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    Latest Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking in 2025

    IELTS Speaking Vocabulary

    Think of Shah Rukh Khan’s effortless charm in interviews. He knows exactly how to hold a conversation. Now, contrast that with Shashi Tharoor, whose vocabulary can make even native English speakers reach for a dictionary. 

    Somewhere between SRK’s fluency and Tharoor’s wordplay lies the perfect balance of confidence, clarity, and vocabulary that fits the context.

    That’s exactly what you need to do in your IELTS Speaking test!

    But what's the secret? Well, you’ll need to skim through this blog to find that out!

    Common Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

    To score well in the IELTS Speaking test, it’s essential to use a variety of words and phrases that sound natural and expressive. Below are some commonly used IELTS vocabulary words to help you speak fluently and confidently.

    Word

    Meaning

    Analyze

    Examine in detail

    Awesome

    Extremely impressive or intimidating, causing awe.

    Awful

    Used to emphasize the severity of something, particularly something unpleasant or negative.

    Barely

    Almost

    Breathtaking

    Extremely beautiful or impressive

    Blonde

    A person who has fair or pale yellow hair

    Combat

    Take steps to minimize or prevent (something bad or undesirable)

    Certainly

    To emphasize the speaker's conviction that what they are saying is true

    Controversial

    Likely to cause public disagreement

    Debate

    Discuss (a topic), especially in a formal way.

    Devise

    Come up with a plan or strategy

    Disclose

    Make (new or secret information) public.

    Easing

    Lessen the seriousness or severity of something unpleasant or intense.

    Effortlessly

    In a way that doesn’t demand any effort from your body or mind.

    Exaggerate

    Representing something as being larger, better, or worse than it is.

    Flout

    Disregard openly

    Hack

    Gain unauthorized access to data in a system or cut with forceful blows

    Hostile

    Unfriendly

    Hypothetical

    Based on an assumption or possible situation

    Illustrate

    Explain with examples or visuals

    Incentive

    Something that inspires or motivates someone to act.

    Jargon

    Special, hard-to-understand words or phrases that a profession or group uses.

    Lucrative

    Producing a lot of profit; financially rewarding

    Monotonous

    Lacking variety; dull or repetitive

    Overwhelming

    Too much to handle, emotionally or physically

    Plausible

    Appearing to be reasonable or probable

    Scrutinize

    Examine something critically and carefully

    Subtle

    Not obvious, delicate, or understated

    Tedious

    Boring, repetitive, or dull

    Zenith

    The point in time when something is most effective or prosperous.

    To enhance your IELTS preparation, book a call with Yocket Prep experts for personalized advice, expert tips, and tailored strategies.

    Expressions & Phrases to Use in IELTS Speaking

    Using specific expressions and phrases can greatly enhance the flow of your speech. By integrating these valuable phrases into your speaking practice, you can improve your communication skills and create a more impactful delivery.

    Here is a list of expressions along with their usage for you to remember. 

    Expression

    Usage

    To be honest…

    Used to introduce a frank opinion.

    Without a doubt…

    Used to emphasize certainty.

    In my perspective/opinion…

    Used to express a personal opinion.

    It goes without saying that…

    Used when something is obvious.

    On the flip side…

    Used to present a contrasting opinion.

    At the end of the day…

    Used to summarize a point.

    To a certain extent…

    Used when partially agreeing with a statement.

    IELTS Speaking Vocabulary and Idioms

    Remember, your performance in the IELTS Speaking test will receive noticeable improvement only if you maintain a solid control over your idiomatic vocabulary. Applications of idiomatic expressions must be precise and natural in your responses. 

    The following list contains idiomatic expressions you should use during your responses. 

    • Get the hang of: To understand or become skilled at something.

    • A piece of cake: Something that is quite easy to do.

    • On top of the world: Feeling extremely happy or successful.

    • Nailed it: To be precisely accurate

    • Bend over backward: To make a great effort or sacrifice to help someone.

    • In the blink of an eye: Very quickly or instantly.

    • A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad or unfortunate but has a beneficial outcome.

    • A breath of fresh air: Something new and refreshing.

    • Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.

    • Keep your chin up: To remain optimistic in a difficult situation.

    • Put all your eggs in one basket: To rely entirely on one thing, which can be risky.

    • Catch someone's eye: To attract someone's attention.

    • Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two things at the same time.

    • Break the ice: To overcome initial shyness or awkwardness.

    • Keep your fingers crossed: To hope for good luck or a positive outcome.

    • See eye to eye: To agree with someone.

    • Pull someone's leg: To playfully banter or jest with someone in a light-hearted manner.

    • The ball is in your court: It is now someone else's turn or responsibility to act.

    • Bite the bullet: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

    • By the skin of your teeth: To barely succeed in something.

    Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Band 8 and Band 9

    The vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Band 8 and 9 includes advanced, topic-specific words that reflect a strong command of language, precision, and fluency. These words help convey ideas more effectively across common IELTS themes like education, environment, health, technology, work, and travel. 

    Education

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Curriculum

    Subjects included in a course of study

    The curriculum covers a wide range of academic disciplines.

    Pedagogy

    The method and practice of teaching

    Pedagogy has evolved with the integration of digital tools.

    Literacy

    Ability to read and write

    Literacy rates have significantly improved in rural areas.

    Vocational

    Relating to skills for a particular job

    Vocational training helps bridge the education-employment gap.

    Rote Learning

    Learning by memorization rather than understanding

    Rote learning limits creative thinking and problem-solving.

    Matriculation

    The process of being admitted to a school or university

    He gained matriculation to Oxford after acing his exams.

    Assessment

    The act of evaluating performance

    Regular assessment helps track student progress effectively.

    Scholarship

    Financial aid granted for education

    She received a scholarship for her outstanding academic record.

    Supervision

    Oversight or guidance from a mentor or teacher

    Research was conducted under the supervision of a senior lecturer.

    Environment

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Biodiversity

    Variety of plant and animal life in an ecosystem

    The Amazon rainforest is rich in biodiversity.

    Deforestation

    Clearing of forests, often for agriculture or development

    Deforestation contributes to climate change.

    Conservation

    Protecting natural resources to prevent exploitation

    Conservation efforts have helped protect endangered species.

    Ecosystem

    A community of living organisms and their environment

    Disruption in the ecosystem can lead to species extinction.

    Sustainability

    Meeting present needs without harming future generations

    Sustainability is key in planning urban infrastructure.

    Renewable

    Resources that can naturally replenish

    Wind and solar energy are renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

    Emissions

    Release of gases into the atmosphere

    Car emissions have drastically increased air pollution levels.

    Climate Change

    Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns

    Climate change is accelerating due to human activity.

    Poaching

    Illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals

    Poaching is a major threat to wildlife conservation efforts.

    Health

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Epidemic

    A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease

    The flu epidemic affected thousands in just a few weeks.

    Immunization

    Process by which a person becomes protected from a disease

    Immunization helps prevent the spread of contagious illnesses.

    Malnutrition

    Lack of proper nutrition

    Malnutrition is a major issue in underdeveloped regions.

    Sedentary

    Involving little physical activity

    A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease.

    Contagious

    Capable of being transmitted from person to person

    COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus.

    Rehabilitation

    Process of restoring health or normal life

    She underwent rehabilitation after the surgery.

    Outbreak

    A sudden start of disease or conflict

    There was an outbreak of measles in the city last winter.

    Hygiene

    Conditions for maintaining health and preventing disease

    Proper hygiene is essential for disease prevention.

    Mental Health

    Emotional, psychological, and social well-being

    Mental health awareness has grown significantly in recent years.

    Technology

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Innovation

    Introduction of new ideas, devices, or methods

    Innovation drives progress in every field.

    Automation

    Use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human input

    Automation is transforming manufacturing industries.

    Artificial Intelligence

    Simulation of human intelligence by machines

    Artificial Intelligence is now used in medical diagnosis.

    Cybersecurity

    Protection of computer systems from theft or damage

    Cybersecurity threats are rising with increased data sharing.

    Digital Divide

    Gap between those with access to digital tech and those without

    Bridging the digital divide is crucial for inclusive education.

    E-commerce

    Buying and selling of goods online

    E-commerce has changed how people shop for everyday items.

    Technophile

    A person who loves technology

    As a technophile, he always has the latest gadgets.

    Innovation Hub

    A center for creativity and new tech development

    Bangalore is emerging as a global innovation hub.

    Work

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Freelance

    Self-employed and working for different companies

    She works as a freelance graphic designer.

    Work-life balance

    Balance between work responsibilities and personal life

    Remote jobs often improve work-life balance.

    Promotion

    Advancement in job position or responsibilities

    He received a promotion after completing his MBA.

    Job satisfaction

    Level of contentment with one’s job

    Job satisfaction is vital for employee retention.

    Internship

    Temporary position for gaining practical experience

    Her internship at the law firm was a valuable learning experience.

    Salary package

    Total compensation including bonuses and benefits

    The salary package was competitive and included health insurance.

    Remote work

    Working from outside the traditional office

    Remote work has become the norm for many tech professionals.

    Redundancy

    Job loss due to role being no longer necessary

    He was made redundant due to company downsizing.

    Travel & Tourism

    Word

    Meaning

    Example

    Sightseeing

    Activity of visiting interesting places

    We spent the day sightseeing in Rome.

    Itinerary

    A planned route or journey

    Our itinerary includes five European cities.

    Backpacker

    A person who travels with a backpack, often on a budget

    The hostel is popular among young backpackers.

    Ecotourism

    Responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment

    Ecotourism promotes sustainability and community welfare.

    Souvenir

    Item bought to remember a place or event

    I bought a handmade souvenir from the local market.

    Jet lag

    Fatigue after long-distance air travel

    Jet lag hit me hard after my flight from New York to Tokyo.

    Tourist trap

    Overpriced place that attracts tourists

    That café near the landmark is a typical tourist trap.

    Local cuisine

    Food traditional to a specific area

    Trying the local cuisine is a must when traveling to Thailand.

    Preparation Tips for IELTS Speaking

    You don’t need to speak like Shah Rukh Khan or Shashi Tharoor to ace the IELTS Speaking test. However, every word you say impacts your score, so it’s important to be strategic with your responses.

    One of the best preparation tips we have for you is to treat it like a friendly talk and stay calm.  Achieving a high score in the IELTS Speaking test requires more than just a strong IELTS vocabulary

    Here are some effective strategies to enhance your performance:

    • Practice Speaking Daily: Engage in regular English conversations, whether with friends or tutors, or even by recording yourself speaking on various topics.

    • Prepare for Part 2: In Part 2 of the Speaking section, you will be required to speak for two minutes on a given topic. Practice speaking for extended periods on random topics.

    • Expand Your Vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with a wide range of topics and learn relevant vocabulary. This not only aids in expressing ideas clearly but also showcases your lexical resource to the examiner.

    • Record and Review: Recording your responses allows you to self-evaluate pronunciation, intonation, and coherence. Listening to these recordings can help identify areas for improvement.

    • Avoid Fillers: Minimize the use of fillers like "um," "uh," and "like." Instead, take brief pauses to gather your thoughts, which contributes to a more confident delivery.

    • Stay Calm and Confident: It's natural to feel nervous, but staying calm is the key. Practice relaxation techniques and approach the test as a conversation rather than an interrogation.

    Suggested: Food Vocabulary for IELTS

    From the Desk of Yocket

    Mastering IELTS Speaking is all about confidence, fluency, and vocabulary. While many test-takers focus on grammar, the key to scoring high is expressing ideas naturally and structuring responses. Regular practice, exposure to different topics, and strategic preparation can make a significant difference.

    At Yocket Prep, we offer free practice mock tests, expert feedback, and personalized coaching to help you enhance your speaking skills. Whether you struggle with pronunciation, fluency, or idea generation, our resources ensure you’re fully prepared for the IELTS test.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

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