The International English Language Testing System is a commonly used assessment tool for English language competency among students who plan to study or work overseas. Four criteria are used in the test to evaluate a candidate’s English communication skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Because the examiner will be searching through all of the sections of the test, it is imperative that you use a flexible range of vocabulary words for the IELTS. In addition, the texts contain a lot of vocabulary words that are difficult for the IELTS, so you will need to read well in order to understand them.
Having a large vocabulary is essential to scoring an IELTS band 7 or above. You can use this list of IELTS vocabulary words that we have put together to help you create.
Topic-wise Vocabulary words for IELTS
To facilitate their discussion of a wide range of subjects, you should possess a large vocabulary. It is very detrimental and can lower one’s overall score if one is unable to use the words correctly.
The most recent and well-liked subjects covered in the IELTS exam have been identified. IELTS vocabulary words categorized by topic are listed below, along with examples of how to use and understand each one.
Phrasal Verb for IELTS vocabulary
A phrasal verb is made up of two or three terms from various grammatical categories. Combining them all results in a new meaning that needs to be applied depending on the situation. Furthermore, you can use phrasal verbs to show that you are proficient in the English language because they are included in the IELTS vocabulary list.
Prior to doing that, you should make an effort to comprehend the meaning of the phrasal verb because improper use can lower your band score.
Here is the list of phrasal verbs that you can use:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quarrel with | Dispute or disagree with something | I am not quarrelling with their idea, but I think there are other possibilities. |
| Romp in | Win easily | In the first race, the favorite romped in. |
| Salt away | Save money | She’s making a lot of money but salts it away rather than spending it. |
| Venture forth | Leave somewhere safe or comfortable | If the storm has finished, we could venture forth. |
| Stick with | Not change something | We’d better stick with our original idea. |
| Tee off | Start or launch an event | The new project will tee off next month. |
| Go by | The passing of time | Ten years went by before we saw each other again. |
| Kick back | Relax | Rather than go out tonight, we plan to kick back and watch television. |
| Limber up for | Prepare for something that will require a great effort | They are limbering up for the end of the financial year. |
| Measure against | Evaluate or judge by comparison | The work doesn’t look good if you measure it against what our competitors have done. |
| Pass over | Ignore, refuse to discuss | Let’s pass over what they said and get on. |
| Peel away | Leave a group by moving in a different direction | They peeled away from the crowd and went down a side road. |
Idioms for IELTS Vocabulary
To many individuals, the speaking portion of the IELTS is also difficult. On the other hand, you can demonstrate your IELTS vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency in this section.
This section’s idioms aid in the clearer and more organic expression of our ideas. You will lose points if you don’t understand the meaning of the idioms; otherwise, it would be helpful. Therefore, it would be beneficial if you only used it in assignments when you were certain of its meaning and context.
We’ve put together a list of frequently used IELTS vocabulary idioms for the speaking portion. Recall that using your IELTS vocabulary words correctly will result in a high band score.
- 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
Collocations for Vocabulary words for IELTS
Collocations are defined as the natural word combinations or the correct arrangement of newly created English words that have meaning in a sentence. They can be combined in the following way:
- Both verb and noun
- Adverb and verb
- Adjective and adjectival
- Noun & Adjective
- Noun and noun
Here are some examples to help with comprehension:
- Make a bed for someone.
- My inclination is toward continental cuisine.
- My preference is to read.
- Parents are able to help their kids learn financial responsibility.
- If I want to enroll in the course, I must pass the test.
A List of Vocabulary Words for IELTS
Here is the first list of vocabulary words for IELTS:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vague | Indistinct |
| 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 |
| Denims | 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 |
Here is the second list of vocabulary words for IELTS:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 sth. | To affect |
| Lousy | Awful |
| To consult | To refer to |
| Cranky | Cross |
| Mackintosh | Waterproof coat |
| Pocket book | 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 |
| 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 |
Here is the third list of vocabulary words for IELTS:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 conform | 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 |
| Coiffure | Hairstyle |
| 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 |
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking List
The speaking module assesses your proficiency in English communication. But it also means that the learner needs to be able to say the words clearly and without hesitation.
But that’s not all; in order to improve your score, you also need to know the IELTS vocabulary words and know when and where to use them.
This is a complete list of words from the IELTS vocabulary:
Reading and Writing : Vocabulary Words for IELTS
Because they do not use synonyms in the reading and writing sections, most candidates lose points.
You can improve your IELTS vocabulary for the reading and writing sections by familiarizing yourself with the following list of words and their synonyms:
| Words | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| 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 | Location |
| Procedure | Process |
IELTS Listening Vocabulary Words
You can improve your recall of word spellings for the IELTS Listening test by saying the word aloud, writing it down, checking it, and then repeating the process.
Are you prepared to test your abilities? Make an effort to spell each of the commonly misspelled words indicated in the following table:
| conscious | disappear | exciting |
| necessary | original | realistic |
| obesity | marriage | solar |
| beautiful | highway | percentage |
| fluctuate | peak | recover |
| video | murder | topic |
| argument | Wednesday | neighbour |
| boring | rhythm | immediately |
| receive | February | tendency |
| fuel | friendly | until |
| million | thousand | hundred |
| musician | computer | software |
| temporary | unfortunately | disadvantage |
| foreign | opportunity | because |