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IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary · Topic

Business & Work vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

Careers, the economy, and the workplace — common Part 3 territory. This collection gathers 39 high-value words for the business & work topic, each with a clear definition, example sentences and the collocations that make it sound natural in the IELTS Speaking test.

Word list

All 39 words in this collection, with meanings and example sentences.

advertising
The activity of promoting products or services to the public.
“Online advertising has overtaken print.”
entrepreneur
A person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.
“The scheme supports young entrepreneurs.”
innovation
A new method, idea, or product; the act of introducing something new.
“Constant innovation keeps the company ahead of its rivals.”
job satisfaction
The sense of fulfilment and contentment a person feels about their work.
“High pay doesn't guarantee job satisfaction.”
sustainable
Able to continue over time without depleting natural resources or harming the environment.
“We need a more sustainable approach to farming.”
aptitude
A natural ability or talent for doing something.
“He showed a real aptitude for languages from an early age.”
automation
The use of machines and technology to perform tasks without human control.
“Automation has transformed manufacturing.”
cutting-edge
The most advanced or innovative stage in the development of something.
“The lab uses cutting-edge technology.”
cybersecurity
The protection of computer systems and data from digital attacks.
“Companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity.”
flexible working
Working arrangements that give employees choice over hours or location.
“Flexible working has become the norm for many.”
hospitality
Friendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
“We were touched by their warm hospitality.”
incentive
Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
“Bonuses act as an incentive to work harder.”
inequality
An unfair difference between groups of people in status, wealth, or opportunity.
“The gap has widened social inequality.”
productivity
The rate at which goods or work are produced, relative to time or effort.
“Automation has boosted productivity.”
recession
A period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity.
“The economy slipped into recession.”
revenue
The income that a business receives from its normal activities.
“Advertising is their main source of revenue.”
vocational
Relating to training that prepares people for a specific trade or occupation.
“Vocational courses give students practical, job-ready skills.”
burnout
Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or prolonged stress.
“Long hours can lead to burnout.”
conducive
Making a particular situation or outcome likely or possible.
“A quiet room is more conducive to studying.”
credible
Able to be believed; convincing and trustworthy.
“Always check that a source is credible.”
cut corners
To do something in the cheapest or easiest way, often sacrificing quality.
“They cut corners on safety to save money.”
demographic
Relating to the structure of populations, such as age, income, or education.
“The country faces major demographic change.”
disruptive
Causing radical change to an existing industry or market.
“Streaming was a disruptive technology for the music industry.”
diversify
To expand into a wider range of products, markets, or activities.
“The firm diversified into new markets.”
get off the ground
To start successfully or begin to operate.
“The project never really got off the ground.”
lucrative
Producing a great deal of profit.
“Consulting can be a lucrative career.”
meticulous
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
“Her meticulous notes made revision much easier.”
offset
To counteract or balance out something with an opposing force or action.
“Airlines let passengers offset their carbon emissions.”
outsource
To arrange for work to be done by an outside company rather than in-house.
“Many firms outsource their customer service.”
redundant
No longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.
“New technology made several roles redundant.”
resilient
Able to recover quickly from difficulties; tough and adaptable.
“The economy proved surprisingly resilient.”
seamless
Smooth and continuous, with no awkward gaps or interruptions.
“The app offers a seamless user experience.”
stakeholder
A person or group with an interest or concern in a business or project.
“The plan was drawn up in consultation with stakeholders.”
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying it.
“The software streamlines the whole booking process.”
transparency
Openness and honesty, so that actions and information can be easily seen and understood.
“Voters are demanding greater transparency.”
viable
Capable of working successfully; feasible.
“The business is no longer commercially viable.”
mitigate
To make something bad less severe or harmful.
“Planting trees can help mitigate climate change.”
philanthropy
The practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.
“The foundation is known for its philanthropy.”
remuneration
Money paid for work or a service; payment.
“The role offers generous remuneration.”

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Frequently asked questions

How can I remember business & work vocabulary for IELTS?
Use spaced repetition and active recall rather than rote lists: review each word with flashcards and quizzes at growing intervals, and practise saying it aloud in your own example sentences.
Do I need less common words to score Band 7+ in IELTS Speaking?
Yes. The Lexical Resource criterion rewards less common and idiomatic vocabulary used accurately, along with natural collocations and effective paraphrasing — not just a wide list of words.
How many words are in this collection?
This collection has 39 hand-picked words, each with a definition, pronunciation, example sentences, synonyms and collocations.

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