Science Basics — B2 Essential Words

experiment /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/ noun / verb B2 Science

Meaning: A scientific test done to learn something or prove an idea.

Example: The class did an experiment with plants and light.

Another example: Scientists experiment with new medicines.

Collocations: do an experiment · experiment on · scientific experiment

Synonyms: test, trial

Word family: experimental (adj) · experimentation (n)

⚠ Common mistake: You DO or CONDUCT an experiment (never 'make'). Experiment ON animals is the ethics phrase.

🗣 In spoken American English: In school science, 'the experiment worked/failed' judges the test, not the theory.

Register: Neutral to formal — the core science noun.

research /rɪˈsɜːrtʃ/ noun / verb B2 Science

Meaning: Careful study to discover new facts about a subject.

Example: Her research focuses on sleep and memory.

Another example: Doctors research cures for years.

Collocations: do research · research on · medical research

Synonyms: study, investigation

Word family: researcher (n) · research (v)

⚠ Common mistake: Research is uncountable: 'do research', never 'a research'. One study = a study or a piece of research.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Do your research' is everyday advice now — before buying, voting, or believing a post.

Register: Neutral to formal — academic essential.

discover /dɪˈskʌvər/ verb B2 Science

Meaning: To find or learn something for the first time.

Example: Scientists discovered a new species in the forest.

Another example: She discovered that her keys were in her bag.

Collocations: discover a cure · discover the truth · newly discovered

Synonyms: find, uncover, detect

Antonyms: hide, miss

Word family: discovery (n) · discoverer (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Discover is for FIRST findings (a new planet); find is general. You discover THAT something is true.

🗣 In spoken American English: News loves 'discovered by accident' — penicillin stories are America's favorite science tale.

Register: Neutral — science and everyday discovery.

theory /ˈθɪəri/ noun B2 Science

Meaning: An idea or set of ideas that explains facts or events, based on evidence.

Example: The theory of evolution explains how species change.

Another example: In theory, the plan works — in practice, we'll see.

Collocations: in theory · theory of · test a theory

Synonyms: hypothesis, idea, explanation

Word family: theoretical (adj) · theorist (n)

⚠ Common mistake: In science a theory is WELL supported, not a guess; everyday 'just a theory' means unproven idea — know both uses.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'In theory…' signals the gap between plans and reality in everyday talk.

Register: Neutral to formal — academic core.

evidence /ˈevɪdəns/ noun B2 Science

Meaning: Facts, objects, or signs that show something is true.

Example: There is strong evidence that exercise helps memory.

Another example: Police collected evidence at the scene.

Collocations: strong evidence · evidence of · collect evidence

Synonyms: proof, signs, data

Word family: evident (adj) · evidently (adv)

⚠ Common mistake: Evidence is uncountable: 'some evidence', never 'an evidence'. A single item is 'a piece of evidence'.

🗣 In spoken American English: Science and courtrooms share this word: both demand evidence, not opinions.

Register: Formal — academic and legal essential.

method /ˈmeθəd/ noun B2 Science

Meaning: A planned way of doing something, especially in science or teaching.

Example: Their method of teaching reading works well.

Another example: Scientists use the scientific method.

Collocations: scientific method · teaching method · method of

Synonyms: way, approach, technique

Word family: methodical (adj) · methodology (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Method is countable and planned: a method, this method. 'The scientific method' is the fixed phrase.

🗣 In spoken American English: In essays, describing your method earns trust before your results do.

Register: Neutral to formal — academic staple.

result /rɪˈzʌlt/ noun B2 Science

Meaning: What happens at the end of an activity, test, or process; the outcome.

Example: The test results come out tomorrow.

Another example: Hard work brings good results.

Collocations: test results · as a result · result of

Synonyms: outcome, effect, consequence

Antonyms: cause

Word family: result (v) · resulting (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: 'As a result' is the essay connector for consequences. Results come FROM tests; effects come from causes.

🗣 In spoken American English: Americans ask doctors and teachers the same question: 'When do we get the results?'

Register: Neutral — everywhere in study and work.

develop /dɪˈveləp/ verb B2 Science

Meaning: To grow or change into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced; to create something new.

Example: Engineers develop new batteries here.

Another example: Plants develop slowly in cold weather.

Collocations: develop a product · develop skills · developing country

Synonyms: create, build, grow

Antonyms: destroy, neglect

Word family: development (n) · developer (n) · developed (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Develop has no extra 'e' at the end and one 'l'... develop, developed, developing — spelling traps many learners.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Software developer' made this verb a job title — developing now means building products and skills.

Register: Neutral — business, science, education.

measure /ˈmeʒər/ verb / noun B2 Science

Meaning: To find the size, amount, or speed of something using a tool; an action taken to achieve a result.

Example: Measure the room before buying furniture.

Another example: New safety measures start in June.

Collocations: measure the temperature · safety measures · measure twice

Synonyms: calculate, gauge, assess

Word family: measurement (n) · measurable (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Two lives: measure = find size (verb/noun of size) and measures = steps/actions (safety measures).

🗣 In spoken American English: DIY America's rule: 'Measure twice, cut once.'

Register: Neutral — science and daily life.

data /ˈdeɪtə/ noun B2 Science

Meaning: Facts and numbers collected for study or decisions.

Example: The app collects data about your sleep.

Another example: Good data leads to good decisions.

Collocations: collect data · data shows · personal data

Synonyms: information, figures, statistics

Word family: database (n) · data point (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Data is plural in formal science (data show) but singular in everyday tech (the data is clear) — both are heard.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'Data' is the decade's power word: companies collect it, laws protect it, charts sell it.

Register: Neutral to formal — technology and science essential.