English vocabulary
English vocabulary learning can feel exhausting. When average native speakers understand between 20,000 and 30,000 words, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by just looking at the number alone.
..However, you only need 10-20% of that vocab for daily conversations. In addition, learning English words isn’t linear. The more you know, the easier you can understand and remember new ones. If you struggle to retain words - don’t blame it on your memory! Instead, approach it as part of life-long learning. Use your existing knowledge to do the hard work for you.
We collected powerful resources for you to learn new English vocabulary words easier.
What is English vocabulary all about?
The idea of a vocabulary is as ancient as languages themselves. In Latin, “vocare” meant naming or calling, which later became a part of “vocabularium” to describe a list of words. Nowadays, we use it to describe the entire mass of words in a language and an individual’s ability. In other words, your vocabulary determines the total collection of words you know and use.
Improving your English vocab allows you to:
Understand and share information without having to look up definitions.
Rely on your existing knowledge to learn new English words.
Define ideas and build on abstract topics of different complexity.
Think in English without translating thoughts into your native tongue.
English vocabulary reference guide
Discover these popular topics and subtopics to learn English vocabulary easier:
1. General English
Common and often simple topics that cover different parts of life. Most learners start with these topics to create a foundation of words and phrases they can use to improve further.
People
Covers words that relate to others, such as family, friends, colleagues, and so on. Also includes character and personalities at higher levels.
Familiar Places
Covers describing locations and things in them. Can be your home, office, neighborhood, town, country, and so on.
Events in Time
Covers your present life, past decisions, and future plans. Can range from simple personal history to abstract events in the world.
Occupation
Covers a wide variety of topics related to jobs and what people do in them. Also includes work/life balance, salaries, etc.
Food
Covers various topics such as diet, healthy eating, restaurants, cooking, cultural dishes, drinks, and so on.
Hobbies
Covers how people spend their leisure time. Includes sports, games, collecting objects, reading, and so on.
Seasons
Covers weather at different times in different parts of the world. Also includes holidays, seasonal clothing, and so on.
Behaviors
Covers words we use to express actions, feelings, and emotions. Includes personal preferences, habits, and so on.
Pop Culture
Covers everything from music to movies, books, TV shows, podcasts, celebrities, famous brands, and so on.
Sport
Covers general sports vocabulary, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, cricket, rugby, golf, and many more sports, plus highlights Olympic Games and World Cup.
Music
Covers a diverse range of music genres, including pop, rock, country, soul, dance, rap, hip hop, and early popular music genres.
Movies
Covers a captivating range of movie genres, including action movies, horror movies, comedies, dramas, sci-fi movies, historical dramas, and documentaries.
Time
Covers a comprehensive exploration of time-related topics, including how to tell the time, units of time, day and night, days of the week, months of the year, and songs about time.
Animals
Covers a captivating journey through the animal kingdom, from pets to exotic creatures like jungle animals, Arctic wildlife, and African species, offering a fascinating glimpse into the diverse world of animals.
Numbers
Covers an extensive exploration of numbers in English, encompassing cardinal and ordinal numbers, decimals, and fractions, providing a thorough understanding of numerical concepts.
Types of Furniture
Covers an extensive variety of furniture, including types of chairs, tables, and other furnishings, providing insights into the diverse world of interior design and decor.
Clothes
Covers a diverse array of clothing, from men's and women's attire to baby clothes, winter and summer outfits, along with accessories like hats, offering a delightful journey through the world of fashion.
Technologies
Covers a comprehensive range of technological domains, delving into crucial computer vocabulary, intricacies of telephone terminology, and the intricate web of internet jargon.
Nature
Covers a verdant spectrum of topics rooted in the natural world. Explores an array of subjects, from plant names vocabulary to flowers, types of trees, and herbs name in English.
Transport
Covers an expansive terrain of subjects revolving around the theme of transport. Navigate through the vocabulary of water transport names in English, explore the intricacies of motorcycle and bicycle Parts, and journey through the world of vehicles vocabulary.
Human Body
Covers anatomical aspects of the human body, encompassing vocabulary related to parts of the mouth, face, and hand.
Rooms in a House
Covers various topics such as rooms, floors of a house, delves into bathroom vocabulary, and discusses different household appliances.
Medicine
Covers everything about medicine. Explores topics ranging from laboratory equipment to personal care products, providing insight into the language used in medical settings and self-care routines.
2. Business English
Professional topics that cover different parts of work and business-related activities. Most business English learners are above the B1 level, although they start learning words related directly to their job earlier.
Job Interviews
Covers creating a resume, describing your existing skills, discussing your experience, answering common questions, etc.
Negotiations
Covers making proposals, asking clarifying questions, reaching an agreement, sales activities, and related topics.
Business Correspondence
Covers different approaches to writing work emails, messages, announcements, reports, and so on.
Contracts
Covers a wide range of specific topics such as employee contracts, non-disclosure agreements, service agreements, and so on.
Presentations
Covers specific topics around crafting reports and presentations for board meetings, team assemblies, etc.
Leadership
Covers topics that help communicate ideas more effectively, such as vision, motivation, public speaking, etc.
Finance
Covers topics specific to economics and accounting. Includes payroll, taxes, financial analytics, and so on.
Marketing
Covers topics specific to promotion and advertising. Includes digital marketing, social media, content creation, and so on.
Management
Covers topics that relate to project or process management. Includes tactics, software, corporate policies, and so on.
3. Travel English
Travel subjects cover a range of cultural information and have a lot of overlap with general English. Learners often need specific topics in travel to deal with situations abroad.
Culture
Covers topics that describe people, traditions, and history. Includes worldviews, beliefs, shared celebrations, and so on.
Countries
Covers specific information about countries such as language, economics, history, etc.
Locations
Covers specific places and words we use to describe cities, nature, views, landscapes, etc.
Transit
Covers topics that describe modes of transportation, planning routes, common situations at an airport or railway, and so on.
Migration
Covers topics that describe moving to a foreign country. Includes visas, paperwork, customs, etc.
Shopping
Covers topics around buying things abroad. Includes common situations at stores, different currencies, and so on.
Cultural Foods
Covers topics specific to cultures and food that aren’t part of general knowledge - Indian cuisine, Italian restaurants, and so on.
Adventures
Covers topics that include activities during travel such as hiking, extreme sports, road trips, scuba diving, and so on.
Types of Trips
Covers all kinds of reasons for travel, such as family visits, corporate retreats, specialist travel, and so on.
Test your English vocab skills
Find out how well you know English with our 20-minute online placement test. Answer multiple-choice questions from different topics to check your knowledge. Immediately get the results after you finish. Get information about your mistakes and how you can improve.
4 Ways to improve your vocabulary online with Promova
— 01
Private English Tutor
Build your English vocab with a private English tutor who will create an individual study plan. Take as many lessons as you need to succeed. Take advantage of a flexible schedule.
— 02
Language Learning App
Improve English vocabulary with bite-sized interactive lessons. Learn hundreds of words by spending a few minutes every day. Have fun and build your English vocab at the same time.
— 03
English conversation club
Discuss exciting topics and improve your vocabulary. Join free English speaking club meetings organized by a certified tutor. Make friends with fellow learners.
— 04
English Group Class
Learn new words in a friendly group with an average of 3 learners of the same skill level. Get guidance from a certified tutor. Support fellow learners on your path to fluency.
Free Vocabulary Resources
People often ask
Which topics should I start learning English from?
We recommend starting with General English topics if you’re a complete beginner. First, you should start with topics that help you describe familiar things. After that, you can learn about things you find enjoyable - travel, hobbies, and so on. Eventually, you should use English to learn new words without falling back into your native language.
When it comes to vocabulary, English is much easier to learn than most languages. That’s because most people only use a small set of a few thousand words to communicate, and you can learn them fairly quickly. However, effortless fluency is another difficulty level and often takes years to master.
How do I not forget new words I learn?
Firstly, it’s important to understand how our brains work. We remember things we use and forget things we don’t. You discover new words and forget old ones in your native language all the time, so why would vocabulary in English be any different?
Once you let go of an expectation to remember every single word, your job becomes much easier. You can replace it with a new goal: use any important words you learn. You can say them in conversations with friends or repeat them in your head when they appear in a TV show. Either way, practice beats memory.
How much English vocabulary do I need to be fluent?
Researchers estimate that average native speakers know around 20,000 and 30,000 words. However, for language learners, fluency begins at the B1 level of English, where you know and use only about 3,000 words. Note that it doesn’t mean native-like fluency across all topics. However, 3,000 words are enough to use the language independently and fluently discuss familiar topics.
Remember that improving your vocabulary is about life-long learning and not getting to a certain level. It’s better to think of it as your mental toolbox in which you sometimes place new tools. It’s not just how many words you know but how many of them you can use effectively.