Academic Vocabulary
119 terms, from exam command words to subject vocabulary. Search, filter by subject or browse alphabetically. Each entry links to related terms and study guides.
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T V
A
- AccelerationThe rate of change of velocity.Physics
- AcidA substance that produces hydrogen ions in water and has a pH below 7.Chemistry
- Affect vs effectAffect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning a result.English
- AlgorithmA finite, ordered set of clear steps for solving a problem.Computer science
- AnalyzeBreak something into parts and examine how those parts relate to each other.Command words
- AreaThe amount of surface a 2D shape covers.Mathematics
- ArgumentA claim supported by reasons and evidence.English
- AssessJudge the importance, quality or extent of something, weighing evidence.Command words
B
C
- CalculateWork out a numerical answer, showing the steps.Command words
- CausationA relationship where one event or factor brings about another.Critical thinking
- CellThe basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.Biology
- Chemical equationA representation of a chemical reaction using formulas.Chemistry
- ChlorophyllThe green pigment in plants that absorbs light for photosynthesis.Biology
- ChloroplastAn organelle in plant and algal cells that contains chlorophyll and carries out photosynthesis.Biology
- CitationA reference in your text that shows where an idea, quotation or fact came from.Research
- ClassifySort items into groups according to shared features.Command words
- CoefficientA number that multiplies a variable.Mathematics
- CompareDescribe similarities and differences between two or more things.Command words
- Confounding variableA third factor that influences both of the variables being studied and creates a misleading link.Critical thinking
- Consumer price indexA measure of the average change in prices of a basket of goods and services bought by households.Economics
- ContrastFocus on the differences between two or more things.Command words
- CorrelationA relationship in which two variables tend to change together.Critical thinking
- CredibilityThe degree to which a source can be trusted.Research
- CritiqueGive a reasoned judgment of the strengths and weaknesses of something.Command words
D
- Data typeThe kind of value a variable holds, such as integer, string or Boolean.Computer science
- DefineState the precise meaning of a term.Command words
- DemandThe quantity of a good that buyers are willing and able to buy at each price.Economics
- DemonstrateShow how something works or is true, using evidence, examples or steps.Command words
- Dependent variableThe variable you measure in an experiment.Scientific method
- DeriveObtain a result or formula from earlier results through logical steps.Command words
- DescribeGive an account of the main features of something.Command words
- DetermineEstablish an answer by calculation or from evidence.Command words
- DiscussConsider several points of view or factors, with reasoning.Command words
- DisplacementThe straight-line distance and direction from the start to the end point.Physics
- DistinguishShow the difference between two or more things.Command words
E
- ElaborateAdd detail, explanation or examples to a point.Command words
- EquationA statement that two expressions are equal.Mathematics
- EquatorThe line of latitude at 0 degrees that circles Earth midway between the poles.History and geography
- EquilibriumThe point where quantity demanded equals quantity supplied.Economics
- EstimateGive an approximate value using reasonable assumptions.Command words
- EvaluateWeigh strengths and limitations and reach a supported judgment.Command words
- EventA set of one or more outcomes in probability.Mathematics
- EvidenceFacts, data, examples or sources used to support a claim.Research
- ExamineLook closely at something and investigate its parts or details.Command words
- ExplainGive reasons for how or why something happens.Command words
- ExpressionA combination of numbers, variables and operations without an equals sign.Mathematics
F
- FactorA number or expression that divides another exactly.Mathematics
- FallacyAn error in reasoning that weakens an argument.Critical thinking
- FlowchartA diagram that shows the steps of a process using shapes and arrows.Computer science
- ForceA push or pull on an object, measured in newtons.Physics
- FractionA number that represents part of a whole, written as one number over another.Mathematics
G
- GlucoseA simple sugar that cells use as a source of energy.Biology
H
- HypotenuseThe longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.Mathematics
- HypothesisA testable explanation or prediction that evidence can support or contradict.Scientific method
I
- IdentifyName or pick out something from information provided.Command words
- IllustrateMake a point clear by giving examples or a diagram.Command words
- Independent variableThe variable you deliberately change in an experiment.Scientific method
- InequalityA statement that compares two expressions using less than, greater than or similar signs.Mathematics
- InertiaThe tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion.Physics
- InferDraw a conclusion from evidence or reasoning rather than from a direct statement.Command words
- InflationA sustained rise in the general level of prices.Economics
- IntegerA whole number, positive, negative or zero.Computer science
- Interest rateThe price of borrowing money, or the return on saving it, expressed as a percentage.Economics
- InterpretExplain the meaning or significance of information such as data, text or a graph.Command words
- IterationThe repetition of a set of instructions.Computer science
- Its vs it'sIts shows possession; it's means it is or it has.English
J
- JustifySupport a decision or conclusion with reasons or evidence.Command words
L
M
- MassThe amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms.Physics
- MeanThe sum of all values divided by the number of values.Mathematics
- MedianThe middle value when data is arranged in order.Mathematics
- MetaphorA figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, without like or as.English
- MitochondrionAn organelle where aerobic respiration releases energy for the cell.Biology
- ModeThe most frequent value in a data set.Mathematics
N
- NeutralisationThe reaction of an acid with a base to form a salt and water.Chemistry
O
- Opportunity costThe value of the next best alternative given up when a choice is made.Economics
- OrganelleA structure inside a cell that has a specific function.Biology
- OutcomeOne possible result of a probability experiment.Mathematics
- OutlineGive the main points or steps in brief.Command words
P
- ParaphraseRestate an idea from a source in your own words and sentence structure.Research
- PercentageA fraction expressed out of 100.Mathematics
- PerimeterThe total distance around the outside of a 2D shape.Mathematics
- pHA scale, usually from 0 to 14, that measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is.Chemistry
- PhotosynthesisThe process by which plants and some other organisms use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water.Biology
- PlagiarismPresenting someone else's words or ideas as your own.Research
- PredictState what you expect to happen, based on knowledge or evidence.Command words
- Primary sourceA first-hand record created at the time of an event or by someone who experienced it.History and geography
- ProbabilityA number from 0 to 1 that measures how likely an event is.Mathematics
- ProductA substance formed in a chemical reaction.Chemistry
- ProveShow with logical steps that a statement is true.Command words
- PseudocodeA structured way to describe an algorithm that looks like code but is not tied to any language.Computer science
Q
- Quadratic equationAn equation that can be written as ax squared plus bx plus c equals 0, where a is not zero.Mathematics
R
- RadiusThe distance from the centre of a circle to its edge.Mathematics
- RangeThe difference between the largest and smallest values.Mathematics
- RatioA comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other.Mathematics
- ReactantA substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction and is changed by it.Chemistry
- Right angleAn angle of exactly 90 degrees.Mathematics
- RootA solution of an equation, or a number that when multiplied by itself a given number of times gives a value.Mathematics
S
- ScarcityThe condition that resources are limited while wants are unlimited.Economics
- Secondary sourceA source created later that analyses or interprets primary sources.History and geography
- SimileA figure of speech that compares two things using like or as.English
- StateGive a brief, clear answer without explanation.Command words
- StringA sequence of characters, such as text.Computer science
- SuggestPut forward a possible idea or explanation, usually based on given information.Command words
- SummarizeGive the main points briefly.Command words
- SupplyThe quantity of a good that sellers are willing and able to sell at each price.Economics
T
- Their, there, they'reTheir shows possession, there shows place or existence, and they're means they are.English
- Then vs thanThen refers to time or sequence; than is used in comparisons.English
- Thesis statementA sentence that states the central, arguable claim of an essay.English
- Topic sentenceA sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph.English
- Trade-offA situation where gaining more of one thing means having less of another.Economics
V
- VariableA symbol, often a letter, representing a quantity that can change or is unknown.Mathematics
- Variable (programming)A named location in memory that stores a value which can change.Computer science
- VelocitySpeed in a given direction.Physics
- VolumeThe amount of space inside a 3D object.Mathematics
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