Cognition & Thought — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about cognition & thought — reasoning, judgement and ideas. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

1. intellectual/ˌɪn.təˈlek.tʃu.əl/

   “It is an intellectual challenge.”

2. discern/dɪˈsɜːn/

   “It is hard to discern the truth.”

3. grasp/ɡrɑːsp/

   “He could not grasp the concept.”

4. retain/rɪˈteɪn/

   “She can retain a lot of detail.”

5. conceive/kənˈsiːv/

   “It is hard to conceive of such a number.”

6. deliberation/dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

   “After much deliberation, she agreed.”

7. cognition/kɒɡˈnɪʃ.ən/

   “Cognition slows when you are tired.”

8. insightful/ˈɪn.saɪt.fəl/

   “She made an insightful remark.”

9. brainwave/ˈbreɪn.weɪv/

   “He had a sudden brainwave.”

10. judgement/ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/

    “I trust her judgement.”

11. indecisive/ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv/

    “He is far too indecisive.”

12. analytical/ˌæn.əˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/

    “She has an analytical mind.”

13. rationalise/ˈræʃ.ən.əl.aɪz/

    “He tried to rationalise his mistake.”

14. conceptual/kənˈsep.tʃu.əl/

    “It is a conceptual problem.”

15. misconception/ˌmɪs.kənˈsep.ʃən/

    “It is a common misconception.”

16. preoccupied/priˈɒk.jə.paɪd/

    “She seemed preoccupied with work.”

17. ingenious/ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/

    “It was an ingenious solution.”

18. memorable/ˈmem.ər.ə.bəl/

    “It was a memorable trip.”

19. comprehensible/ˌkɒm.prɪˈhen.sɪ.bəl/

    “The notes are barely comprehensible.”

20. pensive/ˈpen.sɪv/

    “He looked pensive and quiet.”

21. scrutinise/ˈskruː.tɪ.naɪz/

    “Inspectors scrutinise every detail.”

22. lucid/ˈluː.sɪd/

    “She gave a lucid explanation.”

23. ruminate/ˈruː.mɪ.neɪt/

    “He likes to ruminate on problems.”

24. envisage/ɪnˈvɪz.ɪdʒ/

    “I cannot envisage the future.”

25. tangible/ˈtæn.dʒə.bəl/

    “We need tangible results.”

26. obscure/əbˈskjʊə/

    “The meaning is rather obscure.”

27. speculative/ˈspek.jə.lə.tɪv/

    “It is a speculative theory.”

28. deductive/dɪˈdʌk.tɪv/

    “He used deductive reasoning.”

29. discretion/dɪˈskreʃ.ən/

    “Use your own discretion.”

30. conscious/ˈkɒn.ʃəs/

    “She is conscious of the risk.”

31. supposition/ˌsʌp.əˈzɪʃ.ən/

    “It is based on a supposition.”

32. fathom/ˈfæð.əm/

    “I cannot fathom his behaviour.”

33. contemplative/kənˈtem.plə.tɪv/

    “She is in a contemplative mood.”

34. inference/ˈɪn.fər.əns/

    “He drew the wrong inference.”

35. recollect/ˌrek.əˈlekt/

    “I cannot recollect his name.”

36. prudent/ˈpruː.dənt/

    “It was a prudent decision.”

37. originality/əˌrɪdʒ.ɪˈnæl.ɪ.ti/

    “The essay shows originality.”

38. absent-minded/ˌæb.səntˈmaɪn.dɪd/

    “He is rather absent-minded.”

39. perceptible/pəˈsep.tə.bəl/

    “There was a perceptible change.”

40. sensible/ˈsen.sə.bəl/

    “That is a sensible plan.”

41. theorise/ˈθɪə.raɪz/

    “Scientists theorise about the cause.”

42. introspective/ˌɪn.trəˈspek.tɪv/

    “He became more introspective.”

43. assessment/əˈses.mənt/

    “Her assessment was accurate.”

44. conceptualise/kənˈsep.tʃu.əl.aɪz/

    “It is hard to conceptualise infinity.”

45. enlighten/ɪnˈlaɪ.tən/

    “Could you enlighten me?”

46. mnemonic/nɪˈmɒn.ɪk/

    “A mnemonic helps you remember.”

47. shrewd/ʃruːd/

    “She is a shrewd businesswoman.”

48. astute/əˈstjuːt/

    “He made an astute observation.”

49. ingenuity/ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

    “Her ingenuity saved the day.”

50. mindfulness/ˈmaɪnd.fəl.nəs/

    “Mindfulness reduces stress.”