IELTS Vocabulary

Important Tips to Use Vocabulary in IELTS

  1. Only using a good vocabulary cannot fetch higher bands, you must know the right use of words. 
  2. Choosing accurate vocabulary is the key to get higher bands in writing.
  • Revolution- a complete change
  • Invention- a thing that has been made or designed for the first time
  • Device- electronic equipment; a thing made for a particular purpose
  • Breakthrough- an important discovery that helps to improve a situation or answer a question
  • Boon- a beneficial thing
  • Cutting edge- very modern
  • Broadcast – transmit a programme by TV or radio
  • Access- to find information on a computer or mobile
  • Intuitive- simple to use and understand
  • Profound- very great, intense
  • Surfing- moving from one site to another
  • Obsolete- not in use anymore because something better has been invented
  • Innovative – featuring new methods; advanced and original
  • Update – make (something) more modern or up to date
  • Inquisitive- curious for knowledge
  • Vocational – connected with the skills, knowledge that one needs to do a particular job
  • Literacy- the ability to read and write
  • Curriculum- all the subjects taught in school, college and university
  • Scholarship- grant or payment made to support a student’s education
  • Tertiary education- education at university or college level
  • Illiterate- unable to read and write
  • Dropout- a person who has abandoned a course of study
  • Co-education- the education of pupils of both sexes together
  • Tuition- teaching or instructions
  • Academic- related to education
  • Obtain- get, acquire
  • Tutor- teacher who teaches a single pupil or a small group
  • Pupil- a child/ student in school
  • Calibre- the quality or ability of a person
  • Syllabi – an outline of the subjects in a course of study
  • Theoretical – concerned with the theory of a subject
  • Pedagogy – the method and practice of teaching
  • Examinee – a person taking an examination or test
  • Cramming – learn by heart
  • Ailment- an illness typically the minor one
  • Cognition- mental process
  • Pandemic- a disease that spreads over the whole country or world
  • Alleviate- make something less strong or bad
  • Pathogen- a virus or microorganism that can cause disease
  • Medication- treatment using drugs
  • Cure- eliminate (disease, injury) with treatment
  • Injurious- harmful or likely to cause damage
  • Diagnose- identify the nature of illness by examination of the symptoms
  • Unhealthy- harmful to health
  • Agony- extreme physical or mental suffering
  • Abdominal- a part of the body below the chest
  • Anguish- great mental suffering
  • Cramp- a sudden pain in a muscle
  • Anxiety- a feeling of worry and fear
  • Frail- (a person) weak or unhealthy
  • Dismay- a feeling of sadness
  • Lethargic- a feeling of being very tired and not having any energy
  • Ecstatic- extremely happy
  • Allergy- a damaging immune response by the body to a substance
  • Addictive- (a substance, thing, activity) difficult to stop, taking or doing
  • Antidote- a medical substance that is used to prevent a poison or a disease from having an effect
  • Sedentary lifestyle – the way of living in which people sit for a longer time; somewhat inactive
  • Cardiovascular health – relating to the heart
  • Vector bone disease – maladies that are caused by mosquitoes, rats, other such animals.
  • Nausea – a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
  • Chronic disease – constantly recurring of an illness persisting for a long time.
  • Mass media- newspaper, television, and radio that reach a large number of people
  • Entertainment- an activity design to amuse and entertain others
  • Propagate- spread or promote( an idea, theory, etc.) widely
  • Endorse- recommend (a product) in an advertisement
  • Audio-visual – using both sound and picture
  • Satellite- an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth
  • Electronic media- ways of communicating information that is electronic rather than using paper
  • Print media- means of mass communication in the form of printed publication such as newspaper
  • Billboard- large outdoor posters that advertise products
  • Journal- a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject
  • Viral marketing- a method of marketing whereby consumers are encouraged to share information about a product or service over the internet
  • Documentary- a film, television or radio programme that gives facts or information about a particular subject
  • Broadcast- transmit (information or program) by radio or television
  • Propaganda- information and ideas that may be false or exaggerate which are used to gain support
  • Publicity- notice or attention is given to someone or something by the media
  • Telecast- a broadcast on television
  • Commercials- advertisements aimed at financial profit
  • Advert- an advertisement
  • Social Media – a platform on which information is spread by the general public
  • Relay – receive and pass on (information or a message)
  • Promo – a piece of publicity or advertising in the form of videos
  • Pamphlet – a small booklet or leaflet containing information about a product
  • Fast food- food that can be prepared quickly and easily
  • Beverage- drink, liquid refreshment
  • Nutrient- a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth
  • Buffet- a meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves (usually at a party or special occasion)
  • Balance diet- a diet consisting of the proper quantities and proportions of food needed to maintain health and growth
  • Vegan- a person who does not eat and use animal products
  • Teetotaller- a person who never drink alcohol
  • Pulses- the edible seed of a leguminous plant (chickpea, lentil, bean)
  • Spice(s)- a substance(s) especially a powder, made from a plant used to give flavour to food
  • Dairy product- a product containing or made from milk
  • Pudding- a cooked sweet dish
  • Fry- cook food in hot fat oil
  • Seafood- animals from the sea that can be eaten
  • Employer- a person who employs others for work, a boss
  • Employee- a person who works for a person or an organization for salary or wages, a worker
  • Salary- a fixed, regular payment mostly paid monthly
  • Bonus- an amount of money which is given along with salary as a reward for good performance
  • Incentive- a thing or some money which is given to motivate an employee to do his/her work more efficiently
  • Overtime- working beyond one’s normal working hours 
  • Commute- traveling regularly between one’s home and the workplace (office)
  • Telecommuting- working from home with the help of technology (cell phone, laptop, internet)
  • Colleagues- people who work together in an organization.
  • Designation- a position or a post of a person in a company
  • Resume- a document that is sent along with a job application describing a person’s education, qualification, work history, contact information.
  • Interview- an oral examination round mostly a final one in the selection process of an applicant
  • Applicant- a person who officially applies for a job
  • Skyscraper – a very tall building
  • Archaic – very old
  • Steeple – a tall tower of a church or other building
  • Monument – a building, site or structure that is of historical importance; statue or building erected to commemorate a notable person or event
  • Monstrosity – a building, which is very large and unsightly
  • Castle – a large building fortified against attack with thick walls
  • Architecture – the style in which a building is designed and constructed
  • Splendid – magnificent; very impressive
  • Tomb – a monument to the memory of a dead person
  • Engrave – carve a text or design on any hard surface
  • Spacious – having ample space
  • Minaret – a slender tower, typically part of a mosque
  • Façade – front of a building that faces a street
  • Heritage – historical building/thing important for a nation’s history
  • Dome – a rounded roof of a building
  • Inscription – words inscribed on a monument or in a book
  • Sculpture – the art of making a form (e.g., statue) by carving stone or wood
  • Archaeology – the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites
  • Excavation – the action of digging something, especially an archaeological site
  • Historian – an expert in or student of history
  • Citadel – a fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city
  • Empire – an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority
  • Tense – become tense, typically through anxiety or nervousness
  • Depressed – a person in a state of general unhappiness
  • Dejected – sad and depressed
  • Apprehension – anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen
  • Disheartened – having lost determination or confidence
  • Anxious – experiencing worry or unease typically about an upcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome
  • Candidate – a person nominated (selected) for election
  • Voter – a person who votes or has the right to vote at an election
  • Constituency – a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body
  • Polling Station – a place where people go to cast votes
  • Rigged vote – vote dishonestly
  • Election Commission – a panel that conducts and oversee elections
  • Picturesque – visually attractive
  • Ancient – belonging to the very distant past
  • Bustling – full of activity
  • Cosmopolitan – including people from many different countries
  • Crowded – full of people
  • Tranquil – peaceful
  • Sprawling – spreading out over a large area in an irregular way
  • Polluted – contaminated with poisonous substances
  • Metropolitan – a metropolis or large city
  • Countryside – the land of a rural area
  • Outskirts – the outer parts of a city or town
  • Brisk Walk – active and energetic walk
  • Jogging – running at a steady pace as a form of physical exercise
  • Warm up – prepare for physical exertion
  • Weight training – physical training that involves lifting weights
  • Aerobic exercise – exercise to improve the efficiency of the body’s cardiovascular system
  • Cheerful – noticeably happy and optimistic
  • Gloomy – appearing depressing and frightening
  • Lighthearted – Amusing and Entertaining
  • Bewilder – become confused
  • Melancholy – a feeling of pensive sadness without an obvious cause
  • Calm – not showing or feeling nervousness or anger
  • Blissful – extremely happy
  • Holiday – There is a national/local holiday at this festival in my country.
  • Chant – People chant rhymes and enjoy this festival.
  • Pray/Worship – People pray/worship together for the wellbeing of their family.
  • Jubilation – There is a feeling of jubilation on everyone’s face during this festival.
  • Celebration – People of different cultures celebrate this festival.
  • Popular – This festival is popular in every province of my nation.
  • Decorate – people decorate their houses with flowers and lights.
  • Tradition – There is a tradition in my culture that people follow during this festival.
  • Gather – People from various societies gather at a local park for the celebration.
  • Offence – an illegal act or crime
  • Convict – declare someone to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury
  • Victim – a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime
  • Capital punishment – the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime
  • Offender – a person who commits an illegal act
  • Apprehend – arrest someone for a crime
  • Verdict – a decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case
  • Criminal – a person who has committed a crime
  • Accused – a person who is charged with or on trial for a crime
  • Incarceration – confine someone in prison
  • Violence – behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something
  • Arson – the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property
  • Imprisonment – the state of being in prison
  • Heinous Crime – a crime utterly odious or extremely unpleasant
  • Conviction – a formal declaration by jury that someone is guilty of a criminal offense

Connectors for IELTS

Furthermore, and, in addition, as well as, additionally, similarly, besides, moreover, also, likewise.

To illustrate, for instance, to exemplify, one example of this, such as.

Because, because of, owing to, due to.

Especially, particularly, in particular, notably, significantly.

On the contrary, however, on the other hand/side, conversely, in contrast, whereas.

But, still, although, even though, unless, except for, despite, instead, nevertheless.

First, second, firstly, secondly, initially, eventually, meanwhile, afterwards, after this/that, later, finally, lastly.

To sum up, to conclude, to recapitulate, In conclusion, overall. 

Vocabulary Words for IELTS

  1. Surreptitious (adjective) – kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of For example: He surreptitiously completes his assignment while attending other lectures.
  2. Assemble – gather together in one place for a common purpose
  3. Disperse – distribute over a wide area
  4. Barbarous – extremely brutal
  5. Benevolent – well-meaning and kindly
  6. Industrious – diligent and hard-working
  7. Indolent – wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
  8. Indigenous – native; originating naturally in a particular place
  9. Migrant – a person who moves from one place to another, especially to find better living or work
  10. Ruthless – having no pity for others
  11. Merciful – having compassion for others
  12. Colossal – extremely large or great For example: The institute has a colossal academic record.
  13. Imbibe – absorb ideas or knowledge For example: It is necessary to imbibe the culture in one’s children.
  14. Estrangement – separation For example: His eyes show the pain of estrangement.
  15. Patriarchal – relating to or denoting a system of society or government controlled by men For example: In this modern era, there are fewer patriarchal societies as compared to the past.
  16. Ramble – walk for pleasure in the countryside
  17. Intend – plan, mean
  18. Vigorously – in a way that involves physical strength
  19. Utterly – absolutely
  20. Avarice – extreme greed for wealth or material gain
  21. Obscure – uncertain, unclear
  22. Peevish – having or showing an irritable disposition
  23. Impatiently – restlessly eager
  24. Miracle – wonder
  25. Forged – copied fraudulently; a fake document which looks genuine
  26. Negligence – carelessness; not able to take proper care of something
  27. Inevitably – certain to happen; cannot be avoided
  28. Misapprehension – a mistaken interpretation of something
  29. Panoramic – wide view surrounding the observer
  30. Squeaky – having or making a high-pitched sound
  31. Urge – a strong desire
  32. Disguise – concealing one’s identity by giving a different appearance
  33. Robbery – taking property unlawfully by force or threat of force
  34. Burglary – illegal entry with intent to commit a crime
  35. Theft – the action of stealing
  36. Pick-pocket – stealing something from the pocket of someone
  37. Snatch – stealing by grabbing suddenly
  38. Requisite – required
  39. Flimsy – easily damaged
  40. Imitate – copy
  41. Captive – a person as a prisoner or a confined animal
  42. Critique – a detailed analysis and assessment of something
  43. Veterinarians – animals doctors
  44. Monotonous – dull, repetitious; lacking in variety
  45. Redundant – no longer useful, unnecessary
  46. Lingua Franca (noun) – a common language used for communication between speakers (whose native languages are different)
  47. Commodity – a valuable thing
  48. Gleam – bright shine with reflected light
  49. Emphasis – the special value given to something
  50. Spendthrift – one who spend money in an irresponsible way
  51. Shopaholic – one who shops in a compulsive way
  52. Recurring – something that occurs again
  53. Substantial – a considerable size of something
  54. Par excellence – one who is better than others of the same kind For example: He is a man par excellence.
  55. Farthing – having a little value
    For example: 1. Some people consider relations a farthing to earn money.
    2. Health and fitness is still a farthing for some people.

IELTS Synonyms

Words having the similar or nearly the same meaning in a language are known as synonyms. Here is a list of synonyms that you can use in IELTS Writing as well as to attempt IELTS Listening and IELTS Reading. Synonyms are also very helpful in IELTS Speaking if you use them naturally. 

  1. teenagers, teens, adolescents, youngsters
  2. several, numerous, innumerable, many
  3. control, curb, tackle
  4. measures, steps
  5. diverse, myriad, numerous, various
  6. indispensable, vital, essential
  7. holistic, complete, overall
  8. advantage, merit, benefit
  9. disadvantage, demerit, drawback
  10. blessing, boon
  11. rich, wealthy
  12. reputed, esteemed, respected, prestigious, honored
  13. epoch, era
  14. regime, routine
  15. prevented, controlled
  16. ample, sufficient, enough, adequate, plentiful
  17. environment, surroundings, atmosphere
  18. development, progress, advancement
  19. diseases, ailments, illness
  20. obese, overweight, fat
  21. plants, flora
  22. animals, fauna
  23. restricted, prohibited, banned
  24. preserve, maintain, retain
  25. declining, decreasing, reducing
  26. vacancies, jobs, posts
  27. lethal, deadly, fatal
  28. evident, clear, conspicuous, apparent
  29. vacant, empty, free, unoccupied
  30. dispute, quarrel, conflict
  31. huge, colossal, gigantic, enormous
  32. dangerous, hazardous, perilous, horrible
  33. employ, hire, appoint, recruit
  34. illegal, unlawful, illegitimate
  35. collect, accumulate, gather
  36. fancy, imagination, supposition, conception
  37. happiness, delight, pleasure, bliss
  38. beautiful, charming, attractive, pretty
  39. aim, purpose, goal, objective
  40. desire, wish, longing, inclination
  41. calm, quiet, serene, peaceful
  42. hardworking, diligent, industrious
  43. grief, sorrow, distress, melancholy
  44. journey, travel, tour, trip
  45. example, instance, sample
  46. admire, appreciate, praise
  47. famous, popular, eminent, well-known
  48. increase, rise, raise, elevate, burgeon
  49. decrease, reduce, deplete
  50. problem, issue, trouble
  51. benefit, advantage, profit
  52. important, crucial, essential
  53. harmful, detrimental, deleterious
  54. tired, exhausted, aweary
  55. beautiful, charming, graceful

Antonyms

  1. Abolish – Establish
  2. Absent – Present
  3. Accord – Discord
  4. Achieve – Fail
  5. Assemble – Disperse
  6. Barbarous – Benevolent
  7. Blame – Applaud
  8. Blunt – Sharp
  9. Component – Whole
  10. Dense – Sparse
  11. Freedom – Slavery
  12. Genuine – Fictitious
  13. Giant – Dwarf
  14. Growth – Decline
  15. Industrious – Indolent
  16. Indigenous – Migrant
  17. Knowledge – Ignorance
  18. Ruthless – Merciful
  19. Noisy – Quiet
  20. Vacant – Occupied
  21. Full – Empty
  22. Passive – Active
  23. Simple – Complex
  24. Arrive – Depart
  25. Arrogant – Humble
  26. Arrival – Departure
  27. Broad – Narrow
  28. Conceal – Reveal 
  29. Dense – Thin
  30. Entrance – Exit
  31. Forget – Remember
  32. Grant – Refuse
  33. Hope – Despair
  34. Import – Export
  35. Joy – Sorrow
  36. Lend – Borrow
  37. Major – Minor
  38. Natural – Artificial
  39. Optimist – Pessimist
  40. Public – Private
  41. Quick – Slow
  42. Rare – Common
  43. Superior – Inferior
  44. Top – Bottom
  45. Up – Down
  46. Victory – Defeat
  47. Weal – Woe

Different Words in US and UK English

American

  1. take a bath
  2. on the weekend
  3. in the front
  4. in the back
  5. apartment
  6. vacation
  7. cookie
  8. drugstore

British

  1. have a bath
  2. at the weekend
  3. at the front
  4. at the back
  5. flat
  6. holiday
  7. biscuit
  8. chemist

9 Bands Vocabulary for Writing and Speaking

  • Pester – trouble or annoy someone with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions
  • Sloth – reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness
  • Astray – away from the correct path or direction
  • Nitpicking – looking for small or unimportant errors or faults, especially in order to criticize unnecessarily

One Word Substitution

  • Contagious – a disease communicable by contact
  • Catalogue – a list of the name of books or other things
  • Germicide – a substance that destroys harmful microorganisms
  • Illegible – not clear enough to be read
  • Incurable – a disease not able to be cured
  • Vulnerable – easily attacked or harmed
  • Opaque – not transparent
  • Panacea – a solution for all difficulties or diseases
  • Edible – fit to be eaten
  • Indelible – marking marks that cannot be removed