Vocabulary for IELTS SPEAKING

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, having a strong vocabulary is essential. The right vocabulary can help you express your ideas more clearly and effectively. In this context, in this article, we will discuss some essential vocabulary words that could be used to boost your IELTS Speaking score.

Here are some vocabulary words that are commonly used in the IELTS Speaking test, along with their meanings:

Ambitious – having a strong desire to achieve something
Articulate – expressing oneself clearly and effectively
Astounding – surprising or shocking
Authentic – genuine or real
Cohesive – sticking together, connected, or united
Comprehensive – covering or including everything
Conducive – helpful or favorable to achieving a certain result
Eclectic – diverse or varied in style, taste, or content
Eloquent – fluent, persuasive, and articulate in speech
Exquisite – extremely beautiful or delicate
Innovative – introducing new ideas or methods
Persuasive – able to convince others to believe or do something
Proficient – skilled or competent in a particular activity or subject
Reputable – having a good reputation or trustworthy
Resilient – able to recover quickly from difficult situations
Sophisticated – complex, refined, or developed
Stimulating – interesting, exciting, or thought-provoking
Versatile – able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
Visionary – having original, creative, or far-reaching ideas
Well-rounded – having a broad range of knowledge, skills, and interests.

Vocabulary for IELTS SPEAKING with meaning

Education IELTS speaking vocabulary

Curriculum – the subjects taught in a school
Vocational training – education that prepares for specific trades
Higher education – university-level education
Dropout – someone who leaves school or college without finishing
Distance learning – online or remote education
Formal education – structured learning in schools and universities
Informal education – learning outside of traditional settings
Higher education – university or college-level study
Distance learning / Online learning – studying via the internet
Vocational training – skill-based training for specific jobs
Homeschooling – learning at home instead of in school
Primary / Secondary education – basic and intermediate school levels
Tertiary education – university-level study
Adult education – classes for mature learners
Curriculum – subjects studied in a course
Syllabus – outline of topics in a subject
Semester / Term – academic periods
Assignment – homework or coursework
Lecture / Seminar / Tutorial – university learning formats
Exam / Test / Quiz – assessments of knowledge
Dissertation / Thesis – long research paper for a degree
Degree / Diploma / Certificate – qualifications received after study
Campus – university grounds and buildings
Boarding school – school where students live on site
Student / Pupil / Learner – someone who studies
Teacher / Instructor / Lecturer / Tutor – someone who teaches
Headteacher / Principal – person in charge of a school
Professor – senior academic teacher in a university
Classmate / Peer – fellow student
Study habits – routines for learning
Memorization – learning by heart
Critical thinking – analyzing and evaluating ideas
Note-taking – writing key information during lessons
Time management – organizing study time effectively
Group work / Teamwork – working with others
Independent learning – studying on your own
Revision / Review – going over material before an exam
Educational – related to learning
Academic – relating to education and learning
Challenging / Demanding – difficult and requiring effort
Practical / Theoretical – hands-on or idea-based
Compulsory / Optional – required or not
Elite / Prestigious – highly respected
Affordable / Expensive – low or high in cost

Environment IELTS speaking vocabulary

Climate change – long-term alteration of temperature and weather
Carbon footprint – amount of CO2 one produces
Sustainable – environmentally friendly and able to continue
Pollution – contamination of natural environment
Renewable energy – energy from natural sources (solar, wind)
Global warming – increase in Earth’s temperature
Climate change – long-term changes in weather patterns
Air pollution – harmful substances in the air
Water pollution – contamination of rivers, lakes, oceans
Soil pollution – degradation of land due to chemicals
Deforestation – cutting down of trees in large areas
Overpopulation – too many people in one area
Urban sprawl – uncontrolled city expansion
Loss of biodiversity – reduction in the variety of life
Natural disasters – events like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes
Industrialization – growth of industry and manufacturing
Fossil fuels – coal, oil, natural gas
Greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, etc.
Emissions – gases released into the atmosphere
Littering – throwing waste improperly
Use of plastic – non-biodegradable waste
Deforestation – cutting trees without replanting
Overfishing – excessive fishing harming marine life
Excessive packaging – unnecessary plastic or paper use
Renewable energy – energy from sun, wind, water
Recycling – converting waste into reusable materials
Sustainable development – progress without harming the environment
Conservation – protection of nature and species
Afforestation / Reforestation – planting trees
Eco-friendly products – goods that are not harmful to the environment
Reduce carbon footprint – lower the amount of CO₂ you produce
Green technology – tech that’s environmentally friendly
Ban single-use plastics – prohibit throwaway plastic items
Environmental awareness – knowledge of environmental issues
Polluted / Contaminated – dirty or harmful
Pristine / Untouched – natural and clean
Degraded / Damaged – spoiled by human activity
Sustainable – able to continue long-term without damage
Eco-conscious – aware and careful about nature
Carbon-neutral – not adding carbon to the atmosphere
Green – environmentally friendly

Health IELTS speaking vocabulary

Well-being – state of being healthy and happy
Sedentary lifestyle – inactive way of living
Mental health – psychological well-being
Balanced diet – eating a variety of healthy foods
Preventive care – measures taken to prevent disease
Health – physical and mental well-being
Well-being – a state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
Fitness – physical condition and strength
Illness / Sickness – state of being unwell
Disease – a specific illness with symptoms
Injury – physical harm (e.g. a broken leg)
Symptom – sign of illness (e.g., fever, cough)
Diagnosis – identifying an illness
Treatment – care to cure or manage a condition
Recovery – return to health after illness or injury
Cold / Flu – common viral infections
Allergy – immune reaction to substances
Asthma – respiratory condition causing difficulty breathing
Diabetes – chronic disease related to blood sugar
Obesity – excessive body fat
High blood pressure – elevated blood pressure
Mental health issues – depression, anxiety, stress
Balanced diet – eating all essential nutrients
Junk food / Fast food – unhealthy processed food
Nutritious food – food rich in nutrients
Regular exercise – consistent physical activity
Sleep hygiene – habits that improve sleep quality
Hydration – maintaining fluid levels in the body
Preventive care – actions to avoid illness
Health-conscious – aware of health and lifestyle choices
Sedentary lifestyle – lack of physical activity
Work-life balance – maintaining healthy time between work and personal life
Doctor / Physician – medical professional
Nurse / Caregiver – healthcare assistant
Hospital / Clinic – medical treatment center
Prescription – medicine prescribed by a doctor
Check-up – routine health examination
Vaccination / Immunization – protection against disease
Health insurance – financial cover for medical expenses
Public healthcare – government-provided medical service
Private healthcare – medical care paid by individuals or insurance
Healthy / Fit / In shape – in good physical condition
Unwell / Sick / Ill – not healthy
Run-down – exhausted or weakened
Chronic – long-lasting (e.g., chronic pain)
Acute – severe but short-term (e.g., acute infection)
Contagious / Infectious – easily spread to others
Terminal – incurable and fatal condition
Overweight / Underweight – not within ideal body weight

Technology IELTS speaking vocabulary

Innovation – new ideas or methods
Digital era – current time period dominated by digital technology
Tech-savvy – good at using technology
Artificial intelligence – machine learning that mimics human behavior
Cybersecurity – protection against online threats
Information technology (IT) – computer systems for storing, retrieving, and sending information
Artificial intelligence (AI) – machines simulating human intelligence
Robotics – the use of robots in manufacturing or services
Digital technology – devices or systems using digital signals (e.g., smartphones, internet)
Biotechnology – use of technology in biology/healthcare
Nanotechnology – manipulating matter at a very small scale
Wearable technology – smart gadgets worn on the body (e.g., smartwatches)
Smartphone – advanced mobile phone with apps
Laptop / Desktop computer – portable or stationary computing device
Tablet – touch-screen mobile computer
Smartwatch – wearable device with features like time, health tracking
Smart home devices – tech like Alexa, Google Home, smart lights
USB flash drive – portable data storage device
Virtual assistant – AI like Siri or Alexa
Wi-Fi – wireless internet connection
Cloud computing – storing and accessing data online
Social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
Search engine – tool to find info (e.g., Google)
Video conferencing – online face-to-face meetings (e.g., Zoom, Skype)
Streaming services – online video/audio platforms (e.g., Netflix, Spotify)
E-commerce – buying and selling products online
Cybersecurity – protecting data from unauthorized access
Online learning / E-learning – education via the internet
Browse – look through websites or files
Download / Upload – transfer data to/from the internet
Install / Uninstall – add or remove software
Click / Scroll / Swipe – digital navigation actions
Log in / Log out – access or exit an account
Stream – watch or listen in real-time online
Charge / Recharge – power up a device
User-friendly – easy to use
Innovative – new and original
Cutting-edge – very advanced
High-tech – highly technological
Outdated / Obsolete – no longer useful or modern
Addictive – hard to stop using
Portable – easy to carry
Efficient – productive and quick
Reliable – works well consistently
Multifunctional – has many uses

Work & Career IELTS speaking vocabulary

Freelancer – someone who works independently
Job satisfaction – feeling of fulfillment at work
Work-life balance – balance between personal and professional life
Promotion – being raised to a higher position
Monotonous – boring or repetitive
White-collar job – office-based or professional work
Blue-collar job – manual or industrial labor
Freelancer – self-employed, working for different companies
Intern – someone gaining work experience, usually short-term
Part-time job – fewer hours than a full-time role
Full-time job – standard working hours (e.g., 9–5)
Remote job / Work from home – working away from the office
Temporary job – short-term employment
Permanent job – long-term or stable employment
Job seeker – someone looking for work
Employee – someone who works for a company
Employer – a person or company that hires others
Colleague / Co-worker – a fellow employee
Team leader / Supervisor – someone in charge of a team
Career path – the progression of one’s job journey
Promotion – being moved to a higher position
Resignation – the act of quitting a job
Unemployment – being out of work
Self-employed – running your own business
Work environment – the setting and conditions of a workplace
Job satisfaction – how happy one is with their job
Work-life balance – managing work and personal life
Deadline – the latest time for completing a task
Teamwork – working cooperatively with others
Workload – the amount of work assigned
Job security – likelihood of keeping your job
Professional development – improving skills for career growth
Job responsibilities – duties at work
Corporate culture – values and behavior in a workplace
Apply for a job – to submit your candidacy
Job interview – meeting to assess suitability for a role
Resume / CV – a document showing work and education history
Cover letter – letter accompanying a resume
Shortlisted – selected for the next step in recruitment
Reference – a recommendation from a former employer
Rewarding – emotionally fulfilling
Demanding – requires a lot of effort
Monotonous – repetitive and boring
Flexible – allows changes in schedule or approach
High-paying / Low-paying – in terms of salary
Challenging – mentally or physically difficult
Stable – secure and unlikely to change

Travel & Tourism IELTS speaking vocabulary

Tourist attractions – places of interest
Cultural exchange – sharing cultural elements
Jet lag – fatigue after long flights across time zones
Backpacking – low-budget, independent travel
Eco-tourism – tourism focused on nature and sustainability
Business travel – travel for work or corporate purposes
Leisure travel – travel for relaxation or enjoyment
Solo travel – traveling alone
Backpacking – budget travel with minimal luggage
Road trip – travel by car over long distances
Package tour – a pre-arranged trip including transport, accommodation, etc.
Eco-tourism – responsible travel to natural areas
Cultural tourism – traveling to experience local customs, history, and art
Adventure tourism – travel involving risky or physically demanding activities
Traveler / Tourist – general terms for a person who travels
Sightseer – someone who visits tourist spots
Backpacker – budget-conscious, independent traveler
Jet-setter – someone who travels frequently, often for luxury
Globetrotter – a person who travels a lot
Local tourist / Domestic tourist – a tourist within their own country
Foreign tourist / International tourist – someone traveling abroad
Sightseeing – visiting interesting places
Sunbathing – lying in the sun to relax or tan
Hiking / Trekking – long walks, especially in nature
Camping – staying outdoors in tents
Shopping for souvenirs – buying gifts to remember a place
Trying local cuisine – eating traditional local food
Exploring landmarks – visiting historical or famous places
Budget airline / Low-cost carrier – inexpensive flight
Layover / Stopover – short stay between connecting flights
All-inclusive resort – a hotel where all meals and services are included
Hostel – budget accommodation, often shared
Luxury hotel – high-end accommodation
Bed and breakfast (B&B) – small lodging with breakfast included
Book in advance – reserve early
Miss a flight – fail to board on time
Catch a train / flight / bus – successfully take transportation
Travel itinerary – planned schedule for a trip
Breathtaking scenery – amazing natural beauty
Picturesque village – visually charming and quaint place
Bustling city – busy and full of activity
Off the beaten track – less visited, hidden places
Tourist trap – overcrowded, overpriced location
Historical landmark – a site of historical importance
Tranquil / Serene – peaceful and calm
Overcrowded / Packed – full of people

Society & Culture IELTS speaking vocabulary

Cultural heritage – traditions and customs inherited from the past
Urbanization – growth of cities
Gender equality – equal rights and opportunities for all genders
Social norms – expected behavior in society
Multicultural – including people from different cultures
Community – a group of people living together or having shared interests
Social norms – accepted behavior in a society
Cultural identity – sense of belonging to a particular culture
Customs and traditions – usual practices and beliefs passed down
Multicultural society – society with diverse ethnic and cultural groups
Social inequality – unequal access to resources or opportunities
Marginalized groups – communities pushed to the edge of society
Civic responsibility – duties of citizens to help their society
Social cohesion – unity within a society
Cultural integration – combining aspects of different cultures
Ethnic group – a community with a shared cultural background
Cultural values – beliefs and ideas upheld by a culture
Rituals / Ceremonies – formal cultural or religious acts
Language barrier – difficulty in communication due to different languages
Preserve culture – maintain traditional practices and beliefs
Globalization – increasing interaction between people worldwide
Westernization – adopting Western culture and values
Cultural appropriation – adopting elements of another culture, often controversially
Cross-cultural communication – interaction between people from different cultures
Traditional – based on long-established customs
Conservative – favoring traditional views and values
Liberal – open to new behavior and opinions
Inclusive – welcoming and accepting of all
Diverse – showing variety (especially in people or cultures)
Progressive – favoring change and innovation
Patriarchal – society dominated by men
Matriarchal – society dominated by women

Media & Communication IELTS speaking vocabulary

Broadcast – to air on TV or radio
Viral – spreading quickly online
Censorship – control of what is published or broadcast
Public opinion – views held by the general public
Sensationalism – exaggeration to attract attention
Mass media – media that reaches a large audience (TV, radio, newspapers)
Broadcast media – radio and television
Print media – newspapers, magazines, journals
Digital media – websites, social media, blogs
Mainstream media – traditional, widely accepted media outlets
Social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
News coverage – reporting of news events
Breaking news – newly received and important news
Sensational news – exaggerated or dramatic stories
Fake news – false or misleading information
Editorial – opinion piece written by an editor
Advertisement / Commercial – promotional content
Face-to-face communication – direct, in-person interaction
Written communication – emails, texts, letters
Verbal communication – spoken interaction
Non-verbal communication – gestures, facial expressions, body language
Instant messaging – texting via apps like WhatsApp or Messenger
Smartphone – mobile device with internet access
Podcast – audio program available online
Vlog – video blog
Streaming service – platform for watching digital content (e.g., Netflix)
Search engine – website that helps you find information online (e.g., Google)
Viral content – content that spreads quickly online
Blog / Blogger – website or person sharing personal or professional views
Journalist – person who reports news
News anchor – presenter on a TV news program
Reporter / Correspondent – someone who provides news from different locations
Influencer – social media personality with a large following
Editor – person who reviews and organizes content
Biased / Unbiased – partial / neutral in reporting
Informative – educational or knowledge-providing
Reliable / Credible – trustworthy source
Misleading – giving the wrong idea or impression
Up-to-date – current or latest information
Engaging – interesting and attention-grabbing

Family & Relationships IELTS speaking vocabulary

Nuclear family – parents and children
Upbringing – how a child is raised
Generation gap – differences between age groups
Close-knit – having strong relationships
Parental guidance – influence of parents on children
Extended family – includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.
Single-parent family – one parent raising the child
Blended family – family with children from previous relationships
Immediate family – close relatives like parents, siblings
Dysfunctional family – family with ongoing conflict or issues
Close-knit family – very close and supportive family
Foster family – temporary care by someone other than biological parents
Sibling – a brother or sister
Cousin – child of your aunt or uncle
Spouse – a husband or wife
In-laws – relatives by marriage (e.g., mother-in-law)
Relative / Relation – family member
Descendant – a person’s child, grandchild, etc.
Ancestor – a person from whom one is descended
Get along with – have a good relationship
Be close to – have a strong emotional bond
Fall out with – have a disagreement
Have a strong bond – be emotionally close
Respect each other’s space – give personal freedom
Like father, like son – similar traits between parent and child
Run in the family – common in the family (e.g., “Musical talent runs in our family.”)
Platonic relationship – non-romantic friendship
Romantic relationship – emotional or love connection
Long-distance relationship – living far from a partner
Committed relationship – serious partnership
Toxic relationship – harmful or unhealthy connection
On-again, off-again relationship – frequent breakups and reunions
Get married / Tie the knot – to become husband and wife
Engaged – formally agreed to marry
Divorce / Get divorced – legally end a marriage
Break up / Split up – end a romantic relationship
Cohabit – live together without being married
Civil partnership – legal union (especially for same-sex couples)
Marital status – whether married, single, divorced, etc.
Upbringing – the way a child is raised
Discipline – training to behave properly
Strict / Lenient parent – harsh or relaxed parenting
Spoil a child – give too much without discipline
Role model – someone children look up to
Set boundaries – establish rules
Nurture – support and encourage growth
Supportive – offering help or encouragement
Caring / Affectionate – showing love and concern
Strict – firm with rules
Protective – wanting to keep someone safe
Tolerant – accepting of others’ behavior
Reliable / Dependable – can be trusted
Selfless – putting others before oneself

Housing & Accommodation IELTS speaking vocabulary

High-rise building – tall, multi-story building
Suburb – area outside the city
Tenant – someone who rents a house or apartment
Mortgage – loan for buying property
Maintenance – keeping a property in good condition
Detached house – a stand-alone house not attached to others
Semi-detached house – two houses joined together
Terraced house – a row of identical or mirror-image houses sharing side walls
Bungalow – a single-story house
Apartment / Flat – a residential unit in a building
Studio apartment – a small flat with one main room
Spacious – large and with plenty of room
Fully-furnished – equipped with furniture
Well-maintained – kept in good condition
Modern amenities – up-to-date conveniences (e.g., Wi-Fi, elevator)
Central heating / Air conditioning – temperature control systems
Balcony / Terrace – outdoor space connected to a building
Open-plan – large space without dividing walls
En-suite bathroom – a private bathroom attached to a bedroom
Utility room – room for washing machines and other utilities
Landlord / Landlady – owner of the rented property
Tenant – someone who rents a property
Roommate / Flatmate – person sharing accommodation
Property manager – person managing a rental property
Rent – money paid monthly to live in a property
Deposit – refundable payment before renting
Lease / Tenancy agreement – rental contract
Mortgage – loan taken to buy a house
Down payment – initial payment for a property
Suburbs – residential areas outside the city
City center / Downtown – central part of the city
Residential area – area with mostly homes
Gated community – secured housing area
Rural / Urban – countryside / city
Move in / Move out – begin / stop living in a place
Rent out – allow someone to use property for payment
Take out a mortgage – borrow money to buy a house
Do up a house – renovate or redecorate
Live on your own – live independently
Cosy – small but comfortable
Cramped – too small or crowded
Dilapidated – in poor condition
Luxurious – high-end, expensive
Run-down – badly maintained
Newly built – recently constructed
Affordable – reasonably priced
Overpriced – too expensive

Building a robust vocabulary is crucial for achieving a good score in the IELTS Speaking test. It not only helps you convey your message effectively but also reflects your command over the English language. By using the words discussed in this article and practicing them regularly, you can enhance your vocabulary and ace the IELTS Speaking test.

Vocabulary for IELTS SPEAKING

Vocabulary for IELTS SPEAKING