Technology & Science
Words for technology, scientific concepts, and modern life
Overview
25 A2 words for talking about technology, devices, scientific concepts, and how things work.
Words
appear /əˈpɪər/
verb — A2
Meaning: to become visible; to seem
Examples:
- The sun appeared from behind the clouds.
- She appears to be happy.
Collocations: appear to, appear on, appear in
Word Family: appear (v.) → appearance (n.) → disappear (v.)
battery /ˈbætri/
noun — A2
Meaning: a device that provides electricity to make things work
Examples:
- My phone battery is low.
- I need to change the batteries.
Collocations: battery life, low battery, rechargeable battery
button /ˈbʌtn/
noun — A2
Meaning: a small disk for fastening clothes; something you press on a machine
Examples:
- Press the button to start.
- She fastened the buttons on her coat.
Collocations: press a button, button down, at the push of a button
cause /kɔːz/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: (n.) the reason something happens; (v.) to make something happen
Examples:
- What was the cause of the fire?
- The storm caused a lot of damage.
Collocations: cause and effect, cause damage, root cause
contain /kənˈteɪn/
verb — A2
Meaning: to have something inside
Examples:
- The box contains 50 items.
- This drink contains no sugar.
Collocations: contain information, container, contain sugar
Word Family: contain (v.) → container (n.) → content (n.)
data /ˈdeɪtə/
noun — A2
Meaning: facts or information collected for analysis
Examples:
- We need to collect more data.
- The data shows a clear trend.
Collocations: data analysis, data collection, personal data
design /dɪˈzaɪn/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to plan and make something; the way something looks
Examples:
- She designed the website.
- The design of the building is modern.
Collocations: design a website, interior design, graphic design
Word Family: design (v./n.) → designer (n.)
develop /dɪˈveləp/
verb — A2
Meaning: to create something new over time
Examples:
- They’re developing a new software.
- Technology develops rapidly.
Collocations: develop an app, develop technology, develop a product
Word Family: develop (v.) → developer (n.) → development (n.)
device /dɪˈvaɪs/
noun — A2
Meaning: a piece of equipment made for a specific purpose
Examples:
- Smartphones are essential devices today.
- The device measures air quality.
Collocations: mobile device, electronic device, medical device
digital /ˈdɪdʒɪtl/
adjective — A2
Meaning: using electronic technology to store and process data
Examples:
- She prefers digital books to paper ones.
- We live in a digital world.
Collocations: digital camera, digital age, digital technology
Word Family: digital (adj.) → digitally (adv.) → digitize (v.)
discover /dɪˈskʌvər/
verb — A2
Meaning: to find or learn something for the first time
Examples:
- Scientists discovered a new species.
- I discovered a great café near my office.
Collocations: discover that, recently discovered, discover something new
Word Family: discover (v.) → discovery (n.)
electricity /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
noun — A2
Meaning: a form of energy used for light, heat, and power
Examples:
- The electricity went off during the storm.
- We’re trying to save electricity.
Collocations: electricity bill, electricity supply, generate electricity
Word Family: electricity (n.) → electric (adj.) → electrical (adj.) → electronic (adj.)
engine /ˈendʒɪn/
noun — A2
Meaning: the part of a vehicle that produces power
Examples:
- The car has a powerful engine.
- The engine won’t start.
Collocations: search engine, car engine, engine room
Word Family: engine (n.) → engineer (n.) → engineering (n.)
experiment /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: a test done to discover something
Examples:
- The students did an experiment in class.
- Scientists experiment with new medicines.
Collocations: conduct an experiment, scientific experiment, experiment with
Word Family: experiment (n./v.) → experimental (adj.)
increase /ɪnˈkriːs/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to become larger in number or amount
Examples:
- Prices have increased by 10%.
- There has been an increase in sales.
Collocations: increase in, increase by, sharp increase, increase dramatically
Word Family: increase (v./n.) → increasingly (adv.)
invent /ɪnˈvent/
verb — A2
Meaning: to create something that did not exist before
Examples:
- Who invented the telephone?
- She invented a new type of engine.
Collocations: invent a machine, invent a word
Word Family: invent (v.) → invention (n.) → inventor (n.)
machine /məˈʃiːn/
noun — A2
Meaning: a piece of equipment with moving parts that does work
Examples:
- The washing machine is broken.
- The factory uses modern machines.
Collocations: washing machine, machine learning, vending machine
Word Family: machine (n.) → machinery (n.)
material /məˈtɪəriəl/
noun, adjective — A2
Meaning: a substance; information or facts
Examples:
- What material is this shirt made of?
- The teacher gave us reading material.
Collocations: raw material, material world, course material
method /ˈmeθəd/
noun — A2
Meaning: a particular way of doing something
Examples:
- What’s the best method for learning vocabulary?
- There are different methods of payment.
Collocations: teaching method, method of, effective method
process /ˈprəʊses/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: a series of actions for achieving a result
Examples:
- The hiring process takes about two weeks.
- Your application is being processed.
Collocations: in the process, learning process, process of, data processing
product /ˈprɒdʌkt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a thing that is made or grown for selling
Examples:
- This product is made in Japan.
- We need to develop new products.
Collocations: new product, product range, product launch
Word Family: product (n.) → produce (v.) → production (n.) → productive (adj.)
programme /ˈprəʊɡræm/
noun — A2
Meaning: a planned series of activities; a TV or radio show; software instructions
Examples:
- What programme are you watching?
- She’s on a training programme.
Collocations: TV programme, training programme, computer programme
screen /skriːn/
noun — A2
Meaning: the flat surface of a TV, phone, or computer
Examples:
- Don’t sit too close to the screen.
- She stared at the screen for hours.
Collocations: screen time, touch screen, big screen, screen size
software /ˈsɒftweər/
noun — A2
Meaning: computer programs and systems
Examples:
- We need to update the software.
- She develops software for a living.
Collocations: software update, software developer, software application
technology /tekˈnɒlədʒi/
noun — A2
Meaning: the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
Examples:
- Technology is changing the way we live.
- The company invests heavily in technology.
Collocations: modern technology, new technology, information technology
Word Family: technology (n.) → technological (adj.)
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| appear | v. | become visible |
| battery | n. | power source |
| button | n. | press control |
| cause | n./v. | reason; make happen |
| contain | v. | have inside |
| data | n. | information |
| design | v./n. | plan; style |
| develop | v. | create over time |
| device | n. | equipment |
| digital | adj. | electronic |
| discover | v. | find first time |
| electricity | n. | power energy |
| engine | n. | power machine |
| experiment | n./v. | scientific test |
| increase | v./n. | grow larger |
| invent | v. | create new |
| machine | n. | equipment |
| material | n./adj. | substance |
| method | n. | way of doing |
| process | n./v. | action series |
| product | n. | made thing |
| programme | n. | planned activity |
| screen | n. | display surface |
| software | n. | computer programs |
| technology | n. | applied science |