ | n. | a large road for fast travel | We drove on the highway for two hours. | |
| hike | /haɪk/ | v. | to walk in nature for fun | We hike in the park on Sunday. | |
| Himself | /hɪmˈsɛlf/ | pron. | Used when the subject of the verb is he or a male person and the object is the same person | He hurt himself. | |
| hip hop | /ˈhɪp hɑːp/ | n. | a style of music with a strong beat | He likes listening to hip hop. | |
| History | /ˈhɪstəri/ | n. | The study of past events | I'm interested in ancient history. | |
| Hit | /hɪt/ | v. | To move your hand or an object onto the surface of something so that it touches it usually with force | He hit the ball with the bat. | |
| Hobby | /ˈhɑbi/ | n. | An activity you do for pleasure in your free time | My main hobby is photography. | |
| Hold | /hoʊld/ | v. | To take and keep something in your hand or arms | Can you hold my bag? | |
| Hole | /hoʊl/ | n. | An empty space in an object usually with an opening to the object's surface or an opening that goes completely through an object | There is a hole in my shoe. | |
| holidays | /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/ | n. | days when people do not work or go to school | We go to the beach during the holidays. | |
| Homework | /ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk/ | n. | Work that a student is given to do at home | I have a lot of math homework tonight. | |
| Honest | /ˈɑnɪst/ | adj. | Telling the truth or able to be trusted and not likely to steal cheat or lie | To be honest I don't like it. | |
| honey | /ˈhʌni/ | n. | A sweet, sticky, yellow substance made by bees | I like honey on my toast. | |
| hoodie | /ˈhʊdi/ | n. | a sweatshirt with a hood | He wore a hoodie on the cold day. | |
| Hope | /hoʊp/ | v. | To want something to happen or to be true and usually have a good reason to think that it might | I hope it doesn't rain. |
