[IELTS Vocabulary] Sports

This vocabulary list is for reference only. Your Lexical Resource scores are calculated based on the overall level of vocabulary used in your writing and speaking answers. To improve your Lexical Resource scores, it is necessary that you improve your overall level of vocabulary.

However, skillfully incorporating these words in your writing and speaking answers together with a good vocabulary level will increase the chance of enhanced Lexical Recourse scores.

Vocabulary List

1. General Vocabulary

Words/Phrases	Types	Meaning	Example
Participate in	Verb phrase	To take part in or become involved in an activity	“Many people participate in sports to improve their physical health.”
Competitive edge	Noun phrase	An advantage over others in a competitive situation	“Athletes often train extensively to gain a competitive edge over their opponents.”
Physical fitness	Noun phrase	The condition of being physically healthy and strong	“Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining physical fitness.”
Endurance training	Noun phrase	A type of exercise aimed at increasing stamina	“Endurance training is essential for marathon runners to improve their performance.”
Peak performance	Noun phrase	The highest level of achievement or capability	“Athletes strive to reach their peak performance in the final stages of a tournament.”
Break a record	Verb phrase	To surpass a previously set record in a sport or activity	“The swimmer managed to break a record at the international competition.”
Overcome obstacles	Verb phrase	To successfully deal with or defeat challenges	“Professional athletes must overcome obstacles to reach the highest levels of their sport.”
Team cohesion	Noun phrase	The unity and collaboration among members of a team	“Team cohesion plays a significant role in achieving success in team sports.”
Sportsmanship	Noun	Fair and respectful behavior in sports, especially toward opponents	“Displaying good sportsmanship is essential for building a positive sports culture.”
Take up a sport	Verb phrase	To start participating in a particular sport	“Many young people take up a sport in order to stay active and develop discipline.”
High-intensity training	Noun phrase	Intense and short bursts of exercise with maximum effort	“High-intensity training can help athletes improve their agility and cardiovascular fitness.”
Healthy competition	Noun phrase	A rivalry that encourages improvement without hostility	“Healthy competition can motivate players to enhance their skills without animosity.”
Injury prevention	Noun phrase	Measures taken to avoid harm during physical activity	“Proper warm-up exercises are essential for injury prevention.”
Mental toughness	Noun phrase	The psychological strength to face challenges or adversity	“Mental toughness is crucial for athletes to handle the pressure of major competitions.”
Achieve a milestone	Verb phrase	To reach a significant point in development or progress	“Winning the championship was an important milestone for the team.”
Stay in shape	Verb phrase	To remain physically fit and healthy	“Many people choose to stay in shape by engaging in regular sports activities.”
Physical exertion	Noun phrase	Physical effort or strain	“Sports that require high physical exertion can be demanding on the body.”
Boost morale	Verb phrase	To raise the confidence or spirits of a group	“A coach’s encouragement can help boost the morale of the team before a crucial match.”
Fan base	Noun phrase	A group of people who support a particular team or athlete	“The team’s fan base has grown considerably after their recent successes.”
Spectator sport	Noun phrase	A sport that attracts large numbers of viewers	“Football is a popular spectator sport enjoyed by millions around the world.”

2. Sports and unity

Words/Phrases	Types	Meaning	Example
Promote teamwork	Verb phrase	To encourage cooperative effort within a group	“Competitive sports promote teamwork by requiring players to work together toward a common goal.”
Foster camaraderie	Verb phrase	To create a sense of friendship and trust among participants	“Team sports help foster camaraderie among players, building lasting bonds beyond the competition.”
Shared goals	Noun phrase	Common objectives or aims that unite people	“In competitive sports, having shared goals strengthens unity within the team.”
Develop mutual respect	Verb phrase	To build a sense of admiration and respect among individuals	“Playing on a team helps athletes develop mutual respect for each other’s skills and roles.”
Build community spirit	Verb phrase	To enhance a sense of belonging and support within a group	“Competitive sports build community spirit by bringing people together to support their local teams.”
Cultivate unity	Verb phrase	To develop a sense of oneness and harmony among people	“Sports tournaments often cultivate unity among diverse groups of fans and players alike.”
Encourage cooperation	Verb phrase	To promote collaborative work and mutual assistance	“Sports that require strategic planning encourage cooperation among team members.”
Instill discipline	Verb phrase	To teach self-control and adherence to rules	“Competitive sports instill discipline in players, which is essential for team unity and success.”
Break down barriers	Verb phrase	To overcome social or cultural differences	“Sports competitions can break down barriers between different communities, fostering understanding.”
Promote inclusivity	Verb phrase	To encourage the involvement of all people, regardless of background	“Inclusive sports promote unity by allowing people of all abilities to participate and compete together.”
Sense of belonging	Noun phrase	A feeling of being accepted and part of a group	“Athletes often feel a strong sense of belonging to their team, which unites them.”
Strengthen bonds	Verb phrase	To make relationships or connections between people stronger	“Competitive sports strengthen bonds between players, building unity within the team.”
Enhance social cohesion	Verb phrase	To improve the sense of togetherness and solidarity in a community	“International sports events enhance social cohesion by bringing together fans from around the world.”
Team spirit	Noun phrase	The feeling of pride, unity, and enthusiasm among team members	“A strong team spirit is vital for achieving success in competitive sports.”
Promote healthy rivalry	Verb phrase	To encourage competition without hostility	“Healthy rivalry between teams promotes unity by fostering mutual respect and admiration.”
Unite diverse groups	Verb phrase	To bring together people from different backgrounds	“Sports events unite diverse groups, allowing them to bond over a shared passion for the game.”
Shared responsibility	Noun phrase	Joint accountability for the outcome of a task or goal	“In competitive sports, shared responsibility for the team’s success unites players.”
Common purpose	Noun phrase	A shared aim or reason for doing something	“A common purpose motivates athletes to work in harmony to achieve victory.”
Build trust	Verb phrase	To develop confidence and reliance on others	“Team sports help build trust among players, a key factor in fostering unity.”
Unified effort	Noun phrase	Collective work or action toward a common goal	“Victory in competitive sports often results from a unified effort by the whole team.”

3. Sports and conflicts

Words/Phrases	Types	Meaning	Example
Intense rivalry	Noun phrase	Strong competition and conflict between opponents	“Intense rivalry between teams can lead to tensions both on and off the field.”
Cause friction	Verb phrase	To create conflict or tension among people	“The competitive nature of sports can sometimes cause friction among players.”
Escalate tensions	Verb phrase	To increase stress or hostility between people	“Intense competition in sports often escalates tensions among rival teams and their supporters.”
Fuel animosity	Verb phrase	To increase feelings of hostility or resentment	“Aggressive tactics can fuel animosity between competing players.”
Poor sportsmanship	Noun phrase	Disrespectful or unfair behavior in a sporting context	“Poor sportsmanship can lead to conflicts, detracting from the positive aspects of competition.”
Heighten aggression	Verb phrase	To increase feelings of anger or hostility	“Competitive sports may heighten aggression, especially in high-stakes games.”
Undermine unity	Verb phrase	To weaken a sense of togetherness among people	“Conflict between players can undermine unity within a team, affecting overall performance.”
Resentment towards opponents	Noun phrase	Feelings of bitterness or anger toward competitors	“Intense rivalries can lead to resentment towards opponents, damaging the spirit of fair competition.”
Promote hostility	Verb phrase	To encourage unfriendly or antagonistic behavior	“When players lack mutual respect, competitive sports can promote hostility rather than healthy competition.”
Lead to disputes	Verb phrase	To cause arguments or disagreements	“Controversial referee decisions often lead to disputes in competitive sports.”
Cause divisiveness	Verb phrase	To create separation and discord within a group	“Sports can sometimes cause divisiveness, especially when rival teams are from the same community.”
Incite aggression	Verb phrase	To encourage hostile or violent behavior	“Overly competitive sports environments may incite aggression among players and fans alike.”
Create a toxic environment	Verb phrase	To foster an unhealthy, hostile, or negative atmosphere	“Excessive competitiveness can create a toxic environment for athletes.”
Exacerbate rivalry	Verb phrase	To make competitive hostility even worse	“Close scores often exacerbate rivalry, which can lead to conflict between players.”
Tarnish sportsmanship	Verb phrase	To harm the respect and fairness traditionally valued in sports	“Aggressive behavior can tarnish sportsmanship and the positive image of competitive sports.”
Cause internal conflicts	Verb phrase	To create disagreements or hostility within a team	“Competition for starting positions can cause internal conflicts among team members.”
Ego clashes	Noun phrase	Conflicts caused by inflated self-importance	“Ego clashes are common in competitive sports, especially when multiple players vie for attention.”
Undermine teamwork	Verb phrase	To weaken collaboration and unity among team members	“In competitive sports, personal ambition can undermine teamwork, leading to a disjointed team performance.”
Spark controversies	Verb phrase	To initiate debates or disagreements, often public and divisive	“Contentious plays or calls can spark controversies that linger long after the game ends.”
Intolerant of defeat	Adjective phrase	Showing unwillingness to accept loss gracefully	“An intolerant attitude toward defeat can lead to conflicts on the field, especially after a tough match.”

4. Sports and health

Words/Phrases	Types	Meaning	Example
Cardiovascular health	Noun phrase	The health of the heart and blood vessels	“Regular sports participation improves cardiovascular health by enhancing circulation and reducing blood pressure.”
Reduce the risk of disease	Verb phrase	To lower the likelihood of developing illnesses	“Engaging in physical activities like sports can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.”
Boost immune system	Verb phrase	To strengthen the body’s defense against illness	“Sports and regular exercise boost the immune system, helping the body to fight off infections more effectively.”
Improve mental health	Verb phrase	To enhance psychological well-being	“Sports can significantly improve mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.”
Increase stamina	Verb phrase	To improve the ability to sustain physical or mental effort for longer	“Consistent exercise in sports activities helps to increase stamina and endurance.”
Strengthen muscles and bones	Verb phrase	To make muscles and bones stronger through physical activity	“Weight-bearing sports are beneficial for strengthening muscles and bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.”
Reduce stress	Verb phrase	To lower feelings of pressure or tension	“Physical activities like sports help reduce stress, providing an effective way to unwind.”
Enhance flexibility	Verb phrase	To improve the ability to move joints through their full range of motion	“Sports like yoga and gymnastics enhance flexibility, which can help prevent injuries.”
Promote weight management	Verb phrase	To support the maintenance of a healthy weight	“Participating in sports is an excellent way to promote weight management, as it helps burn calories efficiently.”
Improve concentration	Verb phrase	To increase focus and attention span	“Engaging in sports has been shown to improve concentration, benefiting both academic and professional performance.”
Enhance coordination	Verb phrase	To improve the ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly	“Sports like tennis enhance coordination, which is essential for maintaining agility and balance.”
Boost self-esteem	Verb phrase	To improve confidence and self-worth	“Achieving personal goals in sports can boost self-esteem, making individuals feel more capable and confident.”
Encourage a healthy lifestyle	Verb phrase	To promote habits that contribute to overall health and well-being	“Playing sports encourages a healthy lifestyle by fostering routines that involve exercise and good nutrition.”
Prevent chronic conditions	Verb phrase	To help avoid long-lasting diseases	“Regular sports participation can prevent chronic conditions like hypertension and type 2 diabetes.”
Release endorphins	Verb phrase	To stimulate the release of chemicals in the brain that reduce pain and boost mood	“Physical activities, including sports, release endorphins, which naturally enhance mood and relieve pain.”
Mental resilience	Noun phrase	The ability to cope with stress and bounce back from challenges	“Sports help to build mental resilience, as athletes learn to overcome obstacles and manage pressure.”
Increase energy levels	Verb phrase	To raise stamina and reduce fatigue	“Engaging in sports regularly can increase energy levels, making individuals feel more active and alert.”
Improve sleep quality	Verb phrase	To enhance the restfulness and duration of sleep	“People who engage in physical activity, such as sports, tend to experience better sleep quality.”
Support mental clarity	Verb phrase	To aid clear thinking and focus	“Physical activities like sports support mental clarity, which can improve decision-making and productivity.”
Enhance lung capacity	Verb phrase	To increase the maximum amount of air the lungs can hold	“Endurance sports like swimming enhance lung capacity, which benefits overall respiratory health.”

Idioms for speaking

Idioms	How to Use	Meaning	Example
Hit the ground running	Part of a sentence	To start something enthusiastically and effectively	“I hit the ground running with my new workout routine, and I’m already seeing great results.”
Throw in the towel	By itself	To give up on a difficult task	“After months of trying to improve my tennis serve, I almost threw in the towel.”
Go the extra mile	Part of a sentence	To make a special effort to achieve something	“To become a top athlete, you need to go the extra mile every day in training.”
Down to the wire	Part of a sentence	Until the last possible moment	“The game was exciting because it went down to the wire.”
Ahead of the game	By itself	To be in a favorable position or ahead of others	“If you train consistently, you’ll always stay ahead of the game.”
On the ball	By itself	To be alert and efficient	“To be a successful athlete, you need to be on the ball at all times.”
Back to square one	Part of a sentence	To start over from the beginning	“After my injury, it felt like I was back to square one with my training.”
Hit below the belt	Part of a sentence	To act unfairly or in an inappropriate way	“Criticizing his skills was a bit like hitting below the belt.”
Take one for the team	By itself	To make a sacrifice for the benefit of others	“I took one for the team by playing with an injury during the finals.”
Step up to the plate	Part of a sentence	To take responsibility or take on a challenge	“When the team needed a leader, I had to step up to the plate.”