B2 · Upper-Intermediate

Complex Emotions — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about complex emotions — the subtle shades of how we feel. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

  1. nostalgia/nɒsˈtæl.dʒə/

    “Old songs fill me with nostalgia.”

  2. envy/ˈen.vi/

    “She felt envy at his success.”

  3. resentment/rɪˈzent.mənt/

    “He felt deep resentment towards his boss.”

  4. contempt/kənˈtempt/

    “She looked at him with contempt.”

  5. dread/dred/

    “He felt a sense of dread.”

  6. anguish/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/

    “Her face showed real anguish.”

  7. melancholy/ˈmel.ən.kɒl.i/

    “A feeling of melancholy filled the room.”

  8. euphoria/juːˈfɔː.ri.ə/

    “Winning brought a wave of euphoria.”

  9. apprehension/ˌæp.rɪˈhen.ʃən/

    “She waited with apprehension.”

  10. compassion/kəmˈpæʃ.ən/

    “He showed compassion for the poor.”

  11. remorse/rɪˈmɔːs/

    “The thief showed no remorse.”

  12. yearning/ˈjɜː.nɪŋ/

    “He felt a yearning for home.”

  13. serenity/səˈren.ɪ.ti/

    “The lake brought her serenity.”

  14. bitterness/ˈbɪt.ə.nəs/

    “Years of failure left him with bitterness.”

  15. gratitude/ˈɡræt.ɪ.tjuːd/

    “She expressed her gratitude.”

  16. humiliation/hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

    “Losing in public was a humiliation.”

  17. indifference/ɪnˈdɪf.ər.əns/

    “He treated the news with indifference.”

  18. agony/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

    “She was in agony after the fall.”

  19. delight/dɪˈlaɪt/

    “The gift filled her with delight.”

  20. fury/ˈfjʊə.ri/

    “He could barely control his fury.”

  21. sorrowful/ˈsɒr.əʊ.fəl/

    “She gave a sorrowful look.”

  22. ecstatic/ɪkˈstæt.ɪk/

    “She was ecstatic about the news.”

  23. heartbroken/ˈhɑːtˌbrəʊ.kən/

    “He was heartbroken after the split.”

  24. discontent/ˌdɪs.kənˈtent/

    “There is growing discontent among staff.”

  25. longing/ˈlɒŋ.ɪŋ/

    “She had a longing for adventure.”

  26. turmoil/ˈtɜː.mɔɪl/

    “His mind was in turmoil.”

  27. elation/ɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

    “She felt elation at the result.”

  28. desperation/ˌdes.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/

    “In desperation, he called for help.”

  29. tenderness/ˈten.də.nəs/

    “She spoke with tenderness.”

  30. sentimental/ˌsen.tɪˈmen.təl/

    “He is sentimental about old photos.”

  31. exhilarated/ɪɡˈzɪl.ə.reɪ.tɪd/

    “She felt exhilarated after the race.”

  32. distress/dɪˈstres/

    “The lost child was in distress.”

  33. heartache/ˈhɑːt.eɪk/

    “Love can bring heartache.”

  34. jubilant/ˈdʒuː.bɪ.lənt/

    “The fans were jubilant.”

  35. mournful/ˈmɔːn.fəl/

    “He played a mournful tune.”

  36. resent/rɪˈzent/

    “She began to resent the extra work.”

  37. cherish/ˈtʃer.ɪʃ/

    “I cherish these memories.”

  38. console/kənˈsəʊl/

    “Friends tried to console her.”

  39. crave/kreɪv/

    “Some people crave attention.”

  40. loathe/ləʊð/

    “I really loathe dishonesty.”

  41. adore/əˈdɔː/

    “The children adore their teacher.”

  42. despise/dɪˈspaɪz/

    “They despise cruelty.”

  43. mortified/ˈmɔː.tɪ.faɪd/

    “She was mortified by the mistake.”

  44. overjoyed/ˌəʊ.vəˈdʒɔɪd/

    “They were overjoyed at the birth.”

  45. uneasy/ʌnˈiː.zi/

    “He felt uneasy in the dark.”

  46. wistful/ˈwɪst.fəl/

    “She gave a wistful smile.”

  47. heartfelt/ˈhɑːt.felt/

    “He made a heartfelt apology.”

  48. tearful/ˈtɪə.fəl/

    “She gave a tearful goodbye.”

  49. spiteful/ˈspaɪt.fəl/

    “That was a spiteful remark.”

  50. exuberant/ɪɡˈzuː.bər.ənt/

    “The crowd was exuberant.”