IELTS 4000 Academic Word List

IELTS 4000 Academic Word List academic word list is a must-have resource for IELTS test takers, especially those who are working tor high scores.

The 4000+ words reflect the essential vocabulary level of the IELTS academic test. We remind you this list is based on a general word list. For IELTS Academic test takers, you need general words as well.

A

abandon: lacking restraint or control; feeling of extreme emotional intensity; unbounded enthusiasm
abandonment: giving up completely; freedom from constraint
abbreviation: shortening something by omitting parts of it
abeyance: suspended action; temporary cessation or suspension
abide: endure; put up with; bear; tolerate
ability: capacity; skill
abnormal: unusual; not typical; not normal
aboard: on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle; in or into a group, organization, or business
abolish: cancel; put an end to; destroy completely
abolition: ending; act of abolishing; act of doing away with
abortion: termination of pregnancy; failure of a plan
abortive: unsuccessful; failing to accomplish an intended objective; fruitless
abridge: condense; shorten; reduce length of written text
abrogate: abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority
abrupt: broken off; very steep; having sudden transitions from one subject to another
absence: state of being absent; state of being away
absent: go away or leave ; missing; not present
absolute: perfect in quality or nature; complete; totally unlimited; certain
absolutely: utterly; definitely
absorb: assimilate or incorporate; suck or drink up; occupy full attention
absorption: process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion; state of mental
concentration
abstract: theoretical; not concrete; not applied or practical; difficult to understand

absurd: preposterous; ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable; foolish
absurdity: quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment;
logical contradiction
abundance: great or plentiful amount; fullness to overflowing
abundant: plentiful; possessing riches or resources
abuse: improper use or handling; misuse
academic: related to school; not practical or directly useful; relating to scholarly organization; based
on formal education
academy: school for special instruction; society of scholars, scientists, or artists
accede: agree; give consent, often at insistence of another; concede
accelerate: move faster; cause to develop or progress more quickly; occur sooner than expected
acceleration: faster rate of improvement; rate of change of velocity with respect to time
access: approach; entry; entrance
accessible: easily approached or entered; obtainable; easy to talk to or get along with
accessory: additional object; useful but not essential thing; subordinate or supplementary item
accident: event that takes place without one’s foresight or expectation; sudden, and unexpected
event
accidental: unexpected; unforeseen
accidentally: inadvertently; by chance; casually; fortuitously; not essentially or intrinsically
accommodate: do a favor or service for; provide for; supply with; make suitable; adapt; allow for
accommodation: living quarters provided for public convenience
accompaniment: act of accompanying someone or something
accompany: travel with; be associated with
accomplish: succeed in doing; bring to pass; achieve; reach the end of; complete
accomplishment: achievement; fulfillment
accord: settlement or compromise of conflicting opinions; written agreement between two states
account: narrative or record of events; reason given for a particular action or event
accountant: one who maintains and audits business accounts
accounting: system that provides quantitative information about finances

accrue: increase, accumulate, or come about as a result of growth; accumulate over time
accumulate: pile up; collect; mount up; increase
accumulation: increase by natural growth or addition; concentration
accuracy: quality of nearness to the truth or the true value
accurate: capable of providing a correct reading or measurement; performing with care and precision
accusation: indictment; charge of wrongdoing that is made against a person or other party
accuse: blame; condemn
achieve: gain with effort; accomplish; fulfill
achievement: feat; accomplishment; award for completing a particular task or meeting an objective
acid: sour; water-soluble compounds having a sour taste; quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful
acknowledge: declare to be true or admit; express obligation, thanks
acquaint: inform about; cause to come to know personally; make familiar
acquaintance: personal knowledge or information about someone or something
acquainted: known by or familiar with another; informed or familiar
acquire: gain through experience or effort; gain possession of; locate with tracking system
acquisition: act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
across: from side to side; crosswise, or in a direction opposed to the length
activate: make active or more active; stimulate; make radioactive
actively: energetically; vigorously; in an active manner; voluntarily, not passively
actual: true; real; being, existing, or acting at the present moment; current
actually: truly; really; in fact
acute: quickly perceptive; keen; having a sharp point or tip; extremely sharp or severe
adapt: make fit for; change to suit a new purpose
adaptation: modification; alteration or adjustment in structure or habits
additional: further; extra; supplemental or added to
additive: addition; supplement
address: make a formal speech to; deal with or discuss; direct efforts or attention of

adequate: sufficient; enough to meet a purpose
adhere: stick fast; stick to firmly; be compatible or in accordance with
adhesive: glue; paste ; substance that unites or bonds surfaces together
adjacent: adjoining; neighboring; close to; lying near
adjoin: be next to; be contiguous to; border on
adjust: adapt; regulate
adjustment: making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
administer: govern; supervise; give or apply medications
administration: management; supervision; people who are in charge for management; activity of
government for powers and duties
administrative: of or relating to or responsible for administration
admiration: favorable judgment; feeling of pleasure, wonder, and approval
admire: regard with wonder or astonishment; view with surprise; marvel at
admission: act or practice of admitting; power or permission to enter
admit: permit to enter; receive; provide the right or a means of entrance to
admittedly: doubtlessly; in an acknowledged manner; confessedly
adolescence: state of growing up from childhood to manhood or womanhood; transitional period
between youth and maturity
adolescent: a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity;
adopt: accept; take on; raise; take into one’s family
adoption: act of accepting with approval
adore: worship with profound reverence; pay divine honors to; regard with the utmost esteem and
affection
adorn: enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments
adornment: embellishment; decoration; something that beautifies or adorns; ornament
adult: one who has attained maturity or legal age; fully grown
advance: proceed; move forward; improve; moving forward
advanced: improved; highly developed or complex; ahead of the times; progressive
adventure: something happens without design; chance; hazard; risk; danger

adventurous: valiant; venturesome; inclined or willing to incur hazard or engage in adventures
adversary: opponent in contest; someone who offers opposition
adverse: in opposing direction; harmful or unfavorable; acting or serving to oppose
adversity: state of misfortune, hardship, or affliction; misfortune
advertise: give notice to; inform or apprise; make known; give public notice of
advisable: proper to be advised or to be done; expedient; prudent; ready to receive advice
advocate: speak, plead, or argue in favour of; plead for; push for something
aerial: of the air or atmosphere; produced by or found in the air; performed in the air
affect: have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
affection: fondness; tender feeling toward another; fondness
affectionate: having affection or warm regard; loving; fond; kindly inclined; zealous
affiliate: associate; incorporate
affirm: assert; confirm
affirmation: positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
affirmative: confirmative; ratifying; giving assent or approval; confirming
afford: pay; provide; have the financial means for; bear the cost of
affordable: able to pay for
agency: a business that serves other businesses; an administrative unit of government
agent: one that acts on behalf of other persons or organizations
aggravate: worsen; make worse or more troublesome
aggregate: gather into a mass, sum, or whole; amount to
aggregation: several things grouped together or considered as a whole
aggressive: making assaults; unjustly attacking; combative; hostile; tending to spread quickly
aggressor: one that engages in aggression; person who first attacks
agitate: cause to move with violence or sudden force; upset; disturb
agitation: anxiety; extreme emotional disturbance
agony: extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; last struggle of life; death struggle
agreeable: ready to consent or submit; acceptable

agreement: state of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action, or character
agriculture: practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
aid: person or thing that promotes or helps in something done; helper; assistant
ailment: sickness; illness; affliction
aim: point or direct towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it
air: be broadcast on television or radio
aircraft: vehicle that can fly, such as an airplane, helicopter, balloon
aisle: passageway between rows of seats, as in an auditorium or an airplane; wing of a building
ajar: half-open; slightly turned or opened
alarm: any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger
album: a list of names; a register for visitors; a blank book, in which to insert autographs sketches,
memorial writing of friends, photographs
alert: warning serves; alarm; condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
alien: dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed in nature; very different place, society, or person
alienate: cause to become unfriendly or hostile; transfer property or ownership; isolate or dissociate
emotionally
alignment: arrangement; association; alliance
alike: similar; in the same manner or to the same degree
allergic: excessively sensitive; susceptible; having an allergy
allergy: hyper sensitivity reaction; abnormally high sensitivity to certain substances
alliance: state of being allied; act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between
families, states, parties
allocate: assign; distribute according to plan
allot: parcel out in parts or portions; distribute to each individual concerned; assign as a share or lot
allowance: approval; act of allowing, granting, or admitting
alloy: combine; mix; make less pure; lessen or moderate
ally: confederate; partner; collaborator
alone: solitary; by oneself
along: by the length; in a line with the length; onward; forward; in company; together

alongside: along or by the side; side by side with
alter: modify; cause to change; make different; convert
alternate: happening or following in turns; succeeding each other continuously; substitute
alternation: successive change from one thing or state to another and back again
alternative: one of two or more things, ideas or courses of action that may be used; option; choice
altitude: elevation especially above sea level; height
aluminum: silvery ductile metallic element
amateur: nonprofessional; lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art
amaze: astonish; affect with wonder
amazement: wonder; state of extreme surprise or wonder; astonishment
ambassador: authorized messenger or representative
ambiguity: state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty
ambiguous: unclear or doubtful in meaning
ambition: aspiration
ambitious: aspiring; having a strong desire for success or achievement
ambulance: field hospital organized as to follow an army in its movements; wagon for conveying the
wounded to hospital
amend: change for the better; improve; remove faults or errors
amendment: correction; revision
amends: compensation for a loss or injury; recompense; reparation
amiable: good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable: exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
amid: in the middle of; among; surrounded by
ammunition: military stores or provisions; articles used in weapons, as powder, balls, shot, shells
amount: total of two or more quantities; aggregate; sum
ample: more than enough in size or scope or capacity; fairly large
amplification: addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
amplify: broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make larger or more powerful; increase

amuse: occupy or engage the attention of; lose in deep thought
analogy: similarity in some respects; comparison based on similarity
analysis: study; investigation; process of breaking down a substance into its constituent parts
analytical: of analysis; resolving into elements or parts
analyze: diagnose; examine
ancestor: forefather; forebear; forerunner or predecessor
anchor: secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; narrate or coordinate
anecdote: short account of amusing or interesting event; short narrative; secret story of history or
biography
angular: sharp-cornered; consisting of an angle or angles; stiff in manner
animate: endowed with life; alive; living; animated
animation: act of animating, or giving life or spirit; state of being animate or alive.
ankle: joint which connects the foot with the leg; tarsus
annex: append or attach; take possession of; incorporate into an existing political unit
anniversary: annual; yearly; annual return of the day on which any notable event took place
announce: herald; give out; proclaim; make known publicly
announcement: formal public statement; act of making known publicly
announcer: one who proclaims a message publicly
annoy: disturb, especially by minor irritations; irritate
annual: occurring or payable every year
annually: yearly; each year; returning every year; year by year
antagonism: active resistance; condition of being an opposing principle, force, or factor
antagonist: one who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; opponent
antarctic: opposite to the northern or arctic pole; relating to the southern pole or to the region near it
antibiotic: of or relating to chemical substance that kills microorganisms and cures infections
anticipate: act in advance of; deal with ahead of time; predict
anticipation: something expected; pleasurable expectation; wishing with confidence
antique: any furniture old and valuable; out of fashion

antonym: word of opposite meaning; counter term
anxiety: concern something in state of painful uneasiness; state of restlessness and agitation
anxious: eager; keen; worried; uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter
anyhow: in any way or manner whatever; at any rate; in any event
apart: separately, in regard to space or company; in a state of separation as to place; aside
ape: imitate; mimic, as an ape imitates human actions
apologize: beg pardon
apology: acknowledgment expressing regret or asking pardon for a fault or offense; explanation or
excuse
apparatus: a group of parts that work together to perform given function; appliance or device for
particular purpose
apparent: capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view; visible to eye
appeal: attraction; charm; attract; fascinate; challenge
appealing: attractive; charming
appendix: something appended or added
appetite: instinctive physical desire, especially one for food or drink
applaud: acclaim; express approval, especially by clapping the hands
appliance: durable goods for home or office use; device or instrument for household use
applicable: capable of being applied; fit or suitable to be applied; having relevance
applicant: candidate
application: close attention; work of applying something; verbal or written request for assistance
apply: exert; put into service; avail oneself to;
appoint: designate; nominate
appointment: act of putting a person into a non-elective position; arrangement
appreciable: considerable; perceptible
appreciate: be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of
appreciation: recognition; taste; judgment or opinion, especially a favorable one
appreciative: having or showing a just or ready appreciation or perception

apprentice: works for an expert to learn a trade; beginner; learner
approach: access; method
appropriate: acquire; take possession of for one’s own use; set apart for specific use
approval: official approbation; endorsement; act of approving
approve: ratify; consider right or good; think or speak favorably of
approximate: approach; come near
approximately: about; roughly
apt: likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
aptitude: inherent ability; quickness in learning and understanding
arbitrary: randomly chosen; determined by chance or impulse, and not by reason or principle
arbitrator: someone chosen to judge and decide disputed issue; one having ability or power to make
authoritative decisions
arc: continuous portion of a circle; something curved in shape
arch: any part of a curved line
archaeology: study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
architect: one who designs and supervises the construction of buildings or other large structures
architecture: art and science of designing and erecting buildings; buildings and other large structures
ardent: displaying or by strong enthusiasm or devotion; passionate
arduous: demanding great effort or labor; difficult
area: plane surface, as of the floor of a room; open space in a building; the enclosed space; extent;
scope; range.
arena: playing field where sports events take place; large structure for open-air sports or
entertainments.
argue: invent and offer reasons to support or overthrow a proposition, opinion, or measure; debate.
arise: come up from a lower to a higher position; come above the horizon; spring up; come into action.
aristocracy: hereditary nobility; privileged class.
aristocrat: one of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble.
arithmetic: theory of numerical calculations.
armour: defensive covering, as of metal, wood, or leather, worn to protect the body against weapons.

arms: weapons considered collectively; official symbols of a family.
arouse: excite; stimulate; awaken from or as if from sleep.
arrange: put in proper order; dispose in the manner intended, or best suited for the purpose.
arrangement: composition; order.
array: set out for display or use; place in orderly arrangement.
arrest: stop or slow down; catch someone’s attention; take into custody.
arrogance: overbearing pride; haughtiness; manifest feeling of personal superiority in rank, power, or
estimation.
arrogant: arising from feeling or assumption of one’s superiority toward others.
article: essay; editorial; individual thing or element of a class.
artificial: made by humans; produced rather than natural.
ascend: climb; mount.
ascertain: find out for certain; discover with certainty; make sure of.
ascribe: inscribe or dedicate; attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin; assign as a quality.
ashamed: affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt.
aside: on, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or direction; at a little distance from the rest.
aspect: distinct feature or element in a problem; a way in which something can be viewed by the
mind.
aspirin: white crystalline compound drug to relieve pain and reduce fever and inflammation.
assassination: act of assassinating; killing by treacherous violence; murder of public figure by.
surprise attack.
assault: attack; onslaught.
assemble: put together; bring or call together into a group or whole.
assembly: gathering; meeting; a group of persons gathered together for common reason.
assert: declare or state with confidence; put oneself forward boldly.
assess: estimate value; judge worth of something.
assessment: act of judging or assessing; amount determined as payable.
assign: appoint; allot; make over; point out authoritatively or exactly.
assignment: task given to students; job; distribution; appointment.

arms: weapons considered collectively; official symbols of a family.
arouse: excite; stimulate; awaken from or as if from sleep.
arrange: put in proper order; dispose in the manner intended, or best suited for the purpose.
arrangement: composition; order.
array: set out for display or use; place in orderly arrangement.
arrest: stop or slow down; catch someone’s attention; take into custody.
arrogance: overbearing pride; haughtiness; manifest feeling of personal superiority in rank, power, or
estimation.
arrogant: arising from feeling or assumption of one’s superiority toward others
article: essay; editorial; individual thing or element of a class.
artificial: made by humans; produced rather than natural.
ascend: climb; mount.
ascertain: find out for certain; discover with certainty; make sure of.
ascribe: inscribe or dedicate; attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin; assign as a quality.
ashamed: affected by shame; abashed or confused by guilt.
aside: on, or to, one side; out of a straight line, course, or direction; at a little distance from the rest.
aspect: distinct feature or element in a problem; a way in which something can be viewed by the
mind.
aspirin: white crystalline compound drug to relieve pain and reduce fever and inflammation.
assassination: act of assassinating; killing by treacherous violence; murder of public figure by
surprise attack.
assault: attack; onslaught.
assemble: put together; bring or call together into a group or whole.
assembly: gathering; meeting; a group of persons gathered together for common reason.
assert: declare or state with confidence; put oneself forward boldly.
assess: estimate value; judge worth of something.
assessment: act of judging or assessing; amount determined as payable.
assign: appoint; allot; make over; point out authoritatively or exactly.
assignment: task given to students; job; distribution; appointment.

autonomous: self-governing; not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent.
autonomy: independence; self-government or the right of self-government; self-determination.
auxiliary: helper, additional or subsidiary.
avail: turn to advantage of; be of service to; profit; promote.
available: convenient for use or disposal; not busy, free; obtainable; accessible.
avenge: take vengeance for something, or on behalf of someone.
avenue: way or opening for entrance or exit place; passage by which a place may be reached; broad
street.
average: typical; mean; achieve or reach on average.
aviation: art or science of flying; flight; aeronautics.
avoid: shield away from; prevent.
aware: knowing; having knowledge or cognizance.
awe: mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder; fear, as of something evil.
awful: causing fear, dread, or terror; extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible.
awkward: difficult to handle or manage.
awkwardly: in an uncomfortable, nervous or embarrassed way.
axis: the center around which something rotates; pivot.
axle: pin or spindle on which a wheel revolves, or which revolves with a wheel; transverse bar or shaft.
connecting the opposite wheels of a car or carriage.