The TOEFL exam measures your ability to understand and use English in an academic setting, and a rich vocabulary is essential for effective communication. As a non-native English speaker, building a strong vocabulary is crucial for your success in the TOEFL exam, as well as for your overall English language proficiency.
We have created a TOEFL vocabulary list to provide you with a comprehensive collection of essential words that will help you excel in the exam and achieve success in your English language journey.
Whether you are a student aspiring to study in an English-speaking country or a professional seeking to advance your career, this vocabulary list will equip you with the necessary tools to master the English language and achieve your goals.
So, let's dive in and explore the keywords that will pave the way to your success in the TOEFL exam.
Also read: 10 tips to help prepare for the TOEFL exam
Ultimate TOEFL vocabulary list
The ultimate TOEFL vocabulary list consists of various word types, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and idiomatic expressions. The words in the TOEFL vocabulary list are carefully chosen based on their frequency of use in academic and professional contexts. They are often words that are commonly encountered in textbooks, lectures, research papers, and other academic materials.
Also read: 100 GRE vocabulary words you should know
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 vocabulary is a fundamental component of achieving success in the TOEFL exam and overall English language proficiency. This TOEFL vocabulary list provides you with essential words that are commonly used in academic settings and will help you improve your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. By mastering these words, you will be able to understand complex English texts, express yourself more effectively, and perform well on the TOEFL exam.
Pages related TOEFL exam:
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.
Download our app and start your study abroad journey today!
