Latest Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking in 2025
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.
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On top of the world: Feeling extremely happy or successful.
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Nailed it: To be precisely accurate
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Bend over backward: To make a great effort or sacrifice to help someone.
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In the blink of an eye: Very quickly or instantly.
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A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad or unfortunate but has a beneficial outcome.
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A breath of fresh air: Something new and refreshing.
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Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
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Keep your chin up: To remain optimistic in a difficult situation.
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Put all your eggs in one basket: To rely entirely on one thing, which can be risky.
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Catch someone's eye: To attract someone's attention.
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Kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two things at the same time.
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Break the ice: To overcome initial shyness or awkwardness.
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Keep your fingers crossed: To hope for good luck or a positive outcome.
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See eye to eye: To agree with someone.
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Pull someone's leg: To playfully banter or jest with someone in a light-hearted manner.
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The ball is in your court: It is now someone else's turn or responsibility to act.
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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:
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Practice Speaking Daily: Engage in regular English conversations, whether with friends or tutors, or even by recording yourself speaking on various topics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.