PTE Academic Vocabulary
Pearson Test of English Academic
Master the top 100 vocabulary words for PTE Academic. High frequency academic words, essay linkers, and Describe Image trend language with definitions and examples.
Start LearningAbout Pearson Test of English Academic
PTE Academic is a computer based English proficiency test by Pearson for study abroad, work visas, and migration. It is accepted by universities in Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, and for Australian visa applications.
Exam Sections
Speaking and Writing
Reading
Listening
Why Vocabulary Matters
Vocabulary decides Fill in the Blanks across Reading and Listening, powers essay range in Write Essay, and supplies the trend language for Describe Image and Retell Lecture. Academic collocations and linkers carry the most marks per word learned.
Essential Vocabulary Words
Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your PTE Academic exam
conduct
verbTo carry out or perform an organized activity
Example: Researchers conduct surveys every year.
pose
verbTo present or introduce a problem or question
Example: Automation poses fresh challenges.
raise
verbTo bring up an issue for discussion
Example: Critics raise concerns about privacy.
draw
verbTo arrive at a conclusion by reasoning
Example: Analysts draw conclusions from data.
reach
verbTo arrive at a decision or level
Example: Talks reached a consensus at dawn.
gain
verbTo obtain or increase something gradually
Example: The policy gained momentum quickly.
albeit
conjunctionAlthough, even though
Example: The result was modest, albeit useful.
moreover
adverbIn addition to what was said
Example: Moreover, costs fell each quarter.
furthermore
adverbMoreover, in addition
Example: Furthermore, trials confirmed the effect.
nevertheless
adverbIn spite of that fact
Example: Scores dipped; nevertheless, pass rates held.
consequently
adverbAs a result of something
Example: Funding stopped; consequently, labs closed.
conversely
adverbIn an opposite way
Example: City rents rose; conversely, rural rents fell.
subsequently
adverbAfterward, at a later time
Example: Patients recovered and were subsequently discharged.
notwithstanding
prepositionIn spite of something
Example: Notwithstanding delays, the trial finished.
hence
adverbFor this reason, therefore
Example: Costs doubled, hence the review.
thereby
adverbBy means of that action
Example: Automation cuts waste, thereby saving money.
whereas
conjunctionIn contrast to the fact that
Example: Urban air worsened, whereas rural air improved.
phenomenon
nounAn observable fact or event of interest
Example: Migration is a global phenomenon.
hypothesis
nounA proposed explanation awaiting testing
Example: The hypothesis needs more evidence.
Based on observation rather than theory
Example: Empirical evidence supports the claim.
analyze
verbTo examine something in detail
Example: Economists analyze spending patterns.
commence
verbTo begin formally
Example: Lectures commence at nine sharp.
significant
adjectiveLarge or important enough to matter
Example: Exports showed significant growth.
crucial
adjectiveExtremely important for an outcome
Example: Sleep is crucial for memory.
vital
adjectiveAbsolutely necessary for success
Example: Clean water is vital for health.
feasible
adjectivePossible and practical to achieve
Example: A phased rollout is feasible.
viable
adjectiveAble to work successfully over time
Example: Solar farms are now viable.
prevalent
adjectiveWidespread in an area or group
Example: Remote work is now prevalent.
contemporary
adjectiveBelonging to the present time
Example: Contemporary art divides critics.
undergo
verbTo experience a process or change
Example: The sector underwent rapid change.
derive
verbTo obtain something from a source
Example: Models derive strength from data.
attribute
verbTo regard something as caused by
Example: Growth is attributed to exports.
denote
verbTo mean or indicate something
Example: Red bars denote rural areas.
signify
verbTo be an indication of something
Example: Falling rates signify progress.
entail
verbTo involve something as a consequence
Example: Reform entails higher spending.
encompass
verbTo include a range of items
Example: The survey encompasses twelve cities.
trigger
verbTo cause something to start suddenly
Example: Drought triggered price spikes.
hinder
verbTo delay or obstruct progress
Example: Congestion hinders emergency response.
impede
verbTo slow or block movement forward
Example: Strikes impeded hospital admissions.
refute
verbTo prove a claim false with evidence
Example: Data refuted the early warning.
concede
verbTo admit something is true reluctantly
Example: Critics concede the costs fell.
assert
verbTo state firmly as fact
Example: Authors assert the link is causal.
contend
verbTo argue or claim something firmly
Example: Scholars contend the policy failed.
correlation
nounA mutual relationship between things
Example: Study found a correlation with income.
consensus
nounGeneral agreement among a group
Example: Scientists reached a consensus.
controversy
nounProlonged public disagreement
Example: The verdict sparked controversy.
disparity
nounA noticeable difference between things
Example: Pay disparity persists across regions.
dilemma
nounA situation needing a hard choice
Example: Commuters face a daily dilemma.
incentive
nounA reason that encourages action
Example: Subsidies create green incentives.
realm
nounA field of activity or interest
Example: Sleep belongs in the realm of health.
scope
nounThe extent covered by something
Example: The review widened its scope.
facet
nounOne aspect of a complex subject
Example: Cost is one facet of reform.
array
nounAn ordered arrangement or range
Example: Sensors collect a vast array.
magnitude
nounThe great size of something
Example: The quake reached huge magnitude.
surge
verbTo rise suddenly and strongly
Example: Demand surged after subsidies.
fluctuate
verbTo rise and fall irregularly
Example: Prices fluctuated all spring.
plateau
verbTo level off after a rise
Example: Sales plateaued in winter.
soar
verbTo climb steeply and fast
Example: Shares soared on the news.
plummet
verbTo fall sharply and suddenly
Example: Arrivals plummeted during lockdowns.
trajectory
nounThe path of development over time
Example: The recovery stays on trajectory.
proportion
nounA part relative to the whole
Example: A large proportion commutes daily.
marginal
adjectiveSmall and barely significant
Example: Gains were only marginal.
negligible
adjectiveToo small to matter
Example: The side effects were negligible.
stark
adjectiveSevere and impossible to ignore
Example: Stark gaps divide the districts.
pronounced
adjectiveVery noticeable and strong
Example: Effects were most pronounced inland.
unprecedented
adjectiveNever seen or done before
Example: Turnout hit unprecedented levels.
gradual
adjectiveHappening slowly over time
Example: A gradual recovery began.
drastic
adjectiveExtreme and sudden in effect
Example: Drastic cuts followed the audit.
stem
verbTo originate from a source
Example: Delays stem from staff gaps.
fuel
verbTo feed or intensify something
Example: Rumors fueled market panic.
Open to more than one reading
Example: The survey question was ambiguous.
Showing great care for detail
Example: Meticulous records saved the trial.
Showing care for the future
Example: Prudent savings cushioned the shock.
The perfect example of a type
Example: Penang is the quintessential food city.
To place side by side for contrast
Example: Graphs juxtapose urban and rural trends.
Expert Preparation Tips
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