IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
wanderlust
noun/ˈwɒndəlʌst/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“wanderlust” is a Band 9 noun that means a strong desire to travel and explore the world. 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
A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Her wanderlust took her across five continents.”
- “The documentary sparked my wanderlust.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
itchy feettravel bug
Antonyms
homesickness
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
fuel your wanderlusta sense of wanderlust
Common phrases
a case of wanderlust
How to remember it
Literally German for 'wander' + 'lust' — a craving to roam.
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “wanderlust” mean?
A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
How do you use “wanderlust” in a sentence?
For example: “Her wanderlust took her across five continents.”
What are some synonyms for “wanderlust”?
Synonyms include itchy feet, travel bug.
Is “wanderlust” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as fuel your wanderlust, a sense of wanderlust 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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