A–Z Vocabulary
Useful IELTS words starting with Q — quintessential, quandary, quantify and more — with definitions, examples and memory tricks.
10 / 10 words
adjective
Definition
Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example sentence
“Helsinki is often cited as the quintessential example of a city designed around public transport.”
Memory trick
'Quint-' (fifth essence) — the purest, fifth element above the four.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
Example sentence
“Governments face a quandary: protect existing industries or accelerate the green transition.”
Memory trick
Sounds like 'wander' — wandering in confusion = quandary.
Common collocations
verb
Definition
To express or measure the quantity or extent of something.
Example sentence
“It is notoriously difficult to quantify the long-term economic value of biodiversity.”
Memory trick
'Quanti-' (how much) + '-fy' (make) — make a quantity.
Common collocations
verb
Definition
To put an end to, typically by force; to subdue.
Example sentence
“The new policy aims to quell public concerns about food safety standards.”
Memory trick
Sounds like 'kill' — to quell is to kill off (rebellion, fear, etc.).
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Relating to the quality or character of something rather than its quantity.
Example sentence
“Qualitative research provides depth that purely quantitative studies often cannot capture.”
Memory trick
Quality + -tive — about quality, not numbers.
Common collocations
noun / verb
Definition
(n.) A question, especially one expressing doubt; (v.) to ask or question.
Example sentence
“Customers can submit queries through the online portal at any time.”
Memory trick
Like 'question' — a query is a question.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
The most perfect or typical example of something; the pure essence.
Example sentence
“The Renaissance is often regarded as the quintessence of European cultural achievement.”
Memory trick
Noun form of quintessential — the pure essence.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
Example sentence
“Many tourists are drawn to the quaint fishing villages along the Mediterranean coast.”
Memory trick
Sounds like 'saint' from an old portrait — old-fashioned and charming.
Common collocations
noun / verb
Definition
(n.) A line of people or things waiting their turn; (v.) to form such a line.
Example sentence
“Long queues at airports are increasingly common as international travel rebounds.”
Memory trick
Letters lining up as if in a queue: q-u-e-u-e.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A peculiar or unexpected feature of someone or something.
Example sentence
“By a quirk of the electoral system, the party with fewer votes won more parliamentary seats.”
Memory trick
Short and odd — like the word itself, a quirk is something odd.
Common collocations