IELTS Academic Word List 6

fabric: cloth; stuff; artifact made by weaving or synthetic fibers; structure; framework

fabricate: build; put together out of components or parts

face: confront; encounter; be opposite

facilitate: help bring about; make less difficult

facility: service, space, and equipment provided for a particular purpose

faction: a party of persons having a common end in view

factor: anything that contributes causally to a result; element; variable

fade: disappear; die out; lose color; lose freshness

faint: lacking strength or vigor ; weak

fairly: in fair manner; clearly; openly; plainly; fully; distinctly; frankly

fairy: enchantment; illusion; imaginary supernatural being or spirit

faith: loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person; complete confidence

faithful: believer; follower

fake: imitation; counterfeit; having a false or misleading appearance

fall: drop; sink; lose an upright position suddenly; decrease in size, extent, or range

fame: favorable public reputation; great renown

familiar: well known or easily recognized

familiarity: state of being familiar; intimate and frequent converse, or association; unconstrained intercourse; freedom from ceremony and constraint; intimacy

famine: shortage of food; starvation

fanatic: person who is zealously enthusiastic for some cause; showing evidence of possession by a god or demon

fancy: capricious notion; something many people believe that is false

fantastic: excellent; extraordinary; strange in form, conception, or appearance

fare: food and drink; diet; transportation charge; a paying passenger

farewell: acknowledgment at parting; goodbye; act of departing or taking leave

fascinate: cause to be interested or curious; captivate

fascination: capacity to attract intense interest

fashion: style, shape, appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model

fashionable: conforming to the current style; being or in accordance with current fashion

fasten: attach; affix

fatal: causing death

fathom: measure the depth; come to understand

fatigue: physical or mental weariness; exhaustion

fault: crack; a crack in the earth; defect; flaw; a wrong action

favorable: approving or pleasing; granting what has been desired or requested

feasible: capable of being accomplished or brought about

feast: a festival or holiday; festive or joyous meal; something highly agreeable; entertainment

feat: achievement; accomplishment

feature: prominent aspect of something

federal: of or relating to central government; national

federation: uniting in a league; confederation; league

fee: give a tip beyond the agreed-on compensation

feeble: lacking vigor, force, or effectiveness; faint; frail

feed: give food to; supply with nourishment

feedback: response to an inquiry or experiment

fell: capable of destroying; lethal

fellowship: state or relation of being or associate; companionship of persons on equal and friendly terms; state of being together

female: for or composed of women or girls

ferocious: fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty

ferry: shuttle; transport by boat or aircraft

fertile: rich; fruitful; inventive; creative; intellectually productive

fertilizer: any substance used to make soil more fertile

fervent: extremely hot; sincerely or intensely felt

festival: a day or period of time for feasting and celebration

fetch: take away or remove; reduce; go or come after and bring or take back

feud: bitter quarrel between two parties

fiber: slender, elongated, threadlike object or structure; material to make paper or cloth

fiction: story; imaginative creation; literary work whose content is produced by imagination

fictional: imaginary; invented, as opposed to real

fierce: ferocious; savage; extremely severe or violent; terrible

fig: small fruit tree with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity

figurative: not literal, but metaphorical; using figure of speech

figure: model of a bodily form; impression produced by a person; written or printed symbol representing a number

file: line; proceed in line

filter: strain; pass liquid or gas through device that blocks some matter by particular criterion

filth: foul matter; anything that soils or defiles; dirt; corruption; pollution

filthy: nasty; dirty; polluted; foul; impure

final: forming or occurring at the end; terminating; ultimate; conclusive

finance: management of money and credit and banking and investments; subsidizing; fund

financial: monetary; pertaining or relating to money matters

financing: subsidy; transaction that provides funds for a business

finite: having a limit; limited in quantity, degree, or capacity; bounded

fir: any of various evergreen trees of the genus Abies

firm: hard; solid; resolute; determined

fishery: business or practice of catching fish; fishing; a place for catching fish; the right to take fish at a certain place

fist: hand with the fingers doubled into the palm; closed hand

fit: be the right size or shape; conform to some shape or size

fitness: health; vigor; state or condition of being fit; suitability or appropriateness

fitting: small accessory to a larger system; small detachable part for a machine or apparatus; act of trying on clothes

fixed: firmly in position; stationary

fixture: commonplace object; object firmly fixed in place

flag: become less intense; sink, or settle from pressure

flake: flat thin piece or layer; chip; small piece; small crystalline bit of snow

flame: stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat; passion of love

flap: flat, usually thin piece attached at only one side; act of waving or fluttering; blow given with something flat; slap

flare: sudden outburst of emotion; glare; shine; shine with sudden light

flash: emit a brief burst of light; appear briefly; sudden intense burst of radiant energy

flask: a small bottle-shaped vessel for holding fluids; narrow-necked vessel of metal or glass

flatter: compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favor; enhance someone's vanity by praising them

flavor: distinctive taste; quality produced by the sensation of taste

flaw: crack or breach; gap or fissure; defect; fault; sudden burst of noise and disorder

flee: run away, as from danger or evil; avoid in alarmed or cowardly manner

fleece: rob; strip of money or other property unjustly, especially by trickery or fraud; ask unreasonable price

fleet: a group of steamships under the same ownership; a group of vessels or vehicles

flesh: soft tissue of body, mainly muscle and fat; substance; reality; surface or skin of human body; meat of animals

flexibility: quality of being adaptable or variable

flexible: pliant; elastic; capable of being bent or flexed; pliable

flicker: flutter; flap the wings without flying; waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air

fling: throw with force or recklessness; throw or cast away; move in an abrupt

float: drift along; make the surface of level or smooth; move lightly

flock: group; herd; crowd; gather; crowd; throng

flour: fine powdery foodstuff; soft, fine powder

flourish: grow well; decorate with ornaments; be in a period of productivity

fluctuate: rise and fall in or as if in waves; shift; vary irregularly

fluctuation: a wave motion

fluency: quality of smoothness of flow; quality of being fluent in language

fluent: easy and graceful in shape; graceful; smooth and unconstrained in movement

flush: turn red, as from fever, embarrassment, or strong emotion; glow, especially with a reddish color; flow suddenly

flutter: vibrate or move quickly; drive in disorder; throw into confusion

flux: flowing; series of changes; state of being liquid through heat

foam: white substance, consisting of an aggregation of bubbles, which is formed on the surface of liquids

focus: most important thing; a fixed reference point; center of interest or activity

fodder: coarse food for cattle or horses

foe: enemy; one who entertains hatred, grudge; adversary

fog: droplets of water vapor suspended in air near ground ; haze

foggy: obscured by fog; indistinct or hazy in outline

fold: make something double; bend or lay so that one part covers the other

foliage: masses of leaves; a cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches

foolish: marked with, or exhibiting, folly; void of understanding; weak in intellect; without judgment

forbid: not allow; prohibit; prevent

forecast: prediction about how something will develop, as for weather

forefather: ancestor; forebear

foremost: leading; main; primary; first in time or place

foresee: anticipate; predict

foretell: tell of or indicate beforehand; predict

forge: workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering

forgery: act of forging, especially the illegal production of something counterfeit

forgive: give wholly; cease to feel resentment against; excuse for a fault or an offense; give up; resign

formal: official; executed, carried out, or done in proper or regular form

formality: quality or condition of being formal; something done just for form's sake

format: pattern; design; set into a specific pattern

formation: configuration; pattern

former: preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier

formerly: previously;at an earlier time; once

formidable: arousing fear; threatening; difficult to undertake or defeat

formula: plan; directions for making something; a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement

formulate: decide upon and express in words

forsake: leave someone who needs or counts on you

fort: a fortified defensive structure; permanent army post

forthcoming: ready or about to appear; making appearance

fortitude: bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack

fortnight: a period of fourteen consecutive days

fortress: fort; castle; fortified place, especially a large military stronghold, often includes a town

fortunate: lucky; bringing something good and unforeseen

fortune: arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident; luck

forum: place to discuss public concerns; meeting or medium for open discussion

forward: at or to or toward the front; toward the future

fossil: remnant; remains of a plant or animal that existed in a past geological age

foster: rear; promote the growth of; help develop

foul: act that violates of the rules of a sport

found: establish or set up, especially with provision for continuing existence; melt metal and pour into a mold

foundation: basis on which something is grounded

founder: person who establishes an organization, business

fountain: spring of water issuing from the earth; artificially produced jet or stream of water

fraction: segment; fragment; a small proportion of

fracture: break into pieces; crack; destroy; violate or abuse

fragile: easy to destroy, delicate, not strong

fragment: small part broken off or detached; fraction

fragrance: scent; aroma; distinctive odor that is pleasant

fragrant: pleasant-smelling; odorous

frail: physically weak; easily broken

frame: structure that gives shape or support; closed, often rectangular border of drawn or printed lines

framework: fundamental structure, as for a written work; skeleton

franchise: right granted by authority; right to vote; business licensed to sell a product in particular area

frank: honest; sincere; open and sincere in expression; straightforward

freight: transport commercially as cargo; load with goods; goods carried by a large vehicle

fret: cause to be uneasy; wear away

friction: clash in opinion; rubbing against; conflict

frightening: inspiring with fear; causing fear; of capable of causing fear; scary

fringe: margin; periphery; decorative border of hanging threads, cords, or strips, often attached to a separate band

frontier: part of a country which fronts or faces another country or an unsettled region; border, confine, or extreme part of a country

frost: ice crystal; weather cold enough to cause freezing; provide with a rough surface or appearance

frown: look angry; wrinkle one's forehead; regard something with disapproval or distaste

frugal: sparing; economical; costing little; inexpensive

fruitful: productive; fertile; producing results; profitable

frustrate: make null; bring to nothing; prevent from taking effect or attaining fulfillment

frustration: disappointment; failure; act of frustrating

fuel: substance that can be consumed to produce energy

fulfil: fill full; fill to the utmost capacity, as a vessel, a room

full: filled to satisfaction with food or drink; containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

fumble: feel or grope about; make awkward attempts to do or find something; play childishly; \turn over and over

function: act of executing or performing any duty; assigned duty or activity

functional: useful; in good working order

fund: money; capital; a reserve of money set aside for some purpose; finance; subsidize

fundamental: relating to foundation or base; elementary; primary; essential

funeral: ceremony held in connection with burial; burial procession accompanying body to grave; end of existence

furious: extreme anger; raging; full of activity; energetic or rapid

furnace: enclosed place in which heat is produced; place or time of punishment or great trial

furnish: provide; supply; equip with what is needed, especially to provide furniture for

furniture: movable articles in a room or an establishment that make it fit for living or working

furrow: trench in the earth made by a plow; any trench, channel, or groove, as in wood or metal; wrinkle on the face

further: get greater distance; make more in advance

furthermore: in addition; moreover

fury: violent anger; rage; uncontrolled action; turbulence

fuse: combine; blend; become plastic or fluid or liquefied from heat

fuss: angry disturbance; excited state of agitation; needlessly nervous or useless activity; protest; quarrel

fussy: easily upset; given to bouts of ill temper; full of superfluous details

IELTS Academic Word List 5

eager: avid; enthusiastic

earnest: seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness

earthquake: quake from underground; disturbance that is extremely disruptive; temblor

ease: satisfaction; pleasure; entertainment; freedom from care

eccentric: departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern

eccentricity: oddity; departure from that which is stated, regular, or usual; deviation from center

echo: sound reflected from an opposing surface and repeated to the ear; repetition of a sound

eclipse: darken; exceed in importance; outweigh

ecology: science of the relationships between organisms and their environments

economic: pertaining to economy; frugal; cheap

economical: thrifty; saving; using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

economics: branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management

economize: save money or resource; cut back; be thrifty

economy: efficient use of resources; reduction in cost; specific type of economic system

ecstasy: intense joy or delight; any overpowering emotion

edge: brink; perimeter; margin

edit: revise and prepare for publication; select, correct, arrange matter of, for publication

edition: whole number of copies of a work printed and published; single copy; act of editing

editorial: of or pertaining to an editor; written or sanctioned by an editor

education: act or process of educating; the result of educating

effective: efficient; productive; producing a strong impression or response

effectiveness: efficiency; quality of being effective

efficiency: effectiveness; quality or property of being efficient; ratio of useful output to the total input in any system

efficient: effective; acting directly to produce an effect; exhibiting a high ratio of output to input

effort: exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object

eject: put out or expel from a place; discharge

elaborate: marked by complexity and richness of detail; done with care and in minute detail

elaboration: production by gradual process; act of working out with great care in detail

elapse: slip or glide away; pass away silently

elastic: springing back; having the power of rebounding; able to return quickly to a former state or condition

elasticity: tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed

elbow: hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm

election: voting; balloting; right or ability to make a choice

electrical: pertaining to electricity; electric

electrician: one whose occupation is the installation, maintenance, repair, or operation of electric equipment and circuitry

electron: elementary particle with negative charge

electronic: of or pertaining to an electron or electrons.

electronics: branch of physics that deals with the behavior of electrons; electronic devices

elegance: refined quality of gracefulness and good taste

elegant: refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

element: fundamental or essential constituent of a composite entity; basic assumptions or principles of a subject

elementary: basic; fundamental

elevate: raise; give a promotion to or assign to a higher position

elevation: altitude; height

elevator: lifting device consisting of a platform or cage

eliminate: eradicate; abolish; rule out

elimination: act of removing or getting rid of something

ellipsis: omission of words from text; mark or series of marks used in writing to indicate omission

elliptical: rounded like an egg; in a shape reminding of an ellipse; oval

eloquence: powerful and effective language; persuasive speech

eloquent: vividly or movingly expressive; persuasive

elusive: difficult to describe; difficult to detect or grasp by mind

emancipate: free from bondage, oppression, or restraint; liberate

emancipation: freeing someone from the control of another

embargo: ban on commerce or other activity

embark: commence; go on board a boat or airplane; begin a journey

embarrass: humiliate; shame; cause to feel self-conscious or ill at ease; disconcert

embassy: diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work; diplomatic representatives headed by an ambassador

embody: give a bodily form to; represent in bodily or material form; incorporate

embrace: hug; adopt or espouse; accept readily; hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection

embroider: decorate with needlework; add details to

embroidery: elaboration by the use of decorative detail; ornamentation of fabric with needlework

emerge: come into prominence; spring up; appear

emergency: sudden unforeseen crisis; condition of urgent need for action or assistance

emigrant: someone who leaves one country to settle in another

emigrate: remove from one country or State to another, for the purpose of residence; migrate from home

eminent: standing out above other things; high in rank, office, or worth

emission: radiation; discharge; act of emitting

emit: give off; send out; give out as sound

emotion: feeling; mood; state of mental agitation or disturbance

emotional: sentimental; passionate; excitable; easily moved

emphasis: special attention or effort directed toward something; stress

emphasize: stress; underscore; utter or pronounce with a particular stress of voice

empirical: derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

employ: engage the services of; put to work; apply

employee: worker; person who works for another in return for financial or other compensation

employer: a person or firm that employs workers

employment: act of employing or using

empty: containing nothing; not holding or having anything within; void of contents or appropriate contents

enable: supply with the means, knowledge, or opportunity; make able; make feasible or possible

enchant: charm by sorcery; get control of by magical words and rites

encircle: form a circle about; inclose within a circle or ring; surround

enclose: include; surround on all sides; close in

enclosure: place where animals are kept

encounter: face; confront; meet, especially unexpectedly; come upon

encourage: activate; stimulate

endanger: threaten; jeopardize; do something that may damage it or destroy it

endeavor: attempt by employing effort

endless: without end; having no end or conclusion; perpetual; interminable

endorse: acknowledge by signing a bill, draft, or other instrument

endorsement: act of endorsing; support; formal and explicit approval; signature that validates something

endow: grant; award; give qualities or abilities to

endurance: perseverance; state or fact of persevering; continuing existence

endure: tolerate; carry on through, despite hardships

energetic: active; brisk; vigorous

energy: exertion of force; capacity for work or vigorous activity; usable heat or power

enforce: put force upon; force; constrain; compel; put in motion or action by violence

engage: obtain for services of; arrange for the use of; pledge or promise, especially to marry

engagement: act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest; state of being in gear

engrave: carve or cut into a block or surface, as used for printing; impress deeply as if by carving

engraving: practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it

engulf: absorb or swallow up as in a gulf; flow over or cover completely

enhance: make better or more attractive; increase; improve

enhancement: act of increasing, or state of being increased; augmentation; aggravation

enlighten: supply with light; illuminate, as the sun enlightens the earth; make clear to the intellect or conscience

enormous: very great in size, extent, number, or degrees; huge; massive

enquire: seek information by asking a question

enquiry: search for knowledge

enrich: make rich; richen; improve

enroll: insert in a roil; register or enter in list or catalogue; insert in records; enlist

enrolment: act of enrolling; specifically, the registering, recording, or entering

ensure: make sure or certain; insure; assure

entail: imply or require; cause to ensue or accrue; cut or carve in ornamental way

enterprise: company; firm; organization created for business ventures

entertain: amuse; host

entertainment: amusement; fun

enthusiasm: great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause; feeling of excitement

enthusiastic: having or showing great excitement and interest

entitle: give right to; authorize; furnish with a right or claim to something; designate; give title to

entrance: fill with delight or wonder; put into a trance; attract

entreat: plead; make earnest request of; ask for earnestly

entrust: give over something to another for care, protection, or performance; give as a trust to someone;

entry: admission; entrance; item inserted in a written record

enumerate: list each one; mention one by one

envelop: enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering

environment: surroundings; totality of surrounding conditions

envy: malice; ill will; discontent or uneasiness at another's excellence or good fortune, accompanied with hatred

epidemic: outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely; widely prevalent

episode: a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series

epoch: particular period of history, especially one considered remarkable

equal: having the same quantity, measure, or value as another; identical

equality: state or quality of being equal

equation: making equal; equal division; equality; equilibrium

equator: the imaginary great circle on the earth's surface, everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres

equilibrium: mental or emotional balance; state of balance of any causes, powers, or motives

equip: supply with necessities such as tools or provisions; furnish with the qualities necessary for performance

equipment: apparatus

equivalent: interchangeable; comparable; equal, as in value, force, or meaning

eradicate: completely destroy; eliminate; exterminate

erase: rub letters or characters written, engraved, or painted

erect: construct; stand; set up

erosion: corrosion; a gradual decline of something

errand: short trip taken to perform a specified task; mission; embassy

erupt: explode; burst out; become violently active

eruption: outbreak; sudden, often violent outburst

escalator: stairway whose steps move continuously on a circulating belt

escape: act of fleeing from danger, of evading harm, or of avoiding notice; deliverance from injury or any evil

escort: one who conducts someone as attendant; guard; protection, care, or safeguard on a journey

essay: effort made for performance of anything; short literary composition on a single subject

essence: most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

essential: necessary; critical; vital; constituting or being part of the essence of something

establish: set up or found; build

establishment: act of establishing; ratifying or ordaining; settlement; arranged order or system, especially a legal code

estate: extensive landed property; everything you own; all of your assets

esteem: regard with respect; favorable regard

estimate: judge to be probable; form an opinion about; evaluate

eternal: forever; being without beginning or end; existing outside of time; infinite

evaluate: judge; examine and judge carefully; appraise

evaporate: vaporize; disappear; change into a vapor

evaporation: process of extracting moisture

eventful: busy; momentous; full of events or incidents

eventually: ultimately; in the final result or issue; in the end

everlasting: continuing forever or indefinitely

evidence: something which makes evident or manifest; any mode of proof

evident: easily seen or understood; obvious; apparent; clear

evolution: development; progression

evolve: develop; grow

exact: precisely agreeing with standard, fact, or truth; perfectly conforming

exaggerate: represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate; magnify; do something to an excessive degree

exaggeration: overstatement; act of making something more noticeable than usual

exalt: raise in rank or dignity; praise

exalted: superior; elevated in rank, character, or status; of high moral or intellectual value

exasperate: make worse; irritate; make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly

exceed: go beyond; be or do something to a greater degree

exceedingly: in a very great degree; beyond what is usual; surpassingly

excel: be superior; distinguish oneself

excellent: surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of great worth; eminent, in a good sense

exception: instance that does not conform to a rule

exceptional: extraordinary; unusual; well above average

excess: amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; surplus

excessive: extreme; inordinate; too much

exchange: substitute; trade in; give in return for something received

excite: arouse

excitement: state of being emotionally aroused

exciting: creating or producing excitement

exclaim: cry out suddenly, as from surprise or emotion

exclude: leave out of; keep out of; reject

exclusion: rejection; act of excluding or shutting out

exclusive: not divided or shared with others; excluding much or all; not allowing something else

exclusively: without any others being included or involved; purely; strictly

excursion: trip; usually short journey made for pleasure

excuse: free from blame; clear from guilt; release from a charge; forgive entirely

execute: put into effect; carry out the legalities of

execution: accomplishment; putting into practice; putting a person to death

executive: role of government which makes sure that laws are carried out; administrator

exemplify: serve as an example of; embody

exempt: not subject to duty or obligation; not subject to taxation

exert: cause; apply; exercise

exertion: effort; expenditure of much physical work

exhaust: gases ejected from an engine as waste products ; use up the whole supply of

exhausted: depleted; tired

exhaustion: act of draining out or draining off; act of emptying completely of the contents; state of being exhausted or emptied

exhaustive: treating all parts or aspects without omission; comprehensive

exhibit: show, make visible or apparent

exhibition: exposition; presentation; large-scale public showing

exile: force separation from one's native country

exit: passage or way out; act of going away or out

exonerate: acquit; free from blame; discharge from duty

expand: become larger in size or volume; grow stronger; add details

expansion: growth; extent or amount by which something has expanded

expedient: suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest

expedite: process fast and efficiently; execute quickly and efficiently

expedition: journey organized for a particular purpose

expel: oust; discharge; force or drive out

expend: lay out, apply, or employ in any way; consume by use; use up or distribute, either in payment or in donations; spend

expenditure: payment or expense; output

expert: person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject

expertise: specialized knowledge; expert skill

expiration: act of coming to a close; termination; act of breathing out; exhalation

expire: come to an end; terminate; lose validity; breathe one's last breath; die

explicit: precisely and clearly expressed; definite; outspoken

explode: erupt; blow up; burst violently as a result of internal pressure

exploit: make use of, sometimes unjustly

exploitation: unfair use of someone’s work giving little in return

exploration: travel for the purpose of discovery

explore: investigate systematically; examine; search

explorer: someone who travels into little known regions

explosive: tending or serving to sudden outburst; sudden and loud

export: sell or transfer abroad

expose: set forth; set out to public view

exposition: exhibition; part of a play that provides the background information; opening section of a fugue

exposure: risk, particularly of being exposed to disease; unmasking; act of laying something open

expressive: demonstrative; indicative

expressly: particularly; specifically; in an explicit manner

exquisite: excellent; flawless; acutely perceptive or discriminating

extend: open or straighten something out; unbend; prolong

extension: supplement; act of extending or the condition of being extended

extensive: widespread; far-reaching; wide

extent: extensive space or area; distance or area over which something extends

exterior: outside; external or outward appearance

external: exterior; outer; suitable for application to the outside

extinct: no longer existing or living; vanished; dead

extinction: death of all its remaining members

extinguish: quench; put out, as a light or fire; cause to die out; put an end to; destroy

extra: something additional of the same kind

extract: draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; remove; get despite difficulties or obstacles

extraordinary: exceptional; remarkable; beyond what is ordinary or usual

extravagant: wandering beyond one's bounds; exceeding due bounds; wild; excessive; unrestrained

extreme: outermost; utmost; farthest; most remote; at the widest limit

eye: small hole or loop; good discernment; organ of vision or of light sensitivity

IELTS Academic Word List 4

dagger: knife; short pointed weapon with sharp edges

dainty: delicately beautiful or charming; exquisite; gratification or pleasure taken in anything

dairy: place where milk is produced, kept, or converted into butter or cheese

dam: barrier to prevent the flow of liquid, especially built across a water course

damp: humid; moist; slightly wet

dangerous: full of risk; perilous; hazardous; unsafe

daring: bold; brave

dart: move suddenly and rapidly

dash: throw with violence or haste; break, as by throwing or by collision; form or sketch rapidly

data: collection of facts, observations, or other information related to a particular question or problem

date: mark the time of; assign a date to

dawn: time each morning at which daylight first begins; beginning; start

dazzle: overpower with light; confuse the sight of by brilliance of light; bewilder or surprise with brilliancy

dazzling: bright; brilliant

deadly: fatal; lethal; causing or tending to cause death

deaf: unable to perceive sounds; hard of hearing; unwilling to hear or listen; regardless; not to be persuaded

deal: part or portion; share; indefinite quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; distribution; arrangement

dean: dignitary or presiding officer; head in the faculty of some colleges or universities

debate: discussion; dispute; discussion involving opposing points

debt: liability; obligation; money or goods or services owed by one person to another

decade: a group or division of ten, especially a period of ten years

decay: decompose; break sown; disintegration; rottenness; decline; worsen; decadence

deceit: attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false

deceive: fool; cause to believe what is not true; mislead

decent: suitable; modest.; honorable; meeting accepted standards

deception: act of deceiving

decimal: of tens; numbered or proceeding by tens; based on ten

deck: a pack of 52 cards; any of various floor-like platforms built into a vessel

declaration: announcement; explicit statement; formal public statement

declare: state clearly; make known formally or officially

decline: change toward something smaller or lower ; gradual falling off from a better state

decompose: decay

decorate: adorn; embellish

decoration: act of decorating something; something used to beautify

decorative: ornamental; embellishing; serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose

decrease: lessen; reduce; make a quantity smaller

decree: order from one having authority; decision, order, or sentence by court

dedicate: set apart; devoted; consecrated

deduce: lead forth; reach a conclusion by reasoning; trace the origin or derivation of

deduct: lead forth or out; take away, separate, or remove, in numbering, estimating, or calculating; subtract

deed: something that is carried out; act or action; feat or exploit

deem: decide; judge; sentence; condemn

default: failure to act; an option that is selected automatically

defeat: disfigure; destroy; frustrate; overcome or vanquish; resist with

defect: abandon or turn against; cease or change one's loyalty

defective: having a defect; faulty; imperfect; incomplete; lacking

defence: act of defending against attack, danger, or injury

defend: make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm

defer: delay till later; put off; hold back to a later time

defiance: refusal to yield; readiness to contend or resist

deficiency: scarcity; lack or shortage, especially of something essential to health

deficient: inadequate; lacking an essential quality or element

deficit: inadequacy or insufficiency; sum of money falls short of required amount; shortage

define: determine the nature of; give a definition; describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain

definite: fixed; exact; having distinct limits

definitely: unequivocally; clearly; without question and beyond doubt

definition: clarity of outline; concise explanation

definitive: final; complete; precisely defined or explicit

deflate: reduce from an inflated condition; release contained air or gas from

deflect: turn aside; draw someone's attention away from something

deform: change shape by stress; become misshapen; make formless

deformation: alteration in the shape or dimensions; a change for the worse

defray: paycosts of; undertake payment of; make compensation to or for

defy: renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; provoke to combat or strife

degradation: humiliation; debasement; decline to a lower condition, quality, or level

degrade: reduce level; lower grade of something

delay: act later than planned; put off; adjournment

delegate: person authorized to act as representative for another; deputy

delete: erase; strike out; remove or make invisible

deliberate: consider; think about carefully; weigh

deliberately: intentionally; purposely; with careful consideration or deliberation; with full intent;

delicate: pleasing to the senses, especially in a subtle way; easily hurt; very subtle in difference

delicious: extremely pleasing to the sense of taste; greatly pleasing or entertaining

delinquency: failure or omission of duty; fault; misdeed; offense or crime

delinquent: failing in duty; offending by neglect of duty.

deliver: set free from restraint; set at liberty; release; give or transfer

delusion: false belief; mistaken or unfounded opinion

democracy: a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

demolish: raze; destroy; do away with completely; put an end to

demolition: act of overthrowing, pulling down, or destroying

demonstrate: show clearly and deliberately; manifest; confirm; prove

demonstration: proof; act of showing or making evident

denial: act of refusing or disowning; negation; refusal to admit the truth; refusal to grant; rejection of a request

denomination: class, society, or collection of individuals called by the same name; specifically, a religious sect

denote: indicate; signify directly; refer to specifically

denounce: condemn openly; criticize; make known in formal manner

dense: thick; crowded closely together; compact

density: thickness; quantity of something per unit measure, especially per unit length, area, or volume

dent: cavity; a depression scratched or carved into a surface

dentist: a person qualified to practice dentistry

deny: disagree with; refuse; declare untrue

depart: take off; leave; set out

departure: act of departing

dependable: reliable; worthy of being depended on; trustworthy

dependence: reliance; lack of independence or self-sufficiency

dependent: relying on or requiring the aid of another for support

depict: represent in a picture or sculpture; portray in words; describe

deplete: decrease fullness of; use up or empty out

deposit: money given as a guarantee or security

deposition: testimony under oath; act of depositing, especially laying down of matter by natural process

depreciate: lessen price or value of; think or speak of as being of little worth; belittle

depreciation: devaluation; decrease in price or value

depress: lower in spirits; press down

depressed: sad; gloomy; low in spirits; dejected

depression: recession; economic slump; concavity in a surface produced by pressing ; sadness; low spirits

deprive: deny; take away

deputy: one appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him; substitute in office

derive: obtain or receive from a source; trace the origin or development of

descend: move downward and lower; come from; be connected by a relationship of blood

descendant: offspring; person considered as descended from some ancestor or race

descent: ancestry; origin; the descendants of one individual; drop; fall; a movement downward

description: act of describing; sketch or account of anything in words

desert: area with little or no vegetation; forsake; abandon

deserve: be worthy of; have a right to

design: act of working out the form of something; creation of something in the mind; formulate a plan for

designate: indicate or specify; point out; assign a name or title to

desirable: worthwhile; worth doing or achieving; advisable

desire: anything which is longing for

desolate: unpopulated; providing no shelter or sustenance; devoid of inhabitants

despair: loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency

desperate: having lost all hope; dangerous; extremely intense

despise: dislike intensely; regard with contempt or scorn

despite: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike; disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred

dessert: a dish served as the last course of meal

destination: ultimate goal; place to which one is going or directed

destine: decree or designate beforehand; fate

destiny: event that will inevitably happen in the future

destruction: havoc; event that completely destroys something

destructive: devastating; ruinous

detach: part; separate or disunite; disengage

detain: keep back or from; withhold; restrain from proceeding; stay or stop; delay

detect: feel; discover the presence of; identify

detection: act of detecting; being open what was concealed or hidden; discovery

detective: investigator; one, usually of police force, who investigates crimes and obtains evidence

deteriorate: become worse; decline

determination: act of making or arriving at a decision; putting an end to; termination

determine: fix the boundaries of; mark off and separate; set bounds to; decide conclusively and authoritatively

detour: a turning; circuitous route; deviation from a direct course

detriment: harm; damage; injury; something that causes damage, harm, or loss

detrimental: causing damage or harm; injurious

deviate: turn away from a principle, norm; depart; diverge

device: technique or means; instrument; machine used to perform one or more relatively simple tasks

devise: form, plan, or arrange in the mind; transmit or give by will

devote: dedicate; contribute

devotion: faithfulness; ardent, often selfless affection and dedication

devour: consume; eat greedily; destroy completely

diagnose: analyze; examine; identify

diagnosis: art of identifying disease; critical analysis of nature of something

diagram: graph; chart; figure or drawing made to illustrate a statement; plan

dialect: vocabulary that is for a specific group of people

diameter: length of straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference

dictate: prescribe; rule as a dictator

dictator: one who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims authoritatively for the direction of others.

diction: choice and use of words in speech or writing

diet: nutritional plan; nourishment; a prescribed selection of foods

differ: be or stand apart; disagree; be unlike; be distinguished

digest: break down; make more concise; convert food into absorbable substances

digestion: process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed and assimilated by the body

digital: of or performance to fingers, or to digits; done with the fingers

dignity: quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect.

diligent: assiduous; industrious; hard-working

dilute: weaken; make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water

dim: emitting only a small amount of light; lacking in brightness

dime: a United States coin worth one tenth of a dollar

dimension: measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length; size; aspect; element

dimensional: of or relating to dimensions

diminish: dwindle; reduce; make smaller or less or to cause to appear so

dine: eat principal regular meal of the day; take dinner; give a dinner to

dingy: darkened with smoke and grime; dirty or discolored

dip: insert into a fluid and withdraw again; immerse for baptism; wet, as if by immersing; moisten; appear to move downward

diploma: document certifying the successful completion of a course of study

diplomacy: tact; politics; negotiation between nations

diplomat: one who uses skill and tact in dealing with others, such as an ambassador, who has been appointed to represent a government in its relations with other governments

diplomatic: relating to diplomacy; marked by tact and sensitivity in dealing with others

disable: deprive of capability or effectiveness; unable; impair; diminish

disadvantage: drawback; defect; hinder; unfavorable condition or circumstance

disappointment: feeling of dissatisfaction

disapproval: a feeling of disliking something or what someone is doing

disaster: catastrophe; misfortune

disastrous: extremely bad; terrible; dreadful

disc: flat round plate; circular structure either in plants or animals

discard: throw out something from one's hand; get rid of

discern: detect; perceive

discharge: relieve of a burden or of contents; unload; pour forth or release; complete or carry out; give off

discipline: trait of being well behaved ; act of punishing ; system of rules of conduct or method of practice

disclose: unclose; open; remove a cover or envelope from; lay open or expose to view

discomfort: distress; uneasiness; mental or bodily distress

discount: give reduction in price on

discourage: depress; take away hope from

discourse: formal, lengthy discussion of a subject; verbal exchange; conversation

discreet: free from ostentation or pretension; distinct; distinguishable

discrepancy: lack of consistency; difference

discretion: knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; trait of judging wisely and objectively

discriminate: make a clear distinction; distinguish; make sensible decisions; judge wisely

disdain: view with scorn or contempt; feel with aversion

disgrace: state of dishonor; bring shame or dishonor upon

disguise: dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception

disgust: strong feelings of dislike; offend the taste or moral sense of

disinclined: not inclined; having a disinclination; being unwilling

disinfectant: substance which kills germs or viruses; agent for removing the causes of infection, as chlorine

dismal: causing gloom or depression; dreary; somber; melancholy

dismay: destroy courage or resolution by exciting dread; cause to lose enthusiasm

dismiss: stop considering; end employment or service of; discharge; refuse to accept or recognize

disorder: neglect of order or system; irregularity; disturbance; sickness

disparity: difference; condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree

dispatch: act of sending off something; property of being prompt and efficient; message usually sent in haste

dispel: scatter; drive away; cause to vanish

dispense: distribute; prepare and give out; deal out in parts or portions

disperse: move away from each other; cause to separate; cause to become widely known

displace: move or shift from the usual place or position, especially to force to leave a homeland

displacement: act of removing from office or employment

display: exhibit; present or hold up to view; show; demonstrate; give evidence of; manifest

dispose: get rid of; settle or decide a matter; place or set in a particular order; arrange

disposed: prepared; inclined; be ready; being particular condition of body or of health

disposition: natural or acquired habit with tendency; act or means of getting rid of something

dispute: argument; angry altercation; quarrel; verbal controversy; debate

disregard: ignore; discount; take no notice of

dissimilar: different; unlike

dissipate: spend or expend wastefully; vanish by dispersion; drive away; disperse

dissolve: melt; liquefy; cause to pass into solution; cause to disappear or vanish

distance: space between two objects; length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate

distant: far in space or time; cold in manner

distinct: definite; separate; different

distinction: excellence or eminence; note or mark of difference

distinctly: clear to the mind; in a distinct way

distinguish: characterize; differentiate; recognize

distinguished: prominent; celebrated, well-known or eminent because of past achievements

distort: twist out of proper or natural relation of parts; misshape; misrepresent

distortion: mistake of misrepresenting the facts

distract: cause to turn away from original focus; pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle

distraction: extreme mental or emotional disturbance; obsession; confusion of affairs; being drawn apart

distress: discomfort; cause strain, anxiety, or suffering to

distribute: hand out; disseminate; allocate

distribution: act of distributing or spreading or apportioning

district: region; territory within which the lord has the power of coercing and punishing; division of territory

disturb: upset; bother; trouble emotionally or mentally; put out of order; disarrange

disturbance: disorder; turmoil; mental or emotional unbalance or disorder

ditch: trench made in the earth by digging; any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of the earth

dive: plunge, especially headfirst, into water; plummet

diver: one who works underwater

diverge: vary; go in different directions from the same point

divergence: difference; deviation; separation; the act of moving away in different direction

diverse: differing in some characteristics; various

diversion: act of turning aside; pastime; activity that relaxes or entertains

diversity: point or respect in which things differ; difference

divert: distract; withdraw money and move into a different location

divide: sever into two or more parts or pieces; separate into parts; cause to be separate

divine: perceive intuitively; foresee future; have nature of or being a deity

division: act or process of diving anything into parts; state of being divided; separation

divorce: end a marriage; legal dissolution of a marriage

dizzy: having or causing a whirling sensation

dock: deprive someone of benefits; remove or shorten the tail of an animal

doctrine: principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction

document: provide written evidence; record in detail

documentary: film or TV program presenting the facts about a person or event; of or derived from documents

documentation: confirmation that some fact or statement is true

dodge: avoid a blow by moving or shifting quickly aside; shifty or ingenious trick

doll: small toy with human figure, normally for little child

domain: field; territory over which rule or control is exercised; networked computers that share a common address

dome: building or house, especially as great hall, church, or temple; anything shaped like cupola

domestic: house-hold; of or relating to the home ; within the country or home

dominant: major; important; outweighing

dominate: monopolize; command; rule; prevail; be prevalent in

donate: grant; present as a gift to a fund or cause; contribute

donation: grant; act of giving to a fund or cause

doom: judgment; judicial sentence; penal decree; condemnation

dormitory: a college or university building for student living; a large bedroom where several people sleep

dose: quantity of medicine given; sufficient quantity; portion

dot: the shorter of two telegraphic signals used in Morse code; very small circular shape

doubt: being in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything

doubtful: distrustful; skeptical; full of doubt; having doubt; not settled in opinion

doubtless: free from fear or suspicion

downtown: commercial center of a town or city

doze: slumber; sleep lightly; be in dull or stupefied condition, as if half asleep; be drowsy

draft: rough outline; draw up an outline; sketch

drag: move or bring by force or with great effort

drain: draw out; flow out; waste

drainage: emptying accomplished by draining; gradual flowing off, as of a liquid

drama: play; literary work intended for theater

dramatic: striking; sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

dramatize: represent something in a dramatic manner; add details to

drastic: radical; taking effect violently or rapidly

draw: cause to move continuously by force applied in advance of the thing moved; pull along; haul; drag

drawback: disadvantage or inconvenience; shortcoming; refund or remittance, such as a discount on duties or taxes

drawer: boxlike container in a piece of furniture, made so as to slide in and out

drawing: creation of artistic drawings

dread: fearful or distasteful anticipation; terror; horror

dreadful: very unpleasant; distasteful or shocking

dreary: gloomy; dismal; dark, colorless, or cheerless

drench: cause to drink, especially by force; put potion down throat of; steep in moisture; wet thoroughly

drift: float; moving aimlessly; wander

drill: bore; pierce; make a hole; practice; train

drip: process of falling in drops; liquid or moisture that falls in drops; sound made by liquid falling in drops

drought: dry period; aridity; long period of abnormally low rainfall

drown: kill by submerging and suffocating in water; overwhelm in water; deaden one's awareness of

dubious: questionable; filled with doubt

due: owed and payable immediately or on demand; proper and appropriate; fitting

dull: lacking responsiveness or alertness; intellectually weak or obtuse

duly: as it ought to be; properly; regularly

dumb: mute; lacking the power of speech

dump: sell at artificially low prices; throw away as refuse

duplicate: one that corresponds exactly to another, especially an original; identical copy; facsimile

durable: lasting; long-lasting; enduring

duration: length of time something lasts

dwarf: cause to seem small; check natural growth or development of

dwell: live as a resident; exist in a given place or state

dweller: a person who inhabits a particular place

dwelling: residence; place to live in; abode

dye: substance used to color materials

dynamic: energetic; vigorously active