Exam prep
TOEFL vocabulary words
The TOEFL draws heavily on academic English across the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections. Building a strong academic vocabulary helps you understand passages quickly and express ideas precisely. These useful academic words come with IPA pronunciation, definitions, and examples so you learn how they are actually used.
Read the full TOEFL vocabulary guide39 TOEFL words to know
- abstract /ˈæbˌstrækt/ adjective · existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical existence
- accumulate /əˈkjumjəˌleɪt/ verb · To gather more of something over time
- adequate /ˈædɪkwət/ adjective · Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity
- advocate /ˈæd.vəˌkeɪt/ noun · A person who argues in favor of something
- ambiguous /æmˈbɪɡjuəs/ adjective · Open to more than one interpretation
- analyze /ˈæn.əˌlaɪz/ verb · to carefully study or examine something
- arbitrary /ˈɑːr.bə.trer.i/ adjective · Based on factors that appear random
- coherent /kəʊˈhɪr.ənt/ adjective · Logically consistent, intelligible
- comprehensive /ˌkɒm.prɪˈhɛn.sɪv/ adjective · Covering or including everything
- conceive /kənˈsiːv/ verb · Form or devise a plan or idea in the mind
- constitute /ˈkɒn.stɪ.tjuːt/ verb · To compose or represent
- controversy /ˈkɑːn.trə.vɝː.si/ noun · a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people
- conventional /kənˈvɛnʃənl/ adjective · Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed
- deduce /dɪˈduːs/ verb · to figure something out from what you know
- deliberate /dɪˈlɪb.ər.ət/ adjective · Intentional, reflecting careful consideration
- denote /dɪˈnoʊt/ verb · To indicate or mean something
- diminish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ verb · Make or become less
- empirical /ɛmˈpɪr.ɪ.kəl/ adjective · Based on observation or experience
- explicit /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ adjective · Clearly and directly expressed
- facilitate /fəˈsɪl.ɪˌteɪt/ verb · To make something easier to do or achieve
- fluctuate /ˈflʌk.tʃu.eɪt/ verb · To rise and fall irregularly in number or amount
- hypothesis /haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs/ noun · An educated guess that can be tested
- implicit /ɪmˈplɪ.sɪt/ adjective · Understood but not outwardly obvious, implied
- incentive /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ noun · a reward or benefit that motivates someone to take a particular action
- inevitable /ɪˈnɛvɪtəbəl/ adjective · Cannot be avoided or escaped
- integral /ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡrəl/ adjective · Necessary for completeness
- intrinsic /ɪnˈtrɪn.sɪk/ adjective · Naturally part of something
- notion /ˈnəʊ.ʃən/ noun · a belief or idea
- paradigm /ˈpær.əˌdaɪm/ noun · An example that is a perfect pattern or model
- phenomenon /fəˈnɒmənən/ noun · A remarkable or extraordinary event
- plausible /ˈplɑː.zə.bəl/ adjective · Believable, reasonable
- predominant /prɪˈdɒmɪnənt/ adjective · Most common or powerful in a group
- prerequisite /ˌpriːˈrek.wə.zɪt/ noun · something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen
- reciprocal /rɪˈsɪp.rə.kəl/ adjective · Shared or interchangeable
- subsequent /ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/ adjective · Happening after something else
- tangible /ˈtæn.dʒə.bəl/ adjective · Touchable and real
- underlying /ˌʌn.dɚˈlaɪ.ɪŋ/ adjective · real but not immediately obvious
- viable /ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/ adjective · able to work as intended or able to succeed
- vivid /ˈvɪv.ɪd/ adjective · Intensely bright or colorful
How to memorize TOEFL vocabulary
Don't cram a list the night before. Learn each word with an example sentence so you understand it in context, then use spaced repetition to review it right before you'd forget. That's exactly how Vocaby works: swipe through words with audio and examples, and the app schedules each one for review at the perfect moment so it lasts through test day.
Frequently asked questions
- What vocabulary is on the TOEFL?
- The TOEFL uses academic English across Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. There is no official word list, but words common in textbooks and lectures (analyze, hypothesis, conventional, plausible) appear often, so an academic vocabulary base is the most useful preparation.
- How can I improve my TOEFL vocabulary?
- Read academic English widely and learn new words with example sentences, then review them with spaced repetition. Because TOEFL tests understanding in context, learning words alongside how they are used beats memorizing isolated definitions.
- How many words should I know for the TOEFL?
- A working academic vocabulary of a few thousand words supports a strong score. More important than the count is being able to recognize and use the words quickly and accurately, which spaced, in-context practice builds.
Study TOEFL words that actually stick.
Vocaby pairs every word with audio, examples, and spaced repetition — free to start.