The dictation words for PTE may look short, but it plays a crucial role in boosting your listening and writing scores. Missing even a small word can make a big difference, which is why targeted practice is essential. In this blog, you’ll find a carefully prepared list of 150+ dictation words for PTE with meanings, along with expert tips to approach this task effectively. With regular practice, you’ll not only expand your vocabulary but also gain the confidence in the write from dictation task in the actual test.
Table of Contents
Here you will get a list of PTE dictation words with meaning and pronunciation that are commonly used in the PTE exam. Moreover, you need to be careful while hearing and ensure your spellings are on point. Otherwise, a correct answer with wrong spelling can result in an incorrect one. So here is the PTE vocabulary list with dictation words, meaning, and their pronunciation:
| Word | Meaning | UK Pronunciation | US Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access | The right to enter or use | /ˈæk.ses/ | /ˈæk.ses/ |
| Accurate | Correct and exact | /ˈæk.jʊ.rət/ | /ˈæk.jɚ.ət/ |
| Adapt | To change to suit conditions | /əˈdæpt/ | /əˈdæpt/ |
| Adequate | Enough, satisfactory | /ˈæd.ɪ.kwət/ | /ˈæd.ə.kwət/ |
| Analysis | Detailed study | /əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/ | /əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/ |
| Annual | Yearly | /ˈæn.ju.əl/ | /ˈæn.ju.əl/ |
| Argument | Reason or explanation | /ˈɑːɡ.jʊ.mənt/ | /ˈɑːrɡ.jə.mənt/ |
| Assignment | Task given to someone | /əˈsaɪn.mənt/ | /əˈsaɪn.mənt/ |
| Assume | To suppose without proof | /əˈsjuːm/ | /əˈsuːm/ |
| Audience | People watching or listening | /ˈɔː.di.əns/ | /ˈɑː.di.əns/ |
| Authority | Power to control | /ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/ | /əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/ |
| Benefit | An advantage, profit | /ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/ | /ˈben.ə.fɪt/ |
| Candidate | Person applying for job/exam | /ˈkæn.dɪ.dət/ | /ˈkæn.dɪ.deɪt/ |
| Category | A group or type | /ˈkæt.ɪ.ɡəri/ | /ˈkæt̬.ə.ɡɔːr.i/ |
| Challenge | A difficult task | /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/ | /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/ |
| Committee | A group for a purpose | /kəˈmɪt.i/ | /kəˈmɪt̬.i/ |
| Communication | Exchange of information | /kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | /kəˌmjuː.nəˈkeɪ.ʃən/ |
| Comparison | Finding similarities/differences | /kəmˈpær.ɪ.sən/ | /kəmˈper.ɪ.sən/ |
| Competition | Trying to win | /ˌkɒm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/ | /ˌkɑːm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/ |
| Complex | Complicated, not simple | /ˈkɒm.pleks/ | /ˈkɑːm.pleks/ |
| Conclusion | Final part or result | /kənˈkluː.ʒən/ | /kənˈkluː.ʒən/ |
| Confident | Certain, sure | /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dənt/ | /ˈkɑːn.fɪ.dənt/ |
| Consequence | Result of an action | /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/ | /ˈkɑːn.sə.kwəns/ |
| Consider | Think carefully | /kənˈsɪd.ər/ | /kənˈsɪd.ɚ/ |
| Consistent | Always the same | /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ | /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ |
| Context | Situation, background | /ˈkɒn.tekst/ | /ˈkɑːn.tekst/ |
| Contrast | Difference | /ˈkɒn.trɑːst/ | /ˈkɑːn.træst/ |
| Convenient | Easy to use, suitable | /kənˈviː.ni.ənt/ | /kənˈviː.ni.ənt/ |
| Critical | Very important | /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl/ | /ˈkrɪt̬.ɪ.kəl/ |
| Curriculum | Subjects taught in school | /kəˈrɪk.jʊ.ləm/ | /kəˈrɪk.jə.ləm/ |
| Data | Facts and information | /ˈdeɪ.tə/ | /ˈdæt̬.ə/ |
| Debate | Formal discussion | /dɪˈbeɪt/ | /dɪˈbeɪt/ |
| Decision | Choice made | /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ | /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ |
| Define | To explain meaning | /dɪˈfaɪn/ | /dɪˈfaɪn/ |
| Demonstrate | Show clearly | /ˈdem.ən.streɪt/ | /ˈdem.ən.streɪt/ |
| Department | A division of an organization | /dɪˈpɑːt.mənt/ | /dɪˈpɑːrt.mənt/ |
| Describe | To say what something is like | /dɪˈskraɪb/ | /dɪˈskraɪb/ |
| Design | A plan or drawing | /dɪˈzaɪn/ | /dɪˈzaɪn/ |
| Detail | Small part of something | /ˈdiː.teɪl/ | /ˈdiː.teɪl/ |
| Develop | To grow or improve | /dɪˈvel.əp/ | /dɪˈvel.əp/ |
| Device | A machine or tool | /dɪˈvaɪs/ | /dɪˈvaɪs/ |
| Difference | A way things are not the same | /ˈdɪf.ər.əns/ | /ˈdɪf.ɚ.əns/ |
| Difficulty | Hardship, trouble | /ˈdɪf.ɪ.kəl.ti/ | /ˈdɪf.ə.kəl.t̬i/ |
| Discussion | Talking about something | /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ | /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ |
| Economy | System of money and trade | /iˈkɒn.ə.mi/ | /iˈkɑː.nə.mi/ |
| Education | Process of learning | /ˌedʒ.uˈkeɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/ |
| Effective | Producing the right result | /ɪˈfek.tɪv/ | /ɪˈfek.tɪv/ |
| Efficient | Working well without waste | /ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ | /ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ |
| Element | A basic part | /ˈel.ɪ.mənt/ | /ˈel.ə.mənt/ |
| Emphasis | Special importance | /ˈem.fə.sɪs/ | /ˈem.fə.sɪs/ |
| Environment | Surroundings, nature | /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/ | /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt/ |
| Establish | To set up | /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/ | /ɪˈstæb.lɪʃ/ |
| Estimate | Rough calculation | /ˈes.tɪ.mət/ | /ˈes.tə.mət/ |
| Evidence | Proof | /ˈev.ɪ.dəns/ | /ˈev.ə.dəns/ |
| Example | A model, sample | /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ | /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/ |
| Experience | Knowledge from doing | /ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns/ | /ɪkˈspɪr.i.əns/ |
| Expert | A skilled person | /ˈek.spɜːt/ | /ˈek.spɝːt/ |
| Factor | A cause or element | /ˈfæk.tər/ | /ˈfæk.tɚ/ |
| Feature | A special quality | /ˈfiː.tʃər/ | /ˈfiː.tʃɚ/ |
| Final | Last, ending | /ˈfaɪ.nəl/ | /ˈfaɪ.nəl/ |
| Focus | To concentrate | /ˈfəʊ.kəs/ | /ˈfoʊ.kəs/ |
| Function | Purpose of something | /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ | /ˈfʌŋk.ʃən/ |
| Global | Worldwide | /ˈɡləʊ.bəl/ | /ˈɡloʊ.bəl/ |
| Government | System of ruling a country | /ˈɡʌv.ən.mənt/ | /ˈɡʌv.ɚn.mənt/ |
| Graduate | Person with a degree | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ | /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/ |
| Highlight | To emphasize | /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ | /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ |
| Identify | Recognize, point out | /aɪˈden.tɪ.faɪ/ | /aɪˈden.t̬ə.faɪ/ |
| Impact | Strong effect | /ˈɪm.pækt/ | /ˈɪm.pækt/ |
| Important | Of great value | /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt/ | /ɪmˈpɔːr.tənt/ |
| Improve | Make better | /ɪmˈpruːv/ | /ɪmˈpruːv/ |
| Include | To contain | /ɪnˈkluːd/ | /ɪnˈkluːd/ |
| Independent | Free, not controlled | /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt/ | /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt/ |
| Industry | Business, trade | /ˈɪn.də.stri/ | /ˈɪn.də.stri/ |
| Influence | Power to affect | /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ | /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ |
| Information | Knowledge or facts | /ˌɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌɪn.fɚˈmeɪ.ʃən/ |
| Initial | First, beginning | /ɪˈnɪʃ.əl/ | /ɪˈnɪʃ.əl/ |
| Innovation | New idea, method | /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ |
| Institute | Organization for education | /ˈɪn.stɪ.tʃuːt/ | /ˈɪn.stɪ.tuːt/ |
| Interest | Curiosity or benefit | /ˈɪn.trəst/ | /ˈɪn.trəst/ |
| International | Between nations | /ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl/ | /ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈnæʃ.ən.əl/ |
| Introduce | Present, bring in | /ˌɪn.trəˈdjuːs/ | /ˌɪn.trəˈduːs/ |
| Issue | Problem or topic | /ˈɪʃ.uː/ | /ˈɪʃ.uː/ |
| Knowledge | Information, understanding | /ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ/ | /ˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/ |
| Lecture | Educational talk | /ˈlek.tʃər/ | /ˈlek.tʃɚ/ |
| Legal | Related to law | /ˈliː.ɡəl/ | /ˈliː.ɡəl/ |
| Library | Place with books | /ˈlaɪ.brəri/ | /ˈlaɪ.brer.i/ |
| Logic | Correct reasoning | /ˈlɒdʒ.ɪk/ | /ˈlɑː.dʒɪk/ |
| Maintain | Keep in good condition | /meɪnˈteɪn/ | /meɪnˈteɪn/ |
| Majority | More than half | /məˈdʒɒr.ɪ.ti/ | /məˈdʒɔːr.ə.t̬i/ |
| Manage | Control or handle | /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ | /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ |
| Method | Way of doing something | /ˈmeθ.əd/ | /ˈmeθ.əd/ |
| Modern | Present-day, new | /ˈmɒd.ən/ | /ˈmɑː.dɚn/ |
| Motivation | Reason for action | /ˌməʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌmoʊ.t̬əˈveɪ.ʃən/ |
| National | Related to a nation | /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl/ | /ˈnæʃ.ən.əl/ |
| Necessary | Needed | /ˈnes.ə.sər.i/ | /ˈnes.ə.ser.i/ |
| Network | System of connections | /ˈnet.wɜːk/ | /ˈnet.wɝːk/ |
| Normal | Usual, regular | /ˈnɔː.məl/ | /ˈnɔːr.məl/ |
| Objective | Goal, purpose | /əbˈdʒek.tɪv/ | /əbˈdʒek.tɪv/ |
| Observation | Careful watching | /ˌɒb.zəˈveɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌɑːb.zɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ |
| Opportunity | Chance | /ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.ti/ | /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nə.t̬i/ |
| Option | Choice | /ˈɒp.ʃən/ | /ˈɑːp.ʃən/ |
| Organize | Arrange systematically | /ˈɔː.ɡə.naɪz/ | /ˈɔːr.ɡə.naɪz/ |
| Participate | To take part | /pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/ | /pɑːrˈtɪs.ə.peɪt/ |
| Particular | Specific | /pəˈtɪk.jʊ.lər/ | /pɚˈtɪk.jə.lɚ/ |
| Period | Length of time | /ˈpɪə.ri.əd/ | /ˈpɪr.i.əd/ |
| Policy | Plan of action | /ˈpɒl.ə.si/ | /ˈpɑː.lə.si/ |
| Popular | Liked by many | /ˈpɒp.jʊ.lər/ | /ˈpɑː.pjə.lɚ/ |
| Positive | Good, hopeful | /ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv/ | /ˈpɑː.zə.t̬ɪv/ |
| Potential | Possible, capable | /pəˈten.ʃəl/ | /poʊˈten.ʃəl/ |
| Practical | Useful, realistic | /ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl/ | /ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl/ |
| Predict | Say in advance | /prɪˈdɪkt/ | /prɪˈdɪkt/ |
| Prepare | Get ready | /prɪˈpeə/ | /prɪˈper/ |
| Present | To show or give | /ˈprez.ənt/ | /ˈprez.ənt/ |
| Pressure | Stress, force | /ˈpreʃ.ər/ | /ˈpreʃ.ɚ/ |
| Primary | Main, first | /ˈpraɪ.mər.i/ | /ˈpraɪ.mer.i/ |
| Principle | Basic rule | /ˈprɪn.sɪ | |
| Quality | Standard of something compared to others | /ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/ | /ˈkwɑː.lə.t̬i/ |
| Quantity | The amount or number of something | /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/ | /ˈkwɑːn.t̬ə.t̬i/ |
| Question | A sentence to get information | /ˈkwes.tʃən/ | /ˈkwes.tʃən/ |
| Range | The variety between limits | /reɪndʒ/ | /reɪndʒ/ |
| Reaction | A response to an action or event | /riˈæk.ʃən/ | /riˈæk.ʃən/ |
| Recommendation | A suggestion or advice | /ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/ |
| Reference | A mention or source of information | /ˈref.ərəns/ | /ˈref.ɚ.əns/ |
| Region | A particular area or part | /ˈriː.dʒən/ | /ˈriː.dʒən/ |
| Regulation | An official rule or law | /ˌreɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/ | /ˌreɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/ |
| Research | Careful study to discover new information | /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/ | /ˈriː.sɝːtʃ/ |
| Resource | Supply of something useful | /rɪˈzɔːs/ | /ˈriː.sɔːrs/ |
| Response | An answer or reply | /rɪˈspɒns/ | /rɪˈspɑːns/ |
| Role | The function or position of a person | /rəʊl/ | /roʊl/ |
| Schedule | A plan of activities or events | /ˈʃed.juːl/ | /ˈskedʒ.uːl/ |
| Section | A part of something larger | /ˈsek.ʃən/ | /ˈsek.ʃən/ |
| Sector | A part of an area or activity | /ˈsek.tər/ | /ˈsek.tɚ/ |
| Selection | The act of choosing | /sɪˈlek.ʃən/ | /səˈlek.ʃən/ |
| Seminar | A class or meeting for discussion | /ˈsem.ɪ.nɑːr/ | /ˈsem.ə.nɑːr/ |
| Sequence | Things arranged in order | /ˈsiː.kwəns/ | /ˈsiː.kwəns/ |
| Similar | Nearly the same | /ˈsɪm.ɪ.lər/ | /ˈsɪm.ə.lɚ/ |
| Source | Where something comes from | /sɔːs/ | /sɔːrs/ |
| Specific | Clearly defined or identified | /spəˈsɪf.ɪk/ | /spəˈsɪf.ɪk/ |
| Strategy | A plan of action | /ˈstræt.ə.dʒi/ | /ˈstræt̬.ə.dʒi/ |
| Structure | The arrangement of parts | /ˈstrʌk.tʃər/ | /ˈstrʌk.tʃɚ/ |
| Subject | A topic or area of study | /ˈsʌb.dʒɪkt/ | /ˈsʌb.dʒekt/ |
| Summary | A short statement of main points | /ˈsʌm.ər.i/ | /ˈsʌm.ɚ.i/ |
| Support | Help or assistance | /səˈpɔːt/ | /səˈpɔːrt/ |
| Survey | To ask questions or collect data | /ˈsɜː.veɪ/ | /ˈsɝː.veɪ/ |
| Symbol | A mark or sign representing something | /ˈsɪm.bəl/ | /ˈsɪm.bəl/ |
| System | A set of connected things working together | /ˈsɪs.təm/ | /ˈsɪs.təm/ |
| Technology | Use of science for practical purposes | /tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/ | /tekˈnɑː.lə.dʒi/ |
| Theory | An idea that explains something | /ˈθɪə.ri/ | /ˈθɪr.i/ |
| Topic | The subject of discussion | /ˈtɒp.ɪk/ | /ˈtɑː.pɪk/ |
| Tradition | A custom passed down over time | /trəˈdɪʃ.ən/ | /trəˈdɪʃ.ən/ |
| Transport | Movement of people or goods | /ˈtræn.spɔːt/ | /ˈtræn.spɔːrt/ |
| Understanding | Knowledge about something | /ˌʌn.dəˈstæn.dɪŋ/ | /ˌʌn.dɚˈstæn.dɪŋ/ |
| University | A place for higher education | /ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti/ | /ˌjuː.nəˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/ |
| Valid | Based on truth or fact | /ˈvæl.ɪd/ | /ˈvæl.ɪd/ |
| Value | Importance or worth of something | /ˈvæl.juː/ | /ˈvæl.juː/ |
| Variable | Likely to change | /ˈveə.ri.ə.bəl/ | /ˈver.i.ə.bəl/ |
| Variety | A number of different types | /vəˈraɪ.ə.ti/ | /vəˈraɪ.ə.t̬i/ |
| Volume | Amount of space something takes up | /ˈvɒl.juːm/ | /ˈvɑːl.juːm/ |
| Welfare | Health, happiness, and wellbeing | /ˈwel.feər/ | /ˈwel.fer/ |
| Whereas | In contrast or comparison | /weərˈæz/ | /werˈæz/ |
| Widespread | Found over a large area | /ˈwaɪd.spred/ | /ˈwaɪd.spred/ |
| Youth | The period of being young | /juːθ/ | /juːθ/ |
Also read: PTE reading rules
While the task is designed to be straightforward, candidates still face several challenges that impact their performance. So let’s explore some of them in detail to ensure you do not struggle with them on the test day:
These are the challenges that you can also encounter on the actual test. Thus, to overcome or avoid them, you can take a PTE listening mock test and figure out what areas you are battling with.
Now you know the areas that you are struggling in, so it is time to get along with the tactics to overcome them. Here are invaluable tips to enhance your skills in dictation for PTE task:
Learning difficult words for PTE is crucial to scoring well on the test. With the list of 150+ dictation words for PTE this blog will help you learn them easily. It also lets you know about the meaning and pronunciation of each word, so you get the entire dictation words PTE list. Regular practice and joining PTE coaching online at Gradding.com will help you to enhance your accuracy for the PTE exam and level up your preparation to achieve a higher score.
Enroll for the best PTE Coaching classes online and get desire score in your first Attempt
Book Free PTE MasterclassThe dictation task in PTE requires you to listen to a short sentence and type it exactly as heard. Usually, there are 3–4 dictation questions in the Listening section.
The scoring in the PTE is based on content, spelling, and word order. Each correct word earns points.
It is considered challenging because sentences are spoken quickly, and test-takers may miss words due to speed, accent, or background noise.
No, the audio is played only once in the exam. So you need to focus well while listening.
The best way to practice is to listen to short news clips, podcasts, or YouTube videos, pause, and write exactly what you hear.
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