Academic Word of the Day Set 11

Previous Academic Word of the Day Sets

This page contains words from Set 11

This page examines particular academic words and their usage in academic writing.

For each word, it examines the meaning or meanings of that word and its collocations, connotations, other words in the same word families, possible synonyms, antonyms, and lexical phrases, and provides examples of its use in authentic texts which are cited and listed in the bibliography. Occasionally, where an example is taken from a text which is particularly rich in examples of the headword, the citation is also a link to the source article. There is also an indication of whether the word appears in an academic word list. These are:

AWL: The Academic Word List
NAWL: The New Academic Word List
AKL: The Academic Keyword List
OPAL: The Oxford Phrasal Academic Lexicon
NGSL: The New General Service List (a basic word list rather than an academic one)

In the example sentences the words of the day are highlighted in red. Other 'academic words' are highlighted in bold.
Where the example sentences contain 'academic' words, these are highlighted in bold, as in this paragraph. Only words from the Academic Word List (AWL), the New Academic Word List (NAWL) or some from the Academic Keyword List (AKL) are highlighted. This gives you an idea of how common and important these words are in these types of academic or technical texts.

If you need to find or highlight academic words in a text you can use the Academic Word Highlighter. This gives you a choice about which word list to use for highlighting.

The words of the day appear in order by date.

area AWL OPAL NGSL: NOUN COUNTABLE 1. a two dimensional space; 2. a subject or activity under discussion
Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of a certain area. (Fodder 2022)
The people of Taos Pueblo stayed year-round in the same area of northern New Mexico, which was home to vast mountain ranges and flowing rivers. (Fodder 2022)
Burns are classified based on size, usually expressed as a percentage of total body surface area, as well as severity, which is determined by the number of skin layers affected. (Vetter 2016)
The part of the brain that seems most responsible for prospective memory is an area of the frontal lobes, referred to as Brodmann’s area 10. (Raskin 2024)
The cause of most cases of MND is currently unknown, although multiple hypotheses have been put forward. This is currently an area of major research throughout the world. (Collins-Praino and Katharesan 2017)
Common collocates for this word:

area

local
wide
particular
small
whole
large
surrounding
urban
geographical
central
residential
rural
wide
important
grey

Word Family: area (noun)
Synonyms: zone, region, field, sphere, domain,
18/07/25 - Set 11
contract AWL NGSL: NOUN COUNTABLE a legal agreement between two or more parties
Swift was just 15-years-old when she signed her first record contract. (Potter 2025)
In essence, contract theory is about giving each party the right incentives or motivations to work effectively together. (Kolotilin and Li 2016)
Under traditional music industry contracts, record labels usually hold ownership of masters and associated materials. (Potter 2025)
Contract farming is when farmers grow crops to meet contracts they have signed with buyers. (Dapilah 2024)
Consumers are confident they understand the contract they sign when buying a smartphone, but our research shows they don’t comprehend these documents very much at all. (Harrison 2016)
Common collocates for this word:

contract

social
unfair
fixed-term
two-year
original
binding
written
short-term
main
forward
major
particular
unfair
long-term
commercial

Word Family: contract (noun), contract (verb), contractual (adjective), contractually (adverb)
Synonyms: agreement, treaty, accord
17/07/25 - Set 11
distribution AWL NAWL OPAL: NOUN COUNTABLE 1. the process of giving things out to various people or organisations, according to certain criteria; 2. the way things are spread out in a particular area
Let’s say you divide a cake for your birthday. Dividing it equally might be the fair distribution in this case, but often we end up with unequal, yet fair distributions (of cake or other goods). (Baiasu 2020)
We need more initiatives that enable equitable distribution of land, water and income globally. (Yasmeen 2022)
Our new research shows that city size and population distribution matter when the priorities are access to amenities and equality of opportunities and outcomes – and not just economic growth. (Sarkar 2018)
Inefficient global power transmission and distribution infrastructure requires additional electricity generation to compensate for losses. (Surana and Jordaan 2019)
These companies relied on a new type of warehouse: the distribution center, which used computer technology to make supply chains more efficient. (Williams 2024)
Common collocates for this word:

distribution

geographical
normal
unequal
equitable
equal
exclusive
wide
spatial
neutral
retail
regional
physical
normal
new
uneven

Word Family: distribution (noun), distribute (verb)
Synonyms: spread, apportionment, allotment, dissemination
16/07/25 - Set 11
evidence AWL AKL OPAL NGSL: NOUN UNCOUNTABLE information (documents, photos, videos, testimony, etc.) which helps to demonstrate whether something is true or not
(Saunders 2013)
Scientific evidence relies on data, and it is crucial for researchers to ensure that the data they collect is representative of the “true” situation. (Saunders 2013)
Reproducibility is fundamental to constructing and communicating claims based on evidence. (Nurse et al. 2025)
Several recent papers point to positive impact of banning mobile phones at school on student performance and other outcomes. Understanding the evidence is crucial for best policy. (Beland 2021)
Recent studies from Spain and Norway, using a similar empirical strategy to ours, also show compelling evidence on the benefit of banning mobile phones on student performance, with similar effect size. (Beland 2021)
Common collocates for this word:

evidence

empirical
clear
sufficient
medical
direct
scientific
available
strong
conclusive
good
ample
historical
clear
circumstantial
experimental

Word Family: evidence (noun), evident (adjective)
Synonyms: proof, corroboration, affirmation, indication
15/07/25 - Set 11
individual AWL AKL OPAL NGSL: NOUN COUNTABLE one particular person or thing, or in the plural (individuals) each person or thing in a group considered as a single entity.
Neoliberalism encourages us to see ourselves as isolated individuals, responsible for our own success or failure. (Lively 2025)
Legally and morally, each individual has ownership for their own actions and must bear the consequences of those actions individually. (Thomas 2019)
For the individual, unemployment can cause psychological distress, which can lead to a decline in life satisfaction. (Toit 2020)
By understanding a patient’s unique genetic profile, biomarker readings and lifestyle information, doctors could tailor the most effective and safest treatments for that individual. (Pathan 2025)
What can be done to limit global warming to 1.5°C? A quick internet search offers a deluge of advice on how individuals can change their behaviour. (Byskov 2019)
Common collocates for this word:

individual

single
particular
private
given
named
isolated
unemployed
unique
specific
creative
ordinary
representative
particular
infected
lone

Word Family: individual (noun), individual (adjective)
14/07/25 - Set 11
interpretation AWL AKL OPAL NGSL: NOUN COUNTABLE 1. an explanation or opinion about the meaning of something (a text, an act, an image, a sign, a sound, etc.); 2. a particular (perhaps personal) way of representing or performing something (such as music or other art form)
There are many pitfalls in interpretation of satellite images that can only be resolved on the ground. (Horton and Heyd 2015)
The huge array of blood tests available to the clinician aid in a rapid diagnosis in many instances. But the choice and the interpretation of the test needs to be considered in light of the patient and their presenting symptoms. (Dwyer 2017)
In the interpretation of this convention, the United Nations Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights has emphasised that: 'all children within a state, including those with an undocumented status, have a right to receive education and access to adequate food and affordable health care'. (Killander 2019)
The tiny slices, lack of clear labelling and the kaleidoscope of colours [in a pie chart example] make interpretation difficult for anyone. (Barnett and Oguoma 2024)
At first glance, this 30% restoration target sounds like a huge and important step towards reversing biodiversity loss. But the devil is in the detail, and almost every word of this target is open to interpretation. (Bell-James 2024)
Common collocates for this word:

interpretation

correct
different
new
liberal
statutory
proper
literal
particular
local
judicial
personal
broad
different
possible
alternative

Word Family: interpretation (noun), interpret (verb)
Synonyms: explanation, analysis
11/07/25 - Set 11
procedure AWL AKL OPAL NGSL: VERB COUNTABLE a standard, accepted way of doing something (completing a particular process)
A standard operating procedure, or SOP, is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations. (Standard Operating Procedure - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics n.d.)
Surgeons often decide to perform procedures because that’s what’s usually done, it’s what they’re taught, it sounds logical or it fits with observations from their own practice. (Harris and Myles 2016)
Doctors should not perform surgical procedures and taxpayers should not have to cover their cost until there’s high quality evidence they work. (Harris and Myles 2016)
A number of studies have found that cosmetic surgery patients do experience improvements in their body image following a cosmetic procedure. (Swami 2023)
Legal procedure refers to the set of rules and processes followed in the legal system to resolve disputes and administer justice(Legal Procedure - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics n.d.)
Common collocates for this word:

procedure

remote
civil
normal
whole
surgical
special
standard
correct
simple
proper
criminal
usual
civil
legal
optional

Word Family: procedure (noun), procedural (adjective), proceed (verb)
Synonyms: method, way, technique, approach, process,
10/07/25 - Set 11
response AWL OPAL NGSL: NOUN a reaction to particular event (not only an answer to a question)
A fight response is when someone reacts to a threat with aggression. (Woolard 2023)
The stress cycle is our body’s response to a stressful event, whether real or perceived, physical or psychological. (Thomas and Larkin 2024)
Laughing is also a social activity that activates parts of the limbic system – the part of the brain involved in emotional and behavioural responses. (Thomas and Larkin 2024)
While inflammation is commonly associated with the pain of an injury or the many diseases it can cause, it is an important part of the normal immune response. (Nagarkatti and Nagarkatti 2022)
Inflammation is a local defensive response to infection. (LeGrand and Alcock 2023)
The standard view that the heat of fever kills pathogens and enhances immune responses is correct but incomplete. (LeGrand and Alcock 2023)
Common collocates for this word:

response

positive
immediate
immune
direct
good
emotional
poor
appropriate
rapid
correct
negative
quick
immediate
inflammatory
flexible

Word Family: response (noun), responsive (adjective), respond (verb)
Synonyms: reaction, answer, reply
09/07/25 - Set 11
significance AWL AKL OPAL NGSL: NOUN 1. the meaning of something; 2. the importance of something
This research is of great significance because this technology can generate light and electrical energy simultaneously without batteries, using only motion, and it can be used immediately. (Science and Technology n.d.)
The significance of the summer solstice to the Indigenous peoples of Mexico largely depended on regional agricultural cycles. (Ybarra 2024)
Meaning occurs when we ascribe personal significance to things. (Ahmed 2023)
In 2022, the Council of Europe emphasised the significance of plurilingual and intercultural education for fostering democratic culture, noting its cognitive, linguistic and social benefits. (Ramirez 2024)
Durga Puja is an extraordinary example of intangible cultural heritage. It merges religious significance and secular messages, old artistic practices and new artistic innovations. (Cosentino 2024)
Into the 19th century, a few intellectually lonely figures recognized the significance of microbes in the spread of infectious disease, without their ideas gaining much traction. (Dizikes 2025)
Common collocates for this word:

significance

statistical
great
particular
special
political
real
social
symbolic
considerable
practical
economic
full
great
new
historical

Word Family: significance (noun), signify (verb), significant (adjective), significantly (adverb), insignificant (adjective)
Synonyms: meaning, weight, importance, relevance
08/07/25 - Set 11
variable OPAL NGSL: ADJECTIVE changeable, not always the same
Britain’s weather has always been variable, but it’s now extremely variable. We’ve experienced this seesaw pattern of drought followed by flooding, as seen in the contrast between dry and wet months seen over the past year. (Cloke 2025)
Away from the equator, light intensity falls and temperature becomes more variable, reducing growth, and therefore the rate of range expansion, for many coral species. (Vogt-Vincent 2025)
The more researchers learn about Akkermansia muciniphila and the other microbes that live in the colon, the more we understand the importance of eating a variable, high-fibre diet. (Crouch 2025)
This recognition of variable individual capability is something critics say is missing from today’s curriculum. (Milne and Boyask 2025)
The age that children attain certain skills is variable. While many children achieve skills at a similar age, the range of what is considered “normal development” is in fact far broader than what is considered “common”. (Elliot and Papadopoulos 2016)
Common collocates for this word:

variable

speed
rate
costs
length
number
data
values
size
frequency
factors
width
temperature
rate
amounts
degree

Word Family: variable (adjective), variable (noun), vary (verb)
07/07/25 - Set 11

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