TOEFL Vocabulary Word List: Your Guide to Success

When preparing for the TOEFL exam, understanding the significance of vocabulary is key. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) assesses your ability to use and understand English at a university level, making vocabulary an essential component. In this article, we’ll explore what the TOEFL is, why vocabulary matters, present a curated list of 100 essential TOEFL words to kickstart your preparation, and share effective strategies to help you expand and master your vocabulary.

What Is the TOEFL?

The TOEFL is an internationally recognized test that evaluates your English proficiency. It’s often required by universities and colleges for non-native English speakers. The test includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section assesses specific language skills, but a strong vocabulary underpins success in all of them.

Why Is Vocabulary Important in the TOEFL?

Vocabulary plays a central role in all sections of the TOEFL. Here’s why:

Reading Section: You'll encounter complex academic texts where understanding the meaning of words in context is critical. Misinterpreting even a single word can affect your comprehension of the entire passage.
Listening Section: Academic discussions and lectures often use advanced vocabulary. Recognizing key terms helps you follow the speaker's argument.
Speaking and Writing Sections: A diverse vocabulary allows you to express ideas clearly, avoid repetition, and make a stronger impression on evaluators.

100 Essential TOEFL Vocabulary Words

Here is a carefully curated list of the top TOEFL words. Each entry includes the word, its definition, and an example sentence to illustrate its use.

	Word	Definition	Example
1	Abundant	Existing in large quantities.	The region has an abundant supply of natural resources.
2	Accumulate	To gather or collect.	Over time, dust can accumulate on bookshelves.
3	Adverse	Harmful or unfavorable.	The company faced adverse economic conditions.
4	Advocate	To support or argue for.	She advocates for environmental protection.
5	Arbitrary	Based on random choice or personal whim.	The decision seemed arbitrary and lacked justification.
6	Adept	Highly skilled or proficient.	She is adept at solving complex equations.
7	Ambiguous	Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.	The question was ambiguous and could be understood in multiple ways.
8	Anomaly	Something that deviates from the norm or expectations.	The data showed an anomaly that required further investigation.
9	Benevolent	Kind and generous.	The benevolent teacher always helped struggling students.
10	Bias	A preference or inclination, especially one that prevents impartial judgment.	The study’s results were affected by a sampling bias.
11	Bolster	To support or strengthen.	The evidence bolstered her argument in court.
12	Burgeon	To grow or increase rapidly.	The tech industry continues to burgeon in many cities.
13	Candid	Honest and straightforward.	She gave a candid opinion about the project’s flaws.
14	Capable	Having the ability to do something.	He is capable of completing the task on time.
15	Coherent	Logical and consistent.	Her argument was coherent and easy to follow.
16	Constrain	To limit or restrict.	The tight budget constrained our options.
17	Comprehensive	Covering all aspects or elements.	The professor provided a comprehensive review of the topic.
18	Conventional	Based on accepted practices or standards.	The design followed a conventional approach.
19	Concur	To agree or have the same opinion.	The committee members concurred on the final decision.
20	Convoluted	Extremely complex and difficult to follow.	The plot of the novel was so convoluted that many readers gave up.
21	Deteriorate	To worsen over time.	The building began to deteriorate after years of neglect.
22	Discrepancy	A difference between conflicting facts or claims.	There was a discrepancy between the two reports.
23	Diverse	Showing a great deal of variety.	The university has a diverse student population.
24	Durable	Able to withstand wear or damage.	This material is durable and suitable for outdoor use.
25	Defer	To postpone or delay.	The meeting was deferred until next week due to scheduling conflicts.
26	Diminish	To reduce in size, importance, or intensity.	Over time, the noise from the construction site began to diminish.
27	Eccentric	Unconventional or unusual.	His eccentric behavior made him stand out at the event.
28	Efficient	Performing a task in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort.	The new software is more efficient than the old system.
29	Emerge	To become apparent or visible.	A pattern began to emerge from the data.
30	Empirical	Based on observation or experience rather than theory.	The study provided empirical evidence of the hypothesis.
31	Elaborate	Detailed and carefully arranged.	The plan was elaborate, covering every possible scenario.
32	Enhance	To improve the quality or value of something.	The software update enhanced the user experience.
33	Exacerbate	To make a problem or situation worse.	The lack of funding exacerbated the company’s financial issues.
34	Explicit	Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion.	The teacher gave explicit instructions on how to complete the assignment.
35	Feasible	Possible to do or achieve.	The plan is ambitious but feasible with the right resources.
36	Fluctuate	To vary or change frequently.	Prices tend to fluctuate during the holiday season.
37	Foster	To encourage or promote growth or development.	The teacher fostered a love of reading in her students.
38	Fundamental	Basic and essential.	Understanding grammar is fundamental to learning a new language.
39	Frugal	Economical in the use of resources.	She led a frugal lifestyle, saving money whenever possible.
40	Fundamental	Serving as a basic or essential foundation.	Understanding basic math is fundamental to solving complex problems.
41	Generate	To produce or create.	The project is expected to generate significant revenue.
42	Gratify	To give pleasure or satisfaction.	The praise from her mentor gratified her efforts.
43	Grueling	Extremely tiring and demanding.	Training for the marathon was grueling but rewarding.
44	Hinder	To make it difficult for something to happen.	The heavy traffic hindered our progress.
45	Hypothesis	A proposed explanation for a phenomenon.	The scientist tested her hypothesis through experiments.
46	Hostile	Unfriendly or antagonistic.	The environment was hostile to new ideas.
47	Impartial	Not biased; fair and just.	The judge remained impartial throughout the trial.
48	Implement	To put into effect.	The government plans to implement new policies next year.
49	Inherent	Existing as a natural part of something.	There are inherent risks in any investment.
50	Impediment	An obstacle or hindrance.	The lack of funding was a major impediment to progress.
51	Innovate	To introduce new ideas or methods.	The company’s goal is to innovate in the field of renewable energy.
52	Incessant	Continuing without interruption.	The incessant noise from the construction site disrupted the class.
53	Integrity	The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.	Her integrity earned her the trust of her colleagues.
54	Justify	To show or prove something to be right or reasonable.	He tried to justify his actions by explaining the circumstances.
55	Juxtapose	To place two things side by side for comparison.	The artist juxtaposed light and dark colors to create contrast.
56	Keen	Having or showing enthusiasm or eagerness.	She has a keen interest in environmental issues.
57	Knack	A natural skill or ability.	He has a knack for solving complex problems.
58	Lament	To express sorrow or regret.	The community lamented the loss of the historic building.
59	Lucid	Clear and easy to understand.	Her explanation was lucid and helped everyone grasp the concept.
60	Mundane	Lacking excitement; ordinary.	She wanted to escape her mundane routine.
61	Mitigate	To make less severe or serious.	Measures were taken to mitigate the impact of the storm.
62	Notable	Worthy of attention or notice.	The event was notable for its high attendance.
63	Novel	New and different.	The scientist proposed a novel approach to the problem.
64	Obscure	Not well-known; unclear or difficult to understand.	The origins of the custom are obscure.
65	Optimize	To make the best or most effective use of.	The software was optimized for faster performance.
66	Placid	Calm and peaceful.	The lake was placid, reflecting the clear blue sky.
67	Proficient	Skilled and competent.	She is proficient in three languages.
68	Plausible	Appearing reasonable or probable.	His explanation was plausible but required further verification.
69	Prevail	To prove more powerful or superior.	Justice will ultimately prevail.
70	Quaint	Charmingly old-fashioned.	The village is known for its quaint cottages.
71	Quell	To suppress or put an end to.	The police were able to quell the disturbance quickly.
72	Reconcile	To restore friendly relations.	The siblings were finally reconciled after years of estrangement.
73	Robust	Strong and healthy; sturdy.	The economy is robust despite recent challenges.
74	Refute	To disprove or argue against.	The scientist refuted the outdated theory with new evidence.
75	Resilient	Able to recover quickly from difficulties.	She remained resilient in the face of adversity.
76	Scrutinize	To examine closely.	The accountant scrutinized every detail of the report.
77	Substantiate	To provide evidence to support a claim.	The lawyer substantiated her argument with credible evidence.
78	Skeptical	Doubtful or questioning.	The committee was skeptical of the proposed budget projections.
79	Succinct	Brief and clearly expressed.	His presentation was succinct and to the point.
80	Tangible	Capable of being touched or felt; real.	The policy change had tangible benefits for employees.
81	Tenuous	Weak or insubstantial.	The argument was tenuous and lacked solid evidence.
82	Transition	The process of change or movement.	The transition from high school to college can be challenging.
83	Undermine	To weaken or damage.	The scandal undermined the politician’s credibility.
84	Unprecedented	Never done or known before.	The company achieved unprecedented growth this quarter.
85	Urge	To strongly encourage or persuade.	She urged her team to complete the project on time.
86	Utilize	To make use of.	The new software allows users to utilize advanced features.
87	Vacillate	To waver between different options or actions.	He vacillated between accepting the job offer and staying at his current position.
88	Vague	Not clearly expressed or defined.	His instructions were vague, making the task harder to complete.
89	Viable	Capable of working successfully.	The startup presented a viable business model to investors.
90	Vindicate	To clear from blame or suspicion.	New evidence vindicated the wrongly accused suspect.
91	Vulnerable	Susceptible to harm or attack.	Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes.
92	Volatile	Prone to rapid and unpredictable change.	The stock market can be highly volatile.
93	Wary	Cautious and alert to potential danger.	She was wary of sharing personal information online.
94	Widespread	Found or distributed over a large area or number of people.	The policy received widespread support from the public.
95	Withstand	To resist or endure successfully.	The building was designed to withstand earthquakes.
96	Xenophobia	Fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.	The government launched campaigns to address xenophobia in the community.
97	Yield	To produce or provide (a result or crop).	The experiment yielded promising results.
98	Yearn	To have an intense longing for something.	After years abroad, he yearned to return to his homeland.
99	Zealous	Showing strong enthusiasm or passion.	The zealous supporters cheered loudly for their team.
100	Zest	Great enthusiasm and energy.	She approached every challenge with zest and determination.

Strategies to Master TOEFL Vocabulary: In-Depth Guide with Examples

Mastering vocabulary for the TOEFL can seem overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can approach the task efficiently and effectively. Below, we break down actionable steps with examples to ensure your vocabulary improves in ways that directly benefit your TOEFL preparation.

1. Focus on High-Frequency TOEFL Words

Certain words appear consistently on the TOEFL. Focusing on these high-frequency words ensures that your effort pays off.

How to Practice: Use curated TOEFL word lists (like the Academic Word List or our 100-word list above) and prioritize them.
Example in Practice: Take the word “substantiate”, which means to provide evidence for a claim.
Sentence: "The professor asked the student to substantiate her argument with reliable sources."

2. Use Flashcards for Active Recall

Flashcards are a proven method to help you actively recall words, their meanings, and their usage.

Steps: Write the word on one side and its definition, example sentence, and synonyms on the other.
Example Flashcard:
- Front: Mitigate
- Back: Definition: To make less severe.
  Example: "The city implemented policies to mitigate air pollution."
  Synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish.

Apps like Quizlet can automate this process and allow for spaced repetition to optimize retention.

3. Learn Words in Context

Memorizing definitions without understanding how words are used in sentences is less effective. Contextual learning ensures that you can recognize words when they appear in reading passages or lectures.

How to Practice: Read TOEFL-style texts (such as academic articles or essays) and underline unfamiliar words. Look up their meanings and study them in their original context.
Example in Context: Consider the word “robust”, which means strong and healthy.
Sentence in Context: "The study provided robust evidence supporting the new theory."

By seeing the word used in an academic sentence, you also learn how to use it appropriately in the TOEFL Writing or Speaking sections.

4. Group Words by Theme

The TOEFL covers diverse topics such as science, education, and social issues. Grouping vocabulary by themes helps you better retain and apply the words.

Example Themes:
- Science Vocabulary: Hypothesis, empirical, fluctuate.
  Sentence Example: "The hypothesis was tested using empirical data."
- Education Vocabulary: Curriculum, proficient, facilitate.
  Sentence Example: "The new program was designed to facilitate learning for diverse student populations."

By organizing words thematically, you create associations that make them easier to remember.

5. Apply Spaced Repetition

The spaced repetition technique involves reviewing words at increasing intervals, which is scientifically proven to enhance long-term memory.

How to Use: Apps like Anki or even physical flashcards work well. Review a word after one day, then three days, then a week, and so on.
Example: Learn the word “convoluted” (meaning: complex and difficult to follow) today. Use it in a sentence tomorrow, review it in two days, and quiz yourself on it next week.
Sentence: "The instructions were so convoluted that nobody could understand them."

6. Practice Using New Words Actively

Active use of vocabulary solidifies learning. Simply recognizing a word is not enough—you need to produce it in writing or speech.

How to Practice:
- Write short essays or TOEFL-style responses using target vocabulary.
- Record yourself answering TOEFL Speaking prompts and incorporate new words.
Example: Suppose you’ve just learned the word “elaborate”, which means to explain in detail. Practice using it in a TOEFL Speaking Task 1 response:
Prompt: "Describe a memorable event in your life."
Response: "I would like to elaborate on a trip I took to Italy, where I visited historical landmarks and enjoyed local cuisine."

7. Practice Synonyms and Word Families

The TOEFL often uses synonyms in answer choices for vocabulary questions. Knowing multiple forms of a word can improve your understanding and help in different test sections.

Example Word Family:
- Base word: Fluctuate (verb: to change frequently).
  Example Sentence: "Temperatures tend to fluctuate in the spring."
- Noun: Fluctuation
  Example Sentence: "There was a fluctuation in the stock market yesterday."

By practicing synonyms and related forms, you increase your adaptability when encountering these words in the test.

8. Incorporate Words into Everyday Life

Using TOEFL words in daily life ensures you internalize them. Talk to friends, write diary entries, or think to yourself in English, consciously including new vocabulary.

Example: Instead of saying “I’m improving my vocabulary,” say “I’m augmenting my vocabulary.”
Original Sentence: "I want to get better at learning new words."
Upgraded Sentence: "I aim to enhance my ability to learn new vocabulary."

9. Simulate TOEFL Scenarios

Take mock tests or answer TOEFL-style questions where you must use new words. Simulating test conditions helps build familiarity with how vocabulary is tested.

Example Exercise:
- Read a TOEFL reading passage and write a summary using target vocabulary like “substantiate,” “integrate,” and “robust.”

Practical Application

Let’s apply these strategies with a sample word: “Advocate” (verb: to support or argue for something).

Learn the Definition and Synonyms: Advocate = support, promote, champion.
Use in Context:
Reading: "Many scientists advocate for renewable energy solutions."
Writing: "I advocate for stricter environmental regulations to combat climate change."
Create a Flashcard:
- Front: Advocate
- Back: Definition: To support or argue for something.
  Example Sentence: "The organization advocates for equal education opportunities."
Practice in Speaking:
Prompt: "Do you agree or disagree that governments should fund public education?"
Response: "I strongly advocate for government funding in public education because it promotes equality."

With dedication and these targeted strategies, you’ll be well on your way to expanding your vocabulary and acing the TOEFL!