Vocabulary Lists

Lists by Grade Level

Essential Vocabulary

Reading

  • 12th Grade Recommended Reading List

    Explore this curated collection of vocabulary lists for books that are frequently assigned by educators in Grade 12.

  • Popular Fiction for High Schoolers

    Get ready to level up your lexicon with this collection of vocabulary lists for the hottest page-turners written for high school students....

  • Historical Fiction for High Schoolers

    Go beyond the history books with these compelling novels inspired by historical events or set in past eras. Pair your reading with one of...

  • America's Battle of the Books - Grades 10-12

    Are you ready to rumble? Shape up for America's Battle of the Books competition with this collection of book selections...

  • America's Battle of the Books - College Prep

    Are you ready to rumble? Shape up for America's Battle of the Books competition with this collection of book selections...

  • Around the World in Fiction

    This collection of far-flung fiction is all over the map! Pack your bags and take a journey through these novels set in countries around the...

  • Oh, the Drama

    All the world’s a stage, so channel your inner thespian with this star-studded collection of classic and contemporary plays. As always, we put vocabulary center stage: use our...

  • A Likely Story

    These quick reads by experts in the short story genre are sure to help you beat the summer heat. Breeze through these cool tales and then dip into our curated word lists.

  • Get More out of Graphic Novels

    If you're looking for engaging texts that will appeal to readers at all levels, stock your classroom library with graphic novels. Then,...

  • Essential Works of Graphic Non-fiction

    Dynamic illustrations bring true tales to life in this collection of graphic nonfiction books and memoirs. In these illustrated texts, every...

  • Biographies

    Want to take a walk in someone else’s shoes? Pick up one of these engaging biographies about people who made history. Then, live your best life by pairing your reading with our...

  • Coming-of-age Memoirs

    These inspiring memoirs capture the trials and tribulations of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Get the most out of these fascinating true stories with our curated word...

  • The Art of the Essay

    Our collection of well-crafted nonfiction ranges from personal to political, from solemn to comedic, from enlightening to entertaining. Browse these lists and learn essential...

Writing

  • 200 Words Every 12th Grader Should Know How to Spell

    Vocabulary.com has compiled this collection of spelling words for students in 12th grade. Use the Spelling Bee with...

  • Writing in the High School Classroom

    Have you got the write stuff? Find out by exploring this comprehensive collection of words related to writing. You'll review genres of...

  • High School Creative Writing

    If you need inspiration for your next story or poem, be sure to review this list of words related to creative writing. We won't keep you in...

  • Argumentative Writing

    Argumentative writing involves investigating a topic, gathering and evaluating information, establishing a position, and writing about the position in a clear and concise manner....

  • Narrative Writing

    Narrative writing is writing that has a story, character, conflict, and other essential parts of a story. Learn about all of these essential parts by reviewing this collection of...

  • Expository Writing

    Expository writing is writing that presents the reader with important research and information about a topic. This collection of vocabulary can help expose you to the key terms...

  • Said is Dead

    Looking for alternatives to the utilitarian but ubiquitous "said"? Say no more! Explore this collection of evocative words to add drama and depth to your dialogue.

  • Positive and negative words to describe a person

    If you're looking for the perfect adjective to describe your dearest friend, your worst enemy, or characters in a piece...

  • Idioms and expressions

    Cat got your tongue? Then take the bull by the horns and dive into this collection of common English idioms and expressions. With Vocabulary.com, word mastery is a piece of cake!

  • Synonyms

    Don't try to use a thesaurus to find a synonym for useless. The results will be futile. Instead, look through this collection of synonyms. It's more or less the same thing.

Social Studies

  • American History: Essential Nonfiction

    These nonfiction books provide well-researched analysis of important events in U.S. history, from the American Revolution to the women's...

  • American History: Primary Sources

    This collection features historical documents and firsthand accounts of seminal moments in American history from the colonial period to the...

  • American History and Government: Essential Vocabulary

    Looking to brush up on American history? Master key terms and ideas by practicing the lists in this collection. Be sure...

  • War Stories

    Learn essential vocabulary from these harrowing true stories of soldiers, prisoners, refugees, and bystanders caught up in war.

  • Remembering World War II

    Put yourself on the front lines with powerful fiction and nonfiction about World War II. To ensure you get the most from these gripping and informative books, pair your reading...

  • How the World Works

    Explore the ways that economics, politics, and social trends affect how we live, work, eat, and think. The books in this collection will give you a glimpse into the inner workings...

Math and Science

  • High School Geometry

    If you feel obtuse when it comes to angles, review this collection of geometry terms. You'll learn about planes, polygons, perimeter, and more. It's as easy as pi!

  • Algebra Terms

    What’s a prime factor in understanding algebra? Learning the essential vocabulary! Review this list of words and you'll see a radical improvement in your understanding of algebraic...

  • Trigonometry

    Learning trigonometry is as easy as pi with this list of essential terms. Review basic trigonometric functions, including sine, cosine, and tangent, as well as different types of...

  • Calculus

    Make math class exponentially easier by reviewing these lists of terms that are integral to Calculus. You'll learn about differentiation, derivatives, limits, functions, series,...

  • Statistics and Probability

    There's a strong probability that you'll want review this list of terms related to statistics. Learn about data, plots, and random sampling....

  • Ratios and Proportional Relationships

    If you want to understand relationships between quantities, learn these words associated with ratios and proportions. Review percents,...

  • Essential Science Vocabulary

    Whether you want to brush up on biology, study space science, or prep for a physics test, this collection of science vocabulary is for you!...

  • The Scientific Method

    Dive into the laboratory of language with list of vocabulary related to the scientific method.

  • Chemistry: Structure and Properties of Matter

    You'll be in your element when you review these terms related to chemistry.

  • Space Science

    Unleash your cosmic curiosity with this stellar list of space science vocabulary.

  • The Language of Science Writing

    Ready to experiment with scientific terms and concepts? Investigate our collection of science writing and learn the vocabulary you’ll need...

  • Nature Writing

    Calling all nature lovers! Take a walk on the wild side with our “natural” resources. Master ecological vocabulary, read about close encounters with the natural world, and learn...

Test Prep

  • The Language of Standardized Tests

    Take the guesswork out of standardized tests by mastering the vocabulary you'll likely see in test directions and questions. Practicing...

  • AP English Language and Composition

    Ensure you're prepared for the AP English Language and Composition Exam by learning the words in this collection of essential vocabulary....

  • ACT

    Ensure that you’re prepared to take on the ACT with Vocabulary.com’s week-by-week test prep program. We’ve developed a comprehensive study plan that covers language you're likely...

  • SAT

    Take the guesswork out of preparing for the SAT Reading Test with Vocabulary.com’s week-by-week test prep program. We divide the words you’ll study into three groups:...

  • GED

    Vocabulary.com makes GED test prep easy with this comprehensive collection of resources. You can brush up on specific topics, like algebra or American history, or practice all of...

Textbooks

Just for Fun

  • Sensory Overload

    We use our senses to take in the world around us, and we use language to describe what we see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. Learn these lists, and add a sixth sense: a sense of...

  • Art Attack

    Whether it’s dance or drama, painting or poetry, each form of art has a unique lexicon that helps us describe and understand it. Whether you’re an aspiring poet, a virtuoso...

  • On the Contrary

    Do you find opposites attractive? Then this is the collection for you. These lists are all variations on the theme, from antonyms, to words that can mean their own opposite, to...

  • Shakespearean Insults

    If you ever want to dish it out like the bard, add these words to your vocabulary. Insults collected by Shakespeare-Online.

  • What Was That Again?

    Sometimes there are words that you've seen, read and maybe even used in conversation whose meaning you can never keep straight. Even after looking it up, the right definition...

  • Selfie Day

    Let's face it. Long before smart phones and social media, people have been preoccupied with the way they look. Here are some words that go way back, but are just as useful in...

  • Animal Adjectives

    If you are looking to point out someone's resemblance to an animal, learn these adjectives.