The most common English words
This table is a measurement of our own library. Every word in 191,625 published chapters was counted — 210,375,850 word occurrences across 13,850 books — 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 1,601 onward
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| Rank | Word | Sound | Part of speech | Meaning | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,604 | assured | /əˈʃʊrd/ | adjective | marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence | 11,322 |
| 1,605 | season | /ˈsiːzən/ | noun | a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field | 11,322 |
| 1,606 | unable | /əˈneɪbəl/ | adjective | (usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how | 11,321 |
| 1,607 | dreams | /driːmz/ | noun | plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep | 11,287 |
| 1,608 | grant | /ɡrænt/ | verb | let have | 11,278 |
| 1,609 | post | /poʊst/ | verb | affix in a public place or for public notice | 11,257 |
| 1,610 | sounds | /saʊndz/ | noun | plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause | 11,255 |
| 1,611 | powerful | /ˈpaʊərfəl/ | adjective | having great power or force or potency or effect | 11,242 |
| 1,612 | lest | /lest/ | conjunction | in order that something should not happen | 11,225 |
| 1,613 | suspicion | /səˈspɪʃən/ | noun | an impression that something might be the case | 11,225 |
| 1,614 | surface | /ˈsɜːrfəs/ | noun | the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a… | 11,221 |
| 1,615 | forty | /ˈfɔːrti/ | adjective | being ten more than thirty | 11,212 |
| 1,616 | example | /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/ | noun | an item of information that is typical of a class or group | 11,209 |
| 1,617 | temple | /ˈtempəl/ | noun | place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity | 11,206 |
| 1,618 | papa | /ˈpɑːpʌ/ | noun | an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk | 11,204 |
| 1,619 | accustomed | /əˈkʌstəmd/ | adjective | commonly used or practiced; usual | 11,200 |
| 1,620 | yards | /jɑːrdz/ | noun | plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; orig… | 11,193 |
| 1,621 | cloud | /klaʊd/ | verb | make overcast or cloudy | 11,190 |
| 1,622 | enjoy | /ˌenˈdʒɔɪ/ | verb | derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in | 11,189 |
| 1,623 | completely | /kəmˈpliːtli/ | adverb | to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally … | 11,186 |
| 1,624 | heat | /hiːt/ | noun | a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature | 11,178 |
| 1,625 | leaning | /ˈliːnɪŋ/ | adjective | departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal | 11,177 |
| 1,626 | vision | /ˈvɪʒən/ | noun | a vivid mental image | 11,177 |
| 1,627 | fields | /fiːldz/ | noun | United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946) | 11,173 |
| 1,628 | waters | /ˈwɔːtərz/ | noun | United States actress and singer (1896-1977) | 11,165 |
| 1,629 | addressed | /əˈdrest/ | adjective | (of mail) marked with a destination | 11,151 |
| 1,630 | crying | /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ | adjective | demanding attention | 11,148 |
| 1,631 | famous | /ˈfeɪməs/ | adjective | widely known and esteemed | 11,145 |
| 1,632 | prevent | /prɪˈvent/ | verb | keep from happening or arising; make impossible | 11,140 |
| 1,633 | precious | /ˈpreʃəs/ | adjective | characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for | 11,136 |
| 1,634 | confess | /kənˈfes/ | verb | confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure | 11,132 |
| 1,635 | gay | /ɡeɪ/ | adjective | bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer | 11,129 |
| 1,636 | worn | /wɔːrn/ | verb | Damaged or thinned by continuous use. | 11,126 |
| 1,637 | message | /ˈmesədʒ/ | noun | a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled | 11,122 |
| 1,638 | mile | /maɪl/ | noun | a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters | 11,107 |
| 1,639 | rule | /ruːl/ | noun | a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior | 11,098 |
| 1,640 | dared | /derd/ | verb | past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission | 11,094 |
| 1,641 | spare | /sper/ | verb | refrain from harming | 11,093 |
| 1,642 | troubled | /ˈtrʌbəld/ | adjective | characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need | 11,081 |
| 1,643 | stories | /ˈstɔːriz/ | noun | plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or cou… | 11,074 |
| 1,644 | meanwhile | /ˈmiːnwaɪl/ | adverb | at the same time but in another place | 11,072 |
| 1,645 | flight | /flaɪt/ | noun | a formation of aircraft in flight | 11,071 |
| 1,646 | required | /riˈkwaɪərd/ | adjective | necessary for relief or supply | 11,055 |
| 1,647 | guests | /ɡests/ | noun | plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended | 11,046 |
| 1,648 | sell | /sel/ | verb | exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent | 11,044 |
| 1,649 | recognized | /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/ | adjective | generally approved or compelling recognition | 11,043 |
| 1,650 | begged | /beɡd/ | verb | inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat | 11,019 |
| 1,651 | slipped | /slɪpt/ | verb | inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily | 11,016 |
| 1,652 | moreover | /mɔːˈroʊvər/ | adverb | in addition to what has just been said | 10,994 |
| 1,653 | ball | /bɔːl/ | noun | round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games | 10,988 |
| 1,654 | Paul | /pɔːl/ | noun | United States feminist (1885-1977) | 10,987 |
| 1,655 | flesh | /fleʃ/ | noun | the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat | 10,984 |
| 1,656 | wet | /wet/ | adjective | covered or soaked with a liquid such as water | 10,973 |
| 1,657 | mystery | /ˈmɪstəri/ | noun | something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained | 10,972 |
| 1,658 | regarded | /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/ | verb | past form of “regard” — deem to be | 10,971 |
| 1,659 | companions | /kəmˈpænjənz/ | noun | plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another | 10,969 |
| 1,660 | speed | /spiːd/ | verb | move hurridly | 10,964 |
| 1,661 | delighted | /dɪˈlaɪtəd/ | adjective | greatly pleased | 10,961 |
| 1,662 | sacred | /ˈseɪkrəd/ | adjective | concerned with religion or religious purposes | 10,955 |
| 1,663 | flew | /fluː/ | verb | inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne | 10,942 |
| 1,664 | facts | /fækts/ | noun | plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that… | 10,936 |
| 1,665 | rolled | /roʊld/ | adjective | especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward | 10,935 |
| 1,666 | lonely | /ˈloʊnli/ | adjective | lacking companions or companionship | 10,933 |
| 1,667 | brilliant | /ˈbrɪljənt/ | adjective | of surpassing excellence | 10,925 |
| 1,668 | wishes | /ˈwɪʃɪz/ | noun | plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire | 10,914 |
| 1,669 | religion | /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ | noun | a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny | 10,912 |
| 1,670 | circle | /ˈsɜːrkəl/ | noun | ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point… | 10,909 |
| 1,671 | cries | /kraɪz/ | noun | plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition | 10,905 |
| 1,672 | rocks | /rɑːks/ | noun | plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter | 10,904 |
| 1,673 | brow | /braʊ/ | noun | the part of the face above the eyes | 10,900 |
| 1,674 | pushed | /pʊʃt/ | verb | past form of “push” — move with force | 10,881 |
| 1,675 | judgment | /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/ | noun | an opinion formed by judging something | 10,872 |
| 1,676 | temper | /ˈtempər/ | noun | a sudden outburst of anger | 10,872 |
| 1,677 | ha | /hɑː/ | noun | (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celes… | 10,871 |
| 1,678 | skin | /skɪn/ | noun | a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch | 10,871 |
| 1,679 | admit | /ədˈmɪt/ | verb | declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of | 10,865 |
| 1,680 | group | /ɡruːp/ | noun | any number of entities (members) considered as a unit | 10,836 |
| 1,681 | concerning | /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/ | verb | -ing form of “concern” — be relevant to | 10,831 |
| 1,682 | accompanied | /əˈkʌmpənid/ | adjective | having companions or an escort | 10,829 |
| 1,683 | club | /klʌb/ | noun | a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together | 10,825 |
| 1,684 | flying | /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ | adjective | moving swiftly | 10,824 |
| 1,685 | patience | /ˈpeɪʃəns/ | noun | good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence | 10,817 |
| 1,686 | stones | /stoʊnz/ | noun | plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter | 10,817 |
| 1,687 | cap | /kæp/ | noun | a tight-fitting headdress | 10,811 |
| 1,688 | importance | /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/ | noun | the quality of being important and worthy of note | 10,801 |
| 1,689 | considerable | /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/ | adjective | large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree | 10,782 |
| 1,690 | upper | /ˈʌpər/ | adjective | the topmost one of two | 10,766 |
| 1,691 | sighed | /saɪd/ | verb | past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily | 10,759 |
| 1,692 | express | /ɪkˈspres/ | verb | give expression to | 10,748 |
| 1,693 | careful | /ˈkerfəl/ | adjective | exercising caution or showing care or attention | 10,746 |
| 1,694 | modern | /ˈmɑːdərn/ | adjective | belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages | 10,732 |
| 1,695 | gets | /ɡets/ | noun | plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally… | 10,713 |
| 1,696 | deck | /dek/ | noun | any of various platforms built into a vessel | 10,699 |
| 1,697 | blame | /bleɪm/ | verb | put or pin the blame on | 10,695 |
| 1,698 | sank | /sæŋk/ | verb | inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level | 10,680 |
| 1,699 | favour | /ˈfeɪvər/ | noun | a feeling of favorable regard | 10,659 |
| 1,700 | everywhere | /ˈevriwer/ | adverb | to or in any or all places | 10,658 |
| 1,701 | maybe | /ˈmeɪbi/ | adverb | by chance | 10,658 |
| 1,702 | Billy | /ˈbɪli/ | noun | a short stout club used primarily by policemen | 10,650 |
| 1,703 | muttered | /ˈmʌtərd/ | verb | past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice | 10,643 |
| 1,704 | nurse | /nɜːrs/ | verb | try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury | 10,634 |
| 1,705 | colour | /ˈkʌlər/ | adjective | having or capable of producing colors | 10,623 |
| 1,706 | clever | /ˈklevər/ | adjective | showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others | 10,622 |
| 1,707 | brief | /briːf/ | adjective | of short duration or distance | 10,608 |
| 1,708 | style | /staɪl/ | noun | how something is done or how it happens | 10,608 |
| 1,709 | cheek | /tʃiːk/ | noun | either side of the face below the eyes | 10,599 |
| 1,710 | fat | /fæt/ | adjective | having an (over)abundance of flesh | 10,593 |
| 1,711 | bold | /boʊld/ | adjective | fearless and daring | 10,592 |
| 1,712 | slightly | /ˈslaɪtli/ | adverb | to a small degree or extent | 10,589 |
| 1,713 | height | /haɪt/ | noun | the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top | 10,584 |
| 1,714 | Don | /dɑːn/ | noun | a Spanish gentleman or nobleman | 10,579 |
| 1,715 | loves | /lʌvz/ | noun | plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection | 10,573 |
| 1,716 | stands | /stændz/ | noun | plural of “stand” — a support or foundation | 10,571 |
| 1,717 | flat | /flæt/ | adjective | having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another | 10,566 |
| 1,718 | manners | /ˈmænərz/ | noun | social deportment | 10,563 |
| 1,719 | library | /ˈlaɪbreriː/ | noun | a room where books are kept | 10,560 |
| 1,720 | cup | /kʌp/ | noun | a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle | 10,559 |
| 1,721 | key | /kiː/ | noun | metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock th… | 10,558 |
| 1,722 | join | /dʒɔɪn/ | verb | become part of; become a member of a group or organization | 10,556 |
| 1,724 | virtue | /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/ | noun | Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philo… | 10,544 |
| 1,725 | rank | /ræŋk/ | noun | a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another | 10,543 |
| 1,726 | cabin | /ˈkæbən/ | noun | small room on a ship or boat where people sleep | 10,541 |
| 1,727 | store | /stɔːr/ | noun | a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services | 10,534 |
| 1,728 | sum | /sʌm/ | noun | a quantity of money | 10,532 |
| 1,729 | shade | /ʃeɪd/ | noun | relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body | 10,530 |
| 1,730 | fighting | /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/ | noun | the act of fighting; any contest or struggle | 10,526 |
| 1,731 | desert | /ˈdezərt/ | verb | leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch | 10,521 |
| 1,732 | bless | /bles/ | verb | give a benediction to | 10,511 |
| 1,733 | notes | /noʊts/ | noun | plural of “note” — a brief written record | 10,490 |
| 1,734 | brothers | /ˈbrʌðərz/ | noun | plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else | 10,467 |
| 1,735 | freedom | /ˈfriːdəm/ | noun | the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally impo… | 10,465 |
| 1,736 | younger | /ˈjʌŋɡər/ | adjective | used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a so… | 10,464 |
| 1,737 | melancholy | /ˈmelənkɑːli/ | noun | a feeling of thoughtful sadness | 10,456 |
| 1,738 | divine | /dɪˈvaɪn/ | adjective | emanating from God | 10,455 |
| 1,739 | necessity | /nəˈsesəti/ | noun | the condition of being essential or indispensable | 10,453 |
| 1,740 | choice | /tʃɔɪs/ | noun | the person or thing chosen or selected | 10,448 |
| 1,741 | proof | /pruːf/ | noun | any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something | 10,440 |
| 1,742 | America | /əˈmerəkə/ | noun | North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America … | 10,438 |
| 1,743 | attitude | /ˈætətuːd/ | noun | a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to ac… | 10,427 |
| 1,744 | fairly | /ˈferli/ | adverb | to certain extent or degree | 10,427 |
| 1,745 | arranged | /ərˈeɪndʒd/ | adjective | disposed or placed in a particular kind of order | 10,413 |
| 1,746 | enemies | /ˈenəmiz/ | noun | plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force | 10,411 |
| 1,747 | showing | /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/ | noun | the display of a motion picture | 10,410 |
| 1,748 | sold | /soʊld/ | adjective | disposed of to a purchaser | 10,410 |
| 1,749 | informed | /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmd/ | adjective | having much knowledge or education | 10,408 |
| 1,750 | claim | /kleɪm/ | noun | an assertion of a right (as to money or property) | 10,399 |
| 1,751 | thrust | /θrʌst/ | verb | push forcefully | 10,395 |
| 1,752 | fail | /feɪl/ | verb | fail to do something; leave something undone | 10,391 |
| 1,753 | apart | /əˈpɑːrt/ | adverb | separated or at a distance in place or position or time | 10,379 |
| 1,754 | concerned | /kənˈsɜːrnd/ | adjective | feeling or showing worry or solicitude | 10,377 |
| 1,755 | wisdom | /ˈwɪzdəm/ | noun | accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment | 10,368 |
| 1,756 | horrible | /ˈhɔːrəbəl/ | adjective | provoking horror | 10,353 |
| 1,757 | queer | /kwɪr/ | adjective | beyond or deviating from the usual or expected | 10,336 |
| 1,758 | color | /ˈkʌlər/ | noun | a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or refle… | 10,327 |
| 1,759 | savage | /ˈsævədʒ/ | adjective | (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering | 10,322 |
| 1,760 | trade | /treɪd/ | noun | the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of go… | 10,322 |
| 1,761 | departure | /dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/ | noun | the act of departing | 10,305 |
| 1,762 | plainly | /ˈpleɪnli/ | adverb | unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”) | 10,298 |
| 1,763 | swept | /swept/ | adjective | possessing sweep | 10,298 |
| 1,764 | lights | /laɪts/ | noun | plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensa… | 10,296 |
| 1,765 | patient | /ˈpeɪʃənt/ | noun | a person who requires medical care | 10,290 |
| 1,766 | bade | /beɪd/ | noun | a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria | 10,289 |
| 1,767 | spend | /spend/ | verb | use up a period of time in a specific way | 10,269 |
| 1,768 | Rome | /roʊm/ | noun | capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; for… | 10,266 |
| 1,769 | bringing | /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/ | noun | the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail) | 10,263 |
| 1,770 | genius | /ˈdʒiːnjəs/ | noun | someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality | 10,260 |
| 1,771 | hanging | /ˈhæŋɪŋ/ | noun | decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window | 10,256 |
| 1,772 | support | /səˈpɔːrt/ | noun | the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities | 10,241 |
| 1,773 | reader | /ˈriːdər/ | noun | a person who enjoys reading | 10,237 |
| 1,774 | reasons | /ˈriːzənz/ | noun | plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action | 10,233 |
| 1,775 | earnest | /ˈɜːrnɪst/ | adjective | characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions | 10,197 |
| 1,776 | accident | /ˈæksədənt/ | noun | an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury | 10,185 |
| 1,777 | minds | /maɪndz/ | noun | plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and consciou… | 10,183 |
| 1,778 | staring | /ˈsterɪŋ/ | adjective | (used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder | 10,174 |
| 1,779 | points | /pɔɪnts/ | noun | plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension | 10,171 |
| 1,780 | Martin | /ˈmɑːrtən/ | noun | French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397) | 10,167 |
| 1,781 | sin | /sɪn/ | noun | estrangement from god | 10,165 |
| 1,782 | equally | /ˈiːkwəli/ | adverb | to the same degree (often followed by “as”) | 10,160 |
| 1,783 | odd | /ɑːd/ | adjective | not divisible by two | 10,158 |
| 1,784 | fierce | /fɪrs/ | adjective | marked by extreme and violent energy | 10,140 |
| 1,785 | double | /ˈdʌbəl/ | verb | increase twofold | 10,139 |
| 1,786 | fled | /fled/ | verb | inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly | 10,139 |
| 1,787 | whilst | /waɪlst/ | conjunction | an old and formal word for “while” | 10,132 |
| 1,788 | mounted | /ˈmaʊntəd/ | adjective | assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support | 10,127 |
| 1,789 | murder | /ˈmɜːrdər/ | verb | kill intentionally and with premeditation | 10,126 |
| 1,790 | visible | /ˈvɪzəbəl/ | adjective | capable of being seen; or open to easy view | 10,111 |
| 1,791 | foreign | /ˈfɔːrən/ | adjective | of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own) | 10,108 |
| 1,792 | merry | /ˈmeri/ | adjective | full of or showing high-spirited merriment | 10,108 |
| 1,793 | gun | /ɡʌn/ | noun | a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or ba… | 10,106 |
| 1,794 | rare | /rer/ | adjective | not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness | 10,103 |
| 1,795 | add | /æd/ | verb | make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quan… | 10,099 |
| 1,796 | treated | /ˈtriːtɪd/ | adjective | subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent | 10,098 |
| 1,797 | becoming | /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/ | adjective | according with custom or propriety | 10,083 |
| 1,798 | behold | /bɪˈhoʊld/ | verb | see with attention | 10,081 |
| 1,799 | hit | /hɪt/ | verb | cause to move by striking | 10,078 |
| 1,800 | handed | /ˈhændəd/ | adjective | having or involving the use of hands | 10,072 |
| 1,801 | regular | /ˈreɡjələr/ | adjective | in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle | 10,056 |
| 1,802 | pipe | /paɪp/ | noun | a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco | 10,052 |
| 1,803 | pictures | /ˈpɪktʃərz/ | noun | plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstr… | 10,049 |
| 1,804 | guilty | /ˈɡɪlti/ | adjective | responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act | 10,046 |
A word list is only half of it
Words are learned where they live. Every entry here links into a chapter that uses it, and the library holds 13,850 complete books to read them in.