Academic Word List: 25 core words every student meets
B2–C125 words
The Academic Word List collects the words that appear across every university subject, from economics to biology. Learning the highest-frequency items first gives you the fastest return: they show up in almost any textbook chapter you open.
Where you will use it: University reading, lectures, essays and research papers.
Academic Word List — The word list
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| analyse | To examine something in detail to understand it.“The paper analyses three data sets.” |
| approach | A way of dealing with a problem.“We took a quantitative approach.” |
| concept | An abstract idea.“The concept of fairness is hard to measure.” |
| context | The situation surrounding something.“Read the word in context.” |
| derive | To obtain something from a source.“The formula derives from earlier work.” |
| establish | To set up or prove firmly.“The study establishes a clear link.” |
| factor | One thing that influences a result.“Cost was the deciding factor.” |
| indicate | To show or suggest.“The results indicate a small effect.” |
| interpret | To explain the meaning of something.“We interpret these findings cautiously.” |
| method | A planned way of doing something.“The method is described in section two.” |
| principle | A basic rule or truth.“The design follows one simple principle.” |
| vary | To differ or change.“Results vary between age groups.” |
| assess | To judge the quality or importance of something.“The exam assesses critical thinking.” |
| category | A group of things sharing features.“Responses fall into three categories.” |
| constitute | To form or make up something.“Women constitute half the sample.” |
| data | Facts or measurements collected for study.“The data were collected online.” |
| economy | The system of production and trade in a country.“Tourism supports the local economy.” |
| environment | The conditions in which something exists.“The learning environment affects performance.” |
| function | The purpose or role of something.“The function of this section is to summarise.” |
| identify | To recognise and name something.“The study identifies three causes.” |
| occur | To happen or exist.“The change occurred gradually.” |
| process | A series of actions or changes.“Learning is a complex process.” |
| require | To need something as essential.“The task requires careful analysis.” |
| specific | Clearly defined or exact.“Give a specific example.” |
| theory | A set of ideas explaining something.“The evidence supports the theory.” |
Useful learning tips
- Learn in small groupsTake five words at a time and review them before adding more.
- Say the examples aloudReading each sentence aloud connects spelling, sound and meaning.
- Write your own sentenceUse each word in a true sentence about your life or work.
How to study this list
Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.
Studying academic word list pairs well with our C1–C2 Advanced English Vocabulary, GRE Vocabulary and academic English vocabulary, or browse all free English word lists.
Related guides
Questions about this list
How can I practise Academic Word List?
Start with five words and say each example aloud. Then recall the word from its meaning and review it over several days.
Where can I use Academic Word List?
University reading, lectures, essays and research papers.
How many words are in this list?
This list contains 25 English words with definitions and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete syllabus.
Turn this list into flashcards
Free account, 100 starter coins, and a garden that grows with every correct answer.