General Service List - Level 1

Ben C. (United States of America)
The 500 most common words in English (in order of frequency e.g., 'the' is the most common word, 'be' the 2nd most common and so on)
449 words 46 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. be
    have a specified quality or characteristic
  2. a
    the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet
  3. in
    to or toward the inside of
  4. he
    the 5th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
  5. have
    possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
  6. I
    the 9th letter of the Roman alphabet
  7. as
    to the same degree (often followed by 'as')
  8. not
    negation of a word or group of words
  9. on
    in a state required for something to function or be effective
  10. by
    so as to pass a given point
  11. do
    engage in
  12. but
    and nothing more
  13. one
    smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  14. all
    entirely or completely
  15. will
    the capability of conscious choice and decision
  16. there
    in or at that place
  17. say
    utter aloud
  18. make
    perform or carry out
  19. can
    airtight sealed metal container for food or drink, etc.
  20. more
    greater in size or amount or extent or degree
  21. no
    quantifier
  22. man
    an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
  23. out
    moving or appearing to move away from a place, especially one that is enclosed or hidden
  24. other
    not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
  25. so
    to a very great extent or degree
  26. time
    the continuum of experience in which events pass to the past
  27. up
    spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
  28. go
    change location
  29. about
    (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
  30. state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
  31. only
    without any others being included or involved
  32. new
    not of long duration
  33. year
    the period of time that it takes for a planet (as, e.g., Earth or Mars) to make a complete revolution around the sun
  34. some
    quantifier
  35. take
    get into one's hands
  36. come
    move toward, travel toward
  37. know
    be cognizant or aware of a fact or a piece of information
  38. see
    perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
  39. use
    put into service
  40. get
    come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
  41. like
    having the same or similar characteristics
  42. then
    at that time
  43. first
    preceding all others in time or space or degree
  44. any
    to some extent or degree
  45. work
    activity directed toward making or doing something
  46. now
    at the present moment
  47. may
    thorny shrub of a small tree having white to scarlet flowers
  48. such
    of so extreme a degree or extent
  49. give
    transfer possession of something concrete or abstract
  50. over
    beyond the top or upper surface or edge
  51. think
    judge or regard; look upon; judge
  52. most
    used to indicate the greatest amount or degree of a quality
  53. even
    being level or straight or regular and without variation
  54. find
    discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
  55. day
    time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
  56. also
    in addition
  57. after
    happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
  58. way
    how something is done or how it happens
  59. many
    a large number of the persons or things being discussed
  60. must
    a necessary or essential thing
  61. look
    perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
  62. before
    at or in the front
  63. great
    a person who has achieved distinction in some field
  64. back
    the posterior part of a human (or animal) body
  65. through
    having finished or arrived at completion
  66. long
    primarily spatial sense
  67. much
    great in quantity or degree or extent
  68. people
    any group of human beings collectively
  69. down
    in a lower place or position
  70. own
    belonging to or on behalf of a specified person
  71. just
    and nothing more
  72. good
    having desirable or positive qualities
  73. each
    separately for every person or thing
  74. feel
    be conscious of a physical, mental, or emotional state
  75. seem
    give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
  76. high
    being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation
  77. too
    to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
  78. place
    a point located with respect to surface features of a region
  79. little
    limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude
  80. world
    the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
  81. very
    being the exact same one; not any other:
  82. still
    not in physical motion
  83. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
  84. hand
    the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
  85. old
    having lived for a long time or attained a specific age
  86. life
    the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms
  87. tell
    narrate or give a detailed account of
  88. write
    name the letters that comprise the accepted form of
  89. become
    come into existence
  90. here
    in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
  91. show
    make visible or noticeable
  92. house
    a dwelling that serves as living quarters for a family
  93. both
    equally or alike
  94. between
    in the interval
  95. need
    require or want
  96. mean
    denote or connote
  97. call
    utter a sudden loud cry
  98. develop
    progress or evolve through a process of natural growth
  99. under
    below some quantity or limit
  100. last
    coming after all others in time or space or degree or being the only one remaining
  101. right
    free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth
  102. move
    change location
  103. thing
    a separate and self-contained entity
  104. general
    applying to all or most members of a category or group
  105. school
    an educational institution
  106. never
    not ever; at no time in the past or future
  107. same
    same in identity
  108. another
    an additional or different one
  109. begin
    set in motion, cause to start
  110. while
    a period of indeterminate length marked by some action
  111. number
    a concept of quantity involving zero and units
  112. part
    one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
  113. turn
    move around an axis or a center
  114. real
    being or occurring in fact or actuality
  115. leave
    go away from a place
  116. might
    physical strength
  117. want
    the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
  118. point
    a distinguishing or individuating characteristic
  119. form
    a perceptual structure
  120. off
    from a particular thing or place or position
  121. child
    a human offspring (son or daughter) of any age
  122. few
    a small number of the persons or things being discussed
  123. small
    limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude
  124. ask
    make a request or demand for something to somebody
  125. late
    at or toward an end or late period or stage of development
  126. home
    where you live at a particular time
  127. interest
    a sense of concern with and curiosity about something
  128. large
    above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude
  129. person
    a human being
  130. end
    either extremity of something that has length
  131. open
    affording free passage or access
  132. public
    not private
  133. follow
    travel behind, go after, or come after
  134. present
    happening or existing now
  135. again
    anew
  136. hold
    have in one's hands or grip
  137. govern
    exercise authority over, as of nations
  138. around
    in the area or vicinity
  139. possible
    capable of happening or existing
  140. head
    the upper part of the human body or the body in animals
  141. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
  142. word
    a unit of language that native speakers can identify
  143. program
    a series of steps to be carried out
  144. problem
    a question raised for consideration or solution
  145. however
    in whatever way or manner
  146. lead
    take somebody somewhere
  147. system
    a group of independent elements comprising a unified whole
  148. set
    put into a certain place or abstract location
  149. order
    logical arrangement of different elements
  150. eye
    the organ of sight
  151. plan
    a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be achieved
  152. run
    move fast by using one's feet
  153. keep
    continue a certain state, condition, or activity
  154. face
    the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin
  155. fact
    a piece of information about events that have occurred
  156. group
    any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
  157. play
    engage in recreational activities rather than work
  158. stand
    be standing; be upright
  159. increase
    a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous
  160. early
    at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
  161. course
    a connected series of events or actions or developments
  162. change
    become different in some particular way
  163. help
    give assistance; be of service
  164. line
    a length between two points
  165. city
    a large and densely populated urban area
  166. put
    cause to be in a certain state
  167. close
    at or within a short distance in space or time
  168. case
    an occurrence of something
  169. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
  170. meet
    come together
  171. once
    on one occasion
  172. water
    compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear liquid
  173. war
    the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
  174. build
    make by combining materials and parts
  175. hear
    perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
  176. light
    electromagnetic radiation that can produce visual sensation
  177. unite
    join or combine
  178. live
    have life, be alive
  179. every
    (used of count nouns) each and all of the members of a group considered singly and without exception
  180. country
    the territory occupied by a nation
  181. bring
    take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
  182. center
    an area that is in the middle of some larger region
  183. let
    actively cause something to happen
  184. side
    a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
  185. try
    make an effort or attempt
  186. provide
    give something useful or necessary to
  187. continue
    keep or maintain in unaltered condition
  188. name
    a language unit by which a person or thing is known
  189. certain
    established beyond doubt or question; definitely known
  190. power
    possession of the qualities required to do something
  191. pay
    give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
  192. result
    something that follows as a consequence
  193. question
    a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
  194. study
    applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject
  195. woman
    an adult female person
  196. member
    anything that belongs to a set or class
  197. far
    at or to or from a great distance in space
  198. night
    the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
  199. always
    at all times; all the time and on every occasion
  200. service
    an act of help or assistance
  201. away
    at a distance in space or time
  202. report
    to give an account or representation of in words
  203. company
    an institution created to conduct business
  204. week
    any period of seven consecutive days
  205. church
    a place for public (especially Christian) worship
  206. start
    take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
  207. social
    living together or enjoying life in communities
  208. room
    an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
  209. figure
    alternate name for the body of a human being
  210. nature
    the physical world including plants and animals
  211. though
    (postpositive) however
  212. young
    any immature animal
  213. less
    a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree
  214. enough
    sufficient for the purpose
  215. almost
    slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
  216. read
    look at and say out loud something written or printed
  217. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
  218. president
    the leader of a republic or democracy
  219. nothing
    in no respect; to no degree
  220. yet
    up to the present time
  221. better
    superior to another in excellence or quality or desirability
  222. big
    above average in size or number or quantity
  223. boy
    a youthful male person
  224. cost
    be priced at
  225. business
    the principal activity in one's life to earn money
  226. value
    the quality that renders something desirable
  227. second
    coming next after the first in position in space or time
  228. why
    the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'
  229. clear
    readily apparent to the mind
  230. expect
    regard something as probable or likely
  231. family
    a group of people related to one another
  232. complete
    having all necessary qualities
  233. act
    behave in a certain manner
  234. sense
    the faculty through which the world is perceived
  235. mind
    that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
  236. experience
    the content of observation or participation in an event
  237. art
    the creation of beautiful or significant things
  238. next
    immediately following in time or order
  239. near
    near in time or place or relationship
  240. direct
    proceeding without interruption
  241. car
    a motor vehicle with four wheels
  242. law
    the collection of rules imposed by authority
  243. industry
    the action of making of goods and services for sale
  244. important
    significant in effect or meaning
  245. girl
    a young woman
  246. god
    any supernatural being worshipped as controlling the world
  247. several
    of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
  248. matter
    that which has mass and occupies space
  249. usual
    occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
  250. rather
    more readily or willingly
  251. kind
    having a tender and considerate and helpful nature
  252. white
    being of the achromatic color of maximum lightness
  253. reason
    a logical motive for a belief or action
  254. action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
  255. return
    go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
  256. foot
    the pedal extremity of vertebrates other than human beings
  257. care
    providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
  258. simple
    having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
  259. within
    on the inside
  260. love
    a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
  261. human
    a person; a hominid with a large brain and articulate speech
  262. along
    in line with a length or direction
  263. appear
    come into sight or view
  264. doctor
    a person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution
  265. believe
    accept as true; take to be true
  266. speak
    use language
  267. active
    characterized by energetic movement
  268. student
    a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
  269. drive
    operate or control a vehicle
  270. concern
    something that interests you because it is important
  271. best
    having the most positive qualities
  272. door
    a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
  273. hope
    the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled
  274. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
  275. inform
    impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
  276. body
    an individual 3-dimensional object that has mass
  277. ever
    at all times; all the time and on every occasion
  278. least
    the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
  279. probable
    likely but not certain to be or become true or real
  280. understand
    know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
  281. reach
    move forward or upward in order to touch
  282. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  283. different
    unlike in nature, quality, form, or degree
  284. idea
    the content of cognition
  285. whole
    all of something, including all of its elements or parts
  286. control
    power to direct or determine
  287. condition
    a mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing
  288. field
    extensive tract of level open land
  289. pass
    go across or through
  290. fall
    descend freely under the influence of gravity
  291. note
    a brief written record
  292. special
    adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose
  293. talk
    use language
  294. particular
    unique or specific to a person or thing or category
  295. today
    on this day as distinct from yesterday or tomorrow
  296. measure
    determine the dimensions of something or somebody
  297. walk
    use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
  298. teach
    impart skills or knowledge to
  299. low
    less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
  300. hour
    a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
  301. type
    a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
  302. rate
    a quantity considered as a proportion of another quantity
  303. remain
    continue in a place, position, or situation
  304. full
    containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
  305. street
    a thoroughfare that is lined with buildings
  306. easy
    posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
  307. record
    anything providing permanent evidence about past events
  308. sit
    take a seat
  309. determine
    find out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry
  310. level
    a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
  311. local
    of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular area
  312. sure
    having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty
  313. receive
    get something; come into possession of
  314. thus
    from that fact or reason or as a result
  315. moment
    an indefinitely short time
  316. spirit
    the vital principle or animating force within living things
  317. train
    educate for a future role or function
  318. college
    an institution of higher education
  319. religion
    a strong belief in supernatural powers that control destiny
  320. perhaps
    by chance
  321. music
    an artistic form of auditory communication
  322. grow
    increase in size by natural process
  323. free
    able to act at will
  324. cause
    events that provide the generative force of something
  325. serve
    devote one's life or efforts to, as of countries or ideas
  326. age
    how long something has existed
  327. book
    an object consisting of a number of pages bound together
  328. board
    a stout length of sawn timber
  329. recent
    of the immediate past or just previous to the present time
  330. sound
    mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium
  331. office
    place of business where professional duties are performed
  332. cut
    separate with or as if with an instrument
  333. step
    the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
  334. class
    a collection of things sharing a common attribute
  335. true
    consistent with fact or reality; not false
  336. history
    a record or narrative description of past events
  337. position
    the particular part of space occupied by something
  338. above
    in or to a place that is higher
  339. strong
    having strength or power greater than average or expected
  340. friend
    a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
  341. necessary
    absolutely essential
  342. add
    join or combine or unite with others
  343. court
    an assembly to conduct judicial business
  344. deal
    be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
  345. tax
    a charge that a citizen pays to support government programs
  346. support
    the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
  347. party
    an occasion on which people gather to socialize and have fun
  348. either
    also, likewise, as well
  349. land
    the solid part of the earth's surface
  350. material
    the substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
  351. happen
    come to pass
  352. education
    activities that impart knowledge or skill
  353. death
    the permanent end of all life functions in an organism
  354. agree
    consent or assent to a condition
  355. arm
    a human limb
  356. mother
    a woman who has given birth to a child
  357. across
    to the opposite side
  358. quite
    to the greatest extent; completely
  359. town
    an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
  360. past
    earlier than the present time; no longer current
  361. view
    the visual percept of a region
  362. society
    an extended group having a distinctive cultural organization
  363. manage
    be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
  364. answer
    a statement made to reply to a question or criticism
  365. break
    destroy the integrity of
  366. organize
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
  367. half
    one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
  368. fire
    the process of combustion of inflammable materials
  369. lose
    fail to keep or to maintain
  370. money
    the most common medium of exchange
  371. stop
    have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense
  372. actual
    existing in fact
  373. already
    prior to a specified or implied time
  374. effort
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  375. wait
    stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
  376. department
    a specialized division of a large organization
  377. able
    having the necessary means or skill to do something
  378. political
    involving or characteristic of governing or social power
  379. learn
    gain knowledge or skills
  380. voice
    the sound made when a person speaks
  381. air
    a mixture of gases required for breathing
  382. together
    in contact with each other or in proximity
  383. common
    having no special distinction or quality
  384. subject
    some situation or event that is thought about
  385. draw
    cause to move by pulling
  386. short
    having little length or lacking in length
  387. wife
    a married woman; a partner in marriage
  388. treat
    apply a process to with the aim of preparing for a purpose
  389. limit
    as far as something can go
  390. road
    an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
  391. letter
    a written message addressed to a person or organization
  392. color
    a visual attribute of things from the light they emit
  393. behind
    in or to or toward the rear
  394. produce
    bring forth or yield
  395. send
    cause to go somewhere
  396. term
    a limited period of time during which something lasts
  397. total
    the whole amount
  398. university
    an institution of higher learning that grants degrees
  399. century
    a period of 100 years
  400. success
    an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
  401. minute
    a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
  402. remember
    recall knowledge; have a recollection
  403. purpose
    what something is used for
  404. test
    standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity or aptitude
  405. fight
    be engaged in a contest or struggle
  406. watch
    look attentively
  407. situation
    physical position in relation to the surroundings
  408. south
    the direction corresponding to the southward cardinal compass point
  409. ago
    gone by; or in the past
  410. difference
    the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
  411. stage
    any distinct time period in a sequence of events
  412. father
    a male parent
  413. table
    furniture having a smooth flat top supported by legs
  414. rest
    take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
  415. bear
    be pregnant with
  416. entire
    constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
  417. market
    a store where groceries are sold
  418. prepare
    make ready or suitable or equip in advance
  419. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
  420. offer
    present for acceptance or rejection
  421. plant
    a living organism without the power to move
  422. charge
    assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to
  423. ground
    the solid part of the earth's surface
  424. west
    the cardinal compass point that is a 270 degrees
  425. picture
    a visual representation produced on a surface
  426. hard
    resisting weight or pressure
  427. front
    the side that is forward or prominent
  428. lie
    be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
  429. modern
    ahead of the times
  430. dark
    devoid of or deficient in light or brightness
  431. surface
    the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer
  432. rule
    prescribed guide for conduct or action
  433. regard
    the condition of being honored or respected
  434. dance
    taking a series of rhythmical steps in time to music
  435. peace
    the state prevailing during the absence of war
  436. observe
    watch attentively
  437. future
    the time yet to come
  438. wall
    an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
  439. farm
    workplace or land used for growing crops or raising animals
  440. claim
    assert or affirm strongly
  441. firm
    not soft or yielding to pressure
  442. operation
    process or manner of functioning
  443. further
    to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage
  444. pressure
    the act of putting pressure on something
  445. property
    something owned
  446. morning
    the time period between dawn and noon
  447. amount
    how much there is of something that you can quantify
  448. top
    the upper part of anything
  449. outside
    the region that is outside of something
Created on Tue Aug 20 23:41:58 EDT 2013 (updated Tue Aug 20 23:44:06 EDT 2013)

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