Core IELTS Vocabulary Words (50+)
A strong command of academic vocabulary is vital for higher IELTS band scores, especially in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.
This curated list focuses on words that help you express complex ideas precisely, justify opinions, and describe trends and causes.
Each entry includes a concise definition, a quick “essence” cue, a natural example, and a short MCQ to reinforce retention.
alleviate
Example: The scheme aims to alleviate traffic congestion in city centres.
To 'alleviate' pressure is to:
albeit
Example: Tourism increased, albeit at a slower rate than expected.
‘Albeit’ is closest in meaning to:
allocate
Example: Funds were allocated to improve public transport.
To 'allocate' money is to:
ambiguous
Example: The survey results were ambiguous and required further analysis.
An ambiguous statement is:
ameliorate
Example: New policies could ameliorate the housing shortage.
To 'ameliorate' conditions means to:
anecdotal
Example: The conclusions were largely anecdotal and lacked evidence.
Anecdotal evidence is:
anomaly
Example: The sudden drop in temperature was an anomaly.
An ‘anomaly’ is an:
applicable
Example: The theory is not applicable to all age groups.
If a rule is applicable, it is:
articulate
Example: She is articulate when presenting complex ideas.
An articulate speaker is:
attenuate
Example: Planting trees can attenuate noise from the motorway.
To 'attenuate' pollution is to:
augment
Example: Online courses can augment traditional classroom learning.
To 'augment' means to:
coherent
Example: The essay presents a coherent line of argument.
A coherent argument is:
compelling
Example: The data provides compelling evidence for change.
A compelling reason is:
conducive
Example: A quiet room is conducive to effective study.
An environment conducive to learning is:
contentious
Example: Immigration remains a contentious political issue.
A contentious topic is:
corroborate
Example: Further experiments corroborate the initial findings.
To 'corroborate' a claim is to:
deleterious
Example: Excessive screen time may have deleterious effects on sleep.
‘Deleterious’ is closest to:
discrepancy
Example: There is a discrepancy between reported and actual figures.
A discrepancy is a:
feasible
Example: The plan is feasible within the current budget.
A feasible solution is:
mitigate
Example: Urban planting can mitigate the heat‑island effect.
To mitigate risk is to:
notwithstanding
Example: Notwithstanding the cost, the project delivered clear benefits.
‘Notwithstanding’ is closest to:
nuanced
Example: Her analysis was nuanced and avoided simple conclusions.
A nuanced view is:
pervasive
Example: Air pollution is pervasive in large metropolitan areas.
‘Pervasive’ most nearly means:
plausible
Example: The author suggested a plausible alternative explanation.
A plausible idea is:
precipitous
Example: There was a precipitous decline in birth rates.
A precipitous fall is:
predominant
Example: The predominant view is that climate change is human‑induced.
‘Predominant’ most nearly means:
quantify
Example: It is difficult to quantify the benefits of green space.
To quantify results means to:
salient
Example: The paper summarises the salient points in the discussion.
A salient feature is:
scarcity
Example: Water scarcity affects agriculture in arid regions.
Scarcity means:
scrutinise
Example: Researchers scrutinised the dataset for anomalies.
To scrutinise data is to:
sustainable
Example: Sustainable energy can reduce carbon emissions.
Sustainable practices are:
tenable
Example: The argument is tenable given the available evidence.
A tenable claim is:
ubiquitous
Example: Smartphones are ubiquitous among teenagers.
Ubiquitous means:
underscore
Example: These results underscore the need for policy reform.
To underscore a point is to:
viable
Example: Public transport is a viable alternative to private cars.
A viable plan is:
volatile
Example: Fuel prices can be highly volatile.
Volatile conditions are:
warrant
Example: The evidence does not warrant further investigation.
To warrant action is to:
yield
Example: The experiment yielded promising results.
To yield results is to:
adverse
Example: Adverse weather conditions delayed the flight.
Adverse effects are:
advocate
Example: Many scientists advocate a reduction in plastic use.
To advocate a policy is to:
coincide
Example: The drop in emissions coincided with reduced traffic.
Events that coincide:
constrain
Example: Limited funding constrained the research.
To constrain options is to:
definitive
Example: There is no definitive answer to this question.
A definitive result is:
detrimental
Example: A sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to health.
‘Detrimental’ most nearly means:
disseminate
Example: Social media disseminates news rapidly.
To disseminate facts is to:
exacerbate
Example: Cutting services may exacerbate inequality.
To exacerbate an issue is to:
imminent
Example: Forecasters warned of imminent flooding.
Imminent danger is:
incentivise
Example: Tax credits incentivise green investment.
To incentivise firms is to:
inevitable
Example: Technological change is inevitable.
Something inevitable is:
safeguard
Example: Strict regulations safeguard consumer rights.
To safeguard data is to:
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.