IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
grassroots
adjective/ˌɡrɑːsˈruːts/Band 8
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“grassroots” is a Band 8 adjective that means involving ordinary people at a local level rather than leaders or organisations. 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
Involving ordinary people at a local level rather than leaders or organisations.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “The movement began as a grassroots campaign.”
- “Change often starts at the grassroots level.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
community-basedlocal
Antonyms
top-down
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
grassroots movementgrassroots levelgrassroots support
Common phrases
at grassroots level
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “grassroots” mean?
Involving ordinary people at a local level rather than leaders or organisations.
How do you use “grassroots” in a sentence?
For example: “The movement began as a grassroots campaign.”
What are some synonyms for “grassroots”?
Synonyms include community-based, local.
Is “grassroots” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as grassroots movement, grassroots level, grassroots support 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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