Academic Vocabulary
Academic writing has its own vocabulary — precise words like ambiguous, coherent and empirical that let you make careful distinctions a plainer word cannot. These are the words that lift an essay from clear to convincing, and they turn up constantly in exams, textbooks and reports. This set gives you the core academic vocabulary, each word defined simply and shown in a sentence you might actually write.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 15 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
Learn the opposites and near-synonyms together: explicit vs implicit, objective vs subjective. Knowing where a word sits against its neighbours is what lets you pick exactly the right one in an essay. Try slotting each word into a sentence about something you are studying now.
All 15 flashcards
What does “ambiguous” mean?
Open to more than one interpretation; unclear
The instruction was ambiguous, so half the class did it wrong.
What does “concise” mean?
Giving a lot of information clearly and in few words
Her concise summary fit the whole report onto one page.
What does “plausible” mean?
Seeming reasonable or probable
It is a plausible explanation, but we still need evidence.
What does “arbitrary” mean?
Based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason
The deadline felt arbitrary, with no reason behind the date.
What does “coherent” mean?
Logical and consistent; with clearly connected parts
A coherent argument leads the reader step by step.
What does “empirical” mean?
Based on observation or experiment rather than pure theory
The claim is backed by empirical evidence from the trials.
What does “explicit” mean?
Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for doubt
The guidelines were explicit about the word limit.
What does “implicit” mean?
Implied or understood though not directly stated
There was an implicit assumption that everyone agreed.
What does “subsequent” mean?
Coming after something else in time; following
These points are developed in subsequent chapters.
What does “paradox” mean?
A statement that seems self-contradictory but may nevertheless be true
It is a paradox that sometimes less really is more.
What does “scrutinize” mean?
To examine something closely and critically
The auditors scrutinized every line of the accounts.
What does “substantiate” mean?
To provide evidence to support or prove a claim
She could not substantiate the theory with any data.
What does “mitigate” mean?
To make something less severe, serious or painful
The plan includes steps to mitigate the flood risk.
What does “inherent” mean?
Existing as a natural, permanent part of something
There are inherent risks in any extreme sport.
What does “objective” (adjective) mean?
Not influenced by personal feelings; based on facts
An objective assessment ignores who wrote the essay.
What to learn next
With academic vocabulary at your command, the final level adds range and colour. Level 3 covers advanced words that make your English precise, expressive and memorable.
Continue to Level 3: Advanced Vocabulary →