Words / K
English words starting with K
79 words, from Kafkaesque to Kudos. Levels A1 to C2. Each one opens a full lesson.
Kafkaesqueadjective · Nightmarishly complex, illogical, and oppressive, like a Kafka story.C2Kangaroonoun · A large Australian animal that jumps on strong back legs.A2Kayaknoun · A narrow boat for one person, moved with a paddle that has two ends.A1Kebabnoun · Pieces of meat or vegetables cooked on a stick.A2Keenadjective · Very interested, eager, or enthusiastic (keen on / keen to).B1Keenlyadverb · In an intense, eager, or sharply felt way.B2Keepverb · To continue to have something, or to continue doing something.A2Keepernoun · A person who looks after a place, animals, or a goal (goalkeeper; wicket-keeper; zookeeper).B2Kennelnoun · A small house for a dog, or a place that looks after dogs.A2Kerbnoun · The stone edge of the pavement next to the road.A2Kerbstonenoun · One of the stones that form the kerb between pavement and road (UK; US curbstone).B1Kernelnoun · The most important part of an idea; also the edible centre of a nut or seed.C1Ketchupnoun · A cold tomato sauce, often eaten with chips.A2Kettlenoun · A container for boiling water, used to make tea or coffee.A1Keynoun · A small metal object that opens a lock.A1Key Workernoun · A worker in an essential public service such as the NHS, schools, or transport (UK).B1Keyboardnoun · The set of keys on a computer, or on a piano.A2Keyholenoun · The small hole in a lock where you put a key.A1Keynotenoun · The central idea of a speech or event; a keynote speech sets that tone.C1Keyringnoun · A metal ring that holds keys together.A1Keywordnoun · An important word used to search, index, or summarise a text.B1Kickverb · To hit something with your foot.A1Kick-Offnoun · The start of a football match; also the start of a meeting or event.B1Kick-Startverb · To make something begin or grow more quickly after a slow period.B1Kidnoun · An informal word for a child.A2Kidnapverb · To take someone away by force and hold them, often for money or control.B1Kidnappingnoun · The crime of taking someone away by force.B1Kidneynoun · One of the two organs in the body that clean the blood; also a type of bean.B1Kidsnoun · An informal word for children.A1Kilonoun · An informal short form of kilogram.A2Kilogramnoun · A metric unit of weight equal to 1,000 grams.A2Kilometrenoun · A measure of distance: 1,000 metres.A1Kiltnoun · A knee-length tartan skirt, traditionally worn by Scottish men.A1Kinnoun · A person’s family and relations (usually uncountable; next of kin is the closest relative).B2Kindadjective · Friendly and good to other people.A2Kindergartennoun · A school or class for very young children, often before formal primary school.B2Kindleverb · To start a fire, or to start a feeling or interest.C1Kindlyadverb · In a kind way; also a polite formal request (kindly + verb).B1Kindnessnoun · The quality of being kind (often uncountable).B1Kindredadjective · Similar in kind or related; kindred spirits share tastes or aims.C1Kineticadjective · Relating to movement or produced by movement.C1Kingnoun · A man who rules a country as a royal leader.A2Kingdomnoun · A country ruled by a king or queen.A2Kingfishernoun · A small bright bird with a long beak that dives into water for fish.A1Kinshipnoun · A family relationship, or a strong feeling of being connected.C1Kiosknoun · A small open shop that sells snacks, tickets, or newspapers.A2Kismetnoun · Destiny or fate, as if already decided (literary).C2Kissverb · To touch someone with your lips to show love or say hello or goodbye.A2Kitnoun · A set of tools, clothes, or equipment for a job or activity.B1Kitchennoun · The room where you cook.A1Kitchen Rollnoun · Thick paper on a roll for wiping up spills (UK, often uncountable; US paper towels).B1Kitchenettenoun · A very small kitchen, often in a studio, hotel room, or office.B1Kitenoun · A light toy that flies on a string in the wind.A2Kitschnoun · Art or objects that are cheaply sentimental or in badly imitated “good taste”.C2Kittennoun · A young cat.A2Kiwinoun · A small brown fruit with green flesh, or a bird from New Zealand.A2Kiwi Fruitnoun · A small brown fruit with bright green flesh and tiny black seeds.A1Knacknoun · A natural skill or a clever way of doing something.C1Knackeredadjective · Extremely tired; also broken and no longer working (UK informal).B1Kneenoun · The joint in the middle of the leg, where it bends.A1Kneelverb · To go down so that your knees are on the floor.A2Knellnoun · The sound of a bell rung for a death; figuratively, a sign that something is finished (a death knell).C2Knifenoun · A tool with a sharp blade for cutting.A2Knightnoun · A man given the title Sir by the monarch for public service; also a medieval soldier.B1Knitverb · To make clothes from wool using two long needles.A2Knittingnoun · The activity of making things from wool, or the piece you are making.A2Knobnoun · A round handle that you turn or pull, for example on a door or cooker.A2Knockverb · To hit a door or surface so that someone notices you.A2Knock-Onadjective · Causing further effects after the first event (a knock-on effect).B1Knotnoun · A join made by tying string, rope, or a shoelace.A2Knowverb · To have information in your mind.A1Know-Hownoun · Practical skill and knowledge of how to do something (uncountable).B1Knowledgenoun · Information and understanding in your mind.B1Knowledgeableadjective · Knowing a lot about a subject (knowledgeable about).C1Knownadjective · Recognised or identified; known as / known for.B1Koalanoun · A grey Australian animal that lives in trees and eats eucalyptus leaves.A1Kookaburranoun · An Australian bird with a loud call that sounds like a laugh.A1Kowtowverb · To show too much respect or obedience in order to please someone powerful.C2Kudosnoun · Praise and honour for an achievement (uncountable; not “a kudos”).C2