A–Z Vocabulary
Important IELTS words starting with F — facilitate, fluctuate, fundamental and more — with definitions, examples and memory tricks.
10 / 10 words
verb
Definition
To make an action or process easier or more efficient.
Example sentence
“Digital platforms can facilitate access to education for students in remote rural areas.”
Memory trick
'Facile' = easy in French — to facilitate is to make easy.
Common collocations
verb
Definition
To rise and fall irregularly; to vary in number, amount, or level.
Example sentence
“Currency markets have continued to fluctuate sharply in response to geopolitical uncertainty.”
Memory trick
'FLUX-tuate' — flux means flow; to fluctuate is to flow up and down.
Common collocations
verb
Definition
To encourage the development of something (a skill, feeling, or idea).
Example sentence
“Schools have a responsibility to foster both critical thinking and civic engagement.”
Memory trick
Like a foster parent nurturing a child — fostering encourages growth.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Forming an essential base; of central importance.
Example sentence
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right recognised by international law.”
Memory trick
Like 'foundation' — fundamental is at the foundation of everything.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Possible to do easily or conveniently; practicable.
Example sentence
“Carbon neutrality by 2050 is technically feasible but requires unprecedented political will.”
Memory trick
Sounds like 'fee-sible' — if you can pay the fee, it's feasible.
Common collocations
verb
Definition
To strengthen or reinforce, especially defensively or nutritionally.
Example sentence
“Many countries fortify staple foods with iron and folic acid to combat nutritional deficiencies.”
Memory trick
'Fort' — to fortify is to build a fort, making something stronger.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.
Example sentence
“International law provides the framework for resolving cross-border environmental disputes.”
Memory trick
The literal 'frame' on which something is built.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
The ability to speak or write a language easily and accurately.
Example sentence
“Digital fluency is now considered as important as traditional literacy in modern employment.”
Memory trick
'Flu-' = flow — speaking flows smoothly.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, or capable.
Example sentence
“Climate change presents a formidable challenge that no single nation can address alone.”
Memory trick
Sounds like 'form-a-bull' — a powerful bull is formidable.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Broken into separate parts; not unified or coherent.
Example sentence
“A fragmented international response to the pandemic significantly delayed effective vaccine distribution.”
Memory trick
Think of a broken vase — many fragments, fragmented.
Common collocations