IELTS vocabulary list

These 40 words keep coming up in IELTS reading texts and in good Writing and Speaking answers: achieve, acquire, adequate, feasible and more. Each one has a short meaning, its CEFR level, an example sentence and audio, so you can understand them and use them yourself.

40 wordsLevels B2–C2Updated October 30, 2026
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#WordMeaningLevelExample
1achieveverbto successfully reach a goal or aimB2She worked hard to achieve her academic goals.
2acquireverbto get or buy somethingC1He hopes to acquire new skills for his job.
3adequateadjectiveenough for a specific requirement or purposeC1The resources provided are adequate for the project.
4advocateverbto support or argue for something publiclyC1She advocates for equal rights in her community.
5affectverbto have an influence on somethingB2Weather conditions can greatly affect our travel plans.
6allocateverbto distribute resources or tasks for a purposeB2They decided to allocate the budget for new equipment.
7alternativeadjectiveoffering a choice or different optionB2There are several alternative routes to the destination.
8arbitraryadjectivebased on random choice rather than logicC1His decisions often seemed arbitrary and unfair.
9attributenouna quality or feature belonging to someone or somethingB2Creativity is an important attribute for artists.
10categorynouna group of people or things with similar characteristicsC1She belongs to a different category of professionals.
11coherentadjectivelogical and consistent; understandableC1Her argument was clear and coherent throughout the presentation.
12commenceverbto begin or start somethingC1The meeting will commence at 10 AM sharp.
13compriseverbto consist of; to be made up ofC1The team comprises experts from various fields.
14concurrentadjectivehappening at the same timeC1The events are scheduled to be concurrent next week.
15conductverbto lead or guide an activity or processB2The researcher will conduct an experiment next month.
16consentnounpermission for something to happenB2They need to obtain consent before starting the project.
17constraintnouna limitation or restriction on somethingC1Time constraints affected the outcome of the project.
18contemporaryadjectivebelonging to the same time period as something elseC1She enjoys contemporary art from the last decade.
19conventionaladjectivebased on accepted standards or customsC1He prefers conventional methods over experimental ones.
20criterionnouna standard or principle for judging somethingC1One important criterion is the quality of the work.
21culturaladjectiverelated to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a groupB2Cultural diversity enriches our communities and experiences.
22demonstrateverbto show or explain something clearlyB2The teacher will demonstrate the experiment in class.
23denoteverbto indicate or refer to something specificallyC1The term 'fossil' denotes preserved remains of ancient organisms.
24differentiateverbto recognize or establish differences between thingsC1It's important to differentiate between fact and opinion.
25dimensionnouna measurable extent of a particular kindB2The project has multiple dimensions to consider.
26displaceverbto move something from its usual placeC1Construction will displace many residents next year.
27dominantadjectivemost influential or powerful among a groupC1English is the dominant language in many countries.
28durationnounthe length of time something lastsC1The duration of the event is approximately two hours.
29emergeverbto come out or appear from a hidden stateC1New technologies continue to emerge each year.
30emphasisnounspecial importance or significance placed on somethingC1There is an emphasis on teamwork in this project.
31enhanceverbto improve the quality or value of somethingC1The new features will enhance the user experience.
32equivalentadjectiveequal in value, amount, or meaningC1The two options are equivalent in terms of cost.
33excludeverbto deliberately leave someone or something outC2Don't exclude anyone from the discussion.
34exhibitverbto display or show something publiclyB2The artist will exhibit her work at the gallery.
35facilitateverbto make a process easier or help it happenC2Teachers facilitate learning in their classrooms.
36feasibleadjectivepossible and practical to doB2The plan is feasible with the current resources.
37generateverbto produce or create somethingC1The project aims to generate new ideas for innovation.
38hierarchynouna system of ranking or organizing people or thingsC2There is a clear hierarchy within the organization.
39implementverbto put a plan or decision into actionC1The company will implement the new policy next month.
40implyverbto suggest something without saying it directlyC1Her tone seemed to imply that she was unhappy.

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Questions about this list

Why does vocabulary matter in the IELTS?

Writing and Speaking are each scored on four criteria, and one of them, Lexical Resource, is about vocabulary: using a range of words accurately. Reading and Listening also depend on knowing the words in the texts.

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