In current English teaching

vocabulary learning is a primitive foundation of the language as well as an important aspect to master any language. Therefore

it also manifests that vocabulary teaching is very important in English learning and teaching. Based on traditional vocabulary teaching

many teachers require students to memorize vocabularies mechanically and do not impart students vocabulary learning skills. Cognitive linguistics theory provides an innovative way for vocabulary teaching. From the perspective of cognitive linguistics

this paper explores the application of theory of metaphor and category theory in English vocabulary teaching

which can help students learn English vocabulary better.