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English words starting with M — with CEFR levels

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

• A1‘mv · short form of "am"
• C1macabreadj · strange and frightening because it is about death
• A1machinen · a thing with parts that does work
• A2madadj · angry
• B2madamn · a polite way to address a woman
• B2madamen · a polite word for a woman, especially French
• B2madnessn · very foolish behavior
• C2maelstromn · a powerful whirlpool or confused situation
• B2maestron · a great music conductor or teacher
• A1magazinen · a thin book with pictures, issued often
• C2maggotn · a young fly that looks like a worm
• A2magicn/adj · special tricks or powers
• B1magicaladj · wonderful, like magic
• B1magiciann · a person who performs tricks
• C2magnanimityn · kindness and generosity toward others
• C2magnanimousadj · generous and kind toward an enemy
• C2magnanimouslyadv · in a generous and forgiving way
• C2magnaten · a rich and powerful business person
• C1magneticadj · having the power to attract metal
• C1magneticallyadv · in a way that attracts strongly
• C1magnetismn · a strong power to attract people
• B1magnificentadj · very beautiful and impressive
• B2magnifyv · to make something look bigger
• C2magpien · a black and white bird
• A1mailn · letters and parcels you receive
• B1mailv · to send something by post
• B1mailboxn · a box where letters are delivered
• B1mainadj · most important or largest
• A2main coursen · the biggest dish in a meal
• A2mainlyadv · mostly
• B1maintainv · to keep something in good condition
• B1maintenancen · work to keep something in good condition
• A2majoradj · very important or large
• B2majorn · the main subject a student studies
• B1majorityn · most of a group
• A1makev · to create or produce
• B2maken · the name of the company that produces a product
• A2make-upn · colour put on the face
• A2makern · a person who makes something
• B2maladyn · an illness or disease
• B2malarian · a serious disease spread by mosquitoes
• A2malen · a man or boy; an animal, not female
• B1maleadj · of the sex that does not give birth
• C1malfunctionv · to fail to work correctly
• C2malicen · a wish to hurt other people
• C2maliciousadj · intended to cause harm
• C2maliciouslyadv · in a way meant to hurt someone
• A2malln · a large building with many shops
• C2malleabilityn · the ability to be shaped without breaking
• C2malleableadj · easily shaped or influenced
• B2maman · a child’s word for mother
• A1mann · an adult male person
• C1manv · to work at or operate a place
• A2managev · to be in charge of a business
• B1managementn · the people who control a business
• A2managern · a person who runs a business or team
• C1maneuvern/v · to move something skilfully into a position
• C2manglev · to damage something by crushing or tearing it
• B2mangon · a sweet tropical fruit with orange flesh
• C1manicuren/v · a beauty treatment for the hands and nails
• B2manipulatev · to control or influence someone in an unfair way
• C1manipulationn · controlling someone or something in a clever, often unfair way
• B1mankindn · all human beings
• A2mannern · the way someone does something
• B2mansionn · a very large, impressive house
• B2manualn/adj · a book of instructions for a machine
• B2manufacturen/v · to make goods in large numbers
• B2manufacturern · a company that makes goods
• B2manufacturingn · the business of making goods in factories
• A1manypron/det · a large number of
• A1mapn · a drawing of a place
• B1maplen · a tree with leaves that turn red
• B2marathonn · a very long running race
• B1marblen · a hard smooth stone
• A1Marchn · the third month of the year
• B1marchv · to walk together in a regular way
• B2marginn · the difference between cost and selling price
• C1marginaladj · very small
• C1marginallyadv · by a very small amount
• B1marineadj · related to the sea
• C2marinern · a person who sails ships
• A2markn/v · a score given for school work
• C1mark-upn · an amount added to the cost to make profit
• B1markedadj · clear and easy to notice
• A2marketn · a place where people buy and sell things
• B1marketv · to try to sell something to people
• C2marketabilityn · how easily a product can be sold
• B2marketingn · the work of promoting and selling products
• B1marriagen · the legal relationship of husband and wife
• A2marriedadj · having a husband or wife
• A2marryv · to become husband or wife
• B2martial artn · a sport of fighting skills such as judo
• C1marvelv · to be filled with wonder
• C2marveln · a wonderful or amazing thing
• A2marvelousadj · extremely good; wonderful
• B1mashv · to crush food until it is soft
• B2maskn · a cover for the face
• B1massadj · involving very large numbers of people
• B2massn · a large amount of something
• B2massacren · the killing of many people
• B2massagen · pressing and rubbing the body to relieve pain
• B2masseurn · a man whose job is giving massages
• B1massiveadj · extremely big and heavy
• B2mastern · a person with great skill in a field
• B2masterpiecen · the best work of an artist
• B2masteryn · great skill or complete control of a subject
• A1matchn · a game between two teams
• B1matchv · to be the same as or go well
• B2maten · a friend, informal in British English
• A2materialn · cloth or the stuff used to make things
• C2materialismn · a strong interest in owning things
• C2materialisticadj · caring too much about possessions
• C2materializationn · the act of becoming real or visible
• C2materializev · to become real or actually happen
• C1maternaladj · related to being a mother
• C1maternalisticadj · acting like an overprotective mother
• A1mathn · the study of numbers
• B2mathematicaladj · relating to mathematics
• B1mathematiciann · a person who studies or works with mathematics
• B1mathematicsn · the study of numbers and shapes
• A1mattern · a problem or situation
• A2matterv · to be important
• B2matureadj · fully grown or sensible like an adult
• B2mausoleumn · a large building holding tombs
• C2maverickn · an independent person who breaks the rules
• A2maxn · the largest amount allowed
• B1maximumn/adj · the greatest amount possible
• A1mayn/modal · the fifth month of the year
• A1maybeadv · perhaps
• B1mayorn · the elected leader of a town
• A1mepron · the word for yourself as object
• C2meageradj · very small in amount
• A1mealn · food you eat at a certain time
• A1meanv · to have a certain meaning
• A2meanadj · unkind; not generous
• B2meann · the average of a set of numbers
• A2meaningn · what a word or sign tells you
• B1meaningfuladj · having a clear purpose or importance
• C1meaninglessadj · having no purpose or value
• C1meaninglesslyadv · in a way without purpose or sense
• B2meansn · a method or way of doing something
• B1meanwhileadv · during the same time
• B1measuren/v · to find the size or amount of something
• B1measurementn · the size of something found by measuring
• A1meatn · food from animals
• B1mechanicn · a person who repairs machines
• B1mechanicaladj · related to machines
• C1mechanismn · a part of a machine that does a job
• B2mechanizev · to use machines to do work
• A2medaln · a metal prize for winning
• B2median · newspapers, TV and online news together
• C2mediatev · to help settle a dispute between two sides
• C2mediationn · help to settle a quarrel between two sides
• A2medicaladj · about doctors and health
• B2medicationn · medicine taken to treat an illness
• A1medicinen · something you take to get better
• B2medievaladj · from the Middle Ages
• B2mediocreadj · not very good; of ordinary quality
• C2mediocrityn · the state of being only average
• B1meditatev · to sit quietly and clear your mind
• B1meditationn · quiet thinking to calm the mind
• B1Mediterraneann · the sea between Europe and Africa
• B1mediumn/adj · a way of giving information to people
• A1meetv · to see someone for the first time
• A1meetingn · an event where people talk about work
• C2melancholyn/adj · a deep, quiet sadness
• C2melodiousadj · pleasant to hear, like music
• C2melodiouslyadv · in a pleasing, musical way
• B2melodyn · a tune; a series of musical notes
• A2melonn · a large, sweet, juicy fruit
• B1meltv · to change from ice to water
• A2membern · a person who belongs to a group
• B1membershipn · being part of a group
• B1memorableadj · easy to remember because special
• B2memorialn · a monument that helps people remember something
• B1memorizev · to learn something so you remember it exactly
• A1memoryn · the ability to remember things
• C2menacen · a danger or threat
• C2menacingadj · looking dangerous or threatening
• C2menacinglyadv · in a way that seems threatening
• B1mendv · to repair something that is broken
• C2menialadj · low-skilled and not interesting
• B1mentaladj · connected with the mind
• B1mentallyadv · in the mind
• A2mentionn · a short remark about something
• B1mentionv · to speak about something briefly
• B2mentorn · an experienced person who guides a younger one
• A2menun · a list of food in a restaurant
• C2mercantileadj · relating to trade and merchants
• C2mercenaryn · a soldier paid to fight for any side
• B2merchandisen · goods that are bought and sold
• B1merchantn · a person who buys and sells goods
• B2mercyn · kind treatment of someone you could punish
• B1mereadj · only; nothing more than
• B1merelyadv · only
• B2mergev · to join together and become one
• B2mergern · the joining of two companies into one
• C2meritn/v · good quality that deserves praise
• A1merryadj · happy and cheerful
• C2meshv · to fit together smoothly
• C2mesmericadj · so interesting that you cannot look away
• B1messn · a dirty or untidy state
• B2messv · to touch or play with things carelessly
• A1messagen · a written or spoken note
• B1message boardn · a website where people post messages
• B2messengern · a person who carries a message
• B1messyadj · dirty or not tidy
• A2metaln · a hard shiny material like iron
• C2metalledadj · covered with a hard surface of crushed stone
• B2metaphorn · a phrase describing something as something else
• C2meteorologicaladj · relating to weather
• C2meteorologyn · the scientific study of weather
• A2metern · a unit of length, one hundred centimetres
• A2methodn · a way of doing something
• C1methodicaladj · done in a careful, organised way
• C2methodologicaladj · relating to the methods used in research
• C2methodologicallyadv · in a way relating to the methods used
• C2methodologyn · the system of methods used in a study
• C2meticulousadj · very careful about small details
• C2meticulouslyadv · in a very careful way
• B2metricadj · relating to the system using meters and grams
• B2micron · short word for something very small
• B2microben · a tiny living thing seen only with a microscope
• B2microcomputern · a small computer with a microprocessor
• B2micrometern · a tool for measuring very small distances
• B2microorganismn · a living thing too small to see without a microscope
• B2microphonen · a device that makes voices louder or records them
• B2microscopen · an instrument that makes very small things look bigger
• B2microscopicadj · too small to see with the eye
• B2microscopyn · using microscopes to look at small things
• B2microwaven · an oven that heats food very quickly
• A2middayn · twelve o’clock in the day
• A1middleadj · in the centre
• A2middlen · the centre point or part
• B1middle-agedadj · between about forty-five and sixty-five
• A2midnightn · twelve o’clock at night
• B2midstn · the middle of a situation or period
• C1midwifen · a person trained to help women give birth
• C2midwiferyn · the work of helping women give birth
• C2mienn · a person’s look or manner
• B2mightyadj · very strong and powerful
• B2migrationn · moving to live in another place
• B1mildadj · not strong; gentle
• B1milen · a distance of about 1.6 kilometres
• C2milieun · the social environment around a person
• A2militaryadj · about soldiers and the army
• A1milkn · a white drink from cows
• B2milln · a building where grain is made into flour
• B2millimetern · one thousandth of a meter
• A2millionnum · the number 1,000,000
• B2millionairen · a person who has a million pounds or dollars
• B2mimicn · a person or animal that copies others
• A1mindn · your thoughts; the part that thinks
• A2mindv · to be upset or bothered by
• A1minepron · belonging to me
• B2minen · a deep hole where minerals are dug out
• C2minefieldn · a situation full of hidden dangers
• B1mineraln · a natural substance found in the earth
• A2mineral watern · bottled water from a natural spring
• C1minglev · to move around and talk with different people
• B2miniatureadj · very small copy of something bigger
• B1minimizev · to make as small as possible
• B1minimumn/adj · the smallest amount allowed
• B2ministern · a senior member of a government
• B1minoradj · small and not important
• B1minorityn · a small part of a group
• C2minsterv · to serve and care for people (old use)
• B2mintn · a plant used for fresh flavor
• B1minusprep · used to show subtraction
• A1minuten · sixty seconds
• C1minutiaen · very small details
• B1miraclen · an amazing event hard to explain
• A2mirrorn · a glass where you see yourself
• B1mischiefn · playful behaviour that causes small trouble
• B2misconceptionn · a wrong idea or belief
• C2misdemeanorn · a minor crime
• B1miserableadj · very unhappy
• B1miseryn · great unhappiness
• B2misfortunen · bad luck
• B1misleadv · to give someone a wrong idea
• B2misleadingadj · giving a wrong idea
• C1misplacev · to put something somewhere and forget where
• A1Missn/v · title before a young woman’s name
• B2missilen · a weapon that flies and explodes
• A2missingadj · not in its place; lost
• B1missionn · an important task or job given to someone
• B2mistn · a thin cloud of water drops near the ground
• A2mistaken · something done wrongly
• B2mistreatv · to treat a person or animal badly
• B2mistrustfuladj · not trusting someone
• B1mistyadj · covered with thin cloud near the ground
• B2misunderstandv · to understand wrongly
• B1misunderstandingn · a small disagreement caused by wrong understanding
• A2mixv · to put things together
• B2mixn · a combination of different things
• B1mixing bowln · a big bowl for mixing food
• B2mixturen · a substance made by combining others
• A1mobilen · able to move easily; a phone
• A2mobileadj · able to be carried around
• A1mobile phonen · a small phone you carry with you
• B2mobilityn · the ability to move or travel easily
• B2mockadj · pretend; not real but like the real thing
• B1modal verbn · a verb like can or must that shows ability or need
• A2modeln · a person who shows clothes or products
• B1modelv/adj · to wear clothes to show them to customers
• B1modemn · a device that connects a computer to the internet
• B1moderateadj · not too strong, not too weak
• A2modernadj · new and up to date
• C2modernismn · a style of art that broke with tradition
• B2modernizationn · making something up to date
• B2modernizev · to make up to date
• B2modestadj · not showing pride about your achievements
• B2modificationn · a small change made to improve something
• B1modifyv · to change slightly
• B2moguln · a very rich and powerful business person
• B1moisturen · small amounts of water in the air
• B2moldn · a soft growth that appears on old food
• C2moldv · to shape something soft into a form
• B1moleculen · the smallest unit of a substance
• A1momn · mother
• A1momentn · a very short time
• B2momentarilyadv · for a very short time
• B2momentaryadj · lasting a very short time
• A1mommyn · mother
• B2monasteryn · a building where monks live and work
• C2monasticadj · relating to monks and their simple life
• A1Mondayn · the day after Sunday
• A1moneyn · coins and notes used to buy things
• B1monitorn/v · a computer screen
• B1monkn · a man in a religious community
• A1monkeyn · an animal that climbs trees
• C1monotonousadj · boring because it never changes
• C1monotonouslyadv · in a boring way that never changes
• C1monotonyn · boring sameness that never changes
• B1monstern · an imaginary frightening creature
• A1monthn · one of twelve parts of a year
• B1monthlyadj/adv · happening once a month
• B1monumentn · a big structure honouring a person or event
• A2moodn · the way you feel at a certain time
• B2moodyadj · having moods that change quickly
• A1moonn · the big light in the night sky
• B2moonlightn · light from the moon
• B2moonscapen · a bare landscape like the surface of the moon
• C2moorn · a high open area of rough land
• B1moraln · the lesson of a story
• B2moraladj · relating to what is right and good
• B2moralityn · ideas about right and wrong
• B2morallyadv · in a way relating to right and wrong
• A1morepron/det · a bigger amount
• B1moreadv · to a greater degree; more often
• B1moreoveradv · also; in addition
• C2moribundadj · dying; no longer active or useful
• A1morningn · the first part of the day
• B2mortaladj · certain to die at some time
• B2mortarn · a mix used to join bricks; also a bowl for grinding
• B2mortgagen · a bank loan to buy a home
• B2mortifyv · to make someone feel very embarrassed
• A2mosquen · a building where Muslims pray
• B1mosquiton · a small flying insect that bites
• B1mossn · a small green plant on rocks
• A1mostdet · almost all; the largest part
• A2mostadv/pron · the largest part
• A2mostlyadv · in most cases; mainly
• A1mothern · a female parent
• B2mother-in-lawn · the mother of your husband or wife
• B1motherlandn · the country where you or your family were born
• B2motionn · a formal proposal in a meeting
• B1motionlessadj · not moving at all
• B1motivatev · to make someone want to do something
• B2motivatedadj · eager and willing to work hard
• B1motivationn · the reason or desire to do something
• B1motiven · a reason for doing something
• C1motleyadj · made up of many different kinds of people
• B1motorn · a machine that makes something move
• B2motorbiken · a two-wheeled vehicle with an engine
• B1motorcyclen · a two-wheeled vehicle with an engine
• B2motoristn · a person who drives a car
• A2motorwayn · a wide road for fast traffic
• C2mottledadj · marked with patches of different colors
• B1motton · a short saying that guides a group
• B1mountn · a mountain, used before a name
• B2mountv · to fix something in position
• A1mountainn · a very high hill
• C1mountaineern · a person who climbs mountains
• B1mountaintopn · the highest point of a mountain
• B1mournv · to feel and show sadness after a death
• B2mournfuladj · full of sadness
• A1mousen · a small animal with a long tail
• A1mouthn · the part of the face for eating
• A1moven · a change of place
• A2movev · to go to live in another place
• B1movementn · a group of people working for a cause
• B2movern · a person who moves furniture for a job
• A1movien · a film
• B2movingadj · causing strong emotions
• A2MP3 playern · a small device for playing digital music
• A1Mr.n · title used before a man’s name
• A1Mrs.n · title before a married woman’s name
• A2Ms.n · a title for a woman
• A1muchadv/pron/det · a large amount
• B1mudn · wet soft earth
• B2muddyadj · covered with wet soft earth
• A2mugn · a large cup with a handle
• B1mulen · an animal that is a mix of horse and donkey
• C2mull overv · to think about something carefully
• B2multipleadj · many, more than one
• B2multiplyv · to do a calculation increasing a number
• A1mumn · mother
• B2mumblen/v · to speak quietly and unclearly
• C1munchv · to eat noisily and with enjoyment
• C2mundanityn · ordinary, dull everyday life
• C2munificencen · great generosity in giving
• A2murdern · the crime of killing a person
• B1murderv · the crime of killing someone on purpose
• B1murderern · a person who kills another
• B2murmurn · a low, soft sound of voices
• B1musclen · body tissue that helps you move
• C2muscle-boundadj · having very large, stiff muscles
• C1muscularadj · having big, strong muscles
• B2musev · to think quietly and slowly about something
• A2museumn · a building with old or interesting things
• A2mushroomn · a small fungus that you can eat
• A1musicn · sounds made by voices or instruments
• A2musicaladj · about or containing music
• B2musicaln · a play or film with songs and dance
• A1musiciann · a person who plays music
• A1mustmodal · used when something is necessary
• B2mustachen · hair growing above a man’s upper lip
• B1mustardn · a yellow or brown sauce with a strong taste
• B2mutabilityn · the quality of changing often
• B2mutableadj · able to change
• C2mutinousadj · refusing to obey those in charge
• C2mutinouslyadv · in a way that rebels against authority
• B2muttern/v · a quiet, unclear way of speaking
• B2muttonn · meat from an adult sheep
• B1mutualadj · shared by both sides
• C1mutuallyadv · felt or done by both sides equally
• A1mydet · belonging to me
• C2myriadadj · very many
• A2myselfpron · used when I do something to me
• A2mysteriousadj · strange and hard to explain
• A2mysteryn · something strange that is hard to explain
• B2mystifyv · to confuse someone because they cannot explain it
• C2mystiquen · a mysterious quality that attracts interest
• B1mythn · an old story about gods or heroes
• C1mythologicaladj · relating to ancient myths
• C1mythologyn · a collection of traditional stories about gods and heroes