If you're searching for a free 11 plus vocabulary list with meanings PDF, you've come to the right place. This page gives you everything in one place: two free downloadable PDFs covering 500 essential 11+ words, a searchable table of 50 key vocabulary words with definitions, synonyms and antonyms, and practical tips on how to use this list effectively. Whether your child is preparing for CEM or GL Assessment, building a strong vocabulary is one of the highest-impact things you can do to improve their chances of grammar school success.
Below you'll find direct links to our free PDFs, a full 11+ vocabulary list with meanings, synonyms and antonyms tables, study strategies, and recommended resources — including our 11+ Vocab Master app, the digital alternative to a traditional 11+ vocabulary book.
What is the 11+ Vocabulary List?
The 11+ vocabulary list is a curated set of words that children are expected to understand for grammar school entrance exams. While there is no single official list published by exam boards, experienced tutors and publishers have identified approximately 500 to 2,500 words that appear most frequently in 11+ English and Verbal Reasoning papers.
The core 500 essential words represent the most important words your child should prioritise first. These words typically:
- Appear regularly in comprehension passages across both CEM and GL Assessment exams
- Feature as synonyms and antonym questions in verbal reasoning sections
- Describe character and emotion — a core theme in 11+ English comprehension
- Include academic and formal vocabulary that elevates written composition marks
- Build word family knowledge — learning one root word often unlocks several related words
💡 Why 500 words matter: Research into 11+ pass rates consistently shows that vocabulary breadth is one of the strongest predictors of exam success. Children who know 500+ high-frequency academic words score significantly higher on both comprehension and verbal reasoning questions.
Free 11+ Vocabulary PDF Downloads
We've created two free printable PDFs — the 11+ Vocab Master Power Words series — covering 500 essential words with clear meanings. These are completely free to download, print and use at home or in tutoring sessions.
Power Words — Part 1
250 essential 11+ vocabulary words with meanings, perfect for early preparation
Download Part 1 — FreePower Words — Part 2
250 more essential 11+ vocabulary words — ideal for intermediate and advanced learners
Download Part 2 — Free✅ Both PDFs are completely free — no email required, no sign-up. Simply click to download and print. For an interactive version with audio, games and mock tests, download the 11+ Vocab Master app.
11+ Vocabulary List: 100 Essential Words with Meanings
Below is a selection of 50 essential 11+ vocabulary words with clear meanings. These are the kinds of words that appear in CEM and GL Assessment comprehension passages and verbal reasoning questions. Study these carefully — and download our free PDFs for the full 500-word list.
| # | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberrant | Departing from an accepted standard; unusual or abnormal |
| 2 | Abhor | To regard with disgust and hatred; to detest |
| 3 | Abject | Extremely bad, miserable, or wretched; of the lowest degree |
| 4 | Abstemious | Not self-indulgent; moderate in eating and drinking |
| 5 | Accolade | An award or privilege given as a special honour or recognition |
| 6 | Acrimony | Bitterness or ill feeling in speech or manner |
| 7 | Adamant | Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind; unyielding |
| 8 | Admonish | To warn or reprimand someone firmly but not harshly |
| 9 | Affable | Friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to |
| 10 | Affluent | Having a great deal of money; wealthy and prosperous |
| 11 | Alacrity | Brisk and cheerful readiness; eagerness to act quickly |
| 12 | Aloof | Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant in manner |
| 13 | Altruistic | Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others |
| 14 | Ambiguous | Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning |
| 15 | Amiable | Having a friendly and pleasant manner; agreeable and likeable |
| 16 | Ample | Enough or more than enough; plentiful and generous in size |
| 17 | Ardent | Very enthusiastic or passionate; burning with intensity |
| 18 | Arrogant | Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance; haughty |
| 19 | Articulate | Having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently |
| 20 | Astute | Having an ability to notice and understand things clearly; shrewd |
| 21 | Audacious | Showing a willingness to take bold risks; daring and fearless |
| 22 | Austere | Severe or strict in manner; having no comforts or luxuries |
| 23 | Avaricious | Having an extreme greed for wealth or material gain; greedy |
| 24 | Benevolent | Well-meaning and kindly; showing a desire to do good for others |
| 25 | Bewildered | Perplexed and confused; utterly at a loss to understand something |
| 26 | Brazen | Bold and without shame; done openly and without embarrassment |
| 27 | Candid | Truthful and straightforward; frank and honest in expression |
| 28 | Caustic | Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way; corrosive to the feelings |
| 29 | Circumspect | Wary and unwilling to take risks; careful and cautious in action |
| 30 | Clemency | Mercy and leniency shown towards an offender or enemy; mildness |
| 31 | Cogent | Clear, logical, and convincing; powerfully persuasive in argument |
| 32 | Complacent | Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself; self-satisfied |
| 33 | Condescending | Acting as though one is superior; patronising in manner or attitude |
| 34 | Congenial | Pleasant and suited to one's taste; agreeably suited in character |
| 35 | Conscientious | Wishing to do what is right; meticulous and careful in all things |
| 36 | Contemptuous | Showing contempt; scornful and disrespectful towards others |
| 37 | Credulous | Too ready to believe things; naive and easily fooled or deceived |
| 38 | Cunning | Having or showing skill in achieving goals through clever means; crafty |
| 39 | Debonair | Confident, stylish, and charming in manner; suave and sophisticated |
| 40 | Deceptive | Giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading |
| 41 | Deliberate | Done consciously and intentionally; careful and unhurried in action |
| 42 | Desolate | Bleak and empty; feeling or appearing wretched and lonely |
| 43 | Dexterous | Skilled and clever in movement, especially with the hands; nimble |
| 44 | Diligent | Having or showing care and effort in one's work; hardworking |
| 45 | Discerning | Having or showing good judgement; perceptive and astute |
| 46 | Disdain | A feeling that someone is unworthy of respect; contempt or scorn |
| 47 | Disparage | To regard or represent as being of little worth; belittle |
| 48 | Docile | Ready to accept control or instruction; calm and easy to manage |
| 49 | Domineering | Asserting one's will over others in an arrogant way; overbearing |
| 50 | Dubious | Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon; questionable |
Want the full 500-word list with meanings? Download our free PDFs above or explore all 2,500+ words in the app.
Explore All 2,500+ Words in the AppSynonyms and Antonyms for Key Vocabulary Words
For GL Assessment verbal reasoning, knowing synonyms and antonyms is essential. Here are 20 key 11+ vocabulary words with their most useful synonyms and antonyms. Learning these in pairs dramatically speeds up comprehension and verbal reasoning performance.
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Affable | Amiable, genial, cordial | Aloof, cold, unfriendly |
| Adamant | Resolute, determined, firm | Flexible, yielding, compliant |
| Altruistic | Selfless, generous, benevolent | Selfish, egotistical, greedy |
| Arrogant | Haughty, conceited, pompous | Humble, modest, meek |
| Audacious | Bold, daring, intrepid | Timid, cowardly, cautious |
| Benevolent | Kind, charitable, philanthropic | Malevolent, cruel, unkind |
| Candid | Frank, honest, forthright | Dishonest, evasive, deceptive |
| Circumspect | Cautious, wary, prudent | Reckless, careless, impulsive |
| Complacent | Self-satisfied, smug, contented | Anxious, ambitious, dissatisfied |
| Diligent | Hardworking, assiduous, industrious | Lazy, idle, negligent |
| Disdain | Contempt, scorn, derision | Admiration, respect, esteem |
| Docile | Obedient, compliant, submissive | Stubborn, defiant, headstrong |
| Dubious | Doubtful, sceptical, uncertain | Certain, confident, trustworthy |
| Astute | Shrewd, perceptive, clever | Naive, obtuse, foolish |
| Ardent | Passionate, fervent, zealous | Indifferent, apathetic, cool |
| Aloof | Distant, detached, reserved | Friendly, warm, sociable |
| Conscientious | Meticulous, thorough, scrupulous | Careless, negligent, sloppy |
| Credulous | Naive, gullible, trusting | Sceptical, cynical, suspicious |
| Desolate | Bleak, barren, forlorn | Cheerful, vibrant, populated |
| Discerning | Perceptive, insightful, judicious | Undiscriminating, obtuse, unperceptive |
For more: see our dedicated articles on 100 words with synonyms and 100 words with antonyms.
How to Use This Vocabulary List Effectively
Simply reading through a vocabulary list is not enough. Here are proven strategies to make learning stick:
1. Learn in Small Daily Batches
Aim for 10–15 new words per day. Consistency beats cramming. Five days of focused daily practice will outperform a single long session every time. Use our free PDF by printing it and working through one page per day.
2. Learn the Word in Context
For every new word, ask your child to use it in a sentence. This creates a memory hook. For example: "The affable teacher always had a smile for every pupil." Writing sentences also improves composition marks in the English paper.
3. Pair Words with Synonyms and Antonyms
For every word you learn, learn at least one synonym and one antonym. This triples the vocabulary learned in the same time and directly prepares for verbal reasoning questions. Use our synonyms and antonyms table above as a starting point.
4. Use Active Recall
Cover the meaning column and see if your child can remember the definition. Then reverse it — cover the word and see if they can name it from the meaning. This active retrieval practice is scientifically proven to improve long-term retention significantly more than passive reading.
5. Review with Spaced Repetition
Re-test words after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, then 2 weeks. Words that are recalled correctly can be reviewed less frequently; words that are forgotten should be revisited sooner. The 11+ Vocab Master app automates this process with its built-in spaced repetition system.
6. Make It Fun with Games
Children learn better when they are engaged. Word games, quizzes, and matching activities all reinforce vocabulary without feeling like a chore. The 11+ Vocab Master app includes 4 vocabulary games and 6 practice modes to keep learning enjoyable.
Best 11+ Vocabulary Books and Resources
There are several excellent 11+ vocabulary books on the market. Here are the most popular options, along with their strengths and limitations:
CGP 11+ Vocabulary Workbooks
Well-structured and affordable. Good for practising words in context. Limited to printed exercises with no audio or interactivity. Ideal as a supplementary resource.
Bond No Nonsense: English
A trusted series covering vocabulary, comprehension and grammar in one. Good breadth of content, though vocabulary sections are less comprehensive than dedicated vocabulary resources.
Letts 11+ Vocabulary Flash Cards
Physical flashcards covering key 11+ words. Easy to carry and use anywhere, though they can be lost or worn down over time and offer no self-testing feedback.
11+ Vocab Master App — The Digital Alternative
For parents looking beyond a traditional 11 plus vocabulary book, the 11+ Vocab Master app is the most comprehensive and engaging digital resource available. It combines everything you'd find in the best vocabulary books — and much more:
- 2,500+ curated words covering all levels of 11+ preparation
- Definitions, synonyms, antonyms and audio pronunciation for every word
- 6 practice modes including flashcards and fill-in-the-blank
- 4 fun vocabulary games for engaging practice
- Unlimited mock tests to simulate exam conditions
- Mark difficult words for focused revision sessions
Why Download a Free 11+ Vocabulary PDF?
A free printable 11+ vocabulary PDF offers several advantages for busy families preparing for grammar school exams:
Print and Study Anywhere
Printed PDFs work without internet or devices. Great for car journeys, waiting rooms, or screen-free study time.
Annotate and Personalise
Children can highlight, underline, and add their own notes directly on the printed page — which aids memory retention.
Ideal for Tutors and Teachers
Print multiple copies for tutoring sessions, classroom use, or homework packs. No per-child licensing required.
Completely Free — No Strings Attached
Our PDFs are genuinely free. No email sign-up, no paywall, no hidden charges. Simply click and download.
A Great Starting Point
PDFs give families a tangible, structured starting point. Use them to identify which words your child already knows, then focus app-based practice on the gaps.
Complements Digital Learning
Use the PDF alongside the 11+ Vocab Master app for a blended approach. Print covers reading and annotation; the app handles games, audio, and mock tests.
Ready to download? Scroll up to the Free 11+ Vocabulary PDF Downloads section and click to download Part 1 and Part 2 of our Power Words series — completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free 11+ vocabulary list PDF?
What are the 500 essential 11+ words?
The 500 essential 11+ words are a curated set of vocabulary that frequently appears in 11+ exams, covering a range of topics including adjectives that describe character (e.g. affable, astute, audacious), words relating to behaviour (e.g. adamant, diligent, docile), and words often found in comprehension passages. Our free PDFs and the 11+ Vocab Master app cover all these words with definitions, synonyms, and antonyms. See our 50-word table above for a sample of essential words.
Where can I download a free 11+ vocabulary PDF?
How many words should my child learn for 11+?
Most experts recommend learning between 500 and 1,000 high-frequency words for the 11+ exam. Starting with a focused list of 500 essential words gives your child a strong foundation. For comprehensive preparation, especially for GL Assessment verbal reasoning, aim for 1,000–2,500 words. The 11+ Vocab Master app contains 2,500+ carefully curated words to cover all levels of preparation.
What is the best 11+ vocabulary book?
Popular 11+ vocabulary books include Bond No Nonsense: English and CGP 11+ Vocabulary workbooks. However, for a modern, interactive approach, the 11+ Vocab Master app is considered by many parents to be the best resource — it offers 2,500+ words, flashcards, games, mock tests, and audio support, making it far more engaging than a traditional book and accessible anytime on a phone or tablet.
How do I use a vocabulary list effectively?
To use a vocabulary list effectively: (1) Learn a small batch of 10–15 words per day rather than cramming. (2) Study each word with its meaning, a synonym, and an antonym. (3) Use the word in a sentence to create context. (4) Review words from previous days using spaced repetition. (5) Test yourself regularly with quizzes or mock tests. (6) Use apps and games to make practice fun and engaging for your child.
