For upper-intermediate learners tackling nuanced vocabulary for complex relationship patterns, social dynamics, and interpersonal responsibility.
Free Social & Relationships vocabulary flashcards at the B2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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accountability
the willingness to accept responsibility for your own actions and their consequences
allegiance
strong loyalty and support given to a person, group, or cause
assertive
expressing your needs and opinions confidently and directly without being aggressive
authentic
being genuine and true to your own character rather than pretending to be something else
boundary
a personal limit that defines what treatment or behaviour you will and will not accept
collaborate
to work jointly with others, especially on a creative or intellectual project
compassion
a deep awareness of someone's suffering combined with a genuine desire to help relieve it
dependency
a state in which you rely too heavily on another person for emotional support or practical needs
estrange
to cause someone to become unfriendly or distant from a person they were once close to
facilitate
to make a process or interaction easier and more likely to succeed
intimacy
a close, warm familiarity or deep personal connection shared between people
manipulation
the use of clever, unfair, or dishonest methods to control another person
mediate
to help two people or groups reach an agreement by acting as a neutral go-between
reciprocal
given and received equally between two people; working in both directions
solidarity
unity and agreement among a group of people who share interests or a common cause
toxic
describing a relationship that is harmful to one or both people involved
detachment
a state of being emotionally distant and uninvolved, even in close relationships
resentment
a long-lasting feeling of anger or bitterness towards someone who has hurt or wronged you
power dynamic
the way power is distributed between two people in a relationship, affecting how they interact
consent
freely given and informed agreement to something, particularly in personal or physical relationships
disclose
to reveal personal or private information to someone you trust
overprotective
wanting to shield someone from harm or difficulty to an excessive degree
constructive criticism
feedback that points out problems but does so in a helpful and respectful way
passive-aggressive
expressing negative feelings indirectly through silence, sulking, or sarcasm rather than directly
projection
attributing your own unwanted feelings or faults to another person
emotional labour
the effort of managing your own and others' emotions to maintain a relationship or keep peace
gaslighting
making someone question their own memory or perception of events to gain control over them
platonic
describing a close friendship without romantic or sexual elements
codependent
describing a relationship where one or both people rely on the other in unhealthy or excessive ways
nurture
to care for and encourage the development and wellbeing of a relationship or person
validate
to make someone feel that their feelings or opinions are reasonable and important
conflict resolution
the process of finding a peaceful and fair solution to a disagreement
implicit
understood or suggested without being directly stated
rapport
a friendly, harmonious relationship with easy communication and mutual understanding
grievance
a real or imagined cause of complaint or resentment within a relationship