11+ Vocabulary List: Essential Words for GL & CEM Exams
A curated list of high-frequency 11+ vocabulary words grouped by theme — with definitions and difficulty levels. Build the word knowledge that underpins GL Types A, B, C and CEM verbal skills.
Emotions & Feelings
anxious or fearful about the future
extremely happy and excited
a deep, lasting sadness
feeling angry about something unfair
full of energy and enthusiasm
in low spirits; without hope
Character & Personality
determined; not giving up easily
kind and generous
willing to take bold risks
paying great attention to detail
able to understand others' feelings
able to recover quickly from difficulty
Describing & Comparing
producing clear, detailed images in the mind
very complex and detailed
very great or intense; deep
extremely delicate and light
inspiring fear or respect through being impressive
perfectly clean or without any flaws
Actions & Movement
to follow a winding path without a fixed direction
to be present in a hidden way
to delay or postpone action
to spread out from a source
to walk slowly with heavy steps
to climb awkwardly using hands and feet
Reasoning & Thought
to reach a conclusion by reasoning
a proposed explanation made as a starting point
to examine closely and critically
an opinion formed without proof
to reach a conclusion from evidence
well-expressed; fluent and persuasive in speech
Learn All 500+ 11+ Words on 11PlusQuest
Game-based vocabulary practice for every word. Synonyms, antonyms, fill-the-gap, and more — adaptive to your child's level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vocabulary level is needed for 11+?
Children sitting the 11+ should know around 5,000–8,000 words and be able to handle formal, academic and literary vocabulary. GL synonyms and antonyms questions (Types A and B) test whether children know the precise meanings of words like "tenacious", "benevolent", and "melancholy".
How do I teach 11+ vocabulary effectively?
The most effective method is learning words in context — in sentences, stories and word relationships — rather than memorising lists. Active use matters: using a word in a sentence, finding its synonyms, and identifying its antonym are all more effective than just reading a definition.
How many words per week should we learn for 11+ prep?
8–12 words per week is a manageable pace for most children. At this rate, a child starting 18 months before the exam can build a vocabulary of 600+ additional high-value words — which is highly meaningful for GL Type A–C questions.
Which vocabulary words come up most in 11+ exams?
Words from these semantic fields appear frequently: emotions (apprehensive, melancholy, indignant), character (tenacious, meticulous, benevolent), actions (meander, trudge, emanate), and reasoning (infer, deduce, scrutinise). The GL paper also tests formal/literary words that appear in classic texts.