CELPTips
CELPTipsPractice Materials

CELPIP must-know words for Reading and Listening

This is the core vocabulary base you should know for CELPIP Reading and Listening. Learn the meaning in context with clear examples so you recognize these words instantly on test day.

CELPIP vocabulary
1

Daily Life / Common Activities

Appliance
/əˈplaɪəns/
a device used at home (for example, a microwave or washing machine)
Example
The microwave is a helpful appliance when you are in a hurry.
Commute
/kəˈmjuːt/
to travel regularly to work or school
Example
My commute to downtown takes about 40 minutes by bus.
Errand
/ˈɛrənd/
a short trip to complete a task
Example
I need to run an errand to the post office after work.
Groceries
/ˈɡroʊsəriz/
food and household items purchased from a store
Example
I bought groceries for the week, including milk, bread, and vegetables.
Maintenance
/ˈmeɪntənəns/
keeping something in good condition
Example
Regular maintenance keeps your car running safely.
Neighborhood
/ˈneɪbərˌhʊd/
the area around your home
Example
Our neighborhood is quiet and close to schools.
Petty
/ˈpɛti/
small or insignificant (often used in complaints or disputes)
Example
They argued over a petty issue like who used the last paper towel.
Routine
/ruːˈtiːn/
a regular way of doing things
Example
My morning routine includes a quick walk and a coffee.
Utility
/juːˈtɪləti/
services like water, gas, or electricity
Example
The landlord said the utilities are included, except electricity.
Outage
/ˈaʊtɪdʒ/
a temporary loss of power or service (for example, electricity or internet)
Example
There was a power outage, so the elevator stopped working.
2

Work / Professional Life

Deadline
/ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/
the time by which something must be finished
Example
The deadline for the proposal is Monday at noon.
Efficient
/ɪˈfɪʃənt/
working in a way that saves time and resources
Example
Using a checklist helps me stay efficient during busy days.
Eligible
/ˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/
qualified or permitted to do something
Example
You are eligible for the bonus after six months of employment.
Experience
/ɪkˈspɪriəns/
knowledge or skill gained from doing something
Example
She has experience in customer service and scheduling.
Promotion
/prəˈmoʊʃən/
advancement to a higher position
Example
He received a promotion to team lead last month.
Reference
/ˈrɛfərəns/
a person who can vouch for your abilities
Example
Please provide a reference who can confirm your work history.
Responsibility
/rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
a duty or task you must do
Example
One responsibility of my role is training new staff.
Task
/tæsk/
a specific piece of work to complete
Example
I finished the task before the meeting started.
Vacancy
/ˈveɪkənsi/
an empty job position
Example
There is a vacancy in the marketing department.
Supervisor
/ˈsuːpərˌvaɪzər/
a person who manages employees
Example
My supervisor asked me to submit the report by Friday.
3

Education / Learning

Curriculum
/kəˈrɪkjələm/
the subjects taught in a course
Example
The curriculum includes grammar, writing, and presentation skills.
Degree
/dɪˈɡriː/
an academic qualification
Example
She earned a degree in business administration.
Enrollment
/ɪnˈroʊlmənt/
the process of registering for a course
Example
Enrollment closes on Friday, so register early.
Lecture
/ˈlɛktʃər/
an educational talk given to students
Example
The lecture covered exam strategies and note-taking.
Prerequisite
/priːˈrɛkwəzɪt/
something required before starting a course
Example
A prerequisite for this course is basic computer skills.
Scholarship
/ˈskɑːlərʃɪp/
financial aid based on merit
Example
He applied for a scholarship to help with tuition costs.
Semester
/səˈmɛstər/
half of an academic year
Example
The semester starts in September and ends in December.
Tuition
/tuːˈɪʃən/
fees paid for education
Example
Tuition is higher for international students.
Assignment
/əˈsaɪnmənt/
a piece of work students must complete
Example
We have a written assignment due next week.
4

Social Interaction / Communication

Acquaintance
/əˈkweɪntəns/
someone you know but not very well
Example
An acquaintance from my building recommended a good dentist.
Appointment
/əˈpɔɪntmənt/
a scheduled meeting
Example
I booked an appointment for 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Complaint
/kəmˈpleɪnt/
an expression of dissatisfaction
Example
I filed a complaint about the noisy construction at night.
Courtesy
/ˈkɝtəsi/
polite behaviour
Example
As a courtesy, the store offered a free replacement.
Gesture
/ˈdʒɛstʃər/
a movement or action that expresses meaning
Example
Bringing snacks was a thoughtful gesture.
Neighborly
/ˈneɪbərli/
friendly and helpful toward neighbours
Example
It was neighborly of him to shovel the sidewalk for others.
Polite
/pəˈlaɪt/
showing good manners
Example
Even in a disagreement, try to stay polite.
Request
/rɪˈkwɛst/
asking for something formally
Example
I made a request to change my shift next week.
Invitation
/ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/
a request to attend an event
Example
I sent an invitation to my neighbours for a small BBQ.
5

Describing People / Personality

Ambitious
/æmˈbɪʃəs/
eager to succeed
Example
She is ambitious and aims to improve her score quickly.
Considerate
/kənˈsɪdərət/
thoughtful of others
Example
It was considerate of you to notify everyone in advance.
Creative
/kriˈeɪtɪv/
able to make new ideas or things
Example
He is creative and finds new ways to practise vocabulary.
Dependable
/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/
trustworthy and reliable
Example
She is dependable and always arrives on time.
Flexible
/ˈflɛksəbəl/
able to adjust to new situations
Example
I'm flexible, so I can work either morning or evening shifts.
Generous
/ˈdʒɛnərəs/
willing to give or share
Example
He was generous and volunteered to help with extra tasks.
Patient
/ˈpeɪʃənt/
able to wait calmly
Example
Be patient while the staff investigates the issue.
Reliable
/rɪˈlaɪəbəl/
consistently good in performance
Example
Choose a reliable source of information for your research.
Organized
/ˈɔːrɡəˌnaɪzd/
able to plan and keep things in order
Example
She is organized and always prepares her materials in advance.
6

Problem Solving / Situations

Complaint
/kəmˈpleɪnt/
a problem or dissatisfaction
Example
The company responded to my complaint within two days.
Concern
/kənˈsɝn/
worry or interest about something
Example
My main concern is safety during winter driving.
Consequence
/ˈkɑːnsəˌkwɛns/
the result of an action
Example
A missed deadline can have a serious consequence.
Issue
/ˈɪʃuː/
a problem or topic of discussion
Example
There is an issue with the heating system.
Solution
/səˈluːʃən/
an answer to a problem
Example
A simple solution is to send reminders before the event.
Urgent
/ˈɝdʒənt/
requiring immediate attention
Example
This is urgent, so please call me as soon as possible.
Resolve
/rɪˈzɑːlv/
to find a solution
Example
We need to resolve the problem before it gets worse.
Challenge
/ˈtʃælɪndʒ/
a difficult task or situation
Example
Finding affordable housing can be a challenge.
Delay
/dɪˈleɪ/
something that makes you late or slows progress
Example
The bus delay caused many passengers to miss their connection.
7

Descriptive / Adjectives

Affordable
/əˈfɔrdəbəl/
reasonably priced
Example
This apartment is affordable compared to others downtown.
Convenient
/kənˈviːniənt/
easy to use or access
Example
The location is convenient because it's near transit.
Crowded
/ˈkraʊdɪd/
full of people
Example
The bus was crowded during rush hour.
Dilapidated
/dɪˈlæpɪˌdeɪtɪd/
in poor condition
Example
The building looked dilapidated and needed repairs.
Modern
/ˈmɑːdərn/
up-to-date
Example
The library has a modern study area with charging stations.
Obvious
/ˈɑːbviəs/
easily seen or understood
Example
It was obvious that the instructions were unclear.
Reliable
/rɪˈlaɪəbəl/
trustworthy
Example
Public transit is not always reliable in bad weather.
Spacious
/ˈspeɪʃəs/
having a lot of room
Example
The living room is spacious enough for a small desk.
Temporary
/ˈtɛmpəˌrɛri/
lasting for a short time
Example
This is a temporary solution until the repairs are finished.
8

Travel / Transportation

Accessible
/ækˈsɛsəbəl/
easy to reach or use
Example
The station is accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Commute
/kəˈmjuːt/
daily travel to work or school
Example
A shorter commute can improve work-life balance.
Destination
/ˌdɛstəˈneɪʃən/
the place you are going
Example
Vancouver was our final destination.
Itinerary
/aɪˈtɪnəˌrɛri/
a planned schedule of travel
Example
Our itinerary included a museum visit and a city tour.
Route
/ruːt/ (also /raʊt/)
a path or course
Example
Take this route to avoid traffic on the highway.
Traffic
/ˈtræfɪk/
vehicles on the road
Example
Heavy traffic caused a 20-minute delay.
Transport
/ˈtrænspɔːrt/
a system of moving people or goods
Example
Public transport is a good option in the city.
Vehicle
/ˈviːhɪkəl/
a car, bus, or other means of transport
Example
Please remove your vehicle from the loading zone.
Detour
/ˈdiːtʊr/ (also /ˈdiːtaʊr/)
a longer route taken to avoid a problem
Example
Because of road construction, we had to take a detour.