IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
welfare
noun/ˈwelfeə/Band 6
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“welfare” is a Band 6 noun that means the health, happiness, and general wellbeing of a person or group; state support. 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 health, happiness, and general wellbeing of a person or group; state support.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “The charity works for the welfare of children.”
- “Some families rely on welfare payments.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
wellbeingwellnessbenefit
Antonyms
hardshipneglect
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
social welfarewelfare statechild welfare
Common phrases
the welfare of citizens
Related words
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Frequently asked questions
What does “welfare” mean?
The health, happiness, and general wellbeing of a person or group; state support.
How do you use “welfare” in a sentence?
For example: “The charity works for the welfare of children.”
What are some synonyms for “welfare”?
Synonyms include wellbeing, wellness, benefit.
Is “welfare” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 6 vocabulary, and collocations such as social welfare, welfare state, child welfare 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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