Intermediate English Vocabulary: Complete List and Useful Phrases

"Every new word you learn is another tool to communicate with confidence."

After mastering basic vocabulary, it’s time to move forward and learn words commonly used in real conversations, travel, work, and everyday situations.
This intermediate vocabulary will help you express yourself more fluently and better understand native speakers.

In this guide, you will find: - Intermediate words organized by topic. - Useful phrases to use in conversations. - Tips to expand your vocabulary.

Table of Contents

What is intermediate English vocabulary?

The intermediate level refers to people who already know the basics (greetings, colors, numbers) and want to hold more complete conversations, talk about experiences, express opinions, and manage situations at work, school, or during travel.

List of intermediate English words

Below, you’ll find intermediate vocabulary organized by important categories:

Common expressions

  • Actually – En realidad
  • Probably – Probablemente
  • Almost – Casi
  • However – Sin embargo
  • Although – Aunque

Travel vocabulary

  • Reservation – Reserva
  • Boarding pass – Tarjeta de embarque
  • Luggage – Equipaje
  • Departure – Salida
  • Arrival – Llegada
  • Customs – Aduana

Work vocabulary

  • Deadline – Fecha límite
  • Meeting – Reunión
  • Schedule – Horario
  • Task – Tarea
  • Project – Proyecto
  • Client – Cliente

Food vocabulary

  • Recipe – Receta
  • Ingredient – Ingrediente
  • Boil – Hervir
  • Fry – Freír
  • Bake – Hornear
  • Dessert – Postre

Technology vocabulary

  • Device – Dispositivo
  • Software – Software
  • Update – Actualización
  • Password – Contraseña
  • Network – Red
  • Download – Descargar

Useful intermediate English phrases

Learning full phrases will help you sound more natural when speaking:

  • Could you help me with this? – ¿Podrías ayudarme con esto?
  • I’m looking forward to our meeting. – Estoy deseando que llegue nuestra reunión.
  • What do you think about this idea? – ¿Qué opinas sobre esta idea?
  • I’ve never tried that before. – Nunca he probado eso antes.
  • It depends on the situation. – Depende de la situación.

Tips to expand your vocabulary

  • Read articles and blogs in English to learn new words in context.
  • Listen to podcasts or watch series with English subtitles.
  • Make thematic lists (travel, work, food) and review them daily.
  • Learn synonyms and antonyms for every new word.
  • Practice with full sentences, not just isolated words.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many words do I need to know to reach an intermediate level?
Between 1,500 and 3,000 words is ideal to communicate confidently.

2. How do I know if I have intermediate vocabulary?
If you can talk about your life, work, plans, and give simple opinions, you’re probably at an intermediate level.

3. What comes after intermediate vocabulary?
The next step is advanced vocabulary, with more technical terms and formal expressions.

Ready to keep learning? Check out:
- Advanced English Vocabulary