IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
urbanisation
noun/ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃn/Band 8
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“urbanisation” is a Band 8 noun that means the increasing movement of people from rural areas into towns and cities. 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
The increasing movement of people from rural areas into towns and cities.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Rapid urbanisation has strained public services.”
- “Urbanisation is changing traditional ways of life.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
city growth
Antonyms
rural depopulation
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
rapid urbanisationthe pace of urbanisation
Common phrases
the process of urbanisation
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “urbanisation” mean?
The increasing movement of people from rural areas into towns and cities.
How do you use “urbanisation” in a sentence?
For example: “Rapid urbanisation has strained public services.”
What are some synonyms for “urbanisation”?
Synonyms include city growth.
Is “urbanisation” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as rapid urbanisation, the pace of urbanisation 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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