It is not only about grammar and fluency. Vocabulary alone is 25% of your Speaking and Writing score. This guide gives you important topic-wise vocabulary for IELTS that can help you improve your IELTS band score and speak with confidence.
Scoring high on the IELTS isn't just about grammar and fluency; it is about using the right words at the right time. Whether you're aiming for a Band 7 or higher, expanding your vocabulary is one of the most effective ways to boost your score across all four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
The common topics for IELTS Vocabulary includes topics from, Business, Environment, Education, Technology, Health, Travel and many more. Without learning vocabulary for IELTS preparation, it is impossible to communicate and convey your thoughts and ideas on the IELTS test day. However, vocabulary is not an end in itself. You will need the knowledge of grammar and the skill of accuracy to convey your ideas correctly. One can check the complete list of vocabulary words for IELTS from the article below.
The article includes over 350+ topic-wise vocabulary words for IELTS exam. With definitions, example sentences, and practical tips, you'll be well-equipped to articulate your ideas clearly and confidently.
- Topic-Wise IELTS Vocabulary List
- IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Words
- IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Words
- IELTS Writing Vocabulary Words
- Vocabulary Words for IELTS Preparation
- Vocabulary for IELTS: Best Resources
- Importance of Vocabulary for IELTS Exam
- Vocabulary for IELTS: Scoring Criteria
Topic-Wise IELTS Vocabulary List
We have listed the vocabulary into different topics that often appear in the IELTS exam. These topics include:
- Business
- Environment
- Education
- Technology
- Health
- Travel
- Food
- Feelings and Emotions Vocabulary
Each section includes useful words along with their meanings and example sentences to help you understand how to use them.
Business Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur |
A person who starts and runs a business |
She became a successful entrepreneur after starting her app. |
| Revenue |
Money a business earns from its work |
The company's revenue went up by 20% last year. |
| Merger |
When two companies join together |
The merger made a stronger company. |
| Market share |
The part of a market a company controls |
The company wants to grow its market share by 10%. |
| Stakeholder |
A person or group who has interest in a business |
Stakeholders joined the meeting about the new project. |
| Profit |
Money a business earns after paying costs |
The profit went up because they cut costs. |
| Investment |
Putting money in something to get more money |
His investment in stocks worked well. |
| Outsourcing |
Getting goods or services from another company |
Outsourcing IT work can lower costs. |
| Brand awareness |
How much people know a brand |
Increasing brand awareness is important for new products. |
| Competition |
When businesses fight for customers |
Competition in tech is very strong. |
| B2B (Business-to-business) |
Deals between businesses |
B2B sales went up because more services are needed. |
| B2C (Business-to-consumer) |
Deals between business and customers |
B2C strategies are important for online shops. |
| Corporate culture |
The beliefs and ways employees and bosses work |
A good corporate culture makes employees happy. |
| Fiscal year |
A year used for taxing or accounting |
Our fiscal year ends on March 31st. |
| Supply chain |
The full system of making and sending goods |
Good supply chain can lower costs. |
| Cash flow |
The money moving in and out of a business |
Positive cash flow is important for business. |
| Market research |
Collecting info about what customers want |
Market research helps companies know their customers. |
| E-commerce |
Buying and selling things online |
E-commerce changed how shops sell things. |
| Dividend |
Money paid by a company to its shareholders |
Investors are happy with the higher dividend. |
| Start-up |
A new business |
Many start-ups find it hard to get money at start. |
Business related questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test:
Part 1: Introduction & Interview (Basic Questions)
- Do you think it’s important to understand how businesses work?
- Have you ever thought about starting your own business?
- Do advertisements influence your buying decisions?
Part 2 (Cue Card):
- Describe a successful small business you know.
- What kind of business it is
- How you know about it
- What makes it successful
Part 3:
- What qualities are important for a businessperson?
- Do you think young people are interested in entrepreneurship nowadays?
- How has online shopping affected traditional businesses?
IELTS Vocabulary for Environment-related topics
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity |
The variety of plants and animals in a place or the world |
The Amazon rainforest has very rich biodiversity. |
| Conservation |
The act of protecting or saving the environment |
Conservation is very important to save endangered animals. |
| Deforestation |
Cutting down trees and changing forest into empty land |
Deforestation is one reason for climate change. |
| Ecosystem |
A community of living things and their environment |
Coral reefs are part of the marine ecosystem. |
| Emission |
Producing and sending out gas or pollution |
Carbon emissions from factories make air dirty. |
| Endangered |
At risk of disappearing forever |
Giant pandas are endangered animals. |
| Extinction |
When a species dies out completely |
Many animals are facing extinction because of habitat loss. |
| Fossil Fuels |
Natural fuels from dead plants or animals like coal or gas |
Burning fossil fuels makes greenhouse gases. |
| Global Warming |
Earth getting hotter because of human activity |
Global warming melts ice and makes sea levels rise. |
| Habitat |
The natural home of animals or plants |
Cities are destroying the habitat of many wild animals. |
| Natural Resources |
Things from nature we can use for our needs |
Water and minerals are important natural resources. |
| Pollution |
Harmful substances in air, water, or land |
Pollution is a big problem in cities. |
| Recycling |
Changing waste into something usable again |
Recycling helps reduce waste in landfills. |
| Renewable |
Can be replaced naturally |
Solar and wind energy are renewable. |
| Sustainable |
Can continue without using up resources |
Sustainable farming saves the environment. |
| Acid Rain |
Rain that is harmful because of pollution |
Acid rain has damaged lakes and forests. |
| Carbon Footprint |
Amount of carbon dioxide we produce |
We can reduce our carbon footprint by using buses. |
| Climate Change |
Long-term changes in weather and temperature |
Climate change is causing extreme weather events. |
| Erosion |
Gradual wearing away of soil or land |
Soil erosion can make land less fertile. |
| Greenhouse Effect |
Trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere |
The greenhouse effect is needed for life, but too much causes warming. |
Environment related questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test:
Part 1: Introduction & Interview (Basic Questions)
- Are you concerned about environmental problems?
- Do you recycle at home?
- What are some common environmental issues in your country?
Part 2 (Cue Card):
- Describe an environmental problem in your area.
- What it is
- What causes it
- How people are affected by it
Part 3:
- What should individuals do to protect the environment?
- Should governments spend more money on environmental protection?
- How can schools educate students about the environment?
Education Related Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum |
The subjects included in a course |
The curriculum has both theory and practical work. |
| Assessment |
Checking students’ knowledge or skills |
Regular assessments help see student progress. |
| Scholarship |
Money given to students for good performance |
She got a scholarship to study at her dream university. |
| Pedagogy |
The way of teaching |
New pedagogy can make learning more interesting. |
| Literacy |
The ability to read and write |
Improving literacy is important for the community. |
| Extracurricular |
Activities outside regular study |
Extracurricular activities help students develop social skills. |
| Vocational |
Related to training for a job |
Vocational education prepares students for skilled jobs. |
| Internship |
Short job to get practical experience |
She did an internship at a law firm last summer. |
| Tuition |
The fee for studying at a school or university |
Tuition fees have increased a lot in the last ten years. |
| Enrollment |
Registering for courses at a school |
Enrollment in online courses went up during the pandemic. |
| Faculty |
The teachers or academic staff |
The faculty members are very dedicated to students. |
| Graduation |
Ceremony after finishing a degree |
Her graduation ceremony was held in the university hall. |
Education-related questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test:
Part 1: Introduction & Interview (Basic Questions)
- What subject did you enjoy the most in school?
- Do you prefer studying alone or with others?
- Do you think education is important?
Part 2 (Cue Card):
- Describe a memorable teacher you had.
- Who they were
- What they taught you
- Why you remember them
Part 3:
- What are the advantages of distance learning?
- How can education systems be improved?
- Should education be free for everyone?
Technology Vocabulary for IELTS preparation
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation |
New ideas or ways of doing things |
Innovation helps technology and science move forward. |
| Data |
Facts or numbers collected for study |
Data analysis helps businesses make better decisions. |
| Software |
Programs that run on computers or devices |
She updated the software on her laptop to make it work better. |
| Device |
A tool or machine used for a purpose |
Smartphones are useful devices for talking and entertainment. |
| Algorithm |
A set of rules to solve problems |
The algorithm helps show better search results for users. |
Health Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition |
Getting or eating food needed for good health |
Good nutrition is important to stay healthy. |
| Exercise |
Physical activity to stay fit |
Doing regular exercise can prevent health problems. |
| Disease |
An illness that affects body or mind |
Diabetes is a common disease that needs care. |
| Vaccination |
Getting a shot to prevent a disease |
Vaccination helps stop the spread of sickness. |
| Wellness |
Overall health and feeling good |
Wellness programs help people live healthy lives. |
Travel Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Destination |
The place you travel to |
Paris is a famous travel destination. |
| Journey |
Traveling from one place to another |
My journey across Europe was amazing. |
| Tourist |
A person who travels for fun |
Many tourists visit India in winter. |
| Itinerary |
A plan or schedule for a trip |
Our itinerary had visits to old historical sites. |
| Accommodation |
Place where travelers stay |
Good accommodation makes your trip better. |
Food Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisine |
Style of cooking of a country or region |
Indian cuisine is famous for its spices. |
| Ingredient |
Food item used in cooking |
Fresh ingredients are needed for healthy food. |
| Recipe |
Instructions to make a dish |
I found a nice recipe for chocolate cake online. |
| Nutrition |
Getting food needed for health |
Good nutrition is important for your body. |
| Gastronomy |
The art of good eating or food culture |
Gastronomy is different in every country. |
Feelings and Emotions Vocabulary for IELTS
| Word |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Joy |
Feeling very happy |
The news gave them great joy. |
| Terror |
Feeling very scared |
The storm filled villagers with terror. |
| Ecstasy |
Feeling very happy or excited |
She was in ecstasy when she won the award. |
| Misery |
Feeling very unhappy |
He lived in misery after the accident. |
| Remorse |
Feeling very sorry for a wrong |
He felt deep remorse for his harsh words. |
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Words
In this section, we are going to be discussing the different kinds of vocabulary words for IELTS Speaking exam.
Vocabulary Words for IELTS: Collocation Words
Simply put, collocation means two or more words that are used together so that it sounds correct. E.g., ‘Breaking Benjamin released many hit albums’, rather than, ‘Breaking Benjamin published many hit albums’. Proper use of collocations will allow you to express your ideas more convincingly and coherently so that native speakers can understand them. There is no logic behind it, either you know them or you don’t.
There are various types of collocations:
- Noun + Noun: e.g., Ceasefire Agreement
- Noun + Verb: e.g The plane took off
- Adjective + Noun: e.g., excruciating pain
- Adverb + Adjective: e.g., fully satisfied
- Verb + Adverb: e.g,. whispered softly
Collocation word examples:
- Make: Make a choice, make a wish, make a point, make friends, etc.
- Have: Have fun, have lunch, have dinner, have a shower, etc.
- Keep: Keep moving, keep in touch, keep walking, etc.
Idioms for IELTS vocabulary words with meaning
An idiom is an expression that is not understood if the words are considered separately. Rather, it is understood if the words are taken together. Some idioms for IELTS are given in the chart below:
| Idiom |
Meaning |
|---|---|
| Under the weather |
To feel ill |
| Spill the beans |
To reveal a secret |
| Break a leg |
To wish someone luck |
| Sat on the fence |
Indecisiveness |
| Beat around the bush |
To avoid talking about what is actually important |
| Pull someone’s leg |
To play a practical joke |
| Once in a blue moon |
Rarely |
| Come rain or shine |
No matter what |
| Out of the blue |
An event that happened unexpectedly |
| Back against the wall |
Stuck in a difficult situation |
| Blind as bat |
Cannot see |
| Green with envy |
To be jealous |
| Jump on the bandwagon |
To follow a trend |
Vocabulary for IELTS: Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate action, e.g., abide by. Some phrasal verbs are given in the chart below:
| Phrasal Verb |
Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abide by |
To obey |
| Add up |
To make sense |
| Agree with |
Have the same opinion |
| Back down |
To withdraw |
| Blow up |
To get angry / To explode |
| Break into |
To enter forcefully |
| Ease off |
To become less severe |
| Getaway |
To escape |
| Get rid off |
To remove/eliminate |
| Let down |
To disappoint |
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Words
We are providing some important words, related to certain topics, which you should be aware of. These will help you answer the questions on the given topics:
- Art: Culture, Aesthetic, Portray, Performance, Connoisseur, Playwright
- Business: Economy, small business, Business houses, Investments, Deficit, Business cycle
- Education: E-learning, Online education, Curriculum, Discipline, Subjects, Graduate
- Food: Culinary, Nutrition, Diet, Carbohydrates, Protein, Meal
- Health: Medicine, Medication, Healthcare, Overweight, Underweight
- Technology: Innovation, Development, Device, E-commerce, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
IELTS Writing Vocabulary Words
In this section, we are going to be providing examples of IELTS writing vocabulary words. These are words that can be used in the IELTS writing section of the exam. The IELTS Writing Task 1 of the IELTS exam requires candidates to describe, summarize or explain a graph, table, chart or diagram in their own words. IELTS vocabulary words that will help you with this task type are as follows:
IELTS Writing Vocabulary for Task 1
| Introduction |
|
| Signify Increase |
|
| Signify Decrease |
|
| Signify Variation |
|
| Signify Stability |
|
| Signify Plateau |
|
IELTS Writing Vocabulary for Task 1: Percentages and Comparisons
| Percentages | Comparisons |
|---|---|
|
|
source: IDP
Vocabulary Words for IELTS Preparation
In this section, we are going to be talking about IELTS speaking vocabulary preparation tips for candidates looking to appear for the test.
- Memorization of an entire booklet of words will not help you unless you know how to use those words. Working on your grammar, collocations, pronunciation, and meaning of sentences will fetch you a higher band than just memorizing random words.
- Do not be misled by information that gives you “top 5 IELTS words” or “top 10 IELTS words”. You do not know whether these words will even fit the context. Secondly, you will be scored on the basis of your performance on the entire section and not just 5 or 10 words.
- You should be focused on using correct, accurate, and appropriate words that fit the context. If you use “5 high-level C1 and C2” words with flawed grammar and incorrect meaning, the examiner will be easily able to identify that you have memorized those words.
- Improving your vocabulary takes time and it is an organic process where you improve every single day by putting in constant effort.
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Best Resources
In this section, we are going to be discussing the best prep resources available for improving your IELTS speaking vocabulary in your IELTS exam.
- Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS: It is a comprehensive book which covers the entire content in a structured manner along with practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
- IELTS Vocabulary Masterclass 8.5: This book contains an exhaustive list of words along with practice exercises. It also has an IELTS Listening and Reading mini-dictionary.
- Read newspapers and articles related to common topics such as Education, Science, Technology, Business, Tourism, etc. Note the words that you do not understand, and find their meaning, synonyms, antonyms, usage, collocation, and related grammar. You can maintain these words in a notebook or in an e-format. It is not sufficient to just make a note of these words; you must periodically revise them as well.
- Listen to podcasts: There are good podcasts available on Spotify. These podcasts will help you build a strong vocabulary base and contribute to your listening and speaking sections.
Importance of Vocabulary for IELTS Exam
In this section, we are going to be talking about the importance of vocabulary for the IELTS exam for candidates looking to take the test.
- In the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS, a good vocabulary contributes to the following:
- It comprises 25% of the total marks on these sections.
- It helps you convey your ideas in a coherent and easy-to-understand manner. Besides, it helps you carry on the discussion with the examiner.
- On the Listening and the Reading section of the IELTS, a strong vocabulary helps you in the following:
- It helps you understand what has been asked, and answer the question accurately.
- In the Reading section, a strong vocabulary will give you the added advantage of quickly locating the correct answer using the technique of skimming.
Vocabulary for IELTS: Scoring Criteria
Before we try to understand the scoring criteria of vocabulary for IELTS, with the help of band descriptors, let us understand what are 'high-level' words.
IELTS in CEFR Scale
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) establishes a relationship between certain levels and IELTS band scores. The following chart will help you understand the comparison:
Now that you have understood the comparison between CEFR levels and IELTS band scores, let us understand their relevance in terms of vocabulary.
Whenever you come across a word that you do not know, you should search for the same in the online Cambridge dictionary. Once you search the word, you will get to know which word is A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2. Then you can compare that level with the IELTS band scores using the chart given above.
We have taken two words here: Dump and Picturesque. Note that the word Dump is a C2-level word while the word Picturesque is a B2-level word.
And
Vocabulary Words for IELTS: Band Scores
The table given below has been taken from IELTS band descriptors and provides information about the scoring criteria of the IELTS Writing section, with respect to vocabulary:
| Band Scores |
Lexical Resource |
|---|---|
| 9 |
|
| 8 |
|
| 7 |
|
| 6 |
|
| 5 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 1 |
|
The table given below has been taken from IELTS band descriptors and provides information about the scoring criteria of the IELTS Speaking section, with respect to vocabulary:
| Band Scores |
Lexical Resource |
|---|---|
| 9 |
|
| 8 |
|
| 7 |
|
| 6 |
|
| 5 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Definitely not. You cannot memorize top 10 or top 100 words and score well on the IELTS. There is no guarantee that these words will fit the context or not. Besides, an examiner can easily identify whether a particular word has been used forcefully or not. It is much better to improve your vocabulary organically with the help of good resources.
Yes. Vocabulary is the base of your language. Without a strong vocabulary, it is difficult to have a decent conversation or write a good piece of work. Since you plan to move out to an English-speaking country, it is advisable that you build a strong vocabulary.
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Building a sound vocabulary takes time. You need to read from a wide range of sources to improve your vocabulary. Even though it takes time, it is certainly not difficult.