English File Upper-intermediate Vocabulary List

Vocabulary and definitions from English File Upper-intermediate German Wordlist (Pages 17 and 18).

flute

A musical instrument often played by girls.

saxophone

A popular jazz band instrument.

ballet

An artistic dance form, such as Swan Lake.

psychologist

A professional who studies the human mind.

alien

A creature from another world, often featured in films.

film-maker

A person who creates movies, often working in Hollywood.

attack

To act aggressively against someone or something, often seen in alien movies.

weep

To cry because of a moving experience, like listening to certain music.

post (online)

To put messages or stories on the Internet or social media.

decade

A period of ten years.

influence

To affect or change how someone behaves or thinks, often by exposure to music in childhood.

taste

A person's individual preference for things like music.

exploit

To take full advantage of a situation or opportunity.

continue

To carry on with an activity or work.

eat out

To have a meal at a restaurant instead of eating at home.

used to

An expression describing things that were done habitually in the past.

be used to

To be accustomed to something, like a specific bedding type.

get used to

To become accustomed to a new situation, such as working at night.

midnight

Twelve o'clock at night.

head

To go or move in a specific direction.

fall asleep

The process of starting to sleep at night.

fast asleep

Being in a state of deep sleep.

keep you awake

To prevent someone from sleeping, often caused by caffeine.

insomnia

A condition characterized by the inability to sleep.

pillow

A soft support used for the head when lying in bed.

sheet

A large piece of fabric used to cover oneself in bed.

siesta

A short nap taken in the afternoon after lunch.

sleeping pills

Medication taken to help a person fall asleep.

field

A specific area of study or knowledge, such as music.

concerto

A musical composition for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra.

mezzo soprano

A type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between soprano and contralto.

chorus

The main or most famous part of a song that is repeated.

symphony

An elaborate musical composition for a full orchestra.

microphone

An instrument used to amplify sounds to be heard by others.

encore

An extra performance given by an artist at the end of a show after the crowd shouts for more.

genre

A specific category of music or literature.

bouquet

An attractively arranged bunch of flowers.

cappuccino

A type of coffee made with heated milk and foam.

chauffeur

A person employed to drive a private or hired car.

croissant

A flaky, crescent-shaped French pastry.

graffiti

Writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a wall or other surface.

macchiato

A type of espresso coffee with a small amount of foamed milk.

sonata

A musical composition usually played on just one instrument.

profoundly

Extremely or to a great depth, often used to describe deafness.

hearing aid

A small device worn in the ear to help a person hear better.

cacophony

A harsh, discordant mixture of loud sounds.

whir

To make a low, continuous, regular sound like an electronic device starting up.

hum

A low, steady, continuous sound, such as from air-conditioning.

clack

The sharp sound made by a keyboard or similar object.

vast

Immense or very large in size or capacity.

universe

A large system or world of ideas or physical matter.

seek

To search for or try to find something.

suggestion

An idea or plan put forward for someone to consider.

tire

To become bored or weary of a particular thing.

consequently

As a result of something.

dominate

To have a commanding influence or power over others.

unwanted

Not desired or not needed.

country music

A genre of music often associated with the United States.

score

The music written for a film to create atmosphere.

postpone

To delay or reschedule an event to a later time.

snore

To make a grunting sound through the nose or mouth while asleep.

nap

A short period of sleep taken during the day.

routine

A regular sequence of actions followed at approximately the same time daily.

restore

To return something to its former condition, such as energy levels or mood.

curtains

Pieces of fabric hung to cover a window.

blinds

Window coverings that can be opened or closed to control light.

duvet

A thick, warm bed cover filled with feathers or synthetic material.

blanket

A large piece of fabric used as a bed covering for warmth.

spinach

A green leafy vegetable.

lucid

Describing a dream where the person is aware they are dreaming and can control it.

video game

An electronic game that may improve a person's ability to control their dreams.

ancestor

A person from whom one is descended.

parallel

Being side by side and having the same distance between them.

virtual

Existing in a computer-generated reality rather than the physical world.

REM (rapid eye movement)

An acronym for a specific stage of sleep characterized by fast eye movements.

neurological disorder

A physical condition affecting the nervous system, such as Kleine-Levin Syndrome.

syndrome

A group of symptoms that consistently occur together.

faithful

Loyal and steadfast in a relationship.

sleepwalker

A person who walks around while they are still asleep.

wander

To walk or move around in a leisurely or aimless way.