The Ultimate 11+ Vocabulary List: 100 Must-Know Words

If there is one single skill that can act as a superpower across the entire 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning curriculum, it is a wide and sophisticated vocabulary.

A strong vocabulary allows a child to unlock complex comprehension passages, decode tricky verbal reasoning puzzles, and elevate their creative writing from good to outstanding. Examiners consistently use challenging vocabulary to differentiate between candidates, making it one of the most important areas to focus on in your child’s preparation.

But building a powerful vocabulary isn’t about memorising a dictionary. It’s about a consistent, long-term strategy of learning new words, understanding their meanings in different contexts, and being able to use them confidently.

At elevenplus.com, we believe in providing the most effective resources for this crucial task. This guide provides our definitive list of 100 ambitious but essential words that frequently appear in 11+ exams, along with expert advice on how to learn them effectively.

In this definitive guide, you will find:

• Why a great vocabulary is the key to 11+ success.
• A simple, 3-step method for learning new words effectively.
• The ultimate list of 100 must-know words, grouped by theme for easier learning.
• How to make vocabulary building a fun, daily habit.

How to Learn New Words: The 3-Step Method

Simply reading a list of words is not enough. For a new word to stick, your child needs to actively engage with it. Use this simple 3-step process for each new word.

1. Define and Understand: Look up the word and read the definition. Crucially, try to understand it in a simple sentence.
2. Connect and Visualise: Connect the new word to a word they already know (a synonym or antonym). Can they draw a quick picture or imagine a scene that represents the word?
3. Use it: This is the most important step. Challenge your child to use the new word in a sentence of their own, either spoken or written, within the next 24 hours.

The Ultimate 11+ Vocabulary List

This list contains 100 challenging words that are commonly found in 11+ materials. We’ve grouped them by theme to help your child make connections between related ideas.

Words to Describe Feelings & Emotions

1. Apathetic: Showing no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
2. Belligerent: Hostile and aggressive.
3. Exuberant: Full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.
4. Jubilant: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
5. Livid: Furiously angry.
6. Pensive: Engaged in deep or serious thought.
7. Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
8. Animosity: Strong hostility or hatred.
9. Fatigue: Extreme tiredness.
10. Incredulity: The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something.
11. Lethargy: A lack of energy and enthusiasm.
12. Turmoil: A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
13. Zeal: Great energy or enthusiasm for a cause.
14. Yearn: To have an intense feeling of longing for something.

Words to Describe People & Personalities

15. Adamant: Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind.
16. Astute: Clever and quick at seeing how to gain an advantage.
17. Benevolent: Well-meaning and kindly.
18. Capricious: Prone to sudden changes of mood or behaviour.
19. Cautious: Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
20. Diligent: Hard-working and conscientious.
21. Fastidious: Very attentive to accuracy and detail.
22. Frugal: Careful with money; thrifty.
23. Gregarious: Sociable; fond of company.
24. Haughty: Arrogantly superior and disdainful.
25. Impartial: Fair and just; not biased.
26. Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very precise.
27. Nefarious: Wicked or criminal.
28. Novice: A person new to and inexperienced in a situation.
29. Prudent: Acting with care and thought for the future.
30. Vivacious: Attractively lively and animated.

Words for Actions & Movement

31. Abscond: To leave hurriedly and secretly.
32. Accelerate: To increase in speed.
33. Alleviate: To make a problem less severe.
34. Berate: To scold or criticise someone angrily.
35. Collaborate: To work together on an activity.
36. Commence: To begin.
37. Conceal: To hide.
38. Deteriorate: To become progressively worse.
39. Diminish: To make or become smaller or less.
40. Emerge: To move out of something and come into view.
41. Engross: To absorb all the attention or interest of.
42. Exasperate: To irritate or frustrate someone intensely.
43. Fabricate: To invent something in order to deceive.
44. Goad: To provoke or annoy someone.
45. Implore: To beg someone earnestly to do something.
46. Jeopardise: To put something in danger of loss or failure.
47. Linger: To stay in a place longer than necessary.
48. Meander: To wander at random.
49. Obstruct: To block or get in the way of.
50. Ponder: To think about something carefully.
51. Quell: To put an end to something, typically by force.
52. Refute: To prove a statement to be wrong.
53. Relinquish: To voluntarily give up.
54. Scrutinise: To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
55. Squander: To waste something in a reckless manner.
56. Thrive: To grow or develop well.
57. Usurp: To take a position of power by force.
58. Vacate: To leave a place.

Words for Situations & Concepts

59. Abundant: Plentiful; existing in large quantities.
60. Ambiguous: Unclear or having more than one meaning.
61. Conspicuous: Standing out so as to be clearly visible.
62. Dismal: Depressing or dreary.
63. Erratic: Unpredictable; not in a regular pattern.
64. Obsolete: No longer produced or used; out of date.
65. Perilous: Full of danger or risk.
66. Tentative: Not certain or fixed; provisional.
67. Abode: A house or home.
68. Adversity: Difficulties; misfortune.
69. Amicability: Friendliness.
70. Apex: The top or highest part of something.
71. Calamity: A disaster.
72. Chronology: The arrangement of events in order.
73. Dilemma: A situation requiring a difficult choice.
74. Enigma: A person or thing that is mysterious or puzzling.
75. Epoch: A particular period of time in history.
76. Fiasco: A complete failure.
77. Gist: The main point of something.
78. Hiatus: A pause or gap in a process.
79. Idiosyncrasy: A peculiar habit.
80. Jargon: Special words used by a particular group.
81. Myriad: A countless or extremely great number.
82. Nadir: The lowest point.
83. Odyssey: A long and adventurous journey.
84. Panacea: A solution or remedy for all difficulties.
85. Plethora: A large or excessive amount of something.
86. Proximity: Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
87. Quandary: A state of uncertainty; a dilemma.
88. Ruse: A trick.
89. Scarcity: The state of being in short supply.
90. Apprehend: To catch a criminal; or to understand something.

Ambitious Alternatives

Instead of “said,” try… 91. Exclaimed 92. Whispered 93. Muttered 94. Shrieked 95. Declared

Instead of “walked,” try… 96. Strolled 97. Trudged 98. Dashed 99. Marched 100. Meandered

From List to Lexicon

The best way to build a rich vocabulary is to make it a small, daily habit.

• Word of the Day: Introduce one new word from this list each morning at breakfast.
• Use it or Lose it: Challenge your family to use the “word of the day” in conversation.
• Make it a Game: Use flashcards, play word-association games, or use online quizzes.

A strong vocabulary is one of the most powerful assets your child can have, not just for the 11+, but for their entire academic career. By making vocabulary building a fun and consistent part of your routine, you can give them the confidence to excel.

Ready to make vocabulary practice interactive and fun?

➡️ Our elevenplus.com platform includes engaging vocabulary games and quizzes designed to help your child master these words and more in a low-pressure environment.