9️⃣ Awl9 · Academic Word List (AWL) · 60 words

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accommodate /əˈkɒmədeɪt/ v	to provide space for someone, or to meet a need The new stadium can accommodate 60,000 spectators.
analogy /əˈnælədʒi/ n	a comparison showing how two things are similar The author draws an analogy between the brain and a computer.
anticipate /ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt/ v	to expect something and prepare for it Planners failed to anticipate the growth in car ownership.
assure /əˈʃʊə(r)/ v	to tell someone confidently that something is true The minister assured the public that the water was safe.
attain /əˈteɪn/ v	to succeed in reaching something after effort Only a minority of pupils attain the highest grades.
behalf /bɪˈhɑːf/ n	used in "on behalf of" to mean as a representative of someone Unions negotiate on behalf of their members.
bulk /bʌlk/ n	the main or largest part of something The bulk of the budget is spent on healthcare.
cease /siːs/ v	to stop happening or existing The factory ceased production in 2015.
coherent /kəʊˈhɪərənt/ adj	logical and well organised so that it is easy to understand A good essay presents a coherent argument.
coincide /ˌkəʊɪnˈsaɪd/ v	to happen at the same time as something else The rise in obesity coincided with the spread of fast food.
commence /kəˈmens/ v	to begin, especially formally Construction is due to commence next spring.
compatible /kəmˈpætəbl/ adj	able to exist or work together without problems Economic growth must be compatible with environmental protection.
concurrent /kənˈkʌrənt/ adj	happening at the same time Two concurrent studies reached similar conclusions.
confine /kənˈfaɪn/ v	to keep something within limits The problem is not confined to large cities.
controversy /ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi/ n	public disagreement about an issue The decision to build a new airport caused great controversy.
converse /ˈkɒnvɜːs/ n	the opposite of a fact or statement Some argue that wealth brings happiness, but the converse may also be true.
device /dɪˈvaɪs/ n	a tool or machine designed for a particular purpose Mobile devices have changed how people access news.
devote /dɪˈvəʊt/ v	to give time, energy or resources to something Schools should devote more time to physical education.
diminish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ v	to become or make smaller or less important The influence of traditional media has diminished.
distort /dɪˈstɔːt/ v	to change something so that it is no longer true or accurate Media coverage can distort public perceptions of crime.
duration /djuˈreɪʃn/ n	the length of time something lasts The duration of the course is three years.
erode /ɪˈrəʊd/ v	to gradually destroy or weaken something Rising sea levels are eroding the coastline.
ethic /ˈeθɪk/ n	a set of moral principles Employers value a strong work ethic.
format /ˈfɔːmæt/ n	the way something is arranged or presented The exam follows a multiple-choice format.
found /faʊnd/ v	to start an organisation or institution The charity was founded in 1965 to fight poverty.
inherent /ɪnˈhɪərənt/ adj	existing as a natural and permanent part of something There are inherent risks in any new technology.
insight /ˈɪnsaɪt/ n	a clear and deep understanding of something The study offers valuable insights into consumer behaviour.
integral /ˈɪntɪɡrəl/ adj	necessary and important as part of a whole Music is an integral part of the school curriculum.
intermediate /ˌɪntəˈmiːdiət/ adj	between two stages or levels The course is designed for intermediate learners.
manual /ˈmænjuəl/ adj	done with the hands rather than machines The demand for manual labour has declined.
mature /məˈtʃʊə(r)/ adj	fully grown or developed Mature students often bring valuable life experience to university.
mediate /ˈmiːdieɪt/ v	to try to end a disagreement between two groups The UN attempted to mediate between the two sides.
medium /ˈmiːdiəm/ n	a way of communicating or expressing something English is the medium of instruction in many universities.
military /ˈmɪlətri/ adj	relating to the armed forces Some countries require young people to do military service.
minimal /ˈmɪnɪməl/ adj	very small in amount or degree The new system had only a minimal impact on costs.
mutual /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/ adj	felt or done equally by two or more people Trade agreements bring mutual benefits to both countries.
norm /nɔːm/ n	a usual or accepted standard of behaviour Working from home has become the norm for many.
overlap /ˌəʊvəˈlæp/ v	to cover part of the same area or share some features The roles of the two departments overlap considerably.
passive /ˈpæsɪv/ adj	accepting what happens without active response Watching television is largely a passive activity.
portion /ˈpɔːʃn/ n	a part of something larger A large portion of the budget goes on salaries.
preliminary /prɪˈlɪmɪnəri/ adj	coming before a more important action or event Preliminary results suggest the drug is effective.
protocol /ˈprəʊtəkɒl/ n	a set of rules for how something should be done Hospitals follow strict protocols to prevent infection.
qualitative /ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv/ adj	relating to quality rather than quantity The study used qualitative methods such as interviews.
refine /rɪˈfaɪn/ v	to improve something by making small changes, or to purify it Researchers refined the model using new data.
relax /rɪˈlæks/ v	to make rules less strict, or to rest The government relaxed restrictions on foreign investment.
restrain /rɪˈstreɪn/ v	to stop someone or something from doing something Higher interest rates help restrain inflation.
revolution /ˌrevəˈluːʃn/ n	a great change in conditions, methods or ideas The digital revolution has transformed education.
rigid /ˈrɪdʒɪd/ adj	very strict and difficult to change A rigid curriculum leaves little room for creativity.
route /ruːt/ n	a way from one place to another, or a method of achieving something Apprenticeships offer an alternative route into employment.
scenario /səˈnɑːriəʊ/ n	a description of possible future events In the worst-case scenario, sea levels could rise by a metre.
sphere /sfɪə(r)/ n	an area of activity or influence, or a round shape Women are increasingly active in the political sphere.
subordinate /səˈbɔːdɪnət/ adj	less important or lower in rank Environmental concerns were made subordinate to economic growth.
supplement /ˈsʌplɪment/ v	to add something to make it larger or better Many students supplement their income with part-time work.
suspend /səˈspend/ v	to officially stop something for a period of time Flights were suspended due to the storm.
team /tiːm/ n	a group of people working together A team of scientists conducted the research.
temporary /ˈtemprəri/ adj	lasting for only a limited time Many young people work on temporary contracts.
trigger /ˈtrɪɡə(r)/ v	to make something start to happen The rise in prices triggered widespread protests.
unify /ˈjuːnɪfaɪ/ v	to join people or things together to form a whole Major sporting events can unify a nation.
violate /ˈvaɪəleɪt/ v	to break a law, rule or agreement The company was fined for violating safety regulations.
vision /ˈvɪʒn/ n	an idea of the future, or the ability to see The mayor has a clear vision for the city.