IELTS VOCABULARY

Ambiguous: Having several potential meanings; unclear and difficult to understand.

When I asked the HR manager what my chances were of getting the job, she gave me a very ambiguous reply.

Anomaly: Deviation from the norm.

The basketball player is the team’s best free thrower, so his missing both shots was an anomaly.

Antagonize: To tease or be hostile towards a person or group.

The boy loves to antagonize his little sister by pulling her hair.

Arduous: Requiring a lot of effort.

After you cross the bridge, there’s an arduous walk up the hill.

Assuage: To lessen a negative feeling.

The mother assuaged her child’s fear of the dark.

Berate: To scold.

Our neighbor berated us after we broke his window playing baseball.

Brash: Rude and tactless.

The brash man always asked inappropriate questions.

Brusque: Abrupt to the point of rudeness.

After being away for so long, I expected more than her brusque greeting.

Coalesce: To combine or grow together.

The people on the street eventually coalesced into a group.

Cognizant: Being aware of or having knowledge of something.

Before mountain climbing, you need to be cognizant of the risks.

Constrain: To restrict or repress.

You should move your plant to a bigger pot, otherwise you’ll constrain its roots.

Contradict: To give the opposite opinion.

I told the employees that sales were down, but my boss contradicted me and said sales were actually up.