Word listening: what does it mean?
Hear one useful English word and choose its English definition. The choices use the same level and part of speech, so the answer comes from what you heard and what the word means—not from an obvious grammar mismatch.
Play the listening quiz
Ten words a round and three lives. Replay freely; listening carefully matters more than answering quickly. Every two clear rounds adds the next level.
· Which definition matches the word?
Speed
Press 1–4 to answer; R or Space to replay.
This recording could not be played. Check your connection, then press Play again.
Your browser cannot play audio here, so this game cannot be used.
Run finished
Words and definitions
The recordings use General American English. Definitions are short explanations in English, and examples show ordinary adult contexts such as work, travel, appointments and services.
Level 1: Everyday essentials
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| water (noun) | the clear liquid that people drink | Could I have a glass of water? |
| home (noun) | the place where you live | Our home is near the station. |
| book (noun) | a written work with pages or a digital edition | I borrowed the book from the library. |
| phone (noun) | a device used to call, message and go online | My phone needs to be charged. |
| chair (noun) | a seat for one person | Please take a chair near the window. |
| table (noun) | a piece of furniture with a flat top | Your order is ready at the table. |
| food (noun) | what people or animals eat | There is food in the kitchen. |
| coffee (noun) | a dark drink made from roasted beans | She ordered coffee without sugar. |
| bus (noun) | a large road vehicle for many passengers | The last bus leaves at eleven. |
| hotel (noun) | a place that rents rooms to travellers | The hotel is beside the station. |
| job (noun) | paid work that a person does | He starts his new job on Monday. |
| city (noun) | a large town where many people live and work | The city centre is busy at lunchtime. |
| doctor (noun) | a person trained to treat illness | The doctor explained the test result. |
| teacher (noun) | a person whose work is helping others learn | Ask the teacher after class. |
| weather (noun) | the temperature, wind and rain outside | The weather changed during our trip. |
Level 2: Useful choices
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| arrive (verb) | to reach a place | Please arrive ten minutes before the appointment. |
| decide (verb) | to choose after thinking | We need to decide which train to take. |
| enjoy (verb) | to take pleasure in something | I enjoy walking to work in good weather. |
| explain (verb) | to make something clear by giving details | Could you explain this charge on the bill? |
| invite (verb) | to ask someone to come or take part | They invited us to dinner on Friday. |
| prepare (verb) | to make something ready | I prepare lunch before I leave home. |
| beautiful (adjective) | very pleasing to see or hear | The old bridge is beautiful at night. |
| comfortable (adjective) | pleasant to use, wear or be in | These shoes are comfortable enough for travel. |
| dangerous (adjective) | likely to cause harm | It is dangerous to drive when you are very tired. |
| difficult (adjective) | needing a lot of effort or skill | The form was difficult to understand. |
| expensive (adjective) | costing a lot of money | A taxi is faster but more expensive. |
| important (adjective) | having great value or effect | It is important to keep a copy of the receipt. |
| customer (noun) | a person who buys goods or services | The customer asked for a refund. |
| company (noun) | a business organization | The company opened a new office. |
| medicine (noun) | a substance used to treat or prevent illness | Take the medicine with food. |
| problem (noun) | a situation that needs a solution | Please call if there is a problem with the booking. |
| direction (noun) | the way that someone or something moves or faces | The sign points in the right direction. |
| situation (noun) | the set of conditions at a particular time | The manager handled the situation calmly. |
Level 3: Work and study
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| communicate (verb) | to share information or ideas | Good teams communicate clearly and early. |
| discuss (verb) | to talk about something in order to understand or decide it | We will discuss the proposal tomorrow. |
| recommend (verb) | to say that something is a good choice | Can you recommend a reliable repair service? |
| understand (verb) | to know the meaning or reason for something | I understand the instructions now. |
| introduce (verb) | to present a person or idea for the first time | Let me introduce the next speaker. |
| remember (verb) | to keep or bring something back to mind | Remember to attach the document. |
| economic (adjective) | connected with trade, industry and money | The report describes the region's economic growth. |
| international (adjective) | involving more than one country | She works with an international team. |
| necessary (adjective) | needed for a purpose | No special equipment is necessary. |
| particular (adjective) | specific rather than general | Is there a particular date that suits you? |
| political (adjective) | connected with government or public affairs | The article gives historical and political context. |
| technological (adjective) | connected with new tools, machines or methods | Technological change has altered many jobs. |
| experience (noun) | knowledge or skill gained by doing something | She has five years of customer service experience. |
| opportunity (noun) | a useful chance to do something | The course is an opportunity to practise presentations. |
| environment (noun) | the natural world or the conditions around a person | A quiet environment makes it easier to concentrate. |
| education (noun) | the process of teaching and learning | Adult education classes begin in September. |
| information (noun) | facts or details about a subject | The website provides information about local services. |
| responsibility (noun) | a duty that you are expected to handle | Safety is everyone's responsibility. |
| organization (noun) | a group with a shared purpose or a planned arrangement | The organization offers free legal advice. |
| development (noun) | the process of growing, changing or becoming more advanced | Professional development is part of the job. |
| security (noun) | protection from danger, loss or unauthorized access | Use a different password for better security. |
| university (noun) | an institution for advanced study and research | The university library is open to the public. |
Keep practising
Type the same words in Spelling from sound, rebuild them in Word scramble, or move to complete sentences in Short dictation.
Share this result on the public leaderboard?
Your streak, XP, saved words and answers stay private. Publishing is optional; a score-removal key is kept in this browser. Public-score privacy