IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
cognitive
adjectiveˈkɒɡnətɪvBand 8
Last updated 2 September 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
- “Early education supports children's cognitive development.”
- “Sleep has a measurable effect on cognitive performance.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
mentalintellectual
Collocations & common phrases
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.