Preparing for the 11+ exam is a pivotal moment in many children’s academic journey. Among all the components tested, vocabulary stands out as a core skill that can dramatically boost your child’s chances of success. Whether it’s comprehension, verbal reasoning, or creative writing, a rich vocabulary empowers a child to understand, interpret, and express ideas clearly.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the 300 most essential vocabulary words your child needs for the 11+ exam. We’ll also explore effective learning strategies, common pitfalls, and practical tools to make vocabulary building both fun and effective.
The Full List: 300 Essential 11+ Vocabulary Words
A. Adjectives (Descriptive Words) – 80 Words
- Abrupt
- Accurate
- Adventurous
- Ambitious
- Ancient
- Anxious
- Appalling
- Arrogant
- Articulate
- Astonishing
- Audible
- Authentic
- Bizarre
- Blissful
- Brave
- Brutal
- Careless
- Cautious
- Charming
- Clumsy
- Coarse
- Competent
- Complex
- Confident
- Courageous
- Cruel
- Curious
- Daring
- Delightful
- Determined
- Dismal
- Distinct
- Disturbed
- Dreary
- Eager
- Elated
- Elegant
- Envious
- Evil
- Exceptional
- Fabulous
- Faint
- Faithful
- Fearful
- Fierce
- Fragile
- Frantic
- Generous
- Genuine
- Gigantic
- Gloomy
- Grateful
- Grimy
- Harsh
- Heroic
- Honest
- Hostile
- Humble
- Hysterical
- Impressive
- Industrious
- Innocent
- Intense
- Jealous
- Joyful
- Jubilant
- Lonely
- Luminous
- Mischievous
- Mysterious
- Obedient
- Outrageous
- Peaceful
- Powerful
- Reckless
- Reluctant
- Ruthless
- Sincere
- Subtle
- Vicious
B. Verbs Action Words) – 80 Words
- Abandon
- Accuse
- Admire
- Analyse
- Announce
- Apologise
- Approach
- Argue
- Ascend
- Attempt
- Avoid
- Boast
- Capture
- Collapse
- Command
- Compare
- Comprehend
- Conceal
- Confess
- Conquer
- Convince
- Criticise
- Declare
- Defend
- Delight
- Demand
- Describe
- Destroy
- Devour
- Disappear
- Dislike
- Discover
- Disobey
- Dismiss
- Display
- Disturb
- Endure
- Encourage
- Entertain
- Escape
- Examine
- Exaggerate
- Explain
- Explore
- Express
- Flee
- Forbid
- Forgive
- Grab
- Greet
- Hesitate
- Imagine
- Imply
- Improve
- Inspire
- Interrupt
- Investigate
- Judge
- Laugh
- Locate
- Manipulate
- Mention
- Mislead
- Mumble
- Notice
- Observe
- Offer
- Oppose
- Persuade
- Ponder
- Predict
- Prevent
- Prove
- React
- Recall
- Refuse
- Remain
- Reveal
- Scream
- Suggest
C. Nouns (Especially Abstract Nouns) – 70 Words
- Adventure
- Ambition
- Anguish
- Anxiety
- Argument
- Attraction
- Behaviour
- Bravery
- Calmness
- Chaos
- Choice
- Clarity
- Comfort
- Compassion
- Confidence
- Confusion
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Danger
- Delight
- Despair
- Determination
- Disappointment
- Disaster
- Discovery
- Disgust
- Doubt
- Effort
- Emotion
- Energy
- Envy
- Equality
- Escape
- Excitement
- Failure
- Fear
- Forgiveness
- Freedom
- Friendship
- Frustration
- Glory
- Gratitude
- Grief
- Growth
- Happiness
- Hardship
- Hatred
- Honesty
- Hope
- Humour
- Imagination
- Independence
- Inspiration
- Intelligence
- Joy
- Justice
- Kindness
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Loneliness
- Love
- Loyalty
- Mischief
- Mystery
- Obedience
- Opportunity
- Patience
- Peace
- Perseverance
- Power
D. Connectives, Conjunctions & Linking Words – 40 Words
- Although
- Because
- Before
- Besides
- But
- Consequently
- Despite
- During
- Even though
- Eventually
- Furthermore
- Hence
- However
- If
- In addition
- In case
- In contrast
- In fact
- Instead
- Likewise
- Meanwhile
- Moreover
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Not only
- Now that
- On the other hand
- Otherwise
- Since
- So
- Still
- Subsequently
- That
- Then
- Therefore
- Though
- Unless
- Until
- Whereas
- While
E. Bonus/Advanced Vocabulary – 30 Words
- Abominable
- Belligerent
- Conspicuous
- Deceptive
- Eloquent
- Feeble
- Gallant
- Haphazard
- Inquisitive
- Jubilant
- Keen
- Lavish
- Menacing
- Nonchalant
- Obnoxious
- Peculiar
- Quaint
- Rambunctious
- Scarce
- Tedious
- Uncanny
- Vague
- Whimsical
- Yearn
- Zealous
- Quiver
- Thrive
- Befuddle
- Wither
- Reckon
Top Strategies to Help Your Child Learn These Words
Building vocabulary doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Here’s how to make it stick:
Daily Practice Routine
- Introduce 5–10 new words per day.
- Review old words weekly.
- Use revision notebooks to record meaning, synonyms, and usage.
Flashcards & Word Games
- Use index cards or apps like Quizlet.
- Play games like Vocabulary Bingo, Hangman, and Synonym Match.
Contextual Reading Activities
- Encourage your child to spot new words while reading.
- Use short comprehension passages that include new vocabulary.
- Ask them to summarise what they’ve read using at least 3 new words.
Conclusion: Empower Your Child for 11+ Success
A strong vocabulary isn’t just useful for passing the 11+ – it’s a lifelong asset. These 300 power words can unlock clearer thinking, richer expression, and greater academic success. Start early, stay consistent, and make learning engaging. Online tutoring UK – LT School
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are these 300 words enough for the 11+ exam?
They provide a solid foundation. While they won’t cover every word in the exam, they’ll significantly improve comprehension, writing, and verbal reasoning skills.
2. At what age should my child start learning these words?
Ideally from Year 4 or Year 5, to allow enough time for consistent practice and revision.
3. What if my child finds the words too difficult?
Break them into smaller sets, and use games, stories, and visuals to make them more accessible.
4. Can I use these words to help with creative writing too?
Absolutely! These words add colour, precision, and depth to your child’s writing.
5. Should we focus on spelling as well?
Yes. Spelling errors can affect comprehension scores and creative writing quality.
6. Are there printable versions of the list?
Yes. Many tutoring websites like 11plusguide.com offer downloadable PDF versions.