Home › Dictionary › D

English words starting with D — with CEFR levels

558 words from A1 to C2. Click a word to learn it in its unit.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A1dadn · father
A1daddyn · father
B2daftadj · silly or not sensible
A2dailyadj/adv · happening every day
B1daisyn · a small flower with white petals
A2damn · a wall that holds back water
B1damagen/v · harm done to something so it is broken
B1damagedadj · harmed or broken
B2damnadj/adv/excl · used to show anger or annoyance
B1dampadj · slightly wet
C2dampenv · to make slightly wet or less strong
C1damplyadv · in a slightly wet way
A1dancen/v · to move to music
A2dancern · a person who dances
A1dancingn · moving to music
B2dandelionn · a yellow wild flower with a round seed head
A2dangern · the chance that something bad will happen
A2dangerousadj · likely to cause harm
B1dangerouslyadv · in a way that may cause harm
B1darev · to be brave enough
A1darkadj · with little or no light
B1darknessn · the absence of light
C1darkroomn · a room without light for developing photographs
B2darlingn/adj · a word used for someone you love
B2dashn/v · a sudden quick run
B2datan · facts and information used for analysis
B2databasen · an organized collection of computer data
A1daten · the day of the month
B1datev · to go out with someone romantically
B2datedadj · old-fashioned and no longer modern
B1datingn · going out with someone you might love
A1daughtern · someone’s female child
B2daughter-in-lawn · the wife of your son
C1dauntv · to make someone feel afraid or less confident
C1dauntingadj · frightening because it seems very difficult
B2dawnn · the first light of the day
A1dayn · a period of 24 hours
C1daydreamn/v · to think pleasant thoughts instead of paying attention
A2daylightn · the light of day
B2daytimen · the hours when it is light
B1dazen · a confused state in which you cannot think clearly
B1dazzlen · a very bright light that stops you seeing
B2de factoadj · existing in fact, though not officially
A2deadadj · no longer alive
C2deadenv · to make a feeling or sound weaker
B1deadlinen · the last time to finish something
B1deadlyadj · able to cause death
B1deafadj · not able to hear
A2dealn · an agreement in business
B1dealv · to take action about something or someone
B1dealern · a person who buys and sells things
A1dearadj · used at the start of a letter
B2dearn · a loved person, used as a friendly name
B2dearlyadv · very much; with deep feeling
A2deathn · the end of a life
A2debaten · a formal talk about a topic
B2debitn/v · money taken out of a bank account
B2debit cardn · a bank card that takes money straight from your account
B1debrisn · broken pieces left after destruction
B1debtn · money that you owe to someone
C1debutn/v · the first public appearance of a performer
B2decaden · a period of ten years
B2decayv · to slowly rot or break down
C1deceitn · dishonest behaviour that makes others believe lies
B2deceivev · to make someone believe something false
A1Decembern · the twelfth month of the year
B2decentadj · of good enough quality
C2decentralizev · to move power from one centre to many
B2deceptiveadj · giving a false impression
A2decidev · to choose after thinking
B1decisionn · a choice you make after thinking
B2decisiveadj · able to make clear choices quickly
B2deckn · the floor of a ship, outside
B1declarationn · an official public statement
B1declarev · to say something officially
C2declinationn · the angle between two directions
B1declinen · a fall in number or quality
B2declinev · to say no to something politely
B2decompositionn · slowly breaking down after dying
B2decoratev · to make a place look nicer
B2decorationn · something used to make a place look nicer
B2decorativeadj · used to make something look attractive
B1decreasen/v · to become smaller or fall
B1dedicatev · to give time or effort to something
B2dedicationn · serious commitment to a task or aim
B2deducev · to reach a conclusion from clues
B2deductionn · a conclusion reached by reasoning
B1deedn · something that a person does
B2deemv · to consider or judge in a certain way
A2deepadv · going far down
B2deepadj · going far down from the surface
A2deeplyadv · very much; in a strong way
B2deern · a brown wild animal that runs fast
B1defeatv · to win against someone
B2defeatn · the loss of a game or contest
B1defendv · to protect from attack
B1defendern · a player who stops the other team scoring
B1defensen · protection against attack
B1deficiencyn · a lack of something that is needed
C2deficientadj · not having enough of something
C2deficientlyadv · in a way that is not good enough
B2deficitn · when spending is greater than income
B1definev · to explain the meaning of
B1definiteadj · fixed and certain
B1definite articlen · the word "the"
B1definitelyadv · without any doubt; certainly
B1definitionn · a statement of what a word means
B2deforestationn · cutting down large areas of forest
B2defyv · to refuse to obey
C1degradationn · a process of becoming worse in quality
C1degradev · to treat someone as having little value
C1degradingadj · making someone feel they have lost respect
A2degreen · a university qualification
B2dehumanizev · to treat people as if they are not human
A2delayn · a time when something is late
B1delayv · to make something late
B2delegaten · a person chosen to represent a group
B1deletev · to remove
B2deliberateadj · done on purpose, carefully planned
C2deliberatev · to think carefully before deciding
B2deliberatelyadv · on purpose; not by accident
B2delicacyn · a rare and special food
B1delicateadj · easily broken or damaged
B2delicatelyadv · in a careful and gentle way
C2delicatessenn · a shop selling special cooked meats and cheeses
A1deliciousadj · tasting very good
B1delightn · great pleasure
B2delightv · to give someone great pleasure
B1delightedadj · very happy and pleased
B1delightfuladj · very pleasant and enjoyable
B1deliverv · to bring something to a place
B1deliveryn · the act of taking goods to a place
B1demandn/v · the need or wish of people to buy
B2demandingadj · needing a lot of effort or skill
C1demisen · the end or failure of something
C1demon · a short show of how a product works
B1democracyn · a system where people vote for leaders
B1democraticadj · using a system where people vote for leaders
C1demographicn/adj · a group of people of a certain age or type
C1demographicallyadv · in a way related to a population’s make-up
C1demographyn · the study of populations and how they change
B2demolishv · to knock down completely
C1demolitionn · the act of destroying a building
B1demonstratev · to show how something works
B1demonstrationn · a public event to show opinions
C2demystificationn · making a subject easy to understand
C2demystifyv · to make something easier to understand
B2denimn · strong cotton cloth used for jeans
C2denotationn · the direct, literal meaning of a word
C2denotev · to be a sign or mark of something
C2denouncev · to publicly say something is wrong
B2denseadj · thick, with parts close together
B2denselyadv · with many things close together
B2dentaladj · relating to teeth
A2dentistn · a doctor who looks after teeth
C2denunciationn · a public statement that something is wrong
B1denyv · to say something is not true
B1departv · to leave a place, especially on a journey
B1departmentn · a part of a large organization
A2department storen · a large shop with many sections
B1departuren · leaving a place
A2dependv · to be decided by something else
B2dependableadj · reliable; able to be trusted
B1dependentadj · needing help from others
C1dependentn · a person who relies on another for support
C1depictv · to show in a picture or words
C1depictionn · a picture or description of something
B1depositn · an amount paid first for something
B2depositv · to put money into a bank account
C2depravedadj · morally bad and corrupt
C2depravityn · moral corruption or evil behavior
C2deprecatev · to say that something is bad or unwise
C2deprecatinglyadv · in a way that makes something seem unimportant
B1depressedadj · very sad and without hope
B1depressingadj · making you feel very sad
B1depressionn · a state of deep sadness
C2depressiveadj · relating to deep, long-lasting sadness
C1deprivationn · the lack of basic things people need
B1deprivev · to take something away from someone
B1depthn · the distance from top to bottom
B2deputyn · a person ranking just below the leader
C2derelictn/adj · empty and in very bad condition
C2derisionn · contempt or mocking laughter
C2derisiveadj · showing that you think something is stupid
C2derisivelyadv · in a way that shows scorn
B1derivev · to come from a particular source
B2descendv · to go down to a lower place
C1descentn · the act of going down
A1describev · to say what someone is like
A2descriptionn · words that say what something is like
B2descriptiveadj · giving details of what something is like
A2desertn · a large, dry area with sand
C1desertv · to leave a place or person, usually for good
C1desertionn · leaving a place or person for good
B1deservev · to have earned something
A1designn · the way something is made to look
B1designv · to plan how something will look or work
B1designern · a person who plans how things look
B2designeradj · made by a famous fashion designer
B2desirableadj · worth wanting or having
B1desiren · a strong wish for something
B2desirev · to want something very much
A1deskn · a table for work or study
B2desktopn · the main screen of a computer
B2desolationn · a lonely, empty condition
B1despairn · a feeling of having no hope
B1desperateadj · needing something very much
B2desperatelyadv · in a way that shows great need
B2desperationn · a feeling of having no hope
B2despisev · to hate and have no respect for something
B1despiteprep · without being stopped by something
A2dessertn · a sweet dish after a meal
B1destinationn · the place you are going to
B2destinyn · the future events that seem fixed by fate
A2destroyv · to damage something so badly it is gone
B1destructionn · damage that breaks things completely
B1destructiveadj · causing damage
B2detachv · to separate from something
B2detachmentn · not being emotionally involved
A2detailn · a small piece of information
B2detailedadj · including many small facts
B2detectv · to find or notice something hidden
B1detectiven · a person who investigates crimes
B1determinationn · strong will to achieve something
B1determinev · to find out or decide something
B2determinedadj · having a strong wish to achieve something
B2determinern · a word like "the" that comes before a noun
C2deterrentn · something that stops people from doing wrong
C1detestv · to dislike something very strongly
C1detestableadj · deserving to be hated
C2detractv · to reduce the value of something
C1detrimentn · harm or damage caused to something
C1detrimentaladj · causing harm
C1detrimentallyadv · in a harmful or damaging way
C1detritusn · waste or rubbish left behind after something
B1devastatev · to cause great shock and sadness
B1devastatingadj · causing great damage
A2developv · to grow or change
A2developedadj · having a lot of industry and technology
B2developingadj · growing and becoming more advanced
B1developmentn · the process of growing or improving something
C2deviantn/adj · different from what is accepted as normal
C2deviantlyadv · in a way that differs from accepted behaviour
B1devicen · a small machine made for a purpose
B2deviln · an evil being in some religions
B2devotev · to give time or effort to something
B2devotedadj · loving and very loyal
C1devoteen · a person who is very enthusiastic about something
B1devotionn · strong love and loyalty
B1diagramn · a simple drawing that explains something
B1dialn/v · to press numbers on a phone
B1dialogn · a conversation between two or more people
B1diametern · the width of a circle
A2diamondn · a very hard, valuable clear stone
B1diapern · a cloth or pad worn by a baby
B2diarrhean · a condition with frequent watery waste
A2diaryn · a book where you write about each day
B2dictatorn · a ruler with complete power over a country
A1dictionaryn · a book with words and meanings
A1didv · past form of "do"
A2diev · to stop living
A2dietn · the food a person usually eats
B1differv · to be not the same
A1differencen · the way two things are not the same
A1differentadj · not the same
A2differentlyadv · in another way; not in the same way
A1difficultadj · not easy
A2difficultyn · a problem or something not easy
C2diffusev/adj · to spread widely or thinly
A1dign · an act of making a hole
B1digv · to make a hole in the ground
B2digestn · a short summary of longer texts
B1digitaladj · using computer technology and numbers
A2digital cameran · a camera that saves photos as files
C1digitalizationn · changing information into a digital form
C1digitalizev · to change into a computer-readable form
B2dignifyv · to make something seem worthy of respect
B2dignityn · a calm, serious and respected manner
B2dilemman · a difficult choice between two options
B1diligencen · careful and hard work
B1diligentadj · working hard and carefully
C2diligentlyadv · in a careful, hard-working way
B2dimadj · not bright; with little light
B2dimen · a coin worth ten cents
B2dimensionn · a measurement such as length, width or height
C2diminishv · to become or make smaller
A1dining roomn · a room where people eat
A1dinnern · the main meal of the day
A2dinosaurn · a very large animal that lived long ago
B1dioxiden · a gas made of carbon and oxygen
B2dipv · to go down slightly
B2diphtherian · a serious infectious throat disease
B2diploman · an official paper showing you finished a course
B2diplomatn · a person who represents their country abroad
A2directadj · going straight without stopping
B1directv · to show someone the way
A2directionn · the way you go to reach a place
B1directlyadv · straight, without stopping or turning
A2directorn · a person who manages an organisation
B1dirtn · dust or mud
A1dirtyadj · not clean
B1disabilityn · a condition that limits movement or senses
B1disablev · to switch off or stop working
B1disabledadj · having a physical or mental condition
A2disadvantagen · something that makes a situation worse
A2disagreev · to have a different opinion
B1disagreementn · an argument or difference of opinion
A2disappearv · to go out of sight
B2disappearancen · the fact of something going out of sight
B1disappointv · to make someone feel unhappy by not meeting hopes
A2disappointedadj · sad because things were not as hoped
A2disappointingadj · not as good as you hoped
B1disappointmentn · a sad feeling when hopes are not met
B2disapprovaln · a feeling that something is bad
B2disapprovev · to think something is wrong
B1disastern · a sudden event that causes great harm
B1disastrousadj · causing great damage or harm
B1disc jockeyn · a person who plays recorded music for an audience
C1discardv · to throw away something no longer wanted
B2dischargen · a liquid that comes out of the body
B2disciplen · a follower of a teacher or leader
B2disciplinen · control of behaviour and rules
A2discon · a place or party where people dance
B1discomfortn · a feeling of slight pain
B2disconnectv · to separate from a power or network
B1discountn · a lower price than usual
B1discouragev · to take away someone’s confidence or hope
C1discoursen · serious discussion or writing on a subject
A2discoverv · to find something for the first time
B1discoveryn · finding something new
B2discreditv · to harm someone’s good reputation
B2discriminatev · to treat a person worse than others unfairly
B1discriminationn · unfair treatment of a group
A1discussv · to talk about something
A2discussionn · a talk about a subject
C1disdainn · a feeling that something is not worth respect
C2disdainfuladj · showing someone is not good enough
B1diseasen · an illness of the body or mind
B2disgracen · a loss of respect because of bad behaviour
B2disguisen/v · clothes or a look that hides who you are
B1disgustingadj · very unpleasant
A1dishn · food made in a certain way
A2dishonestadj · not telling the truth
B2dishonestyn · lying or cheating
B1dishwashern · a machine that washes plates and glasses
B2disillusionv · to make someone lose a happy false belief
C1disillusionmentn · disappointment when things are not as hoped
B1diskn · a device for storing computer data
A2disliken · a feeling of not liking something
B1dislikev · to not like something
C1dislodgev · to knock or force something out of position
C1dismaladj · gloomy, depressing and miserable
C1dismallyadv · in a very bad or disappointing way
C1dismayn/v · a feeling of shock and sadness
B2dismissv · to refuse to think about something
B2disordern · an illness that affects normal body function
B2disorderlyadj · messy, noisy and out of control
B2disorganizedadj · badly arranged or planned
C2disparagev · to speak of something as having little value
C2disparagementn · criticism that shows little respect
C2disparagingadj · expressing a low opinion of someone
C2disparaginglyadv · in a way that shows little respect
B2dispensableadj · not necessary and able to be removed
C1dispensaryn · a place where medicines are prepared and given
C1dispensev · to prepare and give out medicine
C2dispersaln · the spreading out of things widely
C2dispersev · to spread out in different directions
B2displacev · to force from the usual place
A2displayn · a screen that shows information
B1displayv · to put something where people can see it
B2displeasuren · a feeling of annoyance
B2disposaln · the act of throwing something away
B2dispositionn · a person’s natural character
B2disputen · a serious argument or disagreement
B2disqualifyv · to officially stop from taking part
C1disquietingadj · causing worry or anxiety
B2disregardn · lack of attention or respect for something
B2disruptv · to interrupt the normal way something works
B2dissatisfactionn · the feeling of not being pleased
B2dissatisfiedadj · not happy or pleased
C1dissectv · to cut something apart carefully to study it
C1dissectionn · careful cutting apart of a body or plant
C2dissemblev · to hide your true feelings or intentions
C2disseminatev · to spread information widely
C2disseminationn · the spreading of information widely
C2dissensionn · disagreement within a group
B2dissidentn · a person who openly disagrees with authority
B1dissolvev · to mix into a liquid and disappear
B1distancen · the amount of space between two places
B1distantadj · far away
C2distillv · to make something shorter, keeping the key points
C2distillationn · the process of purifying a liquid by heating
B1distinctionn · a clear difference
B1distinctlyadv · clearly, so that it is easy to notice
B1distinguishv · to see a difference between things
B2distinguishedadj · very successful and respected
B2distortionn · a change that makes something unclear or wrong
B2distractv · to take someone’s attention away
B2distractionn · something that stops you from paying attention
B2distressingadj · causing worry or sadness
B1distributev · to give out to many people
B1distributionn · the act of sending goods to many places
B2distributorn · a company that supplies goods to shops
B1districtn · an area of a town or country
A2disturbv · to interrupt someone and cause trouble
B1disturbancen · noisy or disorderly behaviour
C1ditherv · to hesitate and be unable to decide
B1diven/v · a jump into water head first
B1divern · a person who swims deep under water
C1divergev · to separate and go in different directions
C1divergencen · a difference or movement apart
C1divergentadj · developing in different directions; different
B1diverseadj · including many different types
B2diversionn · something that takes your attention away
C1diversityn · the existence of many different kinds
B2divertv · to send in a different direction
A2dividev · to separate into parts
B1dividen · to split into parts
B2dividedadj · disagreeing or split into groups
C2divinationn · the practice of trying to predict the future
B1divineadj · related to God
B1divingn · swimming underwater with equipment
B2divisionn · a part of a large organization
B2divorcen/v · the legal end of a marriage
B1divorcedadj · no longer married legally
A2dizzyadj · feeling that everything is turning around
B1DJn · a person who plays music for dancing
B2DNAn · the chemical in cells that carries genetic information
A1dov · used to make questions
B1docn · short word for doctor
C1docileadj · calm and easy to control
C1docilelyadv · in a quiet, obedient way
B2dockn · a place where ships stop and load
A1doctorn · a person who treats sick people
B1documentn · an official paper with information
B1documentaryn · a factual film about real life
A1doesv · form of "do" for he, she, it
A1dogn · a common pet animal that barks
A1doingv · performing an action
C2dole outv · to give out in small amounts
A1dolln · a toy like a small person
A1dollarn · money used in the USA
B1dolphinn · a clever grey sea animal
B2domesticadj · inside one country, not foreign
C1domesticallyadv · within one’s own country
C1domesticatev · to tame an animal for people to use
C1domesticationn · the process of making wild animals tame
C2domesticityn · life at home with the family
C1dominantadj · stronger or more important than others
C1dominantlyadv · mostly; as the main feature
B2dominatev · to have the most power or influence
C1dominationn · control over others or a situation
B2donatev · to give money or goods to help others
B2donationn · money or goods given to help others
A2donev · finished
B2donkeyn · an animal like a small horse with long ears
B2doomn · a terrible fate that cannot be avoided
A1doorn · a part you open to enter a room
B2doorkeepern · a person who guards or controls a door
B2doorwayn · the space where a door opens into a room
B2dormn · a building or room where students sleep
B2dormitoryn · a large room or building for sleeping
B2dosen · an amount of medicine taken at once
B1dotn · a very small round mark
A2doubleadj · for two people; twice as much
B2doublen/v · to become or make twice as big
B2doublyadv · twice as much
A2doubtn · a feeling of not being sure
B2doubtv · to feel unsure about something
B2doubtfuladj · not sure about something
B2doven · a gentle bird often seen as a sign of peace
A1downadv · to a lower place
A2downprep · from a high to a low place
B2downadj · paid at the start, as the first part
B2downfalln · the loss of success, power or position
A2downloadv · to copy a file from the internet
B2downloadn · a file copied from the internet
B2downsizev · to make a business smaller to save money
A2downstairsadv · to or on a lower floor
B1downstairsadj · on the lower floor of a building
A2downtownadv · to or in the centre of a city
B1downwardadj · moving or leading to a lower place
B2dowryn · money or goods given at marriage
B1dozen · a short, light sleep
B1dozenn/det · a group of twelve
C2drabnessn · dull, colourless quality
B2draftn · a first rough version of a text
B1dragv · to pull along the ground
B2drainn/v · a pipe that carries away dirty water
A1draman · plays and acting
B1dramaticadj · sudden and very noticeable
B2dramaticallyadv · in a sudden and very noticeable way
C1dramatistn · a person who writes plays
B2draperyn · cloth hanging in folds, such as curtains
A1drawv · to make a picture with a pencil
A2drawn · a game with no winner
C1drawbackn · a disadvantage or negative point
A2drawern · a box that slides in and out
A2drawingn · a picture made with a pencil or pen
B2dreadv · to feel very afraid of something that will happen
B2dreadfuladj · very bad or unpleasant
A1dreamn · images you see when you sleep
A2dreamv · to hope for something very much
B2dreamyadj · as if lost in pleasant thoughts
A1dressn · a piece of clothing for women
A2dressv · to put clothes on
A2dressedadj · wearing clothes
C2dribblen/v · to let saliva or liquid flow slowly
A2drilln · a tool for making holes
C1drillv · to teach by making students repeat something
A1drinkn/v · to take liquid into your mouth
B2drinkableadj · safe or good enough to drink
A1driven · to control a car
A2drivev · to control a car
A1drivern · a person who drives a vehicle
A2driver’s licensen · an official card that lets you drive
B2droopn · a hanging down or bending of something
A1dropv · to let something fall
A2dropn · a very small amount of liquid
B2dropoutn · a person who leaves school early
B2droughtn · a long period with no rain
B1drownv · to die under water because you cannot breathe
C2drudgeryn · dull, hard, boring work
A2drugn · a medicine
A2drugstoren · a shop that sells medicine and other goods
A1drumn · a musical instrument you hit
B1drunkadj · having had too much alcohol
A1dryadj · not wet
A2dryv · to remove water from something
C2dubiouslyadv · in a way that shows doubt
A2duckn · a water bird with a flat beak
B1duden · an informal word for a man or boy
A1dueadj · expected or to be done by a time
B2dueln · a formal fight between two people with weapons
B1dulladj · boring and not interesting
B2dumbadj · silly or not clever
B1dumpn/v · a place where rubbish is left
B2duplicaten · an exact copy of something
B2duplicationn · making an exact copy or repeating
C1durablen/adj · strong and long-lasting
C1durationn · the length of time something lasts
A2duringprep · at some point within a period of time
A2dustn · tiny dry bits of dirt
B1dustbinn · a container for rubbish
B1dustyadj · covered with dust
C1dutifuladj · doing what you should, out of duty
C1dutifullyadv · in a way showing a sense of duty
B1dutyn · something you must do because it is right
B1duty-freeadj · sold without tax at an airport or port
B1duvetn · a soft, thick cover for a bed
A1DVDn · a disc with a film
B2dwarfn · a very small person in stories
C2dwarfv · to make something look very small
C2dwarfismn · a condition causing very short adult height
B2dyen · a substance used to change the colour of something
B2dynamicadj · full of energy and new ideas
C1dynamicallyadv · in an energetic way with constant change
B1dynastyn · a family of rulers over time