B1 English vocabulary for life in the UK
240 useful words and phrases for 12 topics of everyday life in the UK, each with a simple definition and an example sentence. Press the play button to hear them.
This is our own selection for everyday UK life. It is not an official word list of any test.
Housing
tenancy agreement
Please read the tenancy agreement before you sign anything.
A written contract for renting a home.
deposit
We paid the deposit when we collected the keys.
Money paid before renting, which may be returned later.
landlord
Our landlord arranged for someone to fix the shower.
A person who rents a property to someone else.
tenant
The tenant downstairs told us about the building rules.
A person who rents a home from an owner.
neighbourhood
This neighbourhood feels friendly, especially at the weekend.
The area around where someone lives.
radiator
The radiator stays cold even when the heating is on.
A device that warms a room.
utility bill
My utility bill increased during the colder months.
A bill for services such as gas or electricity.
bin
Put the empty bottles in the recycling bin.
A container used for rubbish or recycling.
staircase
The staircase is too narrow for this sofa.
A set of stairs inside a building.
leak
There is a leak under the kitchen sink.
A place where water or gas escapes unexpectedly.
move in
We will move in after the carpets are cleaned.
To begin living in a new home.
rent
They rent a small flat near the station.
To pay to use a home that belongs to someone else.
repair
The council agreed to repair the broken window.
To fix something that is broken.
switch off
Remember to switch off the lights before leaving.
To stop a light or machine working.
settle in
It took us time to settle in after moving.
To become comfortable in a new place.
furnished
The furnished flat already has a bed and wardrobe.
Having furniture already provided.
draughty
The bedroom is draughty when it is windy.
Letting cold air enter through small gaps.
shared
We use a shared garden behind the building.
Used by more than one person or household.
upstairs
My neighbour lives upstairs and works at night.
On or towards a higher floor.
make yourself at home
Please make yourself at home while I prepare tea.
To relax as if you were in your own home.
Work
shift
My shift starts early, so I leave home before sunrise.
A fixed period of time spent working.
payslip
Check your payslip to understand the money you received.
A document showing pay and any money taken out.
colleague
A colleague helped me during my first week.
A person you work with.
employer
My employer offers training to new members of staff.
A person or organisation that gives someone a job.
interview
She prepared several questions before her job interview.
A meeting where someone answers questions about a job.
salary
His salary arrives in his bank account each month.
Regular money paid to someone for their work.
vacancy
There is a vacancy at the local care home.
A job that is available for someone to take.
contract
I read the contract carefully before accepting the job.
A written agreement about work or services.
overtime
We sometimes work overtime when orders are very busy.
Time worked beyond normal working hours.
deadline
The deadline for this project is next Friday.
The latest time when work must be finished.
apply
I want to apply for the position tomorrow.
To ask formally for a job or opportunity.
earn
She earns enough to pay her bills each month.
To receive money for doing work.
hire
The company plans to hire two more drivers.
To give someone a paid job.
attend
Please attend the safety meeting before your next shift.
To go to a meeting, class or event.
meetmet, met
I met my new manager on Monday morning.
To see and speak to someone, often for the first time.
permanent
She accepted a permanent job at the hospital.
Intended to last for a long time.
temporary
He found temporary work during the summer holidays.
Lasting for only a limited time.
punctual
Our manager expects everyone to be punctual for meetings.
Arriving or doing something at the agreed time.
regularly
We regularly discuss problems with our team leader.
Often and at repeated times.
cover a shift
Could you cover a shift for me next Saturday?
To work during a time when another worker cannot.
Health
GP surgery
I called the GP surgery because my cough got worse.
A local place where family doctors see patients.
prescription
The doctor sent my prescription to the chemist near my house.
A doctor's written instruction for getting medicine.
chemist
My local chemist can advise me about mild pain.
A shop where you can buy or collect medicine.
appointment
She booked an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.
An arranged time to see a professional.
symptom
A high temperature can be a symptom of illness.
A sign that someone may be ill.
fever
He stayed at home because he had a fever.
A high body temperature caused by illness.
allergy
Please tell the nurse about your food allergy.
A bad physical reaction to certain things.
injury
She had a knee injury after playing football.
Damage to part of the body.
treatment
The doctor explained the treatment in simple language.
Medical care given to improve a health problem.
toothteeth
My tooth started hurting during the family meal.
One of the hard parts inside the mouth used for biting.
recover
He needed a few days to recover from flu.
To become well again after being ill.
cough
Please cough into your elbow if you feel unwell.
To force air out of your throat suddenly.
swallow
I find it difficult to swallow large tablets.
To move food, drink or medicine down your throat.
hurthurt, hurt
My ankle still hurts when I walk upstairs.
To feel pain or cause physical pain.
bleedbled, bled
His nose began to bleed during the match.
To lose blood from the body.
dizzy
I felt dizzy after standing up too quickly.
Feeling as if you might fall or spin.
sore
My throat is sore, so I am drinking warm tea.
Painful or uncomfortable to touch or move.
breathless
She felt breathless after climbing the steep hill.
Having difficulty getting enough air when breathing.
gradually
The pain gradually disappeared over the next few days.
Slowly, over a period of time.
feel under the weatherfelt under the weather, felt under the weather
I feel under the weather, so I am resting today.
To feel slightly ill or unwell.
Council and local services
council tax
You can pay council tax in monthly payments.
A local tax paid by many households for council services.
recycling centre
We took old furniture to the recycling centre.
A place where people take items to be recycled.
library card
I borrowed three books using my library card.
A card used to borrow things from a library.
polling station
The polling station is in the primary school.
A place where people go to vote.
application form
Please complete the application form in black ink.
A document that asks for details when making a request.
housing benefit
He asked whether he could receive housing benefit.
Money from the government to help some people, such as pensioners, pay their rent.
resident
Each resident received a letter about roadworks.
A person who lives in a particular place.
parking permit
You need a parking permit for this street.
Official permission to park in a particular area.
public notice
A public notice explained the changes to parking.
Information displayed so everyone can read it.
register office
They booked an appointment at the register office.
A public office for recording births, deaths and marriages.
register
You can register to vote online in a few minutes.
To put your details on an official list.
renew
I need to renew my parking permit soon.
To make something official valid for another period.
report
Please report the broken streetlight to the council.
To tell someone in authority about a problem.
fill in
She helped her father fill in the form.
To write the required information on a form.
vote
Many residents vote at their local polling station.
To choose someone or something in an election.
eligible
You may be eligible for support with your rent.
Allowed to receive something because you meet the rules.
local
The local library runs free reading sessions.
Belonging to or near your particular area.
official
An official letter arrived at our flat yesterday.
Connected with a public authority or formal organisation.
online
I checked the collection dates online this morning.
Using the internet rather than visiting in person.
proof of address
The council asked me for proof of address.
A document showing where someone lives.
Shopping
receipt
Keep the receipt in case you need a refund.
A piece of paper showing what you paid for.
refund
The shop gave me a refund for the broken kettle.
Money given back to you when you return something you bought.
changing room
The changing room is near the back of the shop.
A place in a shop where you try on clothes.
trolley
Please put the trolley back after you have packed your shopping.
A wheeled basket used to carry shopping.
checkout
There was a long queue at the checkout.
The place in a shop where customers pay.
discount
This shop offers a discount for some customers.
A reduction in the usual price.
queue
We joined the queue and waited for our turn.
A line of people waiting for their turn.
warranty
The warranty covers some repairs for the first year.
A promise to repair or replace faulty goods for a period.
size
I tried a smaller size because these shoes felt loose.
A measurement used to describe how big something is.
cashier
The cashier asked whether I needed a bag.
A worker who takes payments in a shop.
top uptopped up, topped up
I need to top up my travel card before Monday.
To add more money or credit to an account or card.
compare
Compare the prices before choosing a new washing machine.
To look at things to see their differences.
exchange
You can exchange the jumper if the size is wrong.
To give something back and receive another item.
return
I need to return these trousers because they are damaged.
To take something back to the shop.
spendspent, spent
She spent less than expected on her weekly shopping.
To use money to buy things.
faulty
The faulty toaster stopped working after only two days.
Not working correctly because something is wrong.
affordable
We found affordable winter coats in a nearby shop.
Not too expensive for someone to pay for.
reasonable
That price seems reasonable for a pair of boots.
Fair and not too high in price.
elsewhere
They could not find it here and looked elsewhere.
In another place.
out of stock
The blue jacket was out of stock in my size.
Not available to buy at the moment.
Transport
bus pass
I use my bus pass when travelling across town.
A card that allows someone to travel by bus.
platform
Our train leaves from the platform beside the café.
The raised area where passengers wait for a train.
rail replacement bus
A rail replacement bus took us to the next station.
A bus used instead of a train when trains are not running.
timetable
Check the timetable before leaving for the bus stop.
A list of times when buses or trains run.
fare
The fare is cheaper if you book early.
The money paid for a bus, train or taxi journey.
ticket inspector
The ticket inspector checked our tickets after the train left the station.
A worker who checks that passengers have a ticket.
roundabout
Take the second exit at the next roundabout.
A road junction where traffic goes around a central area.
pavement
Please keep your bicycle off the narrow pavement.
The path beside a road for people walking.
traffic jam
We were late because of a traffic jam.
A line of vehicles moving very slowly or not at all.
single ticket
I bought a single ticket for the journey home.
A ticket for travelling in one direction only.
commute
I commute by train because parking is expensive.
To travel regularly between home and work.
board
Passengers can board the bus through the front door.
To get onto a bus, train or plane.
miss
We missed the last train and took a taxi.
To arrive too late for a bus or train.
get offgot off, got off
Get off at the next stop for the museum.
To leave a bus, train or other vehicle.
catchcaught, caught
You can catch the earlier bus outside the library.
To get onto transport before it leaves.
delayed
Our train was delayed because of a signal problem.
Happening later than the expected time.
crowded
The bus gets crowded during the morning rush.
Full of people, with little room to move.
accessible
This station is accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Easy for people with different needs to enter or use.
nearby
There is a taxi rank nearby, just past the shops.
Not far away from a particular place.
give waygave way, given way
Drivers should give way to people crossing the road.
To allow other road users to go first.
Leisure
leisure centre
I go swimming at the leisure centre twice a week.
A building where people swim, exercise and play sports.
membership
Her membership includes swimming and fitness classes.
Being part of a club or organisation, often for a fee.
walking group
The walking group meets outside the library every Sunday.
People who meet to go on walks together.
allotment
He grows vegetables on his allotment during the summer.
A small piece of land rented for growing plants.
craft fair
We bought handmade cards at the local craft fair.
An event where people sell things they have made.
performance
The performance began after everyone found their seats.
A show presented to an audience.
spectator
Every spectator cheered when the team scored.
A person who watches a sport or public event.
equipment
You can borrow equipment for the badminton session.
Tools or objects needed for an activity.
hobby
Cooking has become my favourite hobby this year.
An activity done for enjoyment in free time.
community event
A community event brought neighbours together last weekend.
An activity organised for people in the same area.
join
Would you like to join our evening dance class?
To become part of a group or activity.
relax
I relax by reading when the house is quiet.
To rest and feel less worried or tired.
book
Remember to book a place before the workshop fills up.
To arrange a place or ticket in advance.
explore
We explored the local park during our day off.
To visit an area and learn about it.
drawdrew, drawn
My daughter drew a picture of our family holiday.
To make a picture using a pen or pencil.
active
He stays active by walking to work each day.
Doing physical activities rather than sitting still.
creative
The workshop encourages people to be creative with materials.
Good at producing new ideas or original things.
enjoyable
The trip was enjoyable despite the rainy weather.
Pleasant and fun to do or experience.
occasionally
We occasionally visit the theatre when tickets are cheaper.
Sometimes, but not very often.
take part intook part in, taken part in
Anyone can take part in the community gardening project.
To join an activity with other people.
Family and relationships
relative
A relative of mine is visiting from another part of Britain.
A member of your family.
grandparent
One grandparent collects the children after school.
The mother or father of one of your parents.
partner
My partner usually cooks dinner when I work late.
The person someone is married to or in a relationship with.
nephew
Our nephew started primary school this autumn.
The son of your brother or sister.
niece
Her niece loves listening to stories before bedtime.
The daughter of your brother or sister.
household
Our household shares the cost of food and heating.
The people who live together in one home.
childchildren
Every child needs time to play and rest.
A young person who is not yet an adult.
relationship
A good relationship needs trust and honest conversations.
The connection between two people.
birthday
We organised a small party for her birthday.
The day each year when someone celebrates being born.
responsibility
Caring for older relatives is a big responsibility.
Something you are expected to take care of.
raise
They raise their children in a busy city.
To look after children as they grow up.
care for
We help care for my grandmother every weekend.
To look after someone who needs help.
argue
Brothers sometimes argue about small things at home.
To speak angrily because people disagree.
forgiveforgave, forgiven
It took her time to forgive the mistake.
To stop being angry with someone for a mistake.
bring upbrought up, brought up
My parents brought me up to respect other people.
To look after and educate a child while growing up.
supportive
Her family was supportive when she changed jobs.
Giving help and encouragement.
patient
Try to be patient when children ask questions.
Able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed.
independent
He became more independent after leaving home.
Able to do things without needing other people's help.
together
We usually eat together at weekends when everyone is free.
With other people, in the same place or activity.
keep in touchkept in touch, kept in touch
I keep in touch with relatives who live abroad.
To continue speaking or writing to someone regularly.
Education and learning
course
My course includes speaking practice every Tuesday evening.
A series of classes about one subject.
qualification
This qualification helped her apply for a better job.
An official result showing knowledge or skills.
tutor
The tutor explained the question in another way.
A teacher who helps a person or small group.
classroom
Our classroom has enough space for group activities.
A room where students have lessons.
homework
My son finishes his homework before watching television.
School or course work done outside class.
assignment
The assignment must be handed in by Friday.
A piece of work given by a teacher.
certificate
She received a certificate after completing the training.
An official document showing completion or achievement.
lesson
The lesson covered how to write a formal letter.
A period of time spent learning with a teacher.
progress
I can see progress in my English conversations.
Improvement made over a period of time.
evening class
An evening class suits people who work during the day.
A lesson held after the normal working day.
revise
I revise new words before going to bed.
To study something again before a test.
practise
We practise speaking English with our neighbours.
To do something repeatedly to improve a skill.
improve
Reading short stories can improve your vocabulary.
To become better or make something better.
understandunderstood, understood
I understand the instructions better after seeing an example.
To know what something means.
teachtaught, taught
She teaches adults how to use computers safely.
To help someone learn knowledge or skills.
confident
He feels confident speaking to customers at work.
Feeling sure that you can do something.
challenging
The first lesson was challenging but very useful.
Difficult in a way that takes effort.
practical
We learnt practical skills during the cooking course.
Useful for real situations rather than only ideas.
carefully
Read the question carefully before choosing your answer.
With attention, so mistakes are less likely.
make progressmade progress, made progress
She began to make progress after regular speaking practice.
To get better at something over time.
Food and cooking
ingredient
Please check every ingredient if you have allergies.
One of the foods used to make a dish.
portion
The portion was large enough for two people.
An amount of food served to one person.
recipe
This recipe is easy to follow after work.
Instructions for preparing a particular dish.
takeaway
We ordered a takeaway because nobody wanted to cook.
A cooked meal bought to eat somewhere else.
packed lunch
I prepare a packed lunch before leaving for work.
Food prepared to eat away from home at lunchtime.
market stall
The market stall sells fresh fruit every morning.
A small place where goods are sold at a market.
menu
The menu includes several dishes without meat.
A list of food and drinks offered in a restaurant.
leftovers
We used the leftovers to make soup for lunch.
Food remaining after a meal.
food waste
Planning meals helps our family reduce food waste.
Food that is thrown away instead of eaten.
appetite
After the long walk, I had a good appetite.
The feeling of wanting to eat.
chopchopped, chopped
Chop the onions before heating the oil in a pan.
To cut food into small pieces.
boil
Boil the potatoes until they are soft enough to eat.
To cook something in very hot water.
bake
We bake bread together most Sunday mornings.
To cook food with dry heat in an oven.
freezefroze, frozen
I freeze extra portions to eat another day.
To make food very cold so it becomes solid.
serve
Please serve the vegetables while they are still warm.
To put food on plates or give it to people.
fresh
These fresh tomatoes came from our neighbour's garden.
Recently made or picked, and not old.
ripe
Choose a ripe banana if you want something sweet.
Ready to be eaten, especially fruit.
homemade
She brought homemade soup for everyone to share.
Prepared at home rather than bought ready made.
slowly
Add the milk slowly so the sauce stays smooth.
At a low speed, without rushing.
eat outate out, eaten out
We rarely eat out because we enjoy cooking together.
To have a meal in a restaurant or café.
Travel and holidays
passport
I checked my passport before leaving for the airport.
An official document used for travelling between countries.
boarding pass
Keep your boarding pass ready at the gate.
A document allowing someone onto a plane.
suitcase
Her suitcase was too heavy to carry upstairs.
A case used to carry clothes when travelling.
accommodation
We found affordable accommodation near the town centre.
A place where someone stays when away from home.
booking
I confirmed the booking after receiving the email.
An arrangement to use a place or service later.
destination
The island was our final destination after several stops.
The place someone is travelling to.
departure
The departure was delayed until the weather improved.
The act or time of leaving a place.
return ticket
I bought a return ticket because I am coming back on Sunday.
A ticket for travelling somewhere and back again.
customs
We went through customs after collecting our bags.
The place or officials checking goods entering a country.
travel insurance
Our travel insurance covered the lost luggage.
Protection against certain costs during a trip.
pack
Remember to pack comfortable shoes for the city tour.
To put things into a bag for travelling.
cancelcancelled, cancelled
They had to cancel their trip because of illness.
To decide that something arranged will not happen.
arrive
We arrived at the hotel just before dinner.
To reach the place you were travelling to.
flyflew, flown
We flew north to visit friends during the holidays.
To travel through the air in an aircraft.
loselost, lost
I lost my ticket but found it inside my coat.
To be unable to find something you had.
direct
There is a direct coach from here to the airport.
Going somewhere without changing vehicles or stopping elsewhere.
overseas
She enjoys overseas trips but also explores local places.
In or from a country across the sea.
flexible
Our plans are flexible if the weather changes.
Easy to change when the situation changes.
abroad
He wants to work abroad for a short period.
In or to another country.
check in
We need to check in before leaving our bags.
To tell staff you have arrived for a journey or stay.
Media and communication
headline
The headline made me curious about the full story.
The large title above a news story.
article
I read an article about changes in local transport.
A piece of writing in a newspaper or online.
broadcast
The live broadcast started after the evening news.
A programme sent out on radio or television.
programme
Our favourite programme is about people renovating old houses.
A show that people watch or listen to.
journalist
A journalist interviewed residents about the new bus route.
A person who reports news and writes stories.
subscription
My subscription ends next month unless I renew it.
An arrangement to pay regularly for a service.
documentary
We watched a documentary about life in coastal towns.
A film or programme about real events or people.
podcast
She listens to a podcast while walking to work.
A spoken programme people can listen to online.
advert
The advert explained when the shop would open.
A message that encourages people to buy or do something.
notification
I received a notification about a new message.
A message that tells someone something has happened.
download
I download episodes before travelling on the train.
To save information from the internet onto a device.
stream
We stream films when the children are asleep.
To watch or listen online without saving a whole file.
share
Please share the timetable with everyone in our group.
To send something to other people or use it together.
readread, read
I read the local newspaper during my lunch break.
To look at writing and understand its meaning.
hearheard, heard
Did you hear the announcement on the radio?
To notice a sound with your ears.
reliable
Choose a reliable source before passing on important information.
Able to be trusted because it is usually correct.
misleading
That picture was misleading because it showed only part.
Causing someone to believe something that is not true.
entertaining
The interview was entertaining and easy to follow.
Interesting and enjoyable to watch or listen to.
recently
I recently started listening to the local news.
A short time ago.
keep up withkept up with, kept up with
It is hard to keep up with every new story.
To stay informed about new events or changes.