Health & Wellbeing vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
- 23 words
- Band 6 to 9
- Every word and sentence read aloud
Study all 23 words
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balanced diet
/ˌbælənst ˈdaɪət/nounB2
A diet that contains the right proportions of the different food groups.
A little of everything on one plate: a balanced diet has the right mix of food groups.
- “A balanced diet is key to staying healthy.”
- “Children need a balanced diet to grow properly.”
Similar: healthy diet, varied diet
A Band 6 word. Try it in a phrase: “eat a balanced diet”.
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Health & Wellbeing
23 words
Health & Wellbeing
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23 words
Band 6balanced dietˌbælənst ˈdaɪətnounA diet that contains the right proportions of the different food groups.
A little of everything on one plate: a balanced diet has the right mix of food groups. A diet that contains the right proportions of the different food groups.
A balanced diet is key to staying healthy.
Children need a balanced diet to grow properly.
Goes with
Words that go with balanced diet: maintain a balanced diet; well-balanced diet; eat a balanced diet. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- healthy dietvaried diet
- Opposite
- poor dietunhealthy diet
Band 6job satisfactiondʒɒb ˌsætɪsˈfækʃnnounThe sense of fulfilment and contentment a person feels about their work.
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
Band 6nutritiousnjuˈtrɪʃəsadjectiveContaining substances that are good for your health and help you grow.
Food full of goodness: nutritious food gives your body what it needs. Containing substances that are good for your health and help you grow.
A nutritious breakfast sets you up for the day.
Fresh vegetables are cheap and nutritious.
Remember it
Nutritious foods nourish you; both words relate to Latin nutrire, meaning “to feed or nourish.”
Goes with
Words that go with nutritious: nutritious food; nutritious meal; nutritious diet; a nutritious, balanced diet. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- nourishingwholesomehealthy
- Opposite
- unhealthyjunk
Word family
The nutritious family: nutritious (adjective), nutrition (noun), nutritionally (adverb). 
Band 6preventionprɪˈvenʃnnounThe action of stopping something from happening, especially disease.
Ready before the rain arrives: prevention is stopping a problem before it happens. The action of stopping something from happening, especially disease.
Prevention is better than cure.
Health campaigns focus on the prevention of disease.
Remember it
From Latin praevenire, “to come before”: prevention acts before a problem arrives.
Watch out
preventationpreventionThe noun form is prevention.
Goes with
Words that go with prevention: disease prevention; crime prevention; prevention measures; prevention is better than cure. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- avoidancedeterrence
- Opposite
- treatmentcure
Word family
The prevention family: prevention (noun), prevent (verb), preventive (adjective), preventable (adjective). 
Band 6welfareˈwelfeənounThe health, happiness, and general wellbeing of a person or group; state support.
Food and help ready for those in need: welfare is people's wellbeing, and the support that protects it. The health, happiness, and general wellbeing of a person or group; state support.
The charity works for the welfare of children.
Some families rely on welfare payments.
Remember it
Welfare combines “well” and an old sense of “fare,” meaning a person’s well-being or how they are doing.
Watch out
welfareswelfareUsually uncountable when referring to wellbeing or state support.
Goes with
Words that go with welfare: social welfare; welfare state; child welfare; the welfare of citizens. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- wellbeingwellnessbenefit
- Opposite
- hardshipneglect
Band 7chronicˈkrɒnɪkadjective(Of an illness or problem) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Week after week of pills: a chronic illness lasts a long time or keeps coming back. (Of an illness or problem) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
She suffers from chronic back pain.
The region faces a chronic shortage of doctors.
Remember it
Chronic comes from Greek chronos, “time,” reminding you that chronic problems last a long time.
Watch out
chronical illnesschronic illnessThe adjective is chronic, not chronical.
Goes with
Words that go with chronic: chronic illness; chronic pain; chronic shortage; a chronic condition. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- persistentlong-termongoing
- Opposite
- acutetemporaryshort-lived
Word family
The chronic family: chronic (adjective), chronically (adverb). 
Band 7epidemicˌepɪˈdemɪknounA widespread occurrence of a disease, or a rapid rise in something harmful.
Beds made ready all down the corridor: an epidemic is a disease spreading fast to many people. A widespread occurrence of a disease, or a rapid rise in something harmful.
The country is battling a flu epidemic.
Some experts describe obesity as an epidemic.
Remember it
Epidemic combines Greek epi, “upon,” with demos, “people”: a disease spreading among people.
Goes with
Words that go with epidemic: flu epidemic; obesity epidemic; contain an epidemic; reach epidemic proportions. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- outbreakplague
Word family
The epidemic family: epidemic (noun), epidemiology (noun), epidemiologist (noun), epidemiological (adjective). 
Band 7immunityɪˈmjuːnətinounThe body's ability to resist a particular infection or toxin.
The rain cannot get through: immunity is your body's ability to resist infection. The body's ability to resist a particular infection or toxin.
Vaccines build immunity against disease.
A healthy diet can strengthen your immunity.
Remember it
Immunity comes from Latin immunis, meaning “exempt” or protected from a duty or burden.
Watch out
immunity of a diseaseimmunity to a diseaseUse to after immunity.
Goes with
Words that go with immunity: build immunity; boost immunity; natural immunity; immunity to disease. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- resistanceprotection
- Opposite
- susceptibilityvulnerability
Word family
The immunity family: immunity (noun), immune (adjective), immunise (verb), immunisation (noun). 
Band 7in moderationɪn ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃnphraseIn amounts that are not excessive; within sensible limits.
One square, not the whole bar: in moderation means in sensible amounts. In amounts that are not excessive; within sensible limits.
Most things are fine in moderation.
Doctors say sugar is acceptable in moderation.
Remember it
Moderation comes from Latin modus, “measure,” suggesting an amount kept within sensible limits.
Watch out
in a moderationin moderationThe phrase does not take an article.
Goes with
Words that go with in moderation: everything in moderation; drink in moderation; in moderation. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- sparinglywithin limits
- Opposite
- to excessexcessively
Band 7under the weatherˌʌndə ðə ˈweðəidiomSlightly unwell.
Grey skies, hot lemon, tissues: feeling under the weather means feeling a little ill. Slightly unwell.
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.
He's been under the weather all week.
Watch out
under weatherunder the weatherThe idiom requires the.
Goes with
Words that go with under the weather: feel under the weather; under the weather. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- unwellpoorlyoff-colour
- Opposite
- in good healthfit as a fiddle
Band 7unwindˌʌnˈwaɪndverbTo relax after a period of work or tension.
A hammock at the end of the day: to unwind is to relax after work or stress. To relax after a period of work or tension.
A holiday is the perfect chance to unwind.
He unwinds by walking on the beach.
Watch out
unwindedunwoundThe past form is irregular.
Goes with
Words that go with unwind: unwind after work; a chance to unwind; unwind and relax. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- relaxde-stresswind down
- Opposite
- tense up
Band 7wellbeingˌwelˈbiːɪŋnounThe state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Calm, light and good habits: wellbeing is feeling healthy, comfortable and happy. The state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Employers are paying more attention to staff wellbeing.
Exercise improves both physical and mental wellbeing.
Goes with
Words that go with wellbeing: mental wellbeing; sense of wellbeing; promote wellbeing; a sense of wellbeing. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- welfarewellnesshealth
- Opposite
- distressill health
Band 8burnoutˈbɜːnaʊtnounPhysical or mental collapse caused by overwork or prolonged stress.
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 burnoutThe 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). 
Band 8cognitiveˈkɒɡnətɪvadjectiveRelating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
A puzzle being worked out: cognitive means to do with thinking, learning and understanding. Relating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
Early education supports children's cognitive development.
Sleep has a measurable effect on cognitive performance.
Remember it
From Latin cognoscere, “to know,” cognitive concerns knowing, thinking, and understanding.
Goes with
Words that go with cognitive: cognitive development; cognitive ability; cognitive skills; cognitive load. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- mentalintellectual
Word family
The cognitive family: cognitive (adjective), cognition (noun), cognitively (adverb). 
Band 8detoxifyˌdiːˈtɒksɪfaɪverbTo remove harmful substances from the body or a system.
Clean water and greens: to detoxify is to rid the body of harmful substances. To remove harmful substances from the body or a system.
The liver helps to detoxify the blood.
Some diets claim to detoxify the body.
Goes with
Words that go with detoxify: detoxify the body; detox programme; detox the body. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- cleansepurify
- Opposite
- contaminatepoison
Word family
The detoxify family: detoxify (verb), detoxification (noun), detox (noun). 
Band 8detrimentalˌdetrɪˈmentladjectiveTending to cause harm or damage.
The dirty water is killing the plant: something detrimental causes harm. Tending to cause harm or damage.
Plastic waste is detrimental to marine life.
A lack of sleep is detrimental to your health.
Watch out
detrimental for healthdetrimental to healthThe standard preposition is 'to'.
Goes with
Words that go with detrimental: detrimental effect; detrimental to health; detrimental impact; have a detrimental effect on. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- harmfuldamagingadverse
- Opposite
- beneficialadvantageous
Word family
The detrimental family: detrimental (adjective), detriment (noun), detrimentally (adverb). 
Band 8holistichəˈlɪstɪkadjectiveDealing with the whole of something rather than its individual parts.
Every piece makes one picture: a holistic approach looks at the whole, not just the parts. Dealing with the whole of something rather than its individual parts.
The school takes a holistic approach to a child's development.
Good healthcare should be holistic, not just treat symptoms.
Remember it
Greek holos means “whole,” so holistic approaches consider the complete person or system.
Watch out
holisticlyholisticallyThe adverb is spelled with '-ally'.
Goes with
Words that go with holistic: holistic approach; holistic education; holistic development; look at the bigger picture. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- comprehensiveall-roundintegrated
- Opposite
- narrowfragmented
Word family
The holistic family: holistic (adjective), holism (noun), holistically (adverb). 
Band 8rehabilitationˌriːəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃnnounThe process of restoring someone to health or normal life through treatment or training.
Bars and steps to walk again: rehabilitation helps someone back to health step by step. The process of restoring someone to health or normal life through treatment or training.
Physical rehabilitation helped her walk again.
The programme focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders.
Remember it
Rehabilitation means making someone fit again; Latin habilis means “able” or “suitable.”
Goes with
Words that go with rehabilitation: physical rehabilitation; rehabilitation programme; drug rehabilitation; undergo rehabilitation. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- recoveryrestorationreintegration
Word family
The rehabilitation family: rehabilitation (noun), rehabilitate (verb), rehabilitative (adjective). 
Band 8resilientrɪˈzɪliəntadjectiveAble to recover quickly from difficulties; tough and adaptable.
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
resilentresilientRe-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). 
Band 8sedentaryˈsedntriadjectiveInvolving little physical activity; spending much time sitting down.
A worn sofa and unused trainers: a sedentary life is mostly sitting, with little movement. Involving little physical activity; spending much time sitting down.
A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease.
Office work is often highly sedentary.
Remember it
'Sed-' relates to 'sit' (as in 'sediment' that settles), a sedentary person sits a lot.
Goes with
Words that go with sedentary: sedentary lifestyle; sedentary job; sedentary behaviour; lead a sedentary lifestyle. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- inactivedesk-bound
- Opposite
- activephysically active
Band 8susceptiblesəˈseptəbladjectiveLikely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
The paper boat soaks it up: susceptible means easily affected or harmed by something. Likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
Young children are especially susceptible to infection.
Some people are more susceptible to stress than others.
Watch out
susceptible for infectionsusceptible to infectionUse to after susceptible.
Goes with
Words that go with susceptible: susceptible to; highly susceptible; susceptible to disease; be susceptible to. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- vulnerableproneat risk
- Opposite
- resistantimmune
Word family
The susceptible family: susceptible (adjective), susceptibility (noun). 
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 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).