For expert learners: precise vocabulary from science journalism and the epistemology of science, covering evidence, reasoning, and method.
Free Science & Discovery vocabulary flashcards at the C2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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paradigm
a general way of thinking about a subject that is widely accepted at a particular time
anomaly
something that does not fit the expected pattern and therefore needs explanation
inference
a conclusion reached by reasoning from evidence rather than from direct observation
conjecture
an opinion formed without complete proof
axiom
a statement accepted as true without the need for proof
postulate
an idea that scientists accept as a starting point for further reasoning, without proving it directly
consensus
general agreement among a group of people, especially experts
orthodoxy
a set of theories generally accepted as correct within a field
dogma
a fixed belief that people are expected to accept without question
scepticism
an attitude of doubting claims until they are supported by solid evidence
correlation
a connection between two things in which one tends to change when the other does
causation
the relationship between an event and a second event that it directly produces
outlier
a result that lies far outside the normal range of a set of data
rigour
great care and thoroughness in following exact scientific methods
reproducibility
the ability of an experiment to produce the same result when it is repeated
discrepancy
a difference between two things that are expected to match
artefact
a misleading result in an experiment caused by the equipment used rather than a real effect
impasse
a point in a debate where no further progress seems possible
corroborate
to provide extra evidence that supports a claim already made
refute
to prove that a claim is wrong
substantiate
to provide solid evidence for a claim
extrapolate
to estimate an unknown value by extending a pattern seen in known data
conflate
to wrongly treat two separate things as if they were a single thing
posit
to suggest an idea as the basis for an argument
elucidate
to make something clearer through careful explanation
discern
to notice something that is not obvious
empirical
based on observation and experiment rather than theory alone
plausible
reasonable and likely to be true
tenable
able to be defended successfully against criticism
spurious
appearing to be genuine but actually false
confounding
making it difficult to draw a clear conclusion because of an unexpected additional factor
speculative
based on guessing rather than on firm evidence
counterintuitive
different from what common sense would lead you to expect
serendipitous
happening by a lucky chance that leads to a valuable discovery
ubiquitous
present almost everywhere at the same time