English vocabulary by topic
Health Vocabulary
Describe how you feel, arrange an appointment and discuss health services in English. This guide teaches language for everyday conversations and exam practice. Notice whether a word names a sign of illness, a professional judgement or a way of managing a condition: symptom, diagnosis and treatment are not interchangeable.
20 words and phrases · A2–C1 teaching levels · 5 quiz questions
How to use this vocabulary naturally
Learn make an appointment, have a headache and recover from an illness. Use doctor, patient and prescription for their distinct roles. The example sentences illustrate vocabulary rather than recommending a diagnosis or treatment.
Vocabulary by level
Levels are approximate teaching guides for the meanings shown, not official CEFR word classifications. Start where you feel comfortable and practise each word in your own sentence.
A2 — Everyday essentials
doctor
A2noun
a qualified medical professional who assesses and treats illness
Example: The doctor asked me to describe when the pain began.
patient
A2noun
a person receiving medical care
Example: The receptionist asked the patient to confirm their name.
appointment
A2noun
an arrangement to meet someone at an agreed time
Example: I made an appointment at the clinic for Thursday.
headache
A2noun
pain in the head
Example: She said she had a headache during the meeting.
rest
A2noun or verb
a period of stopping activity to relax or recover
Example: After the long journey, I wanted some rest.
B1 — Build your range
symptom
B1noun
a change in the body or mind that may indicate a condition
Example: The nurse asked when the first symptom appeared.
pain
B1noun
an unpleasant physical feeling associated with hurt or illness
Example: He described a sharp pain in his shoulder.
cough
B1noun or verb
an action of forcing air out of the throat, often with a sudden sound
Example: The patient mentioned a cough during the consultation.
medicine
B1noun
a substance used to prevent or treat a health condition
Example: She asked the pharmacist a question about her medicine.
exercise
B1uncountable noun
physical activity performed to maintain or improve fitness
Example: Walking is the form of exercise he enjoys most.
healthy
B1adjective
in good health or associated with good health
Example: The lesson compares everyday uses of healthy and unhealthy.
recover
B1verb
to return towards health after illness or injury
Example: He needed time to recover from the operation.
B2 — More precise language
diagnosis
B2noun
the identification of a condition after assessment
Example: The doctor explained the diagnosis in plain language.
treatment
B2noun
care or a procedure intended to manage a condition
Example: The patient asked what the treatment would involve.
prescription
B2noun
an instruction from an authorised clinician for medicine or treatment
Example: She took the prescription to the pharmacy.
nutrition
B2uncountable noun
the process or study of obtaining and using nutrients from food
Example: Our class discussed how nutrition is described in food advertising.
wellbeing
B2uncountable noun
a person's overall state of feeling and functioning well
Example: The survey asked employees about their wellbeing.
preventive care
B2noun phrase
care intended to reduce the risk of illness or identify problems early
Example: The discussion focused on access to preventive care.
C1 — Extend your expression
rehabilitation
C1uncountable noun
support or treatment to help restore abilities after illness or injury
Example: She described her rehabilitation experience in a personal essay.
sedentary
C1adjective
involving much sitting and little physical movement
Example: His new job is more sedentary than his previous outdoor role.
Common mistakes and better choices
Check: I have headache.
Use: I have a headache.
Headache is a countable noun in this expression and normally needs a determiner.
Check: She is very health.
Use: She is very healthy.
Healthy is the adjective; health is the noun.
Check: He is recovering of an illness.
Use: He is recovering from an illness.
Use recover from when naming an illness, injury or other difficulty.
IELTS speaking examples
These original practice prompts are not official test questions or scored answers. Adapt the language to your own experience. The Part 2 extract is an opening to expand into a longer response.
Part 1
How do you make time for exercise?
I prefer walking because it fits into my routine. My work is fairly sedentary, so I enjoy going outside after lunch. It is also a chance to take a break from the screen.
Practise: Describe your own routine without presenting it as medical advice.
Part 2 — sample opening
Describe a change you made to your daily routine.
I started taking a short walk after work instead of going straight home to my desk. I chose something simple because my schedule was busy. I enjoy the exercise, but I also value the quiet time and the chance to notice my neighbourhood.
Practise: Continue with when you began, how you maintained the change and how you felt about it.
Part 3
What can make health services easier to use?
Clear appointment systems and understandable information can make a difference. Patients need opportunities to ask about a diagnosis or treatment without feeling rushed. Access also depends on practical issues, such as transport and opening hours.
Practise: Discuss communication and access rather than making clinical claims.
Check your understanding
Five-question vocabulary quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Your first choice is scored; read the explanation before moving on.
0 of 5 answered · 0 correct