IELTS Academic Vocabulary: 500 Words and Collocations

Use 500 academic words and collocations accurately across all four skills.

500 cardsLast updated 2026-08-16

Add every card on the free plan. Importing runs no AI generation and spends no AI credits. You'll need a Memly account.

High-scoring academic language depends on accuracy, collocation and register — not on replacing every common word with a longer one. This 500-card deck combines cross-disciplinary vocabulary with evidence language, data description, cause and effect, comparison, argument structure and the topic collocations that come up in every test cycle. Each card provides an independently written meaning, a usage or grammar note and an original example you could use in academic writing or speaking as it stands. Import it and the whole deck joins your spaced-repetition schedule. Words you already know stretch out and drop out of sight; the ones that keep slipping come back until they stop slipping. What goes down is the number of words you still don't know — not the time it takes to flip past 500 cards you mostly do.

What happens when you add it

1
The button opens Memly and the whole deck lands in your account.
2
Each card gets its own schedule, based on how well you actually recall it.
3
They are your cards afterwards — rewrite, delete or reorganize them freely.

What's inside

Showing 100 representative cards from the full 500-card deck.

Front	Back
assert (verb)	To state something confidently and clearly, often as a claim that still needs support. Common in academic writing and speaking; usually followed by a clause. Example: The author asserts that policy change is necessary to reduce inequality.
argue (verb)	To give reasons for a point of view or to dispute a claim. In essays, it commonly introduces a reasoned position. Example: The study argues that urban planning should prioritise public transport.
opinion (noun)	A personal belief or judgment, not necessarily based on full evidence. In formal writing, it should be supported if used as an argument. Example: In my opinion, flexible work patterns improve productivity.
evidence (noun)	Information that supports a claim or conclusion. In academic writing, evidence should be relevant and reliable. Example: The argument is persuasive because it is based on evidence from multiple studies.
back up (phrasal verb)	To provide evidence for a claim or statement. Common in spoken and informal academic English. Example: The writer backs up the argument with figures from a national report.
demonstrate (verb)	To show clearly by evidence, example, or result. A common formal verb in essays and reports. Example: The study demonstrates a link between sleep quality and concentration.
imply (verb)	To suggest something indirectly, rather than state it directly. In academic writing, it often introduces interpretation. Example: The decline in participation may imply reduced public trust.
conclusion (noun)	A final judgment or result based on evidence or reasoning. In academic essays, it should follow from the argument. Example: The conclusion of the article is that early screening saves lives.
judge (verb)	To form an opinion about something after considering it carefully. In formal contexts, it can mean evaluate. Example: It is difficult to judge the long-term impact of the scheme at this stage.
challenge (verb)	To dispute or test the validity of a claim, idea, or assumption. Common in academic debate. Example: New evidence challenges the older explanation of the disease.
align with (phrasal verb)	To match or support the same idea, policy, or evidence. Common in academic comparison. Example: These results align with earlier research on bilingual education.
rebut (verb)	To prove an argument or claim wrong with counterevidence or reasoning. Formal and useful in debate. Example: The author rebuts the criticism by showing how the sample was selected.
evidence-based (adjective)	Grounded in research, data, or verified information rather than guesswork. Common in formal discussion of policy and practice. Example: Schools should adopt evidence-based methods for reading instruction.
take the view that	A formal way to state an opinion or position. Common in essays and reports. Example: The author takes the view that regulation should be stricter.
base something on evidence	To use evidence as the foundation for a claim, decision or argument. Example: Effective policy should be based on evidence rather than assumption.
in line with	Consistent with or matching something. Useful for comparing findings, policies, or expectations. Example: The survey results are in line with the national trend.
limited evidence	Evidence that exists but is not enough to be fully certain. Useful for cautious academic writing. Example: There is limited evidence that shorter commutes improve well-being.
anecdotal evidence	Informal evidence based on personal stories or isolated examples rather than systematic research. Useful, but weak for strong academic claims. Example: Anecdotal evidence suggests the app is helpful, but larger studies are needed.
reliable source	A source that is trustworthy and likely to be accurate. Important when choosing evidence in IELTS writing. Example: The article uses reliable sources such as government reports and peer-reviewed journals.
larger sample	A study group with more participants, which can improve reliability and generalisability. Example: A larger sample would give a more accurate picture of student attitudes.
preliminary evidence	Early evidence that is not yet final or fully tested. Useful for cautious claims. Example: Preliminary evidence points to a positive effect, but more research is needed.
may indicate	A cautious phrase showing that something is possible based on evidence. Example: The rise in complaints may indicate a problem with service quality.
unlikely to	Not expected or not probable. Useful for expressing cautious disagreement with a claim. Example: The change is unlikely to solve the problem on its own.
overall	Used to summarise the main pattern after considering details. Common in conclusions and evaluation. Example: Overall, the evidence points to a modest improvement.
the proportion of (collocation)	a formal phrase meaning the share of a whole. Often used with percentages and comparisons. Example: The proportion of students taking online classes increased rapidly.
a small fraction of (collocation)	a very small part of a whole; more precise than “a few.” Example: Only a small fraction of the budget was allocated to maintenance.
a dramatic fall (noun phrase)	a very large and noticeable decrease. More formal than “big drop.” Example: Tourism suffered a dramatic fall during the travel restrictions.
fluctuate (verb)	to vary irregularly, moving up and down rather than changing steadily. Example: Fuel prices fluctuated throughout the year.
bottom out (phrasal verb)	To reach the lowest point before levelling off or rising. Used mainly for trends and prices. Example: Unemployment bottomed out in late spring and then began to rise.
grow steadily (collocation)	to increase at a regular pace over time. A useful neutral phrase for trends. Example: Online subscriptions grew steadily across the decade.
stay constant (collocation)	to remain unchanged. Slightly formal and common in graph descriptions. Example: The average temperature stayed constant for most of the month.
make up (verb phrase)	to constitute a part of a whole; common but slightly less formal than “account for.” Example: Imported goods make up a large part of the local market.
exceed (verb)	to be greater than a limit, amount, or another figure. Formal and precise. Example: The level of demand exceeded the supply available.
be lower than (collocation)	a basic comparative phrase for a smaller figure or rate. Example: The average score was lower than in the previous test.
difference (noun)	a point or amount by which things are not the same. Common in comparison language. Example: The main difference was the speed of recovery.
effect (noun)	the result of a cause; what happens because of something else. Example: The effect of the policy was visible within six months.
stem from (verb phrase)	to originate in or be caused by something. More formal and analytical. Example: Many transport problems stem from poor urban planning.
prompt (verb)	to cause something to happen or encourage a response. Formal and common in reports. Example: The shortage prompted the government to act quickly.
shape (verb)	to influence the development or form of something over time. More abstract and academic. Example: Family background can shape educational outcomes.
progressively (adverb)	in a gradual way over time. Often used with change, increase, or decline. Example: The system became progressively more efficient.
in the long run (phrase)	over a long period and considering future effects. Example: In the long run, public transport can reduce congestion.
triple (verb)	To become three times as much or as many. Example: The number of apps downloaded tripled in five years.
reach a low of (collocation)	to arrive at the lowest recorded level. Useful in formal data commentary. Example: Attendance reached a low of 60% during winter.
output (noun)	the amount of product, energy, or work produced. Common in economics and industry. Example: Factory output rose after automation was introduced.
average (noun/adjective)	the central or typical value in a set of numbers. Common in academic summaries. Example: The average commute time increased after the roadworks.
plummet (verb)	to fall very quickly and steeply. Strong verb for dramatic downward trends. Example: Share prices plummeted after the announcement.
acquire (verb)	to gain or obtain something, often over time or through effort; formal academic use. Example: Students can acquire stronger writing habits through regular feedback.
scholarship (noun)	financial support for study, usually based on merit or need; formal education term. Example: She won a scholarship to study engineering overseas.
employment (noun)	paid work, especially in a formal or official context; broader than 'job'. Example: The factory created new employment opportunities in the area.
flexible working (collocation)	work arrangements with adaptable hours or location; common modern workplace phrase. Example: Flexible working may improve productivity and employee wellbeing.
automation (noun)	the use of machines or software to do tasks with little human control; formal technology/workplace term. Example: Automation may reduce repetitive office tasks.
software update (collocation)	a new version or fix for a program; practical technology phrase. Example: The software update improved security and speed.
network (noun)	a connected system of computers, people, or transport routes; broad academic noun with several contexts. Example: A reliable network is essential for distance learning.
audience engagement (collocation)	the degree to which viewers, readers, or users respond and interact with content; media/marketing phrase. Example: Short videos often increase audience engagement on social platforms.
urbanisation (noun)	the process of more people moving to and living in cities; formal geography term. Example: Rapid urbanisation has increased demand for housing and transport.
congestion (noun)	traffic that is too heavy and slow; formal transport and city-planning term. Example: Congestion is worst during the morning rush hour.
sustainable city (collocation)	a city designed to reduce environmental impact and support long-term living standards; formal urban-development phrase. Example: Public transport is central to building a sustainable city.
traffic flow (collocation)	the movement of vehicles along roads; transport-management phrase. Example: Better signal timing can improve traffic flow in busy districts.
global trade (collocation)	the buying and selling of goods and services across countries; core globalization phrase. Example: Better shipping routes have increased global trade.
foreign investment (collocation)	money from another country placed into businesses or projects; formal economics phrase. Example: Foreign investment can create jobs but also increase competition.
accessibility (noun)	how easy it is to reach, enter, use, or understand something; common in city, transport, and technology contexts. Example: Accessibility improves when stations have lifts and clear signs.
local authority (collocation)	the official government body in a local area; common in city and public-service writing. Example: The local authority approved new cycle lanes and bus shelters.
specialise in (phrasal verb)	to focus on one particular subject, skill, or type of work; common academic and professional phrase. Example: The university specialises in renewable transport research.
bilingual (adjective)	able to use two languages; useful in education and city diversity contexts. Example: Bilingual signage can make public services easier for newcomers to use.
global city (collocation)	a major city with strong international influence in business, culture, and transport; urban/globalization phrase. Example: A global city attracts investors, migrants, and tourists.
digital archive (collocation)	an organised online collection of stored records, images, or texts; media/education phrase. Example: Students can use a digital archive to research local history.
sustainable (adjective)	Able to continue without exhausting resources or causing lasting damage; often used in environmental and development contexts. Collocates with development, energy, and growth. Example: The city introduced sustainable transport plans to reduce congestion and emissions.
deforestation (noun)	The large-scale clearing of forests for farming, building, or logging. Formal environmental noun often linked to biodiversity and emissions. Example: Rapid deforestation has increased soil erosion and threatened local wildlife.
global warming (noun)	The long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature. Common climate collocation, more general than some technical terms. Example: Global warming is affecting rainfall patterns in many regions.
outbreak (noun)	A sudden increase in a disease or harmful event. Common in health and social policy contexts. Example: The outbreak spread rapidly in crowded housing areas.
ageing population (noun)	A population with a growing proportion of older people. Common demographic collocation in society and public policy. Example: An ageing population is increasing demand for healthcare and pensions.
social mobility (noun)	The ability of people to move between social or economic classes. Academic collocation common in education, employment, and policy essays. Example: Scholarships can improve social mobility for talented students.
multicultural (adjective)	Including or reflecting people from several cultural backgrounds. Often used to describe cities, classrooms, and societies. Example: The school became more multicultural as migration increased.
cultural diversity (noun)	The presence of many different cultural groups or traditions in one place. Positive academic collocation used in society and education. Example: Universities often benefit from cultural diversity among staff and students.
risk factor (noun)	Something that increases the chance of a problem, disease, or harmful outcome. Common in health and policy reports. Example: Smoking is a major risk factor for lung disease.
taxation (noun)	The system of collecting taxes, or the taxes collected. Formal economics and policy noun often linked to reform and revenue. Example: Higher taxation on tobacco can reduce consumption.
law enforcement (noun)	The organisations and activities that enforce laws, especially the police and related agencies. Formal collocation used in crime and governance. Example: Effective law enforcement depends on trust from the public.
burglary (noun)	The crime of illegally entering a building, usually to steal. Formal noun, more specific than robbery. Example: Neighborhood watches can help reduce burglary rates.
urban planning (noun)	The organized design and development of towns and cities. Formal collocation used in environment, transport, and society essays. Example: Good urban planning can reduce pollution and improve quality of life.
resource depletion (noun)	The process of using natural resources faster than they can be replaced. Formal environmental collocation used in sustainability writing. Example: Overfishing has led to resource depletion in coastal waters.
heat insulation (noun)	Material or design that reduces heat loss or heat gain in a building. Technical collocation used in housing and energy contexts. Example: Improved heat insulation lowered winter heating bills.
well-being (noun)	Overall state of health, happiness, and comfort. Broad formal noun used in health and society topics. Example: Access to parks and exercise supports community well-being.
reoffending (noun)	The act of committing another crime after being punished or released. Formal criminal-justice noun often used with reduce and prevent. Example: Education and support can lower reoffending after prison.
to impose restrictions (phrase)	To officially place limits on something, usually through law or policy. Formal public-policy collocation. Example: The council decided to impose restrictions on noisy construction at night.
analyse (verb)	To examine something carefully in order to understand its parts or causes. Often used with data, results, text, or trends; formal academic register. Example: Researchers analysed the survey data to identify the main factors affecting student satisfaction.
integrate (verb)	To combine separate parts so they work as one system. Common with ideas, data, technology, or groups. Example: The programme integrates language learning with practical job skills.
methodology (noun)	The system or set of methods used in a study or piece of research. Formal academic word, mainly in research writing. Example: The methodology section explains how participants were selected and surveyed.
relevant (adjective)	Closely connected to the topic or useful for the current purpose. Very common in academic writing and speaking. Example: Only relevant evidence should be included in the discussion.
temporary (adjective)	Lasting for a short time only, not permanent. Often used in social and work contexts. Example: The increase in prices may be temporary rather than long term.
give rise to (verb phrase)	to cause something to begin or develop, often as an indirect consequence; commonly used in formal cause-and-effect writing. Example: Rapid urban growth can give rise to housing shortages when construction fails to keep pace.
in addition	Used to add another point or piece of information. Frequent in essays and reports. Example: In addition, the library offers free workshops for job seekers.
health disparity (noun phrase)	a measurable difference in health outcomes or access between population groups; often discussed with social and economic factors. Example: The report found a health disparity between rural and urban communities.
consumer behaviour (noun phrase)	The way people choose, buy, use, and react to products and services. Common in business and economics contexts. Example: Advertising can influence consumer behaviour in subtle ways.
cost-effective (adjective)	Giving good results for the money spent. Common in economics, business, and public policy. Example: Solar lighting is a cost-effective option for remote villages.
rapid increase (noun phrase)	A fast rise in number, amount, or level. Useful in describing charts and change over time. Example: The chart shows a rapid increase in smartphone ownership after 2015.
higher risk (noun phrase)	A greater chance that something negative will happen. Common in health, safety, and environment discussions. Example: Children living near busy roads face a higher risk of breathing problems.
academic writing (noun phrase)	Formal writing used in study, research, and education. Often involves evidence, structure, and clear argument. Example: Academic writing should avoid informal language and unsupported claims.
social consensus (noun phrase)	broad agreement within a society or group; it does not require every individual to agree. Example: Building social consensus can make a long-term environmental policy more durable.
prevalent (adjective)	common or widespread in a particular place or group; formal adjective, often used with problems, beliefs, or habits; Example: Sedentary routines are prevalent among university students.
endanger (verb)	to put something at risk of harm; formal verb, often used with lives, species, or stability; Example: Illegal dumping can endanger river ecosystems.

Frequently asked

Does importing this deck use AI credits?

No. Importing uses the saved deck as published; it does not run AI generation or use AI credits. The complete deck can therefore be imported on the free plan.

What happens if I import the deck twice?

Existing cards are skipped. A later import only adds genuinely new cards, so it does not create a second copy of the same material. Including re-imports after deletion, the same Memly curated deck can be imported up to three times per account over its lifetime.

Can I change or remove cards after importing?

Yes. Imported cards belong to your account. You can edit either side, delete cards, add notes, or move them to another deck.

Can I study the same deck on web and mobile?

Yes. The deck is added to your Memly account and stays available across the web app and the iOS and Android apps.

Who writes these cards?

Memly writes all of them — every meaning, usage note and example. That is why the examples read like sentences you could hand in: they were written for academic writing and speaking, rather than collected from wherever the word happened to appear.

Does the deck cover collocations as well as single words?

Yes. It includes productive combinations for describing evidence, change, comparison, cause, policy and common academic topics, with grammar and register cues.

Editorial method and sources

Memly's editors use the primary sources below to check scope and terminology, then independently write and review the cards.

IELTS: Academic test format