The IELTS is one of the most popular English skill tests, taken by non-native English speakers. More than 3.5 million people take the test every year to study abroad in a native English-speaking country. The test evaluates the candidate’s ability to communicate in English based on four things: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. To score a good band in IELTS, it is important to use a wide range of vocabulary appropriately. The examiner assesses the usage of vocabulary in both writing and speaking sections. Moreover, IELTS contains challenging vocabulary words and it is important to know the meaning of words to comprehend the texts.
If you want to secure a 7+ band in IELTS, a strong vocabulary is a must, and Yocket can help you with that. Yocket has helped 10,000+ aspirants achieve successful admissions in their dream institutions. To gain more information on IELTS scores required for admissions at top universities globally connect with Yocket. Yocket will help you with applications, admissions, scholarships, and lots more. Reach out to us today!
Topic-wise Vocabulary Words for IELTS
There are specific topics that are often repeated in an IELTS examination. Knowledge of these generic topics helps candidates do well in their speaking and writing sections. Here is a list of some common topics one must prepare for the IELTS examination.
- Advertisement
- Business
- Culture
- Education
- Environment
- Food
- Fashion
- Covid-19
- Travel
- Work
General awareness of these large topics will make you more confident, and your content will become more factual and less fiction. After conquering the content portion, you can focus on polishing your grammar and using better IELTS vocabulary words for brownie points. For this, let’s explore the list of essential words for IELTS.
Suggested: Guide to IELTS Grammar
Phrasal Verb for IELTS Vocabulary
The IELTS writing vocabulary is more personal and depends on the writing style of the user. Similarly, the IELTS speaking vocabulary could be a little less advanced and coherent. Here is an IELTS vocabulary list of essential words you need as part of the exam preparation.
|
Phrasal Verbs |
Meaning |
Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
Romp in |
Win easily |
Team A romped in the quiz. |
|
Salt away |
Save money |
We need to start salting away whatever we have collected from the donation. |
|
Peel away |
Separate from a group |
We slowly peeled away from the crowd. |
|
To be on cloud nine |
Be extremely happy |
I was on cloud nine upon receiving the award. |
|
Correspond with |
Agree with |
Politicians’ words seldom correspond with their actions. |
|
Quarrel with |
Dispute or disagree with something |
I am not quarreling with their idea, but I think there are ample possibilities. |
|
Stick with |
Not Change Something |
It’s better to stick with the original idea in this case. |
|
Tee-Off |
Start or Launch an Event |
The new event will begin in June. |
|
Pass Over |
Ignore/Refuse to discuss |
I would like to pass over this approach and apply a new one instead. |
|
Venture forth |
Leave somewhere safe or comfortable |
If the storm has finished, we could venture forth. |
|
Go by |
The passing of time |
Ten years went by before we saw each other again. |
|
Kick back |
Relax |
She has no plans to kick back, and her schedule is as busy as ever. |
|
Limber up for |
Prepare for something that will require a great effort |
She limbered up for a few minutes before starting to run. |
|
Measure against |
Evaluate or judge by comparison |
The figures are not very good when measured against those of our competitors. |
List of Essential Words for IELTS Vocabulary
|
Word |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
Aid |
help, assist |
|
Bad (not good) |
poor, naughty |
|
Magician |
conjurer |
|
Unfortunate |
unlucky |
|
Gravestone |
headstone |
|
Housebreaking |
burglary |
|
To grab |
to seize |
|
Refrain |
chorus |
|
To disappear |
to vanish |
|
Painting |
portray |
|
Adjourn |
postpone |
|
Instructions |
directions |
|
Momentous |
powerful |
|
Priority |
precedence |
|
Stationary |
fixed |
|
Praise |
compliment |
|
Insufferable |
unbearable |
|
Previous |
preceding |
|
Exactly |
precisely |
|
Mistrust |
distrust |
|
Early |
premature |
|
Untimely |
premature |
|
Antagonize |
provoke |
|
Citation |
quotation |
|
Naughty |
disobedient |
|
Cheesy |
corny, tacky |
|
Huge |
vast |
|
Hole |
gap |
|
Magnify |
expand |
|
Lethal |
deadly |
|
Immune |
exempt |
|
Mourn |
grieve |
|
Ban |
forbid |
|
Infrequent |
rare |
|
Spontaneous |
automatic |
|
To cite |
to quote |
|
Uncooked |
raw |
|
Arrive |
reach, come |
|
Dark |
dismal |
|
Unlawful |
illegal |
|
Knowingly |
deliberately |
|
Moderately |
reasonably |
|
Insurgent |
rebel |
|
Uprising |
rebellion |
|
Clerk |
receptionist |
|
Miserable |
depressing |
|
Curative |
healing |
|
Equity |
fairness |
|
Immature |
inexperienced |
|
Artful |
crafty |
|
Practically |
virtually |
|
Conscious |
aware |
|
To arrive |
to reach |
|
Apparent |
evident |
|
Crook |
criminal |
|
Unvoiced |
voiceless |
|
Negligent |
inattentive |
|
To differentiate |
to distinguish |
|
Inferior |
substandard |
|
Win |
succeed |
|
Hold |
grasp |
|
To nominate |
to appoint |
|
To near |
to approach |
|
To impact |
to affect |
|
Charter |
constitution |
|
Eccentric |
unusual |
|
Consecutive |
successive |
|
Morose |
sullen |
|
Disagree |
differ |
|
Invoice |
bill |
|
To withstand |
to resist |
|
Insupportable |
intolerable |
|
To administer |
to manage |
|
Murderer |
assassin |
|
To maintain |
to preserve |
|
Mediocre |
fair |
|
Aromatic |
fragrant |
|
Dispute |
debate |
|
Ambitious |
aspiring |
|
To foretell |
to predict |
|
To ignore |
to disregard |
|
Virtue |
advantage |
|
To cope |
to manage |
|
Appreciable |
considerable |
|
Disagreeable |
unpleasant |
|
Rubbish |
nonsense |
|
To bear on something |
to affect |
|
Lousy |
awful |
|
To consult |
to refer to |
|
Cranky |
cross |
|
Mackintosh |
waterproof coat |
|
Pocketbook |
notebook |
|
Middleman |
intermediary |
|
Paper money |
notes |
|
Infamous |
notorious |
|
Mirth |
fun |
|
Selection |
choice |
|
To quake |
to tremble |
|
Today |
nowadays |
|
Hate |
loathe |
|
Mean |
unkind |
|
Contaminate |
defile |
|
Impediment |
obstacle |
|
Construction |
interpretation |
|
Hostile |
antagonistic |
|
To function |
to operate |
|
Apparent |
obvious |
|
Comfort |
consolation |
|
Unstated |
unspoken |
|
Enormous |
huge, immense |
|
Sincere |
honest |
|
Imperfect |
faulty |
|
Obsolete |
out of date |
|
Above |
overhead |
|
Total |
entire, |
|
Twosome |
pair |
|
Especially |
particularly |
|
Monotonous |
boring |
|
To hurry |
to rush |
|
Ardor |
passion |
|
Gut |
intestine |
|
Identical |
duplicate |
|
Immodest |
conceited |
|
Untrue |
unfaithful |
|
Achieve |
accomplish |
|
To annoy |
to irritate, to bother |
|
Awkward |
clumsy |
|
Completely |
totally |
|
To elevate |
to raise, to promote |
|
Insolvent |
bankrupt |
|
To rue |
to regret |
|
Essential |
fundamental |
|
Peaceable |
peaceful |
|
Nightfall |
dusk |
|
Handsome |
good |
|
Stupid |
dense |
|
Zenith |
peak |
|
Vacant |
empty |
|
Fragrance |
perfume |
|
Maybe |
perhaps, possibly |
|
Meeting |
assembly |
|
To convey |
to communicate |
|
To denationalize |
to privatize |
|
Abstract |
summary |
|
Attractive |
appealing |
|
Illiberal |
intolerant |
|
To overhaul |
to overtake |
|
Anyway |
besides |
|
To respond |
to reply |
|
Precis |
summary |
|
Dry |
arid |
|
To minimize |
to play down |
|
Satisfied |
convinced |
|
Vain |
useless |
|
To confirm |
to comply |
|
Conflict |
clash |
|
Twister |
tornado |
|
To float |
to drift |
|
Instinct |
intuition |
|
To admit |
to confess |
|
To intensify |
to heighten |
|
Intriguing |
fascinating |
|
Moderate |
lenient |
|
Minor |
lesser |
|
To infect |
to contaminate |
|
To vacuum |
to hoover |
|
Removable |
detachable |
|
Sundown |
sunset |
|
Joy |
delight |
|
Encourage |
support |
|
Class |
lesson, course |
|
To vanquish |
to conquer |
|
Turmoil |
disturbance |
|
To transform |
to convert |
|
To deprave |
to corrupt |
|
To chop |
to cut |
|
To diminish |
to decrease |
|
To involve |
to entail |
|
To magnify |
to exaggerate |
|
Constancy |
fidelity |
|
Ornament |
decoration |
|
Diminish |
curtail |
|
Nugatory |
worthless |
|
Revolting |
disgusting |
|
Torpid |
lethargic |
|
Prompt |
immediate |
|
To operate |
to function |
|
Vast |
huge |
|
To inspect |
to examine |
|
To collect |
to gather |
|
Impetuous |
reckless |
|
To receive |
to get |
|
Beneficent |
generous |
|
Nameless |
anonymous |
|
To confuse |
to mix up |
|
Overseas |
abroad |
|
To deduce |
to infer |
|
High |
elevated |
|
Convalesce |
recover |
|
Outside |
external |
|
To renounce |
to give up |
|
More and more |
increasingly |
|
To grouse |
to grumble |
|
To assure |
to guarantee |
|
Advocate |
support |
|
Coiffure |
hairstyle |
|
Mandatory |
required |
|
Suppress |
restrain |
|
Dossier |
file |
|
Lucid |
clear |
|
Complete |
total |
|
Diverse |
distinct |
|
Backside |
behind, bottom |
|
To answer |
to reply |
|
Home |
domestic |
|
Matters |
things |
|
Correct |
right |
|
Brow |
forehead |
|
Remainder |
the rest |
|
Object |
thing |
|
Hermetic |
airtight |
|
To learn |
to memorize |
|
Considerate |
thoughtful |
|
Considerate |
thoughtful |
|
Urgent |
important |
|
Inconsiderate |
thoughtless |
|
Silly |
foolish |
|
Forehead |
brow |
|
Discount |
reduction |
|
To appear |
to seem |
|
Except |
apart from |
|
To survive |
to outlive |
|
Migrant |
drifting |
|
Dead |
lifeless |
|
Notwithstanding |
however |
|
A native |
a local |
|
To visualize |
to imagine |
|
Informal |
casual |
|
To begin |
to start |
|
Infuriate |
enrage |
|
Animated |
lively |
|
Chorus |
refrain |
|
Necessary |
essential |
|
Provided |
if |
|
Remorse |
regret |
|
Domesticate |
cultivate |
|
Steady |
regular |
|
Testament |
testimony |
|
If |
whether |
|
Applicable |
relevant |
|
Difficult |
hard |
|
Trustworthy |
reliable |
|
Mend |
repair |
|
Moral |
ethical |
|
Nobility |
the aristocracy |
|
Repute |
reputation |
|
Abbreviate |
condense |
|
Unhurt |
unharmed |
|
Imperative |
crucial |
|
Dilute |
weaken, thin |
|
Prosperous |
affluent |
|
To fabricate |
to manufacture |
|
Reasonable |
fair |
|
Idler |
loafer |
|
Blameless |
innocent |
|
Crazy |
insane |
|
Noted |
famous |
|
Madness |
insanity |
|
Arrogant |
haughty |
|
Awful |
terrible |
|
To disclaim |
to deny |
|
To vary |
to differ |
|
Accurate |
correct |
|
Sacristy |
vestry |
|
Dreadful |
terrible |
|
Immoderate |
excessive |
|
Cozy |
comfortable |
|
Garbage can |
trashcan |
|
Perception |
insight |
|
Warranty |
guarantee |
|
Immediate |
instant |
|
Mind |
intellect |
|
Understandable |
comprehensible |
|
Indisputable |
undeniable |
|
Terror |
fright |
|
Highbrow |
intellectual |
|
Cube |
dice |
|
Remoted |
isolated |
|
Well timed |
timely |
|
Gratuity |
tip |
|
Disadvantaged |
deprived |
|
Abundant |
ample |
|
To misconceive |
to misunderstand |
|
Denim |
jeans |
|
Connect |
join |
|
Ecstasy |
joy |
|
Magistrate |
justice of the peace |
|
Eager |
keen |
|
Wise |
knowing |
|
Crusade |
campaign |
|
To establish |
to set up |
|
Neutral |
impartial |
|
Vicious |
ferocious |
|
Interplay |
interaction |
|
To desert |
to abandon |
|
Touchdown |
landing |
|
Oblique |
indirect |
|
To accomplish |
to achieve |
|
Hashish |
cannabis |
|
To close |
to shut |
|
Defective |
faulty |
|
Mischievous |
impish |
|
Dormant |
inactive |
|
Idle |
lazy |
|
Turbulent |
blustering |
|
To disclose |
to reveal |
|
Dally |
loiter |
|
Isolated |
lonely |
|
Missing |
lost |
|
Drab |
dull |
|
Fortunate |
lucky |
|
Hearsay |
rumor |
|
Mendacity |
lying |
|
Superb |
magnificent |
|
Leading |
main |
|
Chiefly |
mainly |
|
Aggressive |
militant |
|
Noon |
midday |
|
Vague |
indistinct |
|
Misfortune |
mishap |
|
Misread |
misinterpret |
|
Deceptive |
misleading |
|
Lacking |
missing |
|
Jealous |
envious |
|
Doubt |
mistrust |
|
Wrong |
mistaken |
|
Away |
absent |
|
To notify |
to inform |
|
Mannequin |
model |
|
Dicey |
risky |
|
Empty |
drain |
|
Misery |
distress |
|
Impartial |
neutral |
|
To behave |
to act |
|
Bendy |
flexible |
|
Extra |
additional |
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. To be aptly prepared for the IELTS examination, you should be aware of many such phrasal verbs, phrases, words, and idioms. Using these in your writing and speaking will give you brownie points and help you get the perfect band score.
Suggested: How to Prepare IELTS at Home?
List of Idioms for IELTS Vocabulary
IELTS speaking is a major challenge for many candidates. However, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate fluency, pronunciation, and a rich vocabulary.
Including idioms in this section adds clarity and gives a natural tone. However, it is important to fully understand their meanings to avoid jumping to conclusions. Therefore, only use idioms if you are sure of their meaning and context.
We have curated a collection of common idioms used for the Speaking section of IELTS. Effective use of these idioms can significantly improve your speaking score by introducing strong vocabulary.
- To be on the top of the world
- To be on cloud nine
- If my memory serves me well
- Over the moon
- Once in a blue moon
- Piece of cake
- A drop in the ocean
- To be like a dog with two tails
- It makes my blood boil
- Change one’s mind
- Call it a day
- Put all your eggs in one basket
- Blessing in disguise
- Actions speak louder than words
- I hit the ceiling
- Fresh as a daisy
- Couch potato
- Full of beans
- A bad egg
- Eager beaver
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking List
The speaking module tests your ability to communicate in English fluently. However, this means that the student must be able to pronounce words correctly without hesitation. But that is not all. You need to understand the IELTS vocabulary words and use them when and where you need them because it can give you a good score.
Here is a comprehensive list of IELTS vocabulary words:
- Another reason
- These days
- For example
- At the moment
- Though
- Nowadays
- Although
- Years ago
- Despite
- Nevertheless
- Meanwhile
- When I was younger
- On the contrary
- On the other hand
- Despite
- I reckon
- It was caused
- Alternatively
- Even though
- However
- For instance
- In the past
A List of Vocabulary Words for IELTS
Here is the first list of vocabulary words for IELTS:
|
Words |
Meaning |
|
Amazing |
Incredible |
|
Answer |
Respond |
|
Awful |
Bad |
|
Beautiful |
Pretty |
|
Begin |
Start |
|
Come |
Arrive |
|
Cool |
Frosty |
|
Dangerous |
Risky |
|
Decide |
Settle |
|
Definite |
Certain |
|
Delicious |
Savoury |
|
Wrong |
Mistaken |
|
Tell |
Narrate, Inform |
|
Show |
Display, Exhibit |
|
New |
Recent, current |
|
Neat |
Clean |
|
Interesting |
Intriguing |
|
Important |
Vital, Crucial |
|
Help |
Assist |
|
Happy |
Content |
|
Famous |
Well-known |
|
Funny |
Amusing |
|
Place |
Procedure |
Suggested: Best App for IELTS Preparation
IELTS Listening Vocabulary Words
You can improve your memory of word spellings for the IELTS Listening test by pronouncing the word, writing it down, checking it, and then repeating the procedure.
Are you ready to test your skills? Make an effort to spell each of the commonly misspelled words given in the following table:
|
conscious |
disappear |
exciting |
|
necessary |
original |
realistic |
|
obesity |
marriage |
solar |
|
beautiful |
highway |
percentage |
|
fluctuate |
peak |
recover |
|
video |
murder |
topic |
|
argument |
Wednesday |
neighbor |
|
boring |
rhythm |
immediately |
|
receive |
February |
tendency |
|
fuel |
friendly |
until |
|
million |
thousand |
hundred |
|
musician |
computer |
software |
|
temporary |
unfortunately |
disadvantage |
|
foreign |
opportunity |
because |
How to Prepare for IELTS Vocabulary?
Your IELTS vocabulary isn’t a piece of cake. It is a plant that takes months to grow. Here are a few tips that can help you effortlessly brush up on your English vocabulary and prepare for the IELTS test.
1. Read More
A real no-brainer, reading acquaints you with interesting writing styles, words, sentences, and idioms and improves your conversing in English on the whole. Working with good quality English texts like books and journals is essentially helpful. While you’re at it, annotate and highlight things you do and do not understand.
2. Watch English Movies and Web Series
If you want to improve your IETLS Vocabulary without working for it, watch loads of English movies, web series, and dramas with subtitles. These acquaint you with different speaking accents, the meanings of ironic speech, and other things.
3. Write Often
Develop a writing habit at least four months before your test. Before you go to bed, write something in English. This improves your writing skills and polishes your grammar. Using grammar correction tools like Grammarly can help make your writing more engaging and crisper.
Apart from these, the market has a plethora of sources and IELTS vocabulary books that are a must to check out. Going through these can be greatly helpful in making you ace that 9.0.
The Best IELTS Vocabulary Books for Preparation
How to improve vocabulary for IELTS? If you are looking for paper material that helps you prepare your IELTS vocabulary words for the IELTS speaking and writing portion, you might try these books:
|
Name |
Author |
Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
|
IELTS Vocabulary Masterclass 8.5 (c) BOOK 3 |
Mark Roche |
1,240 |
|
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary |
Pauline Cullen |
3,170 |
|
Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS |
Rawdon Wyatt |
1,180 |
|
Feedback English Vocabulary in Use |
Felicity O'Dell and Michael McCarthy |
3,590 |
Suggested: Best IELTS Books
Tips to Prepare for Vocabulary Words for IELTS
Here are essential tips to effectively prepare for the IELTS exam and achieve a desirable score:
- Engage in English reading, listening, and conversations regularly. Immersing oneself in English newspapers and noting down unfamiliar words for later reference is highly beneficial.
- Practice consistently across all sections—reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Regular practice is key to mastering each component of the exam.
- Utilize online resources such as YouTube to enhance pronunciation skills and learn academic vocabulary in context.
- Avoid relying solely on memorization, as word meanings can vary based on context. Instead, focus on understanding word usage through practical application and exposure.
Now you know how to improve your vocabulary for IELTS. Other than this, specific IELTS preparation coaching institutes offer handbooks and guides that help students prepare vocabulary words for the IELTS examination. Note that building your vocabulary words for the IELTS does not happen overnight. Years of practice and regular use of good English grammar and texts help students achieve that level of proficiency.
Conclusion
The IELTS speaking and writing section has become a means whose content vividly reflects the candidate's style, social change, and environmental awareness. With a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus, targeted preparation, and diligent practice, candidates can enhance their linguistic proficiency and confidently tackle each section. Knowing the aforementioned vocabulary words can be a good tool for self-expression and communication.
If you want to know more about how to score high bands in the IELTS examination and the IELTS score required for admission at the top institutions, reach out to Yocket Premium. Yocket experts will help you streamline your preparation and will guide you through the complex process of studying abroad. Connect with Yocket experts today!