IELTS also referred to as the International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test. Students who want to go abroad for their higher studies or work must take this test.
Vocabulary is an important component of the IELTS exam, if you use proper vocabulary with accuracy you can get your desired band score.
If you have a good command of vocabulary for IELTS, you can easily use that to express your ideas.
In the upcoming paragraph, we will get the IELTS vocabulary list for writing, reading, listening, and speaking. This post will help you become familiar with some new and difficult words.
We will provide some important and common Collocations For IELTS that will help you get a good band score. You will also learn about some common idioms, which you can use as vocabulary for IELTS speaking.
Good Luck! Keep reading to get to know about high-score IELTS vocabulary.
Why is vocabulary important for IELTS?
IELTS consists of four modules: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The only and most important thing all these sections have in common is vocabulary. In writing and speaking, vocabulary contributes to around 25% of your score. Vocabulary also helps in reading and listening as it increases the knowledge of synonyms.
Section-wise vocabulary for IELTS (Academics)
Here we will provide the important vocabulary for IELTS academics that will help you to improve your band score in the exam.
You will get the proper list of the latest IELTS vocabulary for listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
IELTS Vocabulary For Writing
The unique words we use in the IELTS writing section to boost our band score are called vocabulary for IELTS writing.
Vocabulary in IELTS writing is very crucial if you use them wisely. It will make your writing attractive and help you get a 7+ band in the IELTS writing section.
It is advised that you should not use any word whose meaning you do not know because misusing a word can affect your band score.
Let’s see the vocabulary for the IELTS writing list:
Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 1
Vocabularies for an upward trend
- Soar
Example – The use of electricity soared last month.
Soar is used to show a large rise.
- Rocket
Example – The use of mobile phones has rocketed in the last five months.
Just like soar, rockets are used to show a large rise.
- Surge
Example – People’s interest in electronic gadgets has surged.
Vocabulary for a downward trend
- Slip back
Example – The use of telephones has slipped back in the past 10 years.
This is used when there is a fall after having a rise.
- Sink
For example – The housing cost sank after the corona pandemic.
- Dip
Example – The crime rate has dipped in the past few years.
Adjective vocabularies for showing a steady trend
| Adjective | example |
| Constant | A constant shift |
| Steadily | moved steadily |
| Consistent | A consistent flow |
Adjective vocabularies for showing a small increase or decrease trend
| Adjective | example |
| Gradual | A gradual fall |
| slight | A slight rise |
| Modest | A modest increase |
IELTS Vocabulary For Writing Task 2
Vocabulary for showing contrast:
- On the other hand,
- While,
- Whereas
- On the contrary,
- Even though,
- Alternatively,
- Unlike,
- Though,
- Although,
- Despite,
- Meanwhile,
- Oppositely,
- Nevertheless,
- Nonetheless,
- However,
These are the vocabularies for IELTS you can use if you want to show the contradiction.
Vocabulary to present an idea:
- When it comes to…
- Not only… but also..
- Research shows that…
- With respect to…
- Research has found that…
Examples: Research shows that unemployment and crime are interrelated.
Parents always come first when teaching moral values to children, but teachers are equally responsible for that.
Phrases to explain more ideas:
- Furthermore,
- Apart from this,
- Another point worth noticing is,
- Another factor to consider is,
- In addition,
- Also,
- Besides,
- Not only… but also …
Vocabulary for IELTS to show a result, effect, or consequence:
- The reason why
- Therefore,
- Eventually,
- On account of…
- Because of…
- Hence,
- As a result,
- Consequently,
- As a consequence,
- Owing to,
- Due to,
- As an effect,
- Thus,
Vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2 conclusion:
- To recapitulate,
- To conclude,
- To sum up,
- In a nutshell,
- To summarize,
Some expressions you may have been writing wrong:
| Right | Wrong |
| Last but not the least, | Last but not least, |
| In conclusion, | In a nutshell, |
| Secondly, | Second of all, |
| From my point of view, | In my point of view, |
| In my opinion, | From my opinion, |
If you want to learn some tips for improving your IELTS writing, you can read our other “Best 8 Tips On How To Improve Writing In IELTS.”
IELTS Vocabulary For Speaking
Speaking is an important and scorable module of IELTS. The duration of speaking tests is approximately 10 to 15 minutes. It has three parts:
Introduction: In this exam, the examiner will ask you some introductory questions about yourself. For example, do you love flowers? Do you enjoy music? In this, you can answer one or two lines.
Cue Card: This examiner will give you a topic, and you must speak for at least 1:30 to 2 minutes.
Follow-Up: In this part, the examiner will ask questions related to your cue card or some general topics, and you have to answer at least 3 to 4 lines.
Let’s move to the list of vocabulary for IELTS speaking.
- pastime
Meaning – an activity is done for enjoyment
For Example – Cricket is my favorite pastime.
- itinerary
Meaning- a formally planned trip.
Example – My boss planned an itinerary for a trip to Shimla for all employees.
- abroad
Meaning – outside of one’s home country
Example – I want to go abroad for further studies.
- major
Meaning – a chosen field of study.
Example – Ram’s majors were physics, chemistry, and mathematics in senior high school.
- primary
Meaning – the beginning grade levels of school
Example – Miss Babita was my favorite teacher in primary school.
Some other important vocabulary for speaking in IELTS
- Suburb – a town near the big city.
- A night out – a night spent outside the house in a public place.
- Chilly – referring to the weather, which means cold and uncomfortable weather.
- Casual – when referring to friends, means someone you don’t know properly.
- Arid – a dry climate with no or little rain.
- Chain restaurant – a restaurant with branches at different locations.
- Ingredients – things that you combine to make a certain dish.
- Innovation – new and valuable invention.
Vocabulary for IELTS reading
In the reading section of the IELTS, knowledge of vocabulary helps you in skimming and scanning. If you know different vocabulary, you won’t get stuck while skimming and will save valuable time. The duration of the reading section is 1 hour.
Without wasting time, let’s look at the important vocabulary for reading.
- Erosion – when sand is removed from the earth’s surface with water or air.
- Habitat – A place where you find a certain animal, plant, or other living creature.
- Emissions – when a gas or smoke gets released into the air.
- Flora and fauna – It means plants and animals.
- Mammal – animals that have warm blood and fur on their body.
- Reptiles – Animals that have cold blood and no hair or fur on their bodies, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes.
- Evolve – when something changes or develops itself.
- Sustainable – sustainable activity is that which doesn’t damage the environment.
Vocabulary for IELTS listening
In this section, you will listen to a recording for 30 minutes and have to answer 40 questions by listening to that recording. You will get an additional 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
Let’s have a view at the useful vocabulary for IELTS listening.
- Tutorial – student-teacher discussion when the tutor is instructing students.
- Office hours – The time you spend in the office.
- Counselor – Who consults you and takes your counseling sessions.
- Sibling – a brother or sister.
- Spouse – a husband or wife.
- In-laws – relatives of your spouse.
- High rise – tall buildings mostly at the town center.
- The main square – a small and central area of the city center.
- Accommodation – a place where anyone lives.
Topic-wise Vocabulary For IELTS
Here is the list of the top 8 topics that are very common in IELTS writing. You will get the advanced level vocabulary for these topics that will help you get a 7+ band score in the IELTS writing.
- Education
- Work
- Technology
- Environment
- Health
- Travel and tourism
- Society and culture
- Arts and media
Education
- Pedagogy
Meaning – The method or practice of teaching.
Example – The school is known for its innovative pedagogy, which emphasizes hands-on learning.
- Curriculum
Meaning – The course of study followed by a school or educational institution.
Example – The school is updating its curriculum to include more technology-focused classes.
- Literacy
Meaning – The ability to read and write.
Example – The literacy rate in the country has improved significantly in recent years.
Work
- Occupation
Meaning – A person’s job or profession.
Example – Her occupation is a doctor.
- Salary
Meaning – The amount of money paid for a job, usually on an annual basis.
Example – The company offered him a high salary to work for them.
- Promotion
Meaning – An advancement in rank or position within a job.
Example – She worked hard and was rewarded with a promotion to manager.
Technology
- Innovation
Meaning – The introduction of new ideas or methods.
Example: The company is known for its innovative approach to technology.
- Digital
Meaning – Relating to technology that uses digital signals rather than analog signals.
Example: Many people now prefer to read digital books rather than physical ones.
- Software
Meaning – Programs and other operating information used by a computer.
Example: I need to install some new software on my computer.
Environment
- Sustainability
Meaning – The ability to maintain or preserve something without depleting natural resources.
Example: The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
- Pollution
Meaning – The presence or introduction into the environment of substances or contaminants that cause harm or discomfort.
Example: The city has implemented measures to reduce air pollution.
- Renewable
Meaning – Able to be replenished naturally over time.
Example: Solar power is a renewable source of energy.
Health
- Nutrition
Meaning – The study of food and how it affects the body.
Example: She has a degree in nutrition and works as a dietician.
- Fitness
Meaning – The state of being physically and mentally healthy and strong.
Example: Regular exercise is essential for maintaining fitness.
- Prevention
Meaning – Actions taken to prevent something from happening.
Example: Vaccines are a form of prevention against many diseases.
Travel and tourism
- Destination
Meaning – A place to which someone is traveling or where something is sent.
Example: Paris is a popular destination for tourists.
- Tourist
Meaning – A person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.
Example: The city welcomes thousands of tourists each year.
- Accommodation
Meaning – A place to stay or live, especially on a temporary basis.
Example: We need to find accommodation for our trip to London.
Society and culture
- Diversity
Meaning – The state of being diverse or different.
Example: The city prides itself on its diversity and multiculturalism.
- Tradition
Meaning – A long-established custom or belief.
Example: The festival celebrates local traditions and customs.
- Norms
Meaning – Social expectations or guidelines for behavior within a particular society or culture.
Example: In some cultures, it is considered impolite to make direct eye contact during a conversation.
Arts and media
- Genre
Meaning – A category or type of art, literature, music, or other creative work.
Example: Science fiction is a popular genre in literature and film.
- Critique
Meaning – A critical analysis or evaluation of a work of art or literature.
Example: The art critic gave a scathing critique of the new exhibit.
- Broadcast
Meaning – The transmission of audio or video content over a communication network.
Example: The news broadcast starts at 6 pm every evening.
Some More Topic-wise Vocabulary For IELTS
| Topic | Vocabulary |
| Fitness | Well-being Exercise Obesity Rehabilitation Pandemic Vaccination Mental health Epidemic Hygiene |
| Economy and Business | Entrepreneurship Globalization Inflation Stock market Supply and demand Consumerism Market research Outsourcing Economic recession Monopoly |
| Culture | Aesthetics Heritage Museums Performing arts Literature Visual arts Cultural diversity Artistic expression Cultural identity Creative industries |
| Politics and Government | Democracy Legislation Diplomacy Corruption Human rights Constitutions Political ideology Governance Civil liberties Electoral systems |
| Science and Technology | Genetics Robotics Space exploration Quantum mechanics Biotechnology Cybernetics Scientific research Experimentation Hypothesis Data analysis |
| Social Issues | Discrimination Poverty Gender equality Immigration Social justice Diversity Homelessness Youth empowerment Elderly care Humanitarian aid |
| Family and Relationships | Parenthood Sibling Marriage Generation gap Extended family Foster care Intergenerational Nuclear family Single-parent Blended family |
| Sports | Athletics Teamwork Sportsmanship Endurance Championship Competitive Training Stamina Injury prevention Sports psychology |
| Media and Communication | Journalism Mass media Public relations Social media Censorship Broadcast Advertising Press freedom Digital literacy Media bias |
| Science and Nature | Ecology Species Ecosystem Evolution Geology Climate Natural resources Sustainable development Adaptation Meteorology |
| Food and Nutrition | Organic Superfood Veganism Dietary restrictions Nutrient-rich Food processing Balanced diet Foodborne illnesses Culinary arts Gastronomy |
| History and Heritage | Archaeology Ancient civilizations Revolution Monarchy Renaissance Independence World War Historical landmarks Colonialism Heritage preservation |
| Global Issues | Terrorism Refugees Poverty alleviation Human trafficking Global governance Sustainable development goals Conflict resolution Humanitarian crisis Cultural assimilation Nuclear proliferation |
| Law and Justice | Civil rights Judiciary Legal system Due process Criminal justice Rule of law Constitutional rights Legal framework Judicial activism Legal precedent |
| Employment | Professional development Occupational safety Work-life balance Career advancement Labor market Job satisfaction Workplace diversity Remote work Employee benefits Unemployment rate |
| Science Fiction and Fantasy | Time travel Extraterrestrial Parallel universe Artificial intelligence Dystopia Superpowers Space exploration Futuristic technology Imaginary creatures Quest |
Latest IELTS Vocabulary Words
Here, you will get some new vocabulary words that you can use in your IELTS exam to get a high band score.
Using proper vocabulary for IELTS is very important, as we mentioned before because it does not matter how many words you know; the thing that matters is do you know how to use them correctly in a sentence.
So first, you must know how to use vocabulary correctly. You can follow some tips to improve your vocabulary for the IELTS exam. Like,
- Writing down a new or unknown word and using a dictionary to know the meaning of that new vocabulary word for IELTS.
- Learning synonyms for common words that we use in daily life.
- Whenever you make sentences using an unknown word, ask someone to check whether you make the correct sentence.
Here you will get updated new vocabulary words for IELTS with their meaning, which you must practice to get a 7+ band score in the IELTS exam.
You are advised to make sentences using these words and let us know through comments our experts can check your work and let you know whether you made the right sentence.
| Word | Meaning |
| Abate | to become less intense or widespread |
| Acquiesce | to accept something reluctantly (unwillingly) but without protest, |
| Admonish | to warn or reprimand someone firmly |
| Alacrity | brisk and cheerful readiness |
| Ameliorate | to make something better or more tolerable |
| Apathy | lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern |
| Articulate | expressing oneself clearly and effectively |
| Assuage | to make less severe or intense |
| Beguile | to charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way |
| Cacophony | a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
| Capricious | given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior |
| Circumspect | wary and unwilling to take risks |
| Conundrum | a confusing and difficult problem or question |
| Corpulent | excessively fat or overweight |
| Credulous | having or showing too great a readiness to believe things |
| Deleterious | causing harm or damage |
| Despondent | in low spirits from loss of hope or courage |
| Diaphanous | light, delicate, and translucent |
| Dilatory | slow to act |
| Disparate | essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison |
| Egregious | outstandingly bad or shocking |
| Eloquent | fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing |
| Emulate | to imitate with the intention of equaling or surpassing |
| Enervate | to cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality |
| Erudite | having or showing extensive knowledge |
| Euphemism | a mild or indirect word or expression used instead of one considered too harsh or blunt |
| Exacerbate | to make a problem or situation worse |
| Exemplary | serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind |
| Fastidious | very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail |
| Fervor | intense and passionate feeling |
| Fledgling | an immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped person or organization |
| Flummox | to perplex or confuse someone |
| Gregarious | fond of company; sociable |
| Histrionic | overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style |
| Impetuous | acting or done quickly and without thought or care |
| Incessant | continuing without pause or interruption |
| Incongruous | not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something |
| Indolent | wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy |
| Insipid | lacking flavor or interest; dull |
| Intrepid | fearless; adventurous |
| Jocular | fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful |
| Languid | displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed |
| Malaise | a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease |
| Melancholy | a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause |
| Mitigate | to make less severe, serious, or painful |
| Nefarious | wicked or criminal |
| Obtuse | annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand |
| Pernicious | having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way |
| Perspicacious | having a ready insight into and understanding of things |
| Quixotic | exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical |
Vocabulary For IELTS With Synonyms And Meaning
Sometimes, you use very common words in IELTS that can make your writing or speaking looks dull. So instead of those words, you can use their synonyms.
These synonyms will work as vocabulary and play an important role in making your writing or speaking attractive.
So let’s have a look at the common words and their synonyms.
| Common words | Meaning | Synonyms |
| Amazing | Very surprising | Astonishing, Extraordinary, Incredible, Fantastic, Fabulous |
| Answer | To give a reply to something | Respond |
| Awful | Bad or unpleasant | Terrible, Abominable, Dreadful |
| Bad | Not good or something that is of low-quality | Evil, Spoiled, Imperfect, Infamous, Dismal |
| Beautiful | Pretty or attractive | Gorgeous, Ravishing, Dazzling, Exquisite, Stunning |
| Begin | Start | Initiate, Commence, Inaugurate |
| Big | large | Huge, Enormous, Gigantic, Humongous, Substantial, Mammoth |
| Break | When something stop working | Rupture, Fracture, Shatter |
| Calm | Person who is not worried, angry, or too much excited | Serene, Peace, Tranquil |
| Dangerous | Something that is not good for you | Hazardous, Risky, Precarious |
| Delicious | Something that taste or smell good | Savoury, Titbit, Delectable |
| Destroy | To break something | Demolish, Slay, Ruin, Raze |
| Dull | Something that is not interesting | Boring, Uninteresting, Monotonous, Humdrum, Dreary |
| Explain | When you represent something to make someone understand | Elaborate, Interpret |
| End | Last part of something | Terminate, Conclude, Cessation |
| Fall | When something drop down | Drop, Descend, Topple |
| Famous | Someone or something that is quite popular among people | Well-known, Renowned, Eminent, Illustrious |
| Fast | That move or act in speed | Quick, Rapid, Hasty, Snappy, Swift |
| Funny | Something that make you smile and laugh | Amusing, Humorous, Droll, Hilarious |
| Get | To have something | Acquire, Obtain, Secure, Procure, Gather |
| Good | Something with high quality and standard | Excellent, Fine, Wonderful, Superior, Gracious, Superb, Splendid, Genuine, Sterling, Top-notch |
| Great | Something that is important | Worthy, Distinguished, Grand, Considerable, Mighty |
| Happy | Felling of pleasure | Pleased, Delighted, Elated, Joyful, Ecstatic, Jubilant, Jaunty |
| Hate | Not liking someone or something | Despise, Loathe, Abhor, Abominate |
| Have | When you own something | Possess, Own, Acquire |
| Help | Doing something for someone else | Aid, Assist, Support, Encourage, Relieve |
| Hide | Make something not visible to others | Conceal, Cover, Mask, Veil |
| Important | Something that is necessary | Vital, Critical, Indispensable, Valuable, Essential, Famous, Notable |
| Little | small | Tiny, Diminutive, Exiguous, Dinky, Cramped |
| Move | Change position of something or someone | Plod, Creep, Crawl, Drag, Toddle, shuffle, Trot, Lumber, Meander |
| Show | To let someone see something | Display, Exhibit, Indicate, Reveal, Demonstrate |
| Tell | Giving information to someone | Disclose, Reveal, Expose, Narrate, Inform, Divulge |
| Use | Doing something with the help of something else | Employ, Utilise, Exhaust, Spend |
| Wrong | Something or someone that is not correct | Incorrect, Inaccurate, Mistaken, Erroneous, Improper, Unsuitable |
Collocations Vocabulary For IELTS
Collocation is the combination of two or more words to make a phrase which has a proper meaning.
Collocation Pattern for IELTS
Some of the collocation patterns is:
- Verb + Adverb
- Verb + Noun
- Noun + Adjective
- Adjective + Adverb
- Noun + Noun
Here are some important collocations for you to use in the IELTS exam to boost or improve your score in IELTS speaking and writing. You can use these collocations as vocabulary for IELTS.
Let’s have a look at the important collocations for IELTS:
Have
- Have fun
- Have a blast
- Have a phone
- Have food
- Have breakfast
Make
- Make your bed
- Why don’t you make your breakfast?
- Make some tea
- Make your food
Do
- Do your homework before you sleep
- Do it right now
- Do get up early
Take
- Take a bite from me
- Take your pen
- Take a bath
- Take a knife
Keep
- Keep your bag off
- Keep it on the desk
- Keep a smile on your face
Get
- Get it done
- Get married
- Get off
- Get ready
Go
- Go out
- Go home
- Go to school
Idioms Vocabulary For IELTS
Here are some common Idioms you can use as vocabulary for IELTS speaking.
- Out of the blue
- In the red
- Learn by heart
- Child’s play
- Under the weather
- Kick the bucket
- Break a leg
- Pulling your leg
- Over the top
You can try using these phrases in examples and let us know through the comments so our expert tutors can review your examples and let you know if you are wrong.
If you find it difficult to calculate your IELTS overall score, our blog “How to calculate IELTS score: Everything you should know” can help you with this.
IELTS Vocabulary List pdf
Download the IELTS vocabulary pdf to make your preparation easier and ace the exam with desired band score. In this pdf, you will get 1000+ advanced IELTS vocabulary words.
Conclusion
Along with accurate grammar, you must have good vocabulary knowledge to get the desired band score in the IELTS exam.
Knowing a few advanced vocabulary words is not enough to get a good IELTS score; you must also know how to use them accurately.
So in this post, we have discussed the section-wise vocabulary for IELTS and provided vocabulary for different topics.
This will help you to improve your band score in each section, as well as improve your overall band score.
If you still have any queries or questions, let us know through comments or contact our experts.
You must keep visiting CourseMentor™ for more interesting and informative content like this.
FAQs
How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS?
Below are simple steps to improve your vocabulary for IELTS:
1. Write the definition
2. Put the word into a sentence to contextualise it
3. Check what the word form is – adjective, noun, adverb and verb.
4. Look for antonyms/synonyms
5. Look for collocations
Which dictionary is best for IELTS?
There are a few best dictionaries available online, such as:
1. Cambridge Dictionary
2. Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
3. Free Collocation
How many vocabularies need for IELTS?
It would be best if you had a vocabulary collection of between 6000 and 7000 of the most commonly used words. Also, ensure that every component of nature is covered in these phrases so you can speak clearly about any subject.
What is the most common vocabulary in IELTS?
Here is a list of a few most commonly used vocabulary words
1. Wrong
2. Tell
3. Show
4. New
Synonyms
1. Mistaken
2. Narrate and Inform
3. Display and Exhibit
4. Recent and current
