VOCABULARY LIST Cambridge English: Preliminary Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools
Cambridge English: Preliminary Wordlist
©UCLES 2012
Introduction to the Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List The Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List gives teachers a guide to the vocabulary needed when preparing students for the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools examinations. Background to the list The Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List was originally developed by Cambridge English in consultation with external consultants to guide item writers who produce materials for the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools examination. It includes vocabulary from the Council of Europe's Threshold (1990) specification and other vocabulary which corpus evidence shows is high frequency. The list covers vocabulary appropriate to the B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and includes receptive vocabulary (words that the candidate is expected to understand but which is not the focus of a question) and productive vocabulary (words that the candidate needs to know to answer a question). The list does not provide an exhaustive list of all words which appear on the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools question papers and candidates should not confine their study of vocabulary to the list alone. How the list is updated The vocabulary of English changes over time, with words being added and other words falling into disuse. In order to maintain its currency, the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List is updated on an annual basis, with the decision to add or remove words being informed by reference to the Cambridge Learner Corpus and English Profile Wordlists. The Cambridge Learner Corpus is a collection of over 44 million words of English, based upon evidence of language use by learners from all over the world and from which the English Vocabulary Profile has developed. The English Vocabulary Profile shows the most common words and phrases that learners of English need to know in British or American English. The meaning of each word or phrase in the wordlists has been assigned a level between A1 and B2 on the CEFR. A preview version of the English Vocabulary Profile can be accessed by visiting the website: http://www.englishprofile.org Organisation of the list • Word sets Some categories of words that a learner at this level might be expected to know, e.g. days of the week, are not included in the alphabetical list but are listed in Appendix 1. Although 'grammar words' (pronouns, modal verbs, etc.) are included, the 'Language of the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Specification' section Handbook (available from http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/) should be consulted for a more complete listing.
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• Exemplification Example phrases and sentences showing how words might be used are given only where words with different meanings need to be constrained. For example, heel is followed by 'I can't walk in high heels' -this shows that heel is limited to the idea of shoes: candidates are not expected to know other meanings, such as the part of the body. • Multi-word Verbs Multi-word verbs are not included in the list if they have a literal meaning and are composed of verbs and particles already in the list. Examples of 'literal' multi-word verbs are come into, sit down, as in 'Why not come into the kitchen and sit down?' If the meaning of the verb is not transparent, e.g. find out, get along, give in, then the verb is listed and an example of usage given. • Topic lists In Appendix 2, words have been grouped together under common Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools themes, such as 'Food and Drink', 'House and Home' and 'Sport'. Unsuitable topics Cambridge English examinations must not contain anything that might offend or upset candidates, potentially affect their performance or distract them during the examination. A number of 'sensitive' topics are considered unsuitable for use in Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools, for example war and politics, and vocabulary relating to these is not included in the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List. Personal vocabulary The content of the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List is general in nature and is unlikely to cover completely the productive vocabulary that may be required by all candidates. Candidates should know the specific lexis they will need to describe themselves and their lives, for example hobbies, likes and dislikes. Abbreviations Abbreviations used in the Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List are: abbrev adj adv av Am Eng Br Eng conj det exclam
mv n phrv pi prep prep phr pron sing
abbreviation or acronym adjective adverb auxiliary verb American English British English conjunction determiner exclamation
v
modal verb noun phrasal verb plural preposition prepositional phrase pronoun singular verb
Summary of points to be noted • • •
The list does not include every word that may appear on a Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools paper. The list covers receptive and productive vocabulary. The list is updated every year.
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Contents A .................................................................................................................................5 B .................................................................................................................................7 C .................................................................................................................................9 D ............................................................................................................................... 12 E................................................................................................................................ 14 F ................................................................................................................................ 15 G ............................................................................................................................... 17 H ............................................................................................................................... 19 I ................................................................................................................................. 20 J ................................................................................................................................ 21 K ............................................................................................................................... 22 L ................................................................................................................................ 22 M ............................................................................................................................... 24 N ............................................................................................................................... 25 O ............................................................................................................................... 26 P................................................................................................................................ 27 Q ............................................................................................................................... 30 R ............................................................................................................................... 31 S................................................................................................................................ 33 T ................................................................................................................................ 37 U ............................................................................................................................... 40 V................................................................................................................................ 41 W............................................................................................................................... 41 Y................................................................................................................................ 43 Z ................................................................................................................................ 43
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A a/an (det)
activity (n)
agency (n)
ability (n)
actor (n)
ago (adv)
able (adj)
actress (n)
agree (v)
actually (adv)
ahead (adv)
•
be able to
about (adv & prep) •
about 500 students (adv)
•
The film is about a small boy.
• •
(prep)
She seems a bit strict at first,
aim (n & v)
but she's actually very nice.
air (n)
Are you actually going to take
air conditioning (n)
the job?
air force (n)
above (adj, adv & prep)
ad (advertisement) (n)
airline (n)
abroad (adv)
add (v)
airport (n)
absent (adj)
addition (n)
alarm (n)
absolutely (adv) •
in addition
alarm clock (n)
The movie was absolutely
address (n)
album (n)
awful.
admire (v)
alike (adv)
admission (n)
alive (adj)
accent(n) •
•
She has a beautiful French
•
charges/cost/price
all (adj, adv, det & pron)
admit (v)
all right/alright (adj,adv & exclam)
accept (v)
adult (adj & n)
allow (v)
access (n)
advance (n)
almost (adv)
accent.
•
disabled access
•
internet access
•
book in advance
alone (adv & adj)
advanced (adj)
along (adv & prep)
accident (n)
advantage (n)
aloud (adv)
accommodation (n)
adventure (n)
alphabet (n)
accompany (v)
advert (n)
already (adv)
according to (prep phr)
advertise (v)
also (adv)
account (n)
advertisement (n)
although (conj)
accountant (n)
advice (n)
altogether (adv)
accurate (adj)
advise (v)
always (adv)
ache (n)
aeroplane (n)
a.m (adv)
achieve (v)
afford (v)
amazed (adj)
across (adv & prep)
afraid (adj)
amazing (adj)
act (n & v)
after (adv,conj & prep)
ambition (n)
in the second act (of the play)
afternoon (n)
ambulance (n)
(n)
afterwards (adv)
among (amongst) (prep)
•
to act in a play (v)
again (adv)
amount (n)
•
to act strangely (v)
against (prep)
amusing (adj)
action (n)
age (n)
an (det)
active (adj)
aged(adj)
ancient (adj)
•
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and (conj)
apply (v)
at all (prep phr)
angry (adj)
appointment (n)
at first (prep phr)
animal (n)
approach (v)
athlete (n)
ankle (n)
approve (v)
athletics (n)
anniversary (n)
architect (n)
at last (prep phr)
announce (v)
architecture (n)
at least (prep phr)
announcement (n)
area (n)
atmosphere (n)
annoy (v)
argue (v)
at once (prep phr)
annual (adj)
argument (n)
at present (prep phr)
another (det & pron)
arm (n)
attach (v)
answer (n & v)
armchair (n)
attack (n & v)
answerphone (n)
army (n)
attempt (v)
ant (n)
around (adv & prep)
attend (v)
antique (adj & n)
arrange (v)
attention (n)
anxious (adj)
arrangement (n)
at the same time (prep phr)
any (det & pron)
arrest (v)
attitude (n)
anybody (pron)
arrival (n)
attract (v)
anymore (adv)
arrive (v)
attraction (n)
anyone (pron)
art (n)
attractive (adj)
anything (pron)
article (n)
audience (n)
anyway (adv)
artist (n)
aunt (n)
anywhere (adv)
as (conj & prep)
author (n)
apart (adv)
ashamed (adj)
autumn (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
apart from (adv)
ask (v)
fall)
apartment (n)
asleep (adj)
available (adj)
apartment building (n)
aspirin (n)
average (adj & n)
apologise (v)
assistant (n)
avoid (v)
apology (n)
as well (as) (prep & adv)
awake (adj)
appear (v)
at (prep)
away (adv)
appearance (n)
at I@ (n)
awful (adj)
• My email address is
apple (n) application (n)
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[email protected]
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B baby (n)
bathtub (n)
between (prep & adv)
babysit (v)
battery (n)
beyond (prep & adv)
babysitter (n)
battle (n)
bicycle (n)
back (adv, adj & n)
bay (n)
big (adj)
background (n)
be (av & v)
bike (n)
backpack (n)
beach (n)
bill (n)
backpacker(n)
bean (n)
backpacking (n)
bear(n)
bin (n)
backwards (adv)
beard (n)
biography (n)
bad (adj)
beat (v)
biology (n)
badly (adv)
beautiful (adj)
bird (n)
badminton (n)
beauty (n)
birth (n)
bag (n)
because (conj)
birthday (n)
baggage (n)
because of (prep phr)
biscuit (n)
bake (v)
become (v)
bit (n)
baker (n)
bed (n)
bite (v)
balcony (n)
bedroom (n)
bitter (adj)
bald (adj)
bee (n)
black (adj & n)
ball (n)
beef (n)
blackboard (n)
ballet (n)
before (prep,adv & conj)
blame (v)
balloon (n)
begin (v)
blank (adj)
banana (n)
beginner (n)
band (n)
beginning (n)
blanket (n)
bandage (n)
behave (v)
bleed (v)
bank (n)
behaviour (n)
blind (adj)
bank account (n)
behind (prep & adv)
block (n)
banking (n)
believe (v)
bar (n)
bell(n)
barbecue (n & v)
belong (v)
blog (n)
baseball (n)
below (adv & prep)
blogger (n)
base on (phr v)
belt (n) beneath (prep)
blond(e) (adj)
basic (adj)
benefit (n)
blood (n)
basin (n)
be over (phr v)
blouse (n)
basket (n) basketball (n)
• electricity bill
• a blank piece of paper
• Shall we walk round the block?
• The game is over- you're too late!
blow (v) blue (adj & n)
bat (n)
beside (adv & prep)
board (n & v)
bath (n & v)
besides (prep)
board game (n)
bathing suit (n)
best (adj & adv)
boarding pass (n)
bathroom (n)
better (adj & adv)
boat (n)
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body (n)
boy (n)
brush (n & v)
boil (v)
boyfriend (n)
bucket (n)
boiled (adj)
bracelet (n)
bug (n)
bold (adj)
brain (n)
build (v)
bomb (n & v)
brake (n & v)
building (n)
bone (n)
branch (n)
bulb (n)
book (n & v)
brand new (adj)
bookcase (n)
brave (adj)
bull (n)
booking (n)
bread (n)
bunch (n)
• I have a booking for the 19th. booking office (n)
• light bulb
break (n & v)
• a bunch of flowers
break down (phr v)
• a great bunch of friends
• The car has broken down.
burger (n)
bookshelf (n)
breakfast (n)
burn (v)
bookshop (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
break in (phr v)
burning (adj)
bookstore) bookstore (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng: bookshop)
• Someone broke in and stole the computer.
bus (n)
break up (phr v)
business (n)
• When does school break
boot (n) • a pair of boots • the boot of the car (Am Eng: trunk)
bury (v)
up?
businessman (n) businesswoman (n)
• The pop group has broken up.
bus station (n) bus stop (n)
border (n)
breath (n)
busy (adj)
bored (adj)
breathe (v)
but (conj & prep)
boring (adj)
breeze (n)
butcher (n)
born (adj)
bride (n)
butter (n)
borrow (v)
bridge (n)
butterfly (n)
boss (n)
brief (adj)
button (n)
both (pron & det)
bright (adj)
buy (v)
bother (v)
brilliant (adj)
buyer (n)
bring (v)
by (prep)
bring up (phr v)
by accident (prep phr)
• Sorry to bother you, can you tell me the time? • My job's hard but that doesn't bother me. • 'Sorry I'm late, I'll do it now.' 'Don't bother!'
• She was brought up in London.
by hand (prep phr)
broad (adj)
by mistake (prep phr)
broccoli (n)
by name (prep phr)
bottle (n)
brochure (n)
bottom (adj & n)
broken (adj)
bowl (n)
brother (n)
box (n)
brown (adj & n)
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bye (exclam)
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C cab (n)
card (n)
cattle (n)
cabbage (n)
• birthday card
cave (n)
cabin (n)
• credit card
CD (n)
cabinet (n)
• card game
CD player (n)
cable (n)
cardboard (adj & n)
CD-Rom (n)
cafe/cafe (n)
care (n & v)
ceiling (n)
cafeteria (n)
• take care of someone (n)
celebrate (v)
cage (n)
• to care (about/for)
celebration (n)
cake (n)
someone/something (v)
celebrity (n)
calculator (n)
career (n)
cell phone (n)
calendar (n)
careful (adj)
cent (n)
calf (n)
carefully (ad)
centimetre I centimeter (em) (n)
call (n & v)
careless (adj)
central (adj)
call for (phr v)
car park (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
central heating (n)
parking lot)
centre/center (n)
carpet (n)
century (n)
carrot (n)
cereal (n)
calm (adj)
carry (v)
ceremony (n)
camel (n)
carry on (phr v)
certain (adj)
• I'll call for you at 7.
call in (phr v) • She called in to see a friend.
camera (n) camp (n & v) camping (n) campsite (n) can (n & mv)
• He carried on walking
certainly (not) (adv) certificate (n)
despite the rain. carry out (phr v)
chain (n)
• She carried out the plan according to the instructions.
chair (n) challenge (n)
canal (n)
cartoon (n)
challenging (adj)
cancel (v)
case (n)
champion (n)
candidate (n) candle (n) candy (n) canteen (n)
• Would you like me to carry
championship (n) chance (n)
your case? • I'll make an exception in this
change (n & v) changing room (n)
case.
cap (n)
cash (n)
channel (n)
capital (adj & n)
cashpoint (n)
chapter (n)
• capital city
castle (n)
character (n)
• capital letter
casual (adj)
charge (n & v)
• the capital of Italy
• casual clothes
charity (n)
captain (n)
cat (n)
charming (adj)
car(n)
catch (v)
chat (n)
cathedral (n)
chatroom (n)
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chat show (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng: talk show) cheap (adj)
• first class, second class classical (adj) • classical music
cheat (v)
classmate (n)
check (n & v)
classroom (n)
check in (phr v)
clean (adj & v)
• They checked in to a hotel.
comb (n & v) come (v) comedy (n) come on (phr v) • Come on or we'll miss the bus.
cleaner (n)
comfort (n)
clear (adj & v)
comfortable (adj)
clearly (adv)
comic (adj & n)
in desk.
clever (adj)
comma (n)
check out (phr v)
click (n & v)
common (adj)
check-in (n) • Your keys are at the check-
• He checked out of the hotel at the end of his stay.
cliff (n)
• a common surname
climate (n)
• have something in common
checkout (n)
climb (v)
communicate (v)
cheek(n)
climbing (n)
communication (n)
cheerful (adj)
clinic (n)
company (n)
cheers! (exclam)
clock (n)
compare (v)
cheese (n)
close (adj, adv & v)
compete (v)
chef (n)
closed (adj)
competition (n)
chemist (n)
clothes (n pi)
competitor (n)
chemistry (n)
cloud (n)
complain (v)
cheque (n)
cloudy (adj)
complaint (n)
chess(n)
clown (n)
complete (adj & v)
chest of drawers (n)
club (n)
complicated (adj)
chicken (n)
• to join a club
composition (n)
child (n)
coach (n)
computer (n)
childhood (n)
coast (n)
concentrate (v)
chilli (n)
coat (n)
concert (n)
chin (n)
coconut (n)
conclusion (n)
chip (n)
cod (n)
condition (n)
• I love fish and chips.
• in good condition
coffee (n)
chocolate (n)
coin (n)
conference (n)
choice (n)
cola (n)
confident (adj)
choose (v)
cold (adj & n)
confirm (v)
cinema (n)
collar(n)
confused (adj)
circle (n)
colleague (n)
confusing (adj)
circus (n)
collect (v)
congratulations! (exclam)
city (n)
collection (n)
connect (v)
clap (v)
college (n)
connection (n)
class (n)
colour (n & v)
consider (v)
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consist (v)
could (mv)
crossroads (n)
consonant (n)
count (v)
crowd (n)
contact (n & v)
country (n)
crowded (adj)
contain (v)
countryside (n)
cruel (adj)
contents (n)
couple (n)
cruise (n)
contest (n)
courage (n)
cry (n & v)
continent (n)
course (n)
cucumber (n)
continue (v)
• English course
cultural (adj)
contract (n)
• main course
culture (n)
control (n & v)
• of course (exclam)
cup (n)
• a remote control • Control your dog! convenient (adj)
court (n)
cupboard (n)
• law court
cure (n & v)
• tennis court
curious (adj)
conversation (n)
cousin (n)
convince (v)
cover (n & v)
cook (n & v)
cow (n)
cooker (n)
crash (n & v)
curly (adj)
cookie (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng:
crazy (adj)
currency (n)
biscuit)
cream (adj & n)
curriculum (n)
cooking (n)
create (v)
curry (n)
cool (adj, exclam & v)
creative (adj)
curtain (n)
copy (n & v)
creature (n)
cushion (n)
corn (n)
credit (n)
custom (n)
corner (n)
credit card (n)
customer (n)
correct (adj)
crew (n)
customs (n pi)
correction (n)
curiously (adv) • 'Why?' she asked him curiously.
• cabin crew
cut (n & v)
cost (n & v)
cricket (n)
cute (adj)
costume (n)
crime (n)
cut up (phr v)
• I forgot my swimming costume.
criminal (n)
• She cut up the cake into
crop (n)
small pieces.
• national costume
cross (n & v)
CV (Curriculum Vitae) (n)
• a Halloween costume
crossing (n)
cycle (n & v)
cosy (adj) cottage (n) cotton (n) cough (n & v)
2012
• pedestrian crossing cross out (phr v)
cycling (n) cyclist (n)
• Cross it out and write it again.
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D dad (n)
delete (v)
diet (n)
daily (adj & adv)
delicious (adj)
difference (n)
damage (n & v)
delighted (adj)
different (adj)
damaged (adj)
deliver (v)
difficult (adj)
dance (n & v)
delivery (n)
difficulty (n)
dancer (n)
demand (n & v)
dig (v)
dancing (n)
dentist (n)
digital (adj)
danger (n)
depart (v)
digital camera (n)
dangerous (adj)
department (n)
dining room (n)
dark (adj & n)
department store (n)
dinner (n)
date (n & v)
departure (n)
dinosaur (n)
depend (on/upon) (v & phr v)
diploma (n)
• today's date (n) daughter (n) day (n)
• It depends on what you want
direction (n)
to do.
dead(adj) deaf (adj)
direct (adj & v) directly (adv)
deposit (n) • pay a deposit
director (n)
deal (v)
depressed (adj)
dirt (n)
deal with (sth) (phr v)
depth (n)
dirty (adj)
• I've had some problems to
• the depth of the water
disabled (adj)
describe (v)
disadvantage (n)
description (n)
disagree (v)
• too dear to buy (adj)
desert (n)
disappear (v)
• Dear Sir (adj)
deserve (v)
disappoint (v)
• Oh dear! (exclam)
design (n & v)
disappointed (adj)
death (n)
designer (n)
disappointing (adj)
decide (v)
desk (n)
disappointment (n)
decision (n)
despite (prep)
disc/disk (n)
declare (v)
dessert (n)
• compact disc/CO
decorate (v)
destination (n)
• hard disk
decrease (n & v)
destroy (v)
• floppy disk
deep (adj & adv)
detail (n)
disc jockey (OJ) (n)
defeat (n & v)
detective (n)
disco(theque) (n)
defence (n)
develop (v)
discount (n)
defend (v)
development (n)
discover (v)
definitely (adv)
diagram (n)
discuss (v)
degree (n)
dial (v)
discussion (n)
• 90 degrees
diary (n)
disease (n)
• a degree in maths
dictionary (n)
disgusting (adj)
die (v)
dish (n)
deal with. dear (adj & exclam)
delay (n & v)
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dishwasher (n)
double (adj & det)
drop (n & v)
disk (n)
doubt (n)
drugstore (n) (Am Eng) (Br
dislike (v)
down (adv & prep)
Eng: chemist)
display (n & v)
download (n & v)
drum (n)
distance (n)
downstairs (adj & adv)
dry (adj & v)
district (n)
dozen (det & n)
duck (n)
disturb (v)
Dr (n)
due(adj)
dive (v)
drag (v)
diver (n)
• The next bus is due in five
• Just drag and drop the file
divide (v)
into the trash can.
minutes. due to (prep phr)
diving (n)
drama (n)
dull (adj)
OJ (disc jockey) (n)
draw (v)
during (prep)
do (av & v) doctor I Dr (n)
• to draw a picture of someone or something
dust (n) dustbin (n) (Br Eng) (Am
document (n)
• to draw the curtains
Eng:trash can)
documentary (n)
• to draw near
dusty (adj)
dog (n)
drawer (n)
duty (n)
doll (n)
drawing (n)
duty-free (adj & n)
dollar (n)
dream (n & v)
duvet (n)
dolphin (n)
dress (n & v)
DVD (n)
donkey (n)
dressed (adj)
DVD player (n)
door (n)
drink (n & v)
dot (n)
drive (n & v)
• Have you visited CambridgeEnglish.org?
2012
driver (n) driving licence (n)
Page 13 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
E each (det & pron)
employ (v)
escape (v)
ear(n)
employee (n)
especially (adv)
earache (n)
employer (n)
essay (n)
early (adj & adv)
employment (n)
essential (adj)
earn (v)
empty (adj)
euro (n)
earring (n)
encourage (v)
even (adv)
earth (n)
end (n & v)
east (adj,adv & n)
ending (n)
evening (n)
eastern (adj)
end up (phr v)
event(n)
easily (adv) easy(adj)
• He couldn't even do that.
• He plans to end up working
ever (adv) every (det)
in Australia.
easygoing (adj)
enemy (n)
everybody (pron)
eat (v)
energy (n)
everyone (pron)
economics (n) edge (n)
• Team sports take a lot of
everywhere (adv)
time and energy.
education (n) effect (n)
• In our house we try to save
exact (adj) exactly (adv)
energy.
efficient (adj)
everything (pron)
engaged(adj)
examination/exam (n)
effort (n)
• to be engaged to someone
examiner (n)
egg (n)
• The phone was engaged.
example (n)
either (adv, det & pron)
engine (n)
excellent (adj)
elbow (n)
engineer (n)
except (prep, conj)
elder (adj)
engineering (n)
exchange (n)
elderly (adj)
enjoy (v)
• an exchange visit
election (n)
enormous (adj)
• in exchange for
electric (adj)
enough (adv, det & pron)
exchange (v)
electrical (adj)
enquiry (n)
exchange rate (n)
electricity (n)
enter (v)
excited (adj)
electronic (adj)
entertain (v)
excitement (n)
elementary (adj)
entertainment (n)
exciting (adj)
elephant (n)
entrance (n)
excuse (n & v)
elevator (n) (Am Eng) (Br
entry (n)
exercise (n & v)
Eng: lift)
envelope (n)
exhausted (adj)
else (adv)
environment (n)
exhibition (n)
email (n & v)
environmental (adj)
exist (v)
embarrassed (adj)
equal (adj)
exit (n)
embarrassing (adj)
equipment (n)
expect (v)
embassy (n)
eraser (n) (Am Eng) (Br
expedition (n)
emergency (n)
Eng: rubber)
expensive (adj)
2012
Page 14 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
experience (n)
explode (v)
extraordinary (adj)
experienced (adj)
explore (v)
extremely (adv)
experiment (n)
explorer (n)
extreme sport (n)
expert (n) explain (v) explanation (n)
• This book's about famous
eye (n)
explorers. extra (adj, adv & n)
F face (n)
farm (n)
fight (n & v)
farmer (n)
figure (n)
face to face (adv)
farming (n)
file (n)
face-to-face (adj)
fashion (n)
• Click here to open the file.
facilities (n pi)
fashionable (adj)
• school files
• a sad look on his face
• The hotel has excellent facilities.
fast (adj & adv)
fill (v)
fasten (v)
fill in (phr v) • You need to fill in a form.
fact (n)
fast food (n)
factory (n)
fat (adj)
fail (v)
father (n)
fair (adj & n)
fault (n)
fairly (adv)
favour (n)
film (n & v)
fall (n & v)
favourite (adj & n)
film maker (n)
fax (v)
film star
fear (n)
final (adj & n)
• a fall in the price (n)
fee (n)
finally (adv)
• he fell and hurt his leg (v)
feed (v)
financial (adj)
false (adj)
feel (v)
find (v)
familiar (with) (adj)
feeling (n)
find out (phr v)
family (n)
feel like (v)
• in the fall (n) Am Eng) (Br Eng: autumn)
famous (adj)
fill up (phr v) • He filled up the car with petrol.
• I must find out when he's
• to feel like doing something
arriving.
fan (n)
female (adj)
fine (adj & n)
fancy (v)
ferry (n)
finger (n)
festival (n)
finish (n & v)
fetch (v)
fire (n)
fantastic (adj)
fever (n)
firefighter (n)
far (adv)
few (adj, det & pon)
firework (n)
fare (n)
fiction (n)
• a firework display
• Do you fancy going out tonight?
• The return fare is £26. 2012
field (n) Page 15 of 51
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firm (n)
fond (adj)
• a good firm to work for first (adj & adv)
fresh (adj)
• to be fond of
fridge (n) fried (adj)
something/someone
• first prize (adj)
food (n)
friend (n)
• first of all (adv)
fool (n)
friendly (adj)
first name (n)
foot (n)
friendship (n)
fish (n & v)
football (n)
frighten (v)
fishing (n)
footballer (n)
frightened (adj)
fit (adj & v)
for (prep)
frightening (adj)
• keep fit (adj)
forbidden (adj)
frog (n)
• These shoes don't fit. (v)
forecast (n)
from (prep)
fitness (n)
foreign (adj)
front (adj & n)
fix (v)
foreigner (n)
frozen (adj)
flag (n)
forest (n)
fruit (n)
flat (adj & n)
forever (adv)
fry (v)
flavour (n)
forget (v)
frying pan (n)
flight (n)
forgive (v)
fuel (n)
float (v)
fork (n)
full (adj)
flood (n & v)
form (n)
full stop (n)
floor (n)
former (adj)
full time (adv)
flour (n)
fortnight (n)
full-time (adj)
flow (v)
fortunately (adv)
fully (adv)
flower (n)
forward(s) (adv)
fun (adj & n)
flu (n)
fountain (n)
funny (adj)
flute (n)
frame (n)
• a funny story (amusing)
fly (n & v)
free (adj & adv)
• a funny thing happened
fog (n)
freeze (v)
foggy (adj)
freezer (n)
fur (n)
fold (v)
freezing (adj)
furniture (n)
folk (adj & n)
French fries (n) (Am Eng) (Br
further (adv & adj)
follow (v)
Eng:chips)
furthest (adj)
following (adj)
frequent (adj)
future (adj & n)
2012
(strange)
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G gain (v)
get in (phr v)
• gain experience
give up (phr v)
• Can you get in through the window?
gallery (n) • an art gallery
tennis?
get off (phr v)
give way (phr v)
• We get off at the next stop.
game (n)
• Get your coat on and then we
garage (n)
• How are you getting on now?
game (n)
glass (n) glasses (n pi)
get on (with) (phr v)
gap (n)
glad (adj) glance (v)
can leave.
garden
• You must give way to traffic at a roundabout
get on (phr v)
gap (n)
• Has David given up playing
garage (n)
• She got on with her work.
global warming (n)
garden (n)
• I'm getting on well with
glove (n)
garlic (n)
go (v)
French.
gas (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng: petrol) gas station (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng: petrol station) gate (n)
• Do you get on well with Sam?
goalkeeper (n)
get rid of (phr v) • Have you got rid of those old
generally (adv) • 1 generally get home about
goat (n) go for (phr v)
documents?
general (adj)
goal (n)
He went for the job
get up (phr v) • What time do you get up in
The dog went for the man. gold (adj & n)
the morning? giant (adj)
golden (adj)
generation (n)
gift (n)
golf (n)
generous (adj)
giraffe (n)
good (adj)
gentle (adj)
girl (n)
• The film was very good.
geography (n)
girlfriend (n)
• to be good at maths
get (v)
give (v)
good afternoon (exclam)
get along (with) (v & phr v)
give back (phr v)
good-looking (adj)
7.00.
• How do you get along with Harry? get back (phr v) • When did you get back from New York? get down (phr v) • Get down at once! • Did you get all the notes down? get fit (v)
• Give me back this book on
good morning (exclam) go off (phr v)
Tuesday, please.
• They went off to Australia.
give in (phr v)
• Suddenly the lights went off.
• Have you given in your homework yet?
go on (phr v)
• Do you give in? Shall I tell you now? give out (phr v)
• The meeting went on until six o'clock. • What's going on?
• Will you give out these papers for me, please?
2012
Page 17 of 51
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go out (phr v)
granddaughter (n)
grocery store (n) (Am Eng)
grandfather (n)
groom (n)
grandma (n)
ground (n)
• The fire has gone out.
grandmother (n)
group (n)
• Is Barbara still going out with
grandpa (n)
grow (v)
Thomas, or have they broken
grandparent (n)
grow up (phr v)
up?
grandson (n)
• Are you going out this evening?
• Children grow up fast.
gorgeous (adj)
granny (n)
guard (n)
government (n)
grant (n)
guess (n & v)
go (with/together) (phr v) • Your tie doesn't go with your shirt. • Your tie and shirt don't go together. grab (v) • He grabbed my bag and ran away.
• He was given a grant to study in Australia. (n)
guest (n) guest-house (n)
grape (n)
guide (n & v)
graphics (n pi)
guidebook (n)
grass (n)
guilty (adj)
grateful (adj)
guitar (n)
great (adj)
guitarist (n)
green (adj & n)
gum (n) • chewing gum
grade (n)
greet (v)
graduation (n)
greeting (n)
gun (n)
gram(me) (n)
grey (adj & n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
guy (n)
grammar (n)
gray)
gym (n)
grandchild (n)
grill (n & v)
gymnastics (n)
grand(d)ad (n)
grilled (adj)
2012
Page 18 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
H habit (n)
hate (v)
hide (v)
hair (n)
have (av & v)
high (adj & adv)
haircut (n)
have got to (mv)
hill (n)
hairdresser (n)
have to (mv)
him (pron)
hairdryer (n)
he (pron)
himself (pron)
half (adv, det, n & pron)
head (n)
hip hop (n)
half-price (adj)
• to hit one's head (n)
hire (v & n)
hall (n)
• the head of the company (n)
•
to hire a boat (v)
hand (n & v)
• the head of the school (n)
•
for hire (n)
handbag (n)
headache (n)
his (det & pron)
hand-held (adj)
headline (n)
historic (adj)
hand in (phr v)
headteacher (n)
historical (adj)
health (n)
history (n)
healthy (adj)
hit (n & v)
• Please hand in the answer sheet when you've finished. handkerchief (n)
hear (v)
• The song was a great hit. (n)
handle (v)
heart (n)
• to hit the ball (v)
hand out (phr v)
heat (n)
hitchhike (v)
heating (n)
hobby (n)
heater (n)
hockey(n)
handsome (adj)
heavy(adj)
hold (v)
handwriting (n)
heel (n)
hold up (phr v)
• Hand out the books please, Tom.
•
hang (v) • to hang a picture
I can't walk in high heels.
height (n)
• He was held up in the heavy traffic for over two hours.
helicopter (n)
hole (n)
hello (exclam)
holiday (n)
helmet (n)
home (adv & n)
help (n & v)
homepage (n)
her (det & pron)
homework (n)
happen (v)
herb (n)
honest (adj)
happy (adj)
here (adv)
honestly (adv)
happily (adv)
hero (n)
happiness (n)
heroine (n)
hang out (phr v) • to hang out with friends hang up (phr v) • She hung up at the end of the phone call.
harbour (n) hard (adj & adv) hardly (adv)
• I honestly don't know where she is.
• The heroine of this story is a young schoolgirl.
honey (n) honeymoon (n)
hers (pron)
hope (n & v)
• hardly any time
herself (pron)
hopeful (adj)
• He could hardly wait.
hey (exclam)
hopefully (adv)
hardware (n)
hi (exclam)
hat (n)
hidden (adj) 2012
• Hopefully the journey won't take long Page 19 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
hopeless (adj)
hotel (n)
human (adj & n)
hour (n)
humid (adj)
horrible (adj)
house (n)
hunger (n)
horror (adj)
housewife (n)
hungry (adj)
housework (n)
hunt (v)
horse (n)
how (adv)
hurry (n & v)
hospital (n)
however (adv)
hurt (adj & v)
hostel (n)
how much (adv)
husband (n)
hot (adj)
hug (n & v)
hut (n)
• a hopeless situation
• a horror movie
huge(adj)
I I (pron)
in advance (prep phr)
ink (n)
ice (n)
inch (n)
in love (prep phr)
ice cream (n)
include (v)
in pencil (prep phr)
ice hockey (n)
including (prep)
in order (prep phr)
ice skating (n)
incorrect (adj)
in order to (prep phr)
icy (adj)
increase (v)
inquiry (n)
ID (n)
incredible (adj)
insect (n)
ID card (n)
indeed (adv)
inside (adv & prep)
idea (n)
independent (adj)
insist (v)
identification (n)
individual (adj)
install (v)
identity card (ID) (n)
indoor (adj)
instance (n)
if (conj)
indoors (adv)
ill (adj)
industry (n)
illness (n)
in fact (prep phr)
imagination (n)
inform (v)
imagine (v)
information (n)
immediately (adv)
in front of (prep phr)
immigration (n)
ingredient (n)
importance (n)
• for instance instead (of) (adv) • There were no lemons so I got oranges instead. • Can you come on Monday instead of Tuesday? instructions (n pi)
• I always use fresh
instructor (n)
important (adj)
ingredients in half (prep phr)
impossible (adj)
in ink (prep phr)
improve (v)
initial (n)
improvement (n) in (adv & prep)
2012
instrument (n) • musical instrument intelligent (adj)
• His initials are J.B.H. injure (v)
intend (v) • to intend to do something
Page 20 of 51
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interest (n & v)
in the end (prep phr)
involve (v)
interested (adj)
in time (prep phr)
iron (n & v)
interesting (adj)
into (prep)
ironing (n)
intermediate (adj)
introduce (v)
island (n)
international (adj)
introduction (n)
issue (n)
internet (n)
in two (prep phr)
IT (Information Technology) (n)
interrupt (v)
invent (v)
it (pron)
interval (n)
invention (n)
item (n)
invitation (n)
its (det)
invite (v)
itself (pron)
jacket (n)
jewellery (n) (Br Eng) (Am
journey (n)
jail (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng: prison)
Eng:jewelry)
judge (n & v)
jam (n)
job (n)
jug (n)
• strawberry jam
jog (v)
juice (n)
• traffic jam
jogging
jump (n & v)
join (v)
jumper (n)
• an interval in a play interview (n & v)
J
jar (n) jazz (n)
• The rivers join there.
jungle (n)
jealous (adj)
• to join the army
just (adv)
jeans (n pi)
• to join (in) a game
jet (n)
joke (n & v)
• to go by jet (plane)
2012
journalist (n)
Page 21 of 51
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K kangaroo (n) keen (adj) • He's keen on cycling. • to be keen to do something keep (v) keeper (n)
keyboard (n)
kite (n)
• computer keyboard
kitten (n)
• keyboard music
knife (n)
kick (n & v)
knit (v)
kid (n)
knock (v)
• We're taking the kids
keep in (phr v) • She kept the children in as it was so cold. keep on (phr v) • He kept on talking. keep up (phr v) • Keep up the good work!
knock down (phr v) • He was knocked down by
camping. kill (v)
the car as he stepped into
kilogramme (kg) (n) (Br Eng)
the road.
(Am Eng: kilogram)
know (v)
kilometre (km) (n) (Br Eng) (Am
knowledge (n)
Eng: kilometer)
knee (n)
kind (adj & n)
kettle (n)
king (n)
key (n)
kiss (n & v)
• key to a lock
kit (n)
• key to success
kitchen (n)
L label (n)
later (adj & adv)
laboratory (lab) (n)
latest (adj)
• the least amount (adj)
lack (n)
laugh (n & v)
• at least (adv)
ladder (n)
law (n)
leather (n)
lady (n)
lawyer (n)
leave (v)
lake (n)
lay (v)
lecture (n)
lamb (n)
least (adj & adv)
left (n, adj & adv)
• lay the table
lamp (n)
lazy (adj)
left-hand (adj)
land (n & v)
lead (v)
leg (n)
landscape (n) language (n) laptop (computer) (n)
leisure (n)
• to lead someone by the
lemon (n)
hand • Where does this road lead?
lemonade (n)
large (adj)
leader (n)
lend (v)
last (adj, adv, det & v)
leaf (n)
length (n)
late (adj & adv)
league (n)
less (adv, det & pron)
lately (adv)
learn (v)
lesson (n)
2012
Page 22 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
let (v)
link (n)
• Let her do it.
look after (phr v)
• a link to a website
• Who's looking after your
• Let me think.
lion (n)
• Let's go out tonight.
lip (n)
look at (phr v)
letter (n)
liquid (n)
look for (phr v)
lettuce (n)
list (n)
look forward to (phr v)
level (n)
listen (v)
library (n)
literature (n)
licence (n)
litre (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng: liter)
• a driving/marriage/TV licence
• I'm looking forward to the party!
litter (n)
live (v)
lie down (phr v)
live (adj)
look up (phr v) • Look up the meaning of the word in your dictionary.
• live music/sport
lift (n & v)
look out (phr v) • Look out!
little (adj,det & pron)
lie (n & v)
life (n)
baby now?
loose (adj)
lively (adj)
lorry (n)
living room (n)
lose (v)
load (n)
lost (adj)
• The lift is going up. (n)
loan (n)
lots I a lot (n)
• Please help me to lift this
local (adj)
lottery (n)
locate (v)
loud (adj)
• Can you give me a lift, please? (n)
table. (v) light (adj, n & v) lighter (n)
• The station is located in the
lovely (adj)
city centre.
• a cigarette lighter
love (n & v)
location (n)
low (adj)
lightning (n)
lock (n & v)
luck (n)
like (prep & v)
locker (n)
lucky (adj)
likely (adj)
logo (n)
luggage (n)
limit (n)
lonely (adj)
lunch (n)
limited (adj)
long (adj)
lunchtime (n)
look like (v)
luxury (n)
• a limited choice
line (n)
• She looks like her sister.
• a line on a page
look (n & v)
• a clothes line • a railway line
2012
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M machine (n)
mate (n)
metal (n)
mad (adj)
material (n)
method (n)
Madam (n)
maths I mathematics (n) (Br
made of/from/out of (v)
Eng) (Am Eng: math)
• Her shirt is made of cotton.
• modern methods of teaching
matter (n & v)
metre (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
magazine (n)
• Is anything the matter? (n)
meter)
magic (adj & n)
• It doesn't matter. (v)
microwave (n)
magnificent (adj)
maximum (adj & n)
• a microwave oven
mail (n & v)
may (mv)
midday (n)
main (adj)
maybe (adv)
middle (n)
main course (n)
me (pron)
middle-aged (adj)
make (v)
meal (n)
midnight (n)
make sure (v)
mean (v)
might (mv)
make-up (n)
• What do you mean?
mild (adj)
male (adj)
• What does it mean?
mile (n)
man (n)
meaning (n)
milk (n)
manage (v)
meanwhile (adv)
millimetre (mm) (n) (Br Eng)
• to manage a business
meat (n)
(Am Eng: millimeter)
• to manage to do something
mechanic (n)
million (n)
medicine (n)
mind (n & v)
(succeed in) manager (n)
medium (adj)
mango (n)
meet (v)
many (det & pron)
meeting (n)
map (n)
melon (n)
mark (n)
member (n)
• Mind your head!(v)
market (n)
membership (n)
• Who's minding the baby for
• to buy something from a market marriage (n)
• His mind was on other things. (n) • Would you mind if I called tomorrow? (v)
memory (n)
you? (v)
• to have a good/poor memory
mine (pron) mineral water (n)
married (adj)
• happy memories
minimum (adj & n)
marry (v)
• computer memory
minus (prep)
marvellous (adj)
mend (v)
minute (n)
match (n & v)
mention (v)
mirror (n)
• a box of matches (n)
menu (n)
miserable (adj)
• a tennis match (n)
mess (n)
miss (v)
• This tie matches your shirt.
message (n)
Miss (n)
messy (adj)
Missing (adj)
(v)
Mistake (n)
2012
Page 24 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
mix (v)
mother (n)
Mrs (n)
mobile (phone) (n)
motorcycle (n)
Ms (n)
model (n)
motorbike (n)
much (adv, det & pron)
motor-racing (n)
mug (n)
motorway (n)
mum (n)
mountain (n)
museum (n)
modern (adj)
mouse (n)
mushroom (n)
moment (n)
moustache (n)
music (n)
money (n)
mouth (n)
musical (adj)
monkey (n)
move (v)
musician (n)
month (n)
movie (n) (Am Eng) (Br
must (mv)
monument (n)
Eng:film)
multiply (v)
mood (n)
movie star (n) (Am Eng) (Br
my (det)
moon (n)
Eng: film star)
myself (pron)
more (adv, det & pron)
movie theater (n) (Am Eng) (Br
mystery (n)
morning (n)
Eng: cinema)
mosquito (n)
MP3 player (n)
most (adv,det & pron)
Mr (n)
• It's cheap because it's last year's model. (n) • She's a fashion model. (n)
N name (n & v)
negative (adj)
night (n)
narrow (adj)
neighbour (n)
nightclub (n)
nasty (adj)
neighbourhood (n)
nightlife (n)
national (adj)
nephew (n)
nightmare (n)
nationality (n)
nervous (adj)
no (adv, det & pron)
natural (adj)
• a nervous person
nobody (pron)
nature (n)
• to feel nervous
noise (n)
• nature studies
net (n)
noisy (adj)
navy blue (adj)
network (n)
none (pron)
near (adv, prep & adj)
never (adv)
noon (n)
nearby (adj & adv)
new (adj)
no one (pron)
nearly (adv)
news (n)
normal (adj)
neat (adj)
newspaper (n)
normally (adv)
necessary (adj)
next (adj & adv)
north (adj, adv & n)
neck (n)
next to (prep)
northeast (adj & n)
necklace (n)
nice (adj)
northern (adj)
need (v)
niece (n)
northwest (adj & n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
nose (n)
notice (n & v)
nowhere (adv)
not (adv)
• to read a notice (n)
number (n)
note (n & v)
• until further notice (n)
• numbers 5 to 7
•
to write a note (n)
• Did you notice anything
• a large number of cars
•
a ten-pound note (n)
•
Please note. (v)
• What's your (phone)
wrong? (v)
number?
noticeboard (n)
notebook (n)
novel (n)
notepaper (n)
now (adv)
nothing (pron)
nowadays (adv)
nurse (n)
O object (n)
omelette (n)
operate (v)
obvious (adj)
on (adv & prep)
operation (n)
obviously (adv)
on board (prep phr)
opinion (n)
occasion (n)
on business (prep phr)
opportunity (n)
occupation (n)
once (adv)
opposite (adj, n, prep & adv)
ocean (n)
• once a year
option (n)
o'clock (adv)
• I once saw him dancing.
or (conj)
of (prep)
one (det & pron)
orange (adj & n)
of course (adv)
on fire (prep phr)
orchestra (n)
off (adv & prep)
on foot (prep phr)
order (conj, n & v)
• It fell off the table. (prep)
on holiday (prep phr)
• in order to (conj)
• The meeting is off. (adv)
onion (n)
• to put something in order (n)
• I've got the afternoon off.
online (adv & adj)
• to order a meal (v)
(adv) offer (n & v) office (n)
• to book/buy something online (adv) • an online printer (adj)
ordinary (adj) organisation (n) organise (v)
officer (n)
only (adj & adv)
original (adj)
often (adv)
on purpose (prep phr)
other (adj, pron & det)
oh (exclam)
on request (prep phr)
otherwise (adv)
oh dear! (exclam)
on sale (prep phr)
ought (mv)
oil (n)
on time (prep phr)
our (det)
OK I O.K./ okay (adj & exclam)
onto (prep)
ours (pron)
old (adj)
open (adj & v)
ourselves (pron)
old-fashioned (adj)
opening hours (n pi)
out (adv)
olive (n)
opera (n)
outdoor (adj)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
outdoors (adv) out of (prep)
• over 40 people (more than) (adv)
own (adj, pron & v) • my own pen (adj)
out of date (prep phr)
• to be over (finished) (adv)
• on my own (pron)
out of order (prep phr)
• Several birds were flying
• to own a car (v)
out of work (prep phr)
over the roof of the school.
outside (adv,adj & prep)
(prep)
oven (n)
overnight (adj & adv)
over (adv & prep)
owe (v)
owner (n)
• I'm going over the road. (prep)
P pack (v)
park (n & v)
• to pack a case (v) packet (n)
passport (n)
• a public park (n)
password (n)
• to park a car (v)
past (adj, n & prep)
page (n)
parking (n)
• the past few weeks (adj)
pain (n)
parking lot (n) (Am Eng) (Br
• in the past (n)
painful (adj)
Eng:car park)
• It's half past one. (prep)
paint (n & v)
parrot (n)
pasta (n)
painter (n)
part (n)
path (n)
painting (n)
• a part of something (n)
patient (adj & n)
pair (n)
partly (adv)
• to be patient (adj)
palace (n)
particular (adj)
• a hospital patient (n)
pale (adj) • pale blue
• I love this CD - in particular
pattern (n) pause (v)
the last song.
pan (n)
partner (n)
pavement (n)
pants (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng:
part time (adv)
pay (n & v)
trousers)
part-time (adj)
PC (personal computer) (n)
paper (n)
party (n)
pea (n)
• a sheet of paper
• a birthday party
peace (n)
• a (news)paper
• a political party
peaceful (adj)
paragraph (n)
peach (n)
pass (n & v)
parcel (n)
• Several cars passed.
peak (n)
pardon (exclam)
• to pass the sugar
peanut (n)
• to pass an examination
pear (n)
• Pardon? parent (n)
2012
passenger (n)
Page 27 of 51
pedestrian (n)
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
peel (v)
photo(graph) (n)
• a plain T-shirt (no design)
pen (n)
photographer (n)
pence (n pi)
photography (n)
• a street plan (n)
pencil (n)
phrase (n)
• a plan to do something (n)
pencil case (n)
physics (n)
plane (n)
penfriend (n)
piano (n)
planet (n)
penguin (n)
pick (v)
plant (n & v)
penny (n)
pick up (phr v)
plastic (adj & n)
plan (n & v)
people (n pi)
• I picked up a pencil.
plate (n)
pepper (n)
• I'll pick up my sister from the
platform (n)
•
to pass the pepper (spice)
•
red peppers (vegetable)
play (n & v)
station. picnic (n)
• a play at the theatre (n)
per (prep)
picture (n)
• children playing (v)
percent (adv)
pie (n)
• to play football (v)
perfect (adj)
piece (n)
• to play the guitar (v)
perform (v)
• a piece of cheese
• to play a CD (v)
performance (n)
• to break into small pieces
• to play the part of someone
performer (n)
• a piece of furniture/advice
(act) (v)
perfume (n)
pig (n)
player (n)
perhaps (adv)
pile (n)
playground (n)
period (n)
pill (n)
pleasant (adj)
permanent (adj)
pillow (n)
please (exclam & v)
permission (n)
pilot (n)
• Come in, please. (exclam)
permit (v)
pin (n & v)
• to please someone (v)
• Dogs are not permitted here.
pineapple (n)
pleased (adj)
permitted (adj)
pink (adj & n)
pleasure (n)
person (n)
pipe (n)
plenty (pron)
personal (adj)
pirate (n)
plug (n)
personally (adv)
pity (n)
persuade (v) pet (n)
• a plug for the bath
• It's a pity you couldn't come to the party - it was great.
• an electrical plug
plus (prep & conj)
petrol (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
pizza (n)
p.m.
(adv)
gas)
place (n)
pocket (n)
petrol station (n) (Br Eng) (Am
• a safe place (n)
pocket money (n)
Eng: gas station)
• I've lost my place in the
poem (n)
pharmacy (n)
poet (n)
book. (n)
phone (n & v)
• third place in a race (n)
poetry (n)
photo (n)
• London is a big place. (n)
point (n & v)
photocopy (n)
plain (adj)
• to point at something (v)
• It's plain to me. (clear)
• The pencil has no point on it. (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
police (n)
pray (v)
produce (v)
policeman (n)
prayer (n)
product (n)
police officer (n)
predict (v)
profession (n)
police station (n)
prefer (v)
professional (n)
polite (adj)
pregnant (adj)
professor (n)
political (adj)
preparation (n)
program(me) (n)
politician (n)
prepare (v)
• TV programme
politics (n)
prepared (adj)
• computer program
pollution (n)
prescription (n)
pool (n)
progress (n)
• medicine on a prescription
• a swimming-pool poor (adj)
present (adj & n)
promise (n & v)
• She is very poor. (financial)
• to be present (adj)
• the poor man (sympathy)
• at the present time (adj)
pop (n)
• to promise to do something
• That will be all for the
• pop song/music/star/group
popular (adj) population (n)
(v) • to keep a promise (n)
present. (n)
promote (v)
• I got some lovely birthday presents. (n)
project (n)
pronounce (v) • to pronounce a word
port (n)
presentation (n)
position (n)
president (n)
pronunciation (n)
positive (adj)
press (v)
proper (adj)
correctly
possibility (n)
• to press a button
property (n)
possible (adj)
• to press a suit
protect (v)
possibly (adv)
pretty (adj & adv)
proud (adj)
post (n & v)
prevent (v)
prove (v)
• to post a letter (v)
previous (adj)
provide (v)
• to send it by post (n)
previously (adv)
public (adj & n)
postcard (n)
price (n)
• public opinion (adj)
poster (n)
primary school (n)
• to make something public
postman (n)
prince (n)
post office (n)
princess (n)
postpone (v)
principal (adj)
public transport (n)
pot (n)
print (v)
publish (v)
potato (n)
(adj) • to be open to the public (n)
• to print a document
pull (v)
pound (£) (n)
printer (n)
pullover(n)
pour (v)
prison (n)
pump (n)
powder (n)
prisoner (n)
power (n)
private (adj)
punish (v)
powerful (adj)
prize (n)
pupil (n)
practice (n)
probably (adv)
puppy (n)
practise (v) (n =Am Eng)
problem (n)
pure (adj)
2012
• petrol/bike pump
Page 29 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
purple (adj & n) purpose (n) • He did it on purpose. (deliberately)
put off (phr v)
put through (phr v)
• The meeting was put off until the following week.
the manager, please?
put on (phr v)
put up (phr v)
purse (n)
• He put on a suit.
push (n & v)
• Can you put on the light?
put(v)
• He didn't want to put on
put away (phr v) •
He put the book away.
put down (phr v) •
• Can you put me through to
• The company had to put up
weight.
its prices. puzzle (n) pyjamas (n pi)
put out (phr v) • The fire was quickly put out.
She put her name down.
Q qualification (n) qualified (adj)
• the question being discussed (subject)
quality (n)
questionnaire (n)
quantity (n)
queue (n)
quarter (n)
quick (adj)
queen (n)
quickly (adv)
question (n)
quiet (adj)
•
to ask a question
2012
quite (adv) •
Are you quite sure?
•
quite old
quiz (n)
quit (v)
Page 30 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
R rabbit (n) race (n & v)
realise (v) • He realised it was true.
• to win a race (n)
realistic (adj)
• to race against fast runners
really (adv)
(compete) (v) • to race home quickly (run) (v) racket (n) • tennis racket
regards (n) region (n) register (v) • He registered with a new
reason (n)
doctor. (v)
reasonable (adj)
registration (n)
reasonably (adv)
regret (n & v)
rebuild (v)
regular (adj)
receipt (n)
relation (n)
radio (n)
receive (v)
rail (n)
recent (adj)
relationship (n)
reception (n)
relative (n)
• to go by rail
• to visit a relation
railway (n)
receptionist (n)
rain (n & v)
recipe (n)
relax (v)
raincoat (n)
recognise (v)
relaxation (n)
rainforest (n)
recommend (v)
relaxed (adj)
raise (v)
• a relative came to stay
• to recommend
• to raise your arm • to raise prices
reliable (adj) religion ( n )
someone/something
remain (v)
record (n & v)
range (n)
• to keep a record (n)
remember (v)
rap (n)
• to break a record (n)
remind (v)
rare (adj)
• to record a song (v)
remote control (n)
rarely (adv)
recording (n)
remove (v)
rather (adv)
recover (v)
rent (n & v)
• She's rather tall for her age. • I'd rather go to the cinema than the theatre • Shall we stay in tonight,
• to recover from an illness recycle (v)
repair (n & v) repeat (v)
• I don't recycle as much as I
replace (v) reply (n & v)
should. recycled (adj)
report (n & v)
recycling (n)
reporter (n)
red (adj)
request (n & v)
reach (v)
reduce (v)
require (v)
read (v)
refreshments (n pi)
rescue (n & v)
reader (n)
refrigerator (n)
research (v)
reading (n)
refund (n)
reservation (n)
ready (adj)
refuse (v)
reserve (n & v)
real (adj)
regarding (prep)
rather than go out? raw (adj) • raw meat
• She was a reserve for the team. (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
• to reserve a seat (v) resort (n) respect (n & v)
• Fill it right to the top.
rough (adj)
(completely) (adv)
• a rough road
• the right to vote (n)
responsible (adj)
right-hand (adj)
rest (n & v)
ring (n & v)
• a rough idea • rough work round (adj, adv & prep)
• a rest from work (n)
• stand in a ring (n)
• a round object (adj)
• the rest of them (n)
• a wedding ring (n)
• the wrong way round (adv)
• The doctor told her to rest.
• Give me a ring tomorrow.
• to sit round a table (prep)
(v)
(phone) (n)
restaurant (n)
roundabout (n)
• Suddenly the bell rang. (v)
route (n)
result (n)
ring back (phr v)
routine (n)
retire (v)
ring up (phr v)
row (n)
return (n & v) • to return home (v) • a return (ticket) (n) review (n)
• to telephone somebody rise (v)
• a row of seats rubber (n)
• The sun rises in the east. • Prices are rising.
• a rubber (eraser) rubbish (n)
revise (v)
river (n)
rude (adj)
revision (n)
road (n)
rug (n)
reward (n)
roast (adj & v)
rugby (n)
rice (n)
rob (v)
ruin (n)
rich (adj)
rock (n)
rule (n & v)
ride (n & v)
• rock (music) (n)
• the rules of grammar (n)
rider (n)
• a hard piece of rock (n)
• to rule a country (v)
right (adj, adv & n) • the right time (correct) (adj) • the right person for the job (suitable) (adj)
role (n)
ruler (n)
roll (n)
• draw a line using a ruler
• a roll of film (n)
run (v)
• a bread roll (n)
• to run in a race
• my right foot (adj)
romance (n)
• Everything will be all right.
romantic (adj)
runner (n)
roof (n)
running (n)
room (n)
run out (phr v)
(adj) • Go right there. (directly) (adv)
• to run a business
• the sitting room
• He ran out of time and didn't
• There's lots of room in here.
finish.
rose (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
S sad(adj)
scarf (n)
safe (adj)
scary (adj)
• to be safe from harm
see (v) • to see something (with the
scene (n)
eyes)
safely (adv)
scenery (n)
• to see the joke (understand)
sail (n & v)
school (n)
• to see someone about a
sailing (n)
schoolchild (n)
salad (n)
science (n)
seem (v)
salary (n)
science fiction (n)
select (v)
sale (n)
scientific (adj)
selfish (adj)
salesman/saleswoman (n)
scientist (n)
self-service (adj)
salmon (n)
scissors (n pi)
sell(v)
salt (n)
scooter (n)
send (v)
same (adj, pron & adv)
score (n & v)
sense (n)
problem (consult)
• at the same time (adj)
• The score was 3-0. (n)
sensible (adj)
• Your watch is the same as
• to score a goal (v)
sentence (n)
mine.(pron) • You should treat everyone the same.(adv)
• words in a sentence
scream (n & v) screen (n)
separate (adj)
sculpture (n)
series (n)
sand (n)
sea (n)
sandal (n)
search (n & v)
sandwich (n)
seaside (n)
• a serious person
satisfactory (adj)
season (n)
• a serious illness
satisfied (adj)
seat(n)
seriously (adv)
sauce (n)
seat belt (n)
serve (v)
saucepan (n)
second (adv, det & n)
saucer (n) sausage (n) save (v)
• a TV series serious (adj)
• to serve in a shop
• She came second and won
• a file server
silver.(adv) • This is the second time
• to save someone • to save money • to save time say (v)
• sixty seconds in a minute (n) • secondary school
• to say something to someone • I really can't say. (give an opinion) scared (adj) 2012
service (n) • a bus service
you've been late. (det) secondary (adj)
server (n)
• customer service session (n) • in a school, gym
second-hand (adj & adv)
set (n & v)
secret (adj & n)
set off (phr v)
secretary (n) section
• She set off early for work.
(n)
security (n) Page 33 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
set out (phr v) • They set out on the long journey. set up (phr v) • Her mother helped her to set
shocking (adj)
signature (n)
shoe (n)
signpost (n)
shoot (v)
silence (n)
•
to shoot at the goal
silent (adj)
shop (n & v)
silk (adj & n)
shop assistant (n)
silly (adj)
several (det & pron)
shopping (n)
silver (adj & n)
sew (v)
shore (n)
similar (adj)
sex (n)
short (adj)
simple (adj)
shortly (adv)
since (conj & prep)
shorts (n pi)
sincerely (adv)
up in business.
•
the male/female sex
shade (n) •
to sit in the shade
•
a pair of shorts
• Yours sincerely
shadow (n)
should (mv)
sing (v)
shake (v)
shoulder (n)
singer (n)
shall (mv)
shout (n & v)
singing (n)
shame (n)
show (n & v)
single (n & adj)
shampoo (n)
•
a film show (n)
shape (n)
•
Show it to me. (v)
share (v)
• The picture shows a village.
shark (n) sharp (adj)
• a single (ticket) to Manchester (n)
(v) •
• to be single (unmarried) (adj)
It shows that they care. (v)
• a single room (adj)
•
a sharp knife
•
a sharp corner
•
a shower of rain
• a kitchen sink (n)
•
a sharp picture
•
to have a shower
• The ship began to sink. (v)
shower (n)
sink (n & v)
shave (v)
shut (adj & v)
she (pron)
shy(adj)
sheep (n)
sick (adj)
sister (n)
sheet (n)
side (n)
sit (v)
sight (n)
sit down (phr v)
•
sheets on a bed
•
a sheet of paper
•
information sheet
sir (n) • Yes, sir!
• Her sight is better with
site (n)
glasses.
sitting room (n)
• in sight, out of sight
shelf (n)
situated (adj)
shine (v)
sightseeing (n)
situation (n)
shiny (adj)
sign (n & v)
size (n)
ship (n)
•
a road sign (n)
skate (n & v)
shirt (n)
•
to sign a document (v)
skateboard (n & v)
shock(n)
•
no sign of life (n)
skateboarding (n)
•
signs of winter (n)
skating (n)
•
to suffer from shock (n)
shocked (adj)
signal (n & v)
ski (n & v) skiing (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
skill (n)
solution (n)
speak (v)
skin (n)
solve (n)
speaker (n)
skirt (n)
some (det & pron)
special (adj)
sky (n)
somebody (pron)
spectacular (adj)
sleep (n & v)
somehow (adv)
speech (n)
sleeve (n) slice (n)
someone (pron)
speed (n)
slim (adj)
something (pron)
spell (v)
slip (v)
sometimes (adv)
spelling (n)
somewhere (adv)
spend (v)
•
to slip on the ice slow (adj)
slowly (adv)
son (n)
•
to spend money/time
small (adj)
song (n)
spice (n)
smart (adj)
soon (adv)
spicy (adj)
•
a smart idea (Am Eng)
•
I'll come soon.
spill (v)
•
smart clothes
•
as soon as I can
spinach (n)
smell (n & v)
sore (adj)
spite (n)
smile (n & v)
sorry (adj)
smoke (n & v)
sort (n)
smoking (n)
the same sort
smooth (adj)
so-so (adj)
•
in spite of
split up (phr v) • She's just split up with her boyfriend.
• a smooth surface (level)
soul (n)
spoil (v)
• a smooth ride in the new car
sound (n & v)
spoon (n)
(comfortable) snack(n)
•
the sound of music (n)
sport (n)
•
It sounds like/as if...(v)
sports centre (n)
snake (n)
soup (n)
spot (n)
snow (n & v)
sour (adj)
spy (n)
snowboard (n & v)
•
a sour taste
square (adj & n)
snowboarding (n)
south (adj & adv, n)
•
a square room (adj)
so (adv & conj)
southeast (adj & n)
•
a market square (n)
soap (n)
southern (adj)
squash (n)
soap opera (n)
southwest (adj & n)
stadium (n)
soccer (n)
souvenir (n)
staff (n)
sociable (adj)
space (n)
stage (n)
social (adj)
•
a parking space
society (n)
•
write in the spaces
stairs (n pi)
sock (n)
•
not enough space
stall (n)
sofa (n)
•
outer space
soft (adj)
•
•
spare (adj & v)
a soft material
• spare cash, spare time (adj)
•
a soft drink
•
soldier (n) 2012
to spare the time (v)
a postage stamp
star (n)
Sparkling water, please. Page 35 of 51
•
stand (v)
sparkling (adj) •
market stall
stamp (n)
•
software (n)
to perform on a stage
•
stars in the sky (n)
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
•
a film star (n)
start (n & v) • a good start (n) • to start a race (v) station (n) • a bus/fire/radio station
• It's stopped raining. (v)
• the subject of a sentence
• The rain stopped me from
• a school subject subtract (v)
going out. (v) store (n)
subway (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng:
• a department store (n)
underground)
storm (n)
succeed (v)
statue (n)
story (n)
success (n)
stay (n & v)
straight (adj & adv)
successful (adj)
• to stay to dinner (v)
• to go straight on (adv)
such (det)
• to stay with friends (v)
a straight road (adj)
sudden(adj)
• to stay looking young (v)
strange (adj)
suddenly (adv)
• a two-night stay (n)
stranger (n)
suffer (v)
strawberry (n)
sugar (n)
stream (n)
suggest (v)
lesson to speak to the
street (n)
suggestion (n)
teacher.
stress (n)
suit (n)
stay behind (phr v) • She stayed behind after the
• He didn't want the stress of
steak (n)
a new job.
steal (v)
• to wear a suit suitable (adj)
steep (adj)
stressed (adj)
suitcase (n)
step (n)
stressful (adj)
sum (n)
• two steps forward
strict (adj)
sun (n)
• to climb the steps
strike (n & v)
sunbathe (v)
stick (n & v) • a walking stick (n) • to stick two things together
• to go on strike (n)
sunglasses (n pi)
• to strike something (v)
sunny(adj)
stripe (n)
sunrise (n)
(v)
strong (adj)
sunset (n)
sticky (adj)
student (n)
sunshine (n)
still (adj & adv)
studio (n)
supermarket (n)
• I prefer still to sparkling water. (adj) • Sit still! (adv) • She's still here. (adv)
• TV/artists/recording studio
supper (n) support (n & v)
studies (n pi) study (n & v)
• She gave me a lot of support
• to study physics (v)
during my exams. (n)
stir (v)
• to study the map (v)
• to support a weight (v)
stomach (n)
• Social Studies (n)
• to support a team (v)
stomach ache (n)
stuff (n)
supporter (n)
stone (n)
stupid (adj)
suppose (v)
• a large stone
style (n)
• I suppose it's true.
• a stone bridge
stylish (adj)
• You aren't supposed to drive
stop (n & v) • a bus stop (n)
subject (n)
fast.
• the subject of a discussion
• The car stopped. (v) 2012
• It's supposed to be a good film.
Page 36 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
sure (adj & adv)
sweater (n)
swimming pool (n)
• I'm sure you're right. (adj)
sweatshirt (n)
swimsuit (n)
• to make sure (adv)
sweet (adj & n)
switch (n & v)
surf (v)
• sweet food (adj)
• light switch (n)
surfboard (n)
• a sweet face (adj)
• to switch on a machine (v)
surfing (n)
• a sweet smell (adj)
surname (n)
• to eat a sweet (n)
system (n)
surprise (n & v)
swim (n & v)
surprised (adj)
swimmer (n)
surprising (adj)
swimming (n)
surround (v)
swimming costume (n) (Br Eng)
• The cottage is surrounded
(Am Eng: bathing suit)
by beautiful countryside.
T table (n)
take place (v)
table-cloth (n) tablet (n) table tennis (n) take (v)
teacher (n)
• The meeting took place at six.
team (n)
take up (phr v) • He decided to take up a
• to take someone's hand • to take someone's things
teaching (n)
new hobby. talent (n)
tear (n & v) • Tears ran down her cheeks. (n) • to tear a piece of paper (v)
talented (adj)
technique (n)
• to take a photo
talk (n & v)
technology (n)
• to take a long time
talk show (n) (Am Eng) (Br
teenager (n)
• to take a holiday
Eng: chat show)
telephone (n & v)
takeaway (n)
tall (adj)
television (TV) (n)
take away (v)
tap (n)
tell (v)
(steal/ borrow)
• Take 15 away from 78. take care of (v) • take care of someone. take off (phr v) • Do you want to take off your coat? • The plane takes off at 6. take part (in) (v) • Everybody took part in the meeting.
2012
• a cold-water tap (n)
• to tell a story • to tell someone something
taste (n & v) • to have good taste (n) • to taste food (v) • It tastes good. (v) tasty (adj)
• to tell someone to do something • you can't always tell temperature (n)
tax (n)
• to have a temperature
taxi (n)
• air temperature
tea (n)
temporary (adj)
teach (v)
tennis (n)
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
tense (n)
thirsty (adj)
tent (n)
this (det & pron)
term (n)
those (det & pron)
timetable (n)
terrible (adj)
though (conj)
tin (n)
terribly (adv)
thought (n)
terrific (adj) terrified (adj) test (n & v)
• Four times five is twenty. (v)
• a tin of peas
• to have thoughts about
• made of tin
something
tiny (adj)
• to be deep in thought
tip (n)
text (n & v)
thriller (n)
• the tip of the pencil
textbook (n)
throat (n)
• a tip for the waitress
text message (n)
through (prep)
tired (adj)
than (conj & prep)
throw (v)
tiring (adj)
thank (v)
throw away (phr v)
tissue (n)
thanks (exclam)
• He threw away the old TV.
title (n)
thank you (exclam)
thumb (n)
to (prep)
that (conj, det & pron)
thunder (n)
toast (n)
the (det)
thunderstorm (n)
theatre (n) (Br Eng) (Am Eng:
tick (n & v)
today (adv & n)
theater)
ticket (n)
toe (n)
their (det)
tidy (adj & v)
together (adv)
theirs (pron)
tidy up (phr v)
toilet (n)
them (pron) themselves (pron) then (adv)
• toast for breakfast
• Please tidy up when you've finished.
tomato (n) tomorrow (adv & n)
tie (n & v)
tongue (n)
there (adv)
• a shirt and tie (n)
tonight (adv & n)
therefore (adv)
• to tie with string (v)
too (adv)
these (det & pron)
tiger (n)
• I've been there, too.
they (pron)
tight (adj)
• It's too heavy to lift.
thick (adj) thief (n)
• tight shoes
tooth/teeth (n) toothache (n)
tights (n pi)
thin (adj) thing (n)
• a pair of tights
toothbrush (n) toothpaste (n)
till (conj & prep)
think (v)
• to wait till the end (prep)
• to think about something • I think he's left. • What did you think of the
• till he comes (conj)
top (adj & n) • top of the class (adj) • at the top of his voice (n)
time (n & v) • What time is it? (n)
topic (n)
• It took a long time. (n)
total (adj & n)
• I think I'll go.
• the last time (n)
totally (adv)
• I'm thinking of going.
• Is it time yet? (n)
touch (v)
film?
tour (n & v) tour guide (n) 2012
Page 38 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
tourism (n)
tree (n)
tourist (n)
trend (n)
• to turn your head (v)
tourist information centre (n)
trick (n)
• to turn the page (v)
tournament (n)
trip (n)
• It's my turn. (n)
toward(s) (prep)
turn (n & v)
• a weekend trip
• The wheels began to turn.
towel (n)
trouble (n)
tower (n)
trousers (n pi)
town (n)
truck (Am Eng) (Br Eng: lorry)
toy (n)
trunk (n) (Am Eng) (Br Eng:
track (n)
boot)
• a race track tracksuit (n)
(v) turn down (phr v)
true (adj) • Is it true?
traditional (adj)
• a true friend
traffic jam (n)
trust (v)
traffic light(s) (n) train (n & v) • to travel by train (n) • to train in a skill (v) trainer (n) • a pair of trainers • a personal trainer
• She turned off the engine.
turn up (phr v)
• to try to do something • to try (out) something
• Turn up the radio I can hardly hear it. twice (adv)
try on (phr v) • to try on shoes
tube (n)
turn on (phr v) • Can you turn on the TV?
try (v)
tram (n)
ice. turn off (phr v)
truth (n)
T-shirt (n)
transfer (v)
• The water had turned into
• to trust someone
training (n)
• the first turning on the left turn into (phr v)
trade (n)
trumpet (n)
music? turning (n)
• the trunk of a car
traffic (n)
• Could you turn down the
twin (n) type (n & v) • a type of person (n)
• a tube of toothpaste
• to type a letter (v)
translate (v)
tuna (n)
typical (adj)
translation (n)
tune (n)
typically (adv)
transport (n)
tunnel (n)
tyre (n)
trash can (n) (Am Eng) (Br
turkey (n)
Eng:rubbish bin) travel (v) travel agent (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
U ugly (adj)
uniform (n)
upper (adj)
umbrella (n)
union (n)
upset (adj)
unable (adj)
unit (n)
upstairs (adj & adv)
unbelievable (adj)
unkind (adj)
up to (prep phr)
uncle (n)
unknown (adj)
uncomfortable (adj)
unimportant (adj)
(prep phr)
under (prep)
uninterested (adj)
urgent (adj)
•
up to six people up to date
•
under the bed
uninteresting (adj)
urgently (adv)
•
under £10.00
universe (n)
us (pron)
university (n)
use (n & v)
underground (adj & n) • underground trains (adj)
unless (conj)
• to travel by underground (n)
unlikey (adj)
• Can you use a computer? (v)
underline (v)
unlucky (adj)
• It's for the use of teachers
underneath (prep)
unnecessary (adj)
underpants (n)
unpack (v)
• Is this any use to you? (n)
understand (v)
unpleasant (adj)
• used to (v)
underwear (n)
until (prep & conj)
• I used to cycle a lot when I
undress (v)
unusual (adv)
unemployed (adj)
unwell (adj)
unemployment (n)
up (adv & prep)
only. (n)
was younger. • I'm not used to getting up early.
unexpected (adj)
• to walk up the hill (prep)
useful (adj)
unfair (adj)
• Are you up yet? (awake and
user(n)
unfit (adj)
usual (adj)
dressed) (adv)
unforgettable (adj)
• Lift your head up. (adv)
unfortunately (adv)
• Speak up, please. (adv)
unfriendly (adj)
update (n & v)
unhappy (n)
upload (n)
unhealthy (adj)
upon (prep)
usually (adv)
• once upon a time • That depends upon when you finish.
2012
Page 40 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
V v/versus (prep) • Manchester United v
vegetarian (n & adj)
virus (n)
vehicle (n)
• a computer virus
very (adv)
visa (n)
valley (n)
vet (n)
visit (n & v)
valuable (adj)
via (prep)
visitor (n)
value (n)
video (n & v)
vocabulary (n)
van (n)
video clip (n)
voice (n)
vanilla (n)
video game (n)
volleyball(n)
variety (n)
view (n)
volume (n)
Liverpool
various (adj)
• a beautiful view
vase (n)
village (n)
vegetable (n)
violin (n)
vote (n & v) vowel (n)
W wage(s) (n) wait (n & v)
washing-up (n)
we (pron)
• to do the washing-up
weak (adj)
waiter (n)
waste (adj & v)
•
to feel weak
waiting room (n)
watch (n & v)
•
a weak excuse wear (v)
•
to wear a dress
waitress (n) wake (v)
• My watch keeps good time. (n)
wake up (phr v)
wear out (phr v & adj)
• I watched TV last night. (v)
walk (n & v)
water (n & v)
walking (n)
waterfall (n)
wall (n)
wave (n & v)
• You'll wear out those shoes. (v) • My shoes are worn out. (adj) weather (n)
wallet (n)
• waves at sea (n)
weather forecast (n)
want (v)
• to wave goodbye (v)
web (n)
war (n)
webcam (n)
way (n)
wardrobe (n)
• Is this the way?
web page (n)
warm (adj)
• the wrong way
website (n)
warn (v)
• a long way
wedding (n)
warning (n)
• to stand in the way
week (n)
wash (n & v)
• That's the way to do it.
weekday (n)
wash up (phr v)
• way of life
weekend (n)
washing machine (n)
• way in, way out
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
weekly (adj & adv)
who (pron)
wooden (adj)
• a weekly magazine (adj)
whole (adj & n)
wool (n)
• to phone home twice weekly
whose (det & pron)
word (n)
(adv)
why (adv)
• words in a sentence
weigh (v)
wide (adj)
• He didn't say a word.
weight (n) welcome (n & v)
• a wide road
work (n & v)
wife (n)
• school work (n)
•
a warm welcome (n)
wild (adj)
• to work for a living (v)
•
Welcome to London! (v)
wildlife (n)
• hard work (n)
will (mv)
• to be out of work (n)
well (adj, adv & exclam) • I'm very well, thanks. (adj)
willing (adj)
worker (n)
• to behave very well (adv)
win (v)
working (adj)
• Shake the bottle well. (adv)
wind (n)
workout (n)
• Well, here we are. (exclam)
• A strong wind was blowing.
well done! (adv)
window (n)
well-dressed (adj)
windscreen (n)
well-known (adj)
windsurfing (n)
well made I well-made (adv &
windy (n)
adj)
wing (n)
• I like a good workout at the gym. work out (phr v) • I work out at the gym every day. world (n)
west (adj, adv & n)
• a bird's wing
worried (adj)
western (adj)
• the wing of an aeroplane
worry (n & v)
wet (adj)
winner (n)
worse (adj & adv)
• wet clothes
wise (adj)
worst (adj & adv)
• wet weather
wish (n & v)
worth (adj)
whale (n)
• Best wishes. (n)
would (mv)
what (det & pron)
• Wish me luck. (v)
wow (exclam)
whatever (pron & det)
• I wish you were here. (v)
wrap (up) (v & phr v)
wheel (n)
with (prep)
wheelchair (n)
within (prep)
write (v)
when (adv)
without (prep)
write down (phr v)
whenever (conj)
woman (n)
where (adv & conj)
wonder (v)
wherever (conj)
• to wrap (up) a parcel
• write down an address writer (n)
• I wonder what he said.
writing (n)
whether (conj)
wonderful (adj)
written (adj)
which (pron & det)
wood (n)
wrong (adj)
while, whilst (conj)
• to be made of wood
white (adj)
• in a large wood
2012
Page 42 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Y yard (n)
yet (adv)
young (adj)
yeah (exclam)
yoga (n)
your (det)
year (n)
yoghurt (n)
yours (pron)
yellow (adj)
you (pron)
yourself (pron)
yes (adv)
you know (exclam)
youth (n)
yesterday (adv)
Z zebra (n)
zone (n)
zero (n)
zoo (n)
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Appendix 1
Word sets In addition to the words in the alphabetical list, Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools candidates are expected to know: Cardinal numbers one, two, three, etc. Ordinal numbers first, second, third, fourth, etc. Days of the week Monday, Tuesday, etc. Months of the year January, February, etc. Seasons of the year spring, summer, autumn, winter Countries, languages and nationalities Names of countries, nationalities and languages, for example, Brazil/Brazilian, Canada/Canadian, China/Chinese, France/French, Ireland/Irish, India/Indian, Italy/Italian, Spain/Spanish, etc. Continents Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America.
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Appendix 2
Topic Lists Clothes and Accessories backpack bag belt blouse boot bracelet button cap chain clothes coat collar cotton dress earring fashion fasten fit (v) fold (v) glasses glove
go (with/together) (phr v) handbag handkerchief hat jacket jeans jewellery I jewelry jumper kit knit label laundry leather make-up match (v) material necklace old-fashioned (adj) pants pattern
perfume plastic pocket pullover purse put on raincoat ring scarf shirt shoe shorts silk size skirt sleeve(less) socks stripe suit sunglasses sweater
sweatshirt swimming costume take off tie tights tracksuit trainers trousers T-shirt sandal sweatshirt swimsuit try on umbrella underpants underwear undress uniform wallet watch wear (out) wool(len)
Colours (dark/light/pale) black blue brown
gold golden green grey
orange pink purple red
silver yellow white
file hang up hardware headline homepage install internet invent invention IT keyboard laptop (computer) machine message mobile phone mouse
mouse mat MP3 player net online operator parcel password PC phone photograph photography postcard print printer program(me) reply ring
Communications and Technology access address at!@ blog blogger by post calculator call(v) call back CD (player) CD-Rom chat chat room click (v) computer connect connection 2012
delete dial dial up digital digital camera disc/disk dot download (n & v) drag DVD (player) electronic(s) email engaged enter envelope equipment fax
Page 40 of 51
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
ring up screen server software switch off
switch on talk telephone text text message
turn off turn on upload video clip volume
web webcam web page website
course curriculum degree desk dictionary diploma drama economics elementary essay geography history handwriting homework information instructions intermediate instructor IT know laboratory (lab)
language learn lesson level library mark mathematics math(s) music nature studies note notice board pencil case photography physics practice (n) practise (v) primary school project pupil qualification
read register remember rubber ruler school science secondary school student studies study (v) subject teach teacher technology term test university
festival film film maker film star fireworks folk music fun go out group guitar guitarist headline hero heroine hip hop hit song horror instrument interval interview(er) jazz music journalist keyboard
laugh listen to look at magazine magic MP3 player museum music musician news newspaper opera orchestra paint painter perform performance performer play poem pop music programme quiz
Education absent advanced arithmetic art beginner bell biology blackboard board book bookshelf break(time) break up certificate chemistry class classroom clever coach college composition
Entertainment and Media act (v) action actor actress ad admission adventure advert advertisement art article audience ballet band board game book camera card cartoon celebrity CD (player) CO-Rom channel 2012
chat show chess cinema circus classical music comedy comic competition concert dance dancer disc disco display DJ I disc jockey documentary drama draw drawing DVD (player) entrance exhibition exit
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
recording review rock music romantic
row scene screen series
soap opera stage star studio
talk show television thriller video
litter petrol (Br Eng) pollution
public transport recycle recycled
recycling rubbish (bin) traffic Uam)
cookie corn cream cucumber cup curry cut delicious dessert diet dinner dish drink duck eat egg fish flavour flour food fork French fries fresh fridge fried fruit fruit juice fry frying pan garlic glass grape grill (n & v) grilled herbs honey hot hungry ice ice cream
ingredients jam jug juice kitchen knife lamb lemon lemonade lettuce lunch main course meal meat melon menu microwave (n) milk mineral water mushroom oil omelette onion orange pan pasta pea peach peanut pear pepper picnic pie piece of cake pineapple pizza plate potato recipe refreshments
rice roast (v & adj) roll salad salmon salt sandwich sauce saucepan saucer sausage slice (n) snack soft drink soup sour spicy spinach spoon steak strawberry sugar sweet (adj & n) takeaway taste tasty tea thirsty toast tomato tuna turkey vegetable vegetarian waiter waitress wash up yog(h)urt
Environment bottle bank climate change gas (Am Eng)
Food and Drink apple bake (v) banana barbecue (n & v) bean biscuit bitter (adj) boil (v) boiled bottle bowl box bread break breakfast broccoli bunch (of bananas) burger butter cabbage cafe I cafe cafeteria cake can (of beans) candy canteen carrot cereal cheese chef chicken chilli chips chocolate coconut coffee cola cook (n & v) cooker
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Health, Medicine and Exercise accident ache ambulance ankle appointment arm aspirin baby bandage bleed (v) blood (n) body bone brai break breath breathe check chemist chin clean cold (n) comb cough (n & v) cut damage
danger dangerous dead dentist die diet doctor ear earache emergency exercise eye face fall feel better/ill/sick fever finger fit flu foot get better/worse go jogging gym gymnastics hair hand
head headache health hear (v) heart heel hospital hurt ill illness injure keep fit knee leg lie down medicine nose nurse operate operation pain painful patient (n) pharmacy pill prescription
problem recover rest (n & v) run shoulder sick skin soap sore throat stomach stomach ache stress swim tablet take exercise temperature thumb tired toes tooth toothache toothbrush walk well(adj)
dance dancing doll draw drawing DVD (player) facilities fan festival fiction gallery
hobby holidays jogging join in keen on keep fit magazine member(ship) model museum music musician nightlife opening hours paint
painting park party photograph picnic playground quiz sculpture sightseeing slide sunbathe tent
Hobbies and Leisure barbecue beach bicycle bike camera camp camping campsite CD (player) chess club collect(or) collection computer cruise
2012
go out guitar hang out hire
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
House and Home accommodation address air conditioning alarm (fire/car) alarm clock antique apartment armchair balcony basin bath(tub) bathroom bed bedroom bell bin blanket blind block (notice) board bookcase bookshelf bowl box brush bucket bulb candle carpet ceiling cellar central heating chair channel (with TV) chest of drawers clock
2012
computer cooker cottage cupboard curtain cushion desk digital (adj) dining room dish dishwasher door downstairs drawer dustbin duvet DVD (player) electric(al) entrance fan flat flatmate floor freezer fridge frying pan furniture garage garden gas gate grill ground (floor) hall handle heat (v) heater
heating hi-fi home house housewife housework iron jug kettle key kitchen ladder lamp laptop (computer) lift light (clothes) line living-room lock microwave (n) mirror mug neighbour oil oven pan path pillow pipe plant plug plug in property radio refrigerator remote control
Page 44 of 51
rent repair roof room roommate rubbish safe (adj) seat sheet shelf shower sink sitting room sofa stairs stay (v) step surround switch table tap telephone television toilet towel tower toy TV (screen/set) upstairs (adv) vase video wall washing machine window
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Language advanced answer argue ask beginner chat communicate communication
elementary email grammar intermediate joke letter mean meaning
mention message pronounce pronunciation question say sentence shout
speak talk tell translate translation vocabulary word
Personal Feelings, Opinions and Experiences (Adjectives) able afraid alone amazed amazing amusing angry annoyed anxious ashamed awful bad beautiful better bored boring bossy brave brilliant busy calm careful challenging charming cheerful clear clever confident confused confusing cool crazy cruel curious cute
2012
delighted depressed different difficult disappointed disappointing easy embarrassed embarrassing excellent excited exciting famous fantastic favourite fine fit fond free frightened friendly funny generous gentle glad good great guilty happy hard healthy heavy high hungry important
intelligent interested interesting jealous keen kind lazy lovely lucky mad married miserable modern negative nervous nice noisy normal old old-fashioned ordinary original patient personal pleasant poor positive pretty quick quiet ready real realistic reasonable relaxed
Page 45 of 51
reliable rich right rude sad satisfied serious slim slow small smart sorry soft special strange strong stupid sure surprised sweet tall terrible tired true typical unable unhappy unusual useful well wonderful worried wrong young
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Places: Buildings apartment block I apartment building bank centre bookshop bookstore building cafe I cafe cafeteria castle cinema clinic club
college cottage department store disco elevator entranc e exit
ruin school shop sports stadium supermarket swimming pool theatre
factory flat gallery garage grocery store
guest-house hospital hotel house library lift museu m office palace police station post office prison railway station
field forest harbour hill island lake land mountain ocean
path port railway rainforest region river rock sand scenery
sea seaside sky stream valley village waterfall wood
cashpoint city centre corner crossing crossroads fountain market motorway monument
park pavement petrol station playground road roundabout route shopping centre signpost
square station street subway town tunnel turning underground zoo
doctor gallery garage hairdresser hotel
library museum post office restaurant sports centre
swimming pool theatre tourist information
tourist information centre tower university
Places: Countryside area bay beach campsite canal cliff desert earth farm
Places: Town and City apartment building airport booking office bridge bus station bus stop car park cash machine
Services bank cafe I cafe cafeteria cinema dentist
2012
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Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Shopping ad advert advertise advertisement assistant bargain bill book buy cash cent change cheap cheque choose
close (v) closed collect complain cost (n & v) credit card customer damaged dear department store deposit dollar euro exchange
expensive for sale hire inexpensive label logo luxury money order pay (for) penny pound price reasonable receipt
extreme sports (sports) facilities fishing fitness football football player game goal goalkeeper golf gym gymnastics helmet high jump hit (v) hockey horse-riding ice hockey ice skating instructor jogging join in kick (v) kit league locker (room) long jump luck match member motor-racing net play (v)
point(s) practice (n) practise (v) prize race race track racing racket reserve (n) rest (n & v) ride (n & v) rider riding rugby run (n & v) running sail (n & v) sailing score sea season shoot(ing) shorts skateboard skating skiing snowboard snowboarding soccer sport(s) sports centre squash stadium
reduce reduced rent reserve return save second-hand sell shop shop assistant shopper shopping spend supermarket try on
Sport athlete badminton ball baseball basketball bat bathing suit beach bicycle bike boat boxing catch (v) champion championship changing room climb (v) climbing club coach (n) compete competition competitor contest court cricket cycling cyclist dancing diving enter (a competition)
2012
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surf athletics surfboard surfboarding surfing swim swimming swimming costume swimming pool swimsuit table tennis take part team tennis tennis player throw (v) ticket tired track tracksuit trainer(s) train(ing) versus I v volleyball walk (v) watch (v) water skiing win workout yoga
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
The Natural World air animal autumn beach bee bird branch bush butterfly cave cliff climate coast continent country countryside desert dolphin donkey duck earth east elephant environment environmental
explore(r) fall (Am Eng) farmland field fire fish flood flower forest freeze frog fur giraffe grass grow
lion monkey moon mosquito mountain mouse/mice nature north parrot penguin planet plant pollution rabbit rainforest range river rock sand scenery sea shark sky south space
hill hot ice island jungle kangaroo lake land leaf
spring star stone summer sun sunrise sunset sunshine tiger tree valley water waterfall waves west wild wildlife winter wood wool world zebra
Time afternoon a.m. / p.m. appointment autumn birthday century clock daily date day diary
evening half (past) holidays hour January - December meeting midnight minute moment Monday - Sunday month
monthly morning night noon o'clock past quarter (past I to) second spring summer time
today tomorrow tonight week weekday weekend weekly winter working hours year yesterday
Travel and Transport abroad accommodation (aero) I (air)plane airline airport ambulance announcement arrival arrive at sea backpack 2012
backpacker backpacking bag baggage bicycle I bike board (v) boarding pass boat border bridge brochure
bus bus station bus stop by air by land by rail by road by sea cab cabin canal Page 48 of 51
capital city car car alarm car park case catch (v) change (v) charter check in (v) check-in (n) check out (v)
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
coach confirm country crossing crossroads currency customs cycle (n & v) cyclist delay delayed deliver depart departure destination direction document(s) dollar double room drive driver driving/driver's licence due duty-free embassy euro exchange rate facilities far fare ferry flight fly foreign
fuel garage gas I gas station (Am Eng) gate guest guide guidebook handlebars harbour helicopter hitchhike hotel immigration jet journey land (v) leave left light lorry luggage machine map mechanic mirror miss motorbike motorway move nationality on board on business on foot on holiday
on time on vacation oil operator overnight park (v) parking lot parking space passenger passport path petrol petrol station pilot platform public transport railroad railway reception repair (v) reservation reserve return (n & v) ride road sign roundabout route sail (v) scooter (bus) service ship sightseeing signpost single room speed
subway suitcase take off taxi tour (n & v) tour guide tourist tourist information centre traffic traffic jam traffic lights train tram translate translation travel trip tunnel tyre/tire underground underground train vehicle visa visit(or) waiting room way wheel window windscreen
Weather blow breeze centigrade cloud cloudy cold cool degrees dry forecast
2011
fog foggy freezing frozen gale get wet heat hot humid ice
icy lightning mild rain shower snow snowfall storm sun sunny
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sunshine temperature thunder(storm) warm weather wet wind windy
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
Work and Jobs actor actress application apply architect army artist assistant athlete babysitter banker boss break (n) businessman businesswoman butcher cameraman candidate canteen captain career chef chemist cleaner colleague company computer conference contract cook crew customs officer
cv dancer dentist department designer
2011
desk detective diary diploma director diver doctor earn email employ (v) employee employer employment engineer explorer factory farm farmer film star fireman football player/ footballer full time goalkeeper guard guest guide hairdresser housewife housework instructions instructor job journalist judge king laboratory
lawyer lecturer letter librarian manager mechanic meeting message model musician novelist nurse occupation office officer (e.g. prison/police)
out of work owner painter part time photographer pilot poet policeman police officer policewoman politician porter postman president profession professional professor (computer) programmer publisher qualification
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queen quit receptionist reporter retire retirement sailor salary sales assistant salesman saleswoman scientist secretary security guard shop assistant shopper singer soldier staff student taxi driver teacher tennis player tour guide trade travel agent unemployed uniform wage(s) waiter/waitress work worker
Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools Vocabulary List
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