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:
- classic AWL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE established as an accepted and respected or well-known example
There are a number of classic experiments and theories that every psychology student learns about, but more recent research has questioned their findings so that psychologists today are reevaluating human nature. (Taylor, 2023) In the study, we had 163 participants complete a classic test of “divergent thinking” called the alternate uses task, which asks people to think of new and unusual uses for objects. (Beaty, 2018) Classic examples include the dazzling blue flash of a Morpho butterfly’s wing and the golden mirror-like reflection from a Chrysina beetle, both produced by microscopic layers in the insects' tissues. (McDonald & McNamara, 2020) Through these conversations, I’ve watched them wrestle with the classic conflicts of young adulthood – such as having to balance external rewards like money against internal motivations like wanting to be of service. (Abouchalache 2025) 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) Common collocates for this word:classic
example
case
study
style
illustration
quote
realism
instance
encounter
piece
status
film
dish
routes
experiment
Word Family: classic (adjective), classic (noun), classical (adjective) 11/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: definitiveunlikely to be improved or changed in any way, and therefore final, conclusive, authoritative1. controlling, commanding respect and obedience; 2. containing accurate and complete information from respected and reliable sources, traditional, exemplary, accepted - eventual AWL
- ADJECTIVE ungradable; exclusively attributive happening after a certain period of time or event
In clinical trials, weight loss with GLP-1 medications tends to follow a predictable curve: rapid early losses during drug initiation and dose increases, a gradual slowing and eventual plateau. (Sheer, 2026) If the result is confirmed, it may overturn our current theories of cosmology – and have significant consequences for the eventual fate of the universe. (Ruggeri, 2025) On its journey up to the surface, magma may get stalled in different reservoirs along the way, and travel to its eventual eruption along a complex pathway. (Ubide, 2024) Slender-billed curlews were indicators of the health of the boggy habitats in which they inhabited. Their decline to eventual extinction signifies that these habitats are under severe stress. (Kettel, 2025) The Great Oxidation Event reminds us of a time when life on Earth pumped uncontrolled levels of “waste gas” into the atmosphere. While this facilitated the eventual evolution of complex life like humans, it changed the course of Earth history forever. (Warke, 2020) Common collocates for this word:eventual
outcome
winner
aim
return
success
collapse
closure
release
size
death
successor
settlement
decision
use
arrival
Word Family: eventual (adjective), eventually (adverb) 10/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: prospective, future, forthcoming, impending, imminent - manual AWL NAWL
- ADJECTIVE done by hand rather than machine
One part of science often hidden to the general public is the sheer number of manual, repetitive tasks. (Elagali et al., 2022) The workers most vulnerable to automation are those in routine manual roles. (Gater, 2025) For some young men, a preference for manual labour remains strong, tied to community traditions and masculine identity. (Gater, 2025) So while chemistry is often presented as one of the most advanced sciences, its day-to-day practice remains surprisingly manual. (Cronin, 2026) Improvements in automated sorting are needed to reduce manual sorting of wastes and allow sites to continue working in the event of staff absences.(Stringfellow et al., 2020) Common collocates for this word:manual
workers
labour
occupations
work
system
methods
control
jobs
structure
systems
handling
dexterity
records
employees
skills
Word Family: manual (adjective), manually (adverb) 09/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: physicalrelating to a body or something concrete (rather than abstract) - ignorant AWL
- ADJECTIVE mainly predicative uninformed; lacking knowledge or information
Insulting others and suggesting someone is ignorant or misinformed, no matter how misguided their beliefs may be, will cause the people you are trying to influence to reject your argument. (Bellizzi, 2022) Many collectors are careful in how they buy – but others are simply ignorant of how to buy more responsibly. (Kyriakidis, 2018) Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be. (Vries, 2024) To be a Luddite is seen as synonymous with being primitive — backwards in your outlook, ignorant of innovation’s wonders, and fearful of modern society. (Sadowski, 2021) We tend to underestimate the number of ignorant individuals in our midst, and the influence such people can exert over large groups. (Vries, 2024) Common collocates for this word:ignorant
completely
totally
largely
woefully
blissfully
wholly
entirely
quite
grossly
rather
utterly
culpably
lamentably
profoundly
politically
Word Family: ignorant (adjective), ignorance (noun), ignoreto pay no attention to; disregard (verb) 08/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: unknowing, uninformed
Lexical phrases: ignorant [of, about] - fundamental AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE basic, elementary; serving as an essential or very important basis
Physical education (PE) is a fundamental part of school life. (Cox 2023) Reproducibility is fundamental to constructing and communicating claims based on evidence. (Nurse et al. 2025) An alternative is to recognise that the fundamental purpose of assessment is to establish and understand where individuals are in their long-term learning progress at the time of assessment. (Masters 2017) While legislation is only a first step towards effectively eradicating slavery, it is fundamental to harnessing the power of the state against slavery. (Allain and Schwarz 2020) In fact, research has shown that integrity is a predictor of good leadership and fundamental to fostering commitment and loyalty among employees. (Gala 2023) 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)
Common collocates for this word:fundamental
change
principle
importance
difference
questions
problem
issues
breach
point
freedoms
research
reform
review
rights
reason
Word Family: fundamental (adjective), fundamentally (adverb) 07/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: basic, essential, underlyingexisting but not immediately obvious or visible; basic, supporting, elementary - parallel AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE situated at an equal distance apart at all points; occurring at the same time or under the same conditions
If the depth of the sea floor changes parallel to the coast, incoming waves will refract or bend so their crests line up with the shoreline. (Keating, 2020) Likewise, if the chimpanzees had to perform a second, similar task in parallel, their performance declined. (Völter 2019) Each quantum reaction on our planet would create another parallel universe with another Earth. (Smart, 2022) The Sun is sufficiently far away that, wherever its rays arrive at Earth, they are effectively parallel, as had previously been shown by Aristarchus. (Dorrian & Whittaker, 2020) In parallel, we recorded their brain activity with an electroencephalogram, which consists of a set of sensors placed on the head that can monitor the rhythms of the brain. (Windt et al., 2021) Common collocates for this word:parallel
systems
lines
processor
currency
course
development
machines
project
market
universe
track
transport
government
developments
applications
Word Family: parallel (adjective), parallel (noun) 04/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: similarshowing characteristics which are almost the same, comparable, equivalentequal in value; the same as, analogous
Lexical phrases: parallel [with, to, between] - sufficient AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE enough; the right quantity and no more
Without sufficient oxygen to respire properly, fish experience the same problems as high-altitude mountaineers. (Lincoln & Rippeth, 2024) Diversification is an inherent feature of language. With sufficient time all similarities will be lost. (Harvey and Mailhammer 2025) Without sufficient national funds, researchers must spend a great deal of time fundraising and dealing with grant organisations outside their universities. (Czerniewicz, 2015) Australia has the advantage of huge renewable energy resources, sufficient to create a substantial export industry, but the disadvantage of a declining manufacturing sector. (Diesendorf, 2016) Finally, having a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting sufficient exercise have also been shown to improve sleep health and sleep quality. (Krigolson, 2023) Common collocates for this word:sufficient
evidence
time
reason
information
interest
number
funds
condition
understanding
money
detail
resources
space
knowledge
quantity
Word Family: sufficient (adjective), sufficiently (adverb), suffice (verb) 03/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: enough, adequateenough for a particular need, requirement or purpose
Lexical phrases: sufficient for - positive AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE desirable; beneficial; showing certainty or correlation
Empathy, a sense of duty and a commitment to upholding positive social values also underpin the attributes of good leaders. (Wilson 2023) 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) We also found a positive relationship between cooperation in these games and climate change beliefs. (Chaudhuri, Atkinson, and Claessens 2023) A large study undertaken in 2013 in the US demonstrated other positive effects for babies who receive music therapy in neonatal units. (Coombes 2019) A large study undertaken in 2013 in the US demonstrated other positive effects for babies who receive music therapy in neonatal units. (Coombes 2019) Common collocates for this word:positive
attitude
response
action
results
discrimination
effect
approach
feedback
correlation
contribution
aspects
way
steps
relationship
role
Word Family: positive (adjective), positive (noun) 02/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: definitiveunlikely to be improved or changed in any way, and therefore final, conclusive, certain, useful, effective - similar AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE showing characteristics which are almost the same
Likewise, if the chimpanzees had to perform a second, similar task in parallel, their performance declined. (Völter 2019) Should we amend the law by following in the United Kingdom’s footsteps, or implement a text and data mining exception similar to that in the EU? (Potter 2023) Scientists can use the results of these experiments to estimate how milder conditions that are more similar to the environment found in archives will affect the film. (Ahmad 2020) We could see something similar in academia, where each aspect of the research is made openly available, with acknowledgement of the originator, including ChatGPT. (Kingsley 2023) 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) Common collocates for this word:similar
way
problems
pattern
results
situation
position
effect
fashion
manner
lines
circumstances
vein
reasons
age
size
Word Family: similar (adjective), similarly (adverb), similarity (noun) 01/09/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: like, comparable, equivalentequal in value; the same as, analogous, matching
Lexical phrases: similar to - adequate AWL AKL OPAL NGSL
- ADJECTIVE enough for a particular need, requirement or purpose
Despite adequate food production globally, poverty and inequality restrict many people’s access to healthy food. (Yasmeen, 2022) Findings from research conducted in Ireland have shown that teachers may not receive adequate training in intercultural education. (Adebayo, 2023) What works, ultimately, are adequate social protection floors (basic social security guarantees) and rights based “food sovereignty” approaches that put communities in control of their own local food systems (Yasmeen, 2022) Adequate sleep promotes hydration and barrier function, helping your skin maintain moisture and resist irritation. (Fong-Isariyawongse, 2025) Providing adequate green space within our urban areas is therefore paramount. We need to preserve, enhance and promote existing green spaces and create new spaces. (Cleary & Hunter, 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)
Common collocates for this word:adequate
provision
protection
supply
information
explanation
time
resources
support
training
funding
account
preparation
understanding
level
facilities
Word Family: adequate (adjective), adequately (adverb), adequacy (noun) 31/08/2026 - Set 41
Synonyms: enough, sufficientenough; the right quantity and no more, passable, satisfactory, acceptable
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