IELTS Vocabulary List: Words and Phrases to Boost Your Score
Bhargavee Sisodia
16 Oct 2024
Based on how it is designed, there are two main versions of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam: the Academic IELTS test and the General Training IELTS test. With the exception of minor variations in the study materials, the main components of the two IELTS exam formats are identical.
In order to be eligible for further education, such as graduation or postgraduation, or to register for a professional job abroad as a teacher, doctor, or nurse, one must typically take the Academic IELTS exam. Conversely, anyone seeking to apply for non-academic training, job experience, or immigration to a foreign nation should take the General Training IELTS exam.
The most important thing required for scoring big in this exam is having a great grasp of vocabulary words for IELTS. Vocabulary range is one of the most pivotal factors evaluated during each phase of your IELTS exam. Hence we have jotted down the most important words and phrases that will enrich your IELTS vocabulary list.
Important vocabulary for IELTS
When it comes to English vocabulary there are several sections of words and phrases which help us boost our range in vocabulary. Collocations and Idioms help boost vocab for IELTS speaking and writing, whereas phrasal words and synonyms are useful for all sections of the IELTS exam. Hence you need to understand the difference between these terms and skim through the commonly used examples in order to strengthen your IELTS English words library.
1) Collocations
Collocation refers to the combination of words or phrases that can be used to enhance the texture of your writing. A few examples of useful collocations for your IELTS academic vocabulary are listed below and broken into categories:
With “break”:
Break a leg
Break a record
Break the ice
Break free
Break a promise
Break a neck
Break the law
Break the rules
Break a glass
With “catch”:
Catch a thief
Catch some rays
Catch a glimpse
Catch a ball
Catch a cold
Catch a chill
Catch the flue
Catch one’s breath
Catch someone’s eye
With “do”:
Do your best
Do nothing
Do harm
Do your hair
Do some work
Do someone a favor
Do something right
Do something wrong
Do the dishes
With “have”:
Have a rest
Have sympathy
Have lunch
Have a good time
Have a dream
Have a feeling
Have fun
Have a relationship
Have haircut
Have a bath
Have a look at something
With “make”:
Make trouble
Make furniture
Make some noise
Make a mess
Make a point
Make sense
Make a promise
Make a profit
Make progress
Make breakfast
Make the bed
With “get”:
Get a job
Get a life
Get divorced
Get permission
Get the picture
Get started
Get lost
Get fired
Get home
Get angry
With “come”:
Come in first
Come late
Come second
Come to an agreement
Come on time
Come close
Come in last
Come into view
Come early
With “save”:
Save time
Save space
Save money
Save someone’s life
Save one’s strength
Save something to disk
Save someone a seat
Save energy
Save electricity
With “pay”:
Pay attention
Pay interest
Pay a fine
Pay a visit
Pay a compliment
Pay the price
Pay someone a visit
Pay wages
Pay the amount
With “take”:
Take a chance
Take your time
Take a break
Take a look
Take some rest
Take a seat
Take an exam
Take a taxi
Take notes
Take someone’s place
2) Idioms
Idioms are phrases or expressions with a symbolic/figurative meaning different from the meaning of the words that comprise the phrase.You should be able to use a lot of uncommon phrases and idioms within your essay to show your vocabulary range and grasp of English. You also need to be careful about the relevance of the idioms used in your sentences so that they can amplify your ideas without confusing the examiner. Some uncommon idioms have been mentioned below for your help.
Idioms
Meanings
Pull yourself together
To calm down
Storm in a teacup
To make a big deal of an unimportant matter
Under the weather
To feel unwell
Break new ground
To create something impressive
Call it a night
To end a meeting/discussion/task for the day
Bent out of shape
To be upset about something
Back to square one
To start from the beginning again
Cut corner
To do something poorly or by taking shortcuts
Jump the gun
To begin too soon without caution
Once in a blue moon
To describe a rare occurrence
Pull someone’s leg
To joke with someone
The best of both worlds
An ideal situation
To make matters worse
Worsen an existing problem/situation
You can say that again
That’s true, I agree
Live and learn
Make a mistake
Break the ice
Make people feel more comfortable
Rain in someone’s parade
To spoil something
Piece of cake
Extremely easy to achieve
Eye on the ball
Be alert and active
Hit the sack
Go to bed
Up in the air
Not yet finished
Go back on one’s word
Break a promise
Have a word with someone
Talk to someone
In hot water
In trouble
3) Phrasal verbs:
Phrasal verbs are phrases made up of more than one word, which act as a verb when used properly within a sentence. A phrasal verb is made up of a verb combined with an adverb or a preposition. Correct use of phrasal verbs in a sentence can boost your vocabulary range and increase your score in reading, writing, and speaking tests of the IELTS exam. Below we have listed some phrasal verbs for you to use in the different exams of the IELTS.
Go on
Carry out
Set up
Pick up
Go back
Go over
Turn over
Go through
Hold on
Pick out
Sit back
Hold back
Put in
Take down
Look around
Carry on
Go up
Get out
Take out
Come down
Put down
Put up
Turn up
Get on
Bring up
Bring in
Look back
Look down
Bring back
Break down
Take off
Go off
Bring about
Go in
Sell off
Put out
Look out
Take back
Hold up
Get down
Hold out
Put on
Bring out
Move on
Turn back
Put back
Go round
Break up
Come along
Sit up
Turn around
Put off
Come about
Go along
Look round
Turn off
Give in
Move out
Come through
Find out
Set down
Take over
Come up
Point out
Turn down
Bring down
Get through
Break out
Work out
Take up
Set out
Give back
Take in
Work out
Set out
Take on
Get through
Come over
Come off
Get up
Get in
Set out
4) Linking words
They are used to establish links between concepts, phrases, and paragraphs, which enhances the writing's logical attractiveness and fluency. Since we don't often employ connecting terms in regular conversation, we usually lack their vocabulary while writing essays for IELTS writing tasks 2. For your reference, we have thus included a list of a few linked terms divided into groups.
Sequence: To incorporate sequencing in your essay
First / Firstly
Second / Secondly
Next
Then
Finally
Restatement: To restate a point or fact
In short
To rephrase
In a nutshell
In simple terms
I mean
Expressed simply
That is to say
Otherwise
Illustrating: To illustrate an instance or to exemplify
As an example
Such as
In the case of
As shown by
Illustrated by
Take for example
One such example is
Specifically
Concession: To portray contrasting thoughts or ideas
Admittedly
All the same
Upto a point
Even so
Even though
Even if
Addition: Used for adding new points
Further
And then
Another
Also
As well as
Moreover
Furthermore
In addition
Also
Besides
Reason: To explain the reason for a statement
For
Due to
In order to
So that
With the aim of
Owing to
Sequence: To incorporate sequencing in your essay
Afterward
Initially
Before
Previously
Subsequently
Choice: Specify a choice within your essay
Either … Or
Whether ... Or
Alternatively
Or
Rather
Choose either
Preferably … or
In either case
Generalization: To connect general statements and ideas
In general
In most cases
Universally
Overall
Generally speaking
By and large
Bradley speaking
Without exception
Emphasis: To emphasize or give importance to a particular idea
In fact
Importantly
Especially
Above all
Significantly
Without a doubt
In particular
Even
Indeed
Undoubtedly
Clarification: Used for clarifying an idea or statement
I mean
To simplify
To be clear
Let me explain
More precisely
In other words
In explanation
To clearly define
In other words
To put it simply
That is to say
Time order: To elaborate an idea with proper time parameter
In the beginning
Then
Later
Meanwhile
At the same time
During
Before
After
Condition: To mention a condition within your idea or sentences
If
Unless
Even if
Only if
Because of
While
Except if
In that case
Example: To give an example
For example
For instance
Such as
To illustrate
Like
As a sample
As revealed by
To exemplify
Contrast: To express a change in the flow of ideas
However
On the other hand
Nevertheless
Although
Despite
In spite of
Alternatively
Whereas
In contrast to
But
Cause and Effect: To express cause and effect sentences
Because
As a result
Since
Therefore
Consequently
Thus
Comparison: To compare between two logics or ideas
Similarly
Likewise
In the same way
Conclusion: To begin conceding thoughts
In conclusion
To sum up
In summary
Overall
To conclude
All in all
Therefore
On the whole
In brief
5) Synonyms
To showcase versatility in vocabulary for IELTS speaking and writing tasks, a wide variety of synonyms must be used. Synonyms are words with the same/similar meanings that can be used in a sentence to avoid repetition of the same word over and over. Proper use of synonyms can enhance the texture of your writing and speaking in English and it also helps to showcase your vocabulary range and grasp of the language. Hence we have listed some of the most important synonyms that can be used to portray good vocab for IELTS speaking and writing.
Words
Synonym
Special
Exceptional
Thrive
Prosper
Fast
Rapid
Virtuous
Righteous
Hostile
Antagonistic
Busy
Active
Polite
Gracious
Militant
Combative
Delicate
Fragile
Sick
Ailing
Cease
Stop
Repulsive
Hideous
Drab
Dull
Forgive
Pardon
Minor
Lesser
Dumb
Dense
Successful
Thriving
Crazy
Daft
Risky
Hazardous
Regular
Routine
Awkward
Clumsy
Ordinary
Average
Blend
Mix
Permanent
Enduring
Rational
Logical
Decay
Rot
Serene
Peaceful
Glorious
Spendid
Frenzy
Fury
Mandatory
Required
Encourage
Urge
Tangible
Concrete
Afraid
Scared
Raze
Destroy
Infuriated
Enraged
Empty
Unload
Swift
Fast
Condense
Compress
Question
Interrogate
Certain
Positive
Convenient
Handy
Abandon
Desert
Abundant
Ample
Aid
Help
Accurate
Correct
Awful
Dreadful
Best
Finest
Barren
Infertile
Beginning
Initiate
Brave
Courageous
Calm
Quiet
Cease
Stop
Clarify
Explain
Coarse
Bumpy
Conform
Comply
Cry
Sob
Deter
Hinder
Desolate
Barren
Enlarge
Expand
Fraction
Part
Fatal
Deadly
Mourn
Grieve
Numerous
Several
Maximum
Greatest
Mirth
Merriment
Legible
Readable
Obsolete
Extinct
Racket
Noise
Serious
Grave
Vocabulary words for IELTS
We have listed some important vocabulary for IELTS which will help you score better in all the sections of your IELTS exam. Since the syllabus and question origin for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS are different, we have jotted down 2 separate IELTS vocabulary list below:
IELTS English words - Some tips to expand your vocabulary
Having a great vocabulary range is one of the most important qualities required from a candidate to get a great band score in the IELTS exam. Most people suffer due to their lack of vocab for IELTS speaking and reading. If you are not accustomed to a good vocabulary range, it will affect your score in the IELTS reading and listening exam as well, since you will fail to comprehend the meaning of certain words because of their diversified use. Thus you need to expand your grasp on IELTS English words during your IELTS preparation. To do so, you can follow the simple steps given below.
Read, watch, and listen: To improve your vocabulary for IELTS speaking and writing, you need to listen to a variety of English content, watch a wide range of English documentaries, and read a bundle of different English texts. This will help you in your Reading, writing, listening, and speaking test of the IELTS as a whole.
Practice: The second most important thing is practice. You need to practice speaking and writing in English so that your smoothness and understanding of the language and its nuances improve.
Use online streaming platforms: You can use a variety of online streaming platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X to read, listen, watch, and study a variety of great content online to get a better hold on the English language and its vocabulary.
Conclusion
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