Vocabulary Lists

Lists by Grade Level

Essential Vocabulary

Reading

  • 9th Grade Recommended Reading List

    Explore this curated collection of vocabulary lists for books that are frequently assigned by educators in Grade 9.

  • Popular Fiction for High Schoolers

    Get ready to level up your lexicon with this collection of vocabulary lists for the hottest page-turners written for high school students....

  • Historical Fiction for High Schoolers

    Go beyond the history books with these compelling novels inspired by historical events or set in past eras. Pair your reading with one of...

  • America's Battle of the Books - Grade 9

    Prepare for the 2023-24 America's Battle of the Books competition with this collection of book selections for students in grade 9.

  • Around the World in Fiction

    This collection of far-flung fiction is all over the map! Pack your bags and take a journey through these novels set in countries around the...

  • Oh, the Drama

    All the world’s a stage, so channel your inner thespian with this star-studded collection of classic and contemporary plays. As always, we put vocabulary center stage: use our...

  • A Likely Story

    These quick reads by experts in the short story genre are sure to help you beat the summer heat. Breeze through these cool tales and then dip into our curated word lists.

  • Get More out of Graphic Novels

    If you're looking for engaging texts that will appeal to readers at all levels, stock your classroom library with graphic novels. Then,...

  • Essential Works of Graphic Non-fiction

    Dynamic illustrations bring true tales to life in this collection of graphic nonfiction books and memoirs. In these illustrated texts, every...

  • Biographies

    Want to take a walk in someone else’s shoes? Pick up one of these engaging biographies about people who made history. Then, live your best life by pairing your reading with our...

  • Coming-of-age Memoirs

    These inspiring memoirs capture the trials and tribulations of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Get the most out of these fascinating true stories with our curated word...

  • The Art of the Essay

    Our collection of well-crafted nonfiction ranges from personal to political, from solemn to comedic, from enlightening to entertaining. Browse these lists and learn essential...

Writing

  • 200 Words Every 9th Grader Should Know How to Spell

    Vocabulary.com has compiled this collection of spelling words for students in 9th grade. Use the Spelling Bee with these...

  • Writing in the High School Classroom

    Have you got the write stuff? Find out by exploring this comprehensive collection of words related to writing. You'll review genres of...

  • Creative Writing: High School

    If you need inspiration for your next story or poem, be sure to review this list of words related to creative writing. We won't keep you in...

  • Argumentative Writing

    Argumentative writing involves investigating a topic, gathering and evaluating information, establishing a position, and writing about the position in a clear and concise manner....

  • Narrative Writing

    Narrative writing is writing that has a story, character, conflict, and other essential parts of a story. Learn about all of these essential parts by reviewing this collection of...

  • Expository Writing

    Expository writing is writing that presents the reader with important research and information about a topic. This collection of vocabulary can help expose you to the key terms...

  • Said is Dead

    Looking for alternatives to the utilitarian but ubiquitous "said"? Say no more! Explore this collection of evocative words to add drama and depth to your dialogue.

  • Positive and negative words to describe a person

    If you're looking for the perfect adjective to describe your dearest friend, your worst enemy, or characters in a piece...

  • Idioms and expressions

    Cat got your tongue? Then take the bull by the horns and dive into this collection of common English idioms and expressions. With Vocabulary.com, word mastery is a piece of cake!

  • Synonyms

    Don't try to use a thesaurus to find a synonym for useless. The results will be futile. Instead, look through this collection of synonyms. It's more or less the same thing.

Social Studies

  • American History: Essential Nonfiction

    These nonfiction books provide well-researched analysis of important events in U.S. history, from the American Revolution to the women's...

  • American History: Primary Sources

    This collection features historical documents and firsthand accounts of seminal moments in American history from the colonial period to the...

  • American History and Government: Essential Vocabulary

    Looking to brush up on American history? Master key terms and ideas by practicing the lists in this collection. Be sure...

  • War Stories

    Learn essential vocabulary from these harrowing true stories of soldiers, prisoners, refugees, and bystanders caught up in war.

  • Remembering World War II

    Put yourself on the front lines with powerful fiction and nonfiction about World War II. To ensure you get the most from these gripping and informative books, pair your reading...

  • How the World Works

    Explore the ways that economics, politics, and social trends affect how we live, work, eat, and think. The books in this collection will give you a glimpse into the inner workings...

Math and Science

  • High School Geometry

    If you feel obtuse when it comes to angles, review this collection of geometry terms. You'll learn about planes, polygons, perimeter, and more. It's as easy as pi!

  • Algebra

    We've got your number! Mastering essential vocabulary is a prime factor in understanding mathematical concepts and processes. This collection covers topics from arithmetic to...

  • Expressions and Equations

    Mastering this vocabulary related to expressions and equations could be a prime factor in math success. If you need to review algebraic expressions and inequalities, to interpret...

  • Functions (Introductory)

    We've got your number! Mastering essential vocabulary is a prime factor in understanding mathematical concepts and processes. This collection covers topics from arithmetic to...

  • Functions (Advanced)

    We've got your number! Mastering essential vocabulary is a prime factor in understanding mathematical concepts and processes. This collection covers topics from arithmetic to...

  • Essential Science Vocabulary

    Whether you want to brush up on biology, study space science, or prep for a physics test, this collection of science vocabulary is for you!...

  • The Language of Science Writing

    Ready to experiment with scientific terms and concepts? Investigate our collection of science writing and learn the vocabulary you’ll need...

  • Forces of Nature

    Calling all nature lovers! Take a walk on the wild side with our “natural” resources. Master ecological vocabulary, read about close encounters with the natural world, and learn...

Test Prep

  • The Language of Standardized Tests

    Take the guesswork out of standardized tests by mastering the vocabulary you'll likely see in test directions and questions. Practicing...

  • Pre-AP Biology

    Pre-AP Biology prepares students for AP Biology and other challenging science coursework by giving them foundational knowledge in the areas of biological systems—macro and...

  • Pre-AP Chemistry

    Pre-AP Chemistry focuses on students developing a deep conceptual understanding of matter and energy at the molecular level by asking students to explain their macroscopic...

  • Pre-AP English 1

    Pre-AP® English 1 supports and strengthens students foundational reading and writing skills by providing regular practice in close examination of texts and evidence-based writing...

  • Pre-AP English 2

    Pre-AP® English 2 spotlights the recursive moves that matter in preparing students for the rigors of college-level reading and writing.

  • Pre-AP World History and Geography

    This course builds students’ essential skills and confidence to prepare them for a range of AP history and social science coursework during...

  • Pre-AP Dance

    Pre-AP Dance focuses on students learning to think critically and creatively as artists while developing knowledge and skills related to dance.

  • Pre-AP Theater

    Pre-AP Theater focuses on students learning to think critically and creatively as artists while developing knowledge and skills related to theater.

Textbooks

Just for Fun

  • Keeping Up Appearances

    In the age of social media, fashion and style get a lot of attention. But throughout history, clothes and other adornments have always been a means of self-expression. From terms...

  • Wily Words

    Watch out! It’s easy to get tripped up on the tricky words in this collection, which are often mispronounced, misspelled, or mistaken for other terms. Clear up the confusion by...

  • The Wide Words of Sports

    Want a winning vocabulary? Ace vocabulary from tennis, tackle words from football, knock it out of the park with baseball banter, and slam dunk with definitions of basketball...

  • Appetite for Instruction

    Help yourself to a smorgasbord of food words! This culinary collection is packed with tasty terms about food and cooking. Dig in!

  • Beast Mode

    The animal kingdom has given us a menagerie of words. You could fill up an entire zoo with the words in this collection of terms taken from animal names, body parts, and behavior....

  • Space is the Place

    Whether you're into science or science fiction, or you just love staring at the night sky, there's a universe of stellar lingo to help you understand and describe the vastness and...

  • Book Lovers Day

    From amanuensis to author, foreword to frontispiece, there's more to books than just reading them. Here are some of the words we use to talk about books, book parts, and book...

  • Food Words from Other Languages

    This list offers just a taste of the smorgasbord of food words that originated from many languages. Travel the world without leaving your...

  • Musical instruments

    Listen up! We've assembled a collection of words for unusual musical instruments that will either make you want to cover your ears or pick up a dulcimer and strum along.

  • National Hair Day

    October 1 is National Hair Day (though it doesn't specify good or bad). Whatever length, color, or style you're rocking, this list will make your vocabulary a cut above. Comb on in...