IELTS Vocabulary — Set 171

Set 171 of IELTS Vocabulary covers 5 words: collaborate, distract, drag, swing, speculate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. collaborate · verb/kəˈlæbəˌreɪt/

   to work together with others to achieve a common goal

   In order to tackle the environmental crisis, scientists and activists must collaborate on innovative solutions.

   Synonyms: cooperate, team up, work together

   Origin: from Latin 'collaborare', meaning 'to work together' (com- 'together' + laborare 'to work')

2. distract · verb/dɪsˈtrækt/

   to divert attention from something or someone

   The loud music from the party can easily distract students from their studies.

   Synonyms: divert, sidetrack, disturb

   Origin: From Latin 'distrahere', meaning 'to pull apart'

3. drag · verb/dræɡ/

   to pull or haul along a surface with effort

   He had to drag the heavy suitcase across the airport floor to reach the check-in counter.

   Synonyms: pull, haul, tug

   Origin: Middle English 'draggen', from Old Norse 'draga', meaning to draw or pull.

4. swing · verb/swɪŋ/

   to move back and forth or side to side

   The children laughed as they took turns to swing back and forth on the playground.

   Synonyms: sway, rock, oscillate

   Origin: The word 'swing' originates from Middle English 'swingen', derived from Old English 'swingan', meaning 'to strike or beat; to move back and forth'.

5. speculate · verb/ˈspɛk.jəˌleɪt/

   to form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence

   Many scientists speculate about the possibility of life on other planets based on the discovery of exoplanets in habitable zones.

   Synonyms: theorize, hypothesize, conjecture

   Origin: from Latin 'speculatus', the past participle of 'speculari' meaning 'to look or to behold'.