B2 English vocabulary list: 25 upper-intermediate words
B225 words
The step from B1 to B2 is mostly a vocabulary step: the grammar is broadly in place, and what is missing is the precise word for an opinion, a trend or a consequence. These twenty-five are typical of that band and appear constantly in exams and in the news.
Where you will use it: Upper-intermediate exams, discussion and reading news.
B2 Vocabulary — The word list
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| significant | Large or important enough to matter.“There was a significant drop in prices.” |
| consequence | A result of an action or situation.“He lost his job as a consequence.” |
| reluctant | Unwilling and hesitating.“She was reluctant to speak first.” |
| afford | To have enough money or time for something.“We can't afford another delay.” |
| acknowledge | To accept that something is true.“He acknowledged the mistake.” |
| tend to | To usually do something.“Prices tend to rise in December.” |
| issue | An important problem or topic.“Housing is the main issue here.” |
| approach | A way of dealing with something.“They tried a different approach.” |
| aware | Knowing that something exists.“I wasn't aware of the change.” |
| assume | To believe something without proof.“Don't assume they got the email.” |
| estimate | To judge an amount roughly.“We estimate two weeks of work.” |
| regardless | Without paying attention to something.“He went ahead regardless of the risk.” |
| adequate | Good enough for a particular purpose.“The room was small but adequate.” |
| apparent | Easy to notice or understand.“The reason soon became apparent.” |
| circumstance | A fact or condition affecting a situation.“We adapted to the new circumstances.” |
| crucial | Extremely important.“Clear communication is crucial.” |
| decline | To decrease or politely refuse.“Sales declined during winter.” |
| emphasise | To give special importance to something.“The report emphasises prevention.” |
| enable | To make something possible.“The grant enabled us to continue.” |
| encounter | To meet or experience unexpectedly.“We encountered several problems.” |
| maintain | To keep at the same level or condition.“It is difficult to maintain motivation.” |
| obtain | To get something, often through effort.“You must obtain permission first.” |
| perspective | A way of viewing a situation.“Try to see it from her perspective.” |
| relevant | Closely connected to the subject.“Include only relevant details.” |
| sufficient | Enough for a particular purpose.“We have sufficient time to finish.” |
Useful learning tips
- Learn in small groupsTake five words at a time and review them before adding more.
- Say the examples aloudReading each sentence aloud connects spelling, sound and meaning.
- Write your own sentenceUse each word in a true sentence about your life or work.
How to study this list
Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.
Studying b2 vocabulary pairs well with our B1–B2 English Vocabulary, English collocations and SAT vocabulary words, or browse all free English word lists.
Related guides
Questions about this list
How can I practise B2 Vocabulary?
Start with five words and say each example aloud. Then recall the word from its meaning and review it over several days.
Where can I use B2 Vocabulary?
Upper-intermediate exams, discussion and reading news.
How many words are in this list?
This list contains 25 English words with definitions and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete syllabus.
Turn this list into flashcards
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