This page covers common English words for body parts, organized into categories like Head, Torso, Arms & Hands, Legs & Feet, and Internal Organs.
Head
Words for parts of the head that help you describe appearance, expressions, and common issues like headaches or toothaches.
English Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | English Explanation | Etymology Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
eye | eyes | She has a blue eye. | Her eyes are blue. | The part of the body used for seeing. | Old English ēage, related to German Auge. |
ear | ears | He has an earring in one ear. | Both ears are pierced. | The organ for hearing and balance. | Old English ēare, related to Latin auris. |
nose | noses | My nose is cold. | Noses can be runny in winter. | The part of the face used for smelling and breathing. | Old English nosu, related to German Nase. |
mouth | mouths | Open your mouth wide. | Mouths can be dry after speaking. | The opening for eating, speaking, and breathing. | Old English mūþ, related to Dutch mond. |
head | heads | He has a big head. | Heads turned when she entered. | The top part of the body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. | Old English hēafod, related to German Haupt. |
hair | hairs | She has long hair. | There are hairs on the brush. | The strands that grow from the scalp or skin. | Old English hær, related to Dutch haar. |
forehead | foreheads | He wiped sweat from his forehead. | Foreheads can wrinkle with age. | The area above the eyes on the front of the head. | Old English fore- (before) + heafod (head). |
cheek | cheeks | She kissed me on the cheek. | Her cheeks are rosy. | The fleshy part on either side of the face below the eyes. | Old English ceac, of uncertain origin. |
chin | chins | He has a cleft chin. | Chins can show signs of aging. | The lower part of the face below the mouth. | Old English cin, related to Old Norse kin. |
tongue | tongues | Stick out your tongue. | Tongues taste different flavors. | The muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting and speaking. | Old English tunge, related to German Zunge. |
tooth | teeth | I have a toothache. | Brush your teeth twice a day. | Hard structures in the mouth for chewing. | Old English tōþ, plural teeth. |
Torso
Body parts in the central part of the body, useful for talking about posture, clothing, and common health issues.
English Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | English Explanation | Etymology Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
chest | chests | He has a broad chest. | Chests rise and fall when breathing. | The front part of the body between the neck and abdomen. | Old English cyst, related to Greek kystis (bladder). |
back | backs | My back hurts after sitting. | Backs can get sunburned. | The rear part of the torso from neck to waist. | Old English bæc, related to German Bach. |
shoulder | shoulders | She injured her right shoulder. | Shoulders carry heavy bags. | The joint connecting the arm to the torso. | Old English sċeolder, related to German Schulter. |
abdomen | abdomens | He has pain in his abdomen. | Abdomens can feel bloated after eating. | The part of the body between the chest and pelvis. | Latin abdomen, meaning "belly". |
waist | waists | She has a slim waist. | Waists are measured for clothing. | The narrow part of the torso above the hips. | Old English wæst, meaning "growth". |
hip | hips | He hurt his left hip. | Hips help with balance and movement. | The side of the body below the waist. | Old English hīp, of uncertain origin. |
rib | ribs | He broke a rib playing football. | Ribs protect the lungs and heart. | The curved bones forming the chest cage. | Latin rēbra, meaning "side". |
stomach | stomachs | My stomach is full. | Stomachs digest food. | The organ in the abdomen that breaks down food. | Old English stomach, from Latin stomachus. |
spine | spines | She has a flexible spine. | Spines protect the spinal cord. | The column of bones running down the back. | Latin spina, meaning "thorn" or "backbone". |
skin | skins | His skin is smooth. | Sunscreen protects the skin. | The outer covering of the body. | Old English scinn, related to Dutch schijn. |
Arms & Hands
Parts of the upper limbs, important for describing actions, gestures, and injuries.
English Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | English Explanation | Etymology Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
arm | arms | She raised her arm. | Arms can be strong or weak. | The limb from shoulder to wrist. | Old English earm, related to German Arm. |
elbow | elbows | He rested on his elbow. | Elbows can be bent or straight. | The joint between upper and lower arm. | Old English elnū, related to Latin ulna. |
wrist | wrists | Wear the watch on your wrist. | Wrists can be delicate. | The joint connecting hand and forearm. | Old English wrist, meaning "twist". |
hand | hands | She clapped her hand. | Hands can hold many objects. | The part of the arm used for grasping. | Old English hand, related to German Hand. |
finger | fingers | He cut his finger. | Fingers are used for typing. | The five digits on each hand. | Old English finger, related to German Finger. |
thumb | thumbs | Use your thumb to press the button. | Thumbs oppose the other fingers. | The short, thick digit on the hand. | Old English þūma, related to Latin pollex. |
nail | nails | She painted her nails. | Nails protect the fingertips. | The hard covering at the tip of fingers and toes. | Old English nægel, related to German Nagel. |
palm | palms | Her palm was sweaty. | Palms have unique fingerprints. | The inner surface of the hand. | Old English palm, from Latin palma. |
knuckle | knuckles | He cracked his knuckles. | Knuckles appear when making a fist. | The joint where fingers bend. | Middle English knokkel, diminutive of knok (knob). |
forearm | forearms | She has a tattoo on her forearm. | Forearms connect the elbow and wrist. | The part of the arm between elbow and wrist. | Old English fore- (before) + earm (arm). |
She raised her ___.
arm
The 'arm' is the limb from shoulder to wrist.
Legs & Feet
Vocabulary for the lower limbs, useful for talking about movement, exercise, and injuries.
English Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | English Explanation | Etymology Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
leg | legs | He broke his leg. | Legs help us walk and run. | The limb from hip to foot. | Old English lēg, of uncertain origin. |
thigh | thighs | The thigh is the upper part of the leg. | Thighs contain strong muscles. | The part of the leg between hip and knee. | Old English þēoh, related to Dutch dij. |
knee | knees | She scraped her knee. | Knees bend when we sit. | The joint between thigh and lower leg. | Old English cnēow, related to German Knie. |
calf | calves | He has muscular calves. | Calves are the lower back part of the leg. | The back part of the lower leg. | Old English cealf, plural calves. |
ankle | ankles | Wear boots to protect your ankles. | Ankles allow foot movement. | The joint connecting leg and foot. | Old French ankle, from Latin ancleus. |
foot | feet | My foot hurts. | Wear comfortable shoes on your feet. | The lower extremity used for standing and walking. | Old English fōt, plural feet. |
toe | toes | She stubbed her toe. | Toes help with balance. | The digits on the foot. | Old English tā, plural tāu or toes. |
heel | heels | His heels were sore after hiking. | Heels are the back part of the foot. | The bottom rear part of the foot. | Old English hēla, related to German Ferse. |
sole | soles | The sole of the foot can be sensitive. | Soles contact the ground when walking. | The underside of the foot. | Latin sola, meaning "soil" or "ground". |
toe nail | toe nails | She trimmed her toe nails. | Toe nails protect the tips of toes. | The hard covering on the tips of toes. | English compound of toe + nail. |
He broke his ___.
leg
The 'leg' is the limb from hip to foot.
Internal Organs
Key internal body parts, helpful for discussing health, medicine, and bodily functions.
English Singular | English Plural | Example Singular | Example Plural | English Explanation | Etymology Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
heart | hearts | The heart pumps blood. | Hearts can beat faster during exercise. | The organ that circulates blood. | Old English heorte, related to German Herz. |
lung | lungs | He has healthy lungs. | Lungs fill with air when we breathe. | Organs for breathing located in the chest. | Old English lungen, related to Latin pulmo. |
brain | brains | The brain controls the body. | Brains are very complex organs. | The organ inside the skull that controls thought and movement. | Old English brægen, of uncertain origin. |
liver | livers | The liver detoxifies the body. | Livers can be damaged by alcohol. | A large organ that processes chemicals and produces bile. | Old English lifer, related to Latin iecur. |
stomach | stomachs | The stomach digests food. | Stomachs can feel upset after eating. | The organ that breaks down food in the abdomen. | Old English stomach, from Latin stomachus. |
kidney | kidneys | Humans have two kidneys. | Kidneys filter waste from the blood. | Organs that remove waste and balance fluids. | Old English cwið or cwiðedn, later kidney. |
intestine | intestines | Intestines absorb nutrients. | Intestines are part of the digestive system. | The long tubes in the abdomen that process food. | Latin intestinum, meaning "internal". |
bladder | bladders | The bladder stores urine. | Bladders can feel full and need emptying. | A sac that holds urine before it leaves the body. | Old English blǣdre, meaning "bladder" or "bubble". |
pancreas | pancreases | The pancreas produces insulin. | Pancreases are important for digestion. | An organ that helps regulate blood sugar and digestion. | Latin pancreas, from Greek pankreas. |
Conclusion
Here is an overview of the main categories of body-related vocabulary in English:
- Head: Words for facial features and parts involved in senses.
- Torso: Central body parts related to posture and internal organs.
- Arms & Hands: Upper limb parts used for movement and manipulation.
- Legs & Feet: Lower limb parts essential for mobility.
- Internal Organs: Important organs inside the body for health discussions.
By learning these categories, you can describe the human body more accurately and confidently in English.
If you want to learn about how to describe body parts in context or talk about common health issues, check out the rest of our Health & Body vocabulary course.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- Example Singular: She has a blue eye.
- Example Plural: Her eyes are blue.
- Etymology Note: Old English ēage, related to German Auge.
- English Singular: eye
- English Plural: eyes
- English Explanation: The part of the body used for seeing.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025