300 Words Academic - part 1

1- abandon (verb) 

a‧ban‧don [transitive]

1 to leave someone, especially someone you are responsible for:

How could she abandon her own child?

2 to go away from a place, vehicle etc permanently, especially because the situation makes it impossible for you to stay [= leave]:

We had to abandon the car and walk the rest of the way.

Fearing further attacks, most of the population had abandoned the city.

3 to stop doing something because there are too many problems and it is impossible to continue:

The game had to be abandoned due to bad weather.

They abandoned their attempt to recapture the castle.

Because of the fog they abandoned their idea of driving.

4 to stop having a particular idea, belief, or attitude:

They were accused of abandoning their socialist principles.

Rescuers had abandoned all hope of finding any more survivors.

5

 abandon yourself to something

literary to feel an emotion so strongly that you let it control you completely:

She abandoned herself to grief.

6

 abandon ship

to leave a ship because it is sinking

2- abstract (adjective) 

ab‧stract

1 based on general ideas or principles rather than specific examples or real events [= theoretical]

abstract idea/concept

the ability to translate abstract ideas into words

By the age of seven, children are capable of thinking in abstract terms.

(=thinking about ideas)

2 existing only as an idea or quality rather than as something real that you can see or touch [≠ concrete]:

the abstract nature of beauty

3 abstract paintings, designs etc consist of shapes and patterns that do not look like real people or things

3- accompany (verb) 

ac‧com‧pa‧ny past tense and past participle accompanied, present participleaccompanying, third person singular accompanies [transitive]

1 to go somewhere with someone:

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wherever her husband went, she would accompany him.

! In spoken English, it is more usual to use go/come with He came with me to the airport.

2 to play a musical instrument while someone sings a song or plays the main tune:

Daniel wanted Liz to accompany him on violin.

3 [usually passive] to happen or exist at the same time as something else:

The disease is accompanied by sneezing and fever.

4 if a book, document etc accompanies something, it comes with it:

Please see accompanying booklet for instructions.

Your passport application form should be accompanied by two recent photographs.

4- accuracy (noun) 

ac‧cu‧ra‧cy [uncountable]

1 the ability to do something in an exact way without making a mistake:

He passes the ball with unerring accuracy.

2 the quality of being correct or true [≠ inaccuracy]

accuracy of

worries about the accuracy of government statistics

5- accurate (adjective)

ac‧cu‧rate

1

information

correct and true in every detail [≠ inaccurate]:

The brochure tries to give a fair and accurate description of each hotel.

fairly/reasonably accurate

Police believe Derek gave a reasonably accurate account of what happened.

not strictly/entirely/completely accurate

The evidence she gave to the court was not strictly accurate (=not exactly accurate).

2

measurement

measured or calculated correctly [≠ inaccurate]:

It is difficult to get accurate figures on population numbers.

3

machine

a machine that is accurate is able to do something in an exact way without making a mistake:

The cutter is accurate to within ½ a millimetre.

4

well-aimed

an accurate shot, throw etc succeeds in hitting or reaching the thing that it is intended to hit:

an accurate shot

accurate bowling

—accurately adverb:

It's impossible to predict the weather accurately.

6- acquisition (noun) 

ac‧qui‧si‧tion

1 [uncountable] the process by which you gain knowledge or learn a skill:

the acquisition of language

2 [uncountable] the act of getting land, power, money etc

acquisition of

the acquisition of new sites for development

3 [countable] formal something that you have obtained by buying it or being given it:

The Art Society is holding an exhibition of recent acquisitions.

7- addicted (adjective) 

ad‧dic‧ted

1 unable to stop taking a harmful substance, especially a drug

addicted to

50 million Americans are addicted to nicotine.

2 liking something so much that you do not want to stop doing it or having it

addicted to

kids addicted to surfing the Net

8- adjacent (adjective) 

ad‧ja‧cent

a room, building, piece of land etc that is adjacent to something is next to it:

We stayed in adjacent rooms.

adjacent to

the building adjacent to the library

9- advisory (adjective) 

ad‧vi‧so‧ry

having the purpose of giving advice

advisory committee/body

the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee

advisory role/capacity

He was employed in a purely advisory role.

10- advocacy (noun) 

ad‧vo‧ca‧cy [uncountable]

public support for a course of action or way of doing things

11- affected (adjective) 

af‧fect‧ed

not sincere or natural:

an affected laugh

12- agenda (noun)

a‧gen‧da [countable]

1 a list of problems or subjects that a government, organization etc is planning to deal with

be high on the agenda/be top of the agenda (=be one of the most important problems to deal with)

Measures to combat terrorism will be high on the agenda.

The government set an agenda for constitutional reform.

political/economic/legislative/domestic etc agenda

Our Centre has limited its research agenda to four areas.

2 the ideas that a political party thinks are important and the things that party aims to achieve:

The Republicans have stuck to their conservative agenda.

3 a list of the subjects to be discussed at a meeting:

the next item (=subject) on the agenda

13- albeit (conjunction)

al‧be‧it formal

used to add information that reduces the force or importance of what you have just said [= although]:

He accepted the job, albeit with some hesitation.

Chris went with her, albeit reluctantly

14- alliance (noun) 

al‧li‧ance [countable]

1 an arrangement in which two or more countries, groups etc agree to work together to try to change or achieve something

alliance with

Britain's military alliance with her NATO partners

alliance between

the possibility of a political alliance between the two parties

make/enter into/form/forge an alliance (=agree to work together)

The companies have formed an alliance to market the product.

2 a group of two or more countries, groups etc who work together to achieve something:

independent organizations and alliances

3

 in alliance (with somebody/something)

if two groups, countries etc are in alliance, they work together to achieve something or protect each another:

Relief workers in alliance with local charities are trying to help the victims.

4 formal a close relationship, especially a marriage, between people

15- allocate (verb) 

al‧lo‧cate [transitive]

to use something for a particular purpose, give something to a particular person etc, especially after an official decision has been made

allocate something to somebody/something

the importance of allocating resources to local communities

You should allocate the same amount of time to each question.

allocate something for something

One million dollars was allocated for disaster relief.

allocate somebody/something sth

Several patients were waiting to be allocated a bed.

16- altar  (noun) 

al‧tar [countable]

1 a holy table or surface used in religious ceremonies:

a crucifix above the high altar (=the main altar in a church)

The victim was tied to a sacrificial altar.

2 the area furthest from the entrance of a church, where the priest or minister stands

17- altercation (noun)

al‧ter‧ca‧tion [countable]

formal a short noisy argument:

They became involved in an altercation

18- alternative (noun) 

alternative [countable]

something you can choose to do or use instead of something else

alternative to

Is there a viable alternative to the present system?

If payment is not received legal action will be our only alternative.

I had no alternative but to report him to the police.

He quickly assessed what alternatives were open to him.

19- analogy (noun) 

a‧nal‧o‧gy plural analogies [uncountable and countable]

something that seems similar between two situations, processes etc

analogy with/to/between

analogies between human and animal behaviour

draw/make an analogy (=make a comparison)

She drew an analogy between childbirth and the creative process.

by analogy with

 (=using the analogy of)

20- anguish (noun)

an‧guish [uncountable] written

mental or physical suffering caused by extreme pain or worry:

the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her

—anguished adjective:

an anguished cry for help

21- anonymous (adjective)

a‧non‧y‧mous

1 unknown by name:

the anonymous author of a collection of poems

anonymous donor/benefactor

the anonymous donor of a large sum of money

According to one employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, the company engaged in illegal activities.

2 done, sent, or given by someone who does not want their name to be known:

an anonymous donation of $5,000

anonymous phone call/letter etc (=one that is often unpleasant or contains threats)

3 written uninteresting in features or qualities - used to show disapproval:

grey, anonymous housing estates

—anonymously adverb

22- anxiety (noun)

anx‧i‧e‧ty plural anxieties

1 [uncountable and countable] the feeling of being very worried about something[= concern]

anxiety about/over

There is considerable anxiety among staff about job losses.

There is growing public anxiety over levels of air pollution in our cities.

deep/acute/great anxiety

The fear of unemployment can be a source of deep anxiety to people.

his feelings of anxiety

A high level of anxiety was created by the introduction of cameras into the factory.

It can help if you discuss your anxieties with someone.

2 [uncountable] a feeling of wanting to do something very much

anxiety to do something

I nearly fell in my anxiety to get downstairs quickly.

23- appoint (verb) 

ap‧point [transitive]

1 to choose someone for a position or a job:

officials appointed by the government

appoint somebody to something

He's been appointed to the State Supreme Court.

appoint somebody to do something

A committee was appointed to consider the plans.

appoint (somebody) as something

O'Connell was appointed as chairman.

2 formal to arrange or decide a time or place for something to happen:

The committee appointed a day in June for celebrations.

 (=at the time that had been arranged)

—appointee noun [countable]

a presidential appointee

24- aspect (noun)

as‧pect

1 [countable] one part of a situation, idea, plan etc that has many parts

aspect of

Dealing with people is the most important aspect of my work.

Alcoholism affects all aspects of family life.

2 [countable] the direction in which a window, room, front of a building etc faces:

a south-facing aspect

3 [singular, uncountable] literary the appearance of someone or something:

The storm outside gave the room a sinister aspect.

4 [uncountable and countable] technical the form of a verb in grammar that shows whether an action is continuing, or happens always, again and again, or once:

'He sings' differs from 'He is singing' in aspect.

25- assess (verb)

as‧sess [transitive]

1 to make a judgment about a person or situation after thinking carefully about it[= judge]

assess the impact/extent/effectiveness etc of something

a report to assess the impact of advertising on children

assess what/how etc

The technique is being tried in classrooms to assess what effects it may have.

be assessed as something

Many of the adults were assessed as having learning difficulties.

2 to calculate the value or cost of something

be assessed at something

The value of the business was assessed at £1.25 million.

26- asset (noun)

Related topics: Finance

as‧set [countable]

1 [usually plural] the things that a company owns, that can be sold to pay debts

in assets

a corporation with $9 billion in assets

the value of a company's assets

2 [usually singular] something or someone that is useful because they help you succeed or deal with problems [≠ liability]:

A sense of humor is a great asset in this business.

be an asset to somebody/something

I think Rachel would be an asset to the department.

27- attain (verb)

at‧tain [transitive] formal

1 to succeed in achieving something after trying for a long time:

More women are attaining positions of power.

2 to reach a particular level, age, size etc:

Share prices attained a high of $3.27.

After a year she had attained her ideal weight.

—attainable adjective:

This target should be attainable.

28- attire (noun)

at‧tire [uncountable] formal

clothes:

business attire

29- attorney (noun)

Related topics: Law

at‧tor‧ney [countable] American English

a lawyer

30- audit (noun)

au‧dit [uncountable and countable]

1 an official examination of a company's financial records in order to check that they are correct:

the annual audit

internal audit (=an audit carried out by a company's own staff)

2 formal a detailed examination of something in order to check if it is good enough:

Start with an audit of existing services within the community.

31- aversion (noun)

a‧ver‧sion [singular, uncountable]

a strong dislike of something or someone [= hatred]

aversion to

Despite his aversion to publicity, Arnold was persuaded to talk to the press.

have an aversion to something

I have an aversion to housework.

32- awe  (verb)

awe [transitive usually passive]

formal if you are awed by someone or something, you feel great respect and liking for them, and are often slightly afraid of them:

The girls were awed by the splendour of the cathedral.

—awed adjective:

an awed silence

33- bargain (noun)

Related topics: Trade

bar‧gain [countable]

1 something you buy cheaply or for less than its usual price:

There are no bargains in the clothes shops at the moment.

It's an attractive little home, and I think it's a bargain.

That second-hand table was a real bargain.

Good knives don't come at bargain prices.

 (=people looking for things to buy at low prices)

2 an agreement, made between two people or groups to do something in return for something else

make/strike a bargain

Management and unions have struck a bargain over wage increases.

I've kept my side of the bargain and I expect you to keep yours.

➔ drive a hard bargain

 at hard1 (18)

3

 into the bargain

also in the bargain American English in addition to everything else:

I am now tired, cold, and hungry, with a headache into the bargain.

34- barrage (noun)

bar‧rage

1 [countable usually singular] the continuous firing of guns, dropping of bombs etc, especially to protect soldiers as they move towards an enemy

barrage of

a barrage of anti-aircraft fire

2 [singular] a lot of criticism, questions, complaints etc that are said at the same time, or very quickly one after another

barrage of

a barrage of questions

35- batter (noun)

Related topics: Food Dish, Baseball

batter

1 [uncountable and countable] a mixture of flour, eggs, milk etc, used in cooking and for making bread, cakes etc:

Fry the fish in batter.

pancake batter

2 [countable] the person who is trying to hit the ball in baseball

36- bid  (verb) 

bid past tense and past participle bid, present participle bidding

1 [intransitive and transitive] to offer to pay a particular price for goods, especially in an auction

bid (somebody) something for something

She bid £100 for a Victorian chair.

What am I bid for lot 227? Shall we start at $500?

bid against

The two men ended up bidding against each other at the auction.

2 [intransitive] to offer to do work or provide services for a specific price, in competition with other offers

bid for

Three firms bid for the contract on the new buildings.

3 [intransitive and transitive] to say how many points you think you will win in a game of cards

37- bitter (adjective)

Related topics: Tastes, Nature

bit‧ter

1 feeling angry, jealous, and upset because you think you have been treated unfairly [↪ bitterly]

bitter about

I feel very bitter it.

a bitter old man

2 [only before noun] making you feel very unhappy and upset [↪ bitterly]

a bitter disappointment/blow

If he failed, it would be a bitter disappointment to his parents.

His photo stirred up bitter memories.

from bitter experience (=because of your own very unpleasant experiences)

She knew from bitter experience that it would be impossible to talk it over with Julian.

3 a bitter argument, battle etc is one in which people oppose or criticize each other with strong feelings of hate and anger

bitter dispute/battle/struggle etc

The couple are locked in a bitter battle for custody of the children.

The government faces bitter opposition to these policies.

The countries are still bitter enemies.

4 having a sharp strong taste like black coffee without sugar [↪ sour; sweet]:

Enjoy the beer's bitter taste as you slowly drink it.

bitter chocolate

38- bizarre (adjective) 

bi‧zarre

very unusual or strange:

a bizarre coincidence

dancers in rather bizarre costumes

—bizarrely adverb

39- brawl (noun)

brawl [countable]

a noisy quarrel or fight among a group of people, especially in a public place:

a drunken brawl in the street

40- buffer (verb)

Related topics: Computers

buffer [transitive]

1 to reduce the bad effects of something:

Consumer spending is buffering the effects of the recession.

2 if a computer buffers information, it holds it for a short while before using it

41- burial (noun)

Related topics: Death

bur‧i‧al [uncountable and countable]

1 the act or ceremony of putting a dead body into a grave

2 the act of burying something in the ground

burial of

the burial of solid wastes

42- cabinet (noun)

Related topics: House, Government

cab‧i‧net [countable]

1 also Cabinet [also + plural verb] British English the politicians with important positions in a government who meet to make decisions or advise the leader of the government:

a cabinet meeting

a member of the Cabinet

2 a piece of furniture with doors and shelves or drawers, used for storing or showing things [= cupboard]:

the medicine cabinet

43- cant  (noun)

Related topics: Linguistics

cant

1 [uncountable] insincere talk about moral or religious principles by someone who is pretending to be better than they really are

2 [uncountable] formal special words used by a particular group of people, especially in order to keep things secret [= slang]:

thieves' cant

44- catastrophe (noun)

ca‧tas‧tro‧phe

1 [uncountable and countable] a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death [= disaster]

environmental/nuclear/economic etc catastrophe

The Black Sea is facing ecological catastrophe as a result of pollution.

prevent/avert a catastrophe

Sudan requires food immediately to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

2 [countable] an event which is very bad for the people involved [= disaster]

catastrophe for

If the contract is cancelled, it'll be a catastrophe for everyone concerned.

—catastrophic adjective:

a catastrophic fall in the price of rice

The failure of the talks could have catastrophic consequences.

—catastrophically adverb

WORD FOCUS: accident 
similar words: crash, wreck American English, pile-up, collision, disaster,catastrophe

45- cement (noun)

 Related topics: Household, Construction

ce‧ment [uncountable]

1 a grey powder made from lime and clay that becomes hard when it is mixed with water and allowed to dry, and that is used in building [↪ concrete]:

a bag of cement

2 a thick sticky substance that becomes very hard when it dries and is used for filling holes or sticking things together

46- chapel (noun)

Related topics: Labour Relations, Unions, Christianity

chap‧el

1 [countable] a small church, or a room in a hospital, prison, big church etc in which Christians pray and have religious services

2 [countable] a building where Christians who are Nonconformists have religious services

3 [uncountable] British English the religious services held in a chapel:

Bethan goes to chapel every Sunday.

4 [countable] British English the members of a union in the newspaper or printing industry

47- chic  (adj)

chic

very fashionable and expensive, and showing good judgement of what is attractive and good style:

Margaret was looking very chic in blue.

a chic restaurant

—chic noun [uncountable]

the art of comfortable chic

48- chorus (noun)

Related topics: Dance, Music, Theatre

cho‧rus [countable]

1 the part of a song that is repeated after each verse:

Everyone joined in the chorus.

2 a large group of people who sing together [= choir]:

I sing with the university chorus.

3 a piece of music written to be sung by a large group of people:

a recording of the Hallelujah Chorus

4 a group of singers, dancers, or actors who act together in a show but do not have the main parts:

New voices are needed to join the chorus for the annual festival in October.

5

 a chorus of thanks/disapproval/protest etc

something that a lot of people all say at the same time:

The minister was greeted with a chorus of boos.

There was a chorus of agreement from the committee.

More politicians have now joined in the chorus of complaints.

6

 in chorus

if people say something in chorus, they say the same thing at the same time:

'Thank you,' they said in chorus.

49- chronic (adjective)

Related topics: Illness and Disability

chron‧ic

1 a chronic disease or illness is one that continues for a long time and cannot be cured [↪ acute]:

chronic arthritis

chronic asthma

chronic heart disease

2 a chronic problem is one that continues for a long time and cannot easily be solved:

chronic unemployment

There is a chronic shortage of teachers.

3

 chronic alcoholic/gambler etc

someone who has behaved in a particular way for a long time and cannot stop:

He was a chronic alcoholic and unable to hold down a job.

a chronic smoker

4 British English informal extremely bad:

The food was absolutely chronic!

50- circuit (noun)

 Related topics: Other Sports, Electricity, Electrical, Electricity

cir‧cuit [countable]

1 a path that forms a circle around an area, or a journey along this path:

We did a circuit of the old city.

2 British English a track that cars, motorbikes etc race around

3

 the tennis/lecture/cabaret etc circuit

all the places that are usually visited by someone who plays tennis etc:

a well-known entertainer on the club circuit

4 the complete circle that an electric current travels:

an electrical circuit

5 a regular trip around an area made by a judge or a religious leader, so that a court of law or church can meet in several different places:

a circuit judge

a circuit preacher

51- clarity (noun)

clar‧i‧ty [uncountable]

1 the clarity of a piece of writing, law, argument etc is its quality of being expressed clearly [↪ clear]:

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

a lack of clarity in the law on property rights

2 the ability to think, understand, or remember something clearly [↪ clear]:

He had only visited the village once, but remembered it with surprising clarity.

clarity of vision/purpose/thought etc

Churchill's clarity of vision impressed all who knew him.

3 the quality of being clear and easy to see or hear [↪ clear]:

The picture was of such clarity that it could have been a photograph.

52- clout (noun)

clout

1 [uncountable] informal power or the authority to influence other people's decisions

political/economic etc clout

people with financial clout

the clout to do something

Few companies have the clout to handle such large deals.

An official protest could carry considerable clout.

2 [countable] British English informal a hard blow given with the hand:

He gave him a clout round the ear

53- cohesion (noun) 

co‧he‧sion [uncountable]

1 if there is cohesion among a group of people, a set of ideas etc, all the parts or members of it are connected or related in a reasonable way to form a whole:

a sense of community and social cohesion

2 technical a close relationship, based on grammar or meaning, between two parts of a sentence or a larger piece of writing

54- collapse (verb)

Related topics: Illness and Disability

col‧lapse

1

structure

 [intransitive] if a building, wall etc collapses, it falls down suddenly, usually because it is weak or damaged:

Uncle Ted's chair collapsed under his weight.

The roof had collapsed long ago.

2

illness/injury

 [intransitive] to suddenly fall down or become unconscious because you are ill or weak:

He collapsed with a heart attack while he was dancing.

Marion's legs collapsed under her.

3

fail

 [intransitive] if a system, idea, or organization collapses, it suddenly fails or becomes too weak to continue:

The luxury car market has collapsed.

I thought that without me the whole project would collapse.

4

prices

 [intransitive] if prices, levels, etc collapse, they suddenly become much lower:

There were fears that property prices would collapse.

5

sit/lie

 [intransitive] to suddenly sit down, especially because you are very tired or want to relax:

I was so exhausted when I got home, I just collapsed on the sofa.

6

fold something smaller

 [intransitive and transitive] if a piece of furniture or equipment collapses, or if you collapse it, you can fold it so that it becomes smaller:

The legs on our card table collapse so we can store it in the closet.

7

medical

 [intransitive] if a lung or a blood vessel collapses, it suddenly becomes flat, so that it no longer has any air or blood in it

55- commitment (noun)

com‧mit‧ment

1 [countable] a promise to do something or to behave in a particular way:

Are you ready to make a long-term commitment?

commitment to

Our company has a commitment to quality and customer service.

2 [uncountable] the hard work and loyalty that someone gives to an organization, activity etc:

I was impressed by the energy and commitment shown by the players.

commitment to

Her commitment to work is beyond question.

3 [countable] something that you have promised you will do or that you have to do:

Will the job fit in with your family commitments?

4 [countable] an amount of money that you have to pay regularly:

I had a lot of financial commitments.

5 [uncountable and countable] the use of money, time, people etc for a particular purpose:

commitments of food and medical aid of over $4 billion

56- commodity (noun)

Related topics: Economics

com‧mod‧i‧ty plural commodities [countable]

1 a product that is bought and sold:

agricultural commodities

Commodity prices fell sharply.

2 formal a useful quality or thing:

Time is a precious commodity.

57- comparison (noun)

Related topics: Grammar

com‧pa‧ri‧son

1

comparing

 [uncountable] the process of comparing two or more people or things [↪ compare, comparative]

comparison with

Comparison with his previous movies shows how Lee has developed as a director.

in comparison (with/to something)

In comparison to other recent video games, this one isn't very exciting.

He was a loud friendly man. In comparison, his brother was rather shy.

by comparison (with something)

By comparison with other European countries, car prices in the UK are very high.

After months of living in a tropical climate, Spain seemed cool by comparison.

for comparison (with something)

These figures are provided for comparison with the results of previous studies.

He showed us the original text for comparison.

(=they remind you of them)

58- complementary (adjective)

Related topics: Maths

com‧ple‧men‧ta‧ry

1 complementary things go well together, although they are usually different:

The computer and the human mind have different but complementary abilities.

2 technical complementary colours of light are very different and combine to make white

3 technical two angles that are complementary add up to 90 degrees

—complementarity noun [uncountable]

59- compost (noun)

Related topics: Gardening

com‧post [uncountable]

a mixture of decayed plants, leaves etc used to improve the quality of soil

60- comprehensive (adjective) 

Related topics: Education

com‧pre‧hen‧sive

1 including all the necessary facts, details, or problems that need to be dealt with[= thorough]:

We offer our customers a comprehensive range of financial products.

a comprehensive guide to British hotels and restaurants

The following guidelines do not aim to be totally comprehensive.

comprehensive review/study/survey/account etc

a thorough and comprehensive review of the case

a comprehensive study of alcoholism

! Do not confuse with comprehensible (=possible to understand) orunderstanding (=sympathetic about people's problems): His report was barely comprehensible. | My parents are very understanding.

2

 comprehensive insurance/cover/policy

car insurance that pays for damage whether it is caused by you or someone else

3

 comprehensive education/system

a system of education in Britain in which children of different abilities go to the same school and are taught together

—comprehensively adverb:

No system has failed as comprehensively as the prison system.

—comprehensiveness noun [uncountable]