Measured, not borrowed

The most common English words

This table is a measurement of our own library. Every word in 191,625 published chapters was counted — 826,045,454 word occurrences — and sorted by how often it occurs. Rank 1 is the word you will meet most often on an English page.

2,989 of those words have a page of their own: the US transcription, the part of speech, a learner definition, every sense the entry carries, and real sentences from different books with a link into the chapter each one came from.

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100 First 100 words 500 First 500 words 1,000 First 1,000 words

Ranks 2,401 onward

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Words ranked by how often they occur in the Velmora library
Rank	Word	Sound	Part of speech	Meaning	Occurrences
2,407	article	/ˈɑːrtəkəl/	noun	nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication	23,685
2,408	eternal	/ɪˈtɜːrnəl/	adjective	continuing forever or indefinitely	26,655
2,409	violence	/ˈvaɪələns/	noun	an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)	24,093
2,410	bride	/braɪd/	noun	a woman who has recently been married	28,098
2,411	rear	/rɪr/	noun	the back of a military formation or procession	31,538
2,412	trip	/trɪp/	noun	a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)	32,529
2,413	volume	/ˈvɑːljuːm/	noun	the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object	34,481
2,414	appointed	/əˈpɔɪntɪd/	adjective	subject to appointment	25,082
2,415	active	/ˈæktɪv/	adjective	tending to become more severe or wider in scope	27,824
2,416	candle	/ˈkændəl/	noun	stick of wax with a wick in the middle	24,246
2,417	mingled	/ˈmɪŋɡəld/	verb	past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else	25,266
2,418	visited	/ˈvɪzɪtɪd/	verb	past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment	28,709
2,419	depths	/depθs/	noun	(plural) the deepest and most remote part	25,492
2,420	fury	/ˈfjʊri/	noun	a feeling of intense anger	26,050
2,421	thither	/ˈðɪθɜːr/	adverb	an old word meaning “to that place”	22,520
2,422	guns	/ɡʌnz/	noun	plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from …	40,682
2,423	gracious	/ˈɡreɪʃəs/	adjective	characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit	23,926
2,424	moonlight	/ˈmuːnlaɪt/	noun	the light of the Moon	26,247
2,425	knee	/niː/	noun	hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protect…	26,471
2,426	connected	/kəˈnektɪd/	adjective	being joined in close association	27,136
2,427	voyage	/ˈvɔɪədʒ/	noun	an act of traveling by water	31,629
2,428	jest	/dʒest/	noun	a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter	28,864
2,429	sadly	/ˈsædli/	adverb	in an unfortunate way	25,925
2,430	career	/kərˈɪr/	noun	the particular occupation for which you are trained	26,287
2,431	attended	/əˈtendɪd/	adjective	playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment	26,525
2,432	stir	/stɜːr/	verb	move an implement through	25,756
2,433	shortly	/ˈʃɔːrtli/	adverb	for a short time	30,458
2,434	stout	/staʊt/	adjective	dependable	27,230
2,435	veil	/veɪl/	noun	a garment that covers the head and face	23,595
2,436	sentiment	/ˈsentəmənt/	noun	tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion	22,911
2,437	obtain	/əbˈteɪn/	verb	come into possession of	28,447
2,438	prisoners	/ˈprɪzənərz/	noun	plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war	29,242
2,439	machine	/məˈʃiːn/	noun	any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or ass…	27,201
2,440	thunder	/ˈθʌndər/	verb	move fast, noisily, and heavily	26,116
2,441	ignorance	/ˈɪɡnərəns/	noun	the lack of knowledge or education	24,203
2,442	dirty	/ˈdɜːrti/	adjective	soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime	25,896
2,443	banks	/bæŋks/	noun	English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean …	28,801
2,444	disposed	/dɪˈspoʊzd/	adjective	having made preparations	26,108
2,445	milk	/mɪlk/	noun	a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings	30,229
2,446	joke	/dʒoʊk/	noun	a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter	26,600
2,447	fired	/ˈfaɪərd/	adjective	having lost your job	33,095
2,448	relieved	/rɪˈliːvd/	adjective	(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear	25,860
2,449	shows	/ʃoʊz/	noun	plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining	27,121
2,450	wandered	/ˈwɑːndərd/	verb	past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in searc…	25,374
2,452	current	/ˈkɜːrənt/	noun	a flow of electricity through a conductor	28,681
2,453	cloak	/kloʊk/	noun	anything that covers or conceals	25,383
2,454	bedroom	/ˈbedruːm/	noun	a room used primarily for sleeping	23,571
2,455	endure	/enˈdjʊr/	verb	put up with something or somebody unpleasant	23,574
2,456	sore	/sɔːr/	adjective	hurting	22,497
2,457	shoot	/ʃuːt/	verb	hit with a missile from a weapon	32,435
2,458	circumstance	/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/	noun	a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity	22,840
2,459	disappointment	/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/	noun	a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized	26,568
2,460	crew	/kruː/	noun	the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)	44,139
2,461	calmly	/ˈkɑːmli/	adverb	with self-possession (especially in times of stress)	27,717
2,462	scheme	/skiːm/	noun	an elaborate and systematic plan of action	26,346
2,463	conceal	/kənˈsiːl/	verb	prevent from being seen or discovered	21,855
2,464	argument	/ˈɑːrɡjəmənt/	noun	a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true	24,611
2,465	examined	/ɪɡˈzæmənd/	verb	past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to disc…	25,513
2,466	weeping	/ˈwiːpɪŋ/	adjective	showing sorrow	22,175
2,467	purple	/ˈpɜːrpəl/	noun	a purple color or pigment	25,419
2,468	assumed	/əˈsuːmd/	adjective	adopted in order to deceive	24,021
2,469	punishment	/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/	noun	the act of punishing	25,232
2,470	quarters	/ˈkwɔːrtərz/	noun	housing available for people to live in	28,825
2,471	agony	/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/	noun	Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.	26,662
2,472	list	/lɪst/	verb	give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of	26,679
2,473	lit	/lɪt/	adjective	provided with artificial light	25,149
2,474	cave	/keɪv/	noun	a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surf…	30,371
2,475	slaves	/sleɪvz/	noun	plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone	24,837
2,476	Roman	/ˈroʊmən/	adjective	relating to or characteristic of people of Rome	26,323
2,477	gloom	/ɡluːm/	noun	a state of partial or total darkness	26,157
2,478	absurd	/əbˈsɜːrd/	adjective	inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense	23,922
2,479	sensible	/ˈsensəbəl/	adjective	showing reason or sound judgment	24,662
2,481	exhausted	/ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/	adjective	drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted	26,008
2,482	profession	/prəˈfeʃən/	noun	the body of people in a learned occupation	23,392
2,483	roses	/ˈroʊzɪz/	noun	plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses	27,253
2,484	stole	/stoʊl/	noun	a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women	26,322
2,485	Spanish	/ˈspænɪʃ/	noun	the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain	30,998
2,486	wave	/weɪv/	noun	one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across …	29,866
2,487	vanity	/ˈvænəti/	noun	feelings of excessive pride	21,473
2,488	unconscious	/ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəs/	adjective	not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep o…	25,526
2,489	anyway	/ˈeniweɪ/	adverb	used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement	31,977
2,490	slip	/slɪp/	verb	move stealthily	28,226
2,491	wrath	/ræθ/	noun	intense anger (usually on an epic scale)	22,687
2,492	lane	/leɪn/	noun	a narrow way or road	27,458
2,493	strangely	/ˈstreɪndʒli/	adverb	in a strange manner	25,551
2,494	helpless	/ˈhelpləs/	adjective	lacking in or deprived of strength or power	26,299
2,495	revealed	/rɪˈviːld/	verb	past form of “reveal” — make visible	23,347
2,496	freely	/ˈfriːli/	adverb	in a free manner	24,558
2,497	tide	/taɪd/	noun	the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon	29,125
2,498	disappointed	/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/	adjective	disappointingly unsuccessful	26,957
2,499	jealous	/ˈdʒeləs/	adjective	showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages	22,794
2,500	owe	/oʊ/	verb	be obliged to pay or repay	21,936
2,501	prayers	/prerz/	noun	plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or…	24,996
2,502	oath	/oʊθ/	noun	profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger	20,931
2,503	protection	/prəˈtekʃən/	noun	the activity of protecting someone or something	24,907
2,504	council	/ˈkaʊnsəl/	noun	a body serving in an administrative capacity	25,023
2,505	hither	/ˈhɪðər/	adverb	an old word meaning “to this place”	20,934
2,506	experienced	/ɪkˈspɪriənst/	adjective	having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation	24,585
2,507	attached	/əˈtætʃt/	adjective	being joined in close association	25,771
2,508	wept	/wept/	verb	inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain	23,425
2,509	ages	/ˈeɪdʒəz/	noun	plural of “age” — how long something has existed	24,662
2,510	deeper	/ˈdiːpər/	adverb	comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally	26,417
2,511	cloth	/klɔːθ/	noun	artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibe…	33,969
2,512	rude	/ruːd/	adjective	socially incorrect in behavior	26,262
2,513	indignation	/ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/	noun	a feeling of righteous anger	22,996
2,514	intense	/ˌɪnˈtens/	adjective	possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree	27,917
2,515	trick	/trɪk/	noun	a cunning or deceitful action or device	26,581
2,516	devotion	/dɪˈvoʊʃən/	noun	feelings of ardent love	21,301
2,517	rue	/ruː/	noun	European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irrita…	15,786
2,518	ghost	/ɡoʊst/	noun	a mental representation of some haunting experience	26,486
2,519	degrees	/dɪˈɡriːz/	noun	plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality	22,277
2,520	anyhow	/ˈenihaʊ/	adverb	used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement	29,225
2,521	decision	/dɪˈsɪʒən/	noun	the act of making up your mind about something	25,978
2,522	habits	/ˈhæbəts/	noun	plural of “habit” — an established custom	24,124
2,523	supply	/səˈplaɪ/	verb	give something useful or necessary to	29,904
2,524	Boston	/ˈbɑːstən/	noun	state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financi…	24,941
2,525	solitary	/ˈsɑːləteri/	adjective	characterized by or preferring solitude	23,656
2,526	Jones	/dʒoʊnz/	noun	United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers…	24,778
2,527	leaped	/lept/	verb	past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds	28,949
2,528	puzzled	/ˈpʌzəld/	adjective	filled with bewilderment	27,680
2,529	wilt	/wɪlt/	modal verb	an old form of “will”, used with “thou”	21,259
2,530	closer	/ˈkloʊsər/	adverb	(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance	27,427
2,531	Washington	/ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən/	noun	the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; Georg…	25,627
2,532	follows	/ˈfɑːloʊz/	verb	third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after	23,239
2,533	giant	/ˈdʒaɪənt/	noun	any creature of exceptional size	30,097
2,534	earlier	/ˈɜːrliər/	adverb	earlier in time; previously	25,826
2,535	rolling	/ˈroʊlɪŋ/	adjective	uttered with a trill	26,826
2,536	Michael	/ˈmaɪkəl/	noun	(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews	18,877
2,537	occasions	/əˈkeɪʒənz/	noun	something you have to do	23,911
2,538	furnished	/ˈfɜːrnɪʃt/	adjective	provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authori…	22,916
2,539	reminded	/riˈmaɪndɪd/	verb	past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone	23,148
2,540	beasts	/biːsts/	noun	plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement	23,962
2,541	successful	/səkˈsesfəl/	adjective	having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome	27,888
2,542	bitterly	/ˈbɪtərli/	adverb	with bitterness; in a resentful manner	24,749
2,543	accomplished	/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/	adjective	highly skilled	25,835
2,544	ventured	/ˈventʃərd/	verb	past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers	24,689
2,545	rights	/raɪts/	noun	plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental b…	24,058
2,546	strongly	/ˈstrɔːŋli/	adverb	with strength or in a strong manner	25,259
2,547	heels	/hiːlz/	noun	plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that t…	26,048
2,548	falls	/fɔːlz/	noun	the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of a…	25,799
2,549	funny	/ˈfʌni/	adjective	arousing or provoking laughter	28,404
2,550	wearing	/ˈwerɪŋ/	noun	(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles…	24,669
2,551	earnestly	/ˈɜːrnəstli/	adverb	in a serious manner	26,451
2,552	doth	/dɔːθ/	auxiliary verb	an old form of “does”	25,878
2,553	guessed	/ɡest/	verb	past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose	24,185
2,554	Bob	/bɑːb/	verb	move up and down repeatedly	48,424
2,555	amused	/əˈmjuːzd/	adjective	pleasantly occupied	25,420
2,556	messenger	/ˈmesəndʒər/	noun	a person who carries a message	22,390
2,557	range	/reɪndʒ/	noun	an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a su…	30,555
2,558	climbed	/klaɪmd/	verb	past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress	29,747
2,559	threatened	/ˈθretənd/	adjective	(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered	24,254
2,560	dreamed	/driːmd/	adjective	conceived of or imagined or hoped for	24,254
2,561	poverty	/ˈpɑːvərti/	noun	the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions	22,170
2,562	trace	/treɪs/	noun	a just detectable amount	25,684
2,563	principal	/ˈprɪnsəpəl/	noun	the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated	27,270
2,564	uneasy	/əˈniːzi/	adjective	lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance	20,809
2,565	scenes	/siːnz/	noun	plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs	26,193
2,566	breeze	/briːz/	noun	a slight wind (usually refreshing)	30,697
2,567	chain	/tʃeɪn/	noun	a series of things depending on each other as if linked together	25,374
2,568	august	/ˈɑːɡəst/	noun	the month following July and preceding September	24,078
2,569	indifference	/ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns/	noun	unbiased impartial unconcern	20,621
2,570	alike	/əˈlaɪk/	adverb	equally	25,791
2,571	badly	/ˈbædli/	adverb	to a severe or serious degree	28,371
2,572	objects	/ˈɑːbdʒekts/	noun	plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow	25,045
2,573	someone	/ˈsʌmwʌn/	pronoun	a person, without saying who	25,477
2,574	lieutenant	/luːˈtenənt/	noun	a commissioned military officer	39,814
2,575	domestic	/dəˈmestɪk/	adjective	of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation	21,462
2,576	observation	/ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/	noun	the act of making and recording a measurement	23,056
2,577	longing	/ˈlɔːŋɪŋ/	noun	prolonged unfulfilled desire or need	23,979
2,578	roar	/rɔːr/	verb	make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles	26,996
2,579	remaining	/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/	adjective	not used up	25,061
2,580	cleared	/klɪrd/	adjective	rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush	27,326
2,581	ambition	/æmˈbɪʃən/	noun	a cherished desire	24,024
2,582	ruined	/ˈruːənd/	adjective	destroyed physically or morally	21,055
2,583	produce	/prəˈduːs/	verb	bring forth or yield	23,705
2,584	build	/bɪld/	verb	make by combining materials and parts	26,856
2,585	labour	/ˈleɪbər/	noun	a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages	24,236
2,586	confused	/kənˈfjuːzd/	adjective	perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment	22,348
2,587	naked	/ˈneɪkəd/	adjective	completely unclothed	21,625
2,588	perceive	/pərˈsiːv/	verb	to become aware of through the senses	21,596
2,589	burn	/bɜːrn/	verb	To consume or be consumed by fire.	24,648
2,590	western	/ˈwestərn/	adjective	relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed …	27,450
2,591	humanity	/hjuːˈmænɪti/	noun	the quality of being humane	22,236
2,592	Italy	/ˈɪtəli/	noun	a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Repub…	22,061
2,593	movements	/ˈmuːvmənts/	noun	plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location	24,523
2,594	notwithstanding	/ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/	adverb	despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)	22,844
2,595	hut	/hʌt/	noun	temporary military shelter	27,724
2,596	incident	/ˈɪnsədənt/	noun	a single distinct event	23,844
2,597	wherever	/weˈrevər/	conjunction	in or to any place at all	24,496
2,598	overcome	/ˈoʊvərkʌm/	verb	win a victory over	22,521
2,599	coach	/koʊtʃ/	verb	teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports	21,283
2,600	limbs	/lɪmz/	noun	plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or gr…	24,205
2,601	beach	/biːtʃ/	noun	an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake	29,132
2,602	connection	/kəˈnekʃən/	noun	a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing…	23,672
2,603	distinctly	/dɪˈstɪŋktli/	adverb	clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment	23,195
2,604	extended	/ɪkˈstendəd/	adjective	relatively long in duration; tediously protracted	25,283
2,605	remarks	/rɪˈmɑːrks/	noun	plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds in…	25,542
2,606	lesson	/ˈlesən/	noun	a unit of instruction	26,053
2,607	scorn	/skɔːrn/	noun	lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike	22,769
2,608	pages	/ˈpeɪdʒəz/	noun	plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter e…	24,305

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