English vocabulary with pictures
A free picture dictionary by topic. Every word has a recorded sound and a short example, and the pictures are on the way. Pick a topic, then test yourself.
- 199 words
- 4 topics
- Recorded every word
- A1 to C1 levels
Find a word
Search all 199 words by name, by its other name in the US or the UK, or by group.
More topics on the way
- Weather
- Jobs
- At the airport
- Feelings
- House
- School
How to learn English vocabulary with pictures
- 1
Listen, read, say
Hear the word, read its example, then say it out loud. Hearing, reading and saying work together, and the pictures, when they arrive, add one more way to remember.
- 2
Try to remember before you check
In the quiz you hear the word or read a sentence with a gap, then choose or type the word before you see it. This effort is what makes the word stay.
- 3
Learn a few at a time
A round has eight words. Words you miss come back sooner, and words you know come back less often.
- 4
Mix the groups
Words of one kind, like four kitchen tools, are easy to mix up when you study them in a row. So a round mixes words from different groups.
English vocabulary FAQ
What is a picture dictionary?
A picture dictionary shows each word with a picture instead of a long definition. It works best for things you can see, like a whisk or a raincoat, and for simple actions like pour or wave. This one groups words by topic, so you learn the words you would use in one place or one situation.
Does learning vocabulary with pictures work?
Yes, for concrete words. Studies of second-language learners find that a picture next to a new word helps people remember it better than the word alone, and that trying to recall a word works better than reading it again. Each card here is built on both ideas. Pictures help less with abstract words like freedom, so we teach those in sentences.
How many English words do I need to know?
It depends on the goal, and nobody knows every word. A few thousand words are enough for everyday life. The Oxford 3000, a core list for levels A1 to B2, is a well-known target, and you can aim at it one topic at a time. Topic words like the ones here are a good place to start, because you can use them straight away.
How many new words should I learn a day?
Five to ten is a good number for most people, as long as you practise them again on the next days. Words you meet only once are forgotten quickly, so coming back matters more than the number. A round here has eight words for this reason.
What are the most common words in English?
The most frequent words are small ones such as the, be, to, of, and, a and in. You will meet them in every sentence, so you pick them up quickly. The topic words on this page are less frequent but more useful for naming things around you, and you will want them early.
What are the basic English words to learn first?
Start with the things in your own day: food, the kitchen, clothes, the body, the house and the weather. Words marked A1 or A2 are the basic ones. Each topic shows the level on every card, so you can begin with the easiest and move on.
Can I print the word lists?
Yes. Open any topic and press Print the list. You get the word, its part of speech and an example in a clean list, and you can save it as a PDF.
Learn English vocabulary every day in Slova
In Slova, new words come back in short lessons until they stick, and you use them in real conversations about the things you love.