TOEFL Vocabulary List: 150+ Top Words To Know

One of the most challenging aspects of studying for the TOEFL is developing good TOEFL vocabulary skills, but it is, in fact, one of the most vital. Many TOEFL questions either ask you to define a word or require you to know the definition of a word to answer a question correctly. Which words do you need to know out of the millions in the English language?

It’s a tough call, right? Do not worry; we have made the work easier for you and identified the top TOEFL words you should know before taking the test. They are listed below, together with their meanings and sample sentences for better comprehension.

Ultimate TOEFL Vocabulary List: Top 150+ Words to Know

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What is TOEFL?

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test used to assess non-native speakers’ English language competence to enroll in English-speaking universities.

It assesses all four language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing in the same way that IELTS and Duolingo English Test do.

The TOEFL Syllabus emphasizes polished vocabulary since it aids students in each exam segment.

The TOEFL is a collection of tests, with the TOEFL IBT and TOEFL Essentials being the most popular.

TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program), TOEFL Junior, and TOEFL Primary are the other tests in the TOEFL series.

These other TOEFL forms are only available through students’ schools.

In April 2021, the TOEFL PBT (Paper Based Test or Paper-delivered Test) was phased out.

Why is the Ultimate Vocabulary List for the TOEFL Special?

Accept the fact that the TOEFL will contain at least a few words that you are unfamiliar with. So, what’s the point of learning vocabulary? This is why: Each word will gradually become part of your functioning language as you learn vocabulary words.

Consider this to be a toolset. Each phrase you add becomes another tool for whatever task you are working on.

You have a toolbox of excellent TOEFL words to choose from, whether you are working on the TOEFL Reading test, the TOEFL Writing test, or simply having a conversation with a neighbor.

How Did We Compile This TOEFL Vocabulary List?

To compile this list, we went through official TOEFL practice resources and compiled a list of all the words that a TOEFL taker would have trouble with. This was our primary source, as it identifies words that are more likely to appear on the actual exam.

The final TOEFL vocabulary list you see below includes words that emerged particularly frequently during our research, as well as a selection of other words judged particularly useful to know for the TOEFL.

We provided a definition and a sample sentence to each of the 300 TOEFL words after compiling the list to assist you in better understanding the words and how they are used.

The 150 TOEFL Words You Need to Know

Topic: Food Crops

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
abandon	Verb	To stop to support or care after (someone); desert	“He abandoned his family for a better life in the city.”
adversely	Adverb	In a harmful way, negatively.	“The medications she took during pregnancy have adversely affected her baby’s health.”
aggregate	Adjective	Gathered into or amounting to a whole	“There are seven small city parks with an aggregate area of 42 acres.”
cultivation	Noun	Preparation of the land to grow crops; improvement for agricultural purposes	“The area of wheat cultivation is 2.5% of the total area.”
fertilize	Verb	To make a new individual by having the male reproductive material	“You won’t need to fertilize as much if your grass was planted in good soil, to begin with.”
intensify	Verb	To develop in power; to act with more strength	“The debate is only going to intensify.”
irrigation	Noun	The supplying of water to dry land	“Irrigation channels supply the needs of water in farming.”
obtain	Verb	To gain possession of	“You can obtain knowledge by practicing as well.”
photosynthesis	Noun	The process where green plants develop their food by mixing salts, water, and carbon dioxide in the occurrence of light	“Photosynthesis changes light energy from the sun to chemical energy.”
precipitation	Noun	Water that falls to the Earth’s surface	“The precipitation of acid reduces forest productivity.”

Topic: Disaster

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
anticipate	Verb	To expect; to sense something before it happens	“Anticipate hazards when you walk through the trail.”
catastrophic	Adjective	Involving or causing sudden significant damage or suffering	“The catastrophic typhoon caused many residents to flee to the nearby town.”
collide	Verb	To come together with great or violent force	“Thank God, no one got hurt when we collided with another vehicle.”
eruption	Noun	A sudden, often violent, outburst	“The eruption of Mt. Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883 caused thousands of deaths.”
famine	Noun	Severe hunger; a drastic food shortage	“Millions of people die because of famine yearly.”
flood	Noun	An overflowing of water; an excessive amount	“The rain was nonstop, and the drainage system was poor, hence, the flood.”
impact	Noun	A strong effect	“The way he talks has a powerful impact on people.”
persevere	Verb	To continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.	“He persevered in his studies despite the challenges he had faced.”
plunge	Verb	To go down suddenly; to decrease by a great amount in a short time	“Due to the current pandemic, the world’s economy has plunged.”
unleash	Verb	To cause (a strong or violent force) to be released or become unrestrained	“The war would definitely unleash unstoppable economic and political changes.”

Topic: Evolution and Migration

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
adapt	Verb	To become adjusted to new conditions	“The new student has to adapt to his new school.”
diverse	Adjective	Showing a great deal of variety; very different.	“Thailand is arguably one of the most diverse countries in the world.”
evolve	Verb	To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.	“Species would develop, adapt, and evolve into newly formed organisms throughout millions of years.”
feature	Noun	A distinctive attribute or aspect of something	“The best feature of this house is the voice-controlled light settings.”
generation	Noun	All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively	“Her books are more popular for the younger generation.”
inherent	Adjective	Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute	“He strongly believes in the inherent kindness of all people.”
migration	Noun	Movement of people to a new area or country to find work or better living conditions	“Native American Indians’ forced migration was a perilous voyage.”
physical	Adjective	Relates to the body and not to the mind	“It was obvious she was in physical pain after the crash.”
process	Noun	An action or step was taken in order to achieve an outcome	“It will take probably a month to process your visa.”
survive	Verb	To keep on living or existing, especially despite harm or hardship	“He had no idea how to survive in the forest.”

Topic: Time Efficiency

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
adjust	Verb	To permit small alterations or movements so as to allow a desired fit, appearance, or result to be achieved.	“It didn’t take that long for my brother to adjust to his new job.”
arbitrary	Noun	Based on casual choice or rather than any reason or cause	“The statement was arbitrary, based on no valid proof.”
exponentially	Adverb	More and more rapidly	“The number of chemical contaminants has risen exponentially.”
infinitesimal	Adjective	Extremely small	“Even an infinitesimal rise in temperature will be recorded by the equipment.”
maximize	Verb	To make it as large or great as possible	“Our aim is to maximize the space given.”
parallel	Adjective	A person or thing that is similar or analogous to another	“The road runs parallel to the highway.”
proportion	Noun	A share, part, or number measured in comparative relation to a whole	“Young teens in their twenties commit a large proportion of crime in any country.”
rate	Noun	A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure.	“The rate of unemployment is rapidly increasing every year.”
sequence	Noun	A particular order in which related events, movements, or things follow each other	“Similar sequence of events happened in France thirty years ago.”

Topic: Computers

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
corrode	Verb	To destroy or damage slowly by chemical action	“When silver comes into contact with the sulfur in your body, it corrodes.”
derive	Verb	To obtain something from (a source)	“There are people who derive their self-worth from their work.”
detection	Noun	The action or process of identifying the presence of something concealed	“The early detection of any illness is crucial.”
expeditiously	Adverb	With speed and efficiency	“They will carry out the enquiry as expeditiously as possible.”
implement	Verb	To put into effect	“The new policy is set to be implemented next quarter.”
innovative	Adjective	Featuring new methods; advanced and original	“It is an innovative feature and striking to look at.”
installation	Noun	The act of putting something in place so that it is ready to use	“The telephone company offers cheaper prices and free installation.”
maintenance	Noun	The act of keeping property or equipment in good condition by making repairs	“He had to sell his car because of its maintenance cost.”
simulation	Noun	The act of pretending or imitation	“The captain’s skills are tested through a simulation.”

Topic: Memory

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
anomaly	Noun	Something that is not the same as what is normal, standard, or expected	“There is an unfair anomaly in the tax structure.”
consciously	Adverb	In a deliberate and intentional manner	“Over time, we have become consciously picky of what we eat.”
degrade	Verb	Treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect	“Bullies tend to degrade their victims.”
gap	Noun	A space that is not filled or an interval; a break in continuity.	“There was a long gap in between her two jobs.”
indisputable	Adjective	Unable to be challenged or denied	“That mansion is a work of an indisputable genius.”
intervene	Verb	To come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events.	“The officers had to intervene to prevent the situation from worsening.”
intuitively	Adverb	Without conscious reasoning; instinctively	“He intuitively understood her to need to be by herself.”
recede	Verb	To go or move back or further away from a previous position	“The flood is expected to recede in the morning.”
retrieve	Verb	To get or bring (something) back; regain possession of	“He went back to retrieve her papers from the reception officer.”

Topic: Illness

Word	Word Type		Sample Sentence
aggravate	Verb	To make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious	“Lack of sleep and stress can aggravate your health.”
decrepit	Adjective	Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect	“A decrepit old woman was sitting on a park bench.”
disease	Noun	A condition that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific place and is not a direct effect of physical injury	“To identify the disease is half the cure.”
fatally	Adverb	With death as a result	“Four people were fatally wounded in the crash.”
persist	Verb	To continue obstinately or firmly in an argument despite failure, difficulty, or opposition.	“In spite of constant denials, the rumors continued to persist.”
prognosis	Noun	The likely cause of a disease or ailment	“The illness carried a poor prognosis.”
terminal	Adjective	Developing, or located at the end or extremity of something	‘She is suffering from a terminal illness.”
vein	Noun	The tubes establish part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying oxygen-depleted blood toward the heart	“His vein at the temple throbbed angrily.”
wound	Noun	An injury caused by a blow, cut, or another impact, typically one in which the skin is broken or cut	“The wound left a scar on his knee.”

Topic: Surgery

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
anesthesia	Noun	Insensitivity to pain, especially as artificially induced by the administration of gases or the injection of drugs before surgical operations	“Acupuncture anesthesia is quickly gaining popularity in surgical procedures.”
augment	Verb	To make (something) greater by adding to it; increase	“She needs to find an extra job to augment her family’s income.”
certifiable	Adjective	Capable of being certified	“The Titanic film is a certifiable hit.”
complication	Noun	A secondary disease exasperating an already existing one	“One of the most common complications of diabetes is blindness.”
cure	Noun	A treatment or substance that remedies a disease or condition	“Antibiotics are an effective cure for colds.”
implant	Verb	Insert or fix (tissue or an artificial object) in a person’s body, especially by surgery	“The surgeons had implanted a new lens during the operation.”
inject	Verb	To administer a drug or medicine by syringe to (a person or animal)	“Jim is a diabetic and needs to inject himself with insulin every other day.”
obese	Adjective	Grossly fat or overweight	“Obese people need exercise and change the way they eat.”
procedure	Noun	An established or official way of doing something	“There are sets of procedures that you need to study and adhere to.”
scar	Noun	A mark left on the skin where a burn, wound, or sore has not completely healed	“The cut healed but left a scar.”

Topic: Culture

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
assimilate	Verb	To absorb and integrate (people, ideas, or culture) into a wider society or culture.	“She needs to assimilate herself into the new community.”
cremation	Noun	The disposal of a dead person’s body by burning it to ashes, typically after a funeral ceremony	“In some nations, cremation is more frequent than burial.”
domestic	Adjective	Relating to the running of a family or home relation	“Domestic violence is a serious problem that should be taken seriously.”
folklore	Noun	The old-style customs, beliefs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth.	“Anyone who has such a photograph, according to folklore, will have terrible luck.”
fossil	Noun	The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock	“Fossil fuels are running out, and they are non-renewable resources.”
relic	Noun	An object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest	“This stone tool is a relic of ancient times.”
rite	Noun	A religious or other solemn ceremony or act	“Before construction began, a cleansing rite was performed.”
ritually	Adverb	In a way that is done as a religious or solemn rite	“The sheep were ritually slaughtered.”
saga	Noun	A long, involved story, account, or series of incidents	“He has been able to write an exciting and compelling family saga.”
vestige	Noun	A trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists	“I’m fighting every vestige of my being to believe in his innocence.”

Topic: Society

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
amend	Verb	To modify formally, as a legal document or legislative bill	“We discovered that Congress has the power to amend the constitution if certain circumstances are met.”
biased	Adjective	Unethically meant for or not for someone or something	“The plan was biased and seemingly in favor of the small party.”
burden	Noun	A load, typically a heavy one.	“I no longer hope to be a burden to you or our family.”
cooperate	Verb	To work jointly toward the same end.	“The relief efforts were cooperated by a number of organizations.”
de facto	Adverb	In fact, or in effect, whether by right or not	“Cindy has established herself as the de facto leader of the organization.”
discriminate	Verb	To recognize a distinction; differentiate.	“Discriminating against someone based on their culture or gender is unethical.”
notion	Noun	A conception of or belief about something	“They have no concept of money’s worth and have a little notion for financial honesty.”
oppress	Verb	To keep (someone) in subservience and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority.	“The nobles were exhorted not to oppress the commoners.”
paradigm	Noun	An example of a pattern of something; a model	“Is it necessary to completely rethink the region’s development paradigms?”

Topic: Academics

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
curriculum	Noun	The subjects making up a degree of study in a school or college	“Students may not be required to create entirely new curriculum.”
distinctly	Adverb	In a manner that is easily distinguished by the senses; clearly	“I distinctly recall her attempting to read a short story for the first time.”
erudite	Adjective	Having or showing great knowledge or learning	“She is the author of an erudite book on English history.”
fortify	Noun	Strengthen (someone) mentally or physically.	“You need to have some hot soup to fortify you against the cold.”
implicitly	Adverb	In a way that is not directly expressed; tacitly	“Her family are the only people she trusts implicitly.”
parochial	Adverb	Relating to church or parish	“Local newspapers are notoriously parochial.”
rigor	Noun	An abrupt feeling of cold with shaking accompanied by an upsurge in temperature, often with copious sweating, especially at the onset or height of a fever	“In approaching this subject, academic rigor is required.”
roster	Noun	A list or plan showing turns of duty or leave for individuals or groups in an organization.	“The event has a total of 500 participants on the roster.”
secular	Adjective	Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis	“We live in a secular society..”
suspend	Verb	To temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force or effect	“He was suspended from the game because of his conduct.”

Topic: Military

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
allegiance	Noun	Loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause	“We all owe allegiance to our own country.”
artillery	Noun	Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land	“The adversary possesses sufficient heavy artillery to win the battle.”
battle	Noun	A sustained fight between large organized armed forces	“The enemy was defeated in the battle.”
cease	Verb	To come to an end	“The company has ceased operations since June of this year.”
scale	Noun	A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority	“She rose rapidly through the political hierarchy to become the leader.”
troop	Noun	A group of soldiers, especially a cavalry unit commanded by a captain, or an airborne unit	“The troop made their way through the hills and valleys.”
mobilize	Verb	To organize and encourage (people) to act in a concerted way to bring about a particular political objective.	“They were not able to mobilize their resources efficiently.”
rank	Noun	A position in the hierarchy of the armed forces	“He was promoted last month to the rank of colonel.”
ratio	Noun	The quantitative relation between two amounts shows the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.	“The school is trying to improve its teacher/student ratio.”
strategic	Adjective	Carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage.	“Strategic partnerships are being forged with major companies.”

Topic: History

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
chronologically	Adverb	In a way that follows the order in which events or records occurred	“Applicants are asked to list chronologically the schools they have attended.”
coincide	Verb	To occur at or during the same time	“The party coincided with the meeting.”
consequence	Noun	An effect or a result of an action or condition	“The accident was a consequence of someone’s carelessness.”
clash	Verb	A violent confrontation	“They are going to clash in the near future, mark my word.”
deny	Verb	To state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of	“She denied being in the place of the murder at that time.”
depict	Verb	To show or represent by a drawing, painting, or another art form	“The painting depicts the life in the ancient times.”
diminish	Verb	To make or become less.	“I don’t wish to diminish his accomplishments, but he did get a lot of aid.”
milieu	Noun	A person’s social environment	“She found life as an actor’s wife unusual at first, having come from a different milieu.”
optimal	Adjective	Best or most favorable; optimum	“At that time, it seems to be the optimal solution.”
reconciliation	Noun	The act of reconciling two opposing points of view or beliefs	“It has also served as a reconciliation bridge between Northern and Southern America.”

Topic: Finance

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
allocate	Verb	To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose	“She allocates half of her income for the charity.”
commodity	Noun	A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee	“Clean water is indeed a precious commodity all over the world.”
decline	Verb	To diminish in strength or quality; deteriorate	“The profit of the company declined this year.”
equity	Noun	The value of a mortgaged property after deduction of charges against it	“She sold her equity in the franchise two years ago.”
inflation	Noun	A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money	“The business has done a good job at maintaining inflation.”
net	Noun	The overall profitability of a company after all expenses and costs have been deducted from total revenue.	“It is interesting to know that the net of the company has doubled this year.”
per capita	Adjective	Relating or applied to each person	“The per capita consumption of tobacco has decreased over the last few years.”
regulate	Verb	To control or maintain the rate or speed of (a machine or process) so that it operates properly.	“They are at a point of reaching an agreement to regulate child labor.”
subsidy	Noun	Money is granted by the government or a public body to help an industry so that prices of commodities or services may remain low or competitive.	“The government provides a significant subsidy to the corporation.”
tangible	Adjective	Perceptible by touch	“We cannot accept his explanation without tangible proof.”

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
accumulate	Verb	To gather relatively or get an increasing number or quantity of	“He has accumulated a lot of properties during his reign as the town governor.”
affluence	Noun	The state of acquiring a huge deal of money; wealth	“The affluence of others exacerbates the poverty of some.”
elite	Noun	A select group that is greater in terms of capacity or qualities than the rest of a group or society	“Would you believe that education used to be a privilege for the elite only?”
impoverish	Verb	To make someone poor.	“Reduced income will further impoverish these families and may entice a criminal to commit more crimes.”
luxury	Noun	The condition of having great comfort and an extravagant lifestyle	“A car used to be a luxury item rather than a necessity.”
nobility	Noun	The quality of being noble in mind, rank, character, or birth	“The ultimate meaning of nobility is to be better than one’s prior self.”
prestige	Noun	The prevalent respect and appreciation felt for someone or something on observation of their achievements or quality.	“The monarch desired to raise his prestige through war.”
privileged	Adjective	Having special rights, advantages, or immunities	“She considers herself highly privileged to have the opportunity to finish her studies.”
prosper	Verb	To succeed in material terms; be financially successful	“She hopes her company will prosper this year.”
wealthy	Adjective	Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich	“The new student comes from a wealthy family.”

Topic: Employment

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
compensate	Verb	To give (someone) something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury incurred; recompense.	“She did not have the means to compensate for her finances.”
dynamic	Adjective	Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress	“My teacher is energetic and dynamic.”
enterprise	Noun	A project or undertaking is typically one that is difficult or requires effort.	“They are adamant about continuing the enterprise.”
exploit	Verb	To use and gain benefit from (a resource)	“You should exploit every opportunity that comes your way.”
incentive	Noun	A thing that inspires or boosts one to do something	“You will receive a substantial incentive as well as freeboard and housing.
industrious	Adjective	Diligent and hardworking	“His industrious parents are his role models.”
marginal	Adjective	Small in amount or effect	“The gap between the two figures is marginal.”
merit	Noun	The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially to deserve praise or reward	“She is hoping to get the job on her merit.”
promote	Verb	Support or actively encourage to further the progress of (something, especially a cause, venture, or aim).	“The policy of the government should promote citizen’s welfare.”
resign	Verb	To voluntarily leave a job or other position	“The CEO of the company is under great pressure to resign.”

Topic: Trading

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
distill	Verb	To purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it, then condensing it by cooling the vapor, and collecting the resulting liquid	“The saltwater was distilled to be drinkable.”
entrepreneurial	Adjective	Taking of financial menaces in the hope of profit; enterprising	“Entrepreneurial governments are attempting to alter these incentives and rewards.”
extract	Verb	To eliminate or take out, especially by force	“Oil can be extracted from shale.”
haggle	Verb	To dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.	“She is so good at haggling that she got the painting at half its original price.”
intrepid	Adjective	Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)	“Those who are intrepid still proceeded with the journey.”
merchant	Noun	A company or person involved in wholesale trading, particularly one dealing with supplying merchandise to a particular trade	“During the pandemic, the greedy merchant hiked the price of bread and milk.”
property	Noun	A thing or things that belongs to someone	“Simon inherited the property from his parents.”
prototype	Noun	The first, preliminary model of something from which other types are developed or copied	“They are working on a digital tiny camera prototype.”
reward	Noun	A thing that is given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement	“The reward was not intended for her.”
shuttle	Noun	A mode of transportation that regularly travels between places	“The store provides a free shuttle service.”

Topic: Politics

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
advocate	Noun	A person who openly supports or endorses a particular cause or policy	“Through the website, you can talk with an advocate.”
authority	Noun	The power or prerogative to give orders makes decisions and requires obedience.	“The police have the authority to arrest those who break the law.”
bitterly	Adverb	In an angry, hurt, or resentful way	“She was bitterly opposed to the thought of relocating abroad.”
candidate	Noun	A person who applies for a job or is nominated for election	“He is an ideal candidate for the vacated position.”
coalition	Noun	An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states	“The two groups joined forces to form a coalition.”
contest	Verb	Engage in competition to attain (a position of power)	“He had to contest against an extremely strong contender for the championship.”
election	Noun	A formal and organized choice by a vote of a person for a political office or other position	“At the station, students were passing out election flyers.”
inaugurate	Verb	To begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period)	“The citizens thought that the new administration would inaugurate a new era of progress.”
policy	Noun	A principle of action assumed or planned by a party, government, business, or individual	“The authoritarian policy failed to deliver results.”
poll	Noun	The process of voting in an election	“According to the poll, 80% of the respondents support regional self-government.”

Topic: Court

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
accuse	Verb	To charge (someone) with an offense or crime	“You have no right to accuse him of being lazy.”
allegedly	Adverb	Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof	“He was fired because he was allegedly incompetent.”
civil	Adjective	Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters	“The criminals’ civil rights were taken away.”
convict	Verb	To state (someone) to be guilty of a criminal act by the judgment of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of justice.a judge’s decision	“The evidence to convict him is insufficient.”
guilty	Adjective	Responsible of or accountable for a specified wrongdoing	“She feels extremely guilty at forgetting his birthday.”
offense	Noun	Something that creates a violation of what is judged to be right or normal	“Driving an automobile without lights at night is a major offense.”
peer	Noun	A person of the same status, age, or capability as another stated person	“Young kids are subjected to a lot of peer pressure.”
suspect	Noun	A person believed to be guilty of a crime or offense	“I have always suspected that she is a liar.”
verdict	Noun	A pronouncement on a doubtful issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquiry	“The verdict of the jury is unanimous.”
witness	Noun	A person who sees an event takes place.	“Only one witness was able to identify the suspect positively.”

Topic: Government

Word	Word Type	Definition	Sample Sentence
bribery	Noun	The act of offering someone money or something else of value, usually immoral, to encourage them to do something	“He was adamant about proving the bribery charges wrong.”
cynically	Adverb	In a distrustful way that expresses a belief that people are motivated purely by self-interest	“He had tried to take advantage of her cynically for his personal benefit.”
erode	Verb	To gradually wear away.	“Around this time, the dollar’s value began to erode quickly.”
evade	Verb	To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery	“You risk going to prison if you try to evade paying your taxes.”
grotesque	Adjective	Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted	“The treatment of captives was grotesque by today’s standards.”
integrity	Noun	Having honesty and strong moral principles; moral uprightness	“Working hard even when no one is looking is a practical approach to demonstrate integrity.”
prevalent	Adjective	Common in a particular area or at a particular period of time	“Infant fatalities were particularly prevalent among the impoverished.”
reform	Noun	The process of changing an institution or practice	“She refuses to admit that reform is required.”
scandal	Noun	An event viewed as morally or legally wrong and instigating general public disgrace.	“After the scandal and following investigation, the actor went into hiding for a few months.”
unmask	Verb	To expose the real character of or concealed truth	“She can only hope to be rid of the horror if she can unmask the killer.”

How to Use This TOEFL Vocabulary List

One of the best ways to make yourself ready for the TOEFL is to enhance your vocabulary. Have a set of vocabulary list (just like above) to study. Eliminate all of the common TOEFL words from the vocabulary list that take too much room.

Similarly, you should eliminate any words that are unknown to you and that you have never heard before. These two processes are necessary since you cannot just memorize many new terms right before your TOEFL exam.

This is where a tutor can assist you in filtering out extraneous terms that are irrelevant to your level. The words you employ should match the rest of your language to sound natural.

If you want to make this yourself, use some online dictionaries whenever you come across a word that you think you have heard before but cannot remember the meaning of.

If you do not know how to use a new word, do not worry about it. Instead, concentrate on the new ones you can recall easily.

How to Customize Your Vocabulary List?

Assessing your abilities ahead of time can save you time and allow you to concentrate solely on the areas you are weak at. Most vocabulary lists and publications often collect around 5000 TOEFL words to achieve a high TOEFL score.

No one expects you to know 5000 TOEFL words off by heart. The ability to use words appropriately in specific settings, rather than the number of words you know, is used by TOEFL examiners to determine your fluency.

“Learn five words a day,” is the golden rule. You cannot, however, memorize five words from a random list. The greatest approach to remembering new terminology is utilizing them in different scenarios, dialogues, and compositions.

If you already know at least 50-60% of the terms in the vocabulary list, your learning strategy will be completely different. Remember that an ideal list should be between 600 and 800 words long.

The Best Way to Use Your TOEFL Flashcards

Ensure that you are having fun while you are learning. We have all grown up with familiar vocabulary games like scrabble and Pictionary.

Flashcards, on the other hand, are the most effective. You do not require a partner for this, so you can do it whenever you like.

As a result, while studying for the TOEFL words, construct flashcards. Use different colors to categorize your flashcards based on the categories you have chosen.

The word should be mentioned on one side, and “a definition” and “contextual examples” should be described on the other. When you have a five-minute break, have a look at these flashcards. Make sure you get at least five of these breaks every day.

Additional FAQs – TOEFL Vocabulary

Should You Pick Up a Ready-Made Vocabulary List?

While there are a variety of TOEFL vocabulary lists available, we recommend creating your own. When it comes to acquiring language, one approach does not suit all. Every student memorizes words at a different rate and with a distinct aptitude.

Some people are better at picking up new words and adding them to their already large vocabulary.

On the other hand, others will need to spend more time memorizing each term because they haven’t used many distinct words before. Determine your present level of TOEFL word knowledge and start from there. Taking a TOEFL sample exam is the simplest way to achieve this.

Why Do I Need to Have a Vocabulary List Based on Categories?

You must prepare a set of TOEFL words that are based on categories. This will make it less challenging to remember the words because they are connected and related.

Having 20 sets of vocabulary with ten words each is easier to study than having a set of 200 words.

How Can I Memorize TOEFL Words?

Memorizing TOEFL words is challenging, and a technique that works for others may not work for you.

However, one of the most proven ways to memorize them is by creating categories. In this way, you will remember the terminologies easier and better because you have a common topic. Just like the table above, you can start by choosing the different categories of your interest and listing the related words.

Should I Study American English or British English for the TOEFL?

Even though the exam was designed and administered by an American organization (ETS), it is expected that test-takers are worldwide.

As a result, when taking the TOEFL, it is noted that you may use either of the two, British English or American English, but must remain consistent throughout the exam.

Additional Reading – TOEFL Vocabulary

Additional Reading – TOEFL Vocabulary