100 English Words Pronounced Differently as Nouns and Verbs (with Definitions and Examples)

In English, many words are pronounced differently depending on whether they are used as a noun or a verb.
Typically:

Noun ➔ Stress on the FIRST syllable
Verb ➔ Stress on the SECOND syllable

This difference is very important in IELTS Speaking and Listening.
Misplacing the stress may cause misunderstandings and could lower your band score.

Below are 100 essential words, with stress clearly marked (capitalized in definitions and examples), plus sample sentences to help you master them.

100 Words (with Stress)

(Format: Word — Noun: pronunciation and meaning / Verb: pronunciation and meaning — Examples)

Accent — Noun: AC-cent (distinct pronunciation) / Verb: ac-CENT (to emphasize)
“Her ACcent was easy to understand.” / “You should acCENT the key points.”
Address — Noun: AD-dress (location) / Verb: ad-DRESS (to speak to; handle)
“Write your ADdress carefully.” / “He will adDRESS the issue.”
Affix — Noun: AF-fix (a prefix or suffix) / Verb: af-FIX (to attach or stick on)
“The AFfix changed the meaning of the word.” / “AfFIX the stamp to the envelope.”
Aggregate — Noun: AG-gregate (a total amount or sum) / Verb: ag-GREgate (to collect or combine)
“The AGgregate of the votes was announced.” / “We must agGREgate the results.”
Ally — Noun: AL-ly (a partner or supporter) / Verb: al-LY (to unite with another)
“France was an ALly during the war.” / “They will alLY themselves with others.”
Attribute — Noun: AT-tribute (a quality or characteristic) / Verb: at-TRIBute (to credit to)
“Patience is a useful ATtribute.” / “He atTRIButed his success to hard work.”
Augment — Noun: AUG-ment (an increase or addition) / Verb: aug-MENT (to enlarge or enhance)
“The AUGment in population is noticeable.” / “They augMENT their income by freelancing.”
Bass — Noun: BASS (low-frequency sound or fish) / Verb: (Verb use rare, typically not stressed differently)
“The BASS shook the entire building.” / “He played a BASS guitar.”
Billow — Noun: BIL-low (a large wave or mass) / Verb: bil-LOW (to swell or puff out)
“A BILlow of smoke rose into the sky.” / “The sails bilLOWed in the strong wind.”
Buffet — Noun: BUF-fet (a meal where guests serve themselves) / Verb: buf-FET (to strike repeatedly)
“The hotel served an excellent BUFfet.” / “Winds bufFETed the ship violently.”

Combat — Noun: COM-bat (a battle or fight) / Verb: com-BAT (to fight or oppose)
“The soldiers were trained for COMbat.” / “They must comBAT corruption.”
Compound — Noun: COM-pound (a mixture or complex) / Verb: com-POUND (to add to or worsen)
“The COMpound contains dangerous chemicals.” / “The situation will comPOUND if not addressed.”
Compress — Noun: COM-press (a cloth pad for injuries) / Verb: com-PRESS (to press together)
“Apply a cold COMpress to the wound.” / “The files must comPRESS into a zip folder.”
Concert — Noun: CON-cert (musical performance) / Verb: con-CERT (to plan jointly — rare)
“The CONcert was sold out.” / “They conCERTed their efforts for the project.”
Conduct — Noun: CON-duct (behavior or manner) / Verb: con-DUCT (to lead or manage)
“His CONduct was inappropriate.” / “She will conDUCT the experiment.”
Confiscate — Noun: CON-fiscate (act of seizing, rare) / Verb: con-FIScate (to seize officially)
“The CONfiscate occurred swiftly.” / “They conFIScated illegal goods.”
Conflict — Noun: CON-flict (a serious disagreement) / Verb: con-FLICT (to be incompatible)
“The CONflict lasted for years.” / “Their stories conFLICTed on major points.”
Console — Noun: CON-sole (a control panel or device) / Verb: con-SOLE (to comfort someone)
“I bought a new gaming CONsole.” / “She tried to conSOLE her grieving friend.”
Consort — Noun: CON-sort (spouse of a monarch) / Verb: con-SORT (to associate with)
“The queen’s CONsort accompanied her.” / “He consorted with influential leaders.”
Construct — Noun: CON-struct (an idea or theory) / Verb: con-STRUCT (to build or form)
“Freedom is a human CONstruct.” / “They will conSTRUCT a new library.”

Contest — Noun: CON-test (competition) / Verb: con-TEST (to challenge)
“The CONtest was exciting.” / “He plans to conTEST the results.”
Contract — Noun: CON-tract (legal agreement) / Verb: con-TRACT (to shrink or tighten)
“He signed a CONtract today.” / “Muscles conTRACT during exercise.”
Contrast — Noun: CON-trast (difference) / Verb: con-TRAST (to compare differences)
“There’s a big CONtrast between the two cities.” / “We should conTRAST the findings.”
Convert — Noun: CON-vert (a person who changes belief) / Verb: con-VERT (to change something)
“She is a recent CONvert to Buddhism.” / “They conVERTed the warehouse into an office.”
Convict — Noun: CON-vict (a prisoner) / Verb: con-VICT (to find guilty)
“The CONvict escaped from prison.” / “The jury conVICTed him of fraud.”
Decrease — Noun: DE-crease (reduction) / Verb: de-CREASE (to become less)
“There was a DEcrease in prices.” / “The numbers deCREASE over time.”
Defect — Noun: DE-fect (fault or flaw) / Verb: de-FECT (to abandon a cause or country)
“The product had a DEfect.” / “The soldier tried to deFECT.”
Desert — Noun: DES-ert (arid land) / Verb: de-SERT (to abandon)
“Camels survive in the DESert.” / “He chose to deSERT his duties.”
Digest — Noun: DI-gest (summary of information) / Verb: di-GEST (to process food)
“I subscribed to a weekly DIgest.” / “It takes time to diGEST this meal.”
Escort — Noun: ES-cort (a guide or protector) / Verb: es-CORT (to accompany)
“The VIP had an ES-cort.” / “They esCORTed the guests out.”

Export — Noun: EX-port (goods sent abroad) / Verb: ex-PORT (to send goods abroad)
“The country increased its EXports.” / “They exPORT goods to Europe.”
Extract — Noun: EX-tract (a substance removed) / Verb: ex-TRACT (to remove or take out)
“The vanilla EXtract smells amazing.” / “They exTRACTed information carefully.”
Import — Noun: IM-port (goods brought in) / Verb: im-PORT (to bring goods in)
“The IMports arrived yesterday.” / “We imPORT electronics from Japan.”
Insert — Noun: IN-sert (something placed inside) / Verb: in-SERT (to put in)
“He added an INsert into the magazine.” / “Please inSERT your card.”
Insult — Noun: IN-sult (an offensive remark) / Verb: in-SULT (to offend)
“He took the INsult personally.” / “Don’t inSULT your teammates.”
Object — Noun: OB-ject (a thing) / Verb: ob-JECT (to oppose)
“The OBject fell off the shelf.” / “They obJECT to the new rules.”
Perfect — Noun/Adjective: PER-fect (flawless) / Verb: per-FECT (to improve to perfection)
“It’s a PERfect day.” / “They need to perFECT their presentation.”
Permit — Noun: PER-mit (official document) / Verb: per-MIT (to allow)
“Get a parking PERmit first.” / “They don’t perMIT smoking inside.”
Present — Noun: PRE-sent (a gift or the current time) / Verb: pre-SENT (to show or offer)
“I received a lovely PREsent.” / “Allow me to preSENT my project.”
Produce — Noun: PRO-duce (fruits and vegetables) / Verb: pro-DUCE (to create)
“Buy fresh PROduce.” / “They proDUCE high-quality videos.”

Progress — Noun: PRO-gress (forward movement) / Verb: pro-GRESS (to move forward)
“The PROgress is slow but steady.” / “He hopes to proGRESS quickly.”
Project — Noun: PRO-ject (an assignment) / Verb: pro-JECT (to throw or extend)
“The PROject is due next week.” / “They proJECTed the image on the wall.”
Protest — Noun: PRO-test (an expression of objection) / Verb: pro-TEST (to object actively)
“The PROtest drew a huge crowd.” / “They will proTEST the decision.”
Rebel — Noun: RE-bel (a person who resists authority) / Verb: re-BEL (to resist authority)
“The REbel fought against the regime.” / “Many students reBEL against strict rules.”
Record — Noun: RE-cord (a documented piece of information) / Verb: re-CORD (to capture information)
“He set a world REcord.” / “We need to reCORD the session.”
Refill — Noun: RE-fill (something filled again) / Verb: re-FILL (to fill again)
“Ask for a REfill of your drink.” / “Can you reFILL the form with updated info?”
Refund — Noun: RE-fund (money returned) / Verb: re-FUND (to give money back)
“The store offered a full REfund.” / “They will reFUND your payment.”
Refuse — Noun: RE-fuse (trash or garbage) / Verb: re-FUSE (to decline)
“Put the REfuse in the bin.” / “I must reFUSE that offer.”
Replay — Noun: RE-play (a repeat showing) / Verb: re-PLAY (to show again)
“Watch the REplay tonight.” / “They rePLAYed the match highlights.”
Research — Noun: RE-search (systematic study) / Verb: re-SEARCH (to study carefully)
“Her REsearch focuses on AI.” / “He reSEARCHed the topic thoroughly.”

Reset — Noun: RE-set (an act of setting again) / Verb: re-SET (to set again)
“A REset was necessary.” / “You should reSET your password.”
Resort — Noun: RE-sort (a vacation place) / Verb: re-SORT (to turn to as a solution)
“They stayed at a luxurious REsort.” / “She had to reSORT to drastic measures.”
Rewrite — Noun: RE-write (a new version) / Verb: re-WRITE (to write again)
“The script needs a REwrite.” / “He will reWRITE the article.”
Subject — Noun: SUB-ject (a topic or area of study) / Verb: sub-JECT (to expose to something)
“Math is my favorite SUBject.” / “They were subJECTed to harsh conditions.”
Suspect — Noun: SUS-pect (a person under suspicion) / Verb: sus-PECT (to think someone guilty)
“The SUSpect was arrested.” / “We susPECT foul play.”
Survey — Noun: SUR-vey (overview or study) / Verb: sur-VEY (to examine closely)
“The SURvey revealed new insights.” / “They will surVEY the damage tomorrow.”
Torment — Noun: TOR-ment (great suffering) / Verb: tor-MENT (to cause suffering)
“The memory caused him great TORment.” / “They torMENTed him with teasing.”
Transfer — Noun: TRANS-fer (movement from one place to another) / Verb: trans-FER (to move something)
“The TRANSfer was completed yesterday.” / “Please transFER the payment today.”
Transform — Noun: TRANS-form (change in form — rare as noun) / Verb: trans-FORM (to change drastically)
“A TRANSform occurred in the city.” / “They hope to transFORM the area.”
Transport — Noun: TRANS-port (the system of moving goods or people) / Verb: trans-PORT (to carry across)
“Public TRANSport is efficient.” / “The trucks transPORT goods daily.”

Upset — Noun: UP-set (an unexpected result) / Verb: up-SET (to disturb emotionally)
“The match ended in an UPset.” / “The bad news upSET him greatly.”
Upgrade — Noun: UP-grade (an improvement) / Verb: up-GRADE (to improve something)
“I paid for a seat UPgrade.” / “They upGRADE the software yearly.”
Upload — Noun: UP-load (a file sent to the internet) / Verb: up-LOAD (to send a file online)
“The UPload took five minutes.” / “Please upLOAD the document.”
Upscale — Noun: UP-scale (the act of moving upscale — rare) / Verb: up-SCALE (to improve in quality)
“A move toward UPscale is noticeable.” / “They want to upSCALE their operations.”
Update — Noun: UP-date (latest information) / Verb: up-DATE (to bring up to date)
“We received a project UPdate.” / “Please upDATE the database regularly.”
Input — Noun: IN-put (data entered into a system) / Verb: in-PUT (to enter data)
“We need more INput from users.” / “Please inPUT the figures carefully.”
Outlook — Noun: OUT-look (expectation for the future) / Verb: out-LOOK (to look out — very rare)
“The economic OUTlook is positive.” / “He tried to outLOOK the crowd for a friend.”
Outcast — Noun: OUT-cast (someone rejected by society) / Verb: out-CAST (to cast out — very rare)
“He lived as an OUTcast.” / “They outCAST him from the group.”
Overflow — Noun: OVER-flow (excess of something) / Verb: over-FLOW (to spill over)
“There was an OVERflow of water.” / “The river will overFLOW soon.”
Override — Noun: OVER-ride (an act of overruling) / Verb: over-RIDE (to overrule)
“The manager issued an OVERride.” / “They overRIDE safety protocols sometimes.”

Overthrow — Noun: OVER-throw (the removal of a government) / Verb: over-THROW (to remove forcibly)
“The OVERthrow changed the country’s future.” / “They plan to overTHROW the dictator.”
Overlap — Noun: OVER-lap (an area of shared responsibility) / Verb: over-LAP (to cover partly)
“There’s too much OVERlap in duties.” / “The two schedules overLAP.”
Overwork — Noun: OVER-work (excessive work) / Verb: over-WORK (to work too much)
“His OVERwork affected his health.” / “You must not overWORK yourself.”
Overtime — Noun: OVER-time (extra working hours) / Verb: over-TIME (to work beyond hours — rare verb use)
“He earned extra for OVERtime.” / “They overTIMEd during the project deadline.”
Overrate — Noun: OVER-rate (the act of overvaluing — rare) / Verb: over-RATE (to value too highly)
“The film’s OVERrate was undeserved.” / “Critics often overRATE popular movies.”
Outline — Noun: OUT-line (a general description) / Verb: out-LINE (to describe briefly)
“The teacher gave an OUTline.” / “Please outLINE your ideas first.”
Overuse — Noun: OVER-use (excessive use) / Verb: over-USE (to use too much)
“OVERuse of plastic is a major problem.” / “We must not overUSE antibiotics.”
Outbreak — Noun: OUT-break (sudden appearance of disease or conflict) / Verb: out-BREAK (to break out — rare)
“An OUTbreak of flu occurred.” / “Diseases can outBREAK without warning.”
Outrun — Noun: OUT-run (an act of running faster — rare noun) / Verb: out-RUN (to run faster)
“He made an impressive OUTrun.” / “She can outRUN anyone in school.”
Outsmart — Noun: OUT-smart (act of being smarter — rare) / Verb: out-SMART (to defeat using intelligence)
“His OUTsmart strategy was brilliant.” / “They outSMARTed their rivals easily.”

Outline — Noun: OUT-line (a brief summary) / Verb: out-LINE (to give an overview)
“The OUTline helped understand the topic.” / “I will outLINE my proposal.”
Overflow — Noun: OVER-flow (a spillage) / Verb: over-FLOW (to spill out)
“The OVERflow damaged the basement.” / “The river will overFLOW tonight.”
Outlook — Noun: OUT-look (future view) / Verb: out-LOOK (rare use meaning to anticipate)
“The OUTlook for recovery is positive.” / “He outLOOKs the challenges ahead.”
Outgrow — Noun: OUT-grow (process of growing out — rare) / Verb: out-GROW (to grow too large for something)
“He experienced an OUTgrow.” / “Children often outGROW their clothes.”
Outbid — Noun: OUT-bid (winning by higher offer — rare) / Verb: out-BID (to offer more money than others)
“An OUTbid secured the painting.” / “We must outBID our competitors.”
Outweigh — Noun: OUT-weigh (greater importance — rare) / Verb: out-WEIGH (to be more significant)
“His OUTweigh in decisions was clear.” / “The benefits outweigh the risks.”
Outnumber — Noun: OUT-number (higher numbers — rare) / Verb: out-NUMBER (to be more numerous)
“The OUTnumber was surprising.” / “They outNUMBERed the enemy.”
Overlook — Noun: OVER-look (a view from above) / Verb: over-LOOK (to miss noticing something)
“The OVERlook gave a great view.” / “We must not overLOOK small details.”
Overcome — Noun: OVER-come (success over obstacles — rare) / Verb: over-COME (to defeat problems)
“His OVERcome was inspirational.” / “You can overCOME fear.”
Overestimate — Noun: OVER-estimate (exaggerated assessment) / Verb: over-ESTIMATE (to guess too highly)
“The OVERestimate caused issues.” / “We must not overESTIMATE our ability.”

Input — Noun: IN-put (data entry) / Verb: in-PUT (to enter data)
“User INput was needed.” / “Please inPUT the survey answers.”
Insight — Noun: IN-sight (deep understanding) / Verb: in-SIGHT (to cause understanding — rare)
“He shared a great INsight.” / “The event inSIGHTed a lot of thought.”
Intrigue — Noun: IN-trigue (a secret plan) / Verb: in-TRIGUE (to arouse interest)
“The novel was full of INtrigue.” / “The story inTRIGUED the audience.”
Imprint — Noun: IM-print (a mark made) / Verb: im-PRINT (to mark onto something)
“The IMprint faded over time.” / “Please imPRINT your name.”
Impact — Noun: IM-pact (a strong effect) / Verb: im-PACT (to have an effect)
“The IMpact was immediate.” / “The speech imPACTed many lives.”
Implement — Noun: IM-plement (a tool) / Verb: im-PLEment (to put into action)
“Use a simple IMplement for gardening.” / “They imPLEmented the new system.”
Insert — Noun: IN-sert (a piece put inside) / Verb: in-SERT (to put into place)
“He placed the INsert carefully.” / “Please inSERT your card now.”
Intersect — Noun: IN-tersect (point of crossing — rare) / Verb: in-TERSECT (to cross each other)
“The INtersect was busy.” / “Their paths inTERSECT daily.”
Indict — Noun: IN-dict (official charge — rare) / Verb: in-DICT (to formally accuse)
“The INdict was publicized.” / “The court will inDICT him for fraud.”
Invalidate — Noun: IN-validate (making invalid — rare) / Verb: in-VALidate (to void something)
“The INvalidate happened after inspection.” / _”They inVALidated the claim.”

Final Thoughts

Mastering pronunciation differences between nouns and verbs is a critical skill for IELTS Speaking and Listening. It shows you have an excellent ear for English stress patterns and intonation, both of which can greatly boost your fluency, coherence, and pronunciation scores. Practice these words regularly and listen carefully during conversations — small improvements can lead to big IELTS band score gains!

#IELTSGuidePhil #IELTS #IELTSVocabulary #IELTSSpeaking #IELTSPreparation #LearnEnglish #EnglishPronunciation #EnglishLearning #PronunciationTips #IELTSBand9 #FluencyInEnglish #AcademicEnglish

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