📝 Created by: El Arby Ameur | 📅 Published: August 2026 | 🔄 Last updated: October 9, 2026 | 🌐 lesson.tn

📖 Academic Word List (AWL): 570 Essential Words for University

Q: What is the Academic Word List (AWL)?

The Academic Word List (AWL) is a list of 570 word families compiled by Averil Coxhead (2000) that appear frequently across a wide range of academic texts. It excludes the 2,000 most common English words and covers words especially useful for university study.

Q: How is the AWL organized?

The AWL is divided into 10 sublists ranked by frequency. Sublist 1 contains the most frequent 60 word families; sublists 9 and 10 contain the least frequent. Together they cover approximately 10% of the words in academic texts.

Q: How many words should I learn from the AWL?

Aim for the first 3 sublists (180 word families) first, as they cover the largest share of academic texts. Then add Sublists 4–6. For general university preparation, mastering Sublists 1–6 (about 360 word families) is usually sufficient. Sublists 7–10 are useful for advanced reading and specialised disciplines.

Q: What is a 'word family' in the AWL?

A word family includes a base word and all its derived forms. For example, the 'analyse' family includes analyse, analysis, analyst, analytical, analytically, and analyse. Learning the family lets you use the word in many grammatical roles.

Q: How long does it take to learn the AWL?

At 10 new word families per week, Sublists 1–6 (360 words) takes about 9 months. For faster results, focus on active recall (using the words in your own writing) rather than passive recognition. Combine learning with extensive reading and regular writing practice.

Q: Is the AWL useful for IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes. The AWL is directly relevant to IELTS Writing Task 2 and TOEFL Writing and Reading, both of which reward academic vocabulary. It is particularly useful for the lexical resource criterion in IELTS and for academic reading passages in TOEFL.

Academic Academic English vocabulary AWL word list B2-C1

The Academic Word List (AWL) is the single most important vocabulary resource for university study in English. Compiled by Averil Coxhead (2000), it contains 570 word families that appear with high frequency across academic disciplines — from biology to law, from engineering to literature — but are not among the 2,000 most common English words. Mastering the AWL is one of the fastest ways to improve your reading speed, writing quality, and exam performance. For context, see our Academic English Complete Guide.

570 Word families

10 Frequency sublists

~10% Of academic texts

3,000+ Derived word forms

📌 1. What is the AWL?

The Academic Word List was developed by Averil Coxhead at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and published in 2000. Coxhead analysed a corpus of 3.5 million words of academic texts across four disciplines (arts, commerce, law, and science) and identified the word families that:

Appear frequently in academic texts across all disciplines
Are not among the 2,000 most common English words (which are already covered by the General Service List)
Are therefore specifically worth learning for university study

The 570 word families in the AWL together cover approximately 10% of the words in any typical academic text — a remarkably high proportion for such a short list.

🎯 2. Why the AWL Matters

If you are preparing for university study in English, the AWL is the most efficient vocabulary investment you can make. Here's why:

Context	Why the AWL helps
Academic reading	10% of academic texts = faster comprehension, less dictionary use
Academic writing	Replaces informal vocabulary with precise, formal equivalents
IELTS Writing Task 2	Directly improves the "Lexical Resource" band descriptor
TOEFL Reading & Writing	Covers the vocabulary most tested in academic passages
University lectures	Increases listening comprehension of formal spoken English
Research papers	Essential for understanding abstracts, methods, and discussion sections

🧩 3. Understanding Word Families

Each of the 570 "words" in the AWL is actually a word family — a base word plus all its closely related derived forms. When you learn one AWL entry, you are effectively learning 4–8 words at once.

Family 1: analyse analyse → analyses (v) → analysed (v) → analysing (v) analysis (n) → analyses (n pl) → analyst (n) analytical (adj) → analytically (adv)

Family 2: significant significance (n) → significant (adj) → significantly (adv) signify (v) → signifies → signified → signifying

💡 Study tip: Learn the family as a whole. Instead of memorising "analyse = to examine", memorise the whole set: analyse, analysis, analyst, analytical, analytically. This lets you use the word in any grammatical position — a huge advantage in academic writing.

🔤 Sublist 1 — Most Frequent 60 Word Families

60 words

The 60 most frequent academic word families. If you learn only one sublist, learn this one — it covers the largest share of academic texts.

analyseexamine in detail"We analysed the data."

approachmethod or way"A new approach to teaching."

areafield, region"The area of linguistics."

assessevaluate"Assess the impact."

assumesuppose without proof"We assume that..."

availableaccessible, obtainable"Available data suggest..."

benefitadvantage"Benefits of exercise."

conceptabstract idea"The concept of identity."

consistbe made up of"The sample consists of..."

contextsurrounding circumstances"In this context, ..."

createbring into existence"Create a model."

datafacts, information"The data show..."

definestate the meaning"Define the term."

deriveobtain from a source"Derived from Latin."

distributespread out"Distribute resources."

economysystem of production"The global economy."

environmentsurroundings"The learning environment."

establishset up, prove"Establish a link."

estimatecalculate approximately"Estimate the cost."

evidenceproof"Strong evidence suggests..."

factorcontributing element"A key factor."

functionrole, purpose"The function of DNA."

identifyrecognise, name"Identify the cause."

incomemoney received"Household income."

indicateshow, suggest"The results indicate..."

individualsingle person/thing"Each individual differs."

interpretexplain meaning"Interpret the results."

involveinclude, engage"Involves three stages."

issuetopic, problem"A key issue."

labourwork, workforce"Labour market."

legallawful"Legal framework."

majorsignificant, main"A major study."

methodprocedure"Research methods."

occurhappen"Occurs frequently."

periodlength of time"A short period."

policyplan of action"Government policy."

principlefundamental rule"A basic principle."

processseries of steps"The learning process."

requireneed"Requires attention."

researchsystematic study"Recent research shows..."

respondreply, react"Respond to change."

rolefunction"The role of media."

sectionpart"The first section."

sectorarea, division"Public sector."

significantimportant"Significant differences."

similaralike"Similar findings."

sourceorigin"Primary source."

specificprecise"Specific examples."

structurearrangement"Social structure."

theoryexplanatory framework"Economic theory."

varydiffer, change"Results vary widely."

arearegion, field"Rural areas."

contractlegal agreement"Sign a contract."

exportsend abroad"Export goods."

financemoney management"Public finance."

formularule, equation"Mathematical formula."

legislatemake laws"Legislate against..."

percentper hundred"50 percent."

proceedcontinue, go forward"Proceed to the next step."

🔤 Sublist 2 — Next 60 Word Families

60 words

The second 60 most frequent academic word families. Still high-priority for any university preparation.

achieveaccomplish"Achieve a goal."

acquireobtain, gain"Acquire knowledge."

affectinfluence"Affect the outcome."

appropriatesuitable"Appropriate method."

aspectfeature, side"A key aspect."

assisthelp"Assist the process."

categoryclass, group"Different categories."

chaptersection of book"Chapter three."

commissionofficial body, order"A commission report."

communitygroup of people"Local community."

complexcomplicated"A complex system."

computecalculate"Compute the value."

concludedecide, end"We conclude that..."

conductcarry out"Conduct a study."

constructbuild, create"Construct a theory."

consumeuse up, eat"Consume energy."

cultureshared customs"Western culture."

designplan, create"Study design."

distinctseparate, clear"Distinct features."

elementcomponent"Key elements."

evaluateassess"Evaluate the evidence."

featurecharacteristic"Main features."

focusconcentrate on"Focus on results."

impacteffect"Significant impact."

instituteorganisation"Research institute."

investput money in"Invest in education."

itemsingle thing"Each item."

journalacademic publication"Scientific journal."

maintainkeep, sustain"Maintain standards."

normalusual"Normal conditions."

obtainget, acquire"Obtain results."

participatetake part"Participate in research."

perceivesee, understand"Perceived risk."

positivefavourable"Positive effect."

potentialpossible"Potential benefits."

previousearlier"Previous studies."

primarymain, first"Primary source."

purchasebuy"Purchase goods."

rangevariety, scope"A range of options."

regionarea"Rural regions."

regulatecontrol"Regulate markets."

relevantrelated, applicable"Relevant data."

resourceasset, source"Natural resources."

restrictlimit"Restrict access."

securesafe, obtain"Secure funding."

seeklook for"Seek solutions."

selectchoose"Select participants."

sitelocation"Study site."

strategyplan of action"Teaching strategy."

surveyquestionnaire, overview"A recent survey."

textwritten work"Academic text."

traditionlong-standing custom"Cultural tradition."

transfermove, pass"Transfer knowledge."

consequentresulting"Consequent changes."

equateconsider equal"Equate wealth with..."

finallast"Final stage."

injureharm"Injured workers."

commissionassign a task"Commissioned study."

consumeuse up"Time-consuming."

🔤 Sublist 3 — Next 60 Word Families

60 words

After Sublists 1–2, these 60 word families complete the first 180 most frequent AWL entries — the highest-priority set for university preparation.

alternativeanother option"An alternative approach."

circumstancecondition, situation"Under these circumstances."

commentremark"Brief comment."

compensatemake up for"Compensate for losses."

componentpart"Key component."

consentagreement"Informed consent."

considerablelarge, important"Considerable evidence."

constantunchanging"Constant pressure."

constraintlimitation"Budget constraints."

contributeadd to"Contribute to growth."

convenegather, call together"Convene a meeting."

coordinateorganise together"Coordinate efforts."

corecentral part"Core curriculum."

corporatecompany-related"Corporate culture."

correspondmatch, communicate"Correspond with..."

criteriastandards for judgment"Selection criteria."

deduceinfer logically"Deduce the cause."

demonstrateshow clearly"Demonstrate a link."

documentrecord in writing"Document findings."

dominatecontrol, prevail"Dominant view."

emphasisstress, importance"Place emphasis on..."

ensuremake certain"Ensure accuracy."

excludeleave out"Exclude outliers."

frameworkstructural model"Theoretical framework."

fundprovide money"Research funding."

illustrateexplain with example"Illustrate the point."

immigratemove into a country"Immigrant population."

implysuggest indirectly"Results imply that..."

initialfirst, at the start"Initial findings."

instanceexample, case"For instance, ..."

interactcommunicate, act together"Interact with peers."

justifygive good reason"Justify the argument."

layerstratum, level"Multiple layers."

linkconnection"Causal link."

locatefind, position"Locate the source."

maximisemake as large as possible"Maximise output."

minorsmall, less important"Minor changes."

negatecancel, deny"Negate the effect."

outcomeresult"Learning outcomes."

partnerassociate"Research partner."

philosophysystem of thought"Educational philosophy."

physicalmaterial, bodily"Physical sciences."

proportionratio, part"A large proportion."

publishmake public in print"Publish findings."

reactrespond"React to stimuli."

registerrecord, enrol"Register a change."

relydepend on"Rely on data."

removetake away"Remove variables."

schemeplan, system"Classification scheme."

sequenceorder, series"A sequence of events."

shiftchange, move"Paradigm shift."

specifystate precisely"Specify the criteria."

sufficientenough"Sufficient evidence."

taskjob, assignment"Complete the task."

technicalspecialised"Technical terms."

techniquemethod, skill"Research technique."

technologyapplied science"Modern technology."

validlegitimate, sound"Valid argument."

volumeamount, book"Volume of data."

coordinateharmonise"Coordinate efforts."

📚 7. Sublists 4–10 (Overview)

Sublists 4 through 10 contain the remaining 390 word families, arranged by decreasing frequency. They are still highly useful — especially if you plan to study or read in a specific discipline.

Sublist	Word families	Priority	Typical use
Sublist 4	60	High	General university writing
Sublist 5	60	High	General university writing
Sublist 6	60	Medium	Academic reading across disciplines
Sublist 7	60	Medium	Specialised academic reading
Sublist 8	60	Medium	Specialised academic reading
Sublist 9	30	Lower	Advanced / discipline-specific
Sublist 10	30	Lower	Advanced / discipline-specific
Total: 570 word families		Approximately 3,000 derived word forms

Examples from these sublists include:

Sublist 4: access, adequate, annual, apparent, approximate, attitude, attribute, civil, code, commit, communicate, concentrate, confer, contrast, cycle, debate, despite, dimension, domestic, emerge, error, ethnic, goal, grant, hence, hypothesis, implement, implicate, impose, integrate, internal, investigate, job, label, mechanism, obvious, occupy, option, output, overall, parallel, parameter, phase, predict, principal, prior, professional, project, promote, regime, resolve, retain, series, statistic, status, stress, subsequent, sum, summary, undertake Sublist 5: academic, adjust, alter, amend, aware, capacity, challenge, clause, compound, conflict, consult, contact, decline, discrete, draft, enable, energy, enforce, entity, equivalent, evolve, expand, expose, external, facilitate, fundamental, generate, generation, image, liberal, licence, logic, margin, medical, mental, modify, monitor, network, notion, objective, orient, perspective, precise, prime, psychology, pursue, ratio, reject, revenue, stable, style, substitute, sustain, symbol, target, transit, trend, version, welfare, whereas Sublist 6: abstract, accurate, acknowledge, aggregate, allocate, assign, attach, author, bond, brief, capable, cite, cooperate, discriminate, display, diverse, domain, edit, enhance, estate, exceed, expert, explicit, federal, fee, flexible, furthermore, gender, ignorant, incentive, incidence, incorporate, index, inhibit, initiate, input, instruct, intelligent, interval, lecture, migrate, minimum, ministry, motive, neutral, nevertheless, overseas, precede, presume, rational, recover, reveal, scope, subsidy, tape, trace, transform, transport, underlie, utilise Sublists 7–10 (examples): adapt, adult, advocate, aid, channel, chemical, classic, comprehensive, comprise, confirm, contrary, convert, couple, decade, definite, deny, differentiate, disposal, dynamic, eliminate, empirical, equip, extract, file, finite, foundation, global, grade, guarantee, hierarchy, identical, ideology, infer, innovate, insert, intervene, isolate, media, mode, paradigm, phenomenon, priority, prohibit, publication, quote, release, reverse, simulate, sole, somewhat, submit, successor, survive, thesis, topic, transmit, ultimate, unique, visible, voluntary

💡 Download the full 570-word AWL list in the free PDF pack at the bottom of this page.

🎓 8. How to Study the AWL

Learning 570 word families sounds overwhelming — but with the right strategy, it's entirely manageable in 6–12 months of consistent study. Here's a proven approach:

Step 1 — Prioritise the sublists

Start with Sublist 1, then 2, then 3. Each sublist covers a progressively smaller share of academic texts, so the return on your study time decreases. Many students find they don't need to go past Sublist 6 unless they specialise in a reading-heavy discipline.

Step 2 — Learn 10 words per week

Set aside 15 minutes, three times a week. Ten word families per week × 52 weeks = 520 families per year — more than enough to cover Sublists 1–6.

Step 3 — Learn word families, not single words

When you learn analyse, also learn analysis, analyst, analytical, analytically. This gives you the vocabulary to use the word in any grammatical role.

Step 4 — Use active recall

Don't just read the list. Write sentences using each new word, then check whether your usage is accurate. Use flashcards with spaced repetition (Anki is ideal).

Step 5 — Read academic texts

Encountering AWL words in real academic contexts — journal articles, textbooks, essays — reinforces meaning far better than isolated study. Aim for 20–30 minutes of academic reading per day.

Step 6 — Use the words in your own writing

Actively try to incorporate at least 3–5 AWL words into every essay you write. This moves words from passive recognition to active production — which is what exams and university assignments actually require.

💡 Ready-made practice: Our Academic English Exercises include a 60-gap AWL gap-fill worksheet, and our Online Test includes 6 AWL questions with instant feedback.

📥 Download the Full AWL

Get all 570 word families in one printable PDF, plus gap-fill worksheets, flashcards, and answer keys.

⬇️ Download PDF Pack ✏️ Try AWL Gap-Fill Exercises

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What is the Academic Word List (AWL)?

Q2 How is the AWL organized?

Q3 How many words should I learn from the AWL?

Q4 What is a "word family" in the AWL?

Q5 How long does it take to learn the AWL?

Q6 Is the AWL useful for IELTS or TOEFL?

📖 Academic Word List (AWL): 570 Essential Words for University

📌 1. What is the AWL?

🎯 2. Why the AWL Matters

🧩 3. Understanding Word Families

🔤 Sublist 1 — Most Frequent 60 Word Families

🔤 Sublist 2 — Next 60 Word Families

🔤 Sublist 3 — Next 60 Word Families

📚 7. Sublists 4–10 (Overview)

🎓 8. How to Study the AWL

Step 1 — Prioritise the sublists

Step 2 — Learn 10 words per week

Step 3 — Learn word families, not single words

Step 4 — Use active recall

Step 5 — Read academic texts

Step 6 — Use the words in your own writing

📥 Download the Full AWL

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📚 Related Resources