Business & Work vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

39 words
Band 6 to 9
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A city street at night with large blank glowing billboards and illuminated light boxes on the buildings

advertising

/ˈædvətaɪzɪŋ/nounB2

The activity of promoting products or services to the public.

Lights designed to catch your eye: advertising promotes products to the public.

Remember it: Advertising comes from Latin roots meaning “turn toward,” as adverts turn people’s attention toward products.

“Online advertising has overtaken print.”
“Children are heavily influenced by advertising.”

online advertisingtargeted advertisingadvertising campaign

Similar: promotion, marketing, publicity

A Band 6 word. Try it in a phrase: “an advertising campaign”.

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The topic at a glance

Business & Work

39 words

Every word

39 words

advertisingˈædvətaɪzɪŋnoun
The activity of promoting products or services to the public.
Band 6
Lights designed to catch your eye: advertising promotes products to the public.
The activity of promoting products or services to the public.
Online advertising has overtaken print.
Children are heavily influenced by advertising.
Remember it
Advertising comes from Latin roots meaning “turn toward,” as adverts turn people’s attention toward products.
Watch out
an advertisingan advertisement
Use 'advertisement' for one advert; 'advertising' is usually uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with advertising: online advertising; targeted advertising; advertising campaign; an advertising campaign.
Similar and opposite
Similar
promotionmarketingpublicity
Word family
The advertising family: advertising (noun), advertise (verb), advertisement (noun), advertiser (noun).
Open advertising
entrepreneurˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːnoun
A person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.
Band 6
A new shop, the owner's own risk: an entrepreneur starts a business hoping for profit.
A person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.
The scheme supports young entrepreneurs.
A successful entrepreneur spots gaps in the market.
Remember it
Entrepreneur comes from French entreprendre, “to undertake,” especially undertaking a business venture.
Watch out
enterpreneurentrepreneur
It begins entre-, from French.
Goes with
Words that go with entrepreneur: budding entrepreneur; serial entrepreneur; tech entrepreneur; an entrepreneurial spirit.
Similar and opposite
Similar
founderbusiness ownerinnovator
Opposite
employee
Word family
The entrepreneur family: entrepreneur (noun), entrepreneurial (adjective), entrepreneurship (noun).
Open entrepreneur
innovationˌɪnəˈveɪʃnnoun
A new method, idea, or product; the act of introducing something new.
Band 6
The new bulb beside the old one: an innovation is a new idea, method or product.
A new method, idea, or product; the act of introducing something new.
Constant innovation keeps the company ahead of its rivals.
The smartphone was a genuine innovation.
Remember it
Innovation contains Latin novus, “new”: it introduces something new.
Goes with
Words that go with innovation: technological innovation; drive innovation; foster innovation; at the cutting edge of innovation.
Similar and opposite
Similar
inventionbreakthroughadvance
Opposite
stagnationtradition
Word family
The innovation family: innovation (noun), innovate (verb), innovative (adjective), innovator (noun), innovatively (adverb).
Open innovation
job satisfactiondʒɒb ˌsætɪsˈfækʃnnoun
The sense of fulfilment and contentment a person feels about their work.
Band 6
A job well done, standing in the light: job satisfaction is the good feeling your work gives you.
The sense of fulfilment and contentment a person feels about their work.
High pay doesn't guarantee job satisfaction.
Job satisfaction comes from doing meaningful work.
Goes with
Words that go with job satisfaction: high job satisfaction; boost job satisfaction; a sense of job satisfaction.
Similar and opposite
Similar
work fulfilmentcontentment
Opposite
dissatisfaction
Open job satisfaction
sustainablesəˈsteɪnəbladjective
Able to continue over time without depleting natural resources or harming the environment.
Band 6
Rainwater, compost and sunshine: a sustainable way of living can go on without using the planet up.
Able to continue over time without depleting natural resources or harming the environment.
We need a more sustainable approach to farming.
The city aims for sustainable growth.
Remember it
Sustainable comes from Latin roots meaning “to hold up,” suggesting something that can continue without collapse.
Watch out
sustainable in the long timesustainable in the long term
The fixed collocation is 'in the long term'.
Goes with
Words that go with sustainable: sustainable development; sustainable energy; environmentally sustainable; in the long term.
Similar and opposite
Similar
eco-friendly renewable viable
Opposite
unsustainablewasteful
Word family
The sustainable family: sustainable (adjective), sustainability (noun), sustain (verb), sustainably (adverb).
Open sustainable
aptitudeˈæptɪtjuːdnoun
A natural ability or talent for doing something.
Band 7
One seedling racing ahead of the rest: an aptitude is a natural talent for something.
A natural ability or talent for doing something.
He showed a real aptitude for languages from an early age.
The test measures aptitude rather than acquired knowledge.
Remember it
Aptitude contains apt, meaning naturally suitable or fitted for something.
Watch out
aptitude of doing somethingaptitude for doing something
Aptitude takes 'for'.
Goes with
Words that go with aptitude: natural aptitude; aptitude test; aptitude for something; have an aptitude for.
Similar and opposite
Similar
talentflairknackgift
Opposite
inabilityineptitude
Word family
The aptitude family: aptitude (noun), apt (adjective), aptly (adverb).
Open aptitude
automationˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃnnoun
The use of machines and technology to perform tasks without human control.
Band 7
Robot arms working on their own: automation is machines doing a job without people.
The use of machines and technology to perform tasks without human control.
Automation has transformed manufacturing.
Many fear that automation will replace routine jobs.
Remember it
Greek auto- means “self”: automation lets machines run a process by themselves.
Goes with
Words that go with automation: industrial automation; increasing automation; automation of tasks; the rise of automation.
Similar and opposite
Similar
mechanisationcomputerisation
Opposite
manual labour
Word family
The automation family: automation (noun), automate (verb), automated (adjective), automatic (adjective), automatically (adverb).
Open automation
cutting-edgeˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒadjective
The most advanced or innovative stage in the development of something.
Band 7
The sharpest edge leads the cut: cutting-edge technology is the most advanced there is.
The most advanced or innovative stage in the development of something.
The lab uses cutting-edge technology.
Their research is at the cutting edge of medicine.
Remember it
Picture the sharpest front edge of a blade: cutting-edge technology is the most advanced.
Watch out
cutting edge technologycutting-edge technology
Use a hyphen when it comes before a noun.
Goes with
Words that go with cutting-edge: cutting-edge technology; cutting-edge research; at the cutting edge; at the cutting edge of.
Similar and opposite
Similar
state-of-the-artleading-edgeadvanced
Opposite
outdatedold-fashioned
Open cutting-edge
cybersecurityˈsaɪbəsɪˌkjʊərətinoun
The protection of computer systems and data from digital attacks.
Band 7
A padlock on a laptop: cybersecurity protects computers and data from attack.
The protection of computer systems and data from digital attacks.
Companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity.
A cybersecurity breach can cost millions.
Goes with
Words that go with cybersecurity: cybersecurity threat; invest in cybersecurity; cybersecurity breach; a cybersecurity attack.
Similar and opposite
Similar
data protectioninformation security
Open cybersecurity
flexible workingˈfleksəbl ˈwɜːkɪŋnoun
Working arrangements that give employees choice over hours or location.
Band 7
Working from the garden, at your own hours: flexible working gives choice over when and where.
Working arrangements that give employees choice over hours or location.
Flexible working has become the norm for many.
The company introduced flexible working after the pandemic.
Goes with
Words that go with flexible working: offer flexible working; flexible working arrangements; a flexible working policy.
Similar and opposite
Similar
flexitimeremote working
Opposite
fixed hours
Open flexible working
hospitalityˌhɒspɪˈtælətinoun
Friendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
Band 7
Tea and biscuits waiting for guests: hospitality is a warm welcome, and the industry that gives it.
Friendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
We were touched by their warm hospitality.
She works in the hospitality industry.
Remember it
Hospitality comes from Latin hospes, meaning “host” or “guest,” linking it to welcoming visitors.
Goes with
Words that go with hospitality: warm hospitality; hospitality industry; show hospitality; extend hospitality to.
Similar and opposite
Similar
welcomefriendlinessgenerosity
Opposite
hostilityinhospitality
Word family
The hospitality family: hospitality (noun), hospitable (adjective).
Open hospitality
incentiveɪnˈsentɪvnoun
Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
Band 7
A prize waiting at the finish: an incentive is something that makes you want to act.
Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
Bonuses act as an incentive to work harder.
There is little incentive to change.
Watch out
an incentive for do somethingan incentive to do something
Use to before a verb.
Goes with
Words that go with incentive: financial incentive; provide an incentive; incentive to; an incentive to do something.
Similar and opposite
Similar
motivationencouragementinducement
Opposite
deterrentdisincentive
Word family
The incentive family: incentive (noun), incentivise (verb).
Open incentive
inequalityˌɪnɪˈkwɒlətinoun
An unfair difference between groups of people in status, wealth, or opportunity.
Band 7
One plate full, one nearly empty: inequality is an unfair difference between groups.
An unfair difference between groups of people in status, wealth, or opportunity.
The gap has widened social inequality.
Education can help reduce inequality.
Watch out
inequality among two groupsinequality between two groups
Use 'between' for two groups.
Goes with
Words that go with inequality: social inequality; income inequality; gender inequality; tackle inequality; a widening inequality.
Similar and opposite
Similar
disparityimbalanceunfairness
Opposite
equalityparity
Word family
The inequality family: inequality (noun), unequal (adjective), equality (noun), equal (adjective).
Open inequality
productivityˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvətinoun
The rate at which goods or work are produced, relative to time or effort.
Band 7
A steady stream of finished work: productivity is how much is produced for the time and effort.
The rate at which goods or work are produced, relative to time or effort.
Automation has boosted productivity.
Long hours don't always increase productivity.
Goes with
Words that go with productivity: boost productivity; increase productivity; productivity levels; improve productivity.
Similar and opposite
Similar
outputefficiencyyield
Opposite
inefficiency
Word family
The productivity family: productivity (noun), productive (adjective), productively (adverb), produce (verb), product (noun).
Open productivity
recessionrɪˈseʃnnoun
A period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity.
Band 7
Shutters down all along the street: a recession is a time when the economy shrinks.
A period of temporary economic decline with reduced trade and activity.
The economy slipped into recession.
Many small firms closed during the recession.
Remember it
From Latin recedere, “to withdraw,” recession describes an economy pulling back or declining.
Goes with
Words that go with recession: economic recession; slide into recession; global recession; in the grip of a recession.
Similar and opposite
Similar
downturnslumpdepression
Opposite
boomrecoveryupturn
Word family
The recession family: recession (noun), recessionary (adjective).
Open recession
revenueˈrevənjuːnoun
The income that a business receives from its normal activities.
Band 7
The day's takings in the till: revenue is the money a business brings in.
The income that a business receives from its normal activities.
Advertising is their main source of revenue.
The company's revenue grew by 20%.
Goes with
Words that go with revenue: generate revenue; revenue stream; annual revenue; a source of revenue.
Similar and opposite
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incomeearningstakings
Opposite
expenditureoutgoings
Open revenue
vocationalvəʊˈkeɪʃənladjective
Relating to training that prepares people for a specific trade or occupation.
Band 7
The tools of one trade: vocational training prepares you for a particular job.
Relating to training that prepares people for a specific trade or occupation.
Vocational courses give students practical, job-ready skills.
There is growing demand for vocational training in the trades.
Remember it
From Latin vocare, “to call,” vocational training prepares you for your calling or occupation.
Goes with
Words that go with vocational: vocational training; vocational qualification; vocational course; a vocational route into work.
Similar and opposite
Similar
occupationalcareer-focusedpractical
Opposite
academictheoretical
Word family
The vocational family: vocational (adjective), vocation (noun), vocationally (adverb).
Open vocational
burnoutˈbɜːnaʊtnoun
Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or prolonged stress.
Band 8
Burnt down to nothing: burnout is exhaustion from too much stress for too long.
Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or prolonged stress.
Long hours can lead to burnout.
She took time off to recover from burnout.
Remember it
Imagine a candle burning out after excessive use: burnout similarly follows prolonged stress or overwork.
Watch out
suffer from burn outsuffer from burnout
The noun is written as one word.
Goes with
Words that go with burnout: suffer burnout; avoid burnout; risk of burnout; on the verge of burnout.
Similar and opposite
Similar
exhaustionfatiguebreakdown
Opposite
freshnessvitality
Word family
The burnout family: burnout (noun), burn out (verb), burnt-out (adjective).
Open burnout
conducivekənˈdjuːsɪvadjective
Making a particular situation or outcome likely or possible.
Band 8
Light, quiet and order: a desk like this is conducive to study, it makes good work likely.
Making a particular situation or outcome likely or possible.
A quiet room is more conducive to studying.
The policy created an environment conducive to innovation.
Remember it
'Conduct' good conditions → they lead to (are conducive to) a good result.
Watch out
conducive for learningconducive to learning
Conducive takes 'to'.
Goes with
Words that go with conducive: conducive to learning; conducive environment; conducive to growth; conducive to something.
Similar and opposite
Similar
favourablehelpfulbeneficial
Opposite
detrimentalunfavourable
Open conducive
credibleˈkredəbladjective
Able to be believed; convincing and trustworthy.
Band 8
Trusted reference books: credible means believable and trustworthy.
Able to be believed; convincing and trustworthy.
Always check that a source is credible.
She gave a credible account of events.
Remember it
Credible comes from Latin credere, meaning “to believe.”
Watch out
credablecredible
The correct spelling contains 'ible'.
Goes with
Words that go with credible: credible source; credible evidence; highly credible; a credible source.
Similar and opposite
Similar
believabletrustworthyreliable
Opposite
implausibleunreliabledubious
Word family
The credible family: credible (adjective), credibility (noun), credibly (adverb).
Open credible
cut cornerskʌt ˈkɔːnəzidiom
To do something in the cheapest or easiest way, often sacrificing quality.
Band 8
A path worn across the corner to save time: to cut corners is to do something the quick, cheap way.
To do something in the cheapest or easiest way, often sacrificing quality.
They cut corners on safety to save money.
You can't cut corners with customer service.
Remember it
Imagine cutting across a corner to save distance: cutting corners saves effort but may reduce quality.
Goes with
Words that go with cut corners: cut corners on; no cutting corners; cut corners.
Similar and opposite
Similar
take shortcutsskimp
Opposite
do things properly
Open cut corners
demographicˌdeməˈɡræfɪkadjective
Relating to the structure of populations, such as age, income, or education.
Band 8
Each stack a different group: demographic means about the make-up of a population.
Relating to the structure of populations, such as age, income, or education.
The country faces major demographic change.
Advertisers target specific demographic groups.
Remember it
Demographic combines Greek roots meaning “people” and “write or describe,” describing population groups.
Watch out
demographic of the populationdemographics of the population
Use the plural noun for population statistics.
Goes with
Words that go with demographic: demographic change; demographic shift; demographic group; an ageing demographic.
Similar and opposite
Similar
population-relatedstatistical
Word family
The demographic family: demographic (adjective), demographics (noun), demographically (adverb).
Open demographic
disruptivedɪsˈrʌptɪvadjective
Causing radical change to an existing industry or market.
Band 8
One phone replaced them all: disruptive change breaks up how a whole industry works.
Causing radical change to an existing industry or market.
Streaming was a disruptive technology for the music industry.
Start-ups often thrive on disruptive ideas.
Remember it
From Latin disrumpere, “to break apart,” disruptive change breaks up established systems.
Goes with
Words that go with disruptive: disruptive technology; disruptive innovation; a disruptive force.
Similar and opposite
Similar
groundbreakingrevolutionarytransformative
Opposite
conventionalincremental
Word family
The disruptive family: disruptive (adjective), disrupt (verb), disruption (noun), disruptor (noun).
Open disruptive
diversifydaɪˈvɜːsɪfaɪverb
To expand into a wider range of products, markets, or activities.
Band 8
Not all the eggs in one basket: to diversify is to spread into more products or markets.
To expand into a wider range of products, markets, or activities.
The firm diversified into new markets.
Investors are advised to diversify their portfolios.
Remember it
From Latin diversus, “different,” diversify means make something more varied or different.
Watch out
diversify in new marketsdiversify into new markets
Use into for expansion into an area.
Goes with
Words that go with diversify: diversify the economy; diversify into; diversify a portfolio; diversify your income.
Similar and opposite
Similar
expandbranch outbroaden
Opposite
specialisenarrow
Word family
The diversify family: diversify (verb), diversification (noun), diverse (adjective), diversity (noun).
Open diversify
get off the groundɡet ɒf ðə ˈɡraʊndidiom
To start successfully or begin to operate.
Band 8
Wheels leaving the runway: a project gets off the ground when it starts successfully.
To start successfully or begin to operate.
The project never really got off the ground.
It took years for the start-up to get off the ground.
Remember it
A project that gets off the ground has successfully begun, like a plane starting its flight.
Goes with
Words that go with get off the ground: get a business off the ground; get off the ground.
Similar and opposite
Similar
take offget startedlaunch
Opposite
stallfail
Open get off the ground
lucrativeˈluːkrətɪvadjective
Producing a great deal of profit.
Band 8
Money that keeps growing: a lucrative business makes a lot of profit.
Producing a great deal of profit.
Consulting can be a lucrative career.
They signed a lucrative contract.
Remember it
The Latin root lucrum means “profit,” helping you remember that lucrative activities produce substantial profit.
Goes with
Words that go with lucrative: lucrative deal; lucrative career; highly lucrative; a lucrative opportunity.
Similar and opposite
Similar
profitablewell-paidmoney-making
Opposite
unprofitableloss-making
Word family
The lucrative family: lucrative (adjective), lucratively (adverb).
Open lucrative
meticulousməˈtɪkjələsadjective
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Band 8
Every tiny part in its exact place: a meticulous person is extremely careful with detail.
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Her meticulous notes made revision much easier.
The project required meticulous planning.
Watch out
meticulous on detailsmeticulous about details
Meticulous usually takes 'about'.
Goes with
Words that go with meticulous: meticulous attention to detail; meticulous planning; meticulously researched; meticulous about something.
Similar and opposite
Similar
thoroughpainstakingscrupulous
Opposite
carelesssloppyslapdash
Word family
The meticulous family: meticulous (adjective), meticulously (adverb), meticulousness (noun).
Open meticulous
offsetˌɒfˈsetverb
To counteract or balance out something with an opposing force or action.
Band 8
The seedling balances the coal: to offset something is to cancel out its effect.
To counteract or balance out something with an opposing force or action.
Airlines let passengers offset their carbon emissions.
Savings in one area offset the extra costs in another.
Remember it
To offset something is to set an opposing action against it, balancing its effect.
Goes with
Words that go with offset: offset emissions; carbon offset; offset the cost; offset something against.
Similar and opposite
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counterbalancecompensate forcounteract
Opposite
add tocompound
Word family
offsetverb · noun
offset is a verb and a noun.
Open offset
outsourceˈaʊtsɔːsverb
To arrange for work to be done by an outside company rather than in-house.
Band 8
The work goes out of the building: to outsource is to pay another company to do a job.
To arrange for work to be done by an outside company rather than in-house.
Many firms outsource their customer service.
Production was outsourced to cut costs.
Watch out
outsource work from another companyoutsource work to another company
Use to for the external provider.
Goes with
Words that go with outsource: outsource production; outsource jobs; outsource to; outsource work overseas.
Similar and opposite
Similar
contract outsubcontractfarm out
Opposite
insource
Word family
The outsource family: outsource (verb), outsourcing (noun), outsourced (adjective).
Open outsource
redundantrɪˈdʌndəntadjective
No longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.
Band 8
The typewriter is no longer needed: redundant means not needed any more, and for a worker, a job that has gone.
No longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.
New technology made several roles redundant.
Hundreds of workers were made redundant after the merger.
Goes with
Words that go with redundant: make redundant; become redundant; redundant workers; made redundant.
Similar and opposite
Similar
unnecessarysuperfluoussurplus
Opposite
essentialnecessary
Word family
The redundant family: redundant (adjective), redundancy (noun), redundantly (adverb).
Open redundant
resilientrɪˈzɪliəntadjective
Able to recover quickly from difficulties; tough and adaptable.
Band 8
A tree growing through rock and wind: resilient means able to recover quickly from difficulty.
Able to recover quickly from difficulties; tough and adaptable.
The economy proved surprisingly resilient.
Resilient employees cope better with change.
Remember it
From Latin resilire, “to spring back,” resilient means able to recover quickly after difficulties.
Watch out
resilentresilient
Re-sil-i-ent: there is an i before the e.
Goes with
Words that go with resilient: resilient economy; emotionally resilient; build resilience; bounce back.
Similar and opposite
Similar
toughadaptablerobust
Opposite
fragilevulnerable
Word family
The resilient family: resilient (adjective), resilience (noun).
Open resilient
seamlessˈsiːmləsadjective
Smooth and continuous, with no awkward gaps or interruptions.
Band 8
One smooth piece with no joins: seamless means smooth, with no awkward gaps or breaks.
Smooth and continuous, with no awkward gaps or interruptions.
The app offers a seamless user experience.
The two systems work together seamlessly.
Remember it
Seamless fabric has no visible joins, like a smooth process without interruptions.
Goes with
Words that go with seamless: seamless integration; seamless experience; seamless transition; seamless integration.
Similar and opposite
Similar
smoothuninterruptedfluid
Opposite
disjointedclunky
Word family
The seamless family: seamless (adjective), seamlessly (adverb), seam (noun).
Open seamless
stakeholderˈsteɪkhəʊldənoun
A person or group with an interest or concern in a business or project.
Band 8
A seat at the table for each side: stakeholders are everyone with an interest in a project.
A person or group with an interest or concern in a business or project.
The plan was drawn up in consultation with stakeholders.
Employees are key stakeholders in the company.
Remember it
Picture someone holding a stake in a project: a stakeholder has an interest in its outcome.
Goes with
Words that go with stakeholder: key stakeholder; engage stakeholders; stakeholder involvement; all stakeholders involved.
Similar and opposite
Similar
interested partyshareholder
Word family
The stakeholder family: stakeholder (noun), stake (noun).
Open stakeholder
streamlineˈstriːmlaɪnverb
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying it.
Band 8
A smooth shape with nothing to slow it: to streamline a process is to make it simpler and faster.
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying it.
The software streamlines the whole booking process.
We streamlined operations to cut costs.
Remember it
A streamlined object has a smooth shape; streamline a process by removing unnecessary obstacles.
Goes with
Words that go with streamline: streamline the process; streamline operations; streamline workflow; streamline something.
Similar and opposite
Similar
simplifyoptimiserationalise
Opposite
complicateovercomplicate
Word family
The streamline family: streamline (verb), streamlined (adjective), streamlining (noun).
Open streamline
transparencytrænsˈpærənsinoun
Openness and honesty, so that actions and information can be easily seen and understood.
Band 8
Glass you can see right through: transparency means openness, nothing hidden.
Openness and honesty, so that actions and information can be easily seen and understood.
Voters are demanding greater transparency.
The company promised full transparency about its data use.
Remember it
Transparency suggests being clear enough to see through, like transparent glass.
Goes with
Words that go with transparency: greater transparency; financial transparency; lack of transparency; a culture of transparency.
Similar and opposite
Similar
opennessaccountabilitycandour
Opposite
secrecyconcealment
Word family
The transparency family: transparency (noun), transparent (adjective), transparently (adverb).
Open transparency
viableˈvaɪəbladjective
Capable of working successfully; feasible.
Band 8
A seed that has taken root: a viable plan can work and survive.
Capable of working successfully; feasible.
The business is no longer commercially viable.
Solar power is a viable alternative to coal.
Remember it
From Latin vita, “life,” viable describes something capable of surviving or working successfully.
Watch out
financial viablefinancially viable
Use the adverb to modify viable.
Goes with
Words that go with viable: commercially viable; viable option; economically viable; a viable alternative.
Similar and opposite
Similar
feasibleworkablepracticable
Opposite
unviableimpractical
Word family
The viable family: viable (adjective), viability (noun).
Open viable
mitigateˈmɪtɪɡeɪtverb
To make something bad less severe or harmful.
Band 9
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 change
Mitigate 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).
Open mitigate
philanthropyfɪˈlænθrəpinoun
The practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.
Band 9
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 activity
Use 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).
Open philanthropy
remunerationrɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃnnoun
Money paid for work or a service; payment.
Band 9
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 remunerationremuneration
The 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).
Open remuneration

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