Vocabulary · Audiobook read-along
Vocabulary from On Liberty
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill introduces these 48 key English words — graded A2–C2, each with a short definition and an example. Learn them before you read, or review them after. In the reader you can tap any word to hear it and see it highlighted in the sentence.
A2 words (10)
- abandon/əˈbændən/A2
- the trait of lacking restraint or control“she danced with abandon”
- abroad/əˈbrɔd/A2
- in a foreign country“markets abroad”
- absence/ˈæbsəns/A2
- the state of being absent“he was surprised by the absence of any explanation”
- absolutely/ˌæbsəˈlutli/A2
- completely and without qualification“an absolutely magnificent painting”
- abuse/əˈbjuz/A2
- cruel or inhumane treatment“the child showed signs of physical abuse”
- accident/ˈæksədənt/A2
- an unfortunate mishap“winning the lottery was a happy accident”
- accommodation/əˌkɑməˈdeɪʃən/A2
- making or becoming suitable“they reached an accommodation with Japan”
- accompany/əˈkəmpəni/A2
- be present or associated with an event or entity“French fries come with the hamburger”
- accuse/əˈkjuz/A2
- bring an accusation against“The neighbors accused the man of spousal abuse”
- acknowledge/ækˈnɑlɪʤ/A2
- declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of“He admitted his errors”
B1 words (10)
- absolute/ˈæbsəˌlut/B1
- something that is conceived or that exists independently and not in relation to other things“no mortal being can influence the absolute”
- abstract/ˈæbˌstrækt/B1
- a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance“he loved her only in the abstract--not in person”
- acceptable/əkˈsɛptəbəl/B1
- worthy of acceptance or satisfactory“acceptable levels of radiation”
- acceptance/əkˈsɛptəns/B1
- the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true“he gave credence to the gossip”
- accidentally/ˌæksəˈdɛnəli/B1
- without advance planning“they met accidentally”
- accomplish/əˈkɑmplɪʃ/B1
- put in effect“carry out a task”
- accordance/əˈkɔrdəns/B1
- concurrence of opinion“we are in accord with your proposal”
- accordingly/əˈkɔrdɪŋli/B1
- (sentence connectors) because of the reason given“consequently, he didn't do it”
- acquisition/ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/B1
- the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something“the acquisition of wealth”
- adapt/əˈdæpt/B1
- make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose“Adapt our native cuisine to the available food resources of the new country”
B2 words (10)
- abide/əˈbaɪd/B2
- dwell“You can stay with me while you are in town”
- abject/ˈæbʤɛkt/B2
- of the most contemptible kind“abject cowardice”
- abound/əˈbaʊnd/B2
- be abundant or plentiful“The room abounded with screaming children”
- absent/ˈæbsənt/B2
- go away or leave“He absented himself”
- absorption/əbˈzɔrpʃən/B2
- (chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another“the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules”
- abstain/əbˈsteɪn/B2
- refrain from voting“I abstain from alcohol”
- absurd/əbˈsərd/B2
- a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless“The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth”
- absurdity/əbˈsərdəti/B2
- a message whose content is at variance with reason“the crowd laughed at the absurdity of the clown's behavior”
- abundant/əˈbəndənt/B2
- present in great quantity“an abundant supply of water”
- accidental/ˌæksəˈdɛnəl/B2
- a musical notation that makes a note sharp or flat or natural although that is not part of the key signature“with an inadvertent gesture she swept the vase off the table”
C1 words (9)
- abate/əˈbeɪt/C1
- make less active or intense“The storm abated”
- abatement/əˈbeɪtmənt/C1
- an interruption in the intensity or amount of something“laws enforcing noise abatement”
- abdicate/ˈæbdəˌkeɪt/C1
- give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations“The King abdicated when he married a divorcee”
- abhor/æˈbhɔr/C1
- find repugnant“I loathe that man”
- abominable/əˈbɑmənəbəl/C1
- unequivocally detestable“abominable treatment of prisoners”
- accrue/əˈkru/C1
- grow by addition“The interest accrues”
- accustom/əˈkəstəm/C1
- make psychologically or physically used (to something)“She became habituated to the background music”
- acquaint/əkˈweɪnt/C1
- cause to come to know personally“permit me to acquaint you with my son”
- acquiesce/ˌækwiˈɛs/C1
- to agree or express agreement“The Maestro assented to the request for an encore”
C2 words (9)
- abasementC2
- a low or downcast state“each confession brought her into an attitude of abasement”
- abnegateC2
- deny oneself (something)“She denied herself wine and spirits”
- abominateC2
- find repugnant“I loathe that man”
- accessaryC2
- someone who helps another person commit a crime“he was charged with being accessory to the crime”
- aggrieve/əˈgriv/C2
- infringe on the rights of“his behavior grieves his mother”
- asserterC2
- someone who claims to speak the truth“a bold asserter”
- banefulC2
- exceedingly harmful“the Florida eagles have a fierce baleful look”
- benevolentlyC2
- in a benevolent manner“she looked on benevolently”
- betokenC2
- be a signal for or a symptom of“These symptoms indicate a serious illness”