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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Ranks 2,601 onward

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Words ranked by how often they occur in the Velmora library
Rank	Word	Sound	Part of speech	Meaning	Occurrences
2,609	soil	/sɔɪl/	noun	the state of being covered with unclean things	25,015
2,610	respectable	/rɪˈspektəbəl/	adjective	characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals	21,834
2,611	wolf	/wʊlf/	noun	any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that u…	31,668
2,612	humour	/ˈhjuːmər/	noun	a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling	24,185
2,613	writer	/ˈraɪtər/	noun	writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)	24,652
2,614	Walter	/ˈwɔːltər/	noun	German conductor (1876-1962)	28,290
2,615	mist	/mɪst/	verb	become covered with mist	24,176
2,616	waved	/weɪvd/	verb	past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod	24,747
2,617	fastened	/ˈfæsənd/	adjective	firmly closed or secured	26,196
2,618	established	/ɪˈstæblɪʃt/	adjective	brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established	23,816
2,619	indifferent	/ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/	adjective	marked by a lack of interest	20,613
2,620	curtain	/ˈkɜːrtən/	noun	hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)	22,051
2,621	obeyed	/oʊˈbeɪd/	verb	past form of “obey” — be obedient to	23,570
2,622	lively	/ˈlaɪvli/	adjective	full of life and energy	23,740
2,623	troubles	/ˈtrʌbəlz/	noun	plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty	23,037
2,624	labor	/ˈleɪbər/	noun	a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages	21,531
2,625	chairs	/tʃerz/	noun	plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back	23,913
2,626	ridiculous	/rɪˈdɪkjələs/	adjective	inspiring scornful pity	21,247
2,627	concern	/kənˈsɜːrn/	noun	something that interests you because it is important or affects you	21,990
2,628	laying	/ˈleɪɪŋ/	noun	the production of eggs (especially in birds)	23,287
2,629	related	/rɪˈleɪtɪd/	adjective	being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics	22,521
2,630	composed	/kəmˈpoʊzd/	adjective	serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress	24,004
2,631	numerous	/ˈnuːmərəs/	adjective	amounting to a large indefinite number	27,000
2,632	clemens	/ˈklemənz/	noun	United States writer and humorist best known for his novels about Tom Sawyer and Huckle…	7,010
2,633	clasped	/klæspt/	verb	past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly	23,518
2,634	market	/ˈmɑːrkət/	noun	the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold	23,262
2,635	roused	/raʊzd/	verb	past form of “rouse” — become active	23,376
2,636	graceful	/ˈɡreɪsfəl/	adjective	characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution	22,738
2,637	basket	/ˈbæskət/	noun	a container that is usually woven and has handles	26,351
2,638	numbers	/ˈnʌmbərz/	noun	the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who…	26,717
2,639	folded	/ˈfoʊldəd/	verb	past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other	23,138
2,640	leader	/ˈliːdər/	noun	a person who rules or guides or inspires others	29,135
2,641	lands	/lændz/	noun	plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located	25,001
2,642	deceived	/dɪˈsiːvd/	verb	past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with	18,820
2,643	Allah	/ˈɑːlə/	noun	Muslim name for the one and only God	9,789
2,644	recalled	/rɪˈkɔːld/	verb	past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection	21,169
2,645	deeds	/diːdz/	noun	performance of moral or religious acts	20,538
2,646	relation	/riˈleɪʃən/	noun	an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together	22,340
2,647	type	/taɪp/	noun	a subdivision of a particular kind of thing	24,171
2,648	views	/vjuːz/	noun	plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.	22,374
2,649	stuck	/stʌk/	adjective	caught or fixed	25,995
2,650	v	/viː/	noun	a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor…	31,753
2,651	national	/ˈnæʃənəl/	adjective	of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country	23,229
2,652	prefer	/prəˈfɜːr/	verb	like better; value more highly	21,247
2,653	apparent	/əˈperənt/	adjective	clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment	24,491
2,654	wrapped	/ræpt/	adjective	covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak	23,941
2,655	glow	/ɡloʊ/	noun	an alert and refreshed state	25,288
2,656	everyone	/ˈevriwʌn/	pronoun	every person	21,633
2,657	qualities	/ˈkwɑːlətiz/	noun	plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone	22,024
2,658	properly	/ˈprɑːpərli/	adverb	in the right manner; correctly; suitably	24,611
2,659	require	/ˌriːˈkwaɪər/	verb	require as useful, just, or proper	21,963
2,660	retreat	/riˈtriːt/	noun	(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's supe…	24,070
2,661	formerly	/ˈfɔːrmərli/	adverb	at a previous time	19,218
2,662	grasp	/ɡræsp/	verb	hold firmly	24,921
2,663	passionate	/ˈpæʃənət/	adjective	having or expressing strong emotions	21,866
2,664	copy	/ˈkɑːpi/	noun	a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)	24,909
2,665	roll	/roʊl/	verb	move by turning over or rotating	25,508
2,666	en	/en/	noun	half the width of an em	26,642
2,667	owner	/ˈoʊnər/	noun	(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business	26,558
2,668	signal	/ˈsɪɡnəl/	noun	any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message	28,544
2,669	slender	/ˈslendər/	adjective	being of delicate or slender build	25,180
2,670	invitation	/ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/	noun	a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something	24,432
2,671	portrait	/ˈpɔːrtrət/	noun	a word picture of a person's appearance and character	21,121
2,672	heap	/hiːp/	noun	a collection of objects laid on top of each other	24,343
2,673	failure	/ˈfeɪljər/	noun	an act that fails	22,810
2,674	separated	/ˈsepəreɪtɪd/	adjective	being or feeling set or kept apart from others	22,479
2,675	families	/ˈfæməliz/	noun	plural of “family” — a social unit living together	22,070
2,676	absorbed	/əbˈzɔːrbd/	adjective	giving or marked by complete attention to	20,811
2,677	vengeance	/ˈvendʒəns/	noun	the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that th…	19,960
2,678	brings	/brɪŋz/	verb	third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere	22,237
2,679	gathering	/ˈɡæðərɪŋ/	noun	a group of persons together in one place	24,866
2,680	proceed	/prəˈsiːd/	verb	continue talking	25,290
2,681	fox	/fɑːks/	noun	alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predat…	32,570
2,682	fairy	/ˈferi/	noun	a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers	27,310
2,683	cunning	/ˈkʌnɪŋ/	adjective	attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness	20,537
2,684	lock	/lɑːk/	verb	fasten with a lock	23,138
2,685	amazement	/əˈmeɪzmənt/	noun	the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising	22,850
2,686	bet	/bet/	verb	maintain with or as if with a bet	25,012
2,687	date	/deɪt/	noun	the specified day of the month	23,714
2,688	plate	/pleɪt/	noun	(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched…	24,073
2,689	breathing	/ˈbriːðɪŋ/	noun	the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from i…	23,648
2,690	sending	/ˈsendɪŋ/	noun	the act of causing something to go (especially messages)	25,669
2,691	possess	/pəˈzes/	verb	have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill	22,210
2,692	parting	/ˈpɑːrtɪŋ/	noun	the act of departing politely	21,570
2,693	hint	/hɪnt/	noun	an indirect suggestion	23,069
2,694	attempted	/əˈtemptɪd/	adjective	tried unsuccessfully	24,501
2,695	disposition	/ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/	noun	your usual mood	22,088
2,696	noted	/ˈnoʊtəd/	adjective	widely known and esteemed	24,061
2,697	wanting	/ˈwɑːntɪŋ/	adjective	nonexistent	21,834
2,698	risen	/ˈrɪzən/	adjective	(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon	22,041
2,699	yield	/jiːld/	verb	be the cause or source of	21,121
2,700	tales	/teɪlz/	noun	plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or cour…	26,764
2,701	Joseph	/ˈdʒoʊsəf/	noun	leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)	22,528
2,702	card	/kɑːrd/	noun	one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing…	21,861
2,703	duchess	/ˈdʌtʃəs/	noun	the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right	20,336
2,704	faded	/ˈfeɪdəd/	adjective	having lost freshness or brilliance of color	23,331
2,705	Englishman	/ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/	noun	a man who is a native or inhabitant of England	20,901
2,706	lofty	/ˈlɔːfti/	adjective	of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style	22,521
2,707	boats	/boʊts/	noun	plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water	38,360
2,708	divided	/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/	adjective	separated into parts or pieces	23,780
2,709	outer	/ˈaʊtər/	adjective	being on the outside or further from a center	23,134
2,710	alarmed	/əˈlɑːrmd/	adjective	experiencing a sudden sense of danger	22,115
2,711	mixed	/mɪkst/	adjective	consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds	23,481
2,712	fort	/fɔːrt/	noun	a fortified military post where troops are stationed	34,194
2,713	decide	/ˌdɪˈsaɪd/	verb	reach, make, or come to a decision about something	22,689
2,714	fence	/fens/	verb	enclose with a fence	23,568
2,715	losing	/ˈluːzɪŋ/	verb	-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or …	22,575
2,716	considering	/kənˈsɪdərɪŋ/	verb	-ing form of “consider” — deem to be	21,934
2,717	heartily	/ˈhɑːrtəli/	adverb	with gusto and without reservation	24,277
2,718	millions	/ˈmɪljənz/	noun	plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros	19,488
2,719	cure	/kjʊr/	verb	provide a cure for, make healthy again	21,381
2,720	starting	/ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/	adjective	(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear	24,844
2,721	succeed	/səkˈsiːd/	verb	attain success or reach a desired goal	21,869
2,722	anxiously	/ˈæŋkʃəsli/	adverb	with anxiety or apprehension	25,710
2,723	destroyed	/dɪˈstrɔɪd/	adjective	spoiled or ruined or demolished	22,805
2,724	crossing	/ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/	noun	traveling across	23,336
2,725	theatre	/ˈθiːətər/	noun	a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented	23,403
2,726	criminal	/ˈkrɪmənəl/	adjective	bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure	17,476
2,727	studied	/ˈstʌdid/	adjective	produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation	22,423
2,728	favourite	/ˈfeɪvərɪt/	noun	a competitor thought likely to win	24,201
2,729	stiff	/stɪf/	adjective	not moving or operating freely	24,402
2,730	stroke	/stroʊk/	noun	(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue …	21,432
2,731	finds	/faɪndz/	noun	plural of “find” — a productive insight	22,183
2,732	wives	/waɪvz/	noun	plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage	20,431
2,733	letting	/ˈletɪŋ/	noun	property that is leased or rented out or let	22,368
2,734	horizon	/hərˈaɪzən/	noun	the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet	23,998
2,735	granted	/ˈɡræntəd/	adjective	acknowledged as a supposition	21,941
2,736	blows	/bloʊz/	noun	plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon	21,148
2,737	feast	/fiːst/	noun	a ceremonial dinner party for many people	24,170
2,738	thence	/ðens/	adverb	from that place or that time	19,122
2,739	hatred	/ˈheɪtrəd/	noun	the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action	19,481
2,740	amusement	/əˈmjuːzmənt/	noun	a feeling of delight at being entertained	24,738
2,741	impatient	/ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/	adjective	restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition	22,044
2,742	likes	/laɪks/	noun	plural of “like” — a similar kind	22,031
2,743	blew	/bluː/	verb	inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard	24,810
2,744	declare	/dɪˈkler/	verb	state emphatically and authoritatively	20,460
2,745	intimate	/ˈɪntəmət/	adjective	marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity	21,254
2,746	bench	/bentʃ/	noun	a long seat for more than one person	22,487
2,747	ceremony	/ˈserəmoʊni/	noun	a formal event performed on a special occasion	20,891
2,748	deadly	/ˈdedli/	adjective	causing or capable of causing death	22,666
2,749	Adam	/ˈædəm/	noun	(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and …	16,407
2,750	revenge	/riˈvendʒ/	noun	action taken in return for an injury or offense	22,717
2,751	reaching	/ˈriːtʃɪŋ/	noun	the act of physically reaching or thrusting out	26,376
2,752	gown	/ɡaʊn/	noun	a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often wor…	21,831
2,753	politics	/ˈpɑːlətɪks/	noun	social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power	19,917
2,754	mud	/mʌd/	noun	water soaked soil; soft wet earth	23,686
2,755	attracted	/əˈtræktɪd/	verb	past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological…	21,744
2,756	shout	/ʃaʊt/	verb	utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of …	26,915
2,757	lovers	/ˈlʌvərz/	noun	plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone	19,272
2,758	safely	/ˈseɪfli/	adverb	with safety; in a safe manner	27,264
2,759	knock	/nɑːk/	verb	deliver a sharp blow or push	23,351
2,760	recall	/ˈriːkɔːl/	verb	recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection	19,913
2,761	curse	/kɜːrs/	noun	profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger	21,338
2,762	civil	/ˈsɪvəl/	adjective	applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military	22,121
2,763	sensation	/senˈseɪʃən/	noun	an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation	21,878
2,764	per	/pɜːr/	preposition	for each	23,462
2,765	statement	/ˈsteɪtmənt/	noun	a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth p…	22,921
2,766	awoke	/əˈwoʊk/	verb	inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping	23,771
2,767	Saturday	/ˈsætərdi/	noun	the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christia…	24,925
2,768	goods	/ɡʊdz/	noun	plural of “good” — benefit	24,546
2,769	hunger	/ˈhʌŋɡər/	noun	a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation	21,703
2,770	benefit	/ˈbenəfɪt/	noun	financial assistance in time of need	22,432
2,771	admired	/ədˈmaɪərd/	adjective	regarded with admiration	19,924
2,772	sofa	/ˈsoʊfə/	noun	an upholstered seat for more than one person	20,059
2,773	nerves	/nɜːrvz/	noun	an uneasy psychological state	22,960
2,774	rifle	/ˈraɪfəl/	verb	steal goods; take as spoils	29,811
2,775	absent	/ˈæbsənt/	adjective	not being in a specified place	20,579
2,776	lightning	/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/	noun	abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the…	22,545
2,777	gardens	/ˈɡɑːrdənz/	noun	plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated	22,276
2,778	eaten	/ˈiːtən/	verb	inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food	23,414
2,779	spell	/spel/	verb	orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of	22,648
2,780	county	/ˈkaʊnti/	noun	(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local gove…	24,554
2,781	rejoined	/riˈdʒɔɪnd/	verb	past form of “rejoin” — join again	20,543
2,782	strain	/streɪn/	noun	(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces	24,197
2,783	whither	/ˈwɪðər/	adverb	an old word meaning “to where”	18,608
2,784	abandoned	/əˈbændənd/	adjective	forsaken by owner or inhabitants	20,445
2,785	permission	/pərˈmɪʃən/	noun	approval to do something	22,820
2,786	articles	/ˈɑːrtəkəlz/	noun	plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication	24,609
2,787	branch	/bræntʃ/	noun	a division of some larger or more complex organization	23,481
2,788	southern	/ˈsʌðərn/	adjective	in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Maso…	25,772
2,789	theory	/ˈθɪri/	noun	a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized syst…	21,373
2,790	hospital	/ˈhɑːspɪtəl/	noun	a health facility where patients receive treatment	24,013
2,791	valuable	/ˈvæljəbəl/	adjective	having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange	25,310
2,792	fortunate	/ˈfɔːrtʃənət/	adjective	having unexpected good fortune	22,520
2,793	sheet	/ʃiːt/	noun	any broad thin expanse or surface	22,395
2,794	published	/ˈpʌblɪʃt/	adjective	prepared and printed for distribution and sale	31,708
2,795	inquiry	/ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/	noun	a search for knowledge	19,213
2,796	term	/tɜːrm/	noun	a word or expression used for some particular thing	22,412
2,797	record	/rəˈkɔːrd/	noun	anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanen…	23,461
2,798	characters	/ˈkærəktərz/	noun	plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or f…	24,626
2,799	poem	/ˈpoʊəm/	noun	a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines	28,253
2,800	anguish	/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/	noun	extreme mental distress	18,963
2,801	exact	/ɪɡˈzækt/	adjective	Strictly particular and correct.	20,869
2,802	exceedingly	/ɪkˈsiːdɪŋli/	adverb	to an extreme degree	22,994
2,803	keeps	/kiːps/	noun	plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives	22,336
2,804	pressing	/ˈpresɪŋ/	noun	the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure	19,968
2,805	grim	/ɡrɪm/	adjective	not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty	24,892
2,806	slope	/sloʊp/	noun	an elevated geological formation	21,163
2,807	opinions	/əˈpɪnjənz/	noun	plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or cer…	21,143
2,808	services	/ˈsɜːrvəsəz/	noun	performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others	22,343

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