Vocabulary Booster: 20 Must-Know Words for IBPS PO Exam

A strong vocabulary is essential to crack the English Language section of the IBPS PO exam. Whether it’s reading comprehension, fill in the blanks, or sentence improvement, knowing the right word with its correct meaning and usage can help you solve questions quickly and accurately. This vocabulary booster will guide you through 20 important words that are often seen in bank exams and can strengthen your preparation.

Why Vocabulary Matters in IBPS PO Exam?

In the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains exams, vocabulary based questions often appear in reading comprehension and cloze tests. If you’re not familiar with the meanings of key words, it can slow you down or lead to mistakes. A strong vocabulary improves your reading speed and comprehension accuracy, which is essential in a timed exam.

20 Must-Know Words for IBPS PO Exam

Vocabulary is not just about memorizing words. It’s about understanding their usage in context. Regular reading, writing practice, and daily revision can turn even complex words into part of your active vocabulary. With these 20 powerful words and a strong learning method, you’ll be better prepared for the English section of the IBPS PO exam.

1. Alleviate
Meaning: To reduce or ease
Example: The medicine helped alleviate her pain.

2. Prudent
Meaning: Wise or careful in decision making
Example: It was a prudent move to invest in savings early.

3. Diligent
Meaning: Hardworking and focused
Example: She is a diligent student who always completes her tasks.

4. Scrutinize
Meaning: To examine closely
Example: The manager scrutinized the report before approving it.

5. Ambiguous
Meaning: Not clear or having multiple meanings
Example: His answer was ambiguous and caused confusion.

6. Inevitable
Meaning: Certain to happen
Example: With rising cases, a lockdown seemed inevitable.

7. Reluctant
Meaning: Unwilling or hesitant
Example: He was reluctant to speak in public.

8. Mitigate
Meaning: To make less severe
Example: Steps were taken to mitigate the risks involved.

9. Arduous
Meaning: Difficult and tiring
Example: Climbing the mountain was an arduous task.

10. Discrepancy
Meaning: A difference or inconsistency
Example: There was a discrepancy in the financial report.

11. Consensus
Meaning: General agreement
Example: The team reached a consensus after long discussion.

12. Feasible
Meaning: Possible or achievable
Example: The plan is feasible with the available resources.

13. Emphasize
Meaning: To highlight or stress upon
Example: The teacher emphasized the importance of grammar.

14. Volatile
Meaning: Unstable or unpredictable
Example: The market remained volatile throughout the day.

15. Comprehend
Meaning: To understand
Example: He couldn’t comprehend the meaning of the paragraph.

16. Imply
Meaning: To suggest indirectly
Example: His words implied that he was not interested.

17. Assertive
Meaning: Confident and direct in speech or behavior
Example: She is assertive in expressing her opinions.

18. Resilient
Meaning: Able to recover quickly
Example: Children are often resilient to change.

19. Coherent
Meaning: Logical and consistent
Example: His speech was clear and coherent.

20. Repercussion
Meaning: A consequence or result
Example: His decision had serious repercussions on the team.

How to Learn and Retain Vocabulary?

To improve your vocabulary, make it a habit to read daily. Newspapers and editorials are great sources of new words. Focus on unfamiliar terms and note them down. Maintain a word bank in a notebook or digital format where you can write meanings and examples. Practice using these new words in your own sentences to better understand and remember them. Lastly, revise your word list every few days to keep the vocabulary fresh in your mind.