vocabulary in science

Meanings

1. 1phraseuncountable

   The set of special words and terms used when studying or talking about scientific subjects.

   Grammar: Uncountable: say 'science vocabulary is hard', not 'a vocabulary'.

   Patterns

   • build vocabulary in science
   • science vocabulary
   • vocabulary in science classes

   Students learn vocabulary in science alongside the experiments themselves.

   Her vocabulary in science improved after she started reading popular articles.

   The teacher gives a short quiz on vocabulary in science every Friday.

2. 2phraseuncountabletechnical

   The words a particular scientific field uses, such as 'cell', 'force' or 'solution'.

   Grammar: Often with 'of': 'the vocabulary of chemistry'.

   Patterns

   • the vocabulary of something
   • technical vocabulary in science

   The vocabulary of physics includes terms like 'momentum' and 'friction'.

   Biology has its own vocabulary in science writing that beginners must learn.

Common combinations

build vocabulary in science

Reading lab reports is a good way to build vocabulary in science.

science vocabulary list

The teacher handed out a science vocabulary list before the unit.

technical vocabulary

Technical vocabulary in science can be difficult for new learners.

learn vocabulary

We learn vocabulary in science by using the words in our own sentences.

Synonyms and how they differ

terminology

Terminology is more formal and refers to the whole system of terms in a field; 'vocabulary in science' is plainer and more general.

jargon

Jargon often suggests words outsiders find confusing, while science vocabulary is neutral and simply the words of the subject.

Word family

vocabulary noun

All the words a person knows or a language contains.

scientific adjective

Relating to science or its methods.

Commonly confused: vocabulary in science or dictionary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “vocabulary in science”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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