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Top 2,000 Must Know English Vocabulary Words for Adults | The eduKateSG Core Vocabulary Learning System

—

by

eduKate Asia
A student in a blue-and-white uniform sits with an open book on a sunlit stone bench, with a bag and a small stack of books beside her.

Learn 2,000 essential English words in 20 manageable sets of 100. This eduKate Singapore reference list is for adults strengthening everyday and workplace English, as well as Secondary 1–4 learners, parents and tutors. Find the words, assess what you know, then practise using them clearly in real sentences, comprehension and composition.

This is a high-frequency core vocabulary list—not a list of 2,000 difficult words, not a Ministry of Education or SEAB prescribed word list, and not a promise that every word will appear in an examination. Simple words such as because, which, between and consider are important because they help us express relationships and meaning.

For year-level advanced words and targeted exam preparation, visit the eduKateSG SEC English Vocabulary Hub (Secondary 1–4; G1, G2 and G3).

How to use this vocabulary list

  • Choose one set of 100: read it first; you do not have to memorise every word in one sitting.
  • Check understanding: explain an unfamiliar word in your own language, then confirm the meaning in a reliable dictionary.
  • Write and speak: select five to ten unfamiliar words, write natural original sentences, and practise using them in conversation or oral responses.
  • Apply: use the appropriate words when working on comprehension, summary, composition and situational writing.
  • Review: revisit the same words over several days and weeks, especially the ones you misuse or forget.

For adult learners: use core English in real situations

Adults can use the same high-frequency English words for workplace messages, appointments, customer conversations, travel and family routines. The goal is not to recite a large list: choose accurate words and form sentences that someone can understand and act upon.

  • confirm: “Could you confirm the meeting time?”
  • improve: “We can improve this plan.”
  • explain: “Please explain the next step.”
  • compare: “Compare the two options.”
  • consider: “Please consider the cost.”
  • decide: “We need to decide today.”

Use this six-word practice as a model: understand the meaning, notice the natural phrase, write your own sentence, say it aloud and review it later. Secondary students can apply exactly the same method to school writing and oral tasks.

Jump to a 100-word study set

Complete 2,000-word core vocabulary list

Set 01: Words 1–100

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 01 — all 100 words
  1. the
  2. be
  3. and
  4. of
  5. to
  6. a
  7. in
  8. have
  9. it
  10. you
  11. he
  12. for
  13. they
  14. not
  15. that
  16. we
  17. on
  18. with
  19. this
  20. i
  21. do
  22. as
  23. at
  24. she
  25. but
  26. from
  27. by
  28. will
  29. or
  30. say
  31. go
  32. so
  33. all
  34. if
  35. one
  36. would
  37. about
  38. can
  39. which
  40. there
  41. know
  42. more
  43. get
  44. who
  45. like
  46. when
  47. think
  48. make
  49. time
  50. see
  51. what
  52. up
  53. some
  54. other
  55. out
  56. good
  57. people
  58. year
  59. take
  60. no
  61. well
  62. because
  63. very
  64. just
  65. come
  66. could
  67. work
  68. use
  69. than
  70. now
  71. then
  72. also
  73. into
  74. only
  75. look
  76. want
  77. give
  78. first
  79. new
  80. way
  81. find
  82. over
  83. any
  84. after
  85. day
  86. where
  87. thing
  88. most
  89. should
  90. need
  91. much
  92. right
  93. how
  94. back
  95. mean
  96. even
  97. may
  98. here
  99. many
  100. such

Set 02: Words 101–200

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 02 — all 100 words
  1. last
  2. child
  3. tell
  4. really
  5. call
  6. before
  7. company
  8. through
  9. down
  10. show
  11. life
  12. man
  13. change
  14. place
  15. long
  16. between
  17. feel
  18. too
  19. still
  20. problem
  21. write
  22. same
  23. lot
  24. great
  25. try
  26. leave
  27. number
  28. both
  29. own
  30. part
  31. point
  32. little
  33. help
  34. ask
  35. meet
  36. start
  37. talk
  38. something
  39. put
  40. another
  41. become
  42. interest
  43. country
  44. old
  45. each
  46. school
  47. late
  48. high
  49. different
  50. off
  51. next
  52. end
  53. live
  54. why
  55. while
  56. world
  57. week
  58. play
  59. might
  60. must
  61. home
  62. never
  63. include
  64. course
  65. house
  66. report
  67. group
  68. case
  69. woman
  70. around
  71. book
  72. family
  73. seem
  74. let
  75. again
  76. kind
  77. keep
  78. hear
  79. system
  80. every
  81. question
  82. during
  83. always
  84. big
  85. set
  86. small
  87. study
  88. follow
  89. begin
  90. important
  91. since
  92. run
  93. under
  94. turn
  95. few
  96. bring
  97. early
  98. hand
  99. state
  100. move

Set 03: Words 201–300

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 03 — all 100 words
  1. money
  2. fact
  3. however
  4. area
  5. provide
  6. name
  7. read
  8. friend
  9. month
  10. large
  11. business
  12. without
  13. information
  14. open
  15. order
  16. government
  17. word
  18. issue
  19. market
  20. pay
  21. build
  22. hold
  23. service
  24. against
  25. believe
  26. second
  27. though
  28. yes
  29. love
  30. increase
  31. job
  32. plan
  33. result
  34. away
  35. example
  36. happen
  37. offer
  38. young
  39. close
  40. program
  41. lead
  42. buy
  43. understand
  44. thank
  45. far
  46. today
  47. hour
  48. student
  49. face
  50. hope
  51. idea
  52. cost
  53. less
  54. room
  55. until
  56. reason
  57. form
  58. spend
  59. head
  60. car
  61. learn
  62. level
  63. person
  64. experience
  65. once
  66. member
  67. enough
  68. bad
  69. city
  70. night
  71. able
  72. support
  73. whether
  74. line
  75. present
  76. side
  77. quite
  78. although
  79. sure
  80. term
  81. least
  82. age
  83. low
  84. speak
  85. within
  86. process
  87. public
  88. often
  89. train
  90. possible
  91. actually
  92. rather
  93. view
  94. together
  95. consider
  96. price
  97. parent
  98. hard
  99. party
  100. local

Set 04: Words 301–400

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 04 — all 100 words
  1. control
  2. already
  3. concern
  4. product
  5. lose
  6. story
  7. almost
  8. continue
  9. stand
  10. whole
  11. yet
  12. rate
  13. care
  14. expect
  15. effect
  16. sort
  17. ever
  18. anything
  19. cause
  20. fall
  21. deal
  22. water
  23. send
  24. allow
  25. soon
  26. watch
  27. base
  28. probably
  29. suggest
  30. past
  31. power
  32. test
  33. visit
  34. center
  35. grow
  36. nothing
  37. return
  38. mother
  39. walk
  40. matter
  41. mind
  42. value
  43. office
  44. record
  45. stay
  46. force
  47. stop
  48. several
  49. light
  50. develop
  51. remember
  52. bit
  53. share
  54. real
  55. answer
  56. sit
  57. figure
  58. letter
  59. decide
  60. language
  61. subject
  62. class
  63. development
  64. town
  65. half
  66. minute
  67. food
  68. break
  69. clear
  70. future
  71. either
  72. ago
  73. per
  74. remain
  75. top
  76. among
  77. win
  78. color
  79. involve
  80. reach
  81. social
  82. period
  83. across
  84. note
  85. history
  86. create
  87. drive
  88. along
  89. type
  90. sound
  91. eye
  92. music
  93. game
  94. political
  95. free
  96. receive
  97. moment
  98. sale
  99. policy
  100. further

Set 05: Words 401–500

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 05 — all 100 words
  1. body
  2. require
  3. wait
  4. general
  5. appear
  6. toward
  7. team
  8. easy
  9. individual
  10. full
  11. black
  12. sense
  13. perhaps
  14. add
  15. rule
  16. pass
  17. produce
  18. sell
  19. short
  20. agree
  21. law
  22. everything
  23. research
  24. cover
  25. paper
  26. position
  27. near
  28. human
  29. computer
  30. situation
  31. staff
  32. activity
  33. film
  34. morning
  35. war
  36. account
  37. shop
  38. major
  39. someone
  40. above
  41. design
  42. event
  43. special
  44. sometimes
  45. condition
  46. carry
  47. choose
  48. father
  49. decision
  50. table
  51. certain
  52. forward
  53. main
  54. die
  55. bear
  56. cut
  57. describe
  58. himself
  59. available
  60. especially
  61. strong
  62. rise
  63. girl
  64. maybe
  65. community
  66. else
  67. particular
  68. role
  69. join
  70. difficult
  71. please
  72. detail
  73. difference
  74. action
  75. health
  76. eat
  77. step
  78. true
  79. phone
  80. themselves
  81. draw
  82. white
  83. date
  84. practice
  85. model
  86. raise
  87. customer
  88. front
  89. explain
  90. door
  91. outside
  92. behind
  93. economic
  94. site
  95. approach
  96. teacher
  97. land
  98. charge
  99. finally
  100. sign

Set 06: Words 501–600

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 06 — all 100 words
  1. claim
  2. relationship
  3. travel
  4. enjoy
  5. death
  6. nice
  7. amount
  8. improve
  9. picture
  10. boy
  11. regard
  12. organization
  13. happy
  14. couple
  15. act
  16. range
  17. quality
  18. project
  19. round
  20. opportunity
  21. road
  22. accord
  23. list
  24. wish
  25. therefore
  26. wear
  27. fund
  28. rest
  29. kid
  30. industry
  31. education
  32. measure
  33. kill
  34. serve
  35. likely
  36. certainly
  37. national
  38. itself
  39. teach
  40. field
  41. security
  42. air
  43. benefit
  44. trade
  45. risk
  46. news
  47. standard
  48. vote
  49. percent
  50. focus
  51. stage
  52. space
  53. instead
  54. realize
  55. usually
  56. data
  57. single
  58. address
  59. performance
  60. chance
  61. accept
  62. society
  63. technology
  64. mention
  65. choice
  66. save
  67. common
  68. culture
  69. total
  70. demand
  71. material
  72. limit
  73. listen
  74. due
  75. wrong
  76. foot
  77. effort
  78. attention
  79. upon
  80. check
  81. complete
  82. lie
  83. pick
  84. reduce
  85. personal
  86. ground
  87. animal
  88. arrive
  89. patient
  90. current
  91. century
  92. evidence
  93. exist
  94. similar
  95. fight
  96. leader
  97. fine
  98. street
  99. former
  100. contact

Set 07: Words 601–700

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 07 — all 100 words
  1. particularly
  2. wife
  3. sport
  4. prepare
  5. discuss
  6. response
  7. voice
  8. piece
  9. finish
  10. suppose
  11. apply
  12. president
  13. fire
  14. compare
  15. court
  16. police
  17. store
  18. poor
  19. knowledge
  20. laugh
  21. arm
  22. heart
  23. source
  24. employee
  25. manage
  26. simply
  27. bank
  28. firm
  29. cell
  30. article
  31. fast
  32. attack
  33. foreign
  34. surprise
  35. feature
  36. factor
  37. pretty
  38. recently
  39. affect
  40. drop
  41. recent
  42. relate
  43. official
  44. financial
  45. miss
  46. art
  47. campaign
  48. private
  49. pause
  50. everyone
  51. forget
  52. page
  53. worry
  54. summer
  55. drink
  56. opinion
  57. park
  58. represent
  59. key
  60. inside
  61. manager
  62. international
  63. contain
  64. notice
  65. wonder
  66. nature
  67. structure
  68. section
  69. myself
  70. exactly
  71. plant
  72. paint
  73. worker
  74. press
  75. whatever
  76. necessary
  77. region
  78. growth
  79. evening
  80. influence
  81. respect
  82. various
  83. catch
  84. thus
  85. skill
  86. attempt
  87. son
  88. simple
  89. medium
  90. average
  91. stock
  92. management
  93. character
  94. bed
  95. hit
  96. establish
  97. indeed
  98. final
  99. economy
  100. fit

Set 08: Words 701–800

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 08 — all 100 words
  1. guy
  2. function
  3. yesterday
  4. image
  5. size
  6. behavior
  7. addition
  8. determine
  9. station
  10. population
  11. fail
  12. environment
  13. production
  14. contract
  15. player
  16. comment
  17. enter
  18. occur
  19. alone
  20. significant
  21. drug
  22. wall
  23. series
  24. direct
  25. success
  26. tomorrow
  27. director
  28. clearly
  29. lack
  30. review
  31. depend
  32. race
  33. recognize
  34. window
  35. purpose
  36. department
  37. gain
  38. tree
  39. college
  40. argue
  41. board
  42. holiday
  43. mark
  44. church
  45. machine
  46. achieve
  47. item
  48. prove
  49. cent
  50. season
  51. floor
  52. stuff
  53. wide
  54. anyone
  55. method
  56. analysis
  57. election
  58. military
  59. hotel
  60. club
  61. below
  62. movie
  63. doctor
  64. discussion
  65. sorry
  66. challenge
  67. nation
  68. nearly
  69. statement
  70. link
  71. despite
  72. introduce
  73. advantage
  74. ready
  75. marry
  76. strike
  77. mile
  78. seek
  79. ability
  80. unit
  81. card
  82. hospital
  83. quickly
  84. interview
  85. agreement
  86. release
  87. tax
  88. solution
  89. capital
  90. popular
  91. specific
  92. beautiful
  93. fear
  94. aim
  95. television
  96. serious
  97. target
  98. degree
  99. pull
  100. red

Set 09: Words 801–900

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 09 — all 100 words
  1. husband
  2. access
  3. movement
  4. treat
  5. identify
  6. loss
  7. shall
  8. modern
  9. pressure
  10. bus
  11. treatment
  12. yourself
  13. supply
  14. village
  15. worth
  16. natural
  17. express
  18. indicate
  19. attend
  20. brother
  21. investment
  22. score
  23. organize
  24. trip
  25. beyond
  26. sleep
  27. fish
  28. promise
  29. potential
  30. energy
  31. trouble
  32. relation
  33. touch
  34. file
  35. middle
  36. bar
  37. suffer
  38. strategy
  39. deep
  40. except
  41. clean
  42. tend
  43. advance
  44. fill
  45. star
  46. network
  47. generally
  48. operation
  49. match
  50. avoid
  51. seat
  52. throw
  53. task
  54. normal
  55. goal
  56. associate
  57. blue
  58. positive
  59. option
  60. box
  61. huge
  62. message
  63. instance
  64. style
  65. refer
  66. cold
  67. push
  68. quarter
  69. assume
  70. baby
  71. successful
  72. sing
  73. doubt
  74. competition
  75. theory
  76. propose
  77. reference
  78. argument
  79. adult
  80. fly
  81. document
  82. pattern
  83. application
  84. hot
  85. obviously
  86. unclear
  87. bill
  88. search
  89. separate
  90. central
  91. career
  92. anyway
  93. speech
  94. dog
  95. officer
  96. throughout
  97. oil
  98. dress
  99. profit
  100. guess

Set 10: Words 901–1000

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 10 — all 100 words
  1. fun
  2. protect
  3. resource
  4. science
  5. disease
  6. balance
  7. damage
  8. basis
  9. author
  10. basic
  11. encourage
  12. hair
  13. male
  14. operate
  15. reflect
  16. exercise
  17. useful
  18. restaurant
  19. income
  20. property
  21. previous
  22. dark
  23. imagine
  24. okay
  25. earn
  26. daughter
  27. post
  28. newspaper
  29. define
  30. conclusion
  31. clock
  32. everybody
  33. weekend
  34. perform
  35. professional
  36. mine
  37. debate
  38. memory
  39. green
  40. song
  41. object
  42. maintain
  43. credit
  44. ring
  45. discover
  46. dead
  47. afternoon
  48. prefer
  49. extend
  50. possibility
  51. direction
  52. facility
  53. variety
  54. daily
  55. clothes
  56. screen
  57. track
  58. dance
  59. completely
  60. female
  61. responsibility
  62. original
  63. sister
  64. rock
  65. dream
  66. nor
  67. university
  68. easily
  69. agency
  70. dollar
  71. garden
  72. fix
  73. ahead
  74. cross
  75. yeah
  76. weight
  77. legal
  78. proposal
  79. version
  80. conversation
  81. somebody
  82. pound
  83. magazine
  84. shape
  85. sea
  86. immediately
  87. welcome
  88. smile
  89. communication
  90. agent
  91. traditional
  92. replace
  93. judge
  94. herself
  95. suddenly
  96. generation
  97. estimate
  98. favorite
  99. difficulty
  100. purchase

Set 11: Words 1001–1100

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 11 — all 100 words
  1. shoot
  2. announce
  3. unless
  4. independent
  5. recommend
  6. survey
  7. majority
  8. stick
  9. request
  10. rich
  11. wind
  12. none
  13. exchange
  14. budget
  15. famous
  16. blood
  17. appropriate
  18. block
  19. warm
  20. count
  21. scene
  22. writer
  23. content
  24. prevent
  25. safe
  26. invite
  27. mix
  28. element
  29. effective
  30. correct
  31. medical
  32. admit
  33. beat
  34. telephone
  35. copy
  36. committee
  37. aware
  38. advice
  39. handle
  40. glass
  41. trial
  42. stress
  43. radio
  44. administration
  45. complex
  46. text
  47. context
  48. ride
  49. directly
  50. heavy
  51. remove
  52. conduct
  53. equipment
  54. otherwise
  55. title
  56. extra
  57. executive
  58. chair
  59. expensive
  60. sample
  61. sex
  62. deliver
  63. video
  64. connection
  65. primary
  66. weather
  67. collect
  68. inform
  69. principle
  70. straight
  71. appeal
  72. highly
  73. trust
  74. wonderful
  75. flat
  76. absolutely
  77. flow
  78. fair
  79. additional
  80. responsible
  81. farm
  82. collection
  83. hang
  84. negative
  85. band
  86. relative
  87. tour
  88. alternative
  89. software
  90. pair
  91. ship
  92. attitude
  93. cheap
  94. double
  95. leg
  96. observe
  97. sentence
  98. print
  99. progress
  100. truth

Set 12: Words 1101–1200

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 12 — all 100 words
  1. nobody
  2. examine
  3. lay
  4. speed
  5. politics
  6. reply
  7. display
  8. transfer
  9. perfect
  10. slightly
  11. overall
  12. intend
  13. user
  14. respond
  15. dinner
  16. slow
  17. regular
  18. physical
  19. apart
  20. suit
  21. federal
  22. reveal
  23. percentage
  24. peace
  25. status
  26. crime
  27. decline
  28. decade
  29. launch
  30. warn
  31. consumer
  32. favor
  33. dry
  34. partner
  35. institution
  36. spot
  37. horse
  38. eventually
  39. heat
  40. excite
  41. reader
  42. importance
  43. distance
  44. guide
  45. grant
  46. taxi
  47. feed
  48. pain
  49. sector
  50. mistake
  51. ensure
  52. satisfy
  53. chief
  54. cool
  55. expert
  56. wave
  57. south
  58. labor
  59. surface
  60. library
  61. excellent
  62. edge
  63. camp
  64. audience
  65. lift
  66. procedure
  67. email
  68. global
  69. struggle
  70. advertise
  71. select
  72. surround
  73. extent
  74. river
  75. annual
  76. fully
  77. contrast
  78. roll
  79. reality
  80. photograph
  81. artist
  82. conflict
  83. entire
  84. presence
  85. crowd
  86. corner
  87. gas
  88. shift
  89. net
  90. category
  91. secretary
  92. defense
  93. quick
  94. cook
  95. spread
  96. nuclear
  97. scale
  98. driver
  99. ball
  100. cry

Set 13: Words 1201–1300

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 13 — all 100 words
  1. introduction
  2. requirement
  3. north
  4. confirm
  5. senior
  6. photo
  7. refuse
  8. transport
  9. emerge
  10. map
  11. concept
  12. island
  13. reform
  14. neither
  15. football
  16. survive
  17. flight
  18. left
  19. solve
  20. neighbor
  21. background
  22. technique
  23. traffic
  24. improvement
  25. tool
  26. consequence
  27. circumstance
  28. smoke
  29. reaction
  30. rain
  31. busy
  32. lesson
  33. brain
  34. mass
  35. funny
  36. contribute
  37. failure
  38. schedule
  39. speaker
  40. bottom
  41. adopt
  42. combine
  43. mountain
  44. waste
  45. hide
  46. marriage
  47. ticket
  48. meal
  49. colleague
  50. bag
  51. repeat
  52. equal
  53. expression
  54. plus
  55. extremely
  56. owner
  57. plane
  58. commercial
  59. lady
  60. duty
  61. strength
  62. connect
  63. cultural
  64. arrange
  65. scheme
  66. payment
  67. unfortunately
  68. brief
  69. bird
  70. demonstrate
  71. contribution
  72. appreciate
  73. chapter
  74. secret
  75. apparently
  76. novel
  77. union
  78. burn
  79. trend
  80. initial
  81. pleasure
  82. suggestion
  83. critical
  84. gather
  85. mostly
  86. earth
  87. pop
  88. essential
  89. desire
  90. promote
  91. currently
  92. employ
  93. path
  94. topic
  95. beach
  96. attract
  97. engage
  98. powerful
  99. flower
  100. crisis

Set 14: Words 1301–1400

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 14 — all 100 words
  1. settle
  2. boat
  3. aid
  4. fan
  5. kitchen
  6. twice
  7. fresh
  8. delay
  9. safety
  10. engineer
  11. quiet
  12. insurance
  13. nurse
  14. divide
  15. length
  16. investigation
  17. package
  18. somewhere
  19. expand
  20. commit
  21. obvious
  22. jump
  23. weapon
  24. relatively
  25. host
  26. winter
  27. district
  28. broad
  29. tire
  30. spring
  31. spirit
  32. lunch
  33. actual
  34. pool
  35. battle
  36. tradition
  37. cash
  38. hardly
  39. award
  40. coach
  41. experiment
  42. consideration
  43. strange
  44. code
  45. possibly
  46. threat
  47. accident
  48. impossible
  49. revenue
  50. enable
  51. afraid
  52. active
  53. conclude
  54. religious
  55. cancer
  56. convince
  57. vary
  58. environmental
  59. sun
  60. healthy
  61. blow
  62. volume
  63. location
  64. invest
  65. proceed
  66. wash
  67. actor
  68. glad
  69. tape
  70. whereas
  71. opposite
  72. stone
  73. sum
  74. murder
  75. monitor
  76. soldier
  77. finance
  78. hate
  79. egg
  80. concert
  81. shock
  82. comfortable
  83. usual
  84. carefully
  85. pack
  86. recall
  87. wine
  88. camera
  89. swim
  90. manufacture
  91. theater
  92. cycle
  93. coffee
  94. totally
  95. museum
  96. visitor
  97. freedom
  98. construction
  99. dear
  100. objective

Set 15: Words 1401–1500

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 15 — all 100 words
  1. moreover
  2. onto
  3. historical
  4. oppose
  5. branch
  6. vehicle
  7. scientist
  8. route
  9. bind
  10. belong
  11. taste
  12. tonight
  13. fashion
  14. danger
  15. bomb
  16. army
  17. dangerous
  18. decrease
  19. hurt
  20. council
  21. editor
  22. normally
  23. sight
  24. generate
  25. gift
  26. delivery
  27. deny
  28. guest
  29. anybody
  30. bedroom
  31. quote
  32. climb
  33. basically
  34. violence
  35. minister
  36. mainly
  37. mouth
  38. noise
  39. manner
  40. gun
  41. square
  42. occasion
  43. familiar
  44. ignore
  45. destroy
  46. affair
  47. civil
  48. locate
  49. citizen
  50. temperature
  51. gold
  52. domestic
  53. load
  54. belief
  55. troop
  56. technical
  57. remind
  58. arrangement
  59. skin
  60. prison
  61. switch
  62. acquire
  63. corporate
  64. fairly
  65. wood
  66. participate
  67. tough
  68. tear
  69. representative
  70. capacity
  71. border
  72. shake
  73. assessment
  74. shoe
  75. ought
  76. ad
  77. fee
  78. hall
  79. regulation
  80. escape
  81. studio
  82. proper
  83. relax
  84. tourist
  85. component
  86. afford
  87. lawyer
  88. suspect
  89. cup
  90. description
  91. confidence
  92. industrial
  93. complain
  94. perspective
  95. error
  96. arrest
  97. assess
  98. register
  99. asset
  100. signal

Set 16: Words 1501–1600

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 16 — all 100 words
  1. finger
  2. relevant
  3. explore
  4. leadership
  5. commitment
  6. wake
  7. necessarily
  8. bright
  9. frame
  10. slowly
  11. bond
  12. hire
  13. hole
  14. tie
  15. internal
  16. chain
  17. literature
  18. victim
  19. threaten
  20. division
  21. secure
  22. amaze
  23. device
  24. birth
  25. forest
  26. label
  27. root
  28. factory
  29. expense
  30. channel
  31. investigate
  32. recommendation
  33. rank
  34. typical
  35. west
  36. friendly
  37. resident
  38. provision
  39. concentrate
  40. plenty
  41. export
  42. entirely
  43. strongly
  44. bridge
  45. consist
  46. graduate
  47. brand
  48. moral
  49. insist
  50. combination
  51. abuse
  52. ice
  53. principal
  54. master
  55. definitely
  56. session
  57. grade
  58. nevertheless
  59. predict
  60. previously
  61. protection
  62. largely
  63. wed
  64. rent
  65. shot
  66. appearance
  67. reasonable
  68. guarantee
  69. till
  70. theme
  71. judgment
  72. odd
  73. approve
  74. loan
  75. definition
  76. elect
  77. atmosphere
  78. farmer
  79. comparison
  80. characteristic
  81. license
  82. rely
  83. narrow
  84. succeed
  85. identity
  86. desk
  87. permit
  88. seriously
  89. wild
  90. empty
  91. commission
  92. unique
  93. association
  94. instrument
  95. investor
  96. practical
  97. tea
  98. lovely
  99. soft
  100. row

Set 17: Words 1601–1700

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 17 — all 100 words
  1. youth
  2. lock
  3. fuel
  4. expectation
  5. employment
  6. celebrate
  7. sexual
  8. shoulder
  9. breath
  10. increasingly
  11. import
  12. bottle
  13. ourselves
  14. sheet
  15. engine
  16. cast
  17. notion
  18. conservative
  19. journey
  20. opposition
  21. relief
  22. debt
  23. honor
  24. outcome
  25. blame
  26. explanation
  27. arise
  28. musical
  29. recover
  30. dad
  31. stretch
  32. declare
  33. retire
  34. tiny
  35. careful
  36. suitable
  37. native
  38. fruit
  39. analyze
  40. witness
  41. mail
  42. terrible
  43. researcher
  44. ordinary
  45. selection
  46. anywhere
  47. mental
  48. participant
  49. vision
  50. personality
  51. specifically
  52. fat
  53. entry
  54. fellow
  55. chemical
  56. capture
  57. tip
  58. discount
  59. peak
  60. chairman
  61. proportion
  62. ear
  63. disappear
  64. shout
  65. yard
  66. constant
  67. significantly
  68. hill
  69. considerable
  70. instruction
  71. intelligence
  72. ideal
  73. folk
  74. surely
  75. guard
  76. cat
  77. somewhat
  78. kiss
  79. presentation
  80. joint
  81. compete
  82. poll
  83. weak
  84. faith
  85. reduction
  86. reserve
  87. complaint
  88. bore
  89. mission
  90. somehow
  91. tone
  92. neighborhood
  93. passenger
  94. justice
  95. phase
  96. thin
  97. rush
  98. formal
  99. religion
  100. employer

Set 18: Words 1701–1800

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 18 — all 100 words
  1. reject
  2. latter
  3. plate
  4. ban
  5. steal
  6. protest
  7. index
  8. sad
  9. frequently
  10. circle
  11. helpful
  12. command
  13. attractive
  14. sick
  15. impression
  16. unable
  17. joke
  18. sky
  19. column
  20. electronic
  21. impose
  22. criminal
  23. besides
  24. properly
  25. ancient
  26. coast
  27. ill
  28. kick
  29. closely
  30. multiple
  31. yield
  32. via
  33. legislation
  34. county
  35. unlike
  36. mobile
  37. assistant
  38. implement
  39. chart
  40. attach
  41. hell
  42. everywhere
  43. advise
  44. household
  45. acknowledge
  46. reward
  47. east
  48. hat
  49. academic
  50. voter
  51. meanwhile
  52. furthermore
  53. accuse
  54. scientific
  55. wage
  56. absence
  57. construct
  58. remark
  59. medicine
  60. professor
  61. rare
  62. intention
  63. dozen
  64. settlement
  65. gap
  66. widely
  67. minimum
  68. northern
  69. estate
  70. equally
  71. expose
  72. alive
  73. shut
  74. victory
  75. resolve
  76. critic
  77. variable
  78. enormous
  79. sweet
  80. permanent
  81. emotion
  82. pursue
  83. tall
  84. urge
  85. enemy
  86. appoint
  87. milk
  88. talent
  89. smell
  90. prior
  91. priority
  92. online
  93. phrase
  94. pilot
  95. stable
  96. merely
  97. resolution
  98. communicate
  99. injury
  100. vast

Set 19: Words 1801–1900

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 19 — all 100 words
  1. exhibition
  2. producer
  3. regional
  4. immediate
  5. incident
  6. childhood
  7. draft
  8. slip
  9. accompany
  10. politician
  11. angry
  12. knock
  13. seed
  14. salary
  15. illustrate
  16. imply
  17. breakfast
  18. temporary
  19. liberal
  20. lake
  21. qualify
  22. competitive
  23. truly
  24. hi
  25. yellow
  26. habit
  27. disk
  28. core
  29. emotional
  30. aircraft
  31. self
  32. metal
  33. existence
  34. bone
  35. panel
  36. prime
  37. appointment
  38. emphasize
  39. maximum
  40. effectively
  41. elsewhere
  42. bother
  43. initiative
  44. sharp
  45. diet
  46. motion
  47. gray
  48. plastic
  49. complicate
  50. discipline
  51. disappoint
  52. boss
  53. assumption
  54. freeze
  55. extreme
  56. passage
  57. reputation
  58. forth
  59. negotiation
  60. mechanism
  61. coat
  62. democracy
  63. pocket
  64. lucky
  65. crash
  66. observation
  67. meat
  68. concentration
  69. implication
  70. deserve
  71. unusual
  72. defend
  73. classic
  74. king
  75. interaction
  76. repair
  77. collapse
  78. borrow
  79. fundamental
  80. dish
  81. abroad
  82. soul
  83. capable
  84. defeat
  85. presidential
  86. perfectly
  87. enhance
  88. proud
  89. emergency
  90. educational
  91. distinguish
  92. substantial
  93. nearby
  94. manufacturer
  95. slide
  96. valuable
  97. personally
  98. breast
  99. cope
  100. approximately

Set 20: Words 1901–2000

Study these 100 high-frequency headwords in their recorded sequence. To learn them well, choose meaningful examples and write at least a few of your own sentences.

Show Set 20 — all 100 words
  1. accommodation
  2. highlight
  3. reporter
  4. climate
  5. shirt
  6. exception
  7. corporation
  8. chip
  9. winner
  10. encounter
  11. brown
  12. breathe
  13. excuse
  14. partly
  15. tennis
  16. urban
  17. confuse
  18. southern
  19. output
  20. beauty
  21. massive
  22. install
  23. calculate
  24. mouse
  25. mathematics
  26. upper
  27. creation
  28. occupy
  29. outline
  30. sufficient
  31. update
  32. luck
  33. preserve
  34. split
  35. swing
  36. illness
  37. journalist
  38. sudden
  39. advertisement
  40. consistent
  41. originally
  42. aside
  43. comfort
  44. secondly
  45. severe
  46. gene
  47. prospect
  48. snow
  49. plot
  50. neck
  51. criterion
  52. primarily
  53. integrate
  54. criticism
  55. convention
  56. bet
  57. retain
  58. sequence
  59. plain
  60. volunteer
  61. rural
  62. calm
  63. abandon
  64. examination
  65. silence
  66. rapidly
  67. efficient
  68. revolution
  69. delight
  70. spell
  71. premise
  72. lean
  73. dramatic
  74. differ
  75. grateful
  76. protein
  77. bike
  78. distribute
  79. intellectual
  80. derive
  81. crucial
  82. unemployment
  83. wheel
  84. crop
  85. minority
  86. origin
  87. interpretation
  88. gentleman
  89. drama
  90. landscape
  91. educate
  92. toy
  93. fault
  94. exhibit
  95. minor
  96. hunt
  97. storm
  98. thick
  99. achievement
  100. negotiate

Singapore-English spelling notes

This frequency list retains the original source headwords rather than silently changing them. Singapore school writing normally follows British-English spelling conventions. Depending on your school’s guidance, common examples to check include color → colour, center → centre, behavior → behaviour, favorite → favourite, organization → organisation, analyze → analyse and theater → theatre. Use your school’s preferred conventions consistently.

How Secondary 1–4 students can progress

Secondary 1: Build dependable foundations

Focus on common connecting words, everyday verbs, clear meaning, sentence structure and precise answers. Use a word correctly before trying to make the sentence sound impressive.

Secondary 2: Expand sentence control

Learn collocations, synonyms, antonyms and shades of meaning. Practise changing a vague sentence into a clear and specific one without losing accuracy.

Secondary 3: Explain relationships and viewpoints

Move beyond recognising words: compare ideas, infer attitude, recognise tone and practise how vocabulary shapes arguments, narrative voice and interpretation.

Secondary 4: Select words strategically for examinations

Practise choosing vocabulary that improves clarity, audience awareness, tone and precision in English examination responses. A common word used exactly is often better than a difficult word used inaccurately.

Go beyond the 2,000 core words

Frequently asked questions

Are these the 2,000 words that appear in the English examinations?

No. These are high-frequency foundation words selected from a general English frequency resource. School examinations test how students understand and use language, not whether they have memorised a single prescribed 2,000-word list.

Why are so many words very easy?

Common words carry grammar, logic, sequence, contrast and causality. Knowing their basic definitions is only the start: students must learn how they operate in sentences.

Do I need to learn all 100 words each week?

No. Start with unfamiliar words, learn them in context, and space out your review. Progress is measured by how accurately a student understands and uses the words.

Source, attribution and licence

This is an adapted selection of the first 2,000 headwords in frequency order from an NGSL-derived word-list file, grouped into 20 sets by eduKateSG. The New General Service List (NGSL) was created by Charles Browne, Brent Culligan and Joseph Phillips (2013). Original project: New General Service List. Ranking-file mirror used for this selection: NGSL frequency-ordered word list. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). The selection and grouping represent adaptations; the adapted word-list material is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. The original authors do not endorse eduKateSG.

A word list is a starting point. At eduKateSG, the important result is whether a student can recognise meaning, form good sentences, understand a passage and express an accurate idea in their own words.