Technology vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
- 20 words
- Band 6 to 9
- Every word and sentence read aloud
Study all 20 words
20 cards · 0 known
innovation
/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/nounB2
A new method, idea, or product; the act of introducing something new.
The new bulb beside the old one: an innovation is a new idea, method or product.
Remember it: Innovation contains Latin novus, “new”: it introduces something new.
- “Constant innovation keeps the company ahead of its rivals.”
- “The smartphone was a genuine innovation.”
Similar: invention, breakthrough, advance
A Band 6 word. Try it in a phrase: “at the cutting edge of innovation”.
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The topic at a glance
Technology
20 words
Technology
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20 words
Band 6innovationˌɪnəˈveɪʃnnounA new method, idea, or product; the act of introducing something new.
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). 
Band 6renewablerɪˈnjuːəbladjective(Of energy or resources) able to be replenished naturally and not used up.
Sun and wind return every day: renewable energy is never used up. (Of energy or resources) able to be replenished naturally and not used up.
Solar and wind are renewable sources of energy.
The country plans to run entirely on renewable energy.
Watch out
renewable energiesrenewable energyEnergy is normally uncountable when referring to a source in general.
Goes with
Words that go with renewable: renewable energy; renewable sources; switch to renewables; renewable energy sources. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- sustainablecleangreen
- Opposite
- non-renewablefinite
Word family
The renewable family: renewable (adjective), renew (verb), renewal (noun). 
Band 7artificial intelligenceˌɑːtɪfɪʃl ɪnˈtelɪdʒənsnounComputer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.
A chip lit up like a brain: artificial intelligence is computers doing tasks that need human-like thinking. Computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.
Artificial intelligence now powers everyday apps.
There is heated debate about the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Goes with
Words that go with artificial intelligence: develop artificial intelligence; AI-powered; AI system; advances in artificial intelligence. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- machine intelligenceAI
- Opposite
- human intelligence
Band 7automationˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃnnounThe use of machines and technology to perform tasks without human control.
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). 
Band 7connectivityˌkɒnekˈtɪvətinounThe state of being connected, especially to the internet or other devices.
Masts linking the whole city: connectivity is how well devices connect to the internet and each other. The state of being connected, especially to the internet or other devices.
Rural areas often suffer from poor connectivity.
5G promises much faster connectivity.
Goes with
Words that go with connectivity: internet connectivity; high-speed connectivity; poor connectivity; global connectivity. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- connectionaccesslinkage
- Opposite
- isolation
Word family
The connectivity family: connectivity (noun), connect (verb), connection (noun), connected (adjective). 
Band 7cutting-edgeˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒadjectiveThe most advanced or innovative stage in the development of something.
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 technologyUse 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
Band 7cybersecurityˈsaɪbəsɪˌkjʊərətinounThe protection of computer systems and data from digital attacks.
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
Band 7proficientprəˈfɪʃntadjectiveCompetent or skilled in doing or using something.
Perfectly even slices: a proficient cook has the skill to do it well. Competent or skilled in doing or using something.
She is proficient in three languages.
Employers expect graduates to be proficient with common software.
Remember it
From Latin proficere, “to advance,” proficient people have advanced skill in something.
Watch out
proficient at Englishproficient in EnglishFor a language or subject, use 'in'.
Goes with
Words that go with proficient: proficient in; highly proficient; become proficient; reach a proficient level. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- skilledadeptcompetentaccomplished
- Opposite
- incompetentineptunskilled
Word family
The proficient family: proficient (adjective), proficiency (noun), proficiently (adverb). 
Band 7revolutioniseˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪzverbTo change something completely and fundamentally, usually for the better.
From petrol can to plug: to revolutionise something is to change it completely. To change something completely and fundamentally, usually for the better.
The internet has revolutionised the way we communicate.
AI could revolutionise healthcare.
Goes with
Words that go with revolutionise: revolutionise an industry; completely revolutionise; revolutionise the way we…. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- transformoverhaulreinvent
- Opposite
- preservemaintain
Word family
The revolutionise family: revolutionise (verb), revolution (noun), revolutionary (adjective). 
Band 7viralˈvaɪrəladjective(Of content) spreading very quickly and widely online.
One push, then it spreads in every direction: viral content spreads fast online. (Of content) spreading very quickly and widely online.
The clip went viral overnight.
Brands dream of creating viral content.
Watch out
a virala viral post/videoViral is normally an adjective, not a noun for online content.
Goes with
Words that go with viral: go viral; viral video; viral content; go viral. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- widely sharedtrending
- Opposite
- unnoticed
Word family
The viral family: viral (adjective), virus (noun). 
Band 8digital divideˈdɪdʒɪtl dɪˈvaɪdnounThe gap between people who have access to modern technology and those who do not.
One home connected, one not: the digital divide is the gap between those with technology and those without. The gap between people who have access to modern technology and those who do not.
The pandemic exposed a stark digital divide in schools.
Bridging the digital divide requires investment in infrastructure.
Goes with
Words that go with digital divide: bridge the digital divide; widen the digital divide; the digital divide. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- technology gapaccess gap
- Opposite
- digital inclusion
Band 8disruptivedɪsˈrʌptɪvadjectiveCausing radical change to an existing industry or market.
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). 
Band 8intuitiveɪnˈtjuːɪtɪvadjectiveEasy to understand or use without conscious reasoning or instruction.
Each shape obviously fits its hole: intuitive means easy to use without being told how. Easy to understand or use without conscious reasoning or instruction.
The interface is clean and intuitive.
Good design feels intuitive to the user.
Goes with
Words that go with intuitive: intuitive design; intuitive interface; highly intuitive; intuitive to use. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- user-friendlyinstinctiveself-explanatory
- Opposite
- counterintuitiveconfusing
Word family
The intuitive family: intuitive (adjective), intuition (noun), intuitively (adverb). 
Band 8misinformationˌmɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃnnounFalse or inaccurate information, especially that spread unintentionally.
Signs pointing the wrong way: misinformation is false information that misleads people. False or inaccurate information, especially that spread unintentionally.
Social media can spread misinformation rapidly.
The campaign aims to combat misinformation.
Watch out
a misinformationmisinformationIt is normally uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with misinformation: spread misinformation; combat misinformation; online misinformation; a wave of misinformation. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- falsehooddisinformationfake news
- Opposite
- accurate informationfacts
Word family
The misinformation family: misinformation (noun), misinform (verb), misinformed (adjective). 
Band 8obsoleteˈɒbsəliːtadjectiveNo longer produced or used; out of date.
Things nobody uses any more: obsolete means out of date and no longer used. No longer produced or used; out of date.
New models make older devices obsolete within a year.
Some skills quickly become obsolete in a fast-moving industry.
Remember it
From Latin obsolescere, “to grow old,” obsolete things are outdated and no longer useful.
Watch out
become obsoletedbecome obsoleteObsolete is normally the adjective used after 'become'.
Goes with
Words that go with obsolete: become obsolete; render obsolete; technologically obsolete; planned obsolescence. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- outdatedout of dateantiquateddefunct
- Opposite
- currentup to datemodern
Word family
The obsolete family: obsolete (adjective), obsolescence (noun), obsolescent (adjective). 
Band 8redundantrɪˈdʌndəntadjectiveNo longer needed or useful; (of a worker) no longer employed because the job is unnecessary.
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). 
Band 8seamlessˈsiːmləsadjectiveSmooth and continuous, with no awkward gaps or interruptions.
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). 
Band 8streamlineˈstriːmlaɪnverbTo make a process or system more efficient by simplifying it.
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). 
Band 8surveillancesəˈveɪlənsnounClose observation of a person or place, especially by cameras or digital tracking.
Cameras watching over a square: surveillance is close watching of people or places. Close observation of a person or place, especially by cameras or digital tracking.
Cities are increasingly covered by video surveillance.
Critics warn of a growing surveillance culture.
Remember it
French surveiller means “to watch over,” matching close observation.
Watch out
a surveillancesurveillanceSurveillance is usually uncountable.
Goes with
Words that go with surveillance: under surveillance; mass surveillance; surveillance camera; keep under surveillance. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- monitoringobservationtracking
- Opposite
- privacy
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).