Shopping Vocabulary

Definition: money returned because a product or service was unsatisfactory

Example: “The store issued a full refund.”

Forms: refund (n./v.), refundable (adj.)

Synonyms: repayment, reimbursement

Definition: A proposed explanation made on limited evidence as a starting point for investigation.

Example: “The researcher developed a hypothesis about the causes of the disease.”

Definition: To explain or make something clear by using examples or comparisons.

Example: “The graph illustrates the rise in global temperatures over the past century.”

Definition: Implied but not directly expressed.

Example: “There was an implicit agreement that no one would speak about the matter.”

Definition: Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

Example: “Tax reductions serve as an incentive for businesses to invest locally.”

Definition: Certain to happen; unable to be avoided.

Example: “Globalisation made cultural exchange inevitable.”

Definition: To conclude from evidence and reasoning.

Example: “From the data, we can infer that the trend will continue.”

Definition: Introducing new ideas; original and creative.

Example: “The company is known for its innovative approach to product design.”

Definition: Necessary to make a whole complete; essential.

Example: “Critical thinking is integral to academic success.”

Definition: To explain the meaning of something.

Example: “Results can be interpreted in different ways depending on the framework used.”

Definition: To show or prove to be right or reasonable.

Example: “You must justify your argument with evidence from reliable sources.”

Definition: Responsible by law; likely to do or suffer something.

Example: “Companies are liable for the environmental damage they cause.”

Definition: Conforming to the law or rules; justifiable.

Example: “The workers had legitimate concerns about their working conditions.”

Definition: To reduce something to the smallest possible amount.

Example: “The company took steps to minimize its environmental impact.”

Definition: To make something less severe or less serious.

Example: “Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.”

Definition: A concept or belief about something.

Example: “The notion that success depends solely on intelligence is outdated.”

Definition: Not influenced by personal feelings; considering only facts.

Example: “A good academic essay should present an objective analysis of the topic.”

Definition: A thing that blocks or hinders progress.

Example: “Lack of funding remains the biggest obstacle to research.”

Definition: To get, acquire, or secure something.

Example: “You must obtain permission before using copyrighted material.”

Definition: A typical example or pattern; a model or framework.

Example: “The discovery led to a paradigm shift in scientific thinking.”

Definition: To become aware of or understand something.

Example: “Many people perceive social media as a threat to privacy.”

Definition: To continue firmly despite obstacles or opposition.

Example: “Inequality tends to persist without targeted government intervention.”

Definition: A fact or situation that is observed to exist, especially one whose cause is in question.

Example: “Urban migration is a global phenomenon driven by economic factors.”

Definition: Dealing with things practically rather than theoretically.

Example: “The manager took a pragmatic approach to solving the budget crisis.”

Definition: A statement assumed to be true as the basis for an argument.

Example: “The argument rests on the premise that education reduces poverty.”

Definition: Widespread in a particular area at a particular time.

Example: “Obesity is increasingly prevalent in developed countries.”

Definition: A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system.

Example: “The principle of equality underpins democratic governance.”

Definition: Having great depth or intensity; very great.

Example: “The industrial revolution had a profound effect on society.”

Definition: To support or actively encourage a cause, venture, or aim.

Example: “The campaign aims to promote healthy lifestyle choices.”

Definition: A part, share, or number considered in comparison with a whole.

Example: “A large proportion of the population lives in urban areas.”

Definition: A set of reasons or logical basis for a course of action.

Example: “The report explained the rationale behind the new policy.”

Definition: To strengthen or support, especially with additional evidence.

Example: “These findings reinforce the importance of early childhood education.”

Definition: Closely connected or appropriate to the matter in hand.

Example: “Only relevant evidence should be included in an academic argument.”

Definition: Unwilling and hesitant.

Example: “Many people are reluctant to change long-established habits.”

Definition: An unintended consequence occurring later as a result of an event.

Example: “The financial crisis had serious repercussions for global trade.”

Definition: To find a solution to a problem or dispute.

Example: “Negotiations were held to resolve the conflict peacefully.”

Definition: To put a limit on; keep under control.

Example: “New laws restrict the use of single-use plastics.”

Definition: To continue to have something; keep possession of.

Example: “It is important to retain key staff during times of transition.”

Definition: Important, notable, or large enough to have an effect.

Example: “There was a significant increase in unemployment last year.”

Definition: At the same time.

Example: “The two processes occur simultaneously in the cell.”

Definition: Developed to a high degree of complexity or refinement.

Example: “Modern technology provides increasingly sophisticated tools for learning.”

Definition: Based on personal feelings or opinions rather than facts.

Example: “Art appreciation is often considered a subjective experience.”

Definition: Of considerable size, value, or importance.

Example: “The project required a substantial investment of time and resources.”

Definition: Enough; adequate for the purpose.

Example: “There is not sufficient evidence to draw a definitive conclusion.”

Definition: To maintain or support over a long period.

Example: “Sustainable agriculture helps sustain food supplies for future generations.”

Definition: An inclination towards a particular way of behaving.

Example: “There is a tendency to overlook the social causes of crime.”

Definition: Concerned with theory rather than practice.

Example: “The paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding behaviour.”

Definition: To make a thorough or dramatic change in form, appearance, or character.

Example: “Digital technology has transformed the way people communicate.”

Definition: To weaken or damage something, especially gradually.

Example: “Corruption can undermine trust in public institutions.”

Definition: Applicable to all cases; relating to all people.

Example: “Education is widely considered to be a universal right.”

Definition: To demonstrate or confirm the truth or validity of something.

Example: “Further research is needed to validate these preliminary findings.”

Definition: An element that can change or be changed in an experiment.

Example: “Temperature was controlled as a variable in the experiment.”

Definition: Capable of working successfully; feasible.

Example: “Solar power is a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”

Definition: A tendency to change rapidly and unpredictably.

Example: “Market volatility makes long-term investment planning difficult.”

Definition: Distributed or occurring over a wide area or among many people.

Example: “Misinformation has become widespread due to social media.”

Definition: To produce or provide a natural, agricultural, or industrial product.

Example: “The experiment yielded unexpected but significant results.”

Definition: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

Example: “Many voters felt ambivalent about the proposed reforms.”

Definition: Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.

Example: “A concise summary is more effective than a lengthy explanation.”

Definition: Causing or likely to cause argument.

Example: “Immigration remains a contentious issue in many democracies.”

Definition: To use up the supply or resources of something.

Example: “Overfishing has depleted fish stocks in many of the world's oceans.”

Definition: Causing harm or damage.

Example: “Excessive screen time can be detrimental to children's development.”

Definition: A great difference between things; inequality.

Example: “The disparity in income between rich and poor has widened.”

Definition: Written or spoken communication or debate.

Example: “Academic discourse requires precision and clarity of expression.”

Definition: To include a wide range of things.

Example: “The course encompasses a broad range of topics in linguistics.”

Definition: Fair and impartial; treating everyone equally.

Example: “The goal is to create a more equitable distribution of wealth.”

Definition: To make an action or process easier.

Example: “Technology can facilitate communication across long distances.”

Definition: Possible to do easily or conveniently.

Example: “The committee assessed whether the plan was economically feasible.”

Definition: An irregular rising and falling in number or amount.

Example: “Fluctuations in oil prices affect the global economy.”

Definition: A system in which members are ranked one above another.

Example: “Most large organisations operate within a clear hierarchy.”

Definition: A conclusion that can be drawn from something, though not directly stated.

Example: “The findings have important implications for healthcare policy.”

Definition: Not staying the same; contradictory or irregular.

Example: “The data from the two studies were inconsistent with each other.”

Definition: Existing naturally as a part of something.

Example: “There are inherent risks in any form of investment.”

Definition: To treat as unimportant or to exclude from the centre of society.

Example: “Certain groups are systematically marginalised by the education system.”

Definition: A system of methods used in a particular field.

Example: “The study's methodology was transparent and well-documented.”

Definition: A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.

Example: “Good writers are sensitive to the nuance of language.”