General Academic Vocabulary

Critical Thinking Works (United States of America)
This list provides a set of general academic vocabulary words.
380 words 80 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. abbreviate
    shorten
  2. abstract
    existing only in the mind
  3. according
    in agreement with
  4. acronym
    a word formed from the initial letters of several words
  5. address
    the place where a person or organization can be found
  6. affect
    have an influence upon
  7. alter
    cause to change; make different
  8. always
    at all times; all the time and on every occasion
  9. analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
  10. analysis
    abstract separation of something into its various parts
  11. analyze
    break down into components or essential features
  12. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
  13. anticipate
    regard something as probable or likely
  14. application
    the action of putting something into operation
  15. apply
    employ for a particular purpose
  16. approach
    move towards
  17. appropriate
    suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
  18. approximate
    not quite exact or correct
  19. area
    the extent of a two-dimensional surface within a boundary
  20. argue
    have a disagreement about something
  21. argument
    a dispute where there is strong disagreement
  22. arrange
    put into a proper or systematic order
  23. articulate
    express or state clearly
  24. aspect
    a characteristic to be considered
  25. assemble
    create by putting components or members together
  26. assert
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  27. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
  28. associate
    bring or come into action
  29. assume
    take to be the case or to be true
  30. assumption
    the act of taking something for granted
  31. audience
    a gathering of spectators or listeners at a performance
  32. authentic
    not counterfeit or copied
  33. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
  34. background
    the part of a scene behind objects in the front
  35. benefit
    something that aids or promotes well-being
  36. body
    an individual 3-dimensional object that has mass
  37. brainstorm
    try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
  38. brief
    of short duration or distance
  39. calculate
    make a mathematical computation
  40. caption
    brief description accompanying an illustration
  41. category
    a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations
  42. cause
    events that provide the generative force of something
  43. character
    a property that defines the individual nature of something
  44. characteristic
    typical or distinctive
  45. characterize
    be typical of
  46. chart
    a visual display of data or information
  47. chronology
    an arrangement of events in time
  48. citation
    an official award usually given as formal public statement
  49. cite
    make reference to
  50. claim
    assert or affirm strongly
  51. clarify
    make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating
  52. class
    a collection of things sharing a common attribute
  53. clue
    evidence that helps to solve a problem
  54. code
    a set of rules or principles or laws
  55. coherent
    marked by an orderly and consistent relation of parts
  56. common
    having no special distinction or quality
  57. compare
    examine and note the similarities or differences of
  58. compile
    get or gather together
  59. complement
    something added to embellish or make perfect
  60. complete
    having all necessary qualities
  61. compose
    form the substance of
  62. composition
    the way in which someone or something is put together
  63. conceive
    have the idea for
  64. concept
    an abstract or general idea inferred from specific instances
  65. concise
    expressing much in few words
  66. conclude
    bring to a close
  67. conclusion
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
  68. concrete
    capable of being perceived by the senses
  69. conditions
    the context that influences the performance of a process
  70. conduct
    the way a person behaves toward other people
  71. confirm
    strengthen
  72. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  73. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
  74. consist
    have its essential character
  75. consistent
    the same throughout in structure or composition
  76. consistently
    in a systematic or steady manner
  77. constant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
  78. constitute
    form or compose
  79. consult
    seek information from
  80. contend
    compete for something
  81. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
  82. continuum
    an extent in which no part is distinct from adjacent parts
  83. contract
    a binding agreement that is enforceable by law
  84. contradict
    prove negative; show to be false
  85. control
    power to direct or determine
  86. convert
    change the nature, purpose, or function of something
  87. convey
    transmit or serve as the medium for transmission
  88. copy
    a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing
  89. correlate
    bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
  90. correspond
    take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
  91. credible
    capable of being believed
  92. credit
    an estimate of ability to fulfill financial commitments
  93. criterion
    the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
  94. critique
    appraise or judge in an analytical way
  95. crucial
    of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
  96. cumulative
    increasing by successive addition
  97. debate
    a discussion with reasons for and against some proposal
  98. deduce
    reason from the general to the particular
  99. defend
    protect against a challenge or attack
  100. define
    show the form or outline of
  101. demand
    request urgently and forcefully
  102. demonstrate
    give an exhibition of to an interested audience
  103. depict
    give a description of
  104. derive
    come from
  105. describe
    give a statement representing something
  106. detail
    a small part considered separately from the whole
  107. detect
    discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
  108. determine
    find out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry
  109. develop
    progress or evolve through a process of natural growth
  110. devise
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
  111. diction
    the manner in which something is expressed in words
  112. differentiate
    acquire a distinct character
  113. dimension
    a construct distinguishing objects or individuals
  114. diminish
    decrease in size, extent, or range
  115. direct
    proceeding without interruption
  116. discipline
    a system of rules of conduct or method of practice
  117. discover
    determine the existence, presence, or fact of
  118. discriminate
    marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions
  119. discuss
    consider or examine in speech or writing
  120. distinguish
    mark as different
  121. domain
    a particular environment or walk of life
  122. draft
    a current of air
  123. draw
    cause to move by pulling
  124. economic
    of or relating to production and management of wealth
  125. edit
    prepare for publication or presentation by revising
  126. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  127. elements
    violent or severe weather
  128. emphasize
    stress or single out as important
  129. employ
    put into service
  130. environment
    the totality of surrounding conditions
  131. equal
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
  132. equivalent
    being essentially comparable to something
  133. essay
    an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  134. essential
    basic and fundamental
  135. establish
    set up or found
  136. estimate
    judge tentatively
  137. evaluate
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
  138. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
  139. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
  140. exaggerate
    enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
  141. examine
    observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect
  142. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
  143. excerpt
    a passage selected from a larger work
  144. exclude
    prevent from entering; shut out
  145. exercise
    the activity of exerting muscles to keep fit
  146. exhibit
    make visible or apparent
  147. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
  148. explore
    travel to or penetrate into
  149. export
    sell or transfer abroad
  150. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
  151. extract
    remove, usually with some force or effort
  152. fact
    a piece of information about events that have occurred
  153. factor
    anything that contributes causally to a result
  154. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
  155. figurative
    not literal
  156. figure
    alternate name for the body of a human being
  157. financial
    involving fiscal matters
  158. focus
    the concentration of attention or energy on something
  159. footer
    the extent of something in lengths of 12 inches
  160. foreshadow
    indicate by signs
  161. form
    a perceptual structure
  162. format
    the general appearance of a publication
  163. former
    the first of two or the first mentioned of two
  164. formulate
    prepare according to instructions
  165. fragment
    a piece broken off or cut off of something else
  166. frame
    the internal structure that gives an artifact its shape
  167. frequently
    many times at short intervals
  168. function
    what something is used for
  169. general
    applying to all or most members of a category or group
  170. genre
    a kind of literary or artistic work
  171. graph
    a visual representation of the relations between quantities
  172. graphic
    written or drawn or engraved
  173. header
    a machine that cuts the tops off grain
  174. heading
    a line of text indicating what the passage below it is about
  175. highlight
    an area of brightness in a picture
  176. hypothesis
    a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
  177. hypothesize
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  178. identify
    recognize as being
  179. illustrate
    depict with a visual representation
  180. imitate
    reproduce someone's behavior or looks
  181. imply
    express or state indirectly
  182. inclined
    at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
  183. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
  184. incorporate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
  185. indicate
    designate a place, direction, person, or thing
  186. indirect
    not leading by a straight line or course to a destination
  187. individual
    being or characteristic of a single thing or person
  188. infer
    conclude by reasoning
  189. influence
    a power to affect persons or events
  190. inform
    impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
  191. inquire
    conduct an investigation of
  192. instructions
    a manual explaining how to install or operate a device
  193. integrate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
  194. intent
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
  195. intention
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
  196. interact
    do something together or with others
  197. intermittent
    stopping and starting at irregular intervals
  198. interpret
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
  199. introduce
    bring something new to an environment
  200. introduction
    the act of beginning something new
  201. invariably
    without change, in every case
  202. investigate
    conduct an inquiry of
  203. involve
    contain as a part
  204. irony
    incongruity between what might be expected and what occurs
  205. irrelevant
    having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
  206. isolate
    place or set apart
  207. italic
    characterized by slanting characters
  208. judge
    an official who decides questions before a court
  209. key
    metal device that allows a lock's mechanism to be rotated
  210. label
    a brief description given for purposes of identification
  211. likely
    having a good chance of being the case or of coming about
  212. list
    a database containing an ordered array of items
  213. literal
    limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
  214. locate
    determine the place of by searching or examining
  215. logical
    based on known statements or events or conditions
  216. main
    most important element
  217. major
    greater in scope or effect
  218. margin
    the boundary line or area immediately inside the boundary
  219. mean
    denote or connote
  220. measure
    determine the dimensions of something or somebody
  221. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
  222. method
    a way of doing something, especially a systematic way
  223. model
    a representation of something, often on a smaller scale
  224. modify
    cause to change; make different
  225. monitor
    someone who observes to ensure fairness or prevent mistakes
  226. motivation
    psychological feature arousing action toward a desired goal
  227. narrative
    an account that tells the particulars of an act or event
  228. narrator
    someone who tells a story
  229. never
    not ever; at no time in the past or future
  230. notation
    a comment or instruction (usually added)
  231. note
    a brief written record
  232. notice
    the act of paying attention
  233. objective
    the goal intended to be attained
  234. observe
    watch attentively
  235. occur
    come to pass
  236. opinion
    a personal belief or judgment
  237. oppose
    be against
  238. optional
    possible but not necessary; left to personal choice
  239. order
    logical arrangement of different elements
  240. organize
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
  241. origin
    the place where something begins
  242. outline
    the line that appears to bound an object
  243. pace
    the relative speed of progress or change
  244. paraphrase
    express the same message in different words
  245. participation
    the act of sharing in the activities of a group
  246. passage
    the act of moving from one state or place to the next
  247. pattern
    a repeated design, structure, or arrangement
  248. percent
    a proportion in relation to a whole
  249. perform
    get done
  250. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
  251. persuade
    cause somebody to adopt a certain position or belief
  252. place
    a point located with respect to surface features of a region
  253. plagiarism
    taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
  254. plan
    a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be achieved
  255. plausible
    apparently reasonable, valid, or truthful
  256. plot
    a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation
  257. point
    a distinguishing or individuating characteristic
  258. point of view
    a mental position from which things are perceived
  259. policy
    a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
  260. portray
    represent, as in a work of art
  261. possible
    capable of happening or existing
  262. preclude
    make impossible, especially beforehand
  263. predict
    make a guess about what will happen in the future
  264. prefix
    an affix that is added in front of the word
  265. prepare
    make ready or suitable or equip in advance
  266. presume
    take to be the case or to be true
  267. preview
    a preliminary introduction to or inspection of something
  268. previous
    just preceding something else in time or order
  269. primary
    of first rank or importance or value
  270. principle
    a basic generalization that is accepted as true
  271. prior
    earlier in time
  272. probably
    with considerable certainty; without much doubt
  273. procedure
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
  274. process
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
  275. produce
    bring forth or yield
  276. profile
    an outline of something, especially a face from the side
  277. project
    a planned undertaking
  278. prompt
    according to schedule or without delay
  279. proofread
    read for errors
  280. property
    something owned
  281. propose
    present for consideration, examination, or criticism
  282. prose
    ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
  283. prove
    establish the validity of something
  284. purpose
    what something is used for
  285. quotation
    a passage or expression that is cited
  286. quote
    repeat a passage from
  287. rank
    relative status
  288. rare
    especially good, remarkable, or superlative
  289. rarely
    not often
  290. reaction
    an idea evoked by some experience
  291. recall
    bring to mind
  292. reduce
    make smaller
  293. refer
    make a remark that calls attention to
  294. reflect
    throw or bend back from a surface
  295. regular
    conforming to a standard or pattern
  296. relate
    give an account of
  297. relationship
    a mutual connection between people
  298. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
  299. rephrase
    express the same message in different words
  300. report
    to give an account or representation of in words
  301. represent
    be a delegate or spokesperson for
  302. representative
    serving to typify
  303. request
    express the need or desire for; ask for
  304. require
    have need of
  305. requisite
    necessary for relief or supply
  306. research
    a seeking for knowledge
  307. respond
    show a reaction to something
  308. responsible
    worthy of or requiring trust; held accountable
  309. restate
    to say or perform again
  310. result
    something that follows as a consequence
  311. reveal
    make visible
  312. review
    look at again; examine again
  313. revise
    make changes to
  314. role
    the actions and activities assigned to a person or group
  315. root
    underground plant organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes
  316. rule
    prescribed guide for conduct or action
  317. scan
    examine minutely or intensely
  318. score
    a number that expresses accomplishment in a game or contest
  319. section
    one of several parts or pieces that fit with others
  320. sector
    a particular aspect of life or activity
  321. sequence
    a following of one thing after another in time
  322. series
    similar things placed in order or one after another
  323. set
    put into a certain place or abstract location
  324. setting
    the physical position of something
  325. show
    make visible or noticeable
  326. signal
    any action or gesture that encodes a message
  327. significance
    the quality of being important
  328. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
  329. skim
    remove from the surface
  330. solve
    find the answer to or understand the meaning of
  331. source
    the place where something begins
  332. spatial
    pertaining to the expanse in which things are located
  333. specific
    stated explicitly or in detail
  334. speculate
    reflect deeply on a subject
  335. stance
    a rationalized mental attitude
  336. standard
    a basis for comparison
  337. state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
  338. statement
    the act of affirming or asserting something
  339. strategy
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
  340. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
  341. study
    applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject
  342. style
    how something is done or how it happens
  343. subject
    some situation or event that is thought about
  344. subjective
    taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias
  345. subsequent
    following in time or order
  346. substitute
    a person or thing that can take the place of another
  347. succinct
    briefly giving the gist of something
  348. suggest
    make a proposal; declare a plan for something
  349. sum
    a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers
  350. summarize
    briefly present the main points of something
  351. summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points
  352. support
    the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
  353. survey
    determining opinions by interviewing people
  354. symbolize
    express indirectly by an image, form, or model
  355. synonym
    a word that expresses the same or similar meaning
  356. synthesize
    combine and form a complex whole
  357. table
    furniture having a smooth flat top supported by legs
  358. technique
    a practical method or art applied to some particular task
  359. term
    a limited period of time during which something lasts
  360. test
    standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity or aptitude
  361. theme
    the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
  362. thesis
    an unproved statement advanced as a premise in an argument
  363. theory
    a belief that can guide behavior
  364. timeline
    a sequence of events arranged in chronological order
  365. tone
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
  366. topic
    the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
  367. trace
    an indication that something has been present
  368. trait
    a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
  369. transition
    the act of passing from one state or place to the next
  370. translate
    restate from one language into another language
  371. typically
    in a manner conforming to a type
  372. unique
    the single one of its kind
  373. utilize
    put into service
  374. valid
    well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force
  375. variation
    the process of being or becoming different
  376. variable
    something that is likely to change
  377. vary
    become different in some particular way
  378. verify
    confirm the truth of
  379. viewpoint
    a mental position from which things are considered
  380. voice
    the sound made when a person speaks
Created on Sun Mar 18 14:37:49 EDT 2012

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