10 most important synonyms to revise for the IELTS exam

Jan 30, 2025

Aakanksha Sharma

Words to use

IELTS, an English language proficiency test that students who wish to study abroad attempt, is a rather coveted examination. And if you are worried about your ‘Speaking’ test, here are 10 most important synonyms to remember and use during the test.

Good

If you want to describe something that is ‘good’, for example, ‘It is a good restaurant’, try saying ‘It is an excellent restaurant with outstanding reviews’. Other synonyms to use are - Impressive, exceptional, remarkable, etc.

Bad

Just saying ‘Oh, that was bad’ is so basic today and synonyms will add stars to your speaking abilities. Use words like terrible, poor, awful, or dreadful to describe something negative.

Happy

If you want to describe your happiness over something, even the successful completion of the test, don’t just say ‘The test was good’. Take it up a notch and say ‘I am elated with how it turned out’. Or you can use - delighted, ecstatic, joyful, and the likes.

Sad

To describe something as sad, don’t just stick to words like sad or unhappy. Instead, use words like upset, sorrowful, heartbroken, dejected, and the likes.

Important

When emphasising the importance of something, try not to use ‘important’ repeatedly as it would sound monotonous and give an impression of limited vocabulary. Use words like crucial, significant, essential, vital, and more.

You may also like

10 authors who suffered from mental dist...

8 books that help master the art of unde...

Interesting

To describe something as interesting or something that piqued your interest, it is best to not use the word ‘interesting’ repeatedly. Instead, try saying something like - intriguing, engaging, fascinating, captivating, and the likes

Big

While saying ‘big’ is the easy thing to do, it won’t do any harm to take it up a notch. So, if you want to describe something as big, go for words like large, huge, humongous, massive, gigantic, etc.

Small

Another common word with overlooked synonyms is this one. During the Speaking test try not to use small more than once or twice and switch it up by using words like tiny, petite, miniature, compact, minute, etc.

Difficult

To describe something as difficult, even the test if you feel, use words like - challenging, demanding, tough, complex, or even arduous. This will show the examiner how diverse your vocabulary is.

Beautiful

To describe someone or something as ‘beautiful, the synonyms to use can be - Gorgeous, stunning, breathtaking, exquisite, or even magnificent if it is over the top.

Thanks For Reading!

Next: 10 authors who suffered from mental distress and depression