Words / W
English words starting with W
261 words, from Waffle to Wry. Levels A1 to C2. Each one opens a full lesson.
Wafflenoun · A crisp breakfast cake with a pattern of little squares, often eaten with syrup.A1Wagenoun · Money paid for work, usually every week or by the hour.B1Wagonnoun · A vehicle with four wheels, pulled by a horse or used to carry goods.A2Waistnoun · The middle part of your body, above the hips.A2Waistcoatnoun · A sleeveless jacket worn over a shirt, often as part of formal or uniform dress (UK; US vest).B1Waitverb · To stay until something happens or someone comes.A1Waiternoun · A man whose job is to bring food to people in a restaurant. Waitress is often used for a woman; waiter is also used for any server.A1Waiting Roomnoun · A room where people wait, for example at a doctor’s or a station.B1Waitressnoun · A woman whose job is to bring food to people in a restaurant.A1Waiveverb · To choose not to insist on a right, rule, or claim.C1Wakeverb · To stop sleeping. Often wake up.A1Walkverb · To move on your feet at a normal speed.A1Walkie-Talkienoun · A small handheld radio for talking over a short distance.B1Walking Sticknoun · A stick you hold to help you walk, especially if you are unsteady.B1Wallnoun · The side of a room or building.A1Walletnoun · A small flat case for paper money and cards, often kept in a pocket.A1Wallpapernoun · Paper, usually patterned, stuck on indoor walls (often uncountable).B1Walnutnoun · A wrinkled edible nut, or the tree that produces it.B2Wanderverb · To walk slowly without a clear route; also (of the mind) to stop concentrating.B2Wantverb · To wish to have or do something.A1Wantonadjective · Deliberate and unprovoked, especially of cruelty or damage; without care.C2Warnoun · Fighting between countries or groups over a long period.A2Wardnoun · A room in a hospital for patients; also a local voting area, or a child in someone’s care.B2Wardennoun · A person in charge of a building, park, or group, or of enforcing a local rule.C1Wardrobenoun · A tall cupboard for hanging clothes (British).A1Warehousenoun · A large building where goods are stored before they are sold.A2Warfarenoun · The activity of fighting a war; also intense conflict in another field.C1Warmadjective · Quite hot, in a pleasant way.A1Warmthnoun · Heat, or a kind and friendly quality.C1Warnverb · To tell someone about possible danger or a problem.A2Warningnoun · Something that tells you about a possible danger or problem.A2Warrantverb · To make something necessary or appropriate; to justify.C1Warrantynoun · A written promise that a product will be repaired or replaced if it fails.C1Warriornoun · A person who fights in a battle; also (figurative) a fierce campaigner.C1Waryadjective · Cautious because you think there may be danger or a problem (wary of).C1Wasverb · The past of am and is: I was tired; she was late.A1Washverb · To clean something with water.A1Washingnoun · Clothes that need to be washed, or that have just been washed.A2Washing Linenoun · A rope or wire outdoors for hanging wet clothes to dry (UK).B1Washing Machinenoun · A machine that washes clothes, sheets, and similar items.B1Washing-Upnoun · The job of washing plates and pans after a meal.A2Washing-Up Liquidnoun · Liquid soap for washing plates and pans (UK, often uncountable; US dish soap).B1Wastagenoun · Loss of people, material, or money through waste; also natural wastage of staff.C1Wasteverb · To use too much of something, or to use it badly.B1Watchverb · To look at something for some time, such as a film.A1Watchdognoun · A person or body whose job is to check that rules are kept.C1Waternoun · The clear liquid that falls as rain and that we drink.A1Water Bottlenoun · A bottle for carrying drinking water.B1Water Buttnoun · A large outdoor barrel that collects rainwater for the garden (UK).B1Water Pistolnoun · A toy gun that shoots water, used in play.A1Waterfallnoun · A place where a river falls over a high rock.A2Watering Cannoun · A container with a handle and a long spout, used to water plants.A1Watermelonnoun · A large round fruit with a green skin, red juicy flesh, and black seeds.A1Waterproofadjective · Not letting water through.A2Watershednoun · A turning point; also a ridge of land dividing river systems, or (UK TV) a time after which adult programmes may be shown.C1Watertightadjective · Not letting water in; of an argument or contract, without holes.C1Waveverb · To move your hand to say hello or goodbye.A2Wavelengthnoun · The distance between wave peaks; also (informal) a way of thinking (on the same wavelength).C1Waxnoun · A soft substance that melts with heat, used in candles and crayons.A1Waynoun · A method, a direction, or a road.A1Wepronoun · You and I; the speaker and one or more other people.A1Weakadjective · Not strong in body, character, or quality.A2Weakenverb · To make or become less strong or less effective.C1Weaknessnoun · A lack of strength; also a fault in a plan or argument.C1Wealthnoun · A large amount of money and valuable things.B1Wealthyadjective · Having a lot of money, property, or resources.B2Weaponnoun · An object used to hurt or kill in a fight; also something used to gain an advantage.B2Wearverb · To have clothes, glasses, or jewellery on your body.A2Wearyadjective · Very tired, especially after long effort; also weary of — tired of.C1Weathernoun · The conditions outside, such as rain, sun, or wind.A1Weather Vanenoun · A pointer on a roof that turns to show the wind direction.B1Weaveverb · To make cloth by crossing threads; also to construct a story or route by combining parts.C1Webnoun · The internet; also the net a spider makes.A2Webcamnoun · A small camera on a computer that sends a live picture.A2Websitenoun · A place on the internet with pages of information.A1Weddingnoun · The ceremony when two people get married.A2Wedding Cakenoun · A large decorated cake for a wedding, often with more than one layer.A1Wedding Ringnoun · A ring worn to show that you are married.B1Wedgenoun · A piece with a thick and a thin end, used to hold or split; also (verb) to force into a gap.C1Wednesdaynoun · The day after Tuesday and before Thursday.A1Weeknoun · A period of seven days.A1Weekdaynoun · Any day from Monday to Friday, not the weekend.A2Weekendnoun · Saturday and Sunday.A1Weeklyadjective · Happening once a week.A2Weepverb · To cry; of a wound or pipe, to leak slowly.C1Weighverb · To find how heavy something is, or to have a certain weight.A2Weightnoun · How heavy someone or something is.A2Weirdadjective · Very strange and unusual, often in an unsettling way.B2Welcomeverb · To greet someone in a friendly way when they arrive.A2Weldverb · To join metal by heat; also to unite people or parts firmly.C1Welfarenoun · Health, happiness, and safety; also money and services from the state for people in need.B2Welladverb · In a good or successful way; or in good health.A1Well-Beingnoun · A person’s health, happiness, and comfort (British: well-being).C1Well-Knownadjective · Known by a lot of people.A2Welliesnoun · Informal British word for rubber boots that keep your feet dry (plural).A1Wellingtonnoun · A tall rubber boot for wet or muddy weather (British).A1Wellington Bootnoun · A tall rubber boot for wet or muddy weather (UK; also a welly).B1Welternoun · A large, confused mass of something.C2Wereverb · The past of are: we were hungry; you were right.A1Westnoun · The direction where the sun goes down.A1Westernadjective · In or from the west of a country or of the world.A2Westwardadverb · Towards the west; also (adjective) facing or moving west.C1Wetadjective · Covered in water or another liquid; not dry.A1Wet Wipenoun · A small moist cloth from a pack, used for cleaning hands or surfaces.B1Wetlandnoun · Land that is covered or soaked with water, such as a marsh.C1Whalenoun · A very large sea animal that breathes air.A2Whatpronoun · Used to ask for information about a thing.A1Whatsoeveradverb · At all (used after a negative for emphasis): no evidence whatsoever.B2Wheatnoun · A plant whose grain is used to make flour and bread.A2Wheelnoun · A round object that turns and lets a vehicle move.A2Wheel Clampnoun · A lock fixed to a wheel so a parked vehicle cannot be driven away (UK).B1Wheelbarrownoun · A small cart with one wheel and two handles, used for moving loads in a garden.B1Wheelchairnoun · A chair with wheels for a person who cannot walk easily.A2Wheelie Binnoun · A large outdoor rubbish bin on wheels (UK).B1Whenadverb · Used to ask or talk about time.A1Wheneverconjunction · At any time; every time that.A2Whereadverb · Used to ask or talk about place.A1Whereasconjunction · Used to contrast two facts.B2Wherebyadverb · By which; according to which (formal).B2Whereinadverb · In which (formal); also in what way.C1Whereveradverb · In or to any place.A2Whetherconjunction · Used to talk about a choice between two possibilities.A2Whichpronoun · Used to ask about a choice between things.A1Whileconjunction · During the time that; used to contrast two facts.B1Whilstconjunction · During the time that; also used to contrast two facts (British, slightly formal).B2Whimnoun · A sudden wish or idea, often not reasonable.C1Whingeverb · To complain in an annoying, repeated way (UK informal).B1Whipnoun · A party official who enforces voting discipline; also (verb) to move or stir very fast.C1Whirlverb · To spin round quickly; also (noun) a fast spin or a rush of activity.C1Whisknoun · A kitchen tool of wire loops, used for beating eggs or cream.A1Whiskynoun · A strong alcoholic drink made from grain (UK and Scottish spelling whisky).B1Whisperverb · To speak very quietly, using your breath.A2Whistlenoun · A small device, or a high sound, used to get attention.A2Whiteadjective · The colour of milk or snow.A1Whiteboardnoun · A white board in a classroom that you write on with a special pen.A1Whitewashnoun · An attempt to hide faults; also (verb) to cover them up, or a paint of lime and water.C1Whopronoun · Used to ask or talk about a person.A1Wholeadjective · Complete; all of something.B1Wholemealadjective · Made from the whole grain, especially bread or flour (UK; US whole wheat).B1Wholesaleadjective · Of goods, sold in bulk to shops; also complete and affecting everything.C1Whollyadverb · Completely; in every way.B2Whompronoun · The object form of who, used in formal English after a verb or preposition.B2Whosedeterminer · Used to ask or say who something belongs to.A1Whyadverb · Used to ask the reason for something.A1Wicketnoun · In cricket, the stumps a batter defends, or the dismissal of a batter.B1Wideadjective · Measuring a large distance from one side to the other.A1Widelyadverb · By many people or in many places; also to a large degree.B2Widenverb · To make or become wider; of a gap or sample, to increase in range.C1Widespreadadjective · Existing or happening in many places or among many people.B2Widownoun · A woman whose husband or wife has died and who has not married again.C1Widthnoun · The distance from one side of something to the other.C1Wieldverb · To hold and use a tool or weapon; of power or influence, to use it.C1Wifenoun · The woman that a man is married to.A1Wifinoun · A wireless system that connects computers and phones to the internet (often written Wi-Fi).B1Wignoun · False hair that you wear on your head.A1Wildadjective · Living or growing in nature, not kept by people.A2Wildlifenoun · Animals and plants living in nature.A2Wilfuladjective · Deliberate (of a wrong); also stubbornly determined (British spelling).C1Willverb · Used to talk about the future, or to make an offer.A1Willingadjective · Ready to do something; not refusing.B1Willingnessnoun · The state of being ready to do something.C1Winverb · To be the best in a game, race, or competition.A2Windnoun · Air that moves quickly.A1Windfallnoun · An unexpected gain of money or advantage.C1Windingadjective · Twisting and turning; also (noun, law) the process of closing a company (winding-up).C1Windmillnoun · A building with sails that turn in the wind, used to mill grain or make power.A2Windownoun · An opening in a wall, usually with glass, that lets in light.A1Window Boxnoun · A long container of plants on an outside window sill.B1Window Sillnoun · The flat shelf at the bottom of a window, inside or outside.B1Windscreennoun · The front window of a car.A2Windscreen Wipernoun · A moving arm with a rubber blade that clears rain from a car’s front window (UK; US windshield wiper).B1Windsocknoun · A cloth tube on a pole at an airfield, that shows which way the wind is blowing.A1Windyadjective · With a lot of wind.A1Winenoun · An alcoholic drink made from grapes.A1Wine Glassnoun · A glass with a stem, used for drinking wine.B1Wine Racknoun · A stand or shelf with slots for storing bottles of wine.B1Wingnoun · One of the parts a bird or aeroplane uses to fly.A2Winnernoun · A person or team that wins a game or prize.A2Winternoun · The coldest season of the year.A1Wipeverb · To clean or dry a surface with a cloth.A2Wirenoun · Thin metal used to carry electricity or to tie things.A2Wirelessadjective · Working without cables, by radio signals.A2Wisdomnoun · The ability to make good decisions from knowledge and experience.B2Wiseadjective · Showing good judgement; sensible.B2Wishverb · To want something to happen or be true.A2Wishbonenoun · A small Y-shaped bone from a chicken; two people pull it to make a wish.A1Wistfuladjective · Sad and thoughtful, wishing for something past or out of reach.C2Withpreposition · Together, or using something.A1Withdrawverb · To take something back or out; also to leave a place or activity.B2Withdrawalnoun · The act of taking something or someone back; also leaving a place or scheme, or a symptom after stopping a drug.C1Witherverb · To dry up and die; of a feeling or project, to fade.C1Withholdverb · To refuse to give something that is due or expected.C1Withinpreposition · Inside a place, time, or limit.B2Withoutpreposition · Not having or not using something.A2Withstandverb · To resist something successfully; not to be damaged or defeated by it.C1Witnessnoun · A person who sees an event and can describe it; also (verb) to see it happen.B2Wittyadjective · Cleverly and amusingly expressed.C1Woknoun · A deep round pan, used for frying food quickly.A1Wolfnoun · A wild animal like a large dog, that lives in groups.A2Womannoun · An adult female person.A1Wonderverb · To want to know something, or to think about it.A2Wonderfuladjective · Extremely good; causing pleasure or admiration.A2Wonkyadjective · Not straight, steady, or working as it should (UK informal).B1Woodnoun · The hard material from trees; also a small forest.A2Woodenadjective · Made of wood.A2Woodpeckernoun · A bird with a strong beak that taps holes in tree trunks.A1Woolnoun · The soft hair of sheep, used to make clothes.A2Woollenadjective · Made of wool.A2Wordnoun · A unit of language with meaning, spoken or written.A1Wordingnoun · The exact words used in a text, law, or question.C1Workverb · To do a job, or to make an effort.A1Workableadjective · Able to be used or done in practice.C1Workbenchnoun · A strong table for tools and practical jobs, usually in a shed or garage.B1Workbooknoun · A book of exercises for students to write in.A2Workernoun · A person who does a job.A1Workforcenoun · All the people who work in a company, industry, or country.C1Workingadjective · Relating to a job, or functioning as it should.A2Workloadnoun · The amount of work that a person or organisation has to do.B1Workmatenoun · A person you work with (informal UK).B1Workoutnoun · A period of physical exercise.A2Workplacenoun · The office, factory, or other place where you do your job.A2Worksnoun · A factory or industrial site; also an artist’s collected output (the works of…).B2Worksheetnoun · A page of questions or tasks for students.A2Workshopnoun · A practical meeting where people learn a skill; also a room where things are made or repaired.B1Workstationnoun · A desk with a computer, or a place where a particular task is done.C1Worktopnoun · The flat surface in a kitchen where you prepare food (UK; US countertop).B1Worldnoun · The earth and all the people and countries on it.A1Worldlyadjective · Experienced in life; also concerned with money and possessions rather than spiritual things.C1Worldwideadjective · In or across the whole world.A2Wormnoun · A small, long, soft animal that lives in soil.A2Wornadjective · Damaged by long use; also looking tired.C1Worriedadjective · Unhappy because you think something bad may happen.A2Worryverb · To feel unhappy because you think something bad may happen.A2Worseadjective · Less good; the comparative of bad.A2Worsenverb · To become, or make, worse.C1Worshipnoun · Religious devotion; also (verb) to show that devotion, or to admire someone too much.C1Worstadjective · The least good; the superlative of bad.A2Worthadjective · Having a particular value, or useful enough for the effort.B1Worthwhileadjective · Worth the time, money, or effort; useful or valuable.B2Worthyadjective · Deserving respect, attention, or a specified thing (worthy of).C1Wouldverb · Used for a polite request or a hypothetical: Would you like tea? I would go if I could.A1Woundnoun · An injury in which the skin or flesh is cut or torn; also (verb) to injure that way.B2Wowexclamation · Said when you are very surprised or impressed.A2Wrapverb · To cover something by folding paper or cloth around it.A2Wrapping Papernoun · Decorated paper used to wrap presents (often uncountable).B1Wreathnoun · A circle of flowers or leaves, hung on a door or put on a grave.A1Wreckverb · To destroy or badly damage; also (noun) the remains of something destroyed.C1Wrenchnoun · A sudden twist or pull; also emotional pain, or (especially US) a spanner; also (verb) to twist suddenly.C1Wrestleverb · To fight by holding and throwing; also to struggle with a problem (wrestle with).C1Wretchedadjective · Very unhappy or ill; also of very poor quality.C1Wrinklenoun · A small fold in skin or cloth; also a small problem in a plan.C1Wristnoun · The joint between your hand and your arm.A1Wristbandnoun · A band worn on the wrist, often as a ticket or for charity.B1Wristwatchnoun · A watch worn on a strap round the wrist.B1Writeverb · To make letters or words, usually on paper or a screen.A1Writernoun · A person who writes books, articles, or stories as a job.A2Writingnoun · Words that have been written; the skill of producing text.A2Writtenadjective · Done in writing, not spoken.A2Wrongadjective · Not correct.A1Wrongdoingnoun · Illegal or dishonest behaviour.C1Wryadjective · Showing a dry, slightly mocking amusement; of a smile or face, twisted.C1