Level: A1

Directions & Places Vocabulary

English words for directions, places, and getting around — each with a clear, simple definition.

500+ words in pictures

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Directions & Location Words
left – the direction on the same side as your heart
right – the direction on the side you write with (for most people)
up – moving to a higher place
down – moving to a lower place
across – from one side to the other side
ahead – in front of you
around – in a circle or on every side
behind – at the back of something
next to – immediately beside something
between – in the space that separates two things
straight – not turning; moving in a direct line
near – close, not far away
far – at a great distance
in front of – directly before something or someone
beside – on one side of something
opposite – directly across from something
across from – on the other side of a street or area
towards – going in the direction of something
through – moving inside and out the other side
along – moving next to or on the side of something
around the corner – just past the place where two streets meet
nearby – very close to here
Compass Directions
north – the direction at the top of most maps
south – the direction opposite north
east – the direction where the sun rises
west – the direction where the sun sets
Measurement & Navigation
meter – the basic unit for measuring length
kilometer – one thousand meters; used for longer distances
mile – a distance measure used in the US and UK; longer than a kilometer
map – a drawing that shows where places are
route – the path you take to go from one place to another
GPS – an electronic device to find your location or direction
compass – a tool that shows which direction is north
Public Transport & Traffic
bus stop – a place where you wait for a bus
train station – the building where you get on or off a train
subway – an underground train system
airport – a place where airplanes take off and land
taxi stand – a place where taxis wait for passengers
platform – the area where you get on a train
intersection – the place where two roads cross
roundabout – a circular road where cars go around a central island
traffic light – a set of colored lights (red, yellow, green) to control cars
crosswalk – a marked place for people to walk across the street
block – the area between four streets in a city
parking – an area to leave your car
gas station – a place to buy fuel for cars
highway – a main road for fast cars, connecting cities
road – a way for vehicles to travel
avenue – a wide street, often with trees along the sides
street – a road in a city or town
corner – the place where two streets meet
Services & Shops
bank – a place to keep or get money
post office – a place to send letters and packages
library – a place to borrow books
market – an open area for buying and selling food or goods
supermarket – a large store that sells food and household items
mall – a large building with many different stores
store – a place that sells many different types of goods (especially in American English)
shop – a small business that sells one main thing, like a bakery or shoe shop
pharmacy – a shop where you buy medicine
clinic – a place to see a doctor for non-emergency health care
hospital – a building for sick or injured people
police station – a building where police officers work
fire station – a building where firefighters and fire trucks are located
Buildings & Facilities
hotel – a place where you pay to sleep at night
hostel – a low-cost place to sleep, usually with shared rooms
school – a building where students learn
university – a school for higher education
restaurant – a place where you pay to eat meals
cafe – a small restaurant for drinks and light snacks
coffee shop – a place that serves coffee and small food
theater – a place to watch plays or live shows
movie theater – a place to watch films on a big screen
museum – a building with interesting objects and history
stadium – a large sports building with seats
gym – a place for exercise and sports
pool – a place with water for swimming
zoo – a park where people see live animals
tower – a tall building or part of a building
bridge – a structure for crossing over water or roads
church – a Christian place of worship
mosque – a Muslim place of worship
temple – a place of worship for some religions
synagogue – a Jewish place of worship
neighborhood – the area around your home
city – a large town with many people and buildings
village – a small group of houses in the countryside
place – any area or location
address – the number and street name for a building or home
hill – a small, raised area of land
mountain – a very high area of land, much taller than a hill
Emergency & Signs
entrance – the door or opening you use to go inside
exit – the door or way out of a place
emergency exit – a special door for leaving quickly in danger
restroom – a public room with a toilet and sink
sign – a board or notice with information or instructions
information desk – a place to ask questions and get help
emergency – a serious and sudden situation needing quick help
ambulance – a special car that takes sick or hurt people to the hospital
fire alarm – a signal that tells you there is a fire
lost and found – a place where you can find things you have lost
Bodies of Water & Landforms
lake – a large area of water surrounded by land
river – a long, flowing body of water
sea – a large area of salty water, smaller than an ocean
ocean – the biggest body of salt water in the world
bay – a part of the sea where it curves into the land
island – land with water all around it
forest – a large area with many trees
desert – a very dry, sandy place with little rain
valley – a low area between hills or mountains
canyon – a deep valley with very steep sides