Academic Word of the Day
A daily examination of a particular academic (AWL) word and its usage in academic writing
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 collocationsThe tendency of a particular word or phrase to be found in the proximity of another., connotationsThe additional or incidental meanings, associations or references which a word, phrase or sentence might have in addition to its obvious core meaning., other words in the same word familiesA group of words which share the same root and similar basic meaning but have different syntactic uses because of their different inflected forms or derived forms made with different affixes., possible synonymsA word which has the same meaning and use as another., antonymsA word which has the opposite meaning to another word., and lexical phrasesMulti-word chunks of language which may be of varying length and which have various functions., and provides examples of its use in authentic textsA text written by someone writing about matters in their own specialist area for other specialists or for the general public, but not for English teaching purposes. 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:
- AWLPresent in the Academic Word List: The Academic Word List
- NAWLPresent in the New Academic Word List: The New Academic Word List
- AKLPresent in the Academic Keyword List: The Academic Keyword List
- OPALPresent in the Oxford Phrasal Academic Lexicon: The Oxford Phrasal Academic Lexicon
- NGSLPresent in the New General Service List: The New General Service List (a basic word list rather than an academic one)
Where the example sentences contain 'academic' words, these are highlighted in bold, as in this paragraph. Only words from the Academic Word List (AWLPresent in the Academic Word List), the New Academic Word List (NAWLPresent in the New Academic Word List) or some from the Academic Keyword List (AKLPresent in the Academic Keyword List) 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. They are also divided into sets of ten words, which are the ten words tested in each set of quizzes.
You can see all previous sets by going to the Previous Sets page.
You can see all previous Academic Word of the Day Quizzes by going to the Academic Word of the Day Quizzes page.
There are also occasional collocation quizzes to test recall of words in previous sets (mainly the previous 2 or 3 sets).
All the collocation quizzes are also available on the Academic Word of the Day Collocation Quizzes pages.
You can more collocates of words from various academic word lists by consulting the Collocation Dictionary.
CloseToday's word is:
- identical AWL NAWL AKL OPAL
- ADJECTIVE the same as
Identical twins come from a single zygote that splits in two. (McEwen and Jacobs 2019) And yet, worker and queen bees are genetically identical organisms. (Dus 2022) The RNA genomes of the viruses are about 80% identical. (Roossinck 2020) When any two humans are compared, 99.9 per cent of their genetic material is identical. (Cheval and Boisgontier 2023) It uses a pair of identical 8.2-meter diameter telescopes – about the biggest mirrors that can be made – on a single mount. (Laycock 2019) Common collocates for this word:identical
twins
conditions
terms
results
positions
form
particles
characteristics
items
firms
circumstances
products
model
size
sections
Word Family: identical (adjective), identitythe fact or condition of being a particular person or thing. (noun), identically (adverb)
Synonyms: same ,
22/05/2026 - Set 33 - paradigm AWL NAWL
- NOUN COUNTABLE a model, example, or an accepted way of thinking about something
According to Kuhn, all of us (even scientists and anthropologists) are fallible. We grow up with a paradigm (such as “Aboriginal culture is primitive”) which we accept as true. Anything that doesn’t fit into that paradigm is dismissed as irrelevant or aberrant. (Norris 2014) This paradigm shift – from a single-use mindset to one of “reduce, reuse, recycle” – is already common in other fields. (Cabrero and Laura 2025) We need a new economic paradigm that recognises the parity between the three pillars of sustainable development. Social, economic and environmental wellbeing are indivisible. Together they define gross global happiness. (Wiseman 2012) There is a philosophical stance sometimes called intellectual humility, which involves doubting whether there are ultimate truths by looking at evidence from scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts (changes in systems of belief and knowledge) in history. (Vickers 2022) All of them called for an awakening of the awareness that the rapid implementation of a new economic paradigm is an essential precondition for ensuring that we are to able pass on a sustainable way of life to our children and grand children. (Wiseman 2012) Common collocates for this word:paradigm
dominant
programming
research
scientific
learning
economic
experimental
emerging
current
alternative
cultural
design
management
major
traditional
Word Family: paradigm (noun), paradigmatic (adjective)
Synonyms: model, pattern1. a regular repeated arrangement of shapes, lines or colours; 2. a particular method, procedure, or behaviour which is always conducted in the same way., example, ideal
21/05/2026 - Set 33 - release AWL OPAL NGSL
- VERB TRANSITIVE to allow to escape; give freedom to; publish; emit
This happens because onions release an irritating chemical that makes your eyes sting. (Daughtry 2020) If you breathed pure oxygen, the energy from your food would be released all at once. (Lynch 2020) Every lump of coal or gallon of gasoline that’s burned releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Denning 2022) Moths and bats flying at night locate flowers by the scent some release after the Sun goes down. (Harkess 2021) The air is filled with many small odor molecules which are released from “smelly” things like perfume or food. (Harkess 2021) Common collocates for this word:release
energy
staff
calcium
resources
tension
funds
people
information
figures
details
data
potassium
glucose
oxygen
version
Word Family: release (verb), release (noun)
Synonyms: liberate, free, publishto make something (a text or art work) available for public consumption or viewing, discharge
20/05/2026 - Set 33 - simulate AWL NAWL
- VERB TRANSITIVE to produce something or perform in such a way a that it seems real
Climate models are some of the most complex pieces of software ever written, able to simulate a vast number of different parts of the overall system, such as the atmosphere or ocean. (Khatiwala 2024) Yet despite their importance, chemical processes driven by light are difficult to simulate accurately. (Kassal and Tan 2025) The technique is known as simulated annealing because early on – like hot metal in the early phase of cooling – the system is pliable and changeable. (Palmer 2022) Traditional computers struggle, because it takes vast computational power to simulate this quantum behaviour. (Kassal and Tan 2025) To use a model to simulate climate change, it has to be started from conditions representative of before industrialisation led to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. (Khatiwala 2024) Common collocates for this word:simulate
conditions
daylight
reality
data
changes
movement
death
processes
traffic
disease
systems
effects
voices
flight
events
Word Family: simulate (verb), simulation (noun)
Synonyms: imitate, mimic
19/05/2026 - Set 33 - thesisAWL NAWL
- NOUN COUNTABLE a long piece or writing on a serious subject; a main idea. plural: theses
This week marks the centenary of the French physicist Louis de Broglie’s doctoral thesis, which later earned him a Nobel prize for “his discovery of the wave nature of electrons”. (Letertre 2024) My thesis studies how certain authors of the past century used smell in literature to indicate social hostilities, such as prejudice and exploitation. (Louks 2024) The central thesis of our approach is this: the particular linkages that allow for large-scale consciousness – like those humans and other mammals enjoy – result from a shared resonance among many smaller constituents. (Hunt 2018) With chapters describing the structure of protein fibres in jellyfish, shark fins and hair, Bell’s PhD thesis might seem an unlikely milestone in biology. (Hall 2022) One of the most quoted studies to back up the thesis of a superior intelligence in corvids is that of crows using cars as nutcrackers. (Berthet and Kaiser 2023) Common collocates for this word:thesis
doctoral
central
main
particular
original
entire
unexceptionable
sociological
comparative
underlying
written
academic
moral
interesting
basic
Word Family: thesis (noun)
Synonyms: dissertation, proposition, treatise, proposal, argument, theorya statement devised to explain facts upon which predictions or conjectures can be made and tested
18/05/2026 - Set 33 - uniqueAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE existing as the one and only example
Over a lifetime, our patterns of thoughts and behaviour become entrenched – it is our unique history, our unique habits and patterns, that make us special. (Chater 2019) Each method has unique equipment, timing, temperature, pressure, and coffee grind and water needs. (Beckett 2022) To differentiate itself from other flowers, each species' flowers puts out a unique scent to attract specific pollinators. (Harkess 2021) But wild canids, including arctic foxes, still very much need this unique ability to survive. (Job 2021) The type of chemical, its amount and its interaction with other chemicals give the flower its unique scent. (Harkess 2021) Common collocates for this word:unique
opportunity
position
way
collection
combination
features
feature
set
experience
number
contribution
character
style
role
identifier
Word Family: unique (adjective), uniquely (adverb)
Synonyms: singular, matchless
15/05/2026 - Set 33 - comprehensive AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE complete and all inclusive
Climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion are not isolated problems — they are part of an interconnected web of crises that demand urgent and comprehensive action. (Hayden, Vasseur, and Jones 2024) It can enhance motivation and confidence among pupils, while contributing to a more diverse and comprehensive learning experience. (Havinga, Kasstan, and Sheehan 2025) The law Ghana has a broad and comprehensive legal framework for mining, with overlapping responsibilities for state institutions. (Bansah 2022) Taking a comprehensive view, leadership qualities include personal attributes, technical and professional competencies, values and attitudes, and conduct. (Veldsman 2016) This study was based on data from over 8,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a comprehensive resource for medical research that includes genetic data. (Pierscionek 2025) Common collocates for this word:comprehensive
range
system
review
survey
study
guide
news
list
education
service
assessment
programme
account
approach
collection
Word Family: comprehensive (adjective), comprehend (verb)
Synonyms: inclusive, exhaustive, complete, thorough, extensive,
14/05/2026 - Set 33 - decade AWL OPAL NGSL
- NOUN COUNTABLE a period of ten years
In a new study, we found a 246% increase in the number of homes and structures destroyed by wildfires in the contiguous Western U.S. between the past two decades, 1999-2009 and 2010-2020. (Balch et al. 2023) This is partly driven by an increase in flooding incidents in cities such as Accra and Kumasi in the last decade. (Amponsah and Takyi 2025) 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) Our investigation revealed that heatwaves have damaged many (but not all) reef communities over the past decade. (Edgar 2023) Meanwhile, the frequency of once-in-a-decade agricultural and ecological droughts has increased, global sea levels have risen and the Earth's pole has shifted. (Walling 2025) Common collocates for this word:decade
past
previous
following
new
coming
present
final
preceding
remarkable
particular
good
entire
whole
intervening
post-war
Word Family: decade (noun)
Synonyms: 13/05/2026 - Set 33 - definite AWL NAWL
- ADJECTIVE certain, clear, well established
These are questions scientists don’t have definite answers to yet. (Singal 2021) Theories from “classical” physics, such as relativity, are deterministic. This means that certain initial conditions have a definite outcome and are therefore absolutely predictive. (Dimopoulos 2024) According to quantum mechanics, particles can be in several possible locations at the same time – a property called superposition. It is only when a particle is observed that it (randomly) picks a definite position. (Hertog 2023) Participants responded to a set of 45 statements such as “I get anxious taking on problems that don’t have a definite solution” and “I like engaging with complex work problems”. (Becker and O’Connor 2019) The ability to earn income is critical to sustaining livelihoods. Having a definite source of income is the bedrock of budgeting. (Adejumo 2022) Common collocates for this word:definite
article
answer
signs
conclusions
shape
decision
evidence
time
ideas
starter
plan
date
improvement
conclusion
commitment
Word Family: definite (adjective), definitionan explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase (noun), definitiveunlikely to be improved or changed in any way, and therefore final, conclusive (adjective), define1. to state the meaning of something; 2. to state the extent and limits of something (verb)
Synonyms: precise, exact, sure, certain
12/05/2026 - Set 33 - contrary AWL NAWL
- ADJECTIVE opposite, against; used to show contrast
However, contrary to what we expected, we found men and women were equally likely to be approved for flexible work. (Bardoel et al. 2026) Using cognitive neuroscience methods to study aging has unexpectedly revealed that, contrary to previous thought, aging brains remain somewhat malleable and plastic. (Gutchess 2014) The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) argued that anguish arises because we are free. And, contrary to what most of us think, we don’t like freedom. (Costa 2025) Contrary to popular belief, people do not only turn to confrontational protest because they are desperate or lack political alternatives. (Drury, Uysal, and Acar 2025) Contrary to longstanding myths that multilingualism harms language development, learning multiple languages does not cause or exacerbate DLD. (Letts, White, and Garrido-Tamayo 2026) Common collocates for this word:contrary
intention
agreement
view
indication
motion
evidence
winds
themes
trend
direction
decision
sense
effect
orientations
findings
Word Family: contrary (adjective)
Synonyms: adverse, conflicting, counter, disparate
Lexical phrases: contrary to
11/05/2026 - Set 33
2026-05-22
33
2026-05-21
33
2026-05-20
33
2026-05-19
33
2026-05-18
33
2026-05-15
33
2026-05-14
33
2026-05-13
33
2026-05-12
33
2026-05-11
33
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