500+ Vocabulary Words for IELTS: List & Exercises

A strong IELTS vocabulary directly impacts your score in every section of the test. Whether you’re writing essays, answering comprehension questions, or speaking in the interview, the right vocabulary for IELTS helps you sound fluent, precise, and academic.

This page includes:

• 500+ IELTS vocabulary words with examples

• Topic-wise vocabulary for IELTS

• Essential idioms and collocations

• Tips to build vocabulary effectively

• Section-specific IELTS vocabulary lists

Topic-Wise Vocabulary for IELTS

Learning topic-based terms prepares you for common IELTS themes. Here are the most important categories of vocabulary for IELTS:

• Advertisement

• Art

• Body language

• Business

• Crime

• Education

• Environment

• Family, travel and work

• Fashion

• Film

• Food

• Government

• Health

• Music

• Newspaper

• Personality

Idioms for IELTS vocabulary words with meaning

Learn the essential idioms to improve your vocabulary words for IELTS and impress the examiners with your linguistic prowess.

Idioms for vocabulary for IELTS

Collocations for vocabulary words for IELTS

Enhance your vocabulary for IELTS with essential collocations and their meanings!

Collocations for IELTS vocabulary

15 tips to build vocabulary for IELTS

Here are practical ways to develop your vocabulary and prepare for the test:

1. Understand the test format – Familiarise yourself with Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections.

2. Build topic-based vocabulary – Focus on words you are likely to use in essays and discussions.

3. Practice by section –

• Listening: Conversations, announcements, and lectures.

• Reading: Academic articles, reports, and case studies.

• Writing: Comparative, descriptive, and argumentative words.

• Speaking: Vocabulary for opinions, experiences, and plans.

4. Practice daily – Short, consistent sessions are more effective than cramming.

5. Improve listening – Use podcasts, audiobooks, and English news to learn vocabulary in context.

6. Enhance reading – Read widely (newspapers, journals, novels) to learn words in real use.

7. Strengthen writing – Write essays using academic IELTS vocabulary and review grammar.

8. Boost speaking confidence – Use new words naturally in conversations.

9. Use relatable resources – Everyday words (shopping, work, travel) make your practice practical.

10. Note new words – Keep a personal vocabulary journal.

11. Revise with flashcards – Quick daily reviews help with retention.

12. Practice synonyms – Learn multiple ways to say the same idea.

13. Engage with English media – Movies and TV shows expose you to authentic phrases.

14. Focus on collocations and idioms – Use them to sound natural.

15. Test yourself regularly – Use exercises and sample IELTS tests.