IELTS common vocab

🔹 Alleviate Definition: To make something less severe, especially pain or a problem. Example: The new policies aim to alleviate poverty in rural areas. Synonyms: Ease, relieve, reduce Word family: Alleviation (n) 🔹 Substantiate Definition: To provide evidence to support or prove a claim. Example: The author failed to substantiate her argument with solid facts. Synonyms: Prove, validate, confirm Word family: Substantiation (n) 🔹 Discrepancy Definition: A difference or inconsistency between two or more things. Example: There's a discrepancy between the reported earnings and actual figures. Synonyms: Inconsistency, conflict, mismatch 🔹 Ambiguous Definition: Having more than one meaning; unclear. Example: His answer was ambiguous and left everyone confused. Synonyms: Vague, unclear, indefinite Word family: Ambiguity (n) 🔹 Detrimental Definition: Harmful or damaging. Example: Excessive screen time is detrimental to children's health. Synonyms: Harmful, damaging, adverse Word family: Detriment (n) 🔹 Feasible Definition: Possible and practical to achieve. Example: It is not feasible to complete the project within two days. Synonyms: Possible, viable, workable Word family: Feasibility (n) 🔹 Plausible Definition: Appearing reasonable or likely to be true. Example: Her explanation sounds plausible, but it still needs verification. Synonyms: Believable, credible, reasonable Word family: Plausibility (n) 🔹 Mitigate Definition: To make something less harmful or serious. Example: Measures were taken to mitigate the impact of the disaster. Synonyms: Lessen, reduce, alleviate Word family: Mitigation (n) 🔹 Imminent Definition: About to happen soon. Example: The country is facing an imminent economic crisis. Synonyms: Approaching, forthcoming, near Word family: Imminence (n) 🔹 Prolific Definition: Producing a lot of something, especially work. Example: She is a prolific author who has written over 30 novels. Synonyms: Productive, creative Word family: Prolifically (adv) 🔹 Scrutinize Definition: To examine something very carefully. Example: The data was scrutinized before publishing the results. Synonyms: Inspect, examine, analyze Word family: Scrutiny (n) 🔹 Viable Definition: Capable of working successfully. Example: Solar energy is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Synonyms: Practical, workable, feasible Word family: Viability (n) 🔹 Exacerbate Definition: To make something worse. Example: The drought exacerbated the food crisis. Synonyms: Worsen, intensify, aggravate Word family: Exacerbation (n) 🔹 Prevalent Definition: Widespread or commonly occurring. Example: Smoking is still prevalent among teenagers. Synonyms: Common, widespread, frequent Word family: Prevalence (n) 🔹 Conducive Definition: Helpful in bringing about a result. Example: A quiet room is conducive to effective studying. Synonyms: Helpful, beneficial, favorable 🔹 Perpetuate Definition: To cause something to continue, often something negative. Example: The media often perpetuates stereotypes. Synonyms: Maintain, prolong, sustain Word family: Perpetuation (n) 🔹 Precedent Definition: An earlier event or decision that serves as an example. Example: The court ruling set a new legal precedent. Synonyms: Example, model, standard 🔹 Abolish Definition: To officially end or eliminate something. Example: Many countries have abolished capital punishment. Synonyms: Eliminate, terminate, repeal Word family: Abolition (n) 🔹 Repercussion Definition: A negative consequence or effect of an action. Example: The war had serious economic repercussions. Synonyms: Consequence, aftermath, impact 🔹 Coherent Definition: Logical and consistent; easy to follow. Example: Her essay was clear and coherent. Synonyms: Logical, consistent, clear Word family: Coherence (n), coherently (adv) 🔹 Intrinsic Definition: Naturally belonging; essential by nature. Example: Respect for others is intrinsic to a healthy society. Synonyms: Inherent, essential, fundamental 🔹 Deprive Definition: To take something important away from someone. Example: Children should not be deprived of education. Synonyms: Deny, strip, rob Word family: Deprivation (n) 🔹 Advocate (verb) Definition: To publicly support or recommend something. Example: She advocates for equal rights. Synonyms: Support, promote, campaign for Word family: Advocacy (n), advocate (n) 🔹 Inevitable Definition: Certain to happen; unavoidable. Example: With such poor planning, failure was inevitable. Synonyms: Unavoidable, inescapable, certain Word family: Inevitably (adv) 🔹 Lucid Definition: Clear and easy to understand. Example: His explanation was lucid and well-structured. Synonyms: Clear, coherent, intelligible Word family: Lucidity (n), lucidly (adv) 🔹 Deviate Definition: To go off the expected path or plan. Example: The bus deviated from its usual route. Synonyms: Diverge, stray, differ Word family: Deviation (n) 🔹 Notion Definition: A belief, opinion, or idea. Example: The notion that money brings happiness is debatable. Synonyms: Idea, belief, concept 🔹 Legitimate Definition: Legal or acceptable; based on logic or fairness. Example: Their concerns are legitimate and should be addressed. Synonyms: Legal, valid, justified Word family: Legitimacy (n), legitimately (adv) 🔹 Prevalence Definition: The fact or condition of being widespread. Example: The prevalence of social media addiction is increasing. Synonyms: Frequency, commonness Word family: Prevalent (adj) 🔹 Constraint Definition: A limitation or restriction. Example: Budget constraints forced them to delay the project. Synonyms: Limitation, restriction, restraint

🔸 HEALTH Malnutrition Definition: A condition caused by not having enough nutrients. Example: Malnutrition remains a major issue in developing countries. Synonyms: Undernourishment, poor nutrition Word family: Malnourished (adj) Sedentary lifestyle Definition: A way of life with little physical activity. Example: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and heart disease. Synonyms: Inactive lifestyle, lack of movement Word family: Sedentary (adj) Preventive care Definition: Medical services that prevent illnesses instead of treating them. Example: Governments should invest more in preventive care to reduce hospital costs. Synonyms: Proactive healthcare, disease prevention Word family: Prevent (v), prevention (n) Immunization Definition: The process of making a person immune to infection through vaccines. Example: Immunization programs have greatly reduced the spread of infectious diseases. Synonyms: Vaccination, inoculation Word family: Immunize (v), immune (adj) Life expectancy Definition: The average number of years a person is expected to live. Example: Improvements in healthcare have increased life expectancy worldwide. Synonyms: Longevity Word family: Expectancy (n) 🔸 ECONOMY Inflation Definition: A rise in prices and fall in the value of money. Example: Inflation has made basic necessities more expensive. Synonyms: Price rise, economic instability Word family: Inflate (v), inflated (adj) Recession Definition: A period of economic decline and reduced activity. Example: Many people lost their jobs during the global recession. Synonyms: Downturn, economic crisis Word family: Recessive (adj) Subsidy Definition: Financial aid given by the government to reduce costs. Example: Farmers receive subsidies to support local food production. Synonyms: Grant, financial aid Word family: Subsidize (v), subsidized (adj) Fiscal policy Definition: Government policy on taxation and spending. Example: Fiscal policy can influence economic growth and unemployment rates. Synonyms: Government budget strategy Word family: Fiscal (adj) Income disparity Definition: A large gap in income between groups of people. Example: Income disparity is a major cause of social unrest. Synonyms: Income inequality, wage gap Word family: Disparity (n), disparate (adj) 🔸 CRIME & LAW Deterrent Definition: Something that discourages criminal behavior. Example: Strict penalties act as a deterrent to crime. Synonyms: Prevention, discouragement Word family: Deter (v) Rehabilitation Definition: Restoring someone to a normal life after imprisonment or addiction. Example: Rehabilitation is more effective than punishment in reducing reoffending. Synonyms: Recovery, reintegration Word family: Rehabilitate (v), rehabilitative (adj) Incarceration Definition: The act of putting someone in prison. Example: The incarceration rate in the country has reached a record high. Synonyms: Imprisonment, confinement Word family: Incarcerate (v) Recidivism Definition: The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. Example: Community programs aim to reduce recidivism rates. Synonyms: Reoffending, relapse into crime Word family: Recidivist (n) Legislation Definition: Laws created by a government. Example: New environmental legislation was introduced to reduce emissions. Synonyms: Law, regulation, statute Word family: Legislate (v), legislative (adj) 🔸 TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA Surveillance Definition: Close monitoring of behavior or activities. Example: Surveillance cameras are used in public areas to deter crime. Synonyms: Monitoring, observation Word family: Survey (v) Dissemination Definition: The act of spreading information widely. Example: The internet allows for rapid dissemination of knowledge. Synonyms: Distribution, circulation Word family: Disseminate (v) Algorithm Definition: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, often used in computers. Example: Social media platforms use algorithms to personalize content. Synonyms: Formula, calculation Viral content Definition: Online material that spreads rapidly. Example: The video became viral content overnight. Synonyms: Trending media, widely shared material Word family: Virus (n, metaphorically) Censorship Definition: The suppression of speech or content deemed offensive or dangerous. Example: Censorship limits freedom of expression. Synonyms: Suppression, restriction, control Word family: Censor (v/n) 🔸 ENVIRONMENT Sustainable Definition: Capable of being maintained without harming the environment. Example: Sustainable energy sources are crucial for the planet’s future. Synonyms: Eco-friendly, renewable Word family: Sustainability (n) Ecosystem Definition: A biological community of living and nonliving things interacting. Example: Pollution can destroy delicate marine ecosystems. Synonyms: Natural system, environment Pollutant Definition: A harmful substance introduced into the environment. Example: Factories release pollutants into the atmosphere. Synonyms: Contaminant, toxin Word family: Pollution (n), pollute (v) Degradation Definition: The process of something becoming worse or damaged. Example: Soil degradation leads to poor agricultural yields. Synonyms: Decline, deterioration Word family: Degrade (v) Conservation Definition: The protection and preservation of natural resources. Example: Wildlife conservation is essential for biodiversity. Synonyms: Preservation, protection Word family: Conserve (v), conservative (adj) 🔸 EDUCATION Curriculum Definition: The subjects and materials taught in school. Example: The curriculum should include both academic and life skills. Synonyms: Course content, syllabus Word family: Curricular (adj) Pedagogy Definition: The method and practice of teaching. Example: Modern pedagogy encourages student-centered learning. Synonyms: Teaching method, education theory Word family: Pedagogical (adj) Tuition Definition: The fee paid for instruction or education. Example: Many students struggle to afford university tuition. Synonyms: Fees, charges Word family: Tutor (n/v) Scholarship Definition: A grant or award to help pay for education. Example: She received a scholarship for academic excellence. Synonyms: Grant, financial award Word family: Scholar (n) Assessment Definition: The process of evaluating student learning. Example: Continuous assessment helps teachers monitor progress. Synonyms: Evaluation, appraisal Word family: Assess (v) 🔸 SOCIETY & CULTURE Inequality Definition: Lack of equality, especially in rights or opportunities. Example: Gender inequality still exists in many societies. Synonyms: Disparity, imbalance Word family: Equal (adj), inequality (n) Diversity Definition: The presence of different types of people or ideas. Example: Cultural diversity should be embraced, not feared. Synonyms: Variety, multiculturalism Word family: Diverse (adj) Demographics Definition: Statistical data about populations (age, income, etc.). Example: The demographics of the city are changing rapidly. Synonyms: Population data, statistics Word family: Demographic (adj) Globalization Definition: The process of increased interconnection among countries. Example: Globalization has made international trade easier. Synonyms: International integration Word family: Global (adj), globalize (v) Norms Definition: Accepted standards of behavior in a society. Example: Social norms differ between cultures. Synonyms: Rules, standards, customs