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Free English vocabulary resources

Dictionaries, context tools and flashcards for words that actually stick. 26 picks, 18 completely free. Checked November 13, 2026.

Starting at beginner level

  • Free website
    American English (U.S. Department of State)

    Free materials for learners and teachers of American English, including audio series, games and teaching resources.

    Best for: Teachers and self-learners looking for free American English materials.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · American

  • Free tier app
    Anki

    Spaced-repetition flashcards. Free on desktop, web and Android; the official iPhone app is paid.

    Best for: Remembering vocabulary and phrases long-term with a few minutes a day.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · Any

  • Free website
    BBC Learning English

    Structured courses from beginner to advanced plus short recurring series (6 Minute English, The English We Speak, pronunciation videos). Every audio has a transcript.

    Best for: Daily listening habit with transcripts; the pronunciation series is clear even if you are aiming for an American accent.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · British

  • Free tool Helps Spanish speakers
    Cambridge Dictionary

    Learner-friendly definitions with separate US and UK audio and IPA for each word, plus an English–Spanish dictionary.

    Best for: Checking word stress and the US vs UK pronunciation of a word in one place.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · American and British

  • Free website
    Cambridge English for learners

    Free level test, practice activities and sample papers for Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency).

    Best for: Checking your CEFR level for free.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · British

  • Free tier app Helps Spanish speakers
    Duolingo

    Gamified app with a free, ad-supported tier; can be studied from Spanish. Good for a daily habit, weak on real conversation and natural pronunciation.

    Best for: Absolute beginners building a daily routine.

    beginner · American

  • Free website
    engVid

    Short video lessons by a group of teachers, each followed by a quiz. Covers grammar, idioms, pronunciation, business English and IELTS/TOEFL.

    Best for: A focused 10-minute lesson on one specific question you have.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · American, British, Canadian

  • Free course Helps Spanish speakers
    GCFGlobal LearnFree

    Free nonprofit tutorials on reading, computer skills, job search and everyday life, with a Spanish-language version (GCFAprendeLibre).

    Best for: Combining English practice with job and computer skills.

    beginner · intermediate · American

  • Free website
    LearnEnglish (British Council)

    Large library of free grammar explanations, graded reading and listening tasks with exercises, organized by CEFR level (A1–C1).

    Best for: Checking a grammar point quickly and practicing it with exercises at your level.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · British

  • Free tier website Helps Spanish speakers
    LyricsTraining

    Fill in the missing words of song lyrics while the music video plays. Free with ads.

    Best for: Training your ear for connected speech in a fun way.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · Mixed

  • Free with library card app Helps Spanish speakers
    Mango Languages (free with library card)

    Paid language app that many US public libraries offer free to cardholders, including English courses taught from Spanish.

    Best for: Anyone with a US library card: check if your library provides it.

    beginner · intermediate · American

  • Free website
    ManyThings.org

    Old-school but huge collection of quizzes, minimal-pair listening tests, word games and sentence lists for ESL students.

    Best for: Quick minimal-pair practice (ship/sheep, full/fool) and vocabulary drills.

    beginner · intermediate · American

  • Free tool
    Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

    Dictionary written for learners, with US and UK audio, collocations and word-frequency labels (the Oxford 3000/5000 lists).

    Best for: Learning which words are worth learning first, and how they combine with other words.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · American and British

  • Free tier app Helps Spanish speakers
    Quizlet

    Flashcard sets made by teachers and students, including many ESL and citizenship-test sets. Basic study modes are free.

    Best for: Ready-made vocabulary sets, including US citizenship test questions.

    beginner · intermediate · Any

  • Free course Helps Spanish speakers
    USA Learns

    Complete video-based English courses for adults, built around everyday life in the US (work, doctor, school). Instructions are available in Spanish. No cost and no ads.

    Best for: Adult immigrants starting from zero or low intermediate who want a full course, not scattered videos.

    beginner · intermediate · American

  • Free website
    VOA Learning English

    News stories read more slowly and with simpler vocabulary, with the full text next to the audio. American English.

    Best for: Beginners and intermediate learners who want American English news they can actually follow.

    beginner · intermediate · American

  • Free tool Helps Spanish speakers
    WordReference

    English–Spanish dictionary with very active forums where translators debate exact nuances of words and expressions.

    Best for: Spanish speakers looking for the precise English equivalent of an expression.

    beginner · intermediate · advanced · American and British

Starting at intermediate level

  • Free podcast
    6 Minute English (BBC)

    Two presenters discuss one topic in about six minutes, teaching a handful of useful words along the way. Transcript and vocabulary list for every episode.

    Best for: A short daily listening slot (commute, coffee) with natural conversational speed.

    intermediate · advanced · British

  • Free podcast
    All Ears English Podcast

    Long-running podcast where American hosts chat about natural expressions, small talk and culture. Episodes are free; transcripts and courses are paid.

    Best for: Natural American conversation and small talk.

    intermediate · advanced · American

  • Free tier tool Helps Spanish speakers
    DeepL Translator

    Machine translator with natural-sounding output and alternative phrasings; free with character limits.

    Best for: Comparing your own English sentence with a natural alternative (use it to check, not to write for you).

    intermediate · advanced · American and British

  • Free youtube
    English with Lucy (YouTube)

    Popular British English channel covering pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar.

    Best for: Learners aiming for British pronunciation.

    intermediate · advanced · British

  • Free tier tool Helps Spanish speakers
    Language Reactor

    Browser extension that shows two subtitle tracks (English + Spanish) on YouTube and Netflix and lets you replay line by line. Core features are free.

    Best for: Turning shows you already watch into listening practice.

    intermediate · advanced · Any

  • Free tool
    Merriam-Webster

    The reference American English dictionary, with audio pronunciations and example sentences.

    Best for: American spelling, meaning and pronunciation of less common words.

    intermediate · advanced · American

  • Free tier tool Helps Spanish speakers
    Reverso Context

    Shows a word or expression inside real translated sentences (Spanish ↔ English), so you see how it's actually used.

    Best for: Finding natural collocations instead of word-for-word translations.

    intermediate · advanced · Mixed

  • Free youtube
    Speak English with Vanessa (YouTube)

    Friendly American teacher focused on natural, everyday spoken English: phrasal verbs, fast speech and conversation.

    Best for: Sounding more natural and less textbook in casual conversation.

    intermediate · advanced · American

Starting at advanced level

  • Free website Helps Spanish speakers
    TED Talks

    Thousands of talks with interactive transcripts and subtitles in many languages, including Spanish.

    Best for: Advanced listening and shadowing practice with polished, well-paced speakers.

    advanced · Many

Other skills: Pronunciation & accent · Speaking · Conversation partners · Listening · Grammar · Reading · Writing · TOEFL, IELTS & Cambridge