The 500 most common English words

These are the first 500 of a graded list of 2500, in the order a corpus of everyday writing says you will actually meet them. Learning them in this order is the fastest route to understanding most of what you read.

Meanings are given in English on this page. In the app they appear in your own language, translated on your device.

#	Word	Type	Meaning
1	the	Determiners	the (a specific thing already known)
2	to	Prepositions	to, towards; (marks an infinitive)
3	and	Conjunctions	and
4	of	Prepositions	of, belonging to
5	i	Pronouns	I (the speaker)
6	a	Determiners	a, an (one unspecified thing)
7	be	Verbs	to be
8	in	Prepositions	in, inside
9	it	Pronouns	it
10	you	Pronouns	you
11	for	Prepositions	for, intended for; during
12	that	Determiners	that; that (introducing a clause)
13	have	Verbs	to have
14	on	Prepositions	on, on top of
15	with	Prepositions	with, together with; using
16	this	Determiners	this
17	as	Prepositions	as, like; while
18	he	Pronouns	he
19	at	Prepositions	at, in (a place or time)
20	not	Adverbs	not
21	by	Prepositions	by, next to; by means of
22	do	Verbs	to do
23	but	Conjunctions	but, however
24	from	Prepositions	from, out of
25	we	Pronouns	we
26	my	Determiners	my
27	they	Pronouns	they
28	or	Conjunctions	or
29	your	Determiners	your
30	an	Determiners	a, an (before a vowel sound)
31	all	Determiners	all, every
32	so	Adverbs	so, thus; therefore
33	get	Verbs	To obtain; to acquire
34	his	Determiners	his
35	one	Numbers	one
36	me	Pronouns	me
37	if	Conjunctions	if
38	can	Verbs	can, to be able to
39	will	Verbs	will (forms the future)
40	just	Adverbs	Only, simply, merely
41	like	Prepositions	Similar to, reminiscent of
42	about	Prepositions	about, concerning; approximately
43	up	Adverbs	up, upwards
44	go	Verbs	To move through space
45	what	Determiners	what
46	out	Adverbs	out, outside
47	there	Adverbs	there; there is, there are
48	when	Conjunctions	when
49	say	Verbs	to say
50	make	Verbs	To build, construct, produce, or originate
51	more	Determiners	more
52	no	Determiners	no, not any
53	who	Pronouns	who
54	their	Determiners	their
55	she	Pronouns	she
56	her	Determiners	her; hers
57	which	Determiners	which
58	time	Nouns	The inevitable progression into the future with the
59	year	Nouns	A period of time akin to the time taken for the Earth
60	would	Verbs	would
61	people	Nouns	Persons forming or belonging to a particular group
62	new	Adjectives	new
63	know	Particles	Used at the end of a sentence to draw attention to
64	how	Adverbs	how
65	other	Adjectives	other
66	use	Verbs	To employ; to apply; to utilize
67	see	Verbs	To perceive or detect someone or something with the
68	some	Determiners	some
69	also	Adverbs	also, too
70	them	Pronouns	them
71	take	Verbs	To get into one's hands, possession, or control
72	now	Adverbs	now
73	want	Verbs	To wish for or desire (something)
74	think	Verbs	To ponder, to go over in one's mind
75	than	Conjunctions	than (in comparisons)
76	its	Determiners	its
77	our	Determiners	our
78	first	Adjectives	first
79	need	Verbs	To have an absolute requirement for
80	good	Adjectives	good
81	only	Adverbs	only, just
82	into	Prepositions	into
83	after	Prepositions	after
84	him	Pronouns	him
85	any	Determiners	any
86	two	Numbers	two
87	over	Prepositions	over, above; more than
88	work	Verbs	To do a specific task by employing physical or mental
89	then	Adverbs	then, at that time; next
90	could	Verbs	could
91	way	Nouns	way, method; road
92	back	Adverbs	back, backwards
93	us	Pronouns	us
94	these	Determiners	these
95	well	Adverbs	Accurately, competently, satisfactorily
96	come	Prepositions	Used to indicate a point in time at or after which a
97	right	Adjectives	right, correct; right (direction)
98	thing	Nouns	That which is considered to exist as a separate entity
99	because	Conjunctions	because
100	give	Verbs	To transfer one's possession or holding of (something)
101	here	Adverbs	here
102	where	Adverbs	where
103	look	Verbs	As an intransitive verb, often with “at”
104	most	Determiners	most
105	much	Determiners	A large amount of
106	very	Adverbs	very
107	man	Nouns	man
108	should	Verbs	should, ought to
109	even	Adverbs	In reality
110	may	Verbs	To be able to go
111	state	Nouns	A condition
112	really	Adverbs	In a way or manner that is real, not unreal
113	life	Nouns	The state of organisms preceding their death
114	being	Conjunctions	Given that; since
115	day	Nouns	The time when the Sun is above the horizon and it
116	too	Adverbs	Likewise
117	call	Verbs	To request, summon, or beckon
118	play	Verbs	To act in a manner such that one has fun
119	show	Verbs	To display, convey or exhibit
120	off	Prepositions	Not positioned upon; away from a position upon
121	before	Prepositions	Earlier than (in time)
122	why	Adverbs	why
123	love	Nouns	A deep caring for the existence of another
124	still	Adverbs	Without motion
125	great	Adverbs	Very well (in a very satisfactory manner)
126	never	Adverbs	At no time; on no occasion; in no circumstance
127	many	Determiners	before a countable noun: A large, indefinite number of
128	long	Adjectives	long
129	game	Nouns	A playful activity that may be unstructured
130	those	Determiners	those
131	high	Adverbs	In or to an elevated position
132	start	Verbs	To set in motion
133	try	Verbs	To attempt; to endeavour. Followed by infinitive
134	world	Nouns	The subjective human experience, regarded collectively
135	down	Prepositions	From the higher end to the lower of
136	through	Prepositions	So as to enter (something), pass within or across
137	tell	Verbs	To determine the number, amount, or value of [something]
138	last	Adjectives	last, final; previous
139	s	Numbers	The nineteenth numeral symbol of the English alphabet
140	that's	Determiners	whose
141	while	Conjunctions	while, whereas
142	mean	Verbs	To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention
143	home	Adverbs	To one's place of residence or one's customary or
144	help	Verbs	To provide assistance to (someone or something)
145	best	Adverbs	To the most advantage
146	such	Determiners	Like this, that, these, those
147	place	Verbs	To put (someone or something) in a specific location
148	old	Adjectives	Of an object, concept, relationship, etc
149	change	Verbs	To become something different
150	something	Pronouns	something
151	can't	Verbs	Cannot (negative modal auxiliary); be unable to
152	same	Adjectives	same
153	own	Verbs	To have rightful possession of
154	school	Nouns	An institution dedicated to teaching and learning
155	every	Determiners	All of a countable group (considered individually)
156	end	Nouns	The terminal point of something in space or time
157	both	Determiners	Each of the two; one and the other
158	find	Verbs	To encounter or discover by accident; to happen upon
159	big	Adverbs	In a loud manner
160	keep	Verbs	To continue in (a course or mode of action)
161	part	Adverbs	Partly; partially; fractionally
162	three	Numbers	A numerical value equal to 3
163	between	Prepositions	In the position or interval that separates
164	woman	Nouns	An adult female human
165	around	Prepositions	Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something)
166	name	Nouns	Any nounal word or phrase which indicates a particular
167	thank	Verbs	To express appreciation or gratitude toward
168	better	Verbs	To improve
169	always	Adverbs	At all times; throughout all time; since the beginning
170	house	Verbs	To keep within a structure or container
171	team	Verbs	To form a group, as for sports or work
172	put	Verbs	To physically place (sth or sb swh)
173	little	Determiners	Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of)
174	since	Prepositions	Continuously during that period of time
175	another	Determiners	One more further, in addition to the quantity by then
176	company	Nouns	A team
177	feel	Verbs	To become aware of through the skin
178	family	Nouns	A group of people who are closely related to one
179	talk	Verbs	To communicate, usually by means of speech
180	under	Prepositions	Beneath; below
181	during	Prepositions	For all of a given time interval; throughout; in
182	become	Verbs	begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states)
183	found	Verbs	To start (an institution or organization)
184	number	Verbs	To total or count; to amount to
185	service	Nouns	An act of being of assistance to someone
186	week	Nouns	Any period of seven consecutive days
187	point	Verbs	To extend the index finger in the direction of
188	guy	Nouns	An effigy of a man burned on a bonfire on the
189	group	Nouns	A number of things or persons being in some relation to
190	friend	Nouns	A person, typically someone other than a family member
191	next	Determiners	Denotes the one immediately following the current or
192	again	Adverbs	Another time: indicating a repeat of an action
193	please	Adverbs	Used to make a polite request
194	child	Nouns	A person who has not yet reached adulthood
195	each	Determiners	All; every
196	without	Prepositions	Not having, containing, characteristic of, etc
197	second	Adverbs	After the first; at the second rank
198	must	Verbs	To do as a requirement
199	system	Nouns	A group or set of related things that operate together
200	against	Prepositions	In a contrary direction to
201	didn't	Verbs	did not (negative auxiliary)
202	let	Verbs	To allow to, not to prevent
203	city	Nouns	A large settlement, bigger than a town
204	move	Verbs	To change place or posture
205	sure	Adverbs	Without doubt, certainly
206	happen	Verbs	To occur or take place
207	ever	Adverbs	Continuously, constantly
208	case	Nouns	An actual event, situation, or fact
209	might	Verbs	Used to indicate a desired past action that was not done
210	win	Verbs	To reach some destination or object
211	run	Verbs	To move forward quickly upon two feet by alternately
212	lose	Verbs	To cease to have (something) in one's possession or
213	ask	Verbs	To request (information, or an answer to a question)
214	thought	Nouns	A representation created in the mind without the use of
215	free	Adverbs	Without needing to pay
216	set	Verbs	To put (something) down, to rest
217	money	Nouns	A generally accepted means of exchange
218	country	Nouns	The territory of a nation
219	area	Nouns	A measure of the extent of a surface
220	someone	Pronouns	One or some person of unspecified or indefinite identity
221	live	Adverbs	Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct
222	report	Verbs	To relate details of (an event or incident)
223	bring	Verbs	To transport toward somebody/somewhere
224	book	Verbs	To reserve (something) for future use
225	believe	Verbs	To accept as true
226	order	Nouns	Arrangement, disposition, or sequence
227	left	Adverbs	On the left side
228	care	Nouns	Close attention; concern; responsibility
229	away	Adverbs	From a place, hence
230	government	Nouns	The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to
231	support	Verbs	To help keep from falling
232	job	Nouns	A task
233	lot	Nouns	A large quantity or number; a great deal
234	business	Nouns	A specific commercial enterprise or establishment
235	night	Nouns	The time when the Sun is below the horizon when the sky
236	post	Adverbs	With the post, on post-horses
237	hand	Nouns	The part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in
238	days	Adverbs	During the day
239	until	Prepositions	Up to the time of (something happening); pending
240	problem	Nouns	A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with
241	hour	Nouns	A unit of time of one twenty-fourth of a day
242	month	Nouns	A period into which a year is divided
243	power	Nouns	The ability to do or undergo something
244	open	Verbs	To make or become accessible or clear for passage by
245	real	Adverbs	Really; very
246	few	Determiners	An indefinite, but usually small, number of
247	small	Adverbs	In a small fashion
248	god	Nouns	A deity or supreme being
249	hard	Adverbs	With much force or effort
250	large	Adverbs	Before the wind
251	different	Adverbs	Differently
252	having	Nouns	The act of possessing; ownership
253	watch	Verbs	To look at, see, or view for a period of time
254	issue	Verbs	To flow out, to proceed from, to come out or from
255	side	Nouns	A bounding straight edge of a two-dimensional shape
256	person	Nouns	An individual who has been granted personhood
257	however	Conjunctions	But, yet, though, although
258	top	Adverbs	Best, highest
259	leave	Verbs	To cause or allow (something) to remain as available
260	cause	Nouns	The source of, or reason for, an event or action
261	public	Adjectives	Able to be known or seen by everyone
262	question	Nouns	A worded or expressed sentence, phrase
263	member	Nouns	One who belongs to a group
264	result	Nouns	That which results
265	story	Nouns	An account of real or fictional events
266	looking	Verbs	as the last part of compound adjectives: relating to or
267	hold	Verbs	To grasp or grip
268	hope	Verbs	To want (something) to happen
269	water	Verbs	To wet or supply with water; to moisten
270	read	Verbs	To look at and interpret letters or other information
271	today	Adverbs	On the current day or date
272	times	Prepositions	Multiplied by
273	write	Verbs	To form letters
274	seem	Verbs	To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as
275	hear	Verbs	To perceive sounds through the ear
276	include	Verbs	To bring into a group, class, set
277	nothing	Pronouns	Not any thing; no thing
278	car	Nouns	A wheeled vehicle that moves independently
279	stop	Verbs	To cease moving
280	full	Adjectives	Containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in
281	already	Adverbs	Prior to some specified time, either past, present
282	buy	Verbs	To obtain (something) in exchange for money or goods
283	anything	Pronouns	Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatsoever
284	player	Nouns	One who plays any game or sport
285	level	Verbs	To adjust so as to make as flat or perpendicular to the
286	making	Nouns	The act of forming, causing, or constituting
287	enough	Determiners	Used before a noun in the manner of words like some
288	everything	Pronouns	All the things under discussion
289	yet	Conjunctions	Nevertheless; however; but; despite that
290	plan	Nouns	A drawing showing technical details of a building
291	bad	Adverbs	Badly; poorly
292	doesn't	Verbs	Does not (negative auxiliary)
293	four	Numbers	A numerical value equal to 4
294	once	Conjunctions	As soon as; when; after
295	season	Nouns	Each of the divisions of a year based on the prevailing
296	add	Verbs	To join or unite
297	study	Nouns	Mental effort to acquire knowledge or learning
298	video	Nouns	Transient visual content or media
299	including	Prepositions	Such as, among which
300	lead	Verbs	To guide or conduct with the hand
301	national	Nouns	A subject of a nation
302	music	Nouns	A series of sounds organized in time
303	war	Nouns	Organized, large-scale
304	send	Verbs	To make something (such as an object or message) go
305	pay	Verbs	To give money or other compensation to in exchange for
306	minute	Nouns	A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour
307	white	Adjectives	Bright and colourless
308	far	Adverbs	To, from or over a great distance in space
309	based	Verbs	Being derived from (usually followed by on or upon)
310	head	Verbs	To be in command of. (See also head up.)
311	form	Verbs	To assume (a certain shape or visible structure)
312	face	Adverbs	Intensely
313	young	Adjectives	In the early part of growth or life; born not long ago
314	kind	Nouns	A type, race or category
315	yes	Determiners	There is; indicating the existence of something
316	came	Prepositions	Used to indicate that the following event, period
317	though	Conjunctions	Despite the fact that; although
318	follow	Verbs	To go after; to pursue
319	kill	Verbs	To put to death; to extinguish the life of
320	fact	Nouns	Something actual as opposed to invented
321	less	Determiners	A smaller amount of; not as much
322	line	Verbs	To place (objects) into a line
323	meet	Verbs	To come face to face with by accident; to encounter
324	actually	Adverbs	In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively
325	later	Adverbs	Afterward in time
326	hit	Verbs	To administer a blow to
327	unite	Verbs	To bring together as one
328	reason	Verbs	To deduce or come to a conclusion by being rational
329	health	Nouns	The state of being free from physical or psychological
330	course	Nouns	A sequence of events
331	kid	Nouns	A child, adolescent, or (loosely) a young adult
332	deal	Verbs	To distribute among a number of recipients
333	body	Nouns	The physical structure of a human or animal seen as one
334	die	Adverbs	per day
335	stay	Particles	Aspect marker indicating frequency or permanence
336	mind	Verbs	To bring or recall to mind; to remember
337	general	Nouns	The holder of a senior military title
338	term	Nouns	That which limits the extent of anything
339	fight	Verbs	To engage in combat with
340	idea	Nouns	An abstract archetype of a given thing
341	d	Numbers	The fourth numeral symbol of the English alphabet
342	matter	Nouns	Anything with mass and volume
343	everyone	Pronouns	Every individual in a set; every person
344	president	Nouns	The head of state of a republic
345	m	Numbers	The thirteenth numeral symbol of the English alphabet
346	share	Verbs	To give part of what one has to somebody else to use or
347	control	Nouns	An influence or authority over something
348	black	Adjectives	Absorbing all light and reflecting none
349	class	Nouns	A group, collection
350	following	Prepositions	After, subsequent to
351	law	Nouns	The body of binding rules and regulations, customs
352	together	Adverbs	At the same time, in the same place
353	whole	Adverbs	In entirety; entirely; wholly
354	record	Verbs	To make a record of information
355	court	Nouns	An enclosed space; a courtyard
356	understand	Verbs	To know the meaning of
357	death	Nouns	The cessation of life and all associated processes
358	create	Verbs	To bring into existence; (sometimes in particular:)
359	per	Prepositions	For each
360	student	Nouns	A person who studies or learns about a particular
361	room	Adverbs	Off from the wind
362	five	Numbers	A numerical value equal to 5
363	maybe	Adverbs	Perhaps, possibly
364	early	Adverbs	At a time before expected; sooner than usual
365	office	Nouns	A ceremonial duty or service, particularly
366	local	Adverbs	In the local area; within a city, state, country, etc
367	test	Verbs	To challenge, to put a strain on (something)
368	remember	Verbs	To recall from one's memory
369	increase	Verbs	To become larger or greater, to greaten
370	grow	Verbs	To become larger, to increase in magnitude
371	food	Nouns	Any solid substance that can be consumed by living
372	t	Numbers	The twentieth numeral symbol of the English alphabet
373	important	Adjectives	Having relevant and crucial value; having import
374	least	Determiners	Smallest in amount or extent
375	news	Nouns	New information of interest
376	within	Prepositions	In the inner part, spatially; physically inside
377	experience	Nouns	The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by
378	university	Nouns	An institution of higher education that provides
379	light	Adverbs	Carrying little
380	event	Nouns	An occurrence; something that happens
381	design	Nouns	A specification of an object or process
382	program	Nouns	A set of structured activities; a plan of action
383	cost	Verbs	To incur a charge of
384	community	Nouns	A group sharing common characteristics
385	release	Verbs	To let go of; to cease to hold or contain
386	receive	Verbs	To be given, sent, or paid something
387	eye	Nouns	An organ through which animals see
388	information	Nouns	Something that provides a definitive characterization
389	able	Adjectives	Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to
390	oh	Interjections	Expression of surprise
391	turn	Verbs	To move about an axis through itself
392	price	Verbs	To determine the monetary value of (an item)
393	sell	Verbs	To transfer goods or provide services in exchange for
394	force	Verbs	To make someone or something do something
395	human	Nouns	A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair
396	social	Nouns	A festive gathering to foster introductions
397	ago	Prepositions	Before now, before the present time
398	act	Verbs	To do something
399	third	Nouns	The person or thing in the third position
400	half	Prepositions	Half past; a half-hour (30 minutes) after the last hour
401	million	Numbers	The cardinal number 1 000 000: 10⁶
402	low	Adverbs	Close to the ground
403	isn't	Verbs	Contraction of is + not (negative auxiliary)
404	often	Adverbs	Frequently; many times on different occasions
405	type	Nouns	A grouping based on shared characteristics; a class
406	fire	Verbs	To set (something, often a building) on fire
407	provide	Verbs	To make a living; earn money for necessities
408	boy	Nouns	A male child
409	vote	Nouns	A formalized choice on legally relevant measures such
410	research	Verbs	To search or examine with continued care
411	view	Nouns	The act of seeing or looking at something
412	close	Adverbs	So as to leave or create little distance or space
413	true	Adverbs	Accurately; in alignment
414	south	Adverbs	Toward the south; southward
415	begin	Verbs	To start
416	history	Nouns	The aggregate of past events
417	song	Nouns	A musical composition with lyrics for voice or voices
418	bit	Nouns	A small amount of something
419	wrong	Adverbs	In a way that isn't right; incorrectly, wrongly
420	sound	Adverbs	Soundly
421	air	Nouns	The substance constituting Earth's atmosphere: a
422	wait	Verbs	To delay movement or action until some event or time
423	john	Nouns	A prostitute's client
424	taking	Nouns	The act by which something is taken
425	almost	Adverbs	Very close to, but not quite
426	several	Determiners	Consisting of a number more than one
427	present	Verbs	To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person)
428	building	Nouns	The act or process by which something is built
429	pretty	Adverbs	Somewhat, fairly, quite
430	action	Nouns	The effort of performing or doing something
431	nice	Adverbs	Nicely
432	rule	Nouns	A regulation, law, guideline
433	miss	Verbs	To fail to hit, catch, grasp, etc
434	project	Verbs	To extend beyond a surface
435	market	Nouns	A gathering of people for the purchase and sale of
436	along	Prepositions	By the length of; in a line with the length of
437	anyone	Pronouns	Any person; anybody
438	else	Conjunctions	For otherwise; or else
439	offer	Verbs	To propose or express one's willingness
440	r	Numbers	The eighteenth numeral symbol of the English alphabet
441	happy	Adjectives	Having a feeling arising from a consciousness of
442	yeah	Particles	Yes
443	note	Nouns	A mark or token by which a thing may be known
444	probably	Adverbs	In all likelihood
445	heart	Nouns	A muscular organ that pumps blood through the body
446	street	Nouns	A paved part of road, usually in a village or a town
447	short	Prepositions	Deficient in
448	build	Verbs	To form (something) by combining materials or parts
449	b	Numbers	The second numeral symbol of the English alphabet
450	york	Verbs	to bowl a yorker at a batsman
451	star	Nouns	Any small, natural and bright dot in the sky
452	international	Adjectives	Between or among nations
453	phone	Verbs	To call (someone) using a telephone
454	past	Prepositions	Beyond in place or quantity
455	film	Nouns	A thin layer of some substance; a pellicle
456	possible	Adjectives	Able but not certain to happen
457	example	Nouns	Something that is representative of all such things in
458	consider	Verbs	To think about seriously
459	expect	Verbs	To predict or believe that something will happen
460	claim	Verbs	To demand ownership of
461	due	Adverbs	Directly; exactly
462	require	Verbs	To demand, to insist upon (having)
463	picture	Nouns	A representation of anything
464	eat	Verbs	To consume
465	check	Verbs	To inspect; to examine
466	special	Adjectives	Distinguished by a unique, particular
467	series	Nouns	A number of things that follow on one after the other
468	c	Numbers	The third numeral symbol of the English alphabet
469	pass	Verbs	To move or be moved from one place to another
470	attack	Verbs	To apply violent force to someone or something
471	fall	Verbs	To move to a lower position under the effect of gravity
472	account	Verbs	To estimate, consider (something to be as described)
473	lie	Verbs	To rest in a horizontal position on a surface
474	son	Nouns	One's male offspring
475	site	Nouns	The place where anything is fixed; situation
476	appear	Verbs	To come or be in sight; to be in view; to become visible
477	saw	Nouns	Such a tool with a toothed blade
478	development	Nouns	The process of developing; growth, directed change
479	future	Nouns	The time ahead; those moments yet to be experienced
480	answer	Verbs	To make a reply or response to
481	data	Nouns	A representation of information in a computer
482	process	Nouns	A series of events leading to a result or product
483	red	Adjectives	Of a red hue
484	late	Adverbs	After a deadline has passed, past a designated time
485	north	Adverbs	Toward the north; northward; northerly
486	won't	Verbs	will not (negative auxiliary)
487	final	Adjectives	Last; ultimate
488	feature	Nouns	A component that draws attention or interest
489	field	Nouns	A land area free of woodland, cities, and towns
490	source	Nouns	The person, place
491	blue	Adjectives	Of a blue hue
492	position	Nouns	A place or location
493	stand	Verbs	To support oneself on the feet in an erect position
494	moment	Nouns	A particular point of space; a spot
495	police	Nouns	A constituted body of officers representing the civil
496	chance	Verbs	To try or risk
497	list	Verbs	To create or recite a list
498	morning	Nouns	The early part of the day
499	rate	Verbs	To assign or be assigned a particular rank or level
500	either	Determiners	Any one (of two)

All 500 A1 words are on this page, free, with no sign-up.

The rest of the list

A2A2 Beginner: 500 more wordscontinue · age · baby · road · decide
B1B1 Intermediate: 750 more wordswanna · launch · interview · tomorrow · lack
B2B2 Upper intermediate: 750 more wordsviolence · yours · solid · frame · grab

A2 to B2 are part of Oqou Pro, in the app, where you can also send any word straight into spaced review and meet it again on the day you are about to forget it.

Where this comes from

The order is measured: it comes from how often each word appears in a large corpus, counted across all the forms of a word rather than each form separately, so a verb is ranked where you really meet it. The band edges are a convention rather than a measurement. Nothing says word 501 is harder than word 500; the levels are cut where established graded reader series cut theirs.

wordfreq 3.1 (frequency order) + en.wiktionary via kaikki.org (part of speech, gender, gloss). Corpus read on 2026-09-16.

Questions

Where does the order come from?

From how often each word appears in a large corpus of everyday writing. Frequency is counted across all the forms of a word and attributed to the dictionary form, so a verb is ranked where a reader really meets it rather than being spread thinly over a dozen endings.

Why are these lists shorter than the ones with 5,000 or 10,000 words?

Because past about 2,500 a frequency rank stops meaning much. Rank 6,000 in a web corpus is not a harder word, it is a word that happens to be common in journalism. Established graded reader series top out near 2,500 headwords for the same reason.

Is every word in the list a real dictionary word?

Yes. Every headword is checked against the language's own Wiktionary entry, which is where the part of speech, the gender and the meaning come from. That check is what removes the proper nouns, single letters and corpus noise that raw frequency lists are full of.

Do I need the app?

Not for this page. The A1 list is free here and free in the app. A2 to B2 are part of Oqou Pro, and the app is also where a word can go from a list into a review queue, which is the part a page cannot do.

Has a native speaker checked these?

Not yet. The frequency order and the part of speech are mechanical, and the meanings come from a dictionary rather than being written by hand, but nothing here has been through native review. If you spot a meaning that is technically right and practically useless, we would like to hear about it.