The Oxford 5000™ (American English) Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards featuring selected C1 and B2 level terms from the Oxford 5000 core word list for advanced English learners.

abolish (v. C1)

To formally end a law, system, or institution.

accountability (n. C1)

The requirement or expectation that one will be responsible for their actions or decisions.

acquisition (n. C1)

The act of obtaining or buying an asset or object; also, the learning or developing of a skill or habit.

adaptation (n. C1)

The process of changing to better suit a new purpose or environment.

allegation (n. C1)

A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically made without proof.

anonymous (adj. C1)

Not identified by name; of unknown authorship.

arbitrary (adj. C1)

Based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system.

autonomy (n. C1)

The right or condition of self-government; independence or freedom.

ballot (n. C1)

A process of voting, typically in secret; also, the paper used to cast a vote.

bankruptcy (n. C1)

The legal state of being unable to pay outstanding debts.

benchmark (n. C1)

A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.

bureaucracy (n. C1)

A system of government or management in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

capitalism (n. C1)

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

casualty (n. C1)

A person killed or injured in a war or accident.

chaos (n. C1)

Complete disorder and confusion.

coalition (n. C1)

An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government.

cognitive (adj. C1)

Relating to the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

collaboration (n. C1)

The action of working with someone to produce or create something.

commodity (n. C1)

A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.

compliance (n. C1)

The action or fact of obeying a wish or command, or meeting official requirements.

consensus (n. C1)

General agreement among a group of people.

constitute (v. C1)

To be a part of a whole; to give legal form to or establish by law.

constraint (n. C1)

A limitation or restriction on something.

contemplate (v. C1)

To look at or think about something thoughtfully for a long time.

conversion (n. C1)

The process of changing or causing something to change from one form to another.

counterpart (n. C1)

A person or thing holding a position or performing a function that corresponds to that of another person or thing in another place.

credibility (n. C1)

The quality of being trusted and believed in.

curriculum (n. B2)

The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.

debris (n. C1)

Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed.

deficiency (n. C1)

A lack or shortage of something needed.

depict (v. C1)

To show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form; also, to describe in words.

deteriorate (v. C1)

To become progressively worse.

diminish (v. C1)

To make or become less; to decrease.

discourse (n. C1)

Written or spoken communication or debate.

discretion (n. C1)

The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

discrimination (n. C1)

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

doctrine (n. C1)

A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.

empirical (adj. C1)

Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

entity (n. C1)

A thing with distinct and independent existence.

escalate (v. C1)

To increase rapidly; to become or cause to become more intense or serious.

expertise (n. B2)

Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.

facilitate (v. C1)

To make an action or process easy or easier.

flourish (v. C1)

To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.

foster (v. C1)

To encourage or promote the development of something, typically something regarded as good.

globalization (n. B2)

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

hierarchy (n. C1)

A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

hypothesis (n. B2)

A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

ideology (n. C1)

A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

infrastructure (n. B2)

The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

inherent (adj. C1)

Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.

innovation (n. B2)

The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, or product.

integrity (n. C1)

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

jurisdiction (n. C1)

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

legacy (n. C1)

An amount of money or property left to someone in a will; also, the long-lasting impact of particular events or actions.

legitimate (adj. C1)

Conforming to the law or to rules; able to be defended with logic or justification.

manipulate (v. C1)

To handle or control a tool, mechanism, or situation, typically in a skillful manner; to control or influence a person cleverly or unfairly.

methodology (n. C1)

A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.

monopoly (n. C1)

The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.

nomination (n. C1)

The action of nominating or being nominated for an award, honor, or position.

notorious (adj. C1)

Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed.

obstacle (n. B2)

A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.

orientation (n. C1)

The determination of the relative position of something or someone; a person's basic attitude, beliefs, or preference.

parameter (n. C1)

A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.

prevalence (n. C1)

The fact or condition of being common or widespread.

protocol (n. C1)

The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.

quota (n. C1)

A fixed share of something that a person or group is entitled to receive or is bound to contribute.

regime (n. C1)

A government, especially an authoritarian one; a system or planned way of doing things.

rhetoric (n. C1)

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

scrutiny (n. C1)

Critical observation or examination.

sovereignty (n. C1)

Supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself.

substantial (adj. C1)

Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

synthesis (n. C1)

The combination of ideas to form a theory or system.

transformation (n. C1)

A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

unprecedented (adj. C1)

Never done or known before.

validity (n. C1)

The quality of being logically or factually sound; soundness or cogency.

vulnerable (adj. C1)

Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.