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 2,801 onward

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Words ranked by how often they occur in the Velmora library
Rank	Word	Sound	Part of speech	Meaning	Occurrences
2,809	solitude	/ˈsɑːlətuːd/	noun	a state of social isolation	19,207
2,810	realize	/ˈriːəlaɪz/	verb	be fully aware or cognizant of	22,731
2,811	thanked	/θæŋkt/	verb	past form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to	19,453
2,812	merchant	/ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/	noun	A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.	21,876
2,813	mankind	/ˈmænˈkaɪnd/	noun	all of the living human inhabitants of the earth	20,884
2,814	Herbert	/ˈhɜːrbərt/	noun	United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)	15,375
2,815	eve	/iːv/	noun	(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of…	20,736
2,816	warned	/wɔːrnd/	verb	past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk	22,243
2,817	avenue	/ˈævənuː/	noun	a line of approach	20,812
2,818	destroy	/dɪˈstrɔɪ/	verb	do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of	20,963
2,819	protect	/prəˈtekt/	verb	shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage	20,769
2,820	confessed	/kənˈfest/	verb	past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under p…	20,813
2,821	smoking	/ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/	noun	the act of smoking tobacco or other substances	21,727
2,822	trifle	/ˈtraɪfəl/	noun	a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorat…	21,580
2,823	exquisite	/ˈekskwəzət/	adjective	intense or sharp	20,902
2,824	pack	/pæk/	verb	arrange in a container	23,869
2,825	salt	/sɔːlt/	noun	a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts l…	24,751
2,826	gather	/ˈɡæðər/	verb	assemble or get together	22,154
2,827	exchange	/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/	noun	chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another	21,073
2,828	awakened	/əˈweɪkənd/	adjective	aroused or activated	19,830
2,829	feels	/fiːlz/	noun	plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness	21,702
2,830	principle	/ˈprɪnsəpəl/	noun	a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for rea…	21,590
2,831	physician	/fəˈzɪʃən/	noun	a licensed medical practitioner	18,654
2,832	difficulties	/ˈdɪfəkəltiz/	noun	plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient	21,921
2,833	pockets	/ˈpɑːkəts/	noun	plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles	22,401
2,834	cheer	/tʃɪr/	verb	give encouragement to	24,390
2,835	infinite	/ˈɪnfənət/	adjective	having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude	19,506
2,836	inhabitants	/ɪnˈhæbətənts/	noun	plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place	24,084
2,837	correct	/kərˈekt/	verb	make right or correct	22,114
2,838	winds	/wɪndz/	noun	plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high …	24,955
2,839	feeble	/ˈfiːbəl/	adjective	pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness	20,351
2,840	pains	/peɪnz/	noun	an effortful attempt to attain a goal	21,420
2,841	romance	/roʊˈmæns/	noun	a relationship between two lovers	23,391
2,842	plunged	/plʌndʒd/	verb	past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into	21,971
2,843	resting	/ˈrestɪŋ/	verb	-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position	23,136
2,844	possibility	/ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiː/	noun	a future prospect or potential	22,074
2,845	contents	/ˈkɑːntents/	noun	(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or includ…	23,386
2,846	corn	/kɔːrn/	noun	tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in…	24,555
2,847	pursuit	/pərˈsuːt/	noun	the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture	23,386
2,848	summoned	/ˈsʌmənd/	verb	past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court	19,971
2,849	slain	/sleɪn/	noun	people who have been slain (as in battle)	17,109
2,850	separate	/ˈsepəreɪt/	verb	act as a barrier between; stand between	20,855
2,851	describe	/dɪˈskraɪb/	verb	give a description of	21,365
2,852	glimpse	/ɡlɪmps/	noun	a quick look	22,431
2,853	cards	/kɑːrdz/	noun	a game played with playing cards	21,290
2,854	bushes	/ˈbʊʃəz/	noun	plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems	26,950
2,855	signed	/saɪnd/	adjective	having a handwritten signature	19,108
2,856	method	/ˈmeθəd/	noun	a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arran…	22,160
2,857	expense	/ɪkˈspens/	noun	amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to…	19,852
2,858	compared	/kəmˈperd/	verb	past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of	20,960
2,859	masters	/ˈmæstərz/	noun	United States poet (1869-1950)	20,531
2,860	expedition	/ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/	noun	a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country	25,466
2,861	shalt	/ʃælt/	modal verb	an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”	18,073
2,862	G	/dʒiː/	noun	a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram	25,852
2,864	trunk	/trʌŋk/	noun	the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that i…	24,220
2,865	paying	/ˈpeɪɪŋ/	adjective	yielding a fair profit	20,493
2,866	straw	/strɔː/	noun	plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder	21,407
2,867	happens	/ˈhæpənz/	verb	third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass	21,736
2,868	trusted	/ˈtrʌstɪd/	adjective	(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence	20,522
2,869	retorted	/riˈtɔːrtɪd/	verb	past form of “retort” — answer back	22,945
2,870	W	/ˈdʌbəljuː/	noun	a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applica…	33,586
2,871	charged	/tʃɑːrdʒd/	adjective	of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric c…	20,271
2,872	charity	/ˈtʃerɪti/	noun	a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular i…	20,924
2,873	lunch	/lʌntʃ/	verb	take the midday meal	23,269
2,874	official	/əˈfɪʃəl/	adjective	having official authority or sanction	19,773
2,875	engagement	/enˈɡeɪdʒmənt/	noun	a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war	20,829
2,876	score	/skɔːr/	noun	a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)	21,632
2,877	forces	/ˈfɔːrsɪz/	noun	plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence	21,401
2,878	restless	/ˈrestləs/	adjective	worried and uneasy	20,743
2,879	applied	/əˈplaɪd/	adjective	concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles	21,028
2,880	platform	/ˈplætfɔːrm/	noun	a raised horizontal surface	24,678
2,881	lucky	/ˈlʌki/	adjective	occurring by chance	23,195
2,882	breathed	/briːðd/	adjective	uttered without voice	21,414
2,883	Fanny	/ˈfæni/	noun	the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on	22,594
2,885	warmth	/wɔːrmθ/	noun	the sensation caused by heat energy	20,459
2,886	n	/en/	noun	a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diat…	48,253
2,887	stolen	/ˈstoʊlən/	verb	inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent	21,742
2,888	violently	/ˈvaɪələntli/	adverb	in a violent manner	20,036
2,889	nephew	/ˈnefjuː/	noun	a son of your brother or sister	19,302
2,890	purse	/pɜːrs/	noun	a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially…	17,935
2,891	defend	/dɪˈfend/	verb	argue or speak in defense of	19,395
2,892	emotions	/ɪˈmoʊʃənz/	noun	plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling	19,361
2,893	honourable	/ˈɑːnərəbəl/	adjective	worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect	16,682
2,894	wheel	/wiːl/	verb	change directions as if revolving on a pivot	24,774
2,895	cardinal	/ˈkɑːrdənəl/	noun	(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred…	13,299
2,896	Bible	/ˈbaɪbəl/	noun	the sacred writings of the Christian religions	23,212
2,897	readily	/ˈredəli/	adverb	without much difficulty	22,141
2,898	sole	/soʊl/	noun	the underside of footwear or a golf club	19,876
2,899	refuge	/ˈrefjuːdʒ/	noun	a safe place	19,094
2,900	careless	/ˈkerləs/	adjective	marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful	21,826
2,901	inner	/ˈɪnər/	adjective	located inward	22,878
2,902	beaten	/ˈbiːtən/	adjective	formed or made thin by hammering	21,579
2,903	sunset	/ˈsʌnset/	noun	the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon	22,261
2,904	travelling	/ˈtrævəlɪŋ/	noun	the act of going from one place to another	22,132
2,905	continually	/kənˈtɪnjuːəli/	adverb	seemingly without interruption	19,994
2,906	modest	/ˈmɑːdəst/	adjective	marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself	18,229
2,907	pronounced	/prəˈnaʊnst/	adjective	strongly marked; easily noticeable	18,544
2,908	intervals	/ˈɪntərvəlz/	noun	plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants	20,257
2,909	expecting	/ɪkˈspektɪŋ/	verb	-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely	20,919
2,910	hush	/hʌʃ/	verb	become quiet or still; fall silent	20,500
2,911	worry	/ˈwɜːri/	verb	be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy	25,005
2,912	jealousy	/ˈdʒeləsi/	noun	a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)	17,942
2,913	dat	/dæt/	noun	a digital tape recording of sound	24,018
2,914	confession	/kənˈfeʃən/	noun	an admission of misdeeds or faults	18,310
2,915	longed	/lɔːŋd/	verb	past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently	20,647
2,916	weapon	/ˈwepən/	noun	any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting	23,014
2,917	adventures	/ædˈventʃərz/	noun	plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)	24,600
2,918	Christ	/kraɪst/	noun	a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons fo…	32,450
2,920	shouting	/ˈʃaʊtɪŋ/	noun	encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators	21,554
2,921	feed	/fiːd/	verb	provide as food	21,838
2,922	impatience	/ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/	noun	a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay	18,192
2,923	tore	/tɔːr/	noun	commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column	21,417
2,924	murmur	/ˈmɜːrmər/	noun	a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without th…	19,668
2,925	hundreds	/ˈhʌndrədz/	noun	plural of “hundred” — ten 10s	22,466
2,926	chiefly	/ˈtʃiːfli/	adverb	for the most part	20,986
2,927	mischief	/ˈmɪstʃəf/	noun	reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others	22,979
2,928	prayed	/preɪd/	verb	past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say …	19,748
2,929	hideous	/ˈhɪdiəs/	adjective	grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror	18,150
2,930	examination	/ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/	noun	the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)	19,816
2,931	recognize	/ˈrekəɡnaɪz/	verb	accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority	18,122
2,932	spiritual	/ˈspɪrɪtʃuːəl/	adjective	concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church	21,661
2,933	blessing	/ˈblesɪŋ/	noun	the formal act of approving	20,949
2,934	directions	/dərˈekʃənz/	noun	plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point	23,004
2,935	actual	/ˈæktʃəwəl/	adjective	presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible	21,604
2,936	stopping	/ˈstɑːpɪŋ/	noun	fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members	20,798
2,937	eighteen	/eɪˈtiːn/	adjective	being one more than seventeen	19,773
2,938	persuaded	/pərˈsweɪdɪd/	verb	past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for	19,704
2,939	principles	/ˈprɪnsəpəlz/	noun	plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be…	21,802
2,940	furious	/ˈfjʊriəs/	adjective	marked by extreme and violent energy	19,785
2,941	footsteps	/ˈfʊtsteps/	noun	plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking	20,777
2,942	jolly	/ˈdʒɑːli/	adjective	full of or showing high-spirited merriment	23,089
2,943	autumn	/ˈɔːtəm/	noun	the season when the leaves fall from the trees	22,471
2,944	changes	/ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/	noun	plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase…	20,123
2,945	glancing	/ˈɡlænsɪŋ/	verb	-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at	21,113
2,946	lords	/lɔːrdz/	noun	plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God	17,213
2,947	process	/ˈprɑːses/	verb	subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving…	19,959
2,948	islands	/ˈaɪləndz/	noun	plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water	25,814
2,949	cease	/siːs/	verb	put an end to a state or an activity	18,803
2,950	quit	/kwɪt/	verb	put an end to a state or an activity	20,498
2,951	discussion	/dɪˈskʌʃən/	noun	an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic	19,960
2,952	gifts	/ɡɪfts/	noun	plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation	19,505
2,953	intend	/ˌɪnˈtend/	verb	have in mind as a purpose	21,735
2,954	Russian	/ˈrʌʃən/	noun	a native or inhabitant of Russia	17,925
2,955	waist	/weɪst/	noun	the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips	20,957
2,956	verse	/vɜːrs/	noun	literature in metrical form	23,656
2,957	mission	/ˈmɪʃən/	noun	an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work	21,040
2,958	sunlight	/ˈsʌnlaɪt/	noun	the rays of the sun	20,158
2,959	begins	/bɪˈɡɪnz/	noun	plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel…	20,395
2,960	represented	/ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/	adjective	represented accurately or precisely	20,365
2,961	favorite	/ˈfeɪvərɪt/	noun	something regarded with special favor or liking	19,351
2,962	innocence	/ˈɪnəsəns/	noun	the quality of innocent naivete	17,948
2,963	gasped	/ɡæspt/	verb	past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted	24,274
2,964	acting	/ˈæktɪŋ/	noun	the performance of a part or role in a drama	21,426
2,965	sailor	/ˈseɪlər/	noun	any member of a ship's crew	24,152
2,966	genuine	/ˈdʒenjəwən/	adjective	not fake or counterfeit	20,336
2,967	elsewhere	/ˈelswer/	adverb	in or to another place	18,482
2,968	Providence	/ˈprɑː.və.dəns/	noun	The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù …	18,622
2,969	gallant	/ˈɡælənt/	adjective	unflinching in battle or action	21,268
2,970	craft	/kræft/	noun	the skilled practice of a practical occupation	27,337
2,971	staircase	/ˈsterkeɪs/	noun	a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps	15,626
2,972	agent	/ˈeɪdʒənt/	noun	an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect	19,720
2,973	faced	/feɪst/	adjective	having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combina…	22,806
2,974	chap	/tʃæp/	noun	a boy or man	26,867
2,975	jewels	/ˈdʒuːəlz/	noun	plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewel…	18,863
2,976	speaks	/spiːks/	verb	third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech	20,739
2,977	procession	/prəˈseʃən/	noun	(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost	19,401
2,978	inspired	/ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/	adjective	being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods	17,496
2,979	wrought	/rɔːt/	adjective	shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or eff…	18,707
2,980	impressed	/ˌɪmˈprest/	adjective	deeply or markedly affected or influenced	19,900
2,981	paint	/peɪnt/	verb	make a painting	19,638
2,982	childhood	/ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/	noun	the time of person's life when they are a child	20,425
2,983	preferred	/prəˈfɜːrd/	adjective	more desirable than another	19,425
2,984	twilight	/ˈtwaɪlaɪt/	noun	the time of day immediately following sunset	20,185
2,985	Johnson	/ˈdʒɑːnsən/	noun	English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)	28,439
2,986	hesitation	/ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/	noun	indecision in speech or action	19,211
2,987	kinds	/kaɪndz/	noun	plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or …	22,803
2,988	songs	/sɔːŋz/	noun	plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words	23,683
2,989	source	/sɔːrs/	noun	the place where something begins, where it springs into being	21,226
2,990	arrive	/ərˈaɪv/	verb	reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress	20,523
2,991	marks	/mɑːrks/	noun	English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)	20,933
2,992	visitors	/ˈvɪzɪtərz/	noun	plural of “visitor” — someone who visits	21,199
2,993	reasonable	/ˈriːzənəbəl/	adjective	showing reason or sound judgment	19,492
2,994	resist	/rɪˈzɪst/	verb	elude, especially in a baffling way	19,892
2,995	landed	/ˈlændəd/	adjective	owning or consisting of land or real estate	25,391
2,996	dashed	/dæʃt/	adjective	having gaps or spaces	25,071
2,997	disgrace	/dɪsˈɡreɪs/	verb	bring shame or dishonor upon	18,812
2,998	sailed	/seɪld/	verb	past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)	24,426
2,999	intellectual	/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/	adjective	of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind	17,994
3,000	design	/dɪˈzaɪn/	noun	the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)	21,770

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