Word Lists for ESL
83 Vocabulary Categories
Using word lists is a great way to add structure to learning or teaching new vocabulary! Below is our list of 83 vocabulary categories for ESL tutors and students. (The words in every category can be edited to suit the level of the learner.)Each lesson contains e-flashcards and a multiple-choice test to learn the words from the selected category. Then, when they are familiar with the words, learners can attempt one of six vocabulary games.
The Six Vocabulary Games
Here are brief explanations of the six games used with each of the vocabulary categories. The games are ordered from easiest to hardest. In other words, they get progressively more difficult to pass, gradually increasingly leaners' confidence with using the words.
This is a multiple-choice test. It is designed to familiarize learners with the words from the specific category after they have studied the flashcards.

In this game, learners match three images with their corresponding words. With more options to consider each time, it is marginally harder than the quick-fire multiple-choice test.

In this test, learners must spell the word represented by the picture. This means they must know the word actively not just passively.

In this game, learners are required to spell the word represented by the picture. As the letters are jumbled and hidden among incorrect letters, it is marginally more difficult than the spell-the-word game.

This game is tough for learners as it requires them to identify the hidden word by understanding the meaning of the remainder of the sentence.

This game requires learners to be confident with all the words in the category as the words are not always visible. Consequently, it requires them to remember what each words means, even if they cannot see it.
To get started, select the vocabulary category from the list below.
Vocabulary Categories
- Basic Vocabulary
- Vocabulary for Food
- Vocabulary for Nature
- Vocabulary for Work and Hobbies
- Vocabulary for Tools and Technology
- Vocabulary for Travel
- Video: How To Use These Lessons
Basic Vocabulary
























Vocabulary for Food
Vocabulary by Word Type

















Vocabulary for Nature




















Vocabulary for Work and Hobbies
Vocabulary for Tools and Technology
Vocabulary for Travel
Video: How To Use These Lessons
This video explains how to use the games, tests, and flashcards in Grammar Monster's vocabulary lessons. There are 83 categories in total, teaching over 1500 important words.You might also like...
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look-cover-write-check game match the pairs (parts of speech)read:
top 50 nouns top 50 adjectives top 30 adverbs top 10 adjectives top 10 prepositions top 3 conjunctions top 10 irregular verbs top 10 regular verbs mnemonic devices (remembering words) common misspellingslists:
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