2025-02-13
26
dataAWL
NOUN UNCOUNTABLE followed by a verb in either singular or plural. Strictly data is plural, datum being the singular. This has long fallen into disuse. Information of any kind collected and stored, usually in digital form, for various uses.
Data shows that as citizens, women tend to care for nature and the environment more than men and they tend to be more responsible for actions which may impact the climate change. (Profeta 2024) According to this European Social Survey data, the share of women who agreed that it’s important to care for nature and the environment is higher than the share of men in all European countries. (Profeta 2024) It challenges us to publish archaeological data that is sometimes only revealed for the first time in the supplements of paleogenomics papers. (Prendergast 2022) Researchers in the region are working to collect data from tourists about how their pre-existing perceptions of coral cover and colour match their actual experiences. (Anderson 2016) Another recommendation is that the government must invest in the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This should include “data infrastructure, systems and human resources to efficiently utilise data in decision making”. (Mlambo et al. 2025) Common collocates for this word:

data

shading image

electronic
raw
personal
available
unpublished
statistical
historical
relevant
empirical
spatial
digital
basic
seismic
quantitative
scientific

 Word Family: data (noun)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: information, facts and figures 13/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-12
26
methodicalAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
ADJECTIVE DESCRIPTOR in a careful and ordered way, using a particular procedure
In the classroom, the acquisition of communication skills occurs through explicit instruction and methodical study, and that conscious effort is what we call learning. (Vazquez-Calvo 2023) This missing link imagery, based on the idea that evolution is a methodical process with logical, continuous connections to be discovered and mapped, might set up a good story. (Nee 2015) This methodical progression – from mice to elephants – ensures that each step is shown to be effective before moving on to the next. (Hearn 2025) Stay curious and humble and be methodical in tracking your progress. (Harrison 2023) In the class, I talk with the students about human rights. We think about how this powerful idea applies to social systems. This systems framework helps us approach social justice issues in a methodical, mathematical manner. (Ordóñez 2025) Common collocates for this word:

methodical

shading image

approach
manner
way
nature
presentation
procedures
teacher
study
mind
approach
manner
way
nature
presentation
procedures

 Word Family: methodical (adjective), method (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: careful, rigorous, meticulous, painstaking 12/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-11
26
aspectAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE 1. one part of a particular problem, issue, situation; 2. a particular way of thinking about an issue or approaching a problem
Working memory has been repeatedly invoked as one of the key aspects that separate humans from their closest living relatives. But our study provides evidence that chimpanzees possess similar working memory abilities to humans. (Völter 2019) Perhaps the most concerning aspect of owning pets is the climate impact of the food they eat. (Alexander 2023) Conscientious students sometimes undertake aspects of the process themselves – as professional authors typically do. (Baron 2023) The aerobic exercise aspect could also enhance the efficiency and flexibility of neural connections in the brain. (Nyman 2020) Scholars of history, philosophy, religious studies, literature and media are exploring many aspects of humans' relationship with the Earth. (Allison and Miller 2019) Studying abroad is a great opportunity to learn by experience. When they come back from Erasmus, students are different. Living in a different country is a fundamental aspect of a Euro-education, so let us be brave and resolutely invest in the European project. (Ascari 2016) Common collocates for this word:

aspect

shading image

important
particular
interesting
significant
different
major
essential
key
crucial
controversial
fundamental
negative
physical
vital
difficult

 Word Family: aspect (noun)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: part, feature 11/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-10
26
elementAWL AKL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE 1. an item or a part of something; 2. a substance composed of similar atoms which cannot be broken down into a simpler substance
As well as new stars, these elements went on to form planets – like our Earth. (Loon 2021) It is a ratio that defines a recurring relationship between a larger element and a smaller subset of that element. (Ostwald 2013) While earlier studies defined a family’s socioeconomic status by one or two factors, such as income, we looked at 11 different elements. (Hu and Morgan 2024) In our view, it’s time for scientists, engineers and humanists to break down these barriers and appreciate the human element of global climate change. (Allison and Miller 2019) There is an element of creativity to this: You’re breaking away from your existing perspectives and assumptions and coming up with a new way of thinking. (Zhu 2023) There has been serious concern for some time that elements of the political and business elite have considered themselves above the law []. (Stanton 2021) Common collocates for this word:

element

shading image

important
key
essential
major
mental
crucial
vital
significant
strong
central
large
finite
final
critical
sexual

 Word Family: element (noun)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: ingredient, part, component 10/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-09
26
implyAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
VERB TRANSITIVE to suggest without stating something explicitly
When reading and interpreting statistics, one must take great care to understand exactly what the data and its statistics are implying – and more importantly, what they are not implying. (Borwein (Jon) and Rose 2014) For films made in 1950, when acetate films were becoming popular, this implies that vinegar syndrome won’t develop until about the year 2400. (Ahmad 2020) The chart implies that, on average, Korean firms produce six times more output with the same capital and labour as Ghanaian ones. That is one measure of underlying productivity. (Teal 2016) Consumers are regularly bombarded with advertisements for personal ancestry testing, implying that genetics and identity are synonymous. (Prendergast n.d.) Images of gushing oil derricks implied that the American good life meant unfettered consumption of fossil fuels. (Allison and Miller 2019) But just because two quantities are correlated does not necessarily mean that one is directly causing the other to change. Correlation does not imply causation, just like cloudy weather does not imply rainfall, even though the reverse is true.(Borwein (Jon) and Rose 2014) Common collocates for this word:

imply

shading image

necessarily
readily
often
always
logically
surely
automatically
inevitably
strongly
immediately
sually
actually
fundamentally
thereby
ultimately

 Word Family: imply (verb), implication (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: indicate, suggest, hint, presuppose 09/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-06
26
commissionAWL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE 1. a group of people given a particular task (normally by the government or other authority; 2. an act of doing something (often a crime or misdeed); 3. a formal request to perform an act or duty on behalf of someone else
It is of course the more serious lies that we care about. These are typically divided into two categories: lies of “commission” and lies of “omission”. (Reynolds 2012) Lies of commission are those in which you proactively manufacture a version of events that differs with what you know to be “true”. (Reynolds 2012) The commission of the building is a joyous moment, but as the process of design and construction throws up challenges, the tension escalates. (Kallitsis 2025) New Zealand’s Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 as a “permanent commission of inquiry” on issues affecting Māori people. (Wadrawane et al. 2023) After a final stage of negotiations, to reconcile different drafts produced by the European Parliament, Commission and Council, the law should be approved before the end of the year. (Cristianini 2023)In 2022, the National Skills Commission found more than nine out of ten new jobs to be created in the next five years will require post-secondary qualifications. (Bills and Howard 2023) Common collocates for this word:

commission

shading image

special
high
economic
parliamentary
national
joint
international
electoral
independent
military
advisory
constitutional
regulatory
presidential
central

 Word Family: commission (noun), commission (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: deputation, authorization, mandate 06/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-05
26
legislatureAWL
NOUN COUNTABLE a group of people empowered (for a limited time) to make laws
The concept of separation of powers is incorporated into just about every democratic constitution. It rests on the principle of the separation of powers between the three fundamental branches of government: executive, legislature and judiciary. (Bufacchi 2025) In 2019, the Assembly of European Chambers said it [having two chambers] was good for democracy. They emphasised bicameral legislatures’ ability to make laws more efficiently, and represent minority groups and territories. (Gerzso 2024) It [the transitional constitution] provides for the establishment of the three arms of government – legislature, executive and judiciary – with distinct powers and functions. (Deng 2025) A new ranking by UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union puts Nigeria 179th out of 185 countries for the percentage of women in the national legislature. (Okedele, Kang, and Greenlee 2025) The name Congress refers to the entire national legislature, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. (Wirls 2024) Common collocates for this word:

legislature

shading image

federal
transitional
elected
supreme
united
national
bicameral
central
provincial
unlimited
joint
unicameral
fragmented
sovereign
democratic

 Word Family: legislature (noun), legislation (noun), legislate (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: parliament, congess 05/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-04
26
resourceAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE anything of value because of how it can be used
And it’s resource intensive: Avocado trees consume four to five times more water than Michoacán’s native pines, jeopardizing water resources for human consumption. (Fernández 2024) You could argue that rich countries simply have more resources so their companies are bound to be more productive – or have higher levels of output per worker. (Teal 2016) Things are not perfect, and there are concerns about poverty, conflict, resources running out and the ecological impact of 8 billion humans and their dietary choices. (Grant 2023) While the rich has resources to live in well-planned residential areas, urban poor have to live in parts most vulnerable to floods. (Priadi et al. 2023) From another perspective, tourism is particularly valuable to the reef because it is a relatively clean industry that relies on the preservation, rather than depletion, of the resource for its own survival. (Anderson 2016) Common collocates for this word:

resource

shading image

human
valuable
natural
scarce
important
national
useful
vital
educational
real
major
renewable
invaluable
limited
archaeological

 Word Family: resource (noun), resourceful (adjective)Synonyms: source, asset 04/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-03
26
indicatorAWL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE something which shows or points to the source of information
The world’s oceans are hotter than ever recorded, and their heat has increased each decade since the 1960s. This relentless increase is a primary indicator of human-induced climate change. (Trenberth 2022) The peppered moth will always hold a special place in the annals of evolutionary biology. Its story is a classic example of natural selection, and of how animals can act as indicators of environmental change. (Feeney 2015) A key limitation of GDP, particularly in terms of its use as an indicator of social progress, is that it offers no systematic account of the distribution of incomes. (Coyle, Allin, and Jackson 2022) Some scientists think of DMS [dimethyl disulphide] as a biomarker - a molecular indicator of life on Earth. (Whittaker 2025) Recent studies have shown that the ability to stand on one leg may be one of the best physical indicators of overall health and longevity. (Porcar and Díaz 2025) Common collocates for this word:

indicator

shading image

good
important
useful
reliable
single
leading
poor
sensitive
prognostic
key
clear
semantic
accurate
simple
economic

 Word Family: indicator (noun), indication (noun), indicate (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: suggestion, indication, sign, warning, forewarning 03/02/2026 - Set 26
2025-02-02
26
deductionAWL AKL OPAL
NOUN UNCOUNTABLE 1. the process of thinking about facts in order to reach a conclusion; 2. a reduction in cost, or total amount due
Humans have two primary modes of reasoning: deduction and induction. When we reason deductively, we tease out the implications of information already available to us. (Ellerton 2016) Around this time, the US introduced an income-tax deduction for gifts to charities. (Martin 2017) You can think of deduction as using generalised rules to reason about a specific example, while induction and abduction involve looking at a collection of examples and trying to work out the rules that explain them. (Bradford and Ireland 2020This text has many examples of the use of the word 'deduction'.) New information is gained through reasoning, inference and deduction, which enhance learning. (Badenhorst 2025) Deduction is most of what goes on in mathematics or Suduko puzzles and induction is usually about generalising or analogising and is integral to the processes of science. (Ellerton 2014) Common collocates for this word:

deduction

shading image

logical
valid
automatic
brilliant
proper
simple
compounded
uncorroborated
chilling
anthropological
informed
retrospective
instinctive
educated
rigorous

 Word Family: deduction (noun), deduce (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: conclusion, inference 02/02/2026 - Set 26