Most Common English Words 4,901–5,000: Meanings & IPA

RankWord Definition PronunciationPart of speech LevelExample

4901 perception the way you see or understand something /pɚˈsɛpʃən/ noun C1 Our perception of risk is often wrong.

4902 meaningful serious, important or useful /ˈminɪŋfəl/ adjective B2 We had a meaningful conversation.

4903 homer a hit in baseball that lets the batter run round all four bases /ˈhoʊmɚ/ noun C2 He hit a homer in the ninth inning.

4904 spectacular very impressive to look at /spɛkˈtækjəlɚ/ adjective B2 The view from the top is spectacular.

4905 coaches people who train sports teams, more than one /ˈkoʊtʃɪz/ noun · coach B1 The coaches gave the players advice.

4906 bullets small metal objects fired from guns, more than one /ˈbʊləts/ noun · bullet B2 Two bullets hit the car.

4907 flavor the particular taste of food or drink /ˈfleɪvɚ/ noun B1 What flavor of ice cream do you want?

4908 addressing present participle of address /əˈdɹɛsɪŋ/ verb · address B2 The government is addressing the problem.

4909 default the setting used if no other is chosen /dɪˈfɔlt/ noun, adjective C1 The default language is English.

4910 mills factories or buildings for grinding grain, more than one /ˈmɪlz/ noun · mill B2 The town had many cotton mills.

4911 pronounced said aloud with particular sounds /pɹəˈnaʊnst/ verb B2 How is this word pronounced?

4912 starring present participle of star /ˈstɑɹɪŋ/ verb · star B2 It is a film starring Tom Hanks.

4913 combine to join or mix together /ˈkɑmbaɪn/ verb B1 Combine the eggs and the flour.

4914 blown past participle of blow /ˈbloʊn/ verb · blow B1 The roof was blown off in the storm.

4915 tens groups of 10, more than one /ˈtɛnz/ noun · ten B2 Tens of thousands of people came.

4916 fits present of fit, for he, she or it /ˈfɪts/ verb · fit A2 This key fits the lock.

4917 zoo a park where wild animals are kept for people to see /ˈzu/ noun A1 We saw lions at the zoo.

4918 mud wet, soft earth /ˈmʌd/ noun B1 The car got stuck in the mud.

4919 cathedral the main church of a large area, with a bishop /kəˈθidɹəl/ noun B1 We visited the old cathedral.

4920 possibilities things that might happen or be done, more than one /ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətiz/ noun · possibility B1 There are many possibilities.

4921 lasting continuing for a long time /ˈlæstɪŋ/ adjective B2 They hope for a lasting peace.

4922 foul an act against the rules of a sport; or very unpleasant /ˈfaʊl/ noun, adjective C1 The referee gave a foul.

4923 proposals plans or ideas put forward, more than one /pɹəˈpoʊzəlz/ noun · proposal B2 The council rejected the proposals.

4924 boring not interesting at all /ˈbɔɹɪŋ/ adjective A1 The film was really boring.

4925 breakdown a failure of a machine; or a collapse of health /ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/ noun C1 We had a breakdown on the motorway.

4926 earning present participle of earn /ˈɝnɪŋ/ verb · earn B1 She is earning more money now.

4927 settings positions of controls on a device, more than one /ˈsɛtɪŋz/ noun · setting B2 Change the settings on your phone.

4928 ethics moral rules about right and wrong /ˈɛθɪks/ noun C1 The case raises questions of medical ethics.

4929 accidents unexpected events causing injury or damage, more than one /ˈæksədənts/ noun · accident A2 Most accidents happen at home.

4930 traditionally according to long-held custom /tɹəˈdɪʃənəli/ adverb B2 Traditionally, the bride wears white.

4931 paradise a perfect place; or heaven /ˈpɛɹəˌdaɪs/ noun B2 The island is a paradise for divers.

4932 bugs faults in a computer program; or small insects /ˈbʌɡz/ noun B1 The new software has a few bugs.

4933 initiated started or caused to begin /ˌɪˈnɪʃiˌeɪtəd/ verb C1 She initiated the project in 2010.

4934 whale a very large sea animal that breathes air /ˈweɪl/ noun A2 We saw a whale from the boat.

4935 awesome very impressive; or very good /ˈɑsəm/ adjective B1 The concert was awesome!

4936 rolls present of roll, for he, she or it /ˈɹoʊlz/ verb · roll B1 The ball rolls down the hill.

4937 diagnosed identified as having a particular illness /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊst/ verb C1 She was diagnosed with diabetes.

4938 slower comparative of slow /ˈsloʊɚ/ adjective · slow A2 The bus is slower than the train.

4939 blessing something good that you are grateful for /ˈblɛsɪŋ/ noun C1 The rain was a blessing for farmers.

4940 export a product sold to another country /ˈɛkspɔɹt/ noun, verb B2 Coffee is the main export.

4941 stairs a set of steps inside a building /ˈstɛɹz/ noun A2 She ran up the stairs.

4942 cannon a large old gun that fires heavy balls /ˈkænən/ noun C1 The cannon fired at the ship.

4943 immigrants people who have come to live in another country /ˈɪməɡɹənts/ noun B2 Many immigrants settled in the city.

4944 nonsense words or ideas that are silly or not true /ˈnɑnsɛns/ noun B2 That is complete nonsense!

4945 catching present participle of catch /ˈkætʃɪŋ/ verb · catch A2 He is catching the early train.

4946 lodge a small house in the country, used for holidays /ˈlɑdʒ/ noun C1 We stayed in a ski lodge.

4947 sink a basin with taps for washing; or to go down under water /ˈsɪŋk/ noun, verb B1 The dishes are in the sink.

4948 speeds rates of movement, more than one /ˈspidz/ noun · speed B2 Cars pass at high speeds.

4949 conscious awake and aware of what is around you /ˈkɑnʃəs/ adjective B2 He was conscious after the fall.

4950 intentions things you plan to do, more than one /ˌɪnˈtɛntʃənz/ noun · intention B2 His intentions were good.

4951 championships competitions to find the best player or team, more than one /ˈtʃæmpiənˌʃɪps/ noun · championship B2 She won two world championships.

4952 encountered past of encounter /ɪnˈkaʊntɚd/ verb · encounter C1 We encountered some problems.

4953 torn past participle of tear /ˈtɔɹn/ verb · tear B2 My jacket is torn.

4954 gains increases or advantages won, more than one /ˈɡeɪnz/ noun · gain C1 The party made big gains in the election.

4955 bulk the main part; or a large size /ˈbʌlk/ noun C1 The bulk of the work is done.

4956 donated gave something to a charity or good cause /ˈdoʊˌneɪtɪd/ verb B2 She donated money to the hospital.

4957 basket a container made of woven strips /ˈbæskət/ noun A2 She carried a basket of apples.

4958 dose an amount of medicine taken at one time /ˈdoʊs/ noun C1 Take one dose every six hours.

4959 asylum protection given by a country to people fleeing danger /əˈsaɪləm/ noun C1 He asked for political asylum.

4960 reader a person who looks at and understands written words /ˈɹidɚ/ noun B1 She is a keen reader.

4961 remarks things said giving an opinion, more than one /ɹɪˈmɑɹks/ noun B2 His remarks upset many people.

4962 consecutive following one after another without a break /kənˈsɛkjətɪv/ adjective C1 It rained for five consecutive days.

4963 execute to carry out a plan; or to kill as a legal punishment /ˈɛksəˌkjut/ verb C1 They will execute the plan next week.

4964 welcomed past of welcome /ˈwɛlkəmd/ verb · welcome B1 They welcomed us warmly.

4965 insight a deep understanding of something /ˈɪnˌsaɪt/ noun C1 The book gives an insight into her life.

4966 defended past of defend /dɪˈfɛndəd/ verb · defend B2 She defended her decision.

4967 warming a rise in temperature /ˈwɔɹmɪŋ/ noun B2 Global warming is a serious problem.

4968 symbols signs or images that stand for something, more than one /ˈsɪmbəlz/ noun · symbol B1 Chemical symbols are short.

4969 diamonds very hard, clear precious stones, more than one /ˈdaɪməndz/ noun · diamond B1 The ring has three diamonds.

4970 slot a narrow opening; or a time given for something /ˈslɑt/ noun C1 Put a coin in the slot.

4971 credits the list of people who made a film; or units of study /ˈkɹɛdɪts/ noun · credit B2 We stayed to watch the credits.

4972 solely only, and involving nothing or nobody else /ˈsoʊəli/ adverb C1 He is solely responsible for the error.

4973 daddy a child's word for father /ˈdædi/ noun A1 Daddy, can you read me a story?

4974 beans seeds eaten as vegetables, often in pods /ˈbinz/ noun A2 We had beans on toast.

4975 alternate every second one; or to take turns /ˈɔltɚnət/ adjective, verb C1 We meet on alternate Mondays.

4976 realistic sensible and possible to achieve /ˌɹiəˈlɪstɪk/ adjective B1 We need a realistic plan.

4977 belonged past of belong /bɪˈlɔŋd/ verb · belong B1 This house belonged to my grandfather.

4978 ours the one belonging to the speaker and others /ˈaʊɚz/ pronoun · we A2 That car is ours.

4979 sunny bright with light from the sun /ˈsʌni/ adjective A1 It is a sunny day.

4980 sporting connected with games and athletic competitions /ˈspɔɹtɪŋ/ adjective B2 It was a great sporting event.

4981 poll a survey of what people think /ˈpoʊl/ noun B2 A recent poll shows support is falling.

4982 terrorists people who use violence for political aims, more than one /ˈtɛɹɚəsts/ noun · terrorist B2 The terrorists were caught.

4983 leaf a flat green part growing from a plant stem /ˈlif/ noun A2 A leaf fell from the tree.

4984 pills small tablets of medicine, more than one /ˈpɪlz/ noun B1 Take two pills after each meal.

4985 athletic strong, fit and good at sport /æθˈlɛtɪk/ adjective B2 He has an athletic build.

4986 incoming arriving or about to arrive /ˈɪnˌkʌmɪŋ/ adjective B2 I have three incoming calls.

4987 intimate very close and personal /ˈɪntəmət/ adjective C1 They had an intimate dinner for two.

4988 deserves present of deserve, for he, she or it /dɪˈzɝvz/ verb · deserve B1 She deserves a rest.

4989 deadline the latest time by which something must be done /ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ noun B2 The deadline is Friday.

4990 determination refusing to give up when something is hard /dɪˌtɝməˈneɪʃən/ noun C1 She showed great determination.

4991 upgrade to improve to a newer or better version /əpˈɡɹeɪd/ verb, noun B2 I need to upgrade my computer.

4992 territories areas of land controlled by a state, more than one /ˈtɛɹəˌtɔɹiz/ noun · territory B2 The army captured new territories.

4993 rotation turning round a centre; or taking turns in order /ɹoʊˈteɪʃən/ noun C1 The players work in rotation.

4994 devastating causing great damage or shock /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/ adjective C1 The news was devastating.

4995 disabled having a condition that limits movement or other activity /dɪˈseɪbəld/ adjective B1 The hotel has rooms for disabled guests.

4996 unnecessary not needed /ənˈnɛsəˌsɛɹi/ adjective B1 Do not take unnecessary risks.

4997 exhausted extremely tired /ɪɡˈzɔstɪd/ adjective B1 I am exhausted after the trip.

4998 crushed pressed so hard that it broke or lost shape /ˈkɹʌʃt/ verb B2 The car was crushed by a tree.

4999 widow a woman whose husband has died /ˈwɪdoʊ/ noun B2 She has been a widow for ten years.

5000 conviction a court ruling that someone is guilty; or a firm belief /kənˈvɪkʃən/ noun C1 He has a previous conviction for theft.

Most common English words: 4,901–5,000