100 Academic Words & What They Mean in Plain English

No.	Item	Definition
1.	abstract	Concerned with ideas rather than physical things.
2.	adapt	Change to suit new conditions.
3.	ambiguity	Uncertainty caused by having more than one meaning.
4.	analysis	Careful study of something and its parts.
5.	approach	A way of dealing with something.
6.	arbitrary	Chosen without a clear reason or rule.
7.	argument	Reasons offered to support a claim.
8.	assert	State something firmly as true.
9.	assume	Accept something as true without proof.
10.	attribute	A quality or feature of something.
11.	bias	An influence that unfairly favors one outcome.
12.	causation	One thing bringing about another.
13.	clarify	Make something easier to understand.
14.	classify	Arrange things into groups with shared features.
15.	compare	Examine how things are alike or different.
16.	concept	A general idea about something.
17.	consistent	Staying the same or agreeing throughout.
18.	constitute	Make up or form something.
19.	context	The circumstances that help explain something.
20.	contrast	Show how things differ.
21.	correlation	A relationship in how two things change.
22.	data	Facts or measurements collected for study.
23.	define	State exactly what something means.
24.	demonstrate	Show clearly through evidence or examples.
25.	derive	Obtain something from a particular source.
26.	dimension	An aspect of something being considered.
27.	discourse	Written or spoken discussion of a subject.
28.	discrete	Separate and distinct from other things.
29.	distinguish	Recognize or explain differences between things.
30.	diverse	Including many different kinds.
31.	domain	A particular area of knowledge or activity.
32.	empirical	Based on observation or experience.
33.	enhance	Improve the quality or strength of something.
34.	equivalent	Equal in value, meaning, or function.
35.	estimate	Make an informed guess about an amount.
36.	evaluate	Judge the quality, importance, or value of something.
37.	evidence	Information that supports a claim or conclusion.
38.	explicit	Stated clearly and directly.
39.	facilitate	Make something easier to do.
40.	factor	Something that helps produce a result.
41.	fluctuate	Rise and fall or change irregularly.
42.	formulate	Develop and express an idea or plan.
43.	framework	A basic structure for organizing ideas.
44.	function	The purpose or role of something.
45.	hypothesis	A proposed explanation that can be tested.
46.	identify	Recognize and name something.
47.	illustrate	Explain or show through examples.
48.	implicit	Suggested but not directly stated.
49.	imply	Suggest something without stating it directly.
50.	indicate	Point to or show something.
51.	infer	Reach a conclusion using evidence and reasoning.
52.	inherent	Existing as a basic part of something.
53.	inhibit	Slow down or prevent something.
54.	integrate	Bring parts together into a whole.
55.	interpret	Explain what something means.
56.	justify	Give good reasons for something.
57.	limitation	Something that restricts reach, accuracy, or usefulness.
58.	measure	Find the size, amount, or degree of something.
59.	mechanism	The process through which something happens.
60.	methodology	The methods and reasoning used in research.
61.	modify	Change something, usually in a limited way.
62.	objective	A specific goal to be achieved.
63.	observe	Watch or notice something carefully.
64.	outcome	The result of an action or process.
65.	parameter	A value that defines a system or model.
66.	pattern	A repeated or recognizable arrangement.
67.	perspective	A particular way of viewing something.
68.	phenomenon	Something that happens and can be observed.
69.	population	The entire group a study concerns.
70.	precise	Exact and clearly stated.
71.	predict	Say what is likely to happen.
72.	premise	An idea used as the starting point for reasoning.
73.	principle	A basic rule, belief, or truth.
74.	process	A series of steps or changes.
75.	qualitative	Describing qualities rather than measuring amounts.
76.	quantitative	Using numbers to measure or describe something.
77.	random	Chosen or occurring by chance.
78.	refute	Show that a claim is wrong.
79.	relevant	Directly connected to the matter being discussed.
80.	reliable	Able to be trusted for consistent results.
81.	replicate	Repeat a study to check its results.
82.	robust	Remaining strong or dependable under different conditions.
83.	sample	A smaller group studied to understand a larger one.
84.	scope	The range of what something covers.
85.	sequence	The order in which things occur.
86.	significant	Important or large enough to matter.
87.	structure	The way parts are arranged or connected.
88.	subjective	Based on personal feelings or opinions.
89.	substantiate	Support a claim with facts or evidence.
90.	summarize	State the main points briefly.
91.	synthesize	Combine different ideas into a connected whole.
92.	tentative	Not yet certain or finally decided.
93.	theory	An organized explanation of how something works.
94.	thesis	The main claim a writer seeks to support.
95.	transition	A change from one state to another.
96.	trend	A general direction of change.
97.	valid	Sound, reasonable, or supported by evidence.
98.	variable	Something that can change or take different values.
99.	verify	Check that something is true or accurate.
100.	yield	Produce a result or amount.