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11 Plus Vocabulary Words Starting With I

36 words with meanings, synonyms, antonyms & example sentences

These are the 36 vocabulary words starting with I from our free 565-word 11 plus vocabulary list, from idiosyncrasy to isolation including 8 advanced words of the kind that separates top verbal reasoning scores. Each entry shows the meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example sentence — the exact skills tested in GL and CEM verbal reasoning, comprehension and cloze questions. You can also download the full list as a free PDF or practise these words with our free vocabulary games.

idiosyncrasy

/ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkrəsi/noun
Advanced

A distinctive or peculiar habit, behavior, or characteristic unique to an individual

“Her idiosyncrasy of humming while working amused her colleagues.”

Synonyms: quirk, peculiarity, eccentricity, mannerism

Antonyms: normality, conformity, convention

idle

/ˈaɪdl/adjective
Intermediate

Not active or in use; avoiding work; lazy or without purpose

“The machines sat idle during the factory's summer shutdown.”

Synonyms: inactive, unused, lazy, unoccupied

Antonyms: busy, active, industrious

idol

/ˈaɪdl/noun
Intermediate

A person or thing that is greatly admired and loved; an image used as an object of worship

“The pop star was an idol to millions of teenagers worldwide.”

Synonyms: hero, icon, star, role model

ignorant

/ˈɪɡnərənt/adjective
Intermediate

Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something

“She was ignorant of the company's financial troubles until the announcement.”

Synonyms: unaware, uninformed, uneducated, unknowing

Antonyms: knowledgeable, informed, educated

imitate

/ˈɪmɪteɪt/verb
Intermediate

To copy or reproduce the actions, appearance, or sounds of someone or something

“Children often imitate the behavior of their parents.”

Synonyms: copy, mimic, emulate, replicate

Antonyms: originate, innovate, create

immediate

/ɪˈmiːdiət/adjective
Intermediate

Occurring or done without delay; nearest in time, relationship, or space

“The patient requires immediate medical attention.”

Synonyms: instant, prompt, urgent, direct

Antonyms: delayed, distant, eventual

immediately

/ɪˈmiːdiətli/adverb
Intermediate

Without any delay; at once; instantly

“Please report any suspicious activity immediately.”

Synonyms: instantly, promptly, straightaway, directly

Antonyms: later, eventually, gradually

immerse

/ɪˈmɜːs/verb
Intermediate

To dip or submerge completely in liquid; to involve oneself deeply in an activity or interest

“She decided to immerse herself in Japanese culture by moving to Tokyo.”

Synonyms: submerge, plunge, engross, absorb

Antonyms: withdraw, extract, surface

impudent

/ˈɪmpjʊdənt/adjective
Advanced

Showing a lack of respect; rudely bold or disrespectful

“The impudent student interrupted the teacher mid-sentence.”

Synonyms: rude, disrespectful, insolent, impertinent

Antonyms: respectful, polite, courteous

inaudible

/ɪnˈɔːdɪbl/adjective
Intermediate

Unable to be heard; too quiet or unclear to be perceived by the ear

“Her whisper was almost inaudible in the noisy restaurant.”

Synonyms: unhearable, silent, muted, faint

Antonyms: audible, loud, clear

inaugural

/ɪˈnɔːɡjʊrəl/adjective
Advanced

Marking the beginning of a new venture or the start of someone's time in office

“The president gave a moving inaugural address.”

Synonyms: first, opening, initial, maiden

Antonyms: final, closing, concluding

inaugurate

/ɪˈnɔːɡjʊreɪt/verb
Advanced

To formally begin or introduce a new system, policy, or period; to admit someone to office with a ceremony

“The mayor will inaugurate the new community center next week.”

Synonyms: initiate, launch, commence, introduce

Antonyms: terminate, conclude, end

incision

/ɪnˈsɪʒən/noun
Intermediate

A surgical cut made in skin or flesh; a clean, precise cut

“The surgeon made a small incision to begin the procedure.”

Synonyms: cut, gash, slit, slash

Antonyms: closure, seal

inconspicuous

/ˌɪnkənˈspɪkjʊəs/adjective
Advanced

Not clearly visible or attracting attention; not easily noticed

“The security cameras were placed in inconspicuous locations.”

Synonyms: unnoticeable, unobtrusive, hidden, subtle

Antonyms: conspicuous, noticeable, obvious

individual

/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/noun
Intermediate

A single person distinct from a group or class; a unique entity

“Each individual has the right to express their opinion.”

Synonyms: person, being, human, character

Antonyms: group, collective, mass

inedible

/ɪnˈɛdɪbl/adjective
Intermediate

Not suitable or safe for eating; unfit for consumption

“Some wild mushrooms are inedible and can be poisonous.”

Synonyms: uneatable, unpalatable, toxic, harmful

Antonyms: edible, eatable, palatable

inferior

/ɪnˈfɪəriə/adjective
Intermediate

Lower in rank, quality, or importance compared to something else

“The counterfeit product was of inferior quality.”

Synonyms: lesser, lower, subordinate, substandard

Antonyms: superior, better, higher

influence

/ˈɪnflʊəns/noun
Intermediate

The capacity to have an effect on someone's character, development, or behavior; power to shape outcomes

“Parents have a significant influence on their children's values.”

Synonyms: power, impact, effect, authority

Antonyms: powerlessness, weakness, insignificance

inhabit

/ɪnˈhæbɪt/verb
Intermediate

To live in or occupy a place; to be present in a particular area

“Many rare species inhabit the depths of the ocean.”

Synonyms: occupy, reside, dwell, live

Antonyms: vacate, abandon, leave

inhabitants

/ɪnˈhæbɪtənts/noun
Intermediate

People or animals that live in a particular place

“The island's inhabitants depend on fishing for their livelihood.”

Synonyms: residents, occupants, dwellers, population

Antonyms: visitors, tourists, outsiders

innocuous

/ɪˈnɒkjʊəs/adjective
Advanced

Not harmful or offensive; unlikely to cause any damage or controversy

“What seemed like an innocuous remark actually hurt her feelings.”

Synonyms: harmless, safe, inoffensive, mild

Antonyms: harmful, dangerous, offensive

insane

/ɪnˈseɪn/adjective
Intermediate

In a state of mental illness; extremely foolish or irrational

“The prices at that restaurant are absolutely insane.”

Synonyms: crazy, mad, irrational, absurd

Antonyms: sane, rational, sensible

insert

/ɪnˈsɜːt/verb
Intermediate

To place or put something into something else; to add something in between

“Please insert your card into the machine.”

Synonyms: put in, introduce, add, place

Antonyms: remove, extract, withdraw

insolent

/ˈɪnsələnt/adjective
Advanced

Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect

“The insolent teenager rolled his eyes at his parents.”

Synonyms: disrespectful, rude, impudent, impertinent

Antonyms: respectful, polite, courteous

inspire

/ɪnˈspaɪə/verb
Intermediate

To fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something creative or positive

“Her courage inspired others to stand up for their beliefs.”

Synonyms: motivate, encourage, stimulate, influence

Antonyms: discourage, dishearten, demotivate

intangible

/ɪnˈtændʒɪbl/adjective
Advanced

Unable to be touched or grasped; not having a physical presence but still perceptible

“Trust and loyalty are intangible but invaluable assets.”

Synonyms: abstract, immaterial, incorporeal, invisible

Antonyms: tangible, physical, concrete

intense

/ɪnˈtɛns/adjective
Intermediate

Of extreme force, degree, or strength; deeply felt or highly concentrated

“The intense heat of the desert was almost unbearable.”

Synonyms: extreme, severe, powerful, fierce

Antonyms: mild, weak, gentle

intention

/ɪnˈtɛnʃən/noun
Intermediate

A thing intended; a plan or aim that guides action

“Her intention was to finish the project before the deadline.”

Synonyms: aim, purpose, goal, plan

Antonyms: accident, chance, aimlessness

interested

/ˈɪntrəstɪd/adjective
Intermediate

Showing curiosity or concern about something; wanting to learn more or be involved

“She was deeply interested in ancient history.”

Synonyms: curious, fascinated, engaged, attentive

Antonyms: uninterested, indifferent, bored

interfere

/ˌɪntəˈfɪə/verb
Intermediate

To get involved in a situation where one's involvement is not wanted; to obstruct a process

“Please don't interfere with our plans.”

Synonyms: meddle, intrude, intervene, obstruct

Antonyms: assist, help, support

interior

/ɪnˈtɪəriə/noun
Intermediate

The inner part or inside of something; the internal affairs of a country

“The interior of the house was beautifully decorated.”

Synonyms: inside, inner part, core, internal

Antonyms: exterior, outside, surface

interpret

/ɪnˈtɜːprɪt/verb
Intermediate

To explain or understand the meaning of something; to translate spoken words from one language to another

“Different readers may interpret the poem in various ways.”

Synonyms: explain, understand, translate, decode

Antonyms: misunderstand, misinterpret, confuse

interrogate

/ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt/verb
Intermediate

To ask questions of someone closely and aggressively, especially in an official context

“The police interrogated the suspect for several hours.”

Synonyms: question, examine, grill, cross-examine

Antonyms: answer, respond, reply

interrupt

/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/verb
Intermediate

To stop something from continuing by breaking in; to cut into someone's speech

“Please don't interrupt me while I'm speaking.”

Synonyms: disturb, disrupt, break in, cut off

Antonyms: continue, resume, maintain

invalid

/ɪnˈvælɪd/adjective
Intermediate

Not legally or officially acceptable; having no force or foundation

“The contract was declared invalid due to missing signatures.”

Synonyms: void, null, illegitimate, unacceptable

Antonyms: valid, legitimate, legal

isolation

/ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/noun
Intermediate

The state of being separated from others; the condition of being alone or apart

“The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of infection.”

Synonyms: solitude, seclusion, separation, segregation

Antonyms: connection, togetherness, integration

← Words starting with HWords starting with J →

Turn these 36 words into marks

The interactive word list adds British audio pronunciation, memory tips and progress tracking for every word — and our 6 free vocabulary games turn revision into play.

Open the Interactive Word ListPlay Vocabulary Games

More 11+ vocabulary resources

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