Beginner Vocabulary Words

Essential vocabulary for SAT and IELTS preparation. These foundational words appear frequently in everyday academic contexts and are a great starting point for building your test prep word bank.

750 words · Page 7 of 13

junta SAT

A military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force, often following a co...

kidnap IELTS

To seize and take away a person by force, often for ransom.

kidney IELTS

Each of a pair of organs in the body that filter waste from the blood and produce urine.

kin IELTS

One's family or relatives, especially more distant relations.

knob IELTS

A rounded handle or projection used for opening a door or controlling a device.

label IELTS

A small piece of material attached to an object, giving information about it, such as name, contents...

lamb IELTS

A young sheep, or the meat from a young sheep; often symbolizes innocence.

lane IELTS

A narrow road or a marked section of a highway for traffic.

lap IELTS

The upper part of a person's legs when sitting; also, one circuit around a track.

layer IELTS

A single thickness of material covering a surface or forming part of a structure.

layoff IELTS

The temporary or permanent termination of employment for economic or business reasons.

lecture IELTS

An educational talk or presentation on a subject, often in an academic setting.

legal IELTS

Permitted or required by law; relating to the law or its application.

leniency SAT

The quality of being more merciful or tolerant than expected, especially in punishment.

license IELTS

A permit granting authority to act; or the freedom to behave as one wishes (often with negative conn...

lick IELTS

To pass the tongue over something; a quick or small amount of something applied like with a tongue.

light IELTS

The natural agent that enables sight and makes things visible; also, something that provides illumin...

likelihood SAT IELTS

The probability or chance that something will happen.

line IELTS

A long, narrow mark or band; a row of objects or people; or a telephone connection.

liner SAT IELTS

A large ship designed for regular passenger service; or something used as an inner layer.

liniment SAT

A medicated liquid rubbed on the skin to relieve pain, especially in muscles or joints.

link IELTS

A connection between two or more things; a hyperlink in digital media; or to connect.

literature SAT IELTS

Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, or all published w...

liver IELTS

A large organ in the body responsible for producing bile, detoxifying the blood, and storing energy.

loan IELTS

A sum of money borrowed, often with interest to be repaid over time.

loath SAT

Unwilling or reluctant to do something.

lock IELTS

A mechanism for fastening something, especially a door, or to fasten with a lock.

locker IELTS

A storage compartment with a lock, typically for clothes or personal items.

lose IELTS

To be deprived of or cease to have something; to misplace or fail to win.

loyal IELTS

Loyal means giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person, organization, or ...

madden SAT

To make someone extremely angry or irritated.

maintain SAT IELTS

To keep in existence or continuance; to support or sustain.

major IELTS

Greater in size, importance, or intensity; a principal field of study at a college.

malefactor SAT

A person who commits a crime or wrongdoing.

maniac SAT IELTS

A person who is mentally ill, extremely violent, or wildly enthusiastic about something.

manufacture IELTS

To make goods on a large scale using machinery and labor.

material SAT

Substance used to make something; also, refers to physical matter or content for discussion.

matrimony SAT IELTS

The state of being married; the ceremony of getting married.

maximum IELTS

The greatest amount, quantity, or degree possible or attained.

measure IELTS

A standard unit or system used to determine size, amount, or degree. It can also refer to an action ...

mental IELTS

Relating to the mind or one of its functions; involving intellectual rather than physical processes.

mentality SAT IELTS

A person's way of thinking, especially as reflected in attitudes or assumptions; mindset.

mercy IELTS

Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

metaphysical SAT

Relating to a division of philosophy that explores the nature of existence and reality.

method IELTS

A particular way of doing something, especially in a systematic way.

metric SAT

A standard of measurement or system used to evaluate something.

metropolis SAT

A large, important city, often the chief city of a region or country.

military IELTS

The armed forces of a nation, including soldiers, equipment, and organizations involved in defense a...

minister IELTS

A high-ranking member of the government or a religious leader.

ministry SAT IELTS

A government department headed by a minister, or the work or role of a religious leader.

minor IELTS

Lesser in importance, size, or seriousness; not major.

minus IELTS

With the subtraction of; indicated by the symbol "-" in mathematics.

miscarriage IELTS

A spontaneous end to a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the womb; also, a failure or d...

mischief IELTS

Playful misbehavior; minor trouble or harm.

misdeed SAT

A wrong or bad act; an offense or sin.

misery IELTS

Great suffering or unhappiness, either physical or emotional.

misguided IELTS

Led or prompted by wrong or inappropriate beliefs or ideas.

mission IELTS

A specific task or purpose for which someone or something is sent or commissioned.

missive SAT

A letter, especially a long or strongly worded one.

mist IELTS

Water droplets suspended in the atmosphere near the ground, reducing visibility.

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