Travel: On the Move — B1 Essential Words

sightseeing /ˈsaɪtsiːɪŋ/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: The activity of visiting interesting places as a tourist.

Example: We spent the day sightseeing in New York.

Another example: Sightseeing is tiring but wonderful.

Collocations: go sightseeing · sightseeing tour · a day of sightseeing

Synonyms: touring, exploring (wider)

Word family: sightseer (n) · sights (n pl — famous places)

⚠ Common mistake: Go sightseeing (activity) — the famous places themselves are 'the sights': see the sights of Chicago.

🗣 In spoken American English: Double-decker bus companies built an industry on this one word.

Register: Neutral — tourism essential.

visa /ˈviːzə/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: An official stamp or document in a passport that allows you to enter or stay in a foreign country.

Example: She applied for a student visa.

Another example: The visa allows a 90-day stay.

Collocations: student visa · visa application · visa for

Synonyms: permit, entry stamp

Word family: visas (n pl)

⚠ Common mistake: A visa permits ENTRY; a passport proves WHO you are — the traveler's pair. Apply for one well before flying.

🗣 In spoken American English: Embassy lines at dawn — the visa is travel's least fun souvenir.

Register: Neutral — travel essential.

guidebook /ˈɡaɪdbʊk/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: A book (or app) with information for tourists about a place — what to see, where to eat and sleep.

Example: The guidebook recommended this cafe.

Another example: She marked pages in her guidebook.

Collocations: travel guidebook · guidebook to · in the guidebook

Synonyms: travel guide, handbook

Word family: guidebooks (n pl) · guide (n/v)

⚠ Common mistake: A guide is a PERSON or a book; a guidebook is always the book (or its app descendant).

🗣 In spoken American English: Phones ate its lunch, but dog-eared guidebooks still ride in backpacks everywhere.

Register: Neutral — travel basics.

reservation /ˌrezərˈveɪʃən/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: An arrangement to have a room, table, or seat kept for you at a later time.

Example: I made a reservation for two at seven.

Another example: Our hotel reservation is under the name Miller.

Collocations: make a reservation · reservation for · reservation number

Synonyms: booking, hold

Word family: reservations (n pl) · reserve (v)

⚠ Common mistake: Make a reservation (US) = book. Give the NAME the reservation is under — restaurants ask exactly that.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Reservations?' is the first question at every good restaurant door.

Register: Neutral — travel and dining essential.

cancel /ˈkænsl/ verb B1 Travel

Meaning: To decide that something planned will not happen; to stop a service or order.

Example: The airline canceled our flight.

Another example: Cancel the meeting — half the team is sick.

Collocations: cancel a flight · cancel the booking · be canceled

Synonyms: call off, scrap, annul

Antonyms: confirm, keep

Word family: cancellation (n) · canceled (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: American spelling: canceled/canceling (one L in the middle forms); British doubles it. Flights and plans get canceled; people 'cancel on' friends (informal).

🗣 In spoken American English: Weather cancels flights; apps made canceling everything else two taps.

Register: Neutral — modern life essential.

backpack /ˈbækpæk/ noun / verb B1 Travel

Meaning: A bag carried on your back, used by travelers and students; to travel with one, cheaply and lightly.

Example: He traveled Europe with one backpack.

Another example: Students carry laptops in their backpacks.

Collocations: a heavy backpack · backpack through · school backpack

Synonyms: rucksack, knapsack

Word family: backpacks (n pl) · backpacking (n) · backpacker (n)

⚠ Common mistake: The verb built a travel style: backpacking = light, cheap, free. Backpackers sleep in hostels and move slowly.

🗣 In spoken American English: One bag, whole summer — the backpack is a philosophy.

Register: Neutral — travel essential.

hostel /ˈhɒstl/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: A cheap place for young travelers to stay, usually with shared rooms and bathrooms.

Example: Hostels in Austin cost $30 a night.

Another example: We met travelers from five countries at the hostel.

Collocations: youth hostel · stay at a hostel · hostel room

Synonyms: budget hotel, dorm (its shared room)

Antonyms: luxury hotel

Word family: hostels (n pl)

⚠ Common mistake: Hostel vs hotel: one letter, big difference — shared dorms and kitchens vs private rooms and service.

🗣 In spoken American English: The social heart of backpacking: hostel kitchens hold the world's best travel tips.

Register: Neutral — budget travel essential.

board /bɔːrd/ verb B1 Travel

Meaning: To get on a plane, train, ship, or bus to travel.

Example: Passengers will board in ten minutes.

Another example: We boarded the train at platform 4.

Collocations: board the plane · boarding pass · boarding time

Synonyms: get on, embark (formal)

Antonyms: get off, land

Word family: boarding (n) · boarded (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Boarding passes carry the proof; 'now boarding' is the airport's call to move. Board also means a flat piece of wood — and the directors of a company; travel's meaning rules at airports.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Last call for boarding' quickens every traveler's heart.

Register: Neutral — travel essential.

pack /pæk/ verb B1 Travel

Meaning: To put things into a bag or suitcase before traveling; also to fill a space completely.

Example: I need to pack tonight for the trip.

Another example: She packed two sweaters and a camera.

Collocations: pack a bag · pack for the trip · packed suitcase

Synonyms: fill, load, prepare (bags)

Antonyms: unpack

Word family: packing (n) · packed (adj) · packet (n — small package)

⚠ Common mistake: Pack (do the suitcase) vs unpack (undo it). 'Packed' also means crowded: the theater was packed.

🗣 In spoken American English: The night-before ritual: lists, weather checks, one bag that must close.

Register: Neutral — travel essential.

tourist /ˈtʊərɪst/ noun B1 Travel

Meaning: A person who travels to a place for pleasure and sightseeing.

Example: Tourists filled the old town square.

Another example: The city welcomes two million tourists a year.

Collocations: tourists visit · tourist season · tourist information

Synonyms: visitor, sightseer, traveler (wider)

Antonyms: local, resident

Word family: tourists (n pl) · tourism (n) · touristy (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Touristy (negative) means made for tourists, not real local life. Traveler sounds freer; tourist sounds like a camera and a map.

🗣 In spoken American English: Every city loves their money and mocks their socks — both at once.

Register: Neutral — travel essential.