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📚 Vocabulary

IELTS Vocabulary Words with Meaning: Ultimate Guide

📅 04 Mar 2026 ⏳ 4 min read 📝 743 words

Introduction to IELTS Vocabulary Words with Meaning

Vocabulary plays a crucial role in the IELTS exam, and having a strong command of words with their meanings is essential to achieve a high score. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of IELTS vocabulary words with meanings, examples, and collocations to help you improve your English language skills.

Main Vocabulary List

WordTypeMeaningExampleCollocations
AccommodateVerbTo provide someone with a place to stay or liveThe hotel accommodated us for the night.Accommodate someone, accommodate a request
AmeliorateVerbTo make something better or more tolerableThe new policy aims to ameliorate the living conditions of the poor.Ameliorate a situation, ameliorate a problem
CacophonyNounA harsh, discordant soundThe cacophony of car horns and sirens was deafening.Cacophony of sounds, cacophony of voices
DebilitateVerbTo make someone or something weak or feebleThe illness debilitated her, making it hard for her to walk.Debilitate someone, debilitate a system
EnnuiNounA feeling of listlessness and boredomHe felt ennui after watching the same movie for the fifth time.Ennui with life, ennui with work
EphemeralAdjectiveLasting for a very short timeThe firefly's glow was ephemeral, lasting only for a few seconds.Ephemeral nature, ephemeral beauty
FastidiousAdjectiveMeticulous and demanding in one's standardsShe was fastidious about her work, making sure every detail was perfect.Fastidious person, fastidious approach
HeterogeneousAdjectiveComposed of different kinds of thingsThe city's population was heterogeneous, with people from different cultures and backgrounds.Heterogeneous group, heterogeneous mixture
InscrutableAdjectiveDifficult to understand or interpretThe ancient hieroglyphics were inscrutable, requiring an expert to decipher.Inscrutable message, inscrutable smile
MeritoriousAdjectiveDeserving of praise or rewardHer meritorious work earned her a promotion.Meritorious service, meritorious achievement
NebulousAdjectiveUnclear or vague in meaning or formThe concept of happiness is nebulous, making it hard to define.Nebulous idea, nebulous goal
PerfidiousAdjectiveDisloyal or treacherousThe company's perfidious actions led to its downfall.Perfidious behavior, perfidious act
PermeateVerbTo spread or flow throughout somethingThe smell of coffee permeated the entire house.Permeate a material, permeate a culture
PhlegmaticAdjectiveHaving a calm and unemotional natureHe remained phlegmatic despite the chaos around him.Phlegmatic person, phlegmatic approach
PredilectionNounA preference or liking for somethingShe had a predilection for adventure and travel.Predilection for a hobby, predilection for a food
ReclusiveAdjective Preferring to be alone or avoiding social contactThe reclusive author rarely gave interviews.Reclusive person, reclusive lifestyle
SagaciousAdjectiveHaving keen discernment and good judgmentShe was sagacious in her business dealings, making smart investments.Sagacious decision, sagacious approach
SerendipityNounThe occurrence of finding something valuable or delightful when you least expect itThe discovery of the new species was a result of serendipity.Serendipity in life, serendipity in research
VolubleAdjectiveTalking or speaking a lotHe was voluble, dominating the conversation with his opinions.Voluble person, voluble discussion

Word Family

Here are five key words with their noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms:

Thematic Grouping

The vocabulary words can be grouped into four themes:

  1. Emotions and Feelings: Ennui, Ephemeral, Fastidious, Heterogeneous, Inscrutable, Meritorious, Nebulous, Perfidious, Phlegmatic, Predilection, Reclusive, Sagacious, Serendipity
  2. Actions and Processes: Accommodate, Ameliorate, Cacophony, Debilitate, Permeate, Voluble
  3. Personality Traits: Fastidious, Phlegmatic, Reclusive, Sagacious, Voluble
  4. Concepts and Ideas: Cacophony, Ennui, Ephemeral, Heterogeneous, Inscrutable, Meritorious, Nebulous, Perfidious, Serendipity

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary word:

  1. The ____________________ (1) of the city's population made it a fascinating place to visit.
  2. The company's ____________________ (2) actions led to its downfall.
  3. She felt ____________________ (3) after watching the same movie for the fifth time.
  4. The ____________________ (4) of the new policy aims to improve the living conditions of the poor.
  5. The ____________________ (5) nature of the firefly's glow made it a rare sight to see.
  6. He was a ____________________ (6) person, preferring to spend time alone.
  7. The ____________________ (7) of the new technology permeated the entire industry.
  8. The ____________________ (8) discovery of the new species was a result of serendipity.

FAQ

What is the importance of vocabulary in IELTS?

Vocabulary is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, and having a strong command of words with their meanings is essential to achieve a high score.

How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS?

Improving your vocabulary for IELTS requires consistent practice and exposure to a wide range of words. You can start by learning new words every day, reading books and articles, and practicing with exercises and quizzes.

What are the most common vocabulary topics in IELTS?

The most common vocabulary topics in IELTS include education, environment, technology, health, and social issues.

Can I use vocabulary words from other sources in IELTS?

Yes, you can use vocabulary words from other sources in IELTS, but make sure to use them in context and with proper grammar and spelling.

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