Band 9 vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
- 13 words
- Band 9
- Every word and sentence read aloud
Study all 13 words
13 cards · 0 known
alleviate
/əˈliːvieɪt/verbC2
To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
Warmth and tea ease the ache: to alleviate pain is to make it lighter.
Remember it: Alleviate comes from Latin levis, “light”: to alleviate suffering is to make it feel lighter.
- “Painkillers can alleviate the symptoms.”
- “The scheme was set up to alleviate poverty.”
Similar: ease, relieve, reduce
A Band 9 word. Try it in a phrase: “help to alleviate”.
Tap the card or press Space to flip
The band at a glance
Band 9
13 words
Band 9
13 words
Education 1
Technology 1
Environment 2
Health & Wellbeing 2
Business & Work 1
Travel & Tourism 1
Society & Culture 3
Media & Communication 2
- noun
- adjective
- verb
Every word
13 words
Band 9alleviateəˈliːvieɪtverbTo make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
Warmth and tea ease the ache: to alleviate pain is to make it lighter. To make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe.
Painkillers can alleviate the symptoms.
The scheme was set up to alleviate poverty.
Remember it
Alleviate comes from Latin levis, “light”: to alleviate suffering is to make it feel lighter.
Watch out
alleviate from painalleviate painAlleviate takes a direct object.
Goes with
Words that go with alleviate: alleviate pain; alleviate symptoms; alleviate suffering; help to alleviate. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- easerelievereducesoothe
- Opposite
- aggravateworsenintensify
Word family
The alleviate family: alleviate (verb), alleviation (noun). 
Band 9cohesionkəʊˈhiːʒnnounThe state of forming a united whole; unity within a group.
Tied together, the sticks will not break: cohesion is a group holding together as one. The state of forming a united whole; unity within a group.
Community events strengthen social cohesion.
The team lacked cohesion.
Remember it
Cohesion comes from Latin roots meaning “stick together,” like members forming a united group.
Goes with
Words that go with cohesion: social cohesion; community cohesion; lack of cohesion; a sense of cohesion. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- unitysolidaritytogetherness
- Opposite
- divisionfragmentation
Word family
The cohesion family: cohesion (noun), cohesive (adjective), cohesively (adverb). 
Band 9disseminatedɪˈsemɪneɪtverbTo spread information or knowledge widely.
Seeds carried far and wide: to disseminate information is to spread it widely. To spread information or knowledge widely.
Universities disseminate research through journals and conferences.
The internet allows ideas to be disseminated instantly.
Remember it
From Latin semen, “seed,” disseminate means scattering ideas like seeds widely.
Watch out
disseminate informationsdisseminate informationInformation is uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with disseminate: disseminate information; disseminate knowledge; disseminate findings; widely disseminated. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- distributecirculatebroadcastspread
- Opposite
- suppresswithhold
Word family
The disseminate family: disseminate (verb), dissemination (noun). 
Band 9marginaliseˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪzverbTo treat a person or group as insignificant or push them to the edge of society.
One piece pushed to the edge: to marginalise people is to push them to the side of society. To treat a person or group as insignificant or push them to the edge of society.
The policy risks marginalising vulnerable groups.
Minorities are often marginalised in the media.
Remember it
To marginalise someone is to push them to the margin, the outer edge of society.
Goes with
Words that go with marginalise: marginalised groups; marginalised communities; socially marginalised; pushed to the margins. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- excludesidelineisolate
- Opposite
- includeembrace
Word family
The marginalise family: marginalise (verb), marginalisation (noun), marginal (adjective), marginally (adverb). 
Band 9mitigateˈmɪtɪɡeɪtverbTo make something bad less severe or harmful.
Sandbags do not stop the flood, they lessen the damage: to mitigate is to make something less harmful. To make something bad less severe or harmful.
Planting trees can help mitigate climate change.
The plan is designed to mitigate the risk of flooding.
Remember it
'Mit' sounds like 'mitt', a padded glove that softens (mitigates) a blow.
Watch out
mitigate against climate changemitigate climate changeMitigate is normally used directly with its object.
Goes with
Words that go with mitigate: mitigate the effects; mitigate risk; mitigate climate change; mitigate against. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- alleviatereducelessenease
- Opposite
- aggravateworsenintensify
Word family
The mitigate family: mitigate (verb), mitigation (noun). 
Band 9philanthropyfɪˈlænθrəpinounThe practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.
Gifts ready to give away: philanthropy is giving money and time to help others. The practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.
The foundation is known for its philanthropy.
Corporate philanthropy has grown in recent years.
Remember it
Philanthropy combines Greek roots meaning “love of humanity,” linking it to helping people.
Watch out
philanthropist activityphilanthropic activityUse the adjective, not the person noun.
Goes with
Words that go with philanthropy: corporate philanthropy; act of philanthropy; a spirit of philanthropy. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- charitygenerositybenevolence
- Opposite
- selfishnessgreed
Word family
The philanthropy family: philanthropy (noun), philanthropist (noun), philanthropic (adjective), philanthropically (adverb). 
Band 9pristineˈprɪstiːnadjectiveIn its original, unspoilt condition; spotlessly clean.
Not one footprint: pristine means in perfect, original condition. In its original, unspoilt condition; spotlessly clean.
The reserve protects a stretch of pristine coastline.
The rainforest remains largely pristine.
Remember it
Pristine comes from Latin meaning “original” or “former,” like something untouched from the beginning.
Goes with
Words that go with pristine: pristine environment; pristine wilderness; pristine condition; in pristine condition. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- unspoiltuntouchedimmaculate
- Opposite
- pollutedspoiltdegraded
Band 9recuperaterɪˈkuːpəreɪtverbTo recover from illness, exhaustion, or a setback.
Rest, light and flowers: to recuperate is to get your strength back after illness. To recover from illness, exhaustion, or a setback.
She went to the coast to recuperate after surgery.
The body needs rest to recuperate fully.
Remember it
From Latin recuperare, meaning “regain”; recuperate means regain health or strength.
Watch out
recuperate of an illnessrecuperate from an illnessUse from after recuperate.
Goes with
Words that go with recuperate: recuperate from illness; time to recuperate; recuperate from. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- recoverconvalesceget better
- Opposite
- deteriorateworsen
Word family
The recuperate family: recuperate (verb), recuperation (noun), recuperative (adjective). 
Band 9remunerationrɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃnnounMoney paid for work or a service; payment.
Pay for the work done: remuneration is the money you receive for a job. Money paid for work or a service; payment.
The role offers generous remuneration.
Remuneration should reflect responsibility.
Remember it
From Latin remunerari, “to reward,” remuneration is payment given for work or service.
Watch out
a remunerationremunerationThe noun is usually uncountable when meaning payment.
Goes with
Words that go with remuneration: generous remuneration; remuneration package; adequate remuneration; a competitive remuneration package. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- paymentcompensationsalarypay
Word family
The remuneration family: remuneration (noun), remunerate (verb). 
Band 9scrutinyˈskruːtəninounCritical observation or examination.
Every detail examined under the glass: scrutiny is close, critical examination. Critical observation or examination.
Public figures are under constant media scrutiny.
The claims did not stand up to scrutiny.
Remember it
Scrutiny comes from Latin roots meaning “search” or “examine closely.”
Watch out
under close scrutiniesunder close scrutinyScrutiny is usually uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with scrutiny: public scrutiny; under scrutiny; close scrutiny; come under scrutiny; stand up to scrutiny. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- examinationinspectionclose examination
- Opposite
- neglectdisregard
Word family
The scrutiny family: scrutiny (noun), scrutinise (verb). 
Band 9sensationalismsenˈseɪʃənəlɪzəmnounThe presentation of stories in a way designed to provoke excitement at the expense of accuracy.
A megaphone for a teacup: sensationalism makes a small story loud and exciting at the cost of the truth. The presentation of stories in a way designed to provoke excitement at the expense of accuracy.
Tabloid sensationalism distorts serious issues.
The channel was criticised for sensationalism.
Watch out
sensationalism newssensationalist newsUse 'sensationalist' to describe media or reporting.
Goes with
Words that go with sensationalism: media sensationalism; tabloid sensationalism; resort to sensationalism. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- scaremongeringhype
- Opposite
- restraintsober reporting
Word family
The sensationalism family: sensationalism (noun), sensationalist (adjective), sensational (adjective), sensationalise (verb). 
Band 9ubiquitousjuˈbɪkwɪtəsadjectivePresent, appearing, or found everywhere.
Phones covering every inch: something ubiquitous is found everywhere you look. Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Smartphones have become ubiquitous.
Wi-Fi is now almost ubiquitous in cities.
Remember it
Think 'you-bik-witous' → it's wherever YOU look.
Watch out
ubiquitous everywhereubiquitousUbiquitous already means present everywhere.
Goes with
Words that go with ubiquitous: become ubiquitous; ubiquitous presence; all but ubiquitous. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- omnipresentpervasiveeverywhere
- Opposite
- rarescarce
Word family
The ubiquitous family: ubiquitous (adjective), ubiquity (noun), ubiquitously (adverb). 
Band 9wanderlustˈwɒndəlʌstnounA strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Packed and looking out at the mountains: wanderlust is a strong wish to travel. A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Her wanderlust took her across five continents.
The documentary sparked my wanderlust.
Remember it
Literally German for 'wander' + 'lust', a craving to roam.
Goes with
Words that go with wanderlust: fuel your wanderlust; a sense of wanderlust; a case of wanderlust. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- itchy feettravel bug
- Opposite
- homesickness