A–Z Vocabulary
Less common but useful IELTS words starting with X — xenophobia, xenophile and more — with definitions, examples and memory tricks.
10 / 10 words
noun
Definition
Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Example sentence
“Economic insecurity often fuels xenophobia, making immigrant communities convenient political targets.”
Memory trick
'Xeno-' (foreign) + 'phobia' (fear) — fear of foreigners.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Showing a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries.
Example sentence
“Xenophobic rhetoric in political campaigns has been linked to rising hate crime rates.”
Memory trick
Adjective form of xenophobia — afraid of foreigners.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs.
Example sentence
“A genuine xenophile, the diplomat spent decades championing cross-cultural exchange programmes.”
Memory trick
'Xeno-' (foreign) + '-phile' (lover) — opposite of xenophobe.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Hospitable, especially to visitors from foreign lands.
Example sentence
“Tourism authorities promote a xenial reputation to attract international visitors year-round.”
Memory trick
'Xen-' (foreign) — xenial = friendly to foreigners.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A noteworthy, indefinable quality or talent that gives someone or something an edge.
Example sentence
“Effective leadership often comes down to an elusive x-factor that cannot easily be taught.”
Memory trick
X = unknown variable in maths — the unknown quality that makes the difference.
Common collocations
verb / noun
Definition
(n.) Electromagnetic radiation used to see inside objects; (v.) to examine using such radiation.
Example sentence
“Cargo containers are routinely x-rayed at major ports as part of customs and security checks.”
Memory trick
Discovered by Röntgen who called the mystery rays 'X' — the unknown ray.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
A dry photocopying process in which images are reproduced by toner on paper.
Example sentence
“The invention of xerography in the mid-twentieth century transformed office work and document sharing.”
Memory trick
'Xero-' (dry) + 'graphy' (writing) — dry writing on paper.
Common collocations
adjective
Definition
Of, characterised by, or adapted to a dry environment.
Example sentence
“Cities in xeric regions are pioneering water-recycling technologies that may soon spread worldwide.”
Memory trick
'Xer-' (dry, as in xerography) — xeric = dry.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
The transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs from one species to another.
Example sentence
“Xenotransplantation could help address the global shortage of human organs available for transplant.”
Memory trick
'Xeno-' (foreign) + 'transplantation' — transplanting from a foreign species.
Common collocations
noun
Definition
The art of engraving or printing from wooden blocks.
Example sentence
“Long before mass printing, xylography enabled the wider circulation of religious and political texts in Asia.”
Memory trick
'Xylo-' (wood, as in xylophone) + 'graphy' (writing) — writing using wood.
Common collocations