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English words starting with I — with CEFR levels

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

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A1Ipron · the word you use for yourself
A1icen · frozen water
A1ice creamn · a sweet cold food
B1ice hockeyn · a fast sport played on ice
B1ice skatingn · moving on ice with special shoes
B2icemann · a man who sells or delivers ice
B2iconn · a small picture that represents a program
B2icyadj · covered with ice or very cold
A2IDn · a card that shows who you are
A2ID cardn · a card with your name and photo
A1idean · a plan or thought
A1idealadj · perfect
B2ideallyadv · in the best possible situation
B2identicaladj · exactly the same
B2identificationn · proof of who you are
B2identifyv · to recognise and name someone or something
B1identityn · who a person is
B1identity cardn · a card showing who you are
B2ideologyn · a set of ideas that a group believes
B1idiomn · a phrase with a meaning different from its words
C2idiomaticadj · using a phrase whose meaning is not literal
C2idiomaticallyadv · in a natural way, using common expressions
C2idiosyncrasyn · an unusual personal habit or feature
C2idiosyncraticadj · unusual and personal to one person
B2idiotn · a person who does something very silly
B2idleadj · not working or being used
C2idlev · to run slowly without moving
B1idoln · a person who is admired greatly
B2idolizev · to love and admire someone too much
A1ifconj · used to say what depends on something
C2ignominiousadj · causing shame or loss of respect
C2ignominiouslyadv · in a shameful way that loses respect
B2ignorancen · lack of knowledge about something
B2ignorantadj · lacking knowledge or showing bad manners
B1ignorev · to pay no attention to
A2illadj · not well; sick
A2illegaladj · not allowed by law
B1illegallyadv · in a way against the law
B1illnessn · a disease or being sick
B1illuminatev · to light something up
B2illustratev · to explain something by using examples
B2illustrationn · a picture used in a book or article
A2imagen · a picture
B2imageryn · descriptive pictures created with words
B1imaginaryadj · existing only in the mind
A2imaginationn · the ability to make pictures in your mind
A1imaginev · to make a picture in your mind
B1imitatev · to copy the actions or words of someone
B2imitationn · a copy of something real
B1immediateadj · happening right now, without delay
B1immediatelyadv · at once; without any delay
C1immenseadj · extremely large
C1immenselyadv · extremely; very much
B2immersev · to put completely into a liquid
B2immigrantn · a person who moves to another country
B1immigratev · to move permanently to a different country
B1immigrationn · moving to live in another country
B2immoraladj · morally wrong
B2immortaladj · living forever, never dying
B2immortalityn · living forever
C1immortalizev · to make someone famous for a long time
C1impn · a small playful creature that causes trouble
A2impactn · a strong effect
B1impairv · to damage something so it works less well
B2impartialadj · fair and not taking sides
A2impatientadj · annoyed because you have to wait
B2impatientlyadv · in a way that shows you dislike waiting
C2impeccableadj · perfect, without any fault
C2impeccablyadv · in a perfect way with no mistakes
C1impedev · to slow down or block progress
C1impedimentn · something that makes it hard to do something
B2imperativen · something that is extremely necessary
C1imperativeadj · the verb form used to give a command
C2imperceptibleadj · too small to be seen or noticed
C2imperceptiblyadv · so slowly that you do not notice
B2impermanentadj · not lasting for a long time
C1impersonaladj · cold and without a human touch
C1impersonallyadv · in a cold way without personal feeling
C1impersonatev · to pretend to be another person
C1impersonationn · copying how someone speaks and acts
C1impersonatorn · a person who copies how someone speaks
C1imperviousadj · not affected or allowed through by something
C1impishadj · playfully naughty
C1impishlyadv · in a playful, slightly naughty way
B2implementn/v · a tool or piece of equipment
C1implicatev · to show someone is involved in a problem
B2implicationn · a suggestion of something not directly stated
B2implyv · to suggest something without saying it directly
B2impoliteadj · not showing good manners
B2impolitelyadv · in a rude way
B2importv · to bring goods in from another country
A2importancen · the quality of being valuable or necessary
A1importantadj · having great value
A2importantlyadv · used to say that something matters a lot
B2imposev · to force a rule on people
C2impositionn · an unfair demand on someone
B2impossibilityn · something that cannot happen
A2impossibleadj · not able to be done
C1impoverishedadj · very poor
B2impracticaladj · not sensible or useful in real life
C2impresarion · a person who organizes shows or concerts
A2impressv · to make someone admire you
B2impressedadj · feeling admiration for something
B1impressionn · an opinion formed about someone
B2impressionismn · an art style showing light and impressions of a scene
B2impressionistn · an artist painting light and mood in a loose style
C2impressionisticadj · showing a general feeling rather than exact details
C2impressionisticallyadv · in a style showing general feeling, not detail
B1impressiveadj · causing admiration
B2imprisonv · to put in prison
B2imprisonmentn · the state of being kept in prison
B2improbableadj · not likely to happen
B1improperadj · not suitable or correct
B2improperlyadv · in the wrong or unsuitable way
A2improvev · to become better
B2improvedadj · better than before
B1improvementn · a change that makes something better
C2improvisationaladj · made up on the spot without preparation
B2impulsen · a sudden strong wish to do something
B2impulsiveadj · acting without thinking first
A1inprep · inside a place or time
A2inadv · into a place
B2inaccurateadj · not correct
B2inadequateadj · not good or large enough
B2inanimateadj · not alive
C2inartisticadj · lacking skill or beauty in art
B2inbornadj · present from birth
B2incensen · a substance that smells nice when burned
B2incentiven · something that encourages you to act
A2inchn · a small unit of length
B2inchv · to move very slowly and carefully
C2inchoateadj · just beginning and not yet clear
C2inchoatelyadv · in an unformed, not yet clear way
B1incidentn · an event, often unpleasant
C2incipientadj · just beginning to appear
C2incisev · to cut into something with a sharp tool
C1incisionn · a cut made in the body during surgery
C1incisorn · a sharp front tooth used for cutting food
A2includev · to have something as a part
B1includingprep · with something else counted as part
C1inclusionn · the act of making everyone feel part of a group
C1inclusiveadj · welcoming all kinds of people
C1inclusivelyadv · in a way that includes everyone
B1incomen · money you earn or receive regularly
C2incongruityn · something that does not fit with its surroundings
C2incongruousadj · out of place; not fitting
C2incongruouslyadv · in a way that seems out of place
B1inconvenientadj · causing trouble or difficulty
B1incorrectadj · wrong; not right
A2increasev · to become bigger in number or amount
B1increasen · a rise in number, amount or size
B1increasinglyadv · more and more
B1incredibleadj · so good that it is hard to believe
B1incrediblyadv · extremely
C2incumbentn/adj · a person who currently holds an official job
B2incurv · to receive something unpleasant, like a cost
B2incurableadj · impossible to cure
B2indebtedadj · owing thanks or money to someone
A2indeedadv · really; used to stress a word
C1indefiniteadj · with no fixed end or limit
B1indefinite articlen · the words "a" and "an"
C1indefinitelyadv · for a period with no fixed end
B2indentv · to start a line further from the edge
A2independencen · being free from control by others
B1independentadj · able to do things without help
B2independentlyadv · without help or control from others
B2indescribableadj · too great to put into words
B2indexn · an alphabetical list at the back of a book
A2indicatev · to show or point to something
B2indifferentadj · not interested or caring
C2indignantadj · angry because of unfair treatment
C2indignantlyadv · in an angry way because of unfair treatment
B2indignityn · a situation that makes you feel ashamed
B1indirectadj · not straight or direct
B1indirectlyadv · not in a direct way
C2indiscreteadj · not careful in what you say
C2indiscretionn · a careless act or remark that offends
B2indispensableadj · so important that you cannot do without it
B1individualadj · single; considered separately
B2individualn · a single person
C2individualismn · the belief in personal independence
C1individualityn · what makes a person different from others
C2indolencen · laziness; dislike of effort
C2indolentadj · lazy; avoiding work or effort
C2indolentlyadv · in a lazy way
A2indooradj · inside a building
B1indoorsadv · inside a building
C2inducev · to cause something to happen
C2inducementn · something that persuades you to act
C1inductv · to formally admit someone into a group
C1inductionn · an introduction to a new job or organization
B2indulgev · to let yourself enjoy something special
C2indulgencen · allowing yourself something enjoyable
B2indulgentadj · too kind and allowing too much
C2indulgentlyadv · in a kind way that allows too much
B1industrialadj · connected with factories and making goods
B2industrializev · to develop factories and industry
B1industryn · the making of goods in factories
B2ineffectiveadj · not producing the result wanted
B2inertadj · not moving or not chemically active
B1inevitableadj · certain to happen
C1inexcusableadj · too bad to be forgiven
C1inexcusablyadv · in a way that cannot be forgiven
C1inexhaustibleadj · impossible to use up completely
C2inexorabilityn · the quality of being impossible to stop
C2inexorableadj · impossible to stop or change
C2inexorablyadv · in a way that cannot be stopped
A2inexpensiveadj · not costing much money
B2inexperiencedadj · having little knowledge or practice
C1inexplicableadj · impossible to explain
C1inexplicablyadv · in a way that cannot be explained
C2infallibilityn · the quality of never being wrong
C2infallibleadj · never wrong and never failing
C2infalliblyadv · in a way that never fails
B2infantn · a very young baby
B2infectv · to pass germs to a person or wound
B2infectedadj · affected by germs or disease
B1infectionn · an illness caused by germs
B2infectiousadj · easily passed from one person to another
B2inferv · to reach a conclusion from evidence
B2inferencen · a conclusion based on evidence
C2infernaladj · annoying and unpleasant, like hell
C2infernallyadv · in an extremely unpleasant way, very hot
B1infinitiven · the basic form of a verb, like "to go"
B2inflammationn · swelling and redness in a part of the body
B2inflammatoryadj · likely to make people angry
B2inflatev · to fill with air
B2inflationn · a general rise in prices
A2influencen · the power to change how people think
B2influencev · to have an effect on someone or something
B2influentialadj · having a strong effect on others
B2influenzan · a common illness with fever; the flu
B1informv · to tell someone something
B2informaladj · relaxed; not formal or official
C2informantn · a person who gives secret information
A1informationn · facts about something
B1informativeadj · giving a lot of useful information
B2infringev · to break a rule or right
B2infringementn · the breaking of a rule or right
C1ingeniousadj · clever and original in design or idea
C1ingenuityn · cleverness and skill in finding solutions
C2ingenuousadj · honest, innocent and simple
C2ingenuouslyadv · in an innocent and honest way
C2ingraten · a person who shows no thanks for help
C2ingratiatev · to try to make someone like you
C2ingratiatingadj · trying too hard to be liked
C2ingratiatinglyadv · in a way that tries to gain favour
B1ingredientn · one of the foods used in a recipe
B2inhabitv · to live in a place
B1inhabitantn · a person who lives in a place
B1inhalev · to breathe air into your lungs
C1inherentadj · existing as a natural, basic part
C1inherentlyadv · in a basic, natural way
B2inheritv · to receive money or property after someone dies
C1inheritancen · money or property received after a death
B1initialn · the first letter of a name
B2initialadj · first, at the beginning
B1initiallyadv · at the beginning
B2initiativen · the ability to start things on your own
B1injectv · to put medicine into the body with a needle
B2injectionn · a medicine given through a needle
A2injurev · to hurt a person or animal
B2injuredadj · hurt or damaged in the body
B1injuryn · harm to a part of the body
C1injusticen · unfair treatment
B1inkn · coloured liquid used for writing
B2innateadj · natural; present from birth
A2inneradj · inside or closer to the centre
B1innermostadj · most private and personal
B1innocentadj · not guilty of a crime
B2innocentlyadv · in a way showing no guilt
C1innovatev · to introduce new ideas or methods
B2innovationn · the creation of new ideas or methods
B2innovativeadj · using new and original methods
B1innovatorn · a person who introduces new ideas or methods
C2innuendon · an indirect remark with a hidden meaning
B2inputn · information or ideas given to a project
B2inquirev · to ask for information
B1inquiryn · a question asking for information
B1insaneadj · extremely crazy
B1inscribev · to write or cut words on a surface
B1inscriptionn · words cut or written on a surface
C2inscrutableadj · hard to understand or read
A2insectn · a small animal with six legs
C1insecureadj · not confident
C1insecurelyadv · in a way that is not safe
C1insensitiveadj · not caring about other people’s feelings
C1insensitivelyadv · without thinking about other people’s feelings
B2inseparableadj · always together
A1insideprep · in the inner part of
A2insideadv · in a building or room
B2insiden/adj · the inner part of something
B1insightn · a deep understanding
C1insightfuladj · showing a clear and deep understanding
C1insightfullyadv · in a way that shows deep understanding
B1insistv · to demand firmly
B2inspectv · to look at something carefully to check it
B1inspectionn · an official careful check
B2inspectorn · an official who checks that rules are followed
A2inspirationn · an idea that makes you want to create
B2inspirationaladj · making people feel they can achieve things
B1inspirev · to make someone want to do something
B1installv · to put equipment or a program in place
B1instancen · an example of something
A2instantadj · happening or prepared very quickly
C2instantaneousadj · happening immediately
C2instantaneouslyadv · immediately, with no delay
B2instantlyadv · immediately, with no delay
A2insteadadv · in place of something else
B1instead ofprep · in place of something else
B2instillv · to slowly put an idea into someone’s mind
B2instinctn · natural behavior you do without thinking
C1instinctiveadj · done naturally without thinking
C1instinctivelyadv · done automatically, without thinking
B1instituten · an organization for study or research
C1institutev · to start or introduce a rule or system
B2institutionn · a large organization with a public role
B2instructv · to teach or give directions
B1instructionn · a statement telling you how to do something
B1instructorn · a person who teaches a skill
A2instrumentn · a thing used to make music
C1insubordinateadj · refusing to obey authority
C1insubordinatelyadv · in a way that refuses to obey authority
C1insubordinationn · refusing to obey a person in authority
B2insufficientadj · not enough
C2insularadj · isolated and not open to outside ideas
B2insultn/v · a rude remark meant to hurt someone
B1insurancen · an agreement to be paid if something is
C1integraladj · necessary as part of a whole
B2integratev · to become part of a group
C2integrationn · the process of combining into a group
C1intellectn · the ability to think and understand clearly
B2intellectualn/adj · relating to the mind and thinking
A2intelligencen · the ability to learn and understand
A2intelligentadj · able to learn and understand well
B1intendv · to plan to do something
B1intenseadj · very strong
B1intensiveadj · done with great effort in a short time
B2intentadj · showing strong interest and attention
B1intentionn · a plan in your mind
B1intentionallyadv · on purpose
B1interactv · to communicate or act together
B1interactionn · communication between people
B2interactiveadj · allowing two-way communication with the user
A2interestn · a feeling of wanting to know more
B1interestv · to make someone want to know more
A1interestedadj · wanting to know more about something
A1interestingadj · making you want to know more
B2interferev · to get involved where you are not wanted
B2interiorn · the inside part of a building
C1interjectv · to say something suddenly while others are talking
C1interjectionn · a short word showing sudden feeling
C2interlockingadj · fitting tightly together
C2interluden · a short period between two events
C2intermediaryn · a person who helps two sides communicate
B1intermediateadj · at a middle level
B1intermissionn · a short break between parts of a show
B1internaladj · inside something or a place
A2internationaladj · between or in many countries
B1internationallyadv · in many countries
A1Internetn · a world network of computers
B2interpersonaladj · relating to relationships between people
B2interpretv · to explain the meaning of something
B2interpretationn · an explanation of what something means
B2interpretern · a person who translates speech aloud
C2interrogatev · to question someone closely
C2interrogationn · the act of questioning someone closely
C2interrogativeadj · used to ask a question
C2interrogativelyadv · in a way that asks a question
B1interruptv · to stop someone by speaking suddenly
B2interruptionn · something that stops what is happening
B2intersectionn · a place where two roads cross
C2interspersev · to put things here and there among others
B1intervaln · a short time between two events
A1interviewn · a meeting to ask someone questions
B1interviewv · to ask someone questions for a job
B1intervieween · a person who is being interviewed
A1interviewern · a person who asks questions
C2interweavev · to weave or join things closely together
B2intimateadj · private and close; very friendly
A1intoprep · going to the inside of
B2intransitiveadj · a verb type that takes no direct object
B2intravenousadj · given directly into a vein
C2intrinsicadj · belonging naturally as an essential part
C2intrinsicallyadv · as a natural part of it
A1introducev · to tell people the name of someone new
B1introductionn · the first part of a text
B2intrudev · to enter or interrupt where you are not wanted
B2intrudern · a person who enters without permission
B2intrusionn · an unwelcome interruption or entry
C1intuitv · to know something by feeling, not by facts
C1intuitionn · a feeling you know something without proof
C1intuitiveadj · easy to understand without being taught
C1intuitivelyadv · based on feeling rather than reasoning
A2invadev · to enter a place by force
B2invariableadj · never changing
B2invariablyadv · always, without exception
B1invasionn · entering a place by force
A2inventv · to make or think of something new
A2inventionn · a new thing made for the first time
B2inventorn · a person who creates something new
B2inverted commasn · quotation marks used around spoken words
B1investv · to put money in something to earn more
B2investigatev · to look carefully for facts about something
B1investigationn · a careful search to find out facts
B2investigatorn · a person who looks into something closely
B2investmentn · money put into something to make more money
B2investorn · a person who puts money in a business
B2invisibleadj · impossible to see
B1invitationn · a request to come to an event
A2invitev · to ask someone to come to an event
B2invitinglyadv · in a way that makes you want to come
C1invoicen · a bill listing goods or services and costs
B2invokev · to use or call on a rule or authority
B1involuntarilyadv · without wanting or planning to do it
B1involvev · to include as a necessary part
B1involvedadj · taking part in something
B2involvementn · the act of taking part in something
C1irateadj · very angry
C1iratelyadv · in an angry way
B1ironn/v · to make clothes flat with a hot iron
C2ironicadj · strange because the opposite was expected
B2ironicallyadv · in a way that is the opposite of what is expected
B1ironingn · the job of pressing clothes with an iron
C1ironyn · an odd situation that is the opposite of what is expected
B2irrationaladj · not based on clear thinking or reason
B1irregularadj · not following the usual rules
C2irrelevancyn · something not connected to the subject
B2irresistibleadj · too attractive to say no to
B2irresistiblyadv · in a way that is too strong to stop
B2irresponsibleadj · not taking care or thinking about results
C2irrevocableadj · impossible to change or undo
C2irrevocablyadv · in a way that cannot be changed
B1irritatev · to make someone slightly angry or annoyed
B2irritatedadj · annoyed or slightly angry
B2irritatingadj · making you feel annoyed
B2irritationn · a feeling of slight anger
A1isv · the form of "be" for he, she, it
A1islandn · land with water all around it
B2islandern · a person who lives on an island
B1islen · a small island
C1isolatev · to keep someone or something separate
C1isolatedadj · far away from other places or people
B1isolationn · being alone and away from others
A2issuen · a problem or subject people talk about
B2issuev · to give out officially
A1itpron · a thing or situation already mentioned
A2ITn · information technology
B2italicizev · to print or write in slanting letters
B2itchv · to have a feeling that makes you scratch
A1itemn · one thing in a group
C1itineraryn · a detailed plan of a journey
A1itspron/det · belonging to a thing or animal
A2itselfpron · used when a thing does something to itself
B1ivoryn · a hard white material from elephant teeth