IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
cognitive
adjective/ˈkɒɡnətɪv/Band 8
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“cognitive” is a Band 8 adjective that means relating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Relating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Early education supports children's cognitive development.”
- “Sleep has a measurable effect on cognitive performance.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
mentalintellectual
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
cognitive developmentcognitive abilitycognitive skills
Common phrases
cognitive load
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “cognitive” mean?
Relating to the mental processes of thinking, learning, and understanding.
How do you use “cognitive” in a sentence?
For example: “Early education supports children's cognitive development.”
What are some synonyms for “cognitive”?
Synonyms include mental, intellectual.
Is “cognitive” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as cognitive development, cognitive ability, cognitive skills help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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