science
gb/sˈaɪəns/ us/sˈaɪəns/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
study of the natural world
The careful study of nature and the world using tests and watching to find out how things work.
Usage pattern:
[someone] studies science
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'science' (general field) with 'a science' (specific branch like biology or physics).
Synonyms
scientific study (More formal and emphasizes the process or activity of doing science)
Antonyms
ignorance (Lack of knowledge or awareness, especially about the natural world)
Collocations
science teacher
|science experiment
|science lab
|science project
|science class
Themes
science
|education
|knowledge
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Science has helped us understand how diseases spread.
- She is studying environmental science at university.
- Modern science relies heavily on advanced technology.
- Science often challenges our everyday assumptions.
- The discovery was a major breakthrough in medical science.
Learner examples
- I like my science class.
- Science can explain how plants grow.
- He wants to work in science.
- Science uses experiments to find answers.
Noun
B1
entity
2
a branch of scientific study
One area of study in science, such as biology or chemistry.
Usage pattern:
[a/an] [type] science
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'science' in singular without article when referring to a specific branch, where 'a science' is correct.
Synonyms
discipline (A formal term for a specific area of academic study)
Collocations
life science
|social science
|political science
Themes
science
|education
Examples
- Physics is a science that deals with matter and energy.
- Sociology is the science of human society.
- Computer science has grown rapidly in recent decades.
Learner examples
- Biology is a science.
- Math is not a science, but it uses logic.
- Chemistry is a hard science.
Noun
B2
entity
3
organized knowledge about a subject
Knowledge about a subject that is organized and learned by study.
Usage pattern:
the science of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this figurative extension with literal natural sciences.
Synonyms
expertise (Emphasizes skill and practical know-how rather than theoretical framework)
Collocations
the science of cooking
|the science behind marketing
Themes
knowledge
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The science of linguistics examines how languages develop.
- Cooking is both an art and a science.
- There’s a lot of science behind effective training methods.
Learner examples
- The science of music is interesting.
- He studies the science of health.
- The science of farming has changed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
science
IPA
GB/sˈaɪəns/
US/sˈaɪəns/
Syllables & stress
sci - ence (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sci)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: science
- Plural: science, sciences
Word family
Forms
sciences
noun
Core family
scientist
noun A2
scientific
adjective B1
Related words
scientifically
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
unscientific
adjective
Advanced or less common
pseudoscience
noun C1
Expressions
in the interests of science
1/ˈɪn ðə ˈɪntɚˌɛsts əv sˈaɪəns/
fixed phrase
formal
for the sake of scientific progress
To do something to help increase scientific knowledge.
Examples
- They conducted the risky experiment in the interests of science.
- Some animals are studied in the interests of science.
political science
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl sˈaɪəns/
fixed phrase
study of politics and government
The study of how governments work and how political decisions are made.
Examples
- She majored in political science at college.
- Political science examines voting patterns and public policy.
rocket science
1/ɹˈɑkət sˈaɪəns/
idiom
science of rockets and spaceflight
Science and engineering that study how rockets and spacecraft work and fly.
Examples
- He has a PhD in rocket science.
- Rocket science requires a deep understanding of physics and engineering.
- The book explains rocket science for general readers.
rocket science
2/ɹˈɑkət sˈaɪəns/
idiom
informal
something very difficult to do or understand
Used to say something is not very hard, often in the negative form ‘It’s not rocket science’.
Examples
- Fixing this computer isn’t rocket science.
- Learning to cook is not rocket science.
science fiction
1/sˈaɪəns fˈɪkʃən/
fixed phrase
fiction about future technology and science
Stories about imaginary future events, often with space travel or new technology.
Examples
- He loves reading science fiction novels.
- I love science fiction movies about space exploration.
- Many science fiction films imagine life on other planets.
- Science fiction often imagines advanced technology and alien life.