Academic Vocabulary List
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Note: These are general meanings for the words. You may encounter other definitions depending on context.
Check a dictionary for other meanings.
See also:
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| A | |
| adolescent | a teenager |
| affiliate | associate as a member |
| alarm | a device that sound a warning |
| alley | a narrow passageway or street |
| almanac | book of facts published annually |
| alphabet | a set of English letters |
| alternative | choice, selection, option |
| analgesic | something used to reduce pain |
| antique | object prized for its age |
| apiece | each, individually |
| appetite | desire to eat |
| approach | get closer |
| ardor | with great intensity |
| assemble | come together, meet |
| astonish | surprise, amaze |
| astronomy | science that deals with the universe |
| athlete | sportsman or woman |
| attic | area between the roof and ceiling of a house |
| authenticity | reality, certainty |
| axe | instrument used in chopping wood |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| B | |
| bake | to cook in an oven |
| banknote | paper money or currency |
| bargain | something you can buy cheaply |
| barrel | a large round container used for holding great amounts of liquid |
| bat | a small, furry mammal which flies at night |
| bathrobe | clothing worn after taking a shower |
| blackout | electric power outage |
| blade | the flat, cutting edge of a knife or tool |
| blame | to accuse someone or wrongdoing |
| blank | empty, without any marks |
| blissful | extremely happy |
| boast | brag; say great things about yourself |
| bounce | spring or leap like a ball |
| burglar | one who breaks into a building and steals |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| C | |
| cage | a structure made of wires or bars for confining animals |
| carve | to create a form by cutting |
| cattle | a general name for “cows” |
| cellophane | a plastic wrapping |
| century | period of one hundred years |
| challenge | call for energetic work or action |
| charge | postpone or delay payment until the bill comes |
| chew | to cut and grind with the teeth |
| chime | device that produces a bell-like sound |
| cite | give reference to |
| coffin | a box in which a dead body is placed for burial |
| collapse | fall down |
| combination | joining together of things or ideas |
| compassion | feeling of sympathy towards another person |
| compensation | payment for service, loss or expense |
| concoct | create by combining various ingredients |
| condominium | individual home within a building of similar homes |
| confess | admit to wrongdoing |
| confront | raise an issue directly and argumentatively |
| conquer | defeat, overcome |
| consumer | person who buys things |
| contact | to get in touch with; get together to talk with |
| contemporary | from the same time period |
| cope | handle or deal with a difficult situation |
| cork | material from the bark of a tree, often used for wine bottles tops |
| coward | a person who is not brave |
| cracker | a hard, salty, cookie-like food |
| cream | thick, fluffy milk based product |
| credentials | qualifications or background |
| crook | a thief, criminal, swindler |
| crummy | lousy, miserable, or worthless |
| curiosity | desire to know; inquisitive interest |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| D | |
| decathlon | ten track and field events |
| decorative | ornamental, with artistic design |
| dent | weaken, lessen the value of something, usually by hitting |
| depending | trusting, relying on |
| deposit | put money into a bank account |
| desperate | without hope |
| dessert | sweet dish served after a meal |
| detect | to discover the existence of something |
| devout | very religious |
| dip | put lightly into water or liquid |
| discrimination | treating people unfairly because of their differences |
| dozen | a set of twelve |
| drudgery | hard, uninteresting labor |
| dull | boring, not exciting; not bright or sharp |
| dweller | inhabitant, person who lives at a certain place |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| E | |
| earn | get money through working |
| eclipse | event obscuring the sun or moon |
| emerald | a precious stone of bright green color |
| encourage | give help, support or confidence |
| ensure | make certain, insure |
| enthusiastic | very interested or excited about something |
| entirely | on the whole |
| estate | property, land, possessions |
| evaluate | give feedback |
| evolve | develop slowly |
| exhausted | extremely tired |
| exile | forced removal from one’s country |
| expansion | growth |
| expert | a person with a high degree of knowledge or skill |
| eyelid | a fold of skin which covers the eyeball |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| F | |
| fantasy | imagination, dream world |
| fascinating | very interesting, exciting, fun |
| fatal | causing death |
| finesse | ability to handle difficult situations well |
| fleet | group of ships |
| flock | group of sheep |
| fold | to lay or bend something over upon itself |
| former | the first of two things |
| fortune | good or bad luck, fate |
| frighten | to make someone scared or afraid |
| fugitive | one who tries to escape, runaway |
| fur | thick animal hair |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| G | |
| galaxy | a group of millions of stars |
| gallery | place where art is displayed for the public |
| generous | giving unselfishly, usually large amounts |
| gigantic | huge, large, enormous |
| glance | to look quickly |
| glimpse | a brief look; an indication |
| goofy | funny, silly |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| H | |
| hanger | a device upon which clothing is hung |
| harvest | gather crops at the end of growing season |
| hatch | break out of an egg |
| havoc | a lot of trouble, chaos |
| heir | one who inherits from a parent |
| hemorrhage | excessive bleeding |
| hop | jump a short distance, sometimes on one foot |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| I | |
| ignore | a device upon which clothing is hung |
| illusion | false idea, dream |
| immigrant | person who comes into a country to live |
| incident | an occurrence or even; happening |
| incredible | unbelievable |
| inferior | of lower or lesser quality |
| inform | to tell, give the facts |
| inhabitant | resident |
| inquire | ask questions |
| inquiry | the act or process of questioning |
| instinct | natural or innate ability |
| interfere | to get in the way; prevent someone from doing a task |
| irrational | impossible to explain reasonably |
| irrelevant | not related or applicable |
| issue | things that need to be discussed |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| J | |
| jam | sweet preserved fruit spread |
| jogging | running slowly |
| juvenile | young, immature, youthful |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| K | |
| knot | formed when two ropes are tied together |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| L | |
| lack | absence, deficiency |
| latter | the second of two things |
| leak | a hole or crack which allows water to pass thorough |
| lecturer | a university professor |
| legitimate | lawful, conforming to accepted standards |
| listless | lacking energy or spirit |
| log | a fallen tree trunk or bulky piece of timber |
| lonely | without needed companionship |
| lumber | wood which has been sawed into boards |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| M | |
| magician | one who performs illusions |
| maid | paid housekeeper |
| mathematics | course subject dealing with numbers and calculations |
| melt | to reduce from a solid to a liquid by heat |
| monopoly | complete commercial control |
| motive | reason |
| museum | institute that displays artifacts for the public |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| N | |
| naked | without covering or clothing |
| narrow | thin, not wide |
| nationwide | everywhere in the country |
| negligent | failing to give proper care or attention |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| O | |
| observe | perceive thorough the senses, see |
| octopus | deep sea animal with eight legs |
| opaque | not transparent |
| ounce | unit of weight, one-sixteenth of a pound |
| outraged | upset, very mad |
| outskirts | the suburbs, area around a city |
| outstanding | distinguished, excellent |
| owe | to be under obligation or indebted to someone |
| own | possess |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| P | |
| parlance | language, usually used by a particular group |
| participation | taking part, getting involved in a group activity |
| patriotic | having feelings of devotion towards one’s country |
| peak | top of the mountain |
| peasant | poor, simple farmer |
| peddler | someone who sells things |
| perceive | sense, notice, observe through the senses |
| perceive | to sense (see, hear, smell, touch) |
| personality | the nature or character of a person |
| plug | part of a machine connected to an electrical source |
| a flat pouch sewn into the clothing | |
| poll | survey from the general population |
| portion | small part or section |
| pounding | beating, hitting repeatedly |
| poverty | condition of being poor |
| practical | useful and realistic |
| premarital | before marriage |
| prevent | stop something from happening |
| priceless | very valuable |
| profit | money people make from business |
| proportion | segment or section, percentage of the whole |
| province | a designated political area within a country |
| psychiatry | branch of medicine dealing with mental disorders |
| punish | impose a penalty for wrongful behavior |
| puppet | doll or toy which can be animated by manipulation |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| Q | |
| qualm | feeling of uneasiness, doubt or fear |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| R | |
| railing | a bar which is used for support when climbing stairs |
| rainbow | an arch containing the colors of the spectrum |
| ramble | to talk on an on without saying much |
| rancher | person who owns a large farm with animals |
| region | area, location |
| reinforce | give support to, strengthen |
| relationship | social connection between people |
| release | set free, allow to go out |
| reluctance | hesitation, unwillingness to do something |
| rendezvous | meeting at a pre-arranged place |
| revenue | earnings, income from a business |
| revolver | gun, pistol |
| ribbon | a narrow strip of cloth used for decoration |
| rinse | to cleanse with water after washing with soap |
| rise | go up, get higher |
| risk | possibility of danger or loss |
| roam | wander, walk around without direction |
| rough | having a bumpy surface; not smooth |
| route | path, road, way |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| S | |
| sample | try or test food for taste |
| sand | a grainy type of soil found on beaches |
| scientist | an expert in a field of study |
| seal | an aquatic mammal prized for its fur |
| severe | cruel, harsh |
| sheet | a large thin cloth which can be spread on a bed |
| significantly | in an important or meaningful way |
| skill | ability, talent |
| slang | informal language |
| slim | skinny; thin |
| soak | to immerse or drench in water or other liquid |
| sober | not drunk; serious |
| spill | allow something to fall or run out of a vessel or container |
| spoil | to make the quality of something worse |
| sponge | an absorbent material used for washing |
| squeeze | to compress; press closely, usually for extracting juice |
| starvation | terrible hunger |
| stow | put something in a small space for storage |
| struggle | have difficulty doing something; fight |
| subsequent | coming after, following |
| supply | materials kept in stock for future use |
| survey (noun) | a questionnaire, or a report showing results of a poll |
| survey (verb) | ask questions to find out people’s opinions |
| swallow | to move food or drinks down the throat |
| swell | get bigger, enlarge |
| swing | to move back and forth, sway |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| T | |
| tap | to strike or hit gently |
| telescope | instrument for viewing distant objects |
| teller | a person who works at a bank window |
| textile | fabric, cloth, woven material |
| therapy | professional psychological counseling |
| thermometer | an instrument used for measuring temperature |
| thrilling | exciting |
| thunder | noise usually followed by a flash of lightning |
| tipping | giving extra money for services |
| toss | throw lightly |
| trampoline | athletic equipment used for jumping into the air |
| transfer | change vehicles or transportation en route to one’s destination |
| trapper | person who catches wild animals for a living |
| treat | special delight |
| trend | a fad that lasts for a long time |
| trophy | prize given in a race or competition |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| U | |
| unflattering | not in a complimentary way |
| upgrade | improve the quality of something |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| V | |
| varnish | a substance painted on wood to make it glossy |
| vast | huge, immense |
| vocational | pertaining to a specific job |
| volunteer | person who gives service without pay |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| W | |
| walrus | large seal-like mammal with tusks |
| warehouse | large building for storage |
| warrior | fighter |
| waste | use wrongly, use too much of |
| wed | get married |
| widespread | covering a large area |
| widow | woman whose husband has died |
| wilderness | wild, unsettled area |
| withdraw | take money out of the bank |
| wooden | made of lumber or timber products |
| workaholic | compulsive worker |
| wrap | to cover with paper, cloth, or plastic |
| Word | Definition, meaning |
| Y | |
| yawn | open the mouth in an expression of sleepiness |
Note: These are general meanings for the words. You may encounter other definitions depending on context.
Check a dictionary for other meanings.
See Academic Vocabulary Exercises for quizzes matching words and definitions.