IELTS vocabulary
IELTS speaking vocabulary
Natural phrases for Speaking: giving opinions, buying time, describing experiences and feelings.
Each entry has the typical band it's useful for, a plain meaning, an example sentence and the words it most often goes with. Learn the collocations along with the word: that's what makes vocabulary sound natural.
Band 6 words
a night owl noun · informal
Someone who prefers to stay up late at night.
I am a night owl, so I often do my most creative work after dinner.
Collocations: be a night owl · a confirmed night owl · a night owl by nature
an early bird noun · informal
Someone who likes waking up and starting activities early.
My father is an early bird and enjoys going for a walk before breakfast.
Collocations: be an early bird · a natural early bird · an early bird by nature
as far as I know phrase
Used to introduce information you believe is true, but may not be certain about.
As far as I know, the local library offers free classes for adults.
Collocations: as far as I know, ... · as far as I know about · as far as I know, there is
catch up with phrasal verb
To talk to someone and learn what has happened in their life recently.
Whenever I visit my hometown, I try to catch up with old friends over coffee.
Collocations: catch up with a friend · catch up with colleagues · catch up with someone over coffee
chill out phrasal verb · informal
To relax and stop feeling worried or stressed.
After a long day, I like to chill out by listening to music or reading.
Collocations: chill out at home · chill out with friends · chill out after work
come across phrasal verb
To seem to have a particular quality, or to find something by chance.
In interviews, candidates should speak clearly so they come across as confident and thoughtful.
Collocations: come across as confident · come across as sincere · come across an interesting article
cut down on phrasal verb
To reduce the amount of something you use or consume.
I have tried to cut down on sugary drinks by carrying a bottle of water with me.
Collocations: cut down on sugar · cut down on spending · cut down on screen time
delighted adjective
Very pleased and happy about something.
I was delighted when my tutor praised the progress I had made.
Collocations: delighted to hear · delighted with · absolutely delighted
easy-going adjective
Relaxed and not easily worried or annoyed.
My flatmate is easy-going, which makes it simple for us to share a small space.
Collocations: an easy-going person · easy-going nature · easy-going attitude
exhausted adjective
Extremely tired and without much energy.
After a long day of studying, I was exhausted and went straight to bed.
Collocations: feel exhausted · physically exhausted · completely exhausted
figure out phrasal verb
To understand or find an answer to something.
It took me a while to figure out how to balance my studies with a part-time job.
Collocations: figure out a problem · figure out how to · figure out what happened
get on well with phrase · informal
Have a friendly and agreeable relationship with someone.
I get on well with my colleagues because we communicate openly and help one another.
Collocations: get on well with someone · get on well with colleagues · get on well with each other
give up phrasal verb
To stop trying to do something or stop doing it altogether.
Although learning the piano was challenging, I did not give up because practising helped me relax.
Collocations: give up a habit · give up trying · give up smoking
grow up phrasal verb
To spend your childhood in a particular place or situation, becoming older and more mature.
Children who grow up with regular access to books often develop stronger reading habits.
Collocations: grow up in a city · grow up with siblings · grow up surrounded by nature
hard-working adjective
Putting a lot of effort into work or study.
My sister is hard-working and organised, and she rarely leaves a task unfinished.
Collocations: a hard-working student · hard-working staff · hard-working nature
hectic adjective
Very busy and full of activity, often in a tiring way.
My weekdays are hectic, so I try to keep the weekends free for my family.
Collocations: a hectic schedule · a hectic day · life is hectic
homesick adjective
Feeling sad because you are away from home and miss it.
I felt homesick during my first few weeks at university, but joining a society helped me settle in.
Collocations: feel homesick · become homesick · homesick for family
I reckon phrase · informal
Used to express what you think or believe.
I reckon public transport is the most convenient way to get around a busy city.
Collocations: I reckon that ... · I reckon it is ... · I reckon ...
I'd say phrase
A phrase used to give an opinion or estimate.
I'd say public transport is the most practical way to travel around a busy city.
Collocations: I'd say that · I'd say probably · I'd say the main reason
in my experience phrase
Used to introduce something you have learnt from your own life.
In my experience, working in a team helps people develop stronger communication skills.
Collocations: in my experience, ... · in my experience with · in my experience of
it depends on phrase
Used to say that the answer changes according to a particular factor.
It depends on the task, but I usually prefer working in a team rather than alone.
Collocations: it depends on the situation · it depends on whether · it depends on the individual
keep in touch phrase
Continue communicating with someone, especially when you are apart.
Although my university friends live far away, we keep in touch through regular video calls.
Collocations: keep in touch with someone · keep in touch regularly · stay in touch
laid-back adjective · informal
Relaxed and calm, especially when dealing with problems or pressure.
My coach is laid-back, but he still expects everyone to practise regularly.
Collocations: a laid-back person · laid-back attitude · laid-back approach
let me think phrase
A phrase used to pause briefly while you consider an answer.
Let me think about that for a moment; I would say the main benefit is greater convenience.
Collocations: let me think about... · let me think for a moment · let me think carefully
look forward to phrasal verb
To feel pleased and excited about something that will happen.
I look forward to spending time outdoors at the weekend, especially after a busy week.
Collocations: look forward to a holiday · look forward to seeing someone · look forward to doing something
memorable adjective
Worth remembering because it was special or enjoyable.
The most memorable part of the trip was sharing a meal with my relatives.
Collocations: memorable experience · memorable moment · memorable occasion
on the go phrase
Busy and active, often moving from one place or task to another.
I usually prepare simple lunches because I am on the go for much of the working day.
Collocations: be on the go · food on the go · stay on the go
outgoing adjective
Friendly and confident when meeting or talking to other people.
Although I was shy at school, I became more outgoing after joining a drama group.
Collocations: an outgoing person · outgoing personality · outgoing nature
pick up phrasal verb
To learn or acquire a skill or habit, often informally.
I picked up a few useful cooking techniques by watching my flatmate prepare dinner.
Collocations: pick up a skill · pick up a language · pick up a habit
put off phrasal verb
To delay doing something until a later time.
I tend to put off household chores when I have a demanding week at work.
Collocations: put off a decision · put off doing something · put off a meeting
reliable adjective
Able to be trusted to do what is expected or promised.
I consider my colleague reliable because she always completes her work on time.
Collocations: a reliable friend · reliable information · prove reliable
take up a hobby phrase
To start doing an activity regularly for enjoyment.
Many people take up a hobby such as gardening to relax after a busy day.
Collocations: take up a hobby such as · take up a new hobby · take up a hobby in later life
that's a tough question phrase · informal
A phrase used to show that a question is difficult to answer.
That's a tough question, but I'd say the most important quality in a friend is reliability.
Collocations: that's a tough question to answer · that's a tough question because · that's a tough question, but
to be honest phrase · informal
Used to introduce a sincere or direct opinion.
To be honest, I find it easier to concentrate when I study in a quiet place.
Collocations: to be honest about · to be honest with · to be honest, ...
what I mean is phrase
A phrase used to explain or clarify the point you are making.
What I mean is, cities should invest more in reliable public transport.
Collocations: what I mean is that... · what I mean is not... · what I mean is, ...
Band 7 words
a piece of cake idiom · informal
Something that is very easy to do.
The practical part of the course was a piece of cake because I had already gained relevant experience.
Collocations: be a piece of cake · find something a piece of cake · make something a piece of cake
at the end of the day linking phrase · informal
When everything is considered; ultimately.
At the end of the day, a healthy work-life balance matters more to me than a higher salary.
Collocations: at the end of the day, it comes down to · at the end of the day, what matters is · at the end of the day, it depends
breathtaking adjective
Extremely beautiful or impressive.
The view from the coastal path was breathtaking, especially at sunset.
Collocations: breathtaking view · breathtaking scenery · breathtaking beauty
bring up phrasal verb
To mention a subject for people to discuss.
I would bring up the cost of public transport when discussing ways to reduce traffic.
Collocations: bring up a topic · bring up an issue · bring up the subject of
content adjective
Happy and satisfied with what you have.
I feel content with my daily routine because it gives me time for work and family.
Collocations: feel content · content with · perfectly content
down-to-earth adjective
Practical, sensible and realistic rather than proud or idealistic.
My best friend is very down-to-earth, so I often ask her for practical advice.
Collocations: a down-to-earth person · down-to-earth advice · remain down-to-earth
frustrated adjective
Annoyed or upset because something is difficult or not going as planned.
I felt frustrated when the computer stopped working just before my deadline.
Collocations: feel frustrated · frustrated with · increasingly frustrated
generally speaking linking phrase
Used to describe what is usually true, despite possible exceptions.
Generally speaking, people are more productive when they have a comfortable place to work.
Collocations: generally speaking, ... · generally speaking, people · generally speaking, most
hit the books idiom · informal
To begin studying seriously.
During the weeks before my final exams, I hit the books every evening after dinner.
Collocations: hit the books hard · hit the books for an exam · need to hit the books
introverted adjective
Quiet and more comfortable spending time alone or with a few people.
I am fairly introverted, so I prefer having a few close friends to attending large parties.
Collocations: an introverted person · introverted personality · feel introverted
look up to phrasal verb
Admire and respect someone, often because of their qualities or achievements.
I have always looked up to my aunt because she balances her career with caring for others.
Collocations: look up to someone · really look up to · look up to a role model
nostalgic adjective
Feeling happy and slightly sad when remembering the past.
Looking through my old school photographs makes me feel nostalgic about those carefree days.
Collocations: feel nostalgic · nostalgic about · nostalgic memories
off the top of my head idiom · informal
Used when answering from memory without taking time to think.
Off the top of my head, I can think of several advantages of cycling to work.
Collocations: off the top of my head, ... · say off the top of my head · guess off the top of my head
once in a blue moon idiom · informal
Very rarely; not often at all.
I eat fast food once in a blue moon because I prefer cooking fresh meals at home.
Collocations: eat out once in a blue moon · go shopping once in a blue moon · happen once in a blue moon
open-minded adjective
Willing to consider ideas and opinions that differ from your own.
Living with people from different backgrounds has made me more open-minded.
Collocations: an open-minded person · open-minded attitude · remain open-minded
overwhelmed adjective
Feeling unable to manage because there is too much to deal with.
I felt overwhelmed when I had several assignments due at the same time.
Collocations: feel overwhelmed · overwhelmed by · completely overwhelmed
relieved adjective
Feeling relaxed because something unpleasant or worrying has ended.
I was relieved when I received confirmation that my application had been accepted.
Collocations: feel relieved · relieved to hear · greatly relieved
run out of phrasal verb
To use all of something so that none remains.
If cities do not manage water carefully, they may run out of clean water during dry periods.
Collocations: run out of time · run out of money · run out of resources
self-confident adjective
Sure of your abilities and comfortable expressing yourself.
Giving presentations at school helped me become more self-confident.
Collocations: a self-confident person · feel self-confident · become self-confident
spontaneous adjective
Done naturally and without being planned beforehand.
We made a spontaneous decision to spend the weekend by the coast.
Collocations: a spontaneous decision · a spontaneous trip · be spontaneous
stunning adjective
Extremely attractive or impressive.
The gallery displayed a stunning collection of photographs from around the world.
Collocations: stunning view · stunning design · stunning appearance
supportive adjective
Giving encouragement, help or understanding to someone.
My parents were supportive when I decided to change my career path.
Collocations: a supportive family · supportive of someone · a supportive environment
the best of both worlds idiom
A situation combining the advantages of two different things.
Working remotely gives me the best of both worlds: flexibility and regular contact with my team.
Collocations: get the best of both worlds · offer the best of both worlds · enjoy the best of both worlds
thoughtful adjective
Kind and considerate because you think about other people's needs.
My neighbour was thoughtful enough to bring me a meal when I was ill.
Collocations: a thoughtful person · a thoughtful gesture · thoughtful of someone
thrilled adjective
Extremely excited and pleased.
I was thrilled to be offered the chance to give a presentation at work.
Collocations: thrilled to be · thrilled about · absolutely thrilled
unforgettable adjective
So remarkable or enjoyable that it is impossible to forget.
Seeing the sunrise from the mountain was an unforgettable experience.
Collocations: unforgettable experience · unforgettable moment · unforgettable memory
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