IELTS Vocabulary

IELTS Academic Word List (AWL)

The complete Academic Word List by Averil Coxhead - 571 headwords across 10 sublists, each with its definition, word family, and an IELTS-relevant example sentence. These words appear frequently in academic texts and are essential for IELTS Band 7+ writing and reading.

570

Headwords

10

Sublists

3,000+

Word forms

Band 7+

Target benefit

Sublist 1- 60 words · Most frequent academic words

Priority words - highest frequency in academic texts. Master these first.

analyse

v

Examine in detail to understand or explain something.

analysisanalystanalyticalanalytically

The researcher analysed the data to identify key patterns in student performance.

approach

n/v

A way of dealing with a situation or problem.

approachableunapproachable

The government adopted a new approach to reducing carbon emissions.

area

n

A subject, range of activity, or field of study.

areas

Climate change is a critical area of scientific research.

assess

v

Evaluate or estimate the quality or value of something.

assessmentassessorreassess

Teachers use various methods to assess students' writing skills.

assume

v

Accept something as true without evidence.

assumptionassumedassumedly

It is often assumed that economic growth leads to greater well-being.

authority

n

The power to give orders or make decisions.

authoriseauthoritativeunauthorised

The local authority implemented new regulations to control pollution.

available

adj

Able to be used or obtained.

availabilityunavailable

Free healthcare is available to all citizens in this country.

benefit

n/v

An advantage or profit gained from something.

beneficialbeneficiarybeneficially

Regular exercise provides significant benefits for mental health.

concept

n

An abstract idea or general notion.

conceptionconceptualconceptualise

The concept of sustainable development has gained global recognition.

consist

v

Be composed or made up of.

consistentconsistencyinconsistently

The test consists of four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

constitute

v

Be a part of a whole; make up.

constitutionconstitutionalconstitutionally

Women constitute over half of the university's student population.

context

n

The circumstances forming the background of an event.

contextualcontextualisecontextually

Historical context is essential for understanding political decisions.

contract

n/v

A written legal agreement; to enter into an agreement.

contractorcontractualsubcontract

The company signed a five-year contract with the government.

create

v

Bring something into existence.

creationcreativecreativitycreator

New technologies create both opportunities and challenges for society.

data

n

Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.

database

The data collected over ten years reveals a clear warming trend.

define

v

State the exact meaning of a word or concept.

definitiondefiniteindefiniteredefine

It is important to clearly define the key terms used in academic writing.

derive

v

Obtain or develop something from a source.

derivationderivativederived

Many English academic words are derived from Latin.

distribute

v

Give or spread something among a number of recipients.

distributiondistributorredistribution

Aid organisations distribute food and medicine to affected communities.

economy

n

The system by which a country's money and industry are organised.

economiceconomicaleconomisteconomise

The country's economy grew by 3% last year despite global uncertainty.

environment

n

The natural world; the surroundings of a living organism.

environmentalenvironmentallyenvironmentalist

Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility of all nations.

establish

v

Set up or bring into being on a firm basis.

establishmentestablishedre-establish

The organisation was established in 1990 to promote global literacy.

estimate

n/v

An approximate calculation or judgement.

estimationoverestimateunderestimate

Scientists estimate that sea levels could rise by one metre by 2100.

evident

adj

Clearly seen or understood; obvious.

evidenceevidentlyself-evident

It is evident that urban populations are growing at an unprecedented rate.

export

n/v

Send goods or services to another country for sale.

exporterexportation

Australia exports large quantities of iron ore to Asia every year.

factor

n

A circumstance that contributes to a result.

factors

Diet and exercise are key factors in maintaining good health.

finance

n/v

The management of money; to provide funding.

financialfinanciallyfinancier

The project was financed through a combination of public and private investment.

formula

n

A set method or rule expressed in symbols or words.

formulaicformulateformulation

There is no simple formula for success in academic writing.

function

n/v

An activity or purpose natural to a thing; to work correctly.

functionalfunctionallydysfunction

The primary function of the immune system is to defend the body against disease.

identify

v

Recognise or establish the identity of something.

identificationidentityidentifiable

The study identifies three major barriers to women's participation in the workforce.

income

n

Money received from work or investments.

incomes

Higher education is strongly linked to increased income over a lifetime.

indicate

v

Point out or show something.

indicationindicatorindicative

The graph indicates a steady decline in manufacturing jobs since 2000.

individual

n/adj

A single person; relating to one person.

individuallyindividualiseindividualism

Each individual student receives personalised feedback on their writing.

interpret

v

Explain the meaning of information or actions.

interpretationinterpretermisinterpret

Different cultures may interpret the same behaviour very differently.

involve

v

Include as a necessary part; affect or include.

involvementinvolveduninvolved

Effective leadership involves both clear communication and empathy.

issue

n/v

An important topic or problem for debate.

issues

Unemployment is a pressing issue affecting millions of young people globally.

labour

n/v

Work, especially physical work; the workforce.

labourerlaboriouslaboriously

The labour market has changed significantly due to automation.

legal

adj

Relating to the law; permitted by law.

legallylegaliseillegalillegally

The use of certain chemicals in food production is not legal in many countries.

legislate

v

Make or enact laws.

legislationlegislaturelegislator

Governments must legislate to protect workers from unsafe conditions.

major

adj/n

Important, serious, or significant.

majoritymajorly

Air pollution is a major cause of respiratory disease in cities.

method

n

A particular procedure for accomplishing something.

methodologymethodicalmethodically

The researcher used a mixed-methods approach to collect data.

occur

v

Happen or take place.

occurrencerecurringrecurrence

Natural disasters occur more frequently in areas affected by climate change.

percent

nou

By a specified amount in or for every hundred.

percentagepercentile

Over 60 percent of the world's population now lives in urban areas.

period

n

A length or portion of time.

periodicperiodicallyperiodical

The Victorian period saw rapid industrial growth across Britain.

policy

n

A course of action adopted by a government or organisation.

policies

The new education policy aims to improve literacy rates in rural areas.

principle

n

A fundamental rule or belief governing behaviour.

principledunprincipledprincipally

The principle of equality underpins modern democratic societies.

proceed

v

Begin or continue a course of action.

procedureproceedingsprocedural

Once the data is collected, researchers proceed to the analysis stage.

process

n/v

A series of actions leading to a result.

processedprocessingreprocess

The process of urbanisation has transformed societies worldwide.

require

v

Need something for a particular purpose.

requirementrequiredrequirements

University admission requires a minimum band score of 6.5 in IELTS.

research

n/v

Systematic investigation into a subject.

researcherresearched

Extensive research confirms the link between smoking and lung cancer.

respond

v

Say or do something in reply to a stimulus.

responseresponsiveresponsibility

Governments must respond quickly to public health emergencies.

role

n

A function or position in a particular situation.

roles

Education plays a vital role in reducing social inequality.

section

n

Any of the parts into which something is divided.

sectionalcross-section

The writing section of IELTS has two tasks.

sector

n

A distinct part of an economy, society, or sphere of activity.

sectors

The private sector plays a crucial role in job creation.

significant

adj

Important enough to be worthy of attention.

significancesignificantlyinsignificant

There has been a significant increase in the use of renewable energy.

similar

adj

Resembling without being identical.

similaritysimilarlydissimilar

The results are similar to those found in previous studies.

source

n/v

A place or person from which something comes.

sourcedsourcing

Fossil fuels remain the primary source of energy in many countries.

specific

adj

Clearly defined or identified; particular.

specificallyspecificationspecify

The report makes specific recommendations for improving air quality.

structure

n/v

The arrangement of and relations between parts of something.

structuralstructurallyrestructure

A clear structure is essential for effective academic writing.

theory

n

A set of ideas to explain something.

theoreticaltheoreticallytheoristtheorise

Darwin's theory of evolution changed our understanding of life on Earth.

vary

v

Differ in size, degree, or nature from something else.

variationvariablevarietyvaried

Salaries vary considerably depending on location and industry.

1 / 10

AWL Sublist 1 - Complete Reference

The 60 most frequent academic words. Click any word in the interactive list above to see its word family and IELTS example sentence.

analyseverb
Examine in detail to understand or explain something.
approachnoun/verb
A way of dealing with a situation or problem.
areanoun
A subject, range of activity, or field of study.
assessverb
Evaluate or estimate the quality or value of something.
assumeverb
Accept something as true without evidence.
authoritynoun
The power to give orders or make decisions.
availableadjective
Able to be used or obtained.
benefitnoun/verb
An advantage or profit gained from something.
conceptnoun
An abstract idea or general notion.
consistverb
Be composed or made up of.
constituteverb
Be a part of a whole; make up.
contextnoun
The circumstances forming the background of an event.
contractnoun/verb
A written legal agreement; to enter into an agreement.
createverb
Bring something into existence.
datanoun
Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.
defineverb
State the exact meaning of a word or concept.
deriveverb
Obtain or develop something from a source.
distributeverb
Give or spread something among a number of recipients.
economynoun
The system by which a country's money and industry are organised.
environmentnoun
The natural world; the surroundings of a living organism.
establishverb
Set up or bring into being on a firm basis.
estimatenoun/verb
An approximate calculation or judgement.
evidentadjective
Clearly seen or understood; obvious.
exportnoun/verb
Send goods or services to another country for sale.
factornoun
A circumstance that contributes to a result.
financenoun/verb
The management of money; to provide funding.
formulanoun
A set method or rule expressed in symbols or words.
functionnoun/verb
An activity or purpose natural to a thing; to work correctly.
identifyverb
Recognise or establish the identity of something.
incomenoun
Money received from work or investments.
indicateverb
Point out or show something.
individualnoun/adjective
A single person; relating to one person.
interpretverb
Explain the meaning of information or actions.
involveverb
Include as a necessary part; affect or include.
issuenoun/verb
An important topic or problem for debate.
labournoun/verb
Work, especially physical work; the workforce.
legaladjective
Relating to the law; permitted by law.
legislateverb
Make or enact laws.
majoradjective/noun
Important, serious, or significant.
methodnoun
A particular procedure for accomplishing something.
occurverb
Happen or take place.
percentnoun/adverb
By a specified amount in or for every hundred.
periodnoun
A length or portion of time.
policynoun
A course of action adopted by a government or organisation.
principlenoun
A fundamental rule or belief governing behaviour.
proceedverb
Begin or continue a course of action.
processnoun/verb
A series of actions leading to a result.
requireverb
Need something for a particular purpose.
researchnoun/verb
Systematic investigation into a subject.
respondverb
Say or do something in reply to a stimulus.
rolenoun
A function or position in a particular situation.
sectionnoun
Any of the parts into which something is divided.
sectornoun
A distinct part of an economy, society, or sphere of activity.
significantadjective
Important enough to be worthy of attention.
similaradjective
Resembling without being identical.
sourcenoun/verb
A place or person from which something comes.
specificadjective
Clearly defined or identified; particular.
structurenoun/verb
The arrangement of and relations between parts of something.
theorynoun
A set of ideas to explain something.
varyverb
Differ in size, degree, or nature from something else.

How to use the AWL for IELTS

1

Start with Sublist 1-3

These 180 words are the most frequent in academic texts. Mastering them has the highest return on investment for IELTS reading speed and writing quality.

2

Learn word families, not just headwords

Knowing "analyse" is useful. Knowing analysis, analytical, and analytically lets you use the word in multiple sentence structures - which examiners reward.

3

Replace informal words in essays

Swap out everyday words for AWL equivalents: "show" → "demonstrate", "use" → "utilise", "very important" → "significant". This directly improves Lexical Resource.

4

Spot AWL words in reading passages

While reading IELTS practice texts, highlight AWL words. Understanding how they are used in context is more effective than memorising definitions alone.

5

Study 10-15 words per day

Spaced repetition is key. Study 10 new words daily, review yesterday's words, and test yourself weekly. At this pace you cover all 570 in under 2 months.

6

Use them in practice essays

The best way to lock in a word is to use it in your own sentence. After studying a sublist, write a short IELTS-style paragraph using 3-4 of the words naturally.

Frequently asked questions

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