English words starting with R

333 words, from Rabbit to Rush. Levels A1 to C2. Each one opens a full lesson.

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Rabbitnoun · A small animal with long ears that lives in a hole in the ground.A1 Raccoonnoun · A small wild animal with a striped tail and a black mask on its face.A1 Racenoun · A competition to see who is the fastest.A2 Racialadjective · Connected with a person’s race, or with relations between racial groups.B2 Racismnoun · Unfair treatment of people because of their race, or the belief that some races are superior.B2 Racketnoun · A bat with strings, used to hit the ball in tennis or badminton.A1 Raconteurnoun · A person who tells stories in an entertaining, skilful way.C2 Radiationnoun · Energy that travels as waves or particles, such as heat, light, or X-rays.B2 Radiatornoun · A metal heater on the wall that warms a room (British).A1 Radicaladjective · Very new and different from what is usual, or extreme.C1 Radionoun · A device that plays music and news from radio stations.A1 Radishnoun · A small round red vegetable with a hot taste, often eaten in salad.A1 Raftnoun · A flat boat made of wood or rubber, used on a river or a lake.A1 Railwaynoun · A system of trains and tracks for travel or goods.A2 Rainnoun · Water that falls from the sky.A1 Rain Hatnoun · A hat worn to keep rain off the head and face.B1 Rainbownoun · A curve of colours in the sky when the sun shines through rain.A2 Raincoatnoun · A coat that keeps you dry in the rain.A1 Rainyadjective · With a lot of rain.A1 Raiseverb · To lift something up, or to increase it.A2 Rakenoun · A garden tool with a long handle and a row of teeth, used for leaves or soil.A1 Rallyverb · To come together, or bring people together, in support; also to recover strength.C1 Ramificationnoun · A complicated result of an action, often one that is not obvious at first.C1 Randomadjective · Happening without a plan or pattern.B2 Rangenoun · A number of different things of the same general type, or the distance between limits.B1 Ransomnoun · Money demanded for the release of a captive; also (figurative) a price for release.C1 Rapaciousadjective · Aggressively greedy; taking more than is fair.C2 Rapidadjective · Happening very quickly.B1 Rapidlyadverb · Very quickly.B2 Rareadjective · Not happening or found very often.A2 Raspberrynoun · A small soft red fruit.A1 Ratheradverb · Quite; to some degree, or used to say you prefer one thing.A2 Ratingnoun · A measurement of quality, risk, or popularity on a scale.C1 Rationoun · A comparison of two amounts, showing how many times one contains the other.B2 Rationaladjective · Based on reason and evidence rather than emotion or habit.C1 Rationalenoun · The set of reasons that explain a decision, plan, or belief.C1 Rattlenoun · A baby toy that makes a noise when you shake it.A1 Rawadjective · Not cooked; also in a natural state, not processed.A2 Reachverb · To arrive at a place, or to stretch out your arm to touch something.A2 Reactverb · To behave in a particular way because of something that happened.B1 Readverb · To look at words and understand them.A1 Readilyadverb · Quickly and without difficulty; also willingly.C1 Readyadjective · Prepared and able to start.A1 Ready Mealnoun · A cooked meal from the supermarket that you only heat up (UK).B1 Realadjective · True; not imagined, copied, or false.A2 Realiseverb · To understand something that you did not know before.A2 Realisticadjective · Accepting what is possible in real life; also looking like real life.A2 Realitynoun · The way things actually are, not how they are imagined.B2 Reallyadverb · In fact; or used to make an adjective stronger.A1 Realmnoun · A field of activity or interest; also (formal) a kingdom.C1 Reasonnoun · A fact that explains why something happens or why you do it.B1 Reasonableadjective · Fair and sensible; also not too expensive, or quite good.B2 Reassureverb · To say or do something that makes someone less worried.C1 Rebelverb · To fight against or refuse to obey a person, rule, or system (noun: /ˈrebl/).C1 Rebellionnoun · Organised opposition to authority, or a refusal to accept a rule.C1 Rebutverb · To argue that a claim is false, using evidence (from contradict, already in the dictionary).C1 Recalcitrantadjective · Unwilling to obey rules or follow instructions.C2 Recallverb · To remember; also to order a product back, or to call someone back.B2 Recantverb · To say publicly that you no longer hold a former belief or claim (formal).C2 Recedeverb · To move back or become more distant; of a problem or flood, to lessen.C1 Receiptnoun · A piece of paper that shows what you bought and paid.A1 Receiveverb · To get something that is given or sent to you.A2 Recentlyadverb · Not long ago.A2 Receptionnoun · The desk in a hotel or office where visitors go first.A2 Receptionistnoun · A person who works at a reception desk and helps visitors.A2 Recessionnoun · A period when a country’s economy shrinks; also a falling-away.C1 Recidivistnoun · A person who keeps committing crimes after being punished (from repeat, already in the dictionary).C1 Recipenoun · A set of instructions for cooking a dish.A2 Recipientnoun · A person or organisation that receives something.C1 Reciprocaladjective · Given and received by each side equally; mutual.C1 Reciteverb · To say a text from memory; also to list facts in order.C1 Recklessadjective · Not thinking about danger or the results of your actions.C1 Reckonverb · To calculate or consider (formal); informal UK also “I think”.C1 Recogniseverb · To know someone or something because you have seen them before.A2 Recognitionnoun · The act of knowing someone or something; also public praise or official acceptance.B2 Recollectverb · To remember something, often with effort (formal).C1 Recommendverb · To say that something is good and that someone should try it.B1 Recommendationnoun · A suggestion about the best thing to do; also a statement that someone is suitable.B2 Reconcileverb · To make two different ideas or people exist together peacefully.C1 Reconditeadjective · Little known and hard to understand.C2 Reconstructverb · To build again, or to form a complete picture from remaining evidence.C1 Recordverb · To store information by writing it down, or to save sound or video.A2 Recountverb · To tell a story of events; also to count again (stress may shift).C1 Recoververb · To get better after an illness or a problem.B1 Recoverynoun · A return to health, strength, or a better economic state.B2 Recruitverb · To find new people to join an organisation or study.B2 Rectifyverb · To put right something that is wrong.C1 Recurverb · To happen again, often more than once.C1 Recycleverb · To treat used materials so they can be used again.A2 Recycle Binnoun · A bin for paper, plastic, glass, or other materials that can be recycled.B1 Recyclingnoun · The process of turning old materials into new products.A2 Redadjective · The colour of blood or a ripe tomato.A1 Redeemverb · To make up for a fault; also to exchange a voucher, or to save from blame.C1 Redefineverb · To change the meaning or scope of a word, role, or idea.C1 Redolentadjective · Smelling strongly of something; strongly suggestive of a time, place, or quality (formal / literary).C2 Redoubtableadjective · Formidable, especially as an opponent; inspiring respect and a little fear.C2 Redressnoun · Something that puts a wrong right; also (verb) to put it right (from remedy, already in the dictionary).C1 Reduceverb · To make something smaller or less.A2 Reductionnoun · The act of making something smaller or less.B2 Redundancynoun · Losing your job because the employer no longer needs you, not because you did something wrong.B1 Redundantadjective · No longer needed; in British English, also dismissed because the job itself has gone.C1 Referverb · To mention or look at something for information (refer to).B1 Referencenoun · A mention of a source; also a letter about someone’s work, or a number that identifies something.B2 Referendumnoun · A public vote on a single political question.C1 Refineverb · To improve something by making small changes.C1 Reflectverb · To show something, as a mirror does, or to think carefully.B1 Reflectionnoun · Careful thought; also an image in a mirror, or the return of light or sound.B2 Reformnoun · A change made to improve a system, law, or institution.B2 Refrainverb · To stop yourself from doing something (refrain from); also a repeated line in a song.C1 Refugenoun · A place or state of safety from danger or trouble.C1 Refugeenoun · A person who has been forced to leave their country because of war or persecution.B2 Refulgentadjective · Shining brightly; radiant (literary).C2 Refundnoun · Money given back to you, for example when you return goods or a service fails.B1 Refuseverb · To say that you will not do or accept something.A2 Refuteverb · To prove that a statement or theory is wrong.C1 Regainverb · To get back something you had lost.C1 Regardverb · To consider or think of in a particular way; also (noun) respect, or (plural) greetings.C1 Regardingpreposition · About; concerning (formal).B2 Regardlessadverb · Without being affected by something; despite that (often regardless of).C1 Regimenoun · A system of government, or a strict system of rules (a training regime).C1 Regionnoun · A large area of a country or the world.B1 Regionaladjective · Connected with a particular region of a country.B2 Registerverb · To put a name on an official list; also (noun) the level of formality in language.B2 Regretverb · To feel sorry about something you did or did not do; also (noun) that feeling.C1 Regularadjective · Happening often at the same times; also usual.A2 Regularlyadverb · Often, and at fairly even times.A2 Regulateverb · To control an activity by rules; also to adjust a machine or process so it works steadily.C1 Regulationnoun · An official rule; also the control of an activity by rules.B2 Rehearseverb · To practise a performance or procedure before the real event.C1 Reifyverb · To treat an abstract idea as if it were a real thing (from idea, already in the dictionary).C1 Reignverb · To rule as a monarch; of a person or mood, to be dominant for a period.C1 Reimburseverb · To pay someone back money they have spent on your behalf.C1 Reindeernoun · A large deer with antlers, from cold northern places (same plural: reindeer).A1 Reinforceverb · To make a feeling, idea, or structure stronger.B2 Reinstateverb · To put someone or something back into a former position or state.C1 Reiterateverb · To say something again, usually for emphasis or clarity.C1 Rejectverb · To refuse to accept, believe, or use something (noun often /ˈriːdʒekt/).C1 Relapsenoun · A return to a worse state after improvement (verb often /rɪˈlæps/).C1 Relateverb · To show or see a connection between things (relate to).B1 Relationshipnoun · The way two people or groups feel and behave towards each other.A2 Relativenoun · A person in your family.A1 Relativelyadverb · In comparison with something else; quite, when compared.B2 Relaxverb · To rest and become less worried or tense.A2 Relayverb · To pass a message or signal on; also (noun) a team race, or a device that passes a signal.C1 Releaseverb · To let someone or something go; also to make a film, report, or product available.B2 Relegateverb · To put someone or something into a lower or less important position.C2 Relentlessadjective · Not stopping or becoming less intense.C1 Relevantadjective · Connected with the subject you are discussing.B1 Reliableadjective · Able to be trusted to work well or do what is needed.A2 Reliancenoun · The state of depending on someone or something (reliance on).C1 Reliefnoun · A lessening of pain, worry, or pressure; also aid, or a person who takes over a duty.C1 Relieveverb · To make a pain or problem less severe; also to take over a duty from someone.C1 Religionnoun · A system of belief in a god or gods, such as Islam or Christianity.A2 Relinquishverb · To give up a position, right, or possession, often unwillingly.C1 Relishverb · To enjoy something greatly; also (noun) great enjoyment, or a sharp sauce.C1 Reluctantadjective · Not wanting to do something.B2 Relyverb · To need or trust someone or something.B1 Remainverb · To stay in the same place or condition.A2 Remaindernoun · The part of something that is left after the rest has gone.C1 Remarkverb · To say something as a comment; also (noun) that comment.C1 Remarkableadjective · Unusual or surprising in a way that is worth noticing.B2 Remedynoun · A way of putting a problem right; also a treatment for an illness (verb: to remedy).C1 Rememberverb · To keep something in your mind, or bring it back.A1 Remindverb · To help someone remember something.B1 Reminiscentadjective · Making you think of a particular person, thing, or time (reminiscent of).C1 Remnantnoun · A small remaining part of something that was larger.C1 Remonstrateverb · To protest or complain formally and often earnestly (formal).C2 Remorsenoun · A strong feeling of guilt and regret for a wrong you have done.C1 Remoteadjective · Far from towns and other people.A2 Removalnoun · The act of taking something or someone away; also (UK) a house move.C1 Removeverb · To take something away.B1 Remunerationnoun · Money paid for work (from payment, already in the dictionary).C1 Renderverb · To cause to be in a particular state; also to give a service, or to depict.C1 Renegeverb · To go back on a promise, agreement, or undertaking (renege on).C2 Renewverb · To make something valid for a further period, or to start something again.C1 Renownedadjective · Famous and respected for a particular quality.C1 Rentverb · To pay money to use something that belongs to someone else.A2 Repairverb · To make something that is broken work again.A2 Repealverb · To officially cancel a law or rule.C1 Repeatverb · To say or do something again.A2 Repelverb · To drive back an attack; also to cause a feeling of disgust, or to push away (physics).C1 Repertoirenoun · The set of works, skills, or methods a person or group can perform.C1 Repetitionnoun · The act of doing or saying something again; also a thing that is repeated.C1 Replaceverb · To put a new thing in the place of an old one.B1 Repleteadjective · Filled or well supplied with something (from full, already in the dictionary).C1 Replicanoun · An exact or close copy of an object, document, or design.C1 Replyverb · To say or write something as an answer.A2 Reportnoun · A spoken or written description of events or facts.A2 Reporternoun · A journalist who collects news and describes events, often on television or radio.B1 Reprehensibleadjective · Deserving strong criticism (from wrong, already in the dictionary).C1 Representverb · To speak or act for a person or group, or to be a sign of something.B1 Representativenoun · A person chosen to speak or act for others; also (adjective) typical of a group.B2 Reprievenoun · A delay or cancellation of punishment; also a short relief (from delay, already in the dictionary).C1 Reprobatenoun · An unprincipled person (often humorous or literary).C2 Reproduceverb · To make a copy; also (biology) to produce young.C1 Reproveverb · To criticise someone, often mildly, for a fault (from criticise, already in the dictionary).C1 Repudiateverb · To refuse to accept or to disown something (from reject, already in the dictionary).C1 Reputationnoun · The opinion people have of a person or organisation, based on the past.B2 Requestnoun · An act of asking for something politely or officially.B1 Requireverb · To need something.B1 Requirementnoun · Something that is needed or demanded by a rule.B2 Requisiteadjective · Required for a particular purpose (also noun; from necessary, already in the dictionary).C1 Rescindverb · To officially cancel a law, order, or agreement (from cancel, already in the dictionary).C1 Rescueverb · To save someone or something from danger.A2 Researchnoun · Careful study to find out new facts.B1 Resemblancenoun · The fact of looking or seeming like someone or something else.C1 Resembleverb · To look or seem like someone or something else.C1 Resentverb · To feel bitter or angry about something you think is unfair.C1 Resentmentnoun · Bitter anger at being treated unfairly.C1 Reservationnoun · An arrangement to keep a table, room, or seat for you.A2 Reservoirnoun · A lake used to store water; also a large supply of something.C1 Resideverb · To live in a place (formal); of a power or quality, to be located in.C1 Residencenoun · The fact of living in a place; also a house, especially a large or official one.C1 Residentialadjective · Designed for people to live in; of a course, involving staying overnight.C1 Residuenoun · A small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone.C1 Resignverb · To officially leave your job.B1 Resilientadjective · Able to recover quickly from difficulty, shock, or damage.C1 Resistancenoun · Refusal to accept something; also the ability of a material or body to stop a current, disease, or force.B2 Resoluteadjective · Determined and not changing your mind.C1 Resolveverb · To find a solution to a problem, or to decide firmly.B2 Respectnoun · A feeling that someone is important and should be treated well.B1 Respectiveadjective · Belonging separately to each of the people or things just mentioned.C1 Respitenoun · A short period of rest from something difficult (from rest, already in the dictionary).C1 Resplendentadjective · Brilliantly impressive in appearance (literary / often wry).C2 Respondverb · To say or do something as a reaction.B1 Responsibilitynoun · A duty to deal with something or look after someone.B1 Responsibleadjective · Having a duty to deal with something; also being the cause of something, or reliable.B2 Restverb · To stop working or moving so that you can relax.A2 Restaurantnoun · A place where you pay to sit and eat a meal.A1 Restiveadjective · Restless and impatient of control (from impatient, already in the dictionary).C1 Restorationnoun · The act of returning something to a former condition or position.C1 Restoreverb · To bring something back to an earlier state.B2 Restrainverb · To hold back an action, feeling, or person.C1 Restraintnoun · Calm self-control; also a limit on action, or a device that holds something.C1 Restrictverb · To limit the size, amount, or range of something.B2 Resultnoun · Something that happens because of an action or event.B1 Resumeverb · To start again after a pause (not the American noun for a CV).C1 Retailnoun · The sale of goods to the public, not to other businesses; also (verb) to sell that way.C1 Retainverb · To keep something and not lose or give it away.B2 Retaliateverb · To harm someone because they have harmed you.C1 Retaliationnoun · Harmful action against someone because they have harmed you.C1 Retentionnoun · The act of keeping something or someone; also the ability to keep information.C1 Reticentadjective · Unwilling to talk about your thoughts or feelings (formal).C2 Retireverb · To stop working, usually because you have reached a certain age.B1 Retreatverb · To move back from a position or argument; also (noun) a withdrawal, or a quiet place.C1 Retributionnoun · Severe punishment that is believed to be deserved (from revenge, already in the dictionary).C1 Retrieveverb · To get something back, or to find and bring stored information.C1 Retrospectiveadjective · Looking back at the past; a retrospective law applies to past events.C1 Returnverb · To go back to a place, or to give something back.A2 Revealverb · To make something known that was secret or hidden.B2 Revelverb · To take great pleasure in something (from enjoy, already in the dictionary).C1 Revelationnoun · A surprising fact that becomes known; also a religious disclosure.C1 Revengenoun · Harm done to someone because they have harmed you; also (verb) to take that harm.C1 Revenuenoun · Income, especially of a government, firm, or large organisation.C1 Reverberateverb · To echo, or to have continuing effects (from echo, already in the dictionary).C1 Revereverb · To feel deep respect or admiration for someone or something.C1 Reverseverb · To change something to its opposite, or to go backwards.C1 Reviewnoun · A report giving an opinion of a book, film, or product.A2 Revileverb · To criticise in an abusive, angry way (from insult, already in the dictionary).C1 Reviseverb · To study again something you have learned, especially before an exam (UK).B1 Revisionnoun · The work of studying again before an exam (UK).B1 Revivalnoun · A return to activity, popularity, or strength.C1 Reviveverb · To bring back to life, use, or strength.C1 Revokeverb · To officially cancel a right, decision, or document.C1 Revoltnoun · A refusal to obey authority, often sudden and collective; also (verb) to rebel, or to disgust.C1 Revolveverb · To move in a circle; of a discussion or plan, to have something as its centre (revolve around).C1 Rewardnoun · Something given because you have done well or helped.A2 Rhetoricnoun · The skill of persuasive speaking or writing; also language that sounds impressive but is empty.C1 Rhinocerosnoun · A very large wild animal with thick skin and one or two horns on its nose.A1 Ribbonnoun · A long thin strip of cloth, used to tie hair or wrap a present.A1 Ricenoun · Small white or brown grains that are cooked and eaten.A1 Richadjective · Having a lot of money or valuable things.A2 Rideverb · To travel on a bicycle, horse, or motorcycle.A2 Ridiculeverb · To make someone or something seem stupid by laughing at them.C1 Rifeadjective · Very common, especially of something unpleasant (from prevalent, already in the dictionary).C1 Rightadjective · Correct, or on the side opposite left.A1 Right-Handedadjective · Using the right hand more than the left for writing and most tasks.B1 Rigidadjective · Stiff and not easily bent; of a rule or person, unwilling to change.C1 Rigorousadjective · Extremely thorough, strict, or accurate.C1 Rigournoun · The quality of being strict, thorough, or severe; British spelling (from strict, already in the dictionary).C1 Ringnoun · A piece of jewellery worn on a finger, or a circular shape.A2 Ring Roadnoun · A road that goes around a town so through-traffic can avoid the centre (UK).B1 Riotnoun · A violent public disturbance; also (informal) a riot of colour — a large disordered amount.C1 Ripostenoun · A quick, clever reply; also a return thrust in fencing.C2 Riseverb · To go up.A2 Risknoun · The chance that something bad may happen.B1 Ritualnoun · A set of actions done in a fixed order, often ceremonial; also a habitual procedure.C1 Rivalrynoun · A situation in which people or groups compete, often over a long time.C1 Rivernoun · A long line of water that flows to the sea or a lake.A1 Roadnoun · A hard path for cars and buses.A1 Roadworksnoun · Repairs or building work on a road that often slow traffic (usually plural).B1 Robbernoun · A person who steals from a person or a place, often using force.A2 Robotnoun · A machine that can do jobs, often controlled by a computer.A2 Robustadjective · Strong and not easily damaged; of an argument, able to stand attack.C1 Rocknoun · A hard piece of stone, or a type of loud popular music.A2 Rocketnoun · A vehicle that flies into space, or a firework that shoots up.A2 Rolenoun · The job or part that someone or something has in a situation.B1 Rollverb · To move by turning over and over, or to make something do this.A2 Rollerblindnoun · A window blind that rolls up around a bar at the top (also roller blind).B1 Romanticadjective · Connected with love, or making you think of love.A2 Roofnoun · The covering on the top of a building.A2 Roof Racknoun · A frame on top of a car for carrying bags, bikes, or a box.B1 Roomnoun · A part of a building with its own walls.A1 Roosternoun · A male chicken that crows in the morning.A1 Ropenoun · Very thick, strong string used for tying or climbing.A2 Rosenoun · A flower with a sweet smell, often given as a gift.A2 Rotateverb · To turn around a central point; of staff or tasks, to take turns in a cycle.C1 Rotundadjective · Round and plump in shape (from round, already in the dictionary).C1 Roughadjective · Not smooth; also not gentle, or not exact.A2 Roundadjective · Shaped like a circle or a ball.A2 Roundaboutnoun · A circular road junction where traffic goes round a central island.A2 Roundersnoun · A UK team game in which you hit a ball and run round bases (often uncountable).B1 Routenoun · A way from one place to another.A2 Routinenoun · The usual order of things you do regularly.A2 Rownoun · A line of people or things next to each other.A2 Rowdyadjective · Noisy and rough in a way that can annoy other people.B1 Rubbernoun · A small object used to remove pencil marks; also the material of some tyres.A1 Rubber Bandnoun · A small elastic loop for holding things together (UK; also an elastic band).B1 Rubbishnoun · Waste that you throw away.A2 Rucksacknoun · A bag you carry on your back (British).A1 Rudeadjective · Not polite; likely to upset people.A2 Rudimentaryadjective · Basic and not highly developed.C1 Rugnoun · A small thick carpet that covers part of a floor.A1 Rugbynoun · A team sport in which players carry, kick, and pass an oval ball.A2 Ruinverb · To damage something so badly that it is spoiled.A2 Rulenoun · An official instruction that says what you must or must not do.A2 Rulernoun · A straight piece of plastic or wood for drawing lines and measuring.A1 Rulingnoun · An official decision, especially by a court, board, or exam authority.C1 Ruminateverb · To think deeply and at length about something; of animals, to chew the cud.C2 Rumournoun · A story that people talk about which may not be true.B1 Runverb · To move quickly on your feet.A1 Ruraladjective · Connected with the countryside, not towns.B2 Rushverb · To go or do something quickly because you do not have much time.A2