1,000 Most Common English Words — Learn with Flashcards
English has the largest vocabulary of any natural language, but the good news is that most of it is rarely used. Studies of spoken and written English consistently find that the top 1,000 words cover around 85% of everyday text — newspaper articles, conversations, television dialogue, and simple novels. Mastering that core unlocks the language for most practical purposes.
ProWord's English vocabulary library covers 1,295 curated words from A1 through B2, selected from high-frequency corpora of everyday spoken and written English. Each word comes with IPA pronunciation, a natural example sentence, and a translation into the learner's language on the card back. The 3-7-14 Mastery System schedules reviews at the exact intervals where long-term memory consolidation is most at risk: day 3, day 7, and day 14 after first exposure.
Whether you are a non-native speaker building practical English for work or study, or a heritage speaker filling gaps in formal vocabulary, the systematic approach of spaced repetition produces faster, more durable retention than passive exposure alone. Try ten cards from the A1 to B2 English library in the deck below.
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Level
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What you'll learn
- The 348 A1 English words every beginner needs immediately
- A2 vocabulary for everyday situations: work, shopping, social life
- B1 words for expressing ideas, opinions and plans clearly
- B2 vocabulary for confident reading and conversation on most topics
- IPA phonetic transcription for every word
Common questions
- How many English words does a fluent speaker know?
- Estimates vary, but research from Cambridge suggests native adult speakers actively use around 20,000–35,000 word families. However, the top 1,000 words cover about 85% of everyday speech. B2 level learners have an active vocabulary of roughly 4,000–6,000 words and can handle most practical situations.
- What is the best way to learn English vocabulary?
- Spaced repetition is the most research-backed method for vocabulary acquisition. Rather than reviewing all words equally, it schedules each word based on how well you know it. Combined with rich context (example sentences) and visual cues (ProWord's card images), retention is significantly stronger than list memorization.
- What is the CEFR and which level should I target?
- CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It runs from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Mastery). A2 is enough for basic daily interaction, B1 is conversational, B2 is the level most universities require for admission, and C1 is professional proficiency. Take the free ProWord quiz at proword.app/quiz to find your current level.
- Can I use ProWord as a non-native English speaker learning English?
- Yes. ProWord's English vocabulary set is designed for learners at any level. The app shows the English word on the front of the card and the translation in your native language on the back. Spanish, Croatian, and Ukrainian speakers can all study English with translations into their language.
- How long does it take to reach B2 English?
- The Foreign Service Institute estimates roughly 600–750 classroom hours from zero to professional working proficiency (approximately B2). For self-study learners using apps and media, the timeline varies widely. Consistent daily vocabulary practice with ProWord accelerates the vocabulary component, which typically accounts for 40–50% of overall language progress.
Five minutes a day. Words that stay.
Free to start on iOS and Android. No credit card to try — Premium only when you're ready.
