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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:
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 should be consulted
for a more complete listing.

2012

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Vocabulary List

• 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)

2012



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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)

2012

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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)

2012

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)

• language class
2012

colourful (adj)
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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)

2012

Page 12 of 51

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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)

Page 16 of 51

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools

Vocabulary List


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

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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

Page 23 of 51

Cambridge English: Preliminary and Preliminary for Schools
Vocabulary List


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

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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