IELTS vocabulary by topics - 35 topics candidates need to master!

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Lecture

/ˈlɛktʃər/

(n)

a formal talk on a serious subject given to a group of people, especially students

Who's giving the lecture this morning?

Grade

/ɡreɪd/

(n)

a number or letter that shows how good someone's work or performance is

The teacher gave the students an A grade on their research paper.

Scholarship

/ˈskɒlərʃɪp/

(n)

an amount of money given by a school, college, university, or other organization to pay for the studies of a person with great ability but little money

Steve received a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Harvard University.

Campus

/ˈkæmpəs/

(n)

the buildings of a college or university and the land that surrounds them

Stanford University campus has several buildings, including the library and student center.

Enrollment

/ɪnˈrəʊlmənt/

(n)

the act of putting yourself or someone else onto the official list of members of a course, college or university, or group

Enrollments at medical schools in Singapore are down this year.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Renewable

/rɪˈnjuːəb(ə)l/

(adj)

relating to forms of energy that are produced using the sun, wind, etc., or from crops, rather than those using fuels such as oil or coal

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming more popular.

Deforestation

/diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forests by people

Nowadays, deforestation is a major contributor to climate change and habitat loss.

Pollution

/pəˈluːʃ(ə)n/

(n)

damage caused to water, air, etc. by harmful substances or waste

Today's newspaper mentioned that automobile emissions are the main cause of pollution in big cities.

Biodiversity

/ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːrsɪti/

(n)

the number and types of plants and animals that exist in a particular area or in the world generally, or the problem of protecting this

Protecting biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the health of our ecosystems.

Carbon footprint

/ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/

(n)

a measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the activities of a person, company, organization, etc.

Reducing your carbon footprint by driving less and using renewable energy can help combat climate change.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Nutrition

/njuːˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the substances that you take into your body as food and the way that they influence your health

Good nutrition is essential for your physical and mental well-being.

Fitness

/ˈfɪtnəs/

(n)

the condition of being physically strong and healthy

I regularly take part in physical fitness activities to improve my overall health.

Stress

/strɛs/

(n)

great worry caused by a difficult situation, or something that causes this condition

Extreme stress had driven Bob to the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Diagnosis

/ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs/

(n)

a judgment about what a particular illness or problem is, made after examining it

My private doctor has made an initial diagnosis.

Rehabilitation

/ˌriːəbɪlɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the process of returning to a healthy or good way of life, or the process of helping someone to do this after they have been in prison, been very ill, etc.

After the accident, Susan underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation program to regain her mobility.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Parenthood

/ˈpɛərənthʊd/

(n)

the state of being a parent

Parenthood can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time.

Spouse

/spaʊs/

(n)

a person's husband or wife

After 15 years of marriage, my spouse and I still enjoy each other's company.

Household

/ˈhaʊshəʊld/

(n)

a group of people, often a family, who live together

Jolie became part of Andrew's household.

Tradition

/trəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group

Daphne is carrying on the family tradition by becoming a doctor.

Kinship

/ˈkɪnʃɪp/

(n)

the relationship between members of the same family

Maintaining strong kinship ties is highly valued in many cultures.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Adventurous

/ədˈvɛntʃ(ə)rəs/

(adj)

willing to try new or difficult things

As an adventurous traveler, Peter is always seeking out new and exciting experiences.

Excursion

/ɪkˈskɜːʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a short journey usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people

Next week Linda and her family are going on an excursion.

Sightseeing

/ˈsaɪtˌsiːɪŋ/

(n)

the activity of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holiday

During their summer vacation, they enjoy sightseeing at the local museums and art galleries.

Serene

/səˈriːn/

(adj)

peaceful and calm; worried by nothing

The tranquil and serene atmosphere of this village was exactly what I and my sister needed.

Destination

/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken

Our next travel destination is the beautiful beach city of France.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Artificial intelligence

/ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃ(ə)l ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒ(ə)ns/

(cụm danh từ)

the use or study of computer systems or machines that have some of the qualities that the human brain has, such as the ability to interpret and produce language in a way that seems human, recognize or create images, solve problems, and learn from data supplied to them

Advancements in artificial intelligence have led to the development of self-driving cars.

Cloud computing

/klaʊd kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/

(cụm danh từ)

the use of services, computer programs, etc. that are on the internet rather than ones that you buy and put on your computer

Many companies now rely on cloud computing services to store and access their data remotely.

Data analysis

/ˈdeɪtə əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/

(cụm danh từ)

the process of examining information, especially using a computer, in order to find something out, or to help with making decisions

Data analysis is used to extract valuable insights from large datasets to inform business decisions.

Automation

/ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the use of machines and computers that can operate without needing human control

Automation in the manufacturing of this firm has led to increased efficiency and productivity.

Robotics

/rəˈbɒtɪks/

(n)

the science of making and using robots (= machines controlled by computers that are used to perform jobs automatically)

Advances in robotics have led to the development of sophisticated industrial and service robots.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Compete

/kəmˈpiːt/

(v)

to be part of a sports activity in which you are trying to win

The swimmers competed fiercely to win the gold medal.

Enthusiastic

/ɪnˌθjuːziˈæstɪk/

(adj)

showing enthusiasm

The crowd was enthusiastic and cheered loudly for their team.

Spectate

/ˈspɛkteɪt/

(v)

to watch an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part

Thousands of people came to spectate the soccer match between the two teams Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Sportsmanlike

/ˈspɔːrtsˌmaːnˌlaɪk/

(adj)

behaving in a way that is fair and shows respect towards the other players when playing sport

The players of two teams shook hands in a sportsmanlike manner after the game.

Triumph

/ˈtraɪəmf/

(n)

a very great success, achievement, or victory (= when you win a war, fight, or competition), or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this

This electronic sport ended in triumph for the home team.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Compose

/kəmˈpəʊz/

(v)

to produce music, poetry, or formal writing

The song "I Love You 3000" is a famous song composed by Stephanie Poetri.

Harmony

/ˈhɑːməni/

(n)

a pleasant musical sound made by different notes being played or sung at the same time

The Lempea choir sang in perfect harmony.

Instrument

/ˈɪnstrəmənt/

(n)

an object, such as a piano, guitar, or drum, that is played to produce musical sounds

Linda played the guitar, a popular musical instrument.

Lyrical

/ˈlɪrɪk(ə)l/

(adj)

expressing personal thoughts and feelings in a beautiful way

Without You is a song that has a very lyrical and soothing melody.

Virtuoso

/ˌvɜːtʃuˈəʊsəʊ/

(n)

a person who is extremely skilled at something, especially at playing an instrument or performing

Niccolo Paganini is a true virtuoso, with technical skills.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Conscientious

/ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/

(adj)

putting a lot of effort into your work

Mary is a conscientious student, she always turns in her assignments on time.

Dependable

/dɪˈpendəb(ə)l/

(adj)

deserving of trust or confidence

Wilfred's friend is very dependable and he can always count on them.

Empathetic

/ˌɛmpəˈθɛtɪk/

(adj)

having the ability to imagine how someone else feels

Noah was empathetic and listened attentively to the client's concerns.

Resilient

/rɪˈzɪlɪənt/

(adj)

able to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened

The company has proven to be resilient in the face of economic challenges.

Sociable

/ˈsəʊʃəb(ə)l/

(adj)

liking to be with people; friendly

My sister is a very sociable person and makes friends easily.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Blizzard

/ˈblɪzəd/

(n)

a severe snow storm with strong winds

Llandudno coastal town in England was hit by a severe blizzard, causing widespread power outages.

Downpour

/ˈdaʊnpɔː/

(n)

a lot of rain in a short time

A downpour of rain put out the children's bonfire.

Humid

/ˈhjuːmɪd/

(adj)

(of air and weather conditions) containing extremely small drops of water in the air

Tokyo city in Japan is extremely humid in mid-summer.

Overcast

/ˌəʊvəˈkɑːst/

(adj)

with clouds in the sky and therefore not bright and sunny

The sky in my hometown was overcast, with thick clouds blocking the sun's rays.

Thunderstorm

/ˈθʌndəstɔːm/

(n)

a storm with thunder and lightning and usually heavy rain

A powerful thunderstorm with lightning and heavy rain moved through this area last morning.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Workload

/ˈwəːkləʊd/

(n)

the amount of work to be done, especially by a particular person or machine in a period of time

The recent staff of this firm changes have led to an increase in everyone's workload.

Expertise

/ˌekspəˈtiːz/

(n)

a high level of knowledge or skill

Ocean Company hired a consultant for her expertise in international business strategy.

Multitask

/ˌmʌltɪˈtɑːsk/

(v)

to do more than one thing at a time

As a project manager, David has to multitask efficiently to keep all the tasks on track.

Networking

/ˈnɛtˌwəːkɪŋ/

(n)

the activity of meeting people who might be useful to know, especially in your job

Students find networking essential to getting the right job.

Teamwork

/ˈtiːmwəːk/

(n)

the activity of working together in a group with other people, especially when this is successful

Effective teamwork is essential for the success of any large-scale project.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Guilty

/ˈɡɪlti/

(adj)

feeling guilt

The jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder.

Innocent

/ˈɪnəs(ə)nt/

(adj)

(of a person) not guilty of a particular crime

Bob continued to assert that he was innocent. 

Jail

/dʒeɪl/

(n)

a place where criminals are kept to punish them for their crimes, or where people accused of crimes are kept while waiting for their trials

She's been in jail for five months already.

Parole

/pəˈrəʊl/

(n)

permission for a prisoner to be released before their period in prison is finished, with the agreement that they will behave well

The prisoner was granted parole after serving half of her sentence.

Witness

/ˈwɪtnɪs/

(n)

a person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident

Mary was a witness. She provided valuable testimony that helped convict the perpetrator.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Calorie

/ˈkalərɪ/

(n)

a unit of energy, often used as a measurement of the amount of energy that food provides

A slice of tiramisu cake can contain hundreds of calories.

Dietary

/ˈdaɪətərɪ/

(adj)

relating to your diet

My dad has diabetes. He must follow a strict dietary plan.

Ingredient

/ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

(n)

a food that is used with other foods in the preparation of a particular dish

The recipe calls for 4 main ingredients, including spinach, fresh potato, beef, and corn.

Organic

/ɒˈɡanɪk/

(adj)

not using artificial chemicals in the growing of plants and animals for food and other products

The organic vegetable at the farmer's local market is free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Vegan

/ˈviːɡ(ə)n/

(n)

a person who does not eat or use any animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or leather

As a vegan, my mom avoids all animal-derived products, including meat, dairy, and eggs.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Citrus

/ˈsɪtrəs/

(n)

any of a group of plants that produce acidic (= sour) fruits with a lot of juice, or the fruit of these plants

Oranges, lemons, and pomelos are all types of citrus fruits.

Orchard

/ˈɔːtʃəd/

(n)

an area of land where fruit trees (but not orange trees or other citrus trees) are grown

My family-owned orchard is known for its crisp, sweet peaches.

Ripe

/raɪp/

(adj)

(of fruit or crops) completely developed and ready to be collected or eaten

These pears are not ripe yet, they are still green.

Seasonal

/ˈsiːz(ə)n(ə)l/

(adj)

relating to or happening during a particular period in the year

Longan is a seasonal fruit that is only available in the summer.

Peel

/piːl/

(v)

to remove the skin of fruit and vegetables

Lucas, you should remember to peel the banana before eating it.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Congestion

/kənˈdʒɛstʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a situation in which a place is too blocked or crowded, causing difficulties

The traffic congestion in my town center is horrible during rush hour.

Fare

/fɛər/

(n)

the money that you pay for a journey in a vehicle such as a bus or train

The train fare has increased by 5% this year.

Lane

/leɪn/

(n)

a special strip of a road, sports track, or swimming pool that is used to keep vehicles or competitors separate

This highway has 3 lanes in each direction.

Interchange

/ˈɪntəˌtʃeɪndʒ/

(n)

a junction at which smaller roads meet a main road

The ring road interchange was designed to reduce traffic congestion.

Payload

/ˈpeɪˌləʊd/

(n)

the amount of goods or people that a vehicle, such as a truck or aircraft, can carry

The cargo plane payload capacity was crucial for transporting large equipment.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Constitution

/ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs

The constitution outlines the fundamental laws and principles of the country.

Democracy

/dɪˈmɒkrəsi/

(n)

the belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves

The country is a democracy, where citizens have the right to vote for their leaders.

Governance

/ˈɡʌv(ə)nəns/

(n)

the way that organizations or countries are managed at the highest level, and the systems for doing this

Good governance is essential for the effective administration of a country.

Legislation

/ˌlɛdʒɪˈsleɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament

The new legislation aims to improve environmental protection in the country.

Politician

/ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a member of a government or law-making organization

The politician made a speech outlining their policy platform during the election campaign.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Inflation

/ɪnˈfleɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a general, continuous increase in prices

High inflation in this country has led to a significant increase in the living costs of residents.

Investment

/ɪnˈvɛstm(ə)nt/

(n)

the act of putting money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage, or the money, effort, time, etc. used to do this

The AIA firm plans to make a large investment to expand its operations.

Recession

/rɪˈsɛʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a period when the economy of a country is not successful and conditions for business are bad

The global economy experienced a severe recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Profit

/ˈprɒfɪt/

(n)

money that is earned in trade or business after paying the costs of producing and selling goods and services

Linda's company's profits have increased significantly in two past years.

Sustainable

/səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l/

(adj)

able to be maintained or continued over a period of time

The government of this country is promoting sustainable economic growth that is environmentally friendly.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Inequality

/ɪˈnɛkwəlɪti/

(n)

the unfair situation in society when some people have more opportunities, money, etc. than other people

The government is working to address the issue of income inequality in the country.

Discrimination

/dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their race, gender, sexuality, etc.

The new law of this country aims to prevent discrimination in the workplace based on race, gender, or age.

Poverty

/ˈpɒv(ə)ti/

(n)

the condition of being extremely poor

Reducing poverty is a key priority for the country's social welfare policies.

Homelessness

/ˈhəʊmləsnəs/

(n)

the state of being without a home

Homelessness is on the increase in many big cities.

Welfare

/ˈwɛlfeə/

(n)

help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially because they do not have enough money

The government of this country provides a range of welfare benefits to support low-income families.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Hypothesis

/haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/

(n)

an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved

The scientist of DHQ lab proposed a new hypothesis to explain the phenomenon.

Experiment

/ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt/

(n)

a test done in order to learn something or to discover if something works or is true

DAAD's researchers conducted a series of experiments to test their theory.

Innovation

/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a new idea or method

William is a scientist. He has been recognized for his innovative approach to cell research.

Nanotechnology

/ˌnænəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒi/

(n)

an area of science that deals with developing and producing extremely small tools and machines by controlling the arrangement of separate atoms

All of biology is arguably a form of nanotechnology.

Genetic engineering

/dʒəˌnɛtɪk ɛnˈdʒɪnɪərɪŋ/

(n)

the process or science of changing the structure of the genes of a living thing in order to make it healthier, stronger, or more useful to humans

Genetic engineering has allowed scientists to modify the genetic makeup of organisms for various purposes, such as treating genetic disorders or improving crops.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Branding

/ˈbrandɪŋ/

(n)

the act of making a product, organization, person, or place easy to recognize as different from others by connecting it with a particular name, design, symbol, set of qualities, etc.

Effective branding can help Star Company stand out in a crowded market.

Endorsement

/ɪnˈdɔːsmənt/

(n)

the act of saying that you approve of or support something or someone

An A-class star's endorsement of the product helped boost its sales.

Demographic

/ˌdiːməˈɡrafɪk/

(n)

a group of people, for example customers, who are similar in age, social class, etc.

Advertisers of my company carefully analyze demographic data to target our ads effectively.

Promotion

/prəˈməʊʃ(ə)n/

(n)

activities to advertise something

The flower store is offering a special promotion to attract more male customers.

Influencer

/ˈɪnfluːənsə/

(n)

a person who is paid by a company to show and describe its products and services on social media, encouraging other people to buy them

Influencers on social media have become an important part of many company marketing strategies.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Companionship

/kəmˈpanjənʃɪp/

(n)

the enjoyment of spending time with other people

Linda and Peter have a very amiable companionship.

Empathy

/ˈɛmpəθɪ/

(n)

the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation

I always show empathy and understanding towards my friends because it is important in maintaining strong relationships.

Loyalty

/ˈlɔɪəlti/

(n)

firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles

Luna has always shown her unwavering loyalty to friends, even during difficult times.

Supportive

/səˈpɔːtɪv/

(adj)

showing agreement and giving encouragement

Owen is a very supportive friend, he is always willing to listen and offer advice.

Nurture

/ˈnɜːtʃə/

(v)

to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something, especially young children or plants, and help him, her, or it to develop

Aland's close-knit group of friends really nurtured and encouraged each other's personal growth.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Nostalgia

/nɒˈstaldʒə/

(n)

a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past

Alex was filled with a deep sense of nostalgia when he saw the hometown TVC on TV.

Heritage

/ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/

(n)

features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance

Preserving cultural heritage is important for future generations.

Homeland

/ˈhəʊmlənd/

(n)

the country you were born in

Many immigrants in England long to return to their homeland one day.

Ancestral

/ænˈsɛstrəl/

(adj)

relating to members of your family from the past

My mom proudly displayed her ancestral artifacts in the home.

Reminisce

/ˌrɛməˈnɪs/

(v)

to talk or write about past experiences that you remember with pleasure

Sitting on the porch, Tom began to reminisce about his childhood in the countryside.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Cinematography

/ˌsɪnɪˈmætəgrəfi/

(n)

the art and methods of film photography

The cinematography in The Glory film was simply breathtaking.

Plot

/plɒt/

(n)

the story of a book, film, play, etc.

The intricate plot of the mystery Veronica movie kept the audience guessing until the end.

Protagonist

/prəʊˈtægənɪst/

(n)

one of the main characters in a story or a play

The protagonist in the movie is a flawed but compelling character.

Immersive

/ɪˈmɜːsɪv/

(adj)

seeming to surround the audience, player, etc. so that they feel completely involved in something

When watching a movie at the theatre, I felt the virtual reality experience was incredibly immersive and realistic.

Blockbuster

/ˈblɒkbʌstə(r)/

(n)

a book or film that is very successful

The latest superhero movie was a true blockbuster, raking in millions at the box office.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Wellness

/ˈwɛlnɪs/

(n)

the state of being healthy, especially when it is something that you actively try to achieve

The university has established a wellness program for its students.

Minimalist

/ˈmɪnɪməlɪst/

(adj)

belonging or relating to a style in art, design, and theatre that uses the smallest range of materials and colours possible, and only very simple shapes or forms

Linda has adopted a minimalist lifestyle, owning only the essentials.

Routine

/ruːˈtiːn/

(n)

a usual or fixed way of doing things

Having a consistent morning routine helps me start the day productively.

Hectic

/ˈhɛktɪk/

(adj)

full of activity, or very busy and fast

Life in the big city is very hectic, I have little time for myself.

Leisure

/ˈleʒə(r)/

(n)

the time when you are not working or doing other duties

During her leisure time, Anna enjoys listening to music and taking care of the garden.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Splurge

/splɜːrdʒ/

(v)

to spend a lot of money on buying goods, especially expensive goods

My mom tries to be frugal, but every once in a while she likes to splurge on a special treat.

Bargain

/ˈbɑːɡɪn/

(n)

something on sale at a lower price than its true value

My sister found a great bargain on those designer fleece sweaters at the outlet store.

Discount

/ˈdɪskaʊnt/

(n)

a reduction in the usual price

The grocery will offer a 15% discount on all purchases next weekend.

Consumerism

/kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/

(n)

the state of an advanced industrial society in which a lot of goods are bought and sold

Consumerism and overconsumption are damaging the environment.

Frugal

/ˈfruːɡəl/

(adj)

careful when using money or food, or (of a meal) cheap or small in amount

My mom is a very frugal buyer, always looking for the best deals.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Tenant

/ˈtɛnənt/

(n)

a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building

Lily was cruel to her tenants.

Renovate

/ˈrɛnəveɪt/

(v)

to repair and improve something, especially a building

The new owner plans to renovate the old villa and turn it into a modern apartment.

Spacious

/ˈspeɪʃəs/
(adj)

large and with a lot of space

Liz's apartment is quite spacious, with a large living room, three bedrooms, and an airy kitchen.

Amenity

/əˈmiːnɪti/

(n)

something, such as a swimming pool or shopping centre, that is intended to make life more pleasant or comfortable for the people in a town, hotel, or other place

The apartment building offers great amenities like a gym, pool, and parking.

Lease

/liːs/

(n)

a legal agreement in which you pay money in order to use a building, piece of land, vehicle, etc. for a period

My boyfriend signed a six-month lease for the apartment unit last morning.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Carnivore

/ˈkɑːnɪvɔːr/

(n)

an animal that eats meat

Lions are carnivores, they only eat meat.

Herbivore

/ˈhɜːbɪvɔːr/

(n)

an animal that eats only plants

Cows and sheep are herbivores, they only eat plants.

Endangered

/ɪnˈdeɪndʒəd/

(adj)

in danger of being harmed, lost, unsuccessful, etc.

The black rhino is an endangered species due to poaching.

Habitat

/ˈhæbɪtæt/

(n)

the natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives

The rapid loss of habitat has led to the extinction of many species.

Extinction

/ɪkˈstɪŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a situation in which something no longer exists

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Milestone

/ˈmaɪlstəʊn/

(n)

an important event in the development or history of something or in someone's life

Graduating from college is an important milestone in my life.

Punctual

/ˈpʌŋktʃuəl/

(adj)

arriving, doing something, or happening at the expected, correct time; not late

Jack is always punctual and he arrives at the company on time every day.

Procrastinate

/prəˈkræstɪneɪt/

(v)

to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring

Peter knows he shouldn't procrastinate, but he always leaves things to the last minute.

Synchronize

/ˈsɪŋkrənaɪz/

(v)

If you synchronize clocks or watches, you change them so that they all show the same time

You should synchronize your watches before you leave the airport.

Duration

/djʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the length of time that something lasts

The concert of Taylor Swift lasted for a duration of 3 hours.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Tradition

/trəˈdɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group

Wearing traditional costumes is an important part of Korea people on lunar new year.

Heritage

/ˈherɪtɪdʒ/

(n)

features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance

The government calls on every citizen to be aware and responsible for preserving the country's cultural heritage.

Diverse

/daɪˈvɜːrs/

(adj)

including many different types of people or things

China is an ethnically diverse country.

Assimilate

/əˈsɪmɪleɪt/

(v)

to become part of a group, country, society, etc., or to make someone or something become part of a group, country, society, etc.

Mary tried to assimilate herself into the new community.

Globalization

/ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing and trading goods in many different countries

Globalization has had a significant impact on traditional cultural practices.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Vibrant

/ˈvaɪbrənt/

(adj)

Vibrant colour or light is bright and strong

Look at the sky, Linda! The vibrant colors of the sunset were breathtaking.

Nuance

/ˈnjuːɑːns/

(n)

a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc.

There are subtle nuances in the shades of blue used in this painting.

Monochrome

/ˈmɒnəkrəʊm/

(adj)

using only black, white, and grey, or using only one colour

The interior design of the game room has a monochrome color scheme.

Complement

/ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

(v)

to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it

The green and red colors in Noah's design perfectly complement each other.

Palette

/ˈpælɪt/

(n)

a thin board with curved edges and a hole for your thumb, used by artists to mix their paints on while they are painting

The painting store has a diverse palette of colors to buyer choose.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Playful

/ˈpleɪfl/

(adj)

done as a form of play rather than intended seriously, or wanting to have a good time and not feeling serious

Children are often playful and energetic when they are engaged in fun activities.

Milestone

/ˈmaɪlstəʊn/

(n)

a stage in a child's development at which they can do a particular thing for the first time

Each new skill a child learns is an important developmental milestone.

Prodigy

/ˈprɒdɪdʒi/

(n)

someone with a very great ability that usually shows itself when that person is a young child

The young piano prodigy gave an outstanding performance.

Resilience

/rɪˈzɪlɪəns/

(n)

the quality of being able to return quickly to a previous good condition after problems

Building resilience in children helps them cope with life's challenges.

Adversity

/ədˈvɜːrsɪti/

(n)

a difficult or unlucky situation or event

Children who overcome adversity often develop strong problem-solving skills.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Aesthetic

/ɛsˈθɛtɪk/

(adj)

relating to the enjoyment or study of beauty

Gallery Uffizi Museum features artwork with a strikingly aesthetic appeal.

Iconic

/aɪˈkɒnɪk/

(adj)

very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time

The Last Supper is one of the most iconic paintings in the world.

Landscape

/ˈlandˌskeɪp/

(n)

a view or picture of the countryside, or the art of making such pictures

Luke's landscape paintings capture the serene beauty of her hometown.

Abstraction

/æbˈstrækʃ(ə)n/

(n)

the quality of existing as or representing an idea, a feeling, etc. and not a material object, or something that has this quality

Our teacher told us that modern abstraction often focuses on form, color, and texture rather than realistic representation.

Critique

/krɪˈtiːk/

(n)

a report of something such as a political situation or system, or a person's work or ideas, that examines it and provides a judgment, especially a negative one

Our art teacher provided a thoughtful critique of the exhibition, highlighting both its pros and cons.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Gameplay

/ˈɡeɪmˌpleɪ/

(n)

a way in which a computer game can be played, or the activity of playing a computer game

The gameplay of gamers in this new video game is smooth and engaging.

Multiplayer

/ˈmʌltiˌpleɪə/

(adj)

used to refer to computer games in which several players can compete against each other

The multiplayer mode allows me to compete against my friends online.

Loot

/luːt/

(n)

in computer games, the things you get as rewards, for example for defeating an enemy, that you can use in the games

Defeating the monster in an online game rewards gamers with valuable loot.

Scoreboard

/ˈskɔːbɔːd/

a large board on which the score of a game is shown

When playing a game you should check the scoreboard to see how your score compares to your friends.

Downloadable

/ˌdaʊnˈləʊdəb(ə)l/

(adj)

able to be copied into a computer's memory, especially from the internet or a larger computer

Many games now offer downloadable content and add-ons.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Pandemic

/pænˈdɛmɪk/

(n)

(of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or plants

The SARS pandemic has had a devastating impact worldwide.

Quarantine

/ˈkwɒrəntiːn/

(v)

a specific period of time in which a person or animal that has a disease, or may have one, must stay or be kept away from others in order to prevent the spread of the disease

The Korean government mandated that all tourists quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Outbreak

/ˈaʊtˌbreɪk/

(n)

a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous or unpleasant

The sudden outbreak of a new strain of the virus caused widespread concern in my country.

Contagious

/kənˈteɪdʒəs/

(adj)

(of a disease) able to be caught by touching someone with the disease or something the person has touched or worn, or (of a person) having this type of disease

Farmers feared the contagious disease of animals could wipe out livestock over a wide area.

Vaccine

/ˈvæksɪn/

(n)

a substance that is put into the body of a person or animal to protect them from a disease by causing them to produce antibodies (=proteins that fight diseases)

Scientists are working hard in the lab to develop an effective vaccine against this exotic disease.

IELTS vocabulary by topics

Meaning

Example

Paparazzi

/ˌpæpəˈrætsi/

(n)

the photographers who follow famous people everywhere they go in order to take photographs of them for newspapers and magazines

The paparazzi followed an A-class star, hoping to capture her scandalous photo.

Fandom

/ˈfændəm/

(n)

the state of being a fan of someone or something, especially a very enthusiastic one

The K-pop group's fandom is known for their passionate and dedicated support.

Glamour

/ˈɡlæmə/

(n)

a quality of someone or something that causes excitement and admiration because of its style or attractive appearance

Jennifer Aniston exuded an aura of glamour and sophistication on the red carpet.

Notorious

/nəˈtɔːriəs/

(adj)

famous for something bad

The notorious of this star comes from her use of banned substances.

Superstar

/ˌsuːpəˈstɑː/

(n)

an extremely famous actor, singer, musician, sports player, etc.

The young dancer has quickly become a global superstar with millions of fans.