The IELTS exam is taken by people who aspire to study or work in places where English is the primary language of communication. It tests English proficiency based on skill levels of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To achieve your dream score, you must be well-versed in IELTS Vocabulary words that will showcase your linguistic depth to examiners. Keep reading to get better equipped with these tools!
Preparing vocabulary words for IELTS can seem like a daunting task, but you can improve your communication skills and score significantly higher by developing your vocabulary topic by topic. A few terms from the most common questions are included below:
Academia, curriculum, dissertation, scholarship, plagiarism, literacy, mentor, aptitude, diligent, meticulous, analytical, critical thinking, perseverance.
Career, profession, salary, colleague, entrepreneur, vacancy, resume, application, meticulous, efficient, proficient, articulate, assertive, ambitious.
Gadget, software, hardware, application, internet, social media, innovation, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, efficient, user-friendly, cutting-edge, groundbreaking, versatile.
Sustainability, pollution, conservation, climate change, deforestation, endangered species, renewable energy, greenhouse gas, ecosystem, fragile, detrimental, indispensable, advocate, detrimental.
Television, newspaper, magazine, website, social media, advertisement, documentary, propaganda, bias, censorship, controversial, credible, reliable, impartial.
Destination, itinerary, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, cultural immersion, passport, visa, currency exchange, picturesque, breathtaking, authentic, diverse, enriching.
Fitness, nutrition, disease, treatment, medication, surgery, prevention, well-being, holistic, organic, chronic, acute, alleviate, imperative.
Music, painting, sculpture, literature, theatre, dance, tradition, heritage, masterpiece, renowned, versatile, captivating, influential, symbolic.
Cuisine, ingredients, recipe, flavour, aroma, texture, nutritious, gourmet, exotic, delectable, versatile, satiate.
Retail, bargain, discount, brand, quality, warranty, customer service, convenient, trendy, versatile, exquisite, durable.
A phrase that combines a verb with an adverb or preposition is known as a phrasal verb. Though these may appear confusing, don't worry! To help you get started, here are some:
|
Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
Example |
|
Break down |
Analyse |
The researcher broke down the data to identify trends. |
|
Come up with |
Develop |
The team came up with a creative solution to the problem. |
|
Fall behind |
Lose progress |
The student fell behind in their studies due to illness. |
|
Look into |
Investigate |
The company is looking into allegations of misconduct. |
|
Put off |
Delay |
She put off the meeting until next week. |
A term that deviates from its exact meaning is called an idiom. Making them a regular part of your usage is the only way to become acquainted with them. Here are several that you ought to apply:
|
Idiom |
Meaning |
Example |
|
See eye to eye |
Agree |
They don't see eye to eye on the best approach. |
|
Think outside the box |
Be creative |
We need to think outside the box to solve this challenge. |
|
Hit the nail on the head |
Be accurate |
You hit the nail on the head with your explanation. |
|
Cut corners |
Do something poorly |
They cut corners and ended up with a shoddy product. |
|
Once in a blue moon |
Rarely |
I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon. |
English, like many other languages, contains several words that are essentially synonymous. Employing comparatively uncommon terms from your vocabulary will demonstrate your proficiency in the language.
|
Word |
Synonyms |
Example |
|
Beautiful |
Stunning, exquisite, breathtaking |
The scenery was absolutely beautiful. The scenery was breathtaking. |
|
Angry |
Furious, enraged, incensed |
She was angry about the unfair treatment. She was enraged at the unfair treatment. |
|
Important |
Crucial, essential, vital |
It's important to arrive early for the interview. It is essential to arrive early for the interview. |
|
Said |
Stated, mentioned, expressed |
He said that he was happy with the results. He expressed his happiness with the results. |
Using antonyms, which signify the exact opposite of what you are contradicting, is a terrific method to make your argument. Here are a few instances:
|
Word |
Antonyms |
Example |
|
Happy |
Sad, depressed, miserable |
He was happy to receive the good news. He was sad to receive the bad news. |
|
Big |
Small, tiny, miniature |
The apartment was very big and spacious. The apartment was very small and cramped. |
|
Easy |
Difficult, challenging, complex |
The exam was quite easy. The exam was quite difficult. |
|
Hot |
Cold, cool, freezing |
It was a hot and sunny day. It was a cold and freezing day. |
A collocation is a combination of two or more words used to establish a specific meaning and enrich a statement. Here are the many types of combinations, along with an example to help you comprehend them.
Are you concerned that you may not have a strong enough vocabulary to perform well on the IELTS test? Remain calm! Examining a robust list of IELTS vocabulary terms can facilitate effective communication, comprehension of intricate sections, and appropriate interpretation of spoken English. AECC has selected a few lists with care to help you expand your vocabulary!
IELTS Common Vocabulary Words:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Sentence Example |
|
Concise |
Brief and to the point |
The concise email conveyed all the necessary information. |
|
Proficient |
Skilled and competent |
She's a proficient cook who whips up delicious meals. |
|
Flourish |
Thrive and prosper |
The business flourished under their innovative leadership. |
|
Intricate |
Complex and detailed |
The clock's intricate design was a marvel of craftsmanship. |
|
Sustainable |
Able to be maintained long-term |
We need sustainable solutions to environmental problems. |
|
Versatile |
Adaptable and able to be used in many ways |
A versatile tool that can be used for various tasks. |
|
Intrigued |
Curious and interested |
The documentary intrigued me to learn more about the topic. |
|
Pertinent |
Relevant and to the point |
Please provide pertinent information only. |
IELTS Writing Vocabulary Words:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Sentence Example |
|
Hypothesis |
A proposed explanation that needs testing |
The study aimed to test the hypothesis that meditation reduces stress. |
|
Conversely |
On the other hand |
She loves spicy food, conversely, I prefer mild flavours. |
|
Nuance |
Subtle difference in meaning or expression |
He captured the nuances of human emotions in his writing. |
|
Imperative |
Absolutely necessary |
It's imperative to start studying early for the exam. |
|
Analogous |
Similar in a certain way |
Learning a new language is analogous to learning a new instrument. |
IELTS Reading Vocabulary Words:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Sentence Example |
|
Paradigm shift |
A major change in how something is understood |
The discovery of antibiotics marked a paradigm shift in medicine. |
|
Connotation |
Implied meaning beyond the literal definition |
The word "freedom" has positive connotations for most people. |
|
Hypothesis |
A proposed explanation that needs testing |
The article presented various hypotheses about the cause of the disease. |
|
Empirical |
Based on observation and experiment |
The research used empirical data to support its conclusions. |
|
Juxtapose |
Place side-by-side for comparison |
The article juxtaposed two opposing viewpoints on the issue. |
IELTS Listening Vocabulary Words:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Sentence Example |
|
Explicit |
Clearly stated and expressed |
The instructions were explicit and easy to follow. |
|
Implicit |
Suggested, but not explicitly stated |
Her implicit meaning was clear from her tone of voice. |
|
Intonation |
The rise and fall of pitch in your voice |
She used rising intonation to ask a question. |
|
Discourse marker |
A word or phrase that signals a change in the flow of conversation |
"However," is a common discourse marker. |
|
Ellipsis |
Leaving out words that can be understood from the context |
He said he'd be here soon, "...as soon as he can." |
Here are a few points you should keep in mind when you prepare for vocabulary words for the IELTS Exam:
Prioritise IELTS vocabulary words that are aligned with your exam preparatory material.
Regularly revise words you've already learned, there's always a chance that you might forget them or their meanings might slip your mind!
Read whatever you can get your hands on, from simple pamphlets to literature novels that will strengthen your command over the language.
Use the words you've learnt when you appear for sample tests. Also, make sure to incorporate them into your daily usage!
Vocabulary apps can be a great way to improve your vocabulary, they're excellent at sorting words based on topics and keeping track of what you've already revised.
English is a vast language with more words than you can ever learn. Don't let that get to your head, going through AECC's sorted lists of IELTS Vocabulary words will prepare you well enough to confidently express your thoughts in the form of words on your IELTS exam.
Focus on words relevant to your target band score and exam sections.
Implement the tips mentioned above and practice consistently.
Aim for 250-300 words per writing task, prioritising quality and clarity.
Aim for 2,000-3,000 words, prioritising frequently used and relevant terms.
Absolutely! A strong vocabulary enhances your expression and boosts your exam score.
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