The TOEFL exam measures your ability to understand and use English in an academic setting, and it requires a wide range of words. As someone who is not a native speaker of English, it is important that you have a large vocabulary if you want to do well on the TOEFL exam or any other language test for that matter.
We’ve put together this comprehensive TOEFL vocabulary list. These words are selected because they commonly appear on standardized tests like SATs and ACTs as well as being frequently seen in textbooks used by college students throughout America.
They cover various subjects such as science, technology, history; so no matter what your interests may be – there should be something here for everyone!
This TOEFL Vocabulary List can help anyone – from students who are hoping to study abroad or professionals looking for new job opportunities overseas – improve their reading comprehension skills in English while also expanding upon their writing abilities too! Having access to these words will definitely give you confidence when speaking with others about complex topics.
So without further ado let us get started with our journey through some key terms which will surely pave your path towards success during the TOEFL exam.
Also read: 10 tips to help prepare for the TOEFL exam
Ultimate TOEFL vocabulary list
Ultimate list of TOEFL vocabularies
The definitive list of TOEFL vocabularies contains different types of words including nouns, verbs adjectives adverbs idiomatic expressions etcetera. This selection was made systematically considering the frequency with which they appear within academic/professional contexts; oftentimes being encountered over again in text books, lectures, research papers among other materials used throughout studies at higher levels education establishments across nations where higher learning institutions exist globally today.
Here are some essential words that form the ultimate TOEFL vocabulary:
| Words | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abate | to become less intense or widespread |
| Abhor | to regard with extreme dislike or hatred |
| Abundant | present in great quantity; plentiful |
| Accurate | free from error; precise |
| Acquire | to gain possession or control of something |
| Banish | to force someone to leave a place or country |
| Barrier | something that blocks or obstructs |
| Belie | to fail to give a true impression; to contradict |
| Benevolent | kind and generous |
| Brevity | the quality of being brief; concise |
| Candid | honest; frank |
| Capricious | impulsive; unpredictable |
| Censure | to express severe disapproval |
| Coherent | logically connected; clear and easy to understand |
| Complacent | self |
| Debilitate | to weaken; to make feeble |
| Deceptive | misleading; not truthful |
| Decipher | to interpret or understand the meaning of |
| Deficient | lacking in some necessary quality or element |
| Deplete | to use up or exhaust |
| Eccentric | unconventional; peculiar |
| Elaborate | detailed; complex |
| Eloquent | fluent in speaking or writing; persuasive |
| Emphasise | to give special importance or prominence to |
| Endorse | to express support or approval of |
| Fallacious | based on a mistaken belief; false |
| Fanatic | a person with extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal |
| Fathom | to understand deeply; to penetrate the meaning of |
| Feasible | capable of being done; possible |
| Fickle | likely to change; not consistent or loyal |
| Garner | to gather or collect |
| Genial | friendly; pleasant |
| Glaring | obvious; easily seen |
| Gregarious | sociable; enjoying the company of others |
| Guile | deceitful cunning; slyness |
| Hamper | to hinder or impede progress |
| Haughty | arrogant; excessively proud |
| Heed | to pay attention to; to take notice of |
| Heresy | belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine |
| Hinder | to obstruct or prevent progress |
| Impartial | unbiased; treating all equally |
| Impede | to obstruct or hinder progress |
| Incisive | clear and sharp in thought or expression |
| Indifferent | not caring; unconcerned |
| Induce | to bring about or cause |
| Jeopardise | to put at risk; to endanger |
| Judicious | wise; showing good judgement |
| Juxtapose | to place side by side for comparison or contrast |
| Keen | sharp; intellectually alert |
| Kinetic | relating to motion; active |
| Lament | to express sorrow or regret |
| Laud | to praise; to extol |
| Lavish | extravagant; abundant |
| Lethargic | sluggish; lacking energy |
| Loathe | to feel strong dislike or disgust for |
| Malicious | intending to harm or cause damage |
| Meagre | lacking in quantity or quality; scanty |
| Melancholy | sad; gloomy |
| Meticulous | extremely careful and precise |
| Mitigate | to make less severe or intense |
| Nefarious | wicked; evil |
| Nostalgia | a sentimental longing for the past |
| Notorious | widely known for a bad quality or deed |
| Novel | new; original |
| Nurture | to care for; to foster |
| Obliterate | to destroy completely; to wipe out |
| Obsolete | no longer in use; outdated |
| Obstinate | stubborn; refusing to change |
| Obtuse | dull; not sharp in perception or intellect |
| Occurrence | an event or incident |
| Pensive | deeply thoughtful; reflective |
| Perceive | to become aware of; to understand |
| Perish | to die or come to an end |
| Pervasive | spreading widely; prevalent |
| Plausible | seemingly reasonable or probable; believable |
| Quandary | a state of uncertainty or perplexity |
| Quell | to suppress or subdue; to calm |
| Quirk | a peculiar behaviour or characteristic |
| Quota | a fixed share or portion; a limit on quantity |
| Rebut | to refute or disprove an argument or claim |
| Recede | to move back or withdraw; to diminish |
| Reconcile | to restore harmony or resolve differences |
| Redundant | repetitive; exceeding what is necessary |
| Refute | to prove to be false or incorrect |
| Sagacious | wise; discerning |
| Scrutinise | to examine closely and critically |
| Serene | calm; peaceful |
| Sceptical | doubting; questioning |
| Soothe | to calm or comfort; to alleviate |
| Tenacious | persistent; determined |
| Terminate | to end or bring to a conclusion |
| Thrive | to prosper; to grow vigorously |
| Timid | shy; lacking in self |
| Transparent | clear; easily understood |
| Ubiquitous | present or found everywhere |
| Unanimous | in complete agreement; united |
| Unprecedented | never before seen or experienced |
| Unravel | to untangle; to solve or clarify |
| Utopia | an ideal or perfect place |
| Vacillate | to waver between different opinions or actions |
| Vague | unclear; not definite or precise |
| Valid | sound; based on truth or reason |
| Vanish | to disappear; to cease to exist |
| Venerate | to regard with deep respect or awe |
| Wane | to decrease gradually; to decline |
| Whimsical | fanciful; unpredictable |
| Widespread | widely diffused or prevalent; common |
| Wither | to dry up; to fade away |
| Wrath | extreme anger; fury |
| Xenophobia | fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers |
| Yearn | to have a strong desire or longing |
| Yield | to give in; to produce or generate |
| Yonder | at or in that place; over there |
| Zeal | great enthusiasm or passion |
| Zenith | the highest point; the peak |
| Zephyr | a gentle breeze |
| Zest | great enthusiasm or enjoyment |
| Zigzag | a line or course with abrupt changes in direction |
Also read: Daily used English words
A strong command over language is necessary if one wants to succeed not only at but also beyond exams like these ones designed specifically for non native speakers who have had their schooling conducted primarily in languages other than English.
What this means is that such individuals must put in extra effort towards building up their word power which will subsequently enhance all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a strong vocabulary important for the TOEFL exam?
A strong vocabulary is crucial for the TOEFL exam as it helps you understand and use English in an academic setting. It allows you to comprehend complex texts, express your ideas clearly, and answer questions effectively. A rich vocabulary also enhances your overall English language proficiency and helps you communicate confidently in various contexts.
Are all the words in the TOEFL vocabulary list equally important?
While all the words in the TOEFL vocabulary list are carefully selected to be relevant for the exam, some words may be more commonly used or have a higher priority in certain sections of the exam. It's important to understand the context and usage of each word and prioritize your learning based on your specific needs and strengths.
Can I use the words from the TOEFL vocabulary list in real-life English communication?
Yes, the words from the TOEFL vocabulary list are not only relevant for the exam but are also commonly used in real-life English communication, especially in academic and professional contexts. By mastering these words, you will be able to enhance your overall English language proficiency and effectively communicate in various situations beyond the TOEFL exam.
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