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. 


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

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
abandon VerbTo stop to support or care after (someone); desert“He abandoned his family for a better life in the city.”
adverselyAdverbIn a harmful way, negatively.“The medications she took during pregnancy have adversely affected her baby’s health.”
aggregateAdjective Gathered into or amounting to a whole“There are seven small city parks with an aggregate area of 42 acres.”
cultivationNoun Preparation of the land to grow crops; improvement for agricultural purposes“The area of wheat cultivation is 2.5% of the total area.”
fertilizeVerb 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.”
intensifyVerb To develop in power; to act with more strength“The debate is only going to intensify.”
irrigationNoun The supplying of water to dry landIrrigation channels supply the needs of water in farming.”
obtainVerb To gain possession of“You can obtain knowledge by practicing as well.”
photosynthesisNoun The process where green plants develop their food by mixing salts, water, and carbon dioxide in the occurrence of lightPhotosynthesis changes light energy from the sun to chemical energy.”
precipitationNoun Water that falls to the Earth’s surface“The precipitation of acid reduces forest productivity.”

Topic: Disaster

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
anticipateVerb To expect; to sense something before it happensAnticipate hazards when you walk through the trail.”
catastrophicAdjective Involving or causing sudden significant damage or suffering“The catastrophic typhoon caused many residents to flee to the nearby town.”
collideVerb To come together with great or violent force“Thank God, no one got hurt when we collided with another vehicle.”
eruptionNoun A sudden, often violent, outburst“The eruption of Mt. Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883 caused thousands of deaths.”
famineNoun Severe hunger; a drastic food shortage“Millions of people die because of famine yearly.”
floodNoun An overflowing of water; an excessive amount“The rain was nonstop, and the drainage system was poor, hence, the flood.”
impactNoun A strong effect“The way he talks has a powerful impact on people.”
persevereVerb 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.” 
plungeVerb 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.” 
unleashVerb 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

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
adaptVerb To become adjusted to new conditions“The new student has to adapt to his new school.”
diverseAdjective Showing a great deal of variety; very different.“Thailand is arguably one of the most diverse countries in the world.”
evolveVerb 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.”
featureNoun A distinctive attribute or aspect of something“The best feature of this house is the voice-controlled light settings.”
generationNoun All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively“Her books are more popular for the younger generation.”
inherentAdjective Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute“He strongly believes in the inherent kindness of all people.”
migrationNoun 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.”
physicalAdjective Relates to the body and not to the mind“It was obvious she was in physical pain after the crash.”
processNoun An action or step was taken in order to achieve an outcome“It will take probably a month to process your visa.”
surviveVerb To keep on living or existing, especially despite harm or hardship“He had no idea how to survive in the forest.”

Topic: Time Efficiency

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
adjustVerb 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.”
arbitraryNoun Based on casual choice or rather than any reason or causeThe statement was arbitrary, based on no valid proof.”
exponentially Adverb More and more rapidly“The number of chemical contaminants has risen exponentially.”
infinitesimalAdjective Extremely small“Even an infinitesimal rise in temperature will be recorded by the equipment.”
maximizeVerb To make it as large or great as possible“Our aim is to maximize the space given.”
parallelAdjective A person or thing that is similar or analogous to another“The road runs parallel to the highway.”
proportionNoun 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.”
rateNoun A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure.“The rate of unemployment is rapidly increasing every year.” 
sequenceNoun 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

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

Topic: Memory

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
anomalyNoun Something that is not the same as what is normal, standard, or expected“There is an unfair anomaly in the tax structure.”
consciouslyAdverb In a deliberate and intentional manner “Over time, we have become consciously picky of what we eat.”
degradeVerb Treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect“Bullies tend to degrade their victims.”
gapNoun 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.”
interveneVerb 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.”
intuitivelyAdverb Without conscious reasoning; instinctively“He intuitively understood her to need to be by herself.”
recedeVerb To go or move back or further away from a previous position“The flood is expected to recede in the morning.”
retrieveVerb To get or bring (something) back; regain possession of“He went back to retrieve her papers from the reception officer.”

Topic: Illness

WordWord TypeSample Sentence
aggravateVerb To make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious“Lack of sleep and stress can aggravate your health.”
decrepitAdjective Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect“A decrepit old woman was sitting on a park bench.”
diseaseNoun 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.” 
fatallyAdverb With death as a result“Four people were fatally wounded in the crash.”
persistVerb To continue obstinately or firmly in an argument despite failure, difficulty, or opposition.“In spite of constant denials, the rumors continued to persist.”
prognosisNoun The likely cause of a disease or ailment“The illness carried a poor prognosis.”
terminalAdjective Developing, or located at the end or extremity of something‘She is suffering from a terminal illness.”
veinNoun 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.”
woundNoun 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

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
anesthesiaNoun 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.”
augmentVerb To make (something) greater by adding to it; increase“She needs to find an extra job to augment her family’s income.”
certifiableAdjective Capable of being certified “The Titanic film is a certifiable hit.”
complicationNoun A secondary disease exasperating an already existing one“One of the most common complications of diabetes is blindness.”
cureNoun A treatment or substance that remedies a disease or condition“Antibiotics are an effective cure for colds.”
implantVerb 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.”
injectVerb 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.”
obeseAdjective Grossly fat or overweight Obese people need exercise and change the way they eat.”
procedureNoun An established or official way of doing something“There are sets of procedures that you need to study and adhere to.”
scarNoun 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 

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
assimilateVerb To absorb and integrate (people, ideas, or culture) into a wider society or culture.“She needs to assimilate herself into the new community.”
cremationNoun 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.”
domesticAdjective Relating to the running of a family or home relationDomestic violence is a serious problem that should be taken seriously.”
folkloreNoun 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.”
fossilNoun The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rockFossil fuels are running out, and they are non-renewable resources.” 
relicNoun An object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest“This stone tool is a relic of ancient times.”
riteNoun A religious or other solemn ceremony or act“Before construction began, a cleansing rite was performed.”
rituallyAdverb In a way that is done as a religious or solemn rite“The sheep were ritually slaughtered.”
sagaNoun A long, involved story, account, or series of incidents“He has been able to write an exciting and compelling family saga.”
vestigeNoun 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

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
amendVerb 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.”
biasedAdjective Unethically meant for or not for someone or something“The plan was biased and seemingly in favor of the small party.”
burdenNoun A load, typically a heavy one.“I no longer hope to be a burden to you or our family.”
cooperateVerb To work jointly toward the same end.“The relief efforts were cooperated by a number of organizations.”
de factoAdverb In fact, or in effect, whether by right or not“Cindy has established herself as the de facto leader of the organization.”
discriminateVerb To recognize a distinction; differentiate.Discriminating against someone based on their culture or gender is unethical.”
notionNoun A conception of or belief about something“They have no concept of money’s worth and have a little notion for financial honesty.”
oppressVerb To keep (someone) in subservience and hardship, especially by the unjust exercise of authority.“The nobles were exhorted not to oppress the commoners.”
paradigmNoun An example of a pattern of something; a model“Is it necessary to completely rethink the region’s development paradigms?”

Topic: Academics

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
curriculumNoun The subjects making up a degree of study in a school or college“Students may not be required to create entirely new curriculum.”
distinctlyAdverb 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.”
eruditeAdjective Having or showing great knowledge or learning “She is the author of an erudite book on English history.”
fortifyNoun Strengthen (someone) mentally or physically.“You need to have some hot soup to fortify you against the cold.”
implicitlyAdverb In a way that is not directly expressed; tacitly“Her family are the only people she trusts implicitly.”
parochialAdverb Relating to church or parish“Local newspapers are notoriously parochial.”
rigorNoun 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.”
rosterNoun 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.”
secularAdjective Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis“We live in a secular society..”
suspendVerb To temporarily prevent from continuing or being in force or effect“He was suspended from the game because of his conduct.”

Topic: Military

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
allegianceNoun 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.” 
artilleryNoun Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land“The adversary possesses sufficient heavy artillery to win the battle.”
battleNoun A sustained fight between large organized armed forces“The enemy was defeated in the battle.”
ceaseVerb To come to an end“The company has ceased operations since June of this year.”
scaleNoun 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.”
troopNoun 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.”
mobilizeVerb 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.”
rankNoun A position in the hierarchy of the armed forces“He was promoted last month to the rank of colonel.”
ratioNoun 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.”
strategicAdjective Carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage.Strategic partnerships are being forged with major companies.”

Topic: History

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample 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.”
coincideVerb 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.”
clashVerb A violent confrontation“They are going to clash in the near future, mark my word.”
denyVerb To state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of“She denied being in the place of the murder at that time.”
depictVerb To show or represent by a drawing, painting, or another art form“The painting depicts the life in the ancient times.”
diminishVerb 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.”
optimalAdjective 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

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
allocateVerb To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose“She allocates half of her income for the charity.”
commodityNoun 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.”
declineVerb To diminish in strength or quality; deteriorate“The profit of the company declined this year.”
equityNoun The value of a mortgaged property after deduction of charges against it“She sold her equity in the franchise two years ago.”
inflationNoun A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money“The business has done a good job at maintaining inflation.”
netNoun 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 capitaAdjective Relating or applied to each person“The per capita consumption of tobacco has decreased over the last few years.”
regulateVerbTo 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.”
subsidyNoun 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.”

Topic: Social Classification

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
accumulateVerb 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.”
affluenceNoun The state of acquiring a huge deal of money; wealth“The affluence of others exacerbates the poverty of some.”
eliteNoun 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?”
impoverishVerb To make someone poor.“Reduced income will further impoverish these families and may entice a criminal to commit more crimes.”
luxuryNoun The condition of having great comfort and an extravagant lifestyle“A car used to be a luxury item rather than a necessity.”
nobilityNoun 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.”
prestigeNoun 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.”
prosperVerb To succeed in material terms; be financially successful“She hopes her company will prosper this year.”
wealthyAdjective Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich“The new student comes from a wealthy family.”

Topic: Employment

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
compensateVerb 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.”
dynamicAdjective Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress“My teacher is energetic and dynamic.”
enterpriseNoun A project or undertaking is typically one that is difficult or requires effort.“They are adamant about continuing the enterprise.”
exploitVerb To use and gain benefit from (a resource)“You should exploit every opportunity that comes your way.”
incentiveNoun A thing that inspires or boosts one to do something“You will receive a substantial incentive as well as freeboard and housing.
industriousAdjective Diligent and hardworking“His industrious parents are his role models.” 
marginalAdjective Small in amount or effect“The gap between the two figures is marginal.” 
meritNoun The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially to deserve praise or reward“She is hoping to get the job on her merit.”
promoteVerb 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.”
resignVerb To voluntarily leave a job or other position“The CEO of the company is under great pressure to resign.” 

Topic: Trading

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
distillVerb 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.”
entrepreneurialAdjective Taking of financial menaces in the hope of profit; enterprisingEntrepreneurial governments are attempting to alter these incentives and rewards.”
extractVerb To eliminate or take out, especially by force“Oil can be extracted from shale.”
haggleVerb 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.” 
intrepidAdjective Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)“Those who are intrepid still proceeded with the journey.”
merchantNoun 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.”
propertyNoun A thing or things that belongs to someone“Simon inherited the property from his parents.”
prototypeNounThe first, preliminary model of something from which other types are developed or copied“They are working on a digital tiny camera prototype.”
rewardNoun A thing that is given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement“The reward was not intended for her.”
shuttleNounA mode of transportation that regularly travels between places“The store provides a free shuttle service.”

Topic: Politics

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
advocateNoun A person who openly supports or endorses a particular cause or policy“Through the website, you can talk with an advocate.”
authorityNoun The power or prerogative to give orders makes decisions and requires obedience.“The police have the authority to arrest those who break the law.”
bitterlyAdverb In an angry, hurt, or resentful way“She was bitterly opposed to the thought of relocating abroad.”
candidateNoun A person who applies for a job or is nominated for election“He is an ideal candidate for the vacated position.”
coalitionNoun 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.”
contestVerb Engage in competition to attain (a position of power)“He had to contest against an extremely strong contender for the championship.”
electionNoun 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.”
inaugurateVerb To begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period)“The citizens thought that the new administration would inaugurate a new era of progress.”
policyNoun A principle of action assumed or planned by a party, government, business, or individual“The authoritarian policy failed to deliver results.”
pollNoun The process of voting in an election“According to the poll, 80% of the respondents support regional self-government.”

Topic: Court

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
accuseVerb To charge (someone) with an offense or crime“You have no right to accuse him of being lazy.”
allegedlyAdverb 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.”
civilAdjective Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters“The criminals’ civil rights were taken away.”
convictVerb 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.”
guiltyAdjective Responsible of or accountable for a specified wrongdoing“She feels extremely guilty at forgetting his birthday.”
offenseNoun 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.”
peerNoun A person of the same status, age, or capability as another stated person“Young kids are subjected to a lot of peer pressure.”
suspectNoun A person believed to be guilty of a crime or offense“I have always suspected that she is a liar.”
verdictNoun A pronouncement on a doubtful issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquiry“The verdict of the jury is unanimous.”
witnessNoun A person who sees an event takes place.“Only one witness was able to identify the suspect positively.”

Topic: Government

WordWord TypeDefinitionSample Sentence
briberyNoun 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.”
cynicallyAdverb 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.”
erodeVerb To gradually wear away.“Around this time, the dollar’s value began to erode quickly.”
evadeVerb To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery“You risk going to prison if you try to evade paying your taxes.”
grotesqueAdjective Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted“The treatment of captives was grotesque by today’s standards.”
integrityNoun Having honesty and strong moral principles; moral uprightness“Working hard even when no one is looking is a practical approach to demonstrate integrity.”
prevalentAdjective Common in a particular area or at a particular period of time“Infant fatalities were particularly prevalent among the impoverished.”
reformNoun The process of changing an institution or practice“She refuses to admit that reform is required.”
scandalNoun 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.”
unmaskVerb 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