Top 2500 Vocabulary Word List for IELTS Listening & Reading Test Preparation

This 2,500-word IELTS vocabulary list is specially curated for Listening and Reading test preparation. It combines high-frequency words, Academic Word List items, and topic-focused vocabulary (Environment, Technology, Health, Education, Society, and more) so you recognise words quickly in passages and audio. Use it with flashcards, focused reading, and listening practice to improve comprehension, speed up word recognition, and raise your band score. If you follow this list systematically (flashcards + spaced repetition + real IELTS practice), you’ll increase comprehension speed, reduce guessing, and feel more confident on test day.

Vocabulary for IELTS
Vocabulary for a Band 9 in IELTS

Batch 1 — First 500 prioritized words for IELTS Reading & Listening

Learn 500 prioritized words — high-value vocabulary you should learn first. These are a mix of (1) high-frequency content words useful across many IELTS texts, (2) Academic Word List items, and (3) high-utility topic words often tested in IELTS.

  1. analysis
  2. analyze
  3. approach
  4. appropriate
  5. area
  6. assess
  7. assessment
  8. assume
  9. authority
  10. available
  11. benefit
  12. concept
  13. consist
  14. consistent
  15. constitute
  16. context
  17. contract
  18. create
  19. data
  20. define
  21. definition
  22. derive
  23. distribution
  24. economic
  25. economy
  26. environment
  27. establish
  28. estimate
  29. evidence
  30. evident
  31. export
  32. factor
  33. financial
  34. finance
  35. function
  36. identify
  37. identification
  38. income
  39. indicate
  40. indication
  41. individual
  42. interpret
  43. interpretation
  44. involve
  45. involved
  46. issue
  47. labour
  48. legal
  49. legislate
  50. major
  51. method
  52. occur
  53. occurence
  54. percent
  55. period
  56. policy
  57. principle
  58. proceed
  59. process
  60. require
  61. requirement
  62. research
  63. respond
  64. response
  65. role
  66. section
  67. sector
  68. similar
  69. source
  70. specific
  71. structure
  72. theory
  73. variable
  74. vary
  75. achieve
  76. acquisition
  77. administration
  78. affect
  79. appropriate
  80. aspect
  81. assistance
  82. category
  83. chapter
  84. commission
  85. community
  86. complex
  87. compute
  88. conclusion
  89. conduct
  90. consequence
  91. construction
  92. consumer
  93. credit
  94. culture
  95. design
  96. distinct
  97. element
  98. emerge
  99. emphasis
  100. energy
  101. ensure
  102. environment
  103. establish
  104. estimate
  105. ethical
  106. evident
  107. expand
  108. expert
  109. explicit
  110. facilitate
  111. factor
  112. feature
  113. final
  114. focus
  115. impact
  116. implement
  117. implication
  118. imply
  119. income
  120. indicate
  121. industry
  122. inherit
  123. interpret
  124. invest
  125. investigation
  126. issue
  127. journal
  128. label
  129. legislate
  130. license
  131. major
  132. maintain
  133. major
  134. manage
  135. margin
  136. mature
  137. mechanism
  138. media
  139. medical
  140. mental
  141. method
  142. minor
  143. modify
  144. monitor
  145. motive
  146. network
  147. neutral
  148. normal
  149. notion
  150. objective
  151. obtain
  152. occupy
  153. occur
  154. odd
  155. ongoing
  156. option
  157. orient
  158. outcome
  159. overall
  160. parallel
  161. participate
  162. partner
  163. portion
  164. pose
  165. positive
  166. potential
  167. precede
  168. predict
  169. predominant
  170. preliminary
  171. preserve
  172. previous
  173. primary
  174. principal
  175. prior
  176. priority
  177. procedure
  178. professional
  179. prohibit
  180. project
  181. promote
  182. proportion
  183. prospect
  184. protocol
  185. publish
  186. purchase
  187. pursue
  188. qualitative
  189. quantify
  190. range
  191. rare
  192. ratio
  193. react
  194. reaction
  195. recall
  196. receive
  197. recent
  198. refine
  199. reflect
  200. reject
  201. relevant
  202. reliable
  203. reluctance
  204. remove
  205. replicate
  206. report
  207. represent
  208. reproduce
  209. require
  210. research
  211. resolution
  212. resource
  213. respond
  214. restore
  215. restrict
  216. result
  217. retain
  218. reveal
  219. revenue
  220. reverse
  221. role
  222. route
  223. sector
  224. secure
  225. seek
  226. select
  227. sequence
  228. shift
  229. simulate
  230. site
  231. source
  232. specific
  233. specify
  234. stable
  235. statistic
  236. status
  237. strategy
  238. stress
  239. structure
  240. submit
  241. subsequent
  242. subsidy
  243. sufficient
  244. sum
  245. summary
  246. supervise
  247. supplement
  248. survey
  249. sustain
  250. symbol
  251. target
  252. technique
  253. technology
  254. temporary
  255. text
  256. theme
  257. theory
  258. thesis
  259. topic
  260. trace
  261. transfer
  262. transform
  263. trend
  264. trial
  265. trigger
  266. ultimate
  267. underlying
  268. undertake
  269. uniform
  270. unique
  271. valid
  272. variable
  273. variation
  274. vehicle
  275. verify
  276. via
  277. visible
  278. vision
  279. volume
  280. welfare
  281. whereas
  282. widespread
  283. yield
  284. adapt
  285. address
  286. adjust
  287. adopt
  288. advocate
  289. allocate
  290. alter
  291. alternative
  292. anticipate
  293. appendix
  294. appreciate
  295. approximate
  296. arbitrary
  297. area
  298. arise
  299. assemble
  300. assign
  301. assist
  302. assume
  303. attach
  304. attain
  305. attitude
  306. attribute
  307. author
  308. automatic
  309. available
  310. aware
  311. behalf
  312. bias
  313. bond
  314. brief
  315. bulk
  316. capable
  317. capacity
  318. cease
  319. challenge
  320. channel
  321. chart
  322. clarify
  323. classic
  324. client
  325. climate
  326. coincide
  327. colleague
  328. combine
  329. commence
  330. comment
  331. commission
  332. commit
  333. commodity
  334. communicate
  335. community
  336. compatible
  337. compensate
  338. compile
  339. complement
  340. complex
  341. component
  342. compound
  343. comprehensive
  344. comprise
  345. compute
  346. concentrate
  347. concept
  348. conclude
  349. concurrent
  350. conduct
  351. confer
  352. confine
  353. confirm
  354. conflict
  355. conform
  356. consent
  357. consequent
  358. considerable
  359. consist
  360. constant
  361. constitute
  362. constrain
  363. construct
  364. consult
  365. contact
  366. contemporary
  367. context
  368. contract
  369. contradict
  370. contrary
  371. contrast
  372. contribute
  373. controversy
  374. convene
  375. converse
  376. convert
  377. convince
  378. coordinate
  379. core
  380. corporate
  381. correspond
  382. couple
  383. create
  384. credit
  385. crisis
  386. criteria
  387. crucial
  388. currency
  389. cycle
  390. debate
  391. decade
  392. decline
  393. deduce
  394. define
  395. definite
  396. demonstrate
  397. denote
  398. deny
  399. depress
  400. derive
  401. design
  402. despite
  403. detect
  404. deter
  405. device
  406. devote
  407. differentiate
  408. dimension
  409. diminish
  410. discrete
  411. discriminant
  412. discriminative
  413. discuss
  414. discrete
  415. display
  416. dispose
  417. distinct
  418. distort
  419. distribute
  420. diverse
  421. document
  422. domestic
  423. dominant
  424. donate
  425. draft
  426. drama
  427. duration
  428. dynamic
  429. edit
  430. element
  431. eliminate
  432. emerge
  433. emphasis
  434. empirical
  435. enable
  436. encounter
  437. energy
  438. enforce
  439. enhance
  440. enormous
  441. ensure
  442. entail
  443. entity
  444. equate
  445. equip
  446. equivalent
  447. error
  448. establish
  449. estate
  450. estimate
  451. ethics
  452. evaluate
  453. eventual
  454. evident
  455. evolve
  456. exceed
  457. exclude
  458. exhibit
  459. expand
  460. expert
  461. explicit
  462. exploit
  463. expose
  464. external
  465. extract
  466. facilitate
  467. factor
  468. feature
  469. federal
  470. fee
  471. file
  472. final
  473. finite
  474. flexible
  475. focus
  476. format
  477. forthcoming
  478. found
  479. framework
  480. fund
  481. fundamental
  482. furthermore
  483. generate
  484. generation
  485. global
  486. grade
  487. grant
  488. guarantee
  489. guideline
  490. hence
  491. highlight
  492. hierarchy
  493. hypothesis
  494. identical
  495. ideology
  496. illustrate
  497. image
  498. immigration
  499. implement
  500. implication

Batch 2 — Prioritized Words for IELTS Reading & Listening (501–1000)

Batch 2: words 501–1000 from the prioritized IELTS Reading & Listening vocabulary list. These continue from Batch 1 and include high-frequency academic words, plus common IELTS topic vocabulary.

  1. implicit
  2. imply
  3. incentive
  4. incidence
  5. income
  6. incorporate
  7. index
  8. indicate
  9. individual
  10. induce
  11. inevitable
  12. infer
  13. infrastructure
  14. inherent
  15. inhibit
  16. initial
  17. initiate
  18. injure
  19. innovate
  20. input
  21. insert
  22. insight
  23. inspect
  24. instance
  25. institute
  26. instruct
  27. instrument
  28. integral
  29. integrate
  30. integrity
  31. intelligence
  32. interact
  33. intermediate
  34. internal
  35. interpret
  36. interval
  37. intervene
  38. intrinsic
  39. introduce
  40. invest
  41. investigate
  42. invoke
  43. involve
  44. irregular
  45. issue
  46. item
  47. job
  48. journal
  49. justify
  50. label
  51. labour
  52. layer
  53. legal
  54. legislate
  55. leisure
  56. levy
  57. liberal
  58. licence
  59. likewise
  60. link
  61. locate
  62. logic
  63. maintain
  64. major
  65. manipulate
  66. manual
  67. margin
  68. mature
  69. maximum
  70. mechanism
  71. media
  72. medical
  73. medium
  74. mental
  75. method
  76. migrate
  77. military
  78. minimal
  79. minimum
  80. ministry
  81. minor
  82. mode
  83. modify
  84. monitor
  85. motive
  86. mutual
  87. negate
  88. network
  89. neutral
  90. nevertheless
  91. nonetheless
  92. normal
  93. notion
  94. nuclear
  95. objective
  96. obtain
  97. obvious
  98. occupy
  99. occur
  100. odd
  101. offset
  102. ongoing
  103. option
  104. oral
  105. orient
  106. outcome
  107. output
  108. overall
  109. overlap
  110. overseas
  111. panel
  112. paradigm
  113. paragraph
  114. parallel
  115. parameter
  116. participate
  117. partner
  118. passive
  119. perceive
  120. percent
  121. period
  122. persist
  123. perspective
  124. phase
  125. phenomenon
  126. philosophy
  127. physical
  128. policy
  129. portion
  130. pose
  131. positive
  132. potential
  133. practitioner
  134. precede
  135. precise
  136. predict
  137. predominant
  138. preliminary
  139. presume
  140. previous
  141. primary
  142. prime
  143. principal
  144. principle
  145. priority
  146. proceed
  147. process
  148. professional
  149. prohibit
  150. project
  151. promote
  152. proportion
  153. prospect
  154. protocol
  155. psychology
  156. publication
  157. publish
  158. purchase
  159. pursue
  160. qualitative
  161. quality
  162. quantify
  163. quarter
  164. radical
  165. random
  166. range
  167. ratio
  168. react
  169. reaction
  170. recover
  171. refine
  172. regime
  173. region
  174. register
  175. regulate
  176. reinforce
  177. reject
  178. relate
  179. relax
  180. release
  181. relevant
  182. rely
  183. remove
  184. render
  185. renew
  186. require
  187. research
  188. reside
  189. resolve
  190. resource
  191. respond
  192. restore
  193. restrain
  194. restrict
  195. retain
  196. reveal
  197. revenue
  198. reverse
  199. revise
  200. revolution
  201. rigid
  202. role
  203. route
  204. scenario
  205. schedule
  206. scheme
  207. scope
  208. section
  209. sector
  210. secure
  211. seek
  212. select
  213. sequence
  214. series
  215. sex
  216. shift
  217. significant
  218. similar
  219. simulate
  220. site
  221. so-called
  222. sole
  223. somewhat
  224. source
  225. specific
  226. specify
  227. sphere
  228. stable
  229. statistic
  230. status
  231. straightforward
  232. strategy
  233. stress
  234. structure
  235. style
  236. submit
  237. subordinate
  238. subsequent
  239. subsidy
  240. substitute
  241. succeed
  242. sufficient
  243. sum
  244. summary
  245. supplement
  246. survey
  247. survive
  248. suspend
  249. sustain
  250. symbol
  251. systematic
  252. target
  253. task
  254. team
  255. technique
  256. technology
  257. temporary
  258. tense
  259. terminate
  260. text
  261. theme
  262. theory
  263. thesis
  264. topic
  265. trace
  266. tradition
  267. transfer
  268. transform
  269. transit
  270. transport
  271. trend
  272. trigger
  273. ultimate
  274. undergo
  275. underlying
  276. undertake
  277. uniform
  278. unique
  279. valid
  280. valuable
  281. variable
  282. variation
  283. version
  284. via
  285. victim
  286. violate
  287. virtual
  288. visible
  289. vision
  290. visual
  291. volume
  292. voluntary
  293. welfare
  294. whereas
  295. widespread
  296. wisdom
  297. withdraw
  298. witness
  299. yield
  300. adapt
  301. adequate
  302. adjacent
  303. adjust
  304. administer
  305. advocate
  306. affect
  307. aggregate
  308. aid
  309. albeit
  310. allocate
  311. alter
  312. alternative
  313. ambiguous
  314. amend
  315. analogy
  316. annual
  317. anticipate
  318. apparent
  319. appendix
  320. appreciate
  321. approach
  322. appropriate
  323. arbitrary
  324. area
  325. aspect
  326. assemble
  327. assess
  328. assign
  329. assist
  330. assume
  331. assure
  332. attach
  333. attain
  334. attitude
  335. attribute
  336. author
  337. authority
  338. automate
  339. aware
  340. behalf
  341. benefit
  342. bias
  343. bond
  344. brief
  345. bulk
  346. capable
  347. capacity
  348. category
  349. cease
  350. challenge
  351. channel
  352. chart
  353. chemical
  354. circumstance
  355. cite
  356. civil
  357. clarify
  358. classic
  359. clause
  360. client
  361. climate
  362. code
  363. coherent
  364. coincide
  365. collapse
  366. colleague
  367. combine
  368. commence
  369. comment
  370. commit
  371. commodity
  372. communicate
  373. community
  374. compatible
  375. compensate
  376. compete
  377. compile
  378. complement
  379. complete
  380. complex
  381. component
  382. compound
  383. comprehensive
  384. comprise
  385. compute
  386. concentrate
  387. concept
  388. conclude
  389. concurrent
  390. conduct
  391. confer
  392. confine
  393. confirm
  394. conflict
  395. conform
  396. consent
  397. consequent
  398. considerable
  399. consist
  400. constant
  401. constitute
  402. constrain
  403. construct
  404. consult
  405. consume
  406. contact
  407. contemporary
  408. context
  409. contract
  410. contradict
  411. contrary
  412. contrast
  413. contribute
  414. controversy
  415. convene
  416. converse
  417. convert
  418. convince
  419. cooperate
  420. coordinate
  421. core
  422. corporate
  423. correspond
  424. couple
  425. create
  426. credit
  427. crucial
  428. currency
  429. cycle
  430. data
  431. debate
  432. decade
  433. decline
  434. deduce
  435. define
  436. definite
  437. demonstrate
  438. denote
  439. deny
  440. depress
  441. derive
  442. design
  443. despite
  444. detect
  445. determine
  446. device
  447. devote
  448. differentiate
  449. dimension
  450. diminish
  451. discrete
  452. discuss
  453. display
  454. dispose
  455. distinct
  456. distort
  457. distribute
  458. diverse
  459. document
  460. domestic
  461. dominate
  462. draft
  463. drama
  464. duration
  465. dynamic
  466. economy
  467. edit
  468. educate
  469. element
  470. eliminate
  471. emerge
  472. emphasis
  473. empirical
  474. enable
  475. encounter
  476. energy
  477. enforce
  478. enhance
  479. enormous
  480. ensure
  481. enterprise
  482. entertain
  483. entitle
  484. entity
  485. environment
  486. equate
  487. equip
  488. equivalent
  489. error
  490. establish
  491. estate
  492. estimate
  493. evaluate
  494. eventual
  495. evident
  496. evolve
  497. exceed
  498. exclude
  499. exhibit
  500. expand

Batch 3 — Prioritized Words for IELTS Reading & Listening (1001–1500)

  1. accommodate
  2. accompany
  3. accumulate
  4. accurate
  5. acknowledge
  6. acquire
  7. activate
  8. acute
  9. adapt
  10. addict
  11. addition
  12. additive
  13. address
  14. adhere
  15. adjunct
  16. adjust
  17. administer
  18. admiration
  19. adopt
  20. adore
  21. advance
  22. advantageous
  23. advent
  24. adverse
  25. advocacy
  26. advocate
  27. aesthetic
  28. afford
  29. aggregate
  30. aggression
  31. aid
  32. albeit
  33. allocate
  34. allowance
  35. alter
  36. alternate
  37. alternative
  38. altitude
  39. ambiguous
  40. amend
  41. amenity
  42. amount
  43. amplify
  44. ample
  45. analogy
  46. analyze
  47. ancestor
  48. ancient
  49. angel
  50. animate
  51. annual
  52. anomaly
  53. anticipate
  54. antique
  55. anxiety
  56. apologize
  57. apparatus
  58. apparel
  59. appeal
  60. appear
  61. appetite
  62. applicant
  63. application
  64. apply
  65. appoint
  66. appointment
  67. appreciate
  68. approach
  69. appropriate
  70. approval
  71. approximate
  72. apt
  73. arbitrary
  74. arch
  75. architecture
  76. archive
  77. ardent
  78. area
  79. arena
  80. argue
  81. arouse
  82. array
  83. articulate
  84. artificial
  85. ascend
  86. ascertain
  87. aside
  88. aspect
  89. aspire
  90. assemble
  91. assembly
  92. assert
  93. assessment
  94. asset
  95. assist
  96. associate
  97. association
  98. assume
  99. assure
  100. astonish
  101. attain
  102. attempt
  103. attend
  104. attention
  105. attest
  106. attitude
  107. attract
  108. attribute
  109. audit
  110. augment
  111. author
  112. authority
  113. authorize
  114. automate
  115. autonomous
  116. availability
  117. average
  118. aviation
  119. awe
  120. awkward
  121. bachelor
  122. bacteria
  123. badge
  124. balance
  125. balcony
  126. ballot
  127. ban
  128. bankrupt
  129. banner
  130. barely
  131. bargain
  132. barrier
  133. basis
  134. batch
  135. battery
  136. battle
  137. bead
  138. beacon
  139. beam
  140. bearable
  141. beckon
  142. behave
  143. behavior
  144. behold
  145. belief
  146. believable
  147. beloved
  148. benchmark
  149. benefit
  150. benevolent
  151. bent
  152. bespoke
  153. besides
  154. bestow
  155. betray
  156. beverage
  157. bias
  158. bibliography
  159. bicycle
  160. bid
  161. bilingual
  162. biodiversity
  163. biography
  164. biology
  165. biscuit
  166. bite
  167. bizarre
  168. blacksmith
  169. blade
  170. blank
  171. bleak
  172. blend
  173. bless
  174. blink
  175. blockbuster
  176. blood
  177. bloom
  178. blossom
  179. blueprint
  180. blunt
  181. board
  182. boast
  183. body
  184. bold
  185. bond
  186. bonus
  187. boost
  188. border
  189. bore
  190. borrow
  191. borough
  192. botanist
  193. bounce
  194. boundary
  195. boutique
  196. bow
  197. bravery
  198. breadth
  199. breakage
  200. breakthrough
  201. breed
  202. breeze
  203. brew
  204. bribe
  205. brick
  206. bridge
  207. brief
  208. brighten
  209. brilliant
  210. brink
  211. brisk
  212. broaden
  213. brochure
  214. broker
  215. bronze
  216. brood
  217. brotherhood
  218. brow
  219. bruise
  220. brutal
  221. buckle
  222. budget
  223. buffet
  224. buffer
  225. build
  226. bulky
  227. bulletin
  228. bully
  229. bump
  230. bundle
  231. bungalow
  232. buoyant
  233. bureaucracy
  234. burial
  235. burst
  236. bury
  237. bus
  238. business
  239. bustle
  240. butcher
  241. butchered
  242. buyer
  243. bygone
  244. bypass
  245. cabin
  246. cabinet
  247. cable
  248. cache
  249. cactus
  250. cafeteria
  251. caliber
  252. calculate
  253. calculation
  254. calendar
  255. caliber
  256. callous
  257. calm
  258. camaraderie
  259. campaign
  260. campus
  261. canal
  262. cancel
  263. candidate
  264. candle
  265. cane
  266. canyon
  267. capability
  268. capable
  269. capacity
  270. capital
  271. capitulate
  272. capsule
  273. capture
  274. cardinal
  275. career
  276. careful
  277. caregiver
  278. carnival
  279. carve
  280. cascade
  281. case
  282. cash
  283. cashier
  284. cassette
  285. caste
  286. casual
  287. casualty
  288. catalogue
  289. catalyst
  290. catch
  291. category
  292. cater
  293. cathedral
  294. cattle
  295. cautious
  296. cave
  297. cease
  298. celebrate
  299. celebrity
  300. cellular
  301. cement
  302. cemetery
  303. censor
  304. census
  305. centigrade
  306. central
  307. centuries
  308. cereal
  309. ceremony
  310. certify
  311. chain
  312. chair
  313. chairman
  314. chalk
  315. challenge
  316. chamber
  317. champion
  318. chance
  319. changeover
  320. chaotic
  321. chapter
  322. character
  323. characteristic
  324. characterize
  325. charcoal
  326. charge
  327. charity
  328. charm
  329. chart
  330. charter
  331. chase
  332. cheap
  333. checkup
  334. cheerful
  335. chemistry
  336. cherish
  337. chest
  338. chew
  339. chief
  340. childbearing
  341. childhood
  342. chill
  343. chimney
  344. chip
  345. choice
  346. chore
  347. chronic
  348. chunk
  349. church
  350. chute
  351. cigarette
  352. cinema
  353. circle
  354. circuit
  355. circulate
  356. circumference
  357. circumstance
  358. cite
  359. city
  360. civilian
  361. civilization
  362. claim
  363. clarinet
  364. clarity
  365. clash
  366. clasp
  367. classify
  368. cleanly
  369. cleanse
  370. clearcut
  371. clergy
  372. climate
  373. climax
  374. cling
  375. clinic
  376. clinical
  377. clip
  378. cloak
  379. clockwork
  380. close-knit
  381. cluster
  382. clutch
  383. clue
  384. coach
  385. coalition
  386. coarse
  387. coast
  388. coastline
  389. coat
  390. coax
  391. cocktail
  392. code
  393. coexist
  394. cognitive
  395. coherence
  396. coherent
  397. coincide
  398. coldness
  399. colleague
  400. collect
  401. collection
  402. collective
  403. collector
  404. collision
  405. colonize
  406. colonial
  407. colony
  408. colorless
  409. column
  410. combat
  411. combination
  412. combine
  413. combustible
  414. comfort
  415. comfortable
  416. comic
  417. command
  418. commemorate
  419. commence
  420. commend
  421. commercial
  422. commission
  423. commit
  424. commodity
  425. commonwealth
  426. communicate
  427. communication
  428. commute
  429. compact
  430. comparable
  431. comparative
  432. comparison
  433. compass
  434. compassion
  435. compatible
  436. compensate
  437. competency
  438. compete
  439. competence
  440. competitor
  441. compile
  442. complain
  443. complaint
  444. complement
  445. complex
  446. complexity
  447. compliance
  448. compliant
  449. complicate
  450. compliment
  451. component
  452. compose
  453. composer
  454. composite
  455. composition
  456. comprehend
  457. comprehensive
  458. comprise
  459. compromise
  460. compute
  461. conceal
  462. concede
  463. concentrate
  464. concept
  465. concert
  466. concession
  467. concise
  468. conclude
  469. conclusion
  470. concrete
  471. concurrent
  472. condemn
  473. condition
  474. conduct
  475. conductor
  476. confer
  477. conference
  478. confess
  479. confidence
  480. confidential
  481. configuration
  482. confine
  483. confirm
  484. confiscate
  485. conflict
  486. conform
  487. confront
  488. confuse
  489. congestion
  490. congratulate
  491. congress
  492. connect
  493. connection
  494. conscience
  495. conscious
  496. consecutive
  497. consensus
  498. consent
  499. consequence
  500. conserve

Batch 4 — Prioritized Words for IELTS Reading & Listening (1501–2000)

  1. conserve
  2. considerable
  3. consideration
  4. consistence
  5. consistent
  6. consolidate
  7. conspicuous
  8. constitute
  9. constrain
  10. construct
  11. consultant
  12. consume
  13. consumer
  14. contact
  15. contagious
  16. contaminate
  17. contemporary
  18. contend
  19. content
  20. contest
  21. context
  22. contextual
  23. contingency
  24. continue
  25. continuity
  26. continuous
  27. contract
  28. contradict
  29. contrary
  30. contrast
  31. contribute
  32. contribution
  33. control
  34. controversial
  35. convenience
  36. convenient
  37. conventional
  38. converge
  39. conversation
  40. convert
  41. convey
  42. convict
  43. convince
  44. cooperate
  45. coordinate
  46. core
  47. corporate
  48. corps
  49. correspond
  50. corridor
  51. cosmic
  52. cost
  53. costly
  54. cottage
  55. cottage industry
  56. cough
  57. counsel
  58. count
  59. counterpart
  60. countless
  61. couple
  62. courageous
  63. courtesy
  64. cover
  65. coverage
  66. crude
  67. cruelty
  68. crucial
  69. crude oil
  70. cruelty-free
  71. cultivate
  72. cultural
  73. culture
  74. cumulative
  75. cunning
  76. currency
  77. curriculum
  78. curve
  79. custom
  80. customer
  81. customs
  82. cutback
  83. cycle
  84. daily
  85. dairy
  86. dazzle
  87. deadline
  88. deafening
  89. debate
  90. debt
  91. debut
  92. decade
  93. decay
  94. deceive
  95. decent
  96. deception
  97. deceptive
  98. declare
  99. decline
  100. decode
  101. decoration
  102. decorative
  103. decrease
  104. dedication
  105. deduct
  106. deed
  107. deem
  108. deepen
  109. default
  110. defeat
  111. defect
  112. defend
  113. defender
  114. defensible
  115. defer
  116. deficiency
  117. deficit
  118. define
  119. definite
  120. definition
  121. definitive
  122. deflate
  123. deflect
  124. deform
  125. deforestation
  126. defy
  127. degree
  128. delay
  129. delegate
  130. deliberate
  131. delicate
  132. delight
  133. deliver
  134. delivery
  135. demand
  136. democracy
  137. demographic
  138. demonstrate
  139. demonstration
  140. denote
  141. dense
  142. density
  143. dent
  144. deny
  145. depart
  146. departure
  147. depend
  148. dependence
  149. dependent
  150. depict
  151. deplete
  152. deplore
  153. deploy
  154. deposit
  155. depress
  156. depression
  157. depth
  158. deputy
  159. derive
  160. descend
  161. describe
  162. description
  163. desert
  164. deserve
  165. design
  166. designate
  167. desirable
  168. desire
  169. desk
  170. despite
  171. destroy
  172. destruction
  173. detach
  174. detail
  175. detect
  176. detection
  177. deter
  178. deteriorate
  179. determine
  180. deterrent
  181. develop
  182. developer
  183. development
  184. deviate
  185. device
  186. devotion
  187. diagnose
  188. diagram
  189. dialect
  190. diamond
  191. diary
  192. dice
  193. dictate
  194. dictionary
  195. dieback
  196. differ
  197. difference
  198. different
  199. differentiate
  200. difficult
  201. diffuse
  202. digress
  203. dilemma
  204. diligent
  205. dilute
  206. dimension
  207. diminish
  208. dine
  209. dip
  210. diploma
  211. diplomatic
  212. dire
  213. directive
  214. dirt
  215. disability
  216. disabled
  217. disadvantage
  218. disagree
  219. disappear
  220. disappoint
  221. disapprove
  222. disaster
  223. discourse
  224. discover
  225. discreet
  226. discretion
  227. discriminate
  228. discuss
  229. discussion
  230. disease
  231. disgrace
  232. disguise
  233. disgust
  234. dish
  235. disharmony
  236. disk
  237. dislike
  238. dismay
  239. dismiss
  240. disorder
  241. display
  242. disposable
  243. dispose
  244. dispute
  245. disrupt
  246. disruption
  247. dissolve
  248. distance
  249. distant
  250. distinct
  251. distinction
  252. distinguish
  253. distort
  254. distract
  255. distress
  256. distribute
  257. distribution
  258. district
  259. disturb
  260. dive
  261. diverse
  262. diversity
  263. divert
  264. divide
  265. dividend
  266. divine
  267. division
  268. divorce
  269. dizzy
  270. document
  271. documentary
  272. documentation
  273. dodge
  274. doer
  275. domestic
  276. dominate
  277. domination
  278. donate
  279. donation
  280. donor
  281. doom
  282. dose
  283. dot
  284. double
  285. doubt
  286. downtown
  287. draft
  288. drag
  289. drama
  290. dramatic
  291. draught
  292. draw
  293. drawing
  294. dreadful
  295. dream
  296. dress
  297. drift
  298. drill
  299. drink
  300. drip
  301. drive
  302. driver
  303. drop
  304. drought
  305. drown
  306. drug
  307. drum
  308. drunk
  309. dubious
  310. due
  311. duel
  312. dull
  313. dump
  314. duplicate
  315. durable
  316. duration
  317. dust
  318. duty
  319. dwell
  320. dye
  321. dynamic
  322. dynamics
  323. eager
  324. early
  325. earnest
  326. earthquake
  327. ease
  328. east
  329. eastern
  330. easy
  331. eccentric
  332. echo
  333. ecology
  334. economical
  335. economy
  336. ecosystem
  337. edit
  338. edition
  339. educate
  340. educator
  341. effect
  342. effective
  343. effectiveness
  344. effectiveness
  345. efficiency
  346. efficient
  347. effort
  348. elaborate
  349. elder
  350. elect
  351. election
  352. electrician
  353. electricity
  354. electronic
  355. elegance
  356. element
  357. elevate
  358. eligible
  359. eliminate
  360. elite
  361. elongated
  362. embark
  363. embarrass
  364. emblem
  365. embrace
  366. emerge
  367. emergency
  368. emission
  369. emit
  370. emotion
  371. emotional
  372. emphasis
  373. emphasize
  374. empirical
  375. employ
  376. employee
  377. employer
  378. employment
  379. empower
  380. enable
  381. enact
  382. enclose
  383. encode
  384. encounter
  385. encourage
  386. endanger
  387. endeavor
  388. endorse
  389. endure
  390. enforce
  391. engaged
  392. engagement
  393. engineer
  394. enhance
  395. enjoy
  396. enlighten
  397. enormous
  398. enquire
  399. enrich
  400. enroll
  401. ensure
  402. entail
  403. enter
  404. enterprise
  405. entertain
  406. entitle
  407. entry
  408. enumerate
  409. envelope
  410. environment
  411. envisage
  412. envision
  413. enzyme
  414. epidemic
  415. episode
  416. equal
  417. equality
  418. equation
  419. equip
  420. equivalent
  421. era
  422. erect
  423. erosion
  424. erratic
  425. error
  426. escalate
  427. escape
  428. especially
  429. essay
  430. essential
  431. establish
  432. estate
  433. estimate
  434. eternal
  435. ethic
  436. ethical
  437. ethics
  438. ethnicity
  439. evaluate
  440. evaporate
  441. eventual
  442. evidence
  443. evident
  444. evoke
  445. evolve
  446. exact
  447. exaggerate
  448. examine
  449. example
  450. exceed
  451. excel
  452. excellent
  453. exceptional
  454. excerpt
  455. excess
  456. exchange
  457. excite
  458. exclude
  459. excuse
  460. execute
  461. executive
  462. exemplify
  463. exempt
  464. exercise
  465. exert
  466. exhibit
  467. exhibition
  468. exist
  469. existence
  470. exit
  471. expand
  472. expansion
  473. expect
  474. expectation
  475. expedition
  476. expel
  477. expend
  478. expenditure
  479. expense
  480. expensive
  481. expertise
  482. expert
  483. explain
  484. explicit
  485. exploit
  486. explore
  487. export
  488. expose
  489. exposure
  490. express
  491. expression
  492. extend
  493. extension
  494. extensive
  495. extent
  496. external
  497. extinct
  498. extinguish
  499. extract
  500. extraordinary

Batch 5 — Prioritized Words for IELTS Reading & Listening (2001–2500)

  1. abundance
  2. abundant
  3. accelerate
  4. accent
  5. access
  6. accessible
  7. accessory
  8. accident
  9. acclaim
  10. accommodate
  11. accompaniment
  12. accomplish
  13. accord
  14. accordance
  15. account
  16. accountability
  17. accountable
  18. accumulate
  19. accuracy
  20. accurate
  21. accuse
  22. accustomed
  23. ache
  24. achievement
  25. acid
  26. acknowledge
  27. acoustic
  28. acquaint
  29. acreage
  30. acronym
  31. activation
  32. acute
  33. adapt
  34. addict
  35. addition
  36. adept
  37. adhere
  38. adjacent
  39. adjective
  40. adjust
  41. admirable
  42. admire
  43. admission
  44. admit
  45. adolescent
  46. adopt
  47. adore
  48. adorn
  49. adult
  50. advance
  51. advanced
  52. advantage
  53. advantageous
  54. advent
  55. adverse
  56. advertise
  57. adviser
  58. advocacy
  59. advocate
  60. aerial
  61. aeroplane
  62. aesthetic
  63. affair
  64. affective
  65. affidavit
  66. affinity
  67. affirm
  68. affluent
  69. afford
  70. aftermath
  71. ageing
  72. agency
  73. agenda
  74. aggravate
  75. aggregate
  76. aggression
  77. agitate
  78. agricultural
  79. agriculture
  80. aid
  81. ailment
  82. aircraft
  83. aisle
  84. alarm
  85. alcoholic
  86. align
  87. alike
  88. allocate
  89. allot
  90. allowance
  91. ally
  92. alter
  93. alternate
  94. alternative
  95. altitude
  96. ambiguous
  97. ambition
  98. ambulance
  99. amend
  100. amenity
  101. ample
  102. amplify
  103. amuse
  104. analogous
  105. analogy
  106. analyse
  107. analyst
  108. analytic
  109. ancestor
  110. ancient
  111. anecdote
  112. angel
  113. anger
  114. angle
  115. animate
  116. animation
  117. ankle
  118. announce
  119. annoyance
  120. annual
  121. anonymous
  122. anticipate
  123. anticlockwise
  124. antibiotic
  125. antibody
  126. anticipate
  127. anxiety
  128. apartment
  129. apologize
  130. appeal
  131. appealing
  132. appear
  133. appearance
  134. appetite
  135. applaud
  136. applicant
  137. application
  138. apply
  139. appoint
  140. appointment
  141. appraisal
  142. appreciate
  143. appreciation
  144. apprentice
  145. approach
  146. appropriate
  147. approval
  148. approve
  149. approximate
  150. apt
  151. arbitrary
  152. arch
  153. archaeology
  154. architect
  155. architecture
  156. archive
  157. ardent
  158. arena
  159. argue
  160. arid
  161. arise
  162. arithmetic
  163. armament
  164. armchair
  165. armed
  166. armour
  167. aroma
  168. arrange
  169. arrangement
  170. arrest
  171. arrival
  172. arrogant
  173. artful
  174. artificial
  175. artistic
  176. ascend
  177. ascertain
  178. ascribe
  179. ash
  180. ashamed
  181. aside
  182. aspect
  183. aspiration
  184. aspire
  185. assassinate
  186. assault
  187. assemble
  188. assembly
  189. assent
  190. assert
  191. assessment
  192. asset
  193. assign
  194. assignment
  195. assist
  196. assistance
  197. assistant
  198. associate
  199. association
  200. assume
  201. assumption
  202. assure
  203. astonish
  204. astute
  205. asylum
  206. athlete
  207. athletic
  208. atmosphere
  209. atom
  210. attach
  211. attachment
  212. attain
  213. attempt
  214. attend
  215. attendance
  216. attention
  217. attentive
  218. attest
  219. attitude
  220. attorney
  221. attract
  222. attractive
  223. attribute
  224. attribution
  225. auction
  226. audible
  227. audit
  228. audition
  229. augment
  230. authorise
  231. authority
  232. authorize
  233. autobiography
  234. autograph
  235. automated
  236. autonomous
  237. autonomy
  238. availability
  239. available
  240. average
  241. avert
  242. aviation
  243. avid
  244. award
  245. aware
  246. awareness
  247. awe
  248. awkward
  249. babysitter
  250. backbone
  251. bacteria
  252. badge
  253. baffle
  254. bait
  255. bake
  256. balance
  257. balanced
  258. balcony
  259. ballot
  260. ban
  261. bandage
  262. bankrupt
  263. banner
  264. baptize
  265. barbecue
  266. barefoot
  267. bargain
  268. barrier
  269. base
  270. basement
  271. basis
  272. basket
  273. bask
  274. basin
  275. basis
  276. battery
  277. battle
  278. battlefield
  279. bead
  280. beam
  281. bear
  282. beard
  283. bearing
  284. beat
  285. beautiful
  286. beauty
  287. beckon
  288. become
  289. bedrock
  290. bedroom
  291. beef
  292. beforehand
  293. beg
  294. behave
  295. behavior
  296. behind
  297. being
  298. belief
  299. believe
  300. belief-system
  301. bell
  302. belong
  303. beloved
  304. benchmark
  305. bend
  306. beneath
  307. beneficial
  308. benefit
  309. benevolent
  310. benign
  311. bent
  312. besides
  313. bestow
  314. betray
  315. beverage
  316. bias
  317. bibliography
  318. bicycle
  319. bid
  320. bilingual
  321. biodiversity
  322. biography
  323. biology
  324. biscuit
  325. bite
  326. bizarre
  327. blacksmith
  328. blade
  329. blame
  330. blank
  331. blanket
  332. blast
  333. blend
  334. bless
  335. blink
  336. blockade
  337. bloom
  338. blossom
  339. blueprint
  340. boast
  341. body
  342. bolster
  343. bolt
  344. bond
  345. bonus
  346. boom
  347. boost
  348. border
  349. borough
  350. borrow
  351. botanical
  352. botanist
  353. bounce
  354. boundary
  355. boutique
  356. bow
  357. boycott
  358. brace
  359. bracket
  360. brainchild
  361. brake
  362. branch
  363. brand
  364. brandish
  365. brave
  366. bravery
  367. breach
  368. breadth
  369. breakage
  370. breakthrough
  371. breakdown
  372. break-even
  373. breed
  374. breeze
  375. brew
  376. bribe
  377. brick
  378. bridge
  379. brief
  380. brilliance
  381. brilliant
  382. brink
  383. brisk
  384. broaden
  385. brochure
  386. broker
  387. bronze
  388. brood
  389. brotherhood
  390. brow
  391. browse
  392. bruise
  393. brunch
  394. brutal
  395. buckle
  396. budget
  397. buffet
  398. buffer
  399. build
  400. bulky
  401. bulletin
  402. bully
  403. bump
  404. bundle
  405. bungalow
  406. buoyant
  407. bureaucracy
  408. burial
  409. burst
  410. bury
  411. bustling
  412. busybody
  413. bustle
  414. butcher
  415. buyer
  416. bypass
  417. cabin
  418. cabinet
  419. cable
  420. cache
  421. cacao
  422. cafeteria
  423. calculus
  424. calendar
  425. calibre
  426. callous
  427. calm
  428. camaraderie
  429. campaign
  430. camouflage
  431. campus
  432. canal
  433. cancel
  434. candidate
  435. candle
  436. canyon
  437. capable
  438. capacity
  439. capital
  440. capsule
  441. capture
  442. cardinal
  443. career
  444. carelessness
  445. carefree
  446. caregiver
  447. carnival
  448. carve
  449. cascade
  450. case
  451. cash
  452. cashier
  453. cassette
  454. caste
  455. casual
  456. casualty
  457. catalogue
  458. catalyst
  459. catch
  460. category
  461. cater
  462. cathedral
  463. cattle
  464. cautious
  465. cave
  466. cease
  467. celebrate
  468. celebrity
  469. cellular
  470. cement
  471. cemetery
  472. census
  473. centigrade
  474. central
  475. centuries
  476. cereal
  477. ceremony
  478. certify
  479. chain
  480. chair
  481. chairman
  482. chalk
  483. chamber
  484. champion
  485. chance
  486. changeover
  487. chaotic
  488. chapter
  489. character
  490. characteristic
  491. characterize
  492. charge
  493. charity
  494. charm
  495. charter
  496. chase
  497. cheap
  498. cheerful
  499. chemistry
  500. cherish

IELTS Listening and Reading Vocabulary Word List by Topic

Below find grouped prioritized IELTS vocabulary into topic buckets so you can study by theme (which helps both Reading and Listening). This is a best-effort, exam-focused grouping (words may belong to more than one topic — placed them where they’re most useful for IELTS).

General Academic & Signal Words (core AWL / exam-useful words)

analysis, analyze, approach, appropriate, assess, assessment, assume, authority, available, benefit, concept, consist, consistent, constitute, context, create, data, define, definition, derive, distribution, establish, estimate, evidence, evident, factor, finance, function, identify, indicate, individual, interpret, involve, issue, legal, major, method, occur, period, policy, principle, process, require, research, respond, role, sector, source, specific, structure, theory, variable, vary, achieve, administration, affect, aspect, assistance, category, chapter, complex, conclusion, conduct, consequence, construction, consumer, culture, design, distinct, element, emerge, emphasis, ensure, ethical, expand, expert, facilitate, feature, focus, implement, implication, income, industry, invest, investigation, journal, label, maintain.

manage, mechanism, media, monitor, network, normal, objective, obtain, ongoing, option, outcome, overall, participate, partner, portion, potential, predict, preserve, previous, primary, priority, procedure, professional, project, promote, proportion, publish, pursue, qualitative, quantify, range, ratio, react, recover, refine, reflect, reject, relevant, reliable, remove, replicate, report, represent, resource, restrict, result, retain, reveal, revenue, secure, select, sequence, shift, simulate, site, specify, stable, statistic, status, strategy, stress, submit, subsequent, sufficient, summary, survey, sustain, target, technique, temporary, theme, trace, transfer, transform, trend, trigger, ultimate, underlying, undertake, unique, valid, variable, visible, volume, welfare, widespread, yield.

Education & Academia Vocabulary Words for IELTS

education, academic, academic list, student, teacher, syllabus, curriculum, lecture, seminar, assignment, assessment, grade, exam, thesis, dissertation, tutor, professor, campus, admission, application, enrollment, pedagogy, literacy, graduate, undergraduate, vocational, research, methodology, citation, bibliography, journal, lecture hall, candidate, qualification, apprenticeship, scholarship, certificate, curriculum, competency, competency, tutorial, familiarize, academician, accreditation.

Environment & Ecology Word List for IELTS

environment, environmental, climate, climate change, ecosystem, biodiversity, conserve, conservation, deforestation, pollution, contaminate, contamination, emission, greenhouse, sustainable, sustainability, renewable, fossil fuel, habitat, species, endangered, erosion, soil, drought, flood, rainfall, conservation, recycle, waste, landfill, organic, agriculture, pesticide, conservationist, marine, conservation, ozone, biodiversity, ecosystem services, carbon, carbon footprint, reforest, afforestation.

Technology & IT Vocabulary for IELTS

technology, technological, innovate, innovation, digital, software, hardware, network, internet, data, database, algorithm, artificial, artificial intelligence, AI, automation, automate, robotics, cloud, cybersecurity, encryption, platform, app, application, mobile, sensor, device, interface, user, usability, infrastructure, IT, computing, virtual, simulation, analytics, code, program, update, integrate, system, input, output, bandwidth, download, upload.

Health & Medicine Word List for IELTS

health, healthcare, medical, medicine, medical, clinic, clinic, diagnosis, diagnose, disease, epidemic, pandemic, virus, bacterial, antibiotic, vaccine, symptom, treatment, therapy, mental, psychology, psychiatrist, nutrition, diet, surgery, operation, patient, physician, nurse, mortality, morbidity, infection, immunity, public health, obesity, prenatal, neonatal, rehabilitation, chronic, acute, pharmacy, prescription, symptom, casualty, emergency, clinic.

Work, Business & Economics Words for IELTS

economy, economic, economic policy, finance, financial, income, revenue, profit, loss, market, consumer, producer, industry, sector, corporate, company, enterprise, employer, employee, workforce, labour, unemployment, job, career, salary, wage, trade, export, import, tariff, budget, investment, invest, investor, capital, stock, share, inflation, recession, demand, supply, competition, monopoly, contract, negotiate, enterprise, entrepreneur, start-up, logistics, supply chain.

Science & Research Vocabulary for IELTS

science, scientific, scientist, research, experiment, experimental, empirical, methodology, method, hypothesis, theory, variable, control, sample, statistic, statistical, data, analyze, analysis, lab, laboratory, peer review, publish, publication, qualitative, quantitative, correlation, causation, observation, instrument, measurement, replicate, validity, reliability, evidence, conclude, literature, review, protocol, ethical, consent.

Media, Communication & Information Words for IELTS

media, mass media, journalism, journalist, broadcast, print, online, social media, content, publish, publication, article, report, communicate, communication, conversation, comment, editor, editorial, headline, feature, magazine, newspaper, blog, podcast, interview, press, public relations, advertising, campaign, slogan, rhetoric, message, image, visual, narrative, discourse.

Law, Politics & Government Word List for IELTS

law, legal, legislation, legislate, policy, regulation, regulate, government, governance, democratic, democracy, state, public policy, minister, parliament, administration, authority, constitution, court, judge, trial, prosecute, convict, criminal, civil, rights, human rights, immigration, citizenship, visa, treaty, diplomacy, foreign policy, election, campaign, ballot, referendum, bureaucracy, corruption, compliance, enforcement.

Society & Culture Vocabulary for IELTS

society, social, community, culture, cultural, tradition, tradition, custom, belief, religion, ethnicity, demographic, population, migration, immigration, urban, rural, suburb, family, household, relationship, marriage, gender, equality, inequality, poverty, social class, welfare, social policy, crime, juvenile, identity, lifestyle, norm, taboo, festival, heritage, ceremony, language, multicultural, integration.

Transport, Travel & Urban Life Words for IELTS

transport, transport, transit, transport system, vehicle, automobile, car, bus, train, subway, airline, airport, flight, commute, driver, passenger, route, traffic, congestion, highway, road, bicycle, pedestrian, infrastructure, bridge, tunnel, rail, station, terminal, logistics, shipping, port, shipping, cruise, ticket, fare, accommodation, tourism, tourist, hostel, hotel, itinerary.

IELTS Vocabulary for Food, Agriculture & Rural Topics

food, agriculture, agricultural, crop, livestock, harvest, farm, farmer, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticide, greenhouse, organic, dairy, cattle, fisheries, arable, pasture, produce, food security, nutrition, cuisine, culinary, diet, famine, famine relief, staple, produce, processing, packaging.

IELTS Words for Energy, Industry & Resources

energy, energy supply, electricity, fossil fuel, coal, oil, gas, renewable, solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, power, fuel, resource, mineral, mining, extraction, refinery, industry, manufacturing, industrial, factory, production, output, machinery, engineering, infrastructure, construction, maintenance, sustainable energy, efficiency.

IELTS Word List for Arts, Literature & Culture

art, artist, artistic, painting, sculpture, literature, novelist, poetry, poem, drama, theatre, cinema, film, architecture, design, culture, heritage, museum, gallery, exhibition, performance, music, composer, critic, critique, creative, aesthetic, genre, narrative, motif.

IELTS Vocabulary for Everyday & Functional (useful for Listening)

common everyday vocabulary that appears in listening passages: home, house, family, friend, city, town, work, office, shop, price, schedule, appointment, ticket, holiday, travel, bank, shop, hospital, doctor, train, bus, phone, message, email, appointment, menu, recipe, weather, forecast, problem, solution, advice, plan.