Words / H
English words starting with H
281 words, from Habit to Hypothetical. Levels A1 to C2. Each one opens a full lesson.
Habitnoun · Something that you do regularly, often without thinking.A2Habitatnoun · The natural environment in which a plant or animal normally lives.C1Habitualadjective · Done regularly as a habit; usual.B2Hackneyedadjective · Overused, so that it has lost force (a hackneyed phrase).C2Hadverb · The past form of have.A1Hailverb · To praise someone as something; also to call a taxi; as a noun, frozen rain.B1Hairnoun · The thin threads that grow on your head.A1Hair Slidenoun · A clip that holds hair in place (UK; US barrette).B1Haircutnoun · The act or style of cutting someone’s hair.A2Hairdressernoun · A person whose job is to cut and style hair.A2Hairdryernoun · A machine that blows hot air to dry your hair.A1Halfnoun · One of two equal parts of something.A1Half-Priceadjective · Costing fifty per cent of the usual price.A2Halfwayadverb · At the middle point of a distance, time, or process.B1Hallnoun · The room or space just inside the front door of a house; also a large room for meetings.A1Hallmarknoun · A typical quality; also an official mark on gold or silver.B2Hallowedadjective · Respected and made holy by tradition or religion (literary / formal).C2Haltverb · To stop, or to make something stop, often suddenly.C1Hamnoun · Meat from a pig’s leg, often cooked and eaten cold in sandwiches.A1Hamburgernoun · A round piece of cooked minced beef in a bread roll.A1Hammernoun · A tool with a metal head for hitting nails into wood.A1Hamperverb · To make movement or progress more difficult.B1Hamsternoun · A small furry pet with a short tail that often lives in a cage.A1Handnoun · The part of the body at the end of the arm.A1Handbagnoun · A bag, usually carried by a woman, for money, keys, and a phone.A2Handbooknoun · A small book of useful facts, rules, or instructions.A2Handbrakenoun · A brake in a car that you pull on to keep the vehicle still (UK; US parking brake).B1Handfulnoun · A small number; also an amount that fills one hand.B1Handicapnoun · A disadvantage that makes success harder; also a sporting scoring system (a golf handicap).B2Handkerchiefnoun · A small square of cloth for your nose or to keep in a pocket (British).A1Handleverb · To deal with a situation, problem, or person.B1Handshakenoun · The act of taking someone’s right hand and shaking it as a greeting or agreement.B2Handsomeadjective · Good-looking, usually used about a man; also large and attractive.A2Handwritingnoun · The way a person writes by hand.A2Handyadjective · Useful; also nearby and easy to reach.B1Hangverb · To fix something so that it is held from above; also to remain in the air (smoke, a question).B2Hangernoun · A shaped piece of wood, plastic, or wire for hanging clothes.A2Haphazardadjective · Not organised; done without a plan.B2Haplessadjective · Unlucky, especially in a way that invites pity (literary).C2Happenverb · To take place or occur.A2Happilyadverb · In a happy way; also used to mean luckily.A2Happinessnoun · The state of being happy.A2Happyadjective · Feeling pleased and glad.A1Haranguenoun · A long, aggressive speech that lectures rather than persuades.C2Harassmentnoun · Unwanted behaviour that intimidates, offends, or humiliates someone.C1Harbingernoun · A sign that something, often important, is coming (literary / formal).C2Harbournoun · An area of water next to land where boats can stay safely.A2Hardadjective · Difficult to do, or firm to touch.A1Hardenverb · To become harder, or to become less willing to change (attitudes harden).B1Hardlyadverb · Almost not; only just.B1Hardshipnoun · Severe difficulty, especially a lack of money or comfort.C1Hardwarenoun · Tools and equipment for the home, or the machines of a computer.A2Hardyadjective · Able to survive cold, disease, or difficult conditions (people, animals, or plants).B2Harmnoun · Damage or injury.B1Harmfuladjective · Causing damage to health, people, or the environment.B1Harmlessadjective · Not causing damage or injury.B1Harmoniousadjective · Friendly and without conflict; also pleasant because the parts go well together.C1Harmonynoun · A peaceful situation in which people agree; also notes that sound pleasant together.B1Harnessverb · To control and use a force or resource for a purpose.C1Harrowingadjective · Extremely upsetting because it involves suffering.C2Harshadjective · Unkind, severe, or too strong.B1Harshlyadverb · In a severe or unkind way.B1Harvestnoun · The time when crops are cut and collected; as a verb, to collect them.B1Hasverb · The form of have used with he, she, and it.A1Hash Brownnoun · A fried patty of grated potato, often served at breakfast.B1Hasslenoun · Trouble, annoyance, or extra effort; as a verb, to bother someone repeatedly.B2Hastenoun · Speed in doing something, often too much speed.B2Hastilyadverb · Very quickly, often without enough care.B1Hastyadjective · Done too quickly, often leading to mistakes.B2Hatnoun · Something you wear on your head.A1Hatchverb · To come out of an egg, or to plan in secret (hatch a plan); as a noun, a small door or opening.B2Hateverb · To dislike someone or something very much.A1Hatrednoun · A very strong feeling of dislike (often uncountable; hatred of / for).B1Haughtyadjective · Proud in a way that shows you think you are better than others.C2Haulnoun · A quantity of something seized or caught; also a long, hard journey (a long haul).B2Hauntverb · To keep coming back into someone’s mind in an unpleasant way; also (of a ghost) to visit a place.B1Haveverb · To own or hold something; also used with eaten, gone, etc.A1Havennoun · A safe or peaceful place; also a place with advantageous rules (a tax haven).B2Havocnoun · Widespread damage or confusion.B2Haynoun · Dry grass used as food for horses, cows, and other farm animals.A1Hazardnoun · A danger or risk, especially of harm.C1Hazardousadjective · Dangerous, especially because of chemicals, waste, or conditions at work.B1Hepronoun · A male person, used as the subject.A1Headnoun · The top part of the body, with the brain, eyes, and mouth.A1Headachenoun · A pain in your head.A2Headingnoun · A title at the top of a piece of writing.A2Headlampnoun · A light on the front of a vehicle, or a light worn on the head.B1Headlightsnoun · The main lights at the front of a car, bus, or bike (usually plural).B1Headlinenoun · The title of a newspaper story, printed in large letters.B1Headlongadverb · With the head first; in a rush, without thought (also adjective; from head, already in the dictionary).C1Headphonenoun · A speaker worn on the ear; usually used in the plural headphones.B1Headphonesnoun · A pair of speakers you wear over your ears to listen to music. Usually plural.A1Headquartersnoun · The main offices of an organisation (often treated as singular).B1Headteachernoun · The teacher in charge of a school.A2Headwaynoun · Progress, especially when something is slow (make headway; uncountable).B1Healverb · To become healthy again, or to make a wound better.A2Healingnoun · The process of becoming healthy again; also emotional recovery.B2Healthnoun · The condition of your body and mind.A2Healthcarenoun · Services that look after people’s health (uncountable).B1Healthyadjective · Well and not ill, or good for your body.B1Heapnoun · An untidy pile; as a verb, to put things in a pile; a heap of (informal) means a lot of.B2Hearverb · To notice sound with your ears.A1Hearingnoun · The ability to hear.A2Hearsaynoun · Information heard from others, not known at first hand; not admissible as proof.C1Heartnoun · The organ in your chest that pumps blood around your body.A2Heartfeltadjective · Sincere and strongly felt.B2Heartlandnoun · The central or most important area for an industry, party, or culture.B2Heatnoun · The quality of being hot, or warmth.B1Heaternoun · A machine that makes a room or water warmer.A2Heatingnoun · The system that keeps a building warm.A2Heatwavenoun · A period of unusually hot weather.B1Heavilyadverb · To a great degree; also with a lot of weight.B1Heavyadjective · Weighing a lot; not light.A2Heckleverb · To interrupt a speaker with rude or aggressive remarks (from interrupt, already in the dictionary).C1Hectorverb · To speak to someone in a bullying, lecturing way.C2Hedgenoun · A line of bushes forming a boundary; also a protection against loss (a hedge against inflation).B1Hedgehognoun · A small British garden animal with sharp spines on its back.A1Hedonistnoun · A person who believes that pleasure is the most important thing in life (from pleasure, already in the dictionary).C1Heedverb · To pay careful attention to advice or a warning (formal).C1Hegemonynoun · Leadership or dominance of one group over others, especially in politics or culture.C2Heightnoun · How tall someone or something is, or the distance from the ground.B1Heightenverb · To make a feeling or risk stronger or more intense.B1Heinousadjective · Extremely wicked, especially of a crime (formal).C2Heirnoun · A person who will receive money, property, or a title when someone dies.B2Helicopternoun · An aircraft with large spinning blades on top.A2Hellonoun · A word you say when you meet someone or start a call.A1Helmetnoun · A hard hat that protects your head.A2Helpverb · To make it easier for someone to do something.A1Helpfuladjective · Giving useful help.A2Helplessadjective · Unable to protect yourself or to act usefully.B1Hennoun · A female chicken that often lives on a farm and lays eggs.A1Henceadverb · For this reason; therefore (formal). Also: from now (a week hence).C1Herdeterminer · Belonging to a female person.A1Herbnoun · A plant used to add flavour to food or in simple medicine.A2Herdnoun · A group of animals of one kind; also people acting as a crowd (herd behaviour).B2Hereadverb · In this place.A1Hereditaryadjective · Passed from parent to child, as a title, property, or biological trait.C1Heresynoun · A belief that goes against official or accepted teaching (from belief, already in the dictionary).C1Heritagenoun · The buildings, traditions, and history passed down in a place or group.C1Hermeticadjective · Airtight; of a group or style, sealed off from outside influence.C2Heronoun · A person who is admired for doing something brave or good.B1Herspronoun · Belonging to her: The blue bag is hers.A1Herselfpronoun · She, used for emphasis or when a female does something to herself.A1Hesitantadjective · Slow to speak or act because you are uncertain or unwilling.B2Hesitateverb · To pause before doing something because you are not sure.B1Hesitationnoun · A pause because you are not sure; without hesitation means at once.B1Heterogeneousadjective · Made up of many different kinds; not uniform.C1Hiexclamation · An informal hello.A1Hiatusnoun · A pause or gap in a process or series (formal).C2Hiddenadjective · Not easy to see or notice; kept out of view.B1Hideverb · To put something or yourself where it cannot be seen.A2Hierarchynoun · A system in which people or things are ranked one above another.C1Highadjective · A long way above the ground, or a large amount.A1High Chairnoun · A tall chair with a tray for a baby or toddler at mealtimes.B1High Streetnoun · The main shopping street of a British town (the high street).B1High-Visadjective · Bright fluorescent clothing that makes you easy to see (UK informal; from high-visibility).B1Highchairnoun · A tall chair for a baby at the table, with a tray.A1Highlightverb · To emphasise something so that people notice it.B1Highlighternoun · A brightly coloured pen for marking important text.A2Highlyadverb · Very; to a high degree.B1Highwaynoun · A main public road; Highway Code is the UK road-rules book.B1Hijackverb · To take control of a vehicle or aircraft illegally, often by force; also to take over a debate or event.B2Hikeverb · To walk a long way in the countryside for pleasure.A2Hikingnoun · The activity of long walks in the countryside.A2Hilariousadjective · Extremely funny.B2Hillnoun · An area of high land, smaller than a mountain.A2Himpronoun · He, used as the object.A1Himselfpronoun · He, used for emphasis or when a male does something to himself.A1Hinderverb · To make it harder for someone to do something.B1Hindsightnoun · Understanding of an event after it has happened (in hindsight).C1Hingeverb · To depend entirely on one thing (hinge on); also, of a door, to turn on a hinge.C1Hintnoun · A small sign or an indirect suggestion (a hint of; drop a hint).B1Hipnoun · The joint at the side of your body between the waist and the leg.A2Hipponoun · A very large grey African animal that lives in rivers (short for hippopotamus).A1Hireverb · To give someone a job, or to pay to use something for a short time.B1Hire Carnoun · A car you pay to use for a short time (UK; US rental car).B1Hisdeterminer · Belonging to a male person.A1Historiannoun · A person who studies or writes about history.B1Historicadjective · Famous or important in history, especially a building or event.B1Historicaladjective · Connected with the past, or based on history (compare historic = famous in history).B1Historicallyadverb · In a way that relates to the past; in history.B1Historynoun · The study of the past, or things that happened in the past.A2Histrionicadjective · Too theatrical or emotional, as if acting (disapproving).C2Hitverb · To touch something quickly and with force, with your hand or with an object.A1Hithertoadverb · Until now, or until the time you are talking about (formal).C1Hivenoun · A structure in which bees live; a hive of activity is a very busy place.B2Hoardverb · To collect and hide a large store of something, often more than you need.C1Hoaryadjective · Very old and overused; also grey or white with age (literary).C2Hoaxnoun · A trick in which people are deliberately made to believe something false (also verb).C1Hobnoun · The flat top of a cooker with rings or zones for pans (UK; US stovetop).B1Hobbynoun · An activity you do for pleasure in your free time.A2Hockeynoun · A team sport played with sticks and a ball, or a similar game on ice.A2Holdverb · To have something in your hands or arms.A1Holenoun · An empty space in something, or an opening through it.A1Holidaynoun · A time when you do not work or study, often for travel.A2Holisticadjective · Dealing with the whole system, not only one part in isolation.C1Hollowadjective · Empty inside, or sounding empty; also a claim or victory without real worth; as a noun, a small valley.B2Holyadjective · Connected with God or religion and treated with respect; a holy site is a sacred place.B2Homagenoun · Public respect or tribute paid to someone or something admired.C1Homenoun · The place where you live.A1Homelandnoun · The country where a person was born and has a strong sense of belonging.B2Homelessadjective · Without a home to live in.B1Homesickadjective · Sad because you are away from home.A2Homeworknoun · School work that you do at home.A1Homilynoun · A short moralising talk or sermon, often tedious.C1Honestadjective · Telling the truth and not stealing or cheating.B1Honestlyadverb · In a truthful way; also used to emphasise that you mean what you say.B2Honestynoun · The quality of telling the truth and not cheating (uncountable).B1Honeynoun · A sweet, thick food made by bees.A1Honournoun · Respect that people have for you because of your good behaviour.B1Honourableadjective · Deserving respect; in Parliament, a polite form for an MP (the Honourable member).B1Hoodienoun · A soft jacket or jumper with a hood.A1Hookverb · To catch with a hook; also to capture attention (hook the reader).B2Hoovernoun · A vacuum cleaner (UK; also a verb; originally a brand name).B1Hopverb · To jump on one foot, or for a small animal to jump with both feet.A1Hopeverb · To want something to happen and believe that it is possible.A2Hopefuladjective · Feeling that something good may happen.A2Hopefullyadverb · In a hopeful way; also used to mean “I hope that”.B1Hopelessadjective · Without hope, or very bad at something.A2Horizonnoun · The line where the earth and sky seem to meet; also on the horizon (likely soon).B1Hormonenoun · A chemical produced in the body that controls growth, mood, or other processes.B2Horribleadjective · Very unpleasant or bad.A2Horrificadjective · Extremely bad, shocking, or frightening.B2Horrifyverb · To shock someone with something very unpleasant or wrong.C1Horrornoun · A feeling of great shock and fear; also a type of frightening story or film.B1Horsenoun · A large animal that people ride or that can pull a cart.A1Hortatoryadjective · Strongly urging a course of action; exhorting (formal).C2Hosepipenoun · A long flexible tube for watering the garden or washing the car (UK).B1Hospitableadjective · Welcoming and generous to guests or strangers; also (of a climate or place) suitable to live in.B2Hospitalnoun · A place where sick or injured people are treated.A1Hospitalitynoun · Friendly, generous treatment of guests; also the hotel and catering trade.C1Hostverb · To organise an event and welcome the people who come.B1Hostagenoun · A person held prisoner in order to force someone else to act; also, something trapped as if by force (a hostage to fortune).C1Hostelnoun · A cheap place to stay, often with shared rooms.A2Hostileadjective · Unfriendly and aggressive; strongly opposed.C1Hostilitynoun · Unfriendly or aggressive feelings or behaviour (often uncountable).B1Hotadjective · At a high temperature.A1Hot Chocolatenoun · A hot sweet drink made from chocolate and milk.A1Hot Dognoun · A sausage in a long bread roll, often with ketchup or mustard.B1Hotelnoun · A building where you pay to sleep when you travel.A1Hournoun · A period of sixty minutes.A1Housenoun · A building that people live in.A1Householdnoun · All the people who live together in one house.B1Householdernoun · The person who owns or rents a home and is responsible for bills such as council tax.B1Housematenoun · A person you share a house or flat with, but who is not family.B1Houseworknoun · Cleaning and other jobs in the home.A2Housingnoun · Buildings for people to live in, especially as a public issue (uncountable).B1Hoververb · To stay in one place in the air; also to wait close by, often unhelpfully.C1Howadverb · Used to ask about the way or the amount.A1Howeveradverb · Used to introduce a contrast or a different idea.A2Hubrisnoun · Dangerous overconfidence; pride that invites a fall (from Greek tragedy).C2Huddleverb · To crowd close together, often for warmth or safety; as a noun, a small close group.B2Hugverb · To put your arms around someone to show love or friendship.A2Hugeadjective · Extremely large in size or amount.B1Humannoun · A person, not an animal or a machine.A2Humanitarianadjective · Concerned with reducing human suffering and protecting people’s dignity.C1Humanitynoun · Human beings as a whole; also kindness and the quality of being humane.C1Humbleadjective · Not proud; also simple or poor in status (humble origins).B2Humiditynoun · The amount of water vapour in the air.C1Humiliateverb · To make someone feel ashamed or foolish, especially in front of others.B2Humournoun · The quality of being funny, or the ability to see the funny side.A2Hunchnoun · A feeling that something is true, with little evidence; as a verb, to lean forward with the shoulders raised.B2Hundrednumber · The number 100.A1Hungernoun · The need for food; also a strong wish (a hunger for change). Uncountable in many uses.B1Hungryadjective · Wanting or needing food.A1Huntverb · To chase and kill animals for food or sport; also to search determinedly.B2Hurdlenoun · A frame to jump in athletics, or a difficulty you must deal with; as a verb, to jump that frame.B2Hurricanenoun · A very strong tropical storm with high winds.B1Hurryverb · To do something or move more quickly than usual.A2Hurtverb · To cause pain, or to feel pain.A2Husbandnoun · The man that a woman is married to.A1Hutnoun · A small simple building, often of wood, in a garden or by the sea.A1Hybridadjective · Made by combining two different types or methods.C1Hydrogennoun · A colourless gas, the lightest chemical element (symbol H), that combines with oxygen to make water.B2Hygienenoun · The practice of keeping yourself and things clean so you stay healthy.A2Hymnnoun · A religious song of praise; also a piece of writing that praises something strongly.C1Hypenoun · Exaggerated publicity that makes something seem more important than the evidence shows (usually uncountable).B2Hyperbolenoun · Deliberate exaggeration used for effect, not meant literally.C1Hypocrisynoun · Claiming to have moral standards that your own behaviour does not match.C1Hypothesisnoun · An idea that you test to see if it is true.B2Hypotheticaladjective · Based on a possible situation, not on proven fact.C1