4000 IELTS Academic Words

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 Contents and Actions
 New IELTS Vocabulary
grace   ContextMore...   Speak
v. do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one's presence
blockbuster   ContextMore...   Speak
n. a thing of great power or size, in particular a movie or book that is a great commercial success
modest   ContextMore...   Speak
a. unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements
undeterred   ContextMore...   Speak
a. persevering with something despite setbacks
persist   ContextMore...   Speak
v. continue to exist; be prolonged in spite of difficulty
address   ContextMore...   Speak
v. speak to (a person or an assembly), typically in a formal way
theme   ContextMore...   Speak
n. the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts
resilience   ContextMore...   Speak
n. the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties
solace   ContextMore...   Speak
n. comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
cherish   ContextMore...   Speak
v. protect and care for (someone) lovingly
 4000 IELTS Academic Words
1   Overview:
IELTS academic test is widely accepted in English countries. Its score is one of the keys to university or college admission. This 4000 IELTS vocabulary is to help you own a strong words list in the IELTS academic test.

In all English tests, vocabulary level is an essential factor in evaluating language ability; IELTS has no exception. All test sections rely on strong vocabulary to succeed. However, IELTS academic word list isn't a fixed or constant word set. If you search on the Internet, you can see many vocabularies called IELTS academic vocabularies.

So the first step is to choose an IELTS vocabulary for your circumstance: Does this 4000 IELTS Vocabulary Words meet your case? We divide the words into 3 levels; each level consists of 4 groups. If you are interested in the words of all groups (1-12), watch them here.



If you think it matches your case, you can start to work on it. It's long but deserves to spend time. Besides, we remind you this list is based on IELTS general vocabulary. As academic test-takers, IELTS general vocabulary is the foundation, which you shouldn't ignore.

Last but not least, you should know that building vocabulary takes lots of time, and its result plays a crucial factor in the final score. We hope this word list can assist you in building IELTS academic vocabulary. If you cannot set your goal or doubt your plan, go to the IELTS Official Website, which will help you make a right decision.

2   Alternative Solutions:
If you doubt whether this 4000 IELTS Academic Vocabulary is the right option, this section gives you some alternative methods and vocabularies.

Alternative Methods
Study a word list isn't a unique way to enrich IELTS vocabulary, and this 4000 vocabulary isn't the only list either. If you have half or one year to prepare, there are some other options to accumulate IELTS vocabulary. 20 Ways to Build IELTS Vocabulary introduces some proven ways.

You may learn new words in TV, news, ads, and daily readings that IELTS exam materials likely come from. Every word has own frequency in specified circumstance. IELTS test has own convention to select materials too, for example, many recent academic reading objects are originated from Economist or BBC.

Alternative Vocabularies - Writing and Speaking
However, if your time frame is very tight, or this 4000 vocabulary is relatively tough, you have to get a more flexible and practical substitute to work. Pick up a dictionary by random to prepare IELTS test isn't a good idea. Your effort and reward both depend on your current level.

For those who want to sharpen IELTS writing vocabulary, this 4000 words list seems large. Instead, IELTS Writing Task Vocabulary collects a short but hard writing vocabulary.

If speaking test is your shortage, enhance speaking vocabulary from 100 IELTS Speaking Words will strengthen your confidence to face examiners.

Alternative Vocabularies - Other Wordlists
Students with separate levels or situations may choose differently. Some like a shortlist because time matters; others prefer to learn difficult and large vocabulary in order to pursue a high score. We do know this 4000 IELTS vocabulary cannot cover all test takers' cases, for those who are looking for lighter or smaller lists, 10 Popular IELTS Vocabularies may give some clues.

Two of them possibly you are interested.

If your schedule is very tight, or you just need a passed score, suggest to view 500 IELTS Vocabulary, a short but proven academic vocabulary for students who are in English countries.

The 6000 IELTS Vocabulary Words actually consists of 2000+ words that are not in the 4000 IELTS Academic Words, low frequency but useful, an excellent supplement after your finishing the first 4000 words.

3   Words' PDF List and Cards:
IELTS Vocabulary PDF List
Some students like using PDF lists to learn and review words. We do offer a handy feature to make a PDF word list of each group. Below are demos of Level 1's first group, including 9 non-English explanations.If you have a VIP account, you can print all groups' word list from the website; the details are in:

IELTS Vocabulary Cards
Cards are useful tools for some students to study new words. We offer two buttons to make one-side and two-side flashcards for each group. Below are one-side cards for Level 1's first group, including 9 non-English explanations.If you have a VIP account, you can print all groups' cards, either one-side or two-side, from the website; the details are in:

DIY - PDF of IELTS vocabulary
May I DIY PDF file of the 4000 IELTS words? Yes, you can run Print Vocabulary in PDF directly. This app can load all vocabularies of this website, please select '4000 IELTS Academic Words', filter and edit words, and create PDF by browsers. It's a free and handy tool to make your IELTS vocabulary PDF file.

If you need more flexible solutions, please go to Download IELTS Vocabulary PDF. In addition to print the whole group, it tells you how to leverage other free Internet PDF tools to produce a PDF file based on this IELTS vocabulary in a few minutes.

4   Manage Word Status:
To speed up your studying, you can manage words by marking them as New, Known, and Review status. There are two ways: Note page or Panel page to manage words' statuses. You can also save statuses to the cloud and sync back if your device has trouble or want to switch to other devices.

Word status works for all vocabularies on the website, including 4000 IELTS Academic Words. It is a handy flag to skip known words and focus on new and half-familiar words.

By Note
Manage IELTS Word by Note


By Panel
Manage IELTS Word by Panel


5   View all words by groups:        
Go to Word List by Group:
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 

Select Vocabulary Group:
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 

Words of Group 1: (Part of words, select list to view all.)
abandon
abort
abortion
absurd
abuse
academic
academy
access
account
accountant
accurate
accuse
accused
acid
acknowledge
address
adjust
administration
adopt
adore
adult
affect
affection
afford
agency
agenda
aggressive
agreement
aid
air
aisle
alarm
album
alien
alliance
ally
...
6   Demonstrate word list style:
ballet   Pronounce
n. a sort of theatrical representation by dancers
That school strives to be an international leader in ballet training.
Show examples and contexts   Close

bang   Pronounce
n. a vigorous blow; a conspicuous success
But there are fears that if the Egyptian side doesn't play well, the crowds will stay away, and the African Cup may go off with a whimper rather than a bang.
Show examples and contexts   Close

bar   Pronounce
n. a counter where you can obtain food or drink; cafe; strip; stick
For low-paid male workers the cafeterias are a social focus: the equivalent of a bar or pub in non-Muslim countries, a place to meet friends and workmates.
Show examples and contexts   Close

bare   Pronounce
a. lacking the usual or appropriate covering or clothing
Silent in bare feet, he swiftly crossed the cold marble floor, sliding into bed just as the door creaked open.
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bargain   Pronounce
n. agreement between parties concerning the sale of property
'A part of me you must become,' he answered steadily; 'otherwise, the whole bargain is void.'
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barrel   Pronounce
n. vessel; large cylindrical container
With the oil price soaring above thirty dollars a barrel and the pumps going nearly at full capacity, Gulf Arab coffers are overflowing with unforeseen wealth.
Show examples and contexts   Close

This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
7   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
aid  Speak
Exercise
person or thing that promotes or helps in something done; helper; assistant
Exercise
field hospital organized as to follow an army in its movements; a wagon for conveying the wounded to hospital
Exercise
meeting of elected or appointed representatives
Exercise
a restaurant where you serve yourself and pay a cashier
anyhow  Speak
Exercise
worship with profound reverence; pay divine honors to; regard with the utmost esteem and affection
Exercise
official approbation; endorsement; an act of approving
Exercise
in any way or manner whatever; at any rate; in any event
Exercise
support; sustain; carry; have; yield; give birth; hold up or support
approval  Speak
Exercise
official approbation; endorsement; an act of approving
Exercise
condemn; rebuke; find fault with; censure
Exercise
pasteboard for paper boxes; pasteboard box
Exercise
a plane surface, as of the floor of a room; open space in a building; the enclosed space; extent; scope; range
assume  Speak
Exercise
accept; take on; raise; take into one's family
Exercise
any furniture old and valuable; out of fashion
Exercise
suppose; presume; take on; bear
Exercise
meeting of elected or appointed representatives
audience  Speak
Exercise
annoy; trouble; make agitated or nervous; fluster
Exercise
act of seizing by force, or getting possession of by superior power; thing taken by force, surprise, or stratagem
Exercise
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles; source of moral or ethical judgment
Exercise
a group of people within hearing; crowd seeing a stage performance
awkward  Speak
Exercise
difficult to handle or manage
Exercise
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles; source of moral or ethical judgment
Exercise
public entertainment of performances by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals
Exercise
complicated in structure; a whole structure, as a building, made up of interconnected or related structures
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
8   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
n. a rack to hold meat for cooking over hot charcoal usually out of doors


Spelling Word: barbecue
Read [Esc]
n. ray of light; a long piece of metal or wood; long piece fixed or movable in structure, machine, or tool


Spelling Word: beam
Read [Esc]
v. strain or move out of a straight line; curve; turn toward some certain point


Spelling Word: bend
Read [Esc]
v. be unfaithful; reveal unconsciously or unwillingly


Spelling Word: betray
Read [Esc]
n. light current of air; gentle wind; progress swiftly and effortlessly


Spelling Word: breeze
Read [Esc]
a. short in time, duration, length, or extent; concise


Spelling Word: brief
This is 6 words spelling. Try spelling exercises of the list