TOEFL Vocabulary involves understanding and using English words accurately in academic, university, and everyday contexts. Vocabulary knowledge supports all four TOEFL iBT sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

The updated TOEFL iBT, introduced on January 21, 2026, includes a Reading task called Complete the Words, which directly assesses vocabulary and word recognition in context.

A. Fundamental English Vocabulary

1. Basic English Vocabulary

• Common everyday words

• High-frequency English vocabulary

• Basic nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs

• Common expressions and phrases

• Formal and informal vocabulary

2. Parts of Speech

• Nouns and noun forms

• Verbs and verb forms

• Adjectives and descriptive words

• Adverbs and their functions

• Prepositions and conjunctions

3. Word Formation

• Root words

• Prefixes and suffixes

• Compound words

• Derived words

• Word families

4. Synonyms and Antonyms

• Words with similar meanings

• Words with opposite meanings

• Near-synonyms

• Context-dependent synonyms

• Academic synonyms and antonyms

5. Word Meanings

• Literal meanings

• Figurative meanings

• Multiple-meaning words

• Denotation and connotation

• Meaning changes across contexts

6. Spelling and Word Recognition

• Common spelling patterns

• Frequently misspelled words

• British and American spelling

• Recognizing partially completed words

• Spelling rules and exceptions

7. Vocabulary Pronunciation

• Word stress

• Syllables

• Vowel and consonant sounds

• Pronunciation of academic words

• Commonly confused pronunciations

8. Collocations and Expressions

• Verb–noun collocations

• Adjective–noun collocations

• Adverb–adjective combinations

• Common academic expressions

• Fixed phrases and word combinations

B. Academic English Vocabulary

9. General Academic Vocabulary

• Academic Word List (AWL)

• Academic Vocabulary List (AVL)

• High-frequency university-level words

• Academic word families

• Subject-independent academic terminology

10. Academic Verbs

• Analyze, evaluate, and examine

• Demonstrate, indicate, and establish

• Identify, determine, and assess

• Interpret, investigate, and compare

• Suggest, imply, and conclude

11. Academic Nouns

• Evidence, hypothesis, and theory

• Concept, principle, and framework

• Method, procedure, and approach

• Data, analysis, and interpretation

• Factor, variable, and relationship

12. Academic Adjectives

• Significant and substantial

• Relevant and appropriate

• Consistent and accurate

• Complex and comprehensive

• Fundamental and essential

13. Academic Adverbs

• Generally and typically

• Approximately and relatively

• Primarily and predominantly

• Consequently and subsequently

• Significantly and considerably

14. Logical Connectors and Transition Words

• Addition: furthermore, moreover

• Contrast: however, nevertheless

• Cause and effect: therefore, consequently

• Examples: for instance, specifically

• Conclusions: ultimately, overall

15. Cause-and-Effect Vocabulary

• Cause, trigger, and generate

• Result, consequence, and outcome

• Influence, affect, and impact

• Contribute to and lead to

• Correlation and causation

16. Comparison and Contrast Vocabulary

• Similarity and difference

• Likewise and similarly

• Whereas and while

• In contrast and conversely

• Superior, inferior, and equivalent

17. Research and Scientific Vocabulary

• Research methodology

• Experimentation and observation

• Hypotheses and predictions

• Measurements and variables

• Scientific findings and conclusions

18. Argumentation and Critical Thinking Vocabulary

• Claims and assertions

• Supporting evidence

• Assumptions and implications

• Counterarguments and objections

• Validity, reliability, and credibility

C. Subject-Specific TOEFL Vocabulary

19. Biology and Life Sciences

• Cells and organisms

• Genetics and heredity

• Evolution and natural selection

• Ecology and ecosystems

• Human physiology

20. Physics and Astronomy

• Force, motion, and energy

• Electricity and magnetism

• Waves, light, and sound

• Atoms and particles

• Stars, galaxies, and the universe

21. Chemistry

• Elements and compounds

• Atoms and molecules

• Chemical reactions

• Acids, bases, and solutions

• States of matter

22. Earth and Environmental Sciences

• Geology and minerals

• Earthquakes and volcanoes

• Weather and climate

• Climate change and sustainability

• Natural resources and conservation

23. Mathematics and Statistics

• Numbers and quantities

• Ratios and proportions

• Graphs and tables

• Probability and distributions

• Statistical analysis and trends

24. History and Archaeology

• Ancient civilizations

• Historical periods

• Archaeological discoveries

• Cultural heritage

• Historical evidence and artifacts

25. Geography and Human Geography

• Landforms and landscapes

• Population and migration

• Urbanization and settlement

• Regions and geographical features

• Natural and human environments

26. Psychology and Sociology

• Human behavior

• Learning and memory

• Perception and cognition

• Social relationships

• Cultural and social influences

27. Economics and Business

• Supply and demand

• Markets and competition

• Production and consumption

• Employment and economic growth

• Finance, investment, and trade

28. Arts, Literature, and Humanities

• Literature and storytelling

• Painting and sculpture

• Music and performance

• Architecture and design

• Philosophy and cultural studies

D. TOEFL Section-Specific Vocabulary

29. TOEFL Reading Vocabulary

• Understanding vocabulary in context

• Completing partially missing words

• Recognizing meanings in academic passages

• Understanding vocabulary in everyday texts

• Identifying relationships between ideas

30. TOEFL Listening Vocabulary

• Academic lecture terminology

• Classroom discussion vocabulary

• Campus conversations

• Announcements and instructions

• Recognizing words in connected speech

31. TOEFL Speaking Vocabulary

• Everyday conversational expressions

• Academic and personal topic vocabulary

• Expressing opinions and preferences

• Giving explanations and examples

• Accurate and natural word choice

32. TOEFL Writing Vocabulary

• Sentence-building vocabulary

• Email writing expressions

• Academic discussion terminology

• Precise verbs and descriptive adjectives

• Formal register and appropriate word choice

E. Advanced Vocabulary Skills

33. Vocabulary in Context

• Using surrounding sentences

• Recognizing grammatical clues

• Understanding contextual meanings

• Distinguishing possible word meanings

• Inferring unfamiliar vocabulary

34. Paraphrasing and Word Substitution

• Replacing words with suitable synonyms

• Restating sentences

• Changing word forms

• Preserving the original meaning

• Avoiding inappropriate substitutions

35. Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Fixed Expressions

• Common phrasal verbs

• Everyday idiomatic expressions

• Academic fixed expressions

• Verb–preposition combinations

• Recognizing figurative language

36. Vocabulary Precision and Common Errors

• Confusing similar words

• False friends and misleading cognates

• Choosing appropriate word forms

• Avoiding unnatural collocations

• Correcting vocabulary usage errors

F. Vocabulary Learning and Test Preparation

37. Vocabulary Memorization Strategies

• Flashcards

• Spaced repetition

• Active recall

• Mnemonics and word associations

• Learning vocabulary through examples

38. Vocabulary Expansion Strategies

• Reading academic articles

• Listening to academic lectures

• Maintaining a vocabulary notebook

• Studying related word families

• Using new words in speaking and writing

39. Vocabulary Practice Exercises

• Word-completion exercises

• Matching words with definitions

• Fill-in-the-blank activities

• Synonym and antonym exercises

• Sentence construction and paraphrasing

40. TOEFL Vocabulary Tests and Performance Analysis

• Daily vocabulary quizzes

• Weekly vocabulary revision

• Academic vocabulary practice tests

• Timed word-completion exercises

• Error analysis and progress tracking

Recommended Study Priorities

Suggested allocation of vocabulary study time

• Academic vocabulary and word families: 30%

• Vocabulary in context and word completion: 25%

• Subject-specific vocabulary: 20%

• Speaking and writing word usage: 15%

• Review and timed practice: 10%

Most important topics to study first: General Academic Vocabulary (9), Word Formation (3), Academic Verbs (10), Vocabulary in Context (33), TOEFL Reading Vocabulary (29), and Vocabulary Practice Exercises (39).

TOEFL iBT: 150 Common and High-Frequency Vocabulary Words

The following is a categorized, numbered list of 150 useful English vocabulary words for TOEFL iBT Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing preparation.

The updated TOEFL iBT includes academic language and everyday university communication. ETS emphasizes understanding general academic vocabulary in context rather than memorizing highly specialized terminology.

1. Essential Academic Verbs (1–10)

1. Analyze — Examine something carefully.

2. Assess — Evaluate or judge.

3. Assume — Accept something without proof.

4. Clarify — Make something easier to understand.

5. Define — Explain the meaning of something.

6. Demonstrate — Show clearly using evidence.

7. Determine — Discover or establish.

8. Establish — Set up or prove.

9. Evaluate — Judge quality or importance.

10. Identify — Recognize or name.

2. Research and Evidence Vocabulary (11–20)

11. Approach — A method of dealing with something.

12. Concept — An abstract idea.

13. Context — The surrounding circumstances.

14. Data — Information collected for analysis.

15. Evidence — Information supporting a conclusion.

16. Factor — Something contributing to a result.

17. Hypothesis — A proposed, testable explanation.

18. Method — A systematic procedure.

19. Outcome — A result or consequence.

20. Theory — An explanatory framework supported by reasoning or evidence.

3. Cause, Effect, and Relationships (21–30)

21. Affect — Produce a change in something.

22. Cause — Make something happen.

23. Contribute — Help produce a result.

24. Correlate — Have a statistical relationship.

25. Derive — Obtain from a source.

26. Influence — Affect someone's actions or an outcome.

27. Indicate — Suggest or point out.

28. Imply — Suggest indirectly.

29. Justify — Provide convincing reasons.

30. Result — An effect or outcome.

4. Change, Growth, and Trends (31–40)

31. Alter — Change or modify.

32. Decline — Decrease or become weaker.

33. Diminish — Become smaller or less important.

34. Expand — Increase in size or extent.

35. Fluctuate — Rise and fall irregularly.

36. Increase — Become greater.

37. Maintain — Keep at the same level or condition.

38. Modify — Change partially.

39. Stabilize — Become or make steady.

40. Vary — Differ or change.

5. High-Frequency Academic Adjectives (41–50)

41. Accurate — Correct and precise.

42. Adequate — Sufficient for a particular purpose.

43. Apparent — Clear or seemingly true.

44. Arbitrary — Based on personal choice rather than a consistent rule.

45. Complex — Having many connected parts.

46. Considerable — Large or significant.

47. Consistent — Remaining the same or agreeing.

48. Significant — Important or meaningful.

49. Relevant — Closely related to the subject.

50. Sufficient — Enough to meet a need.

6. Quantity, Measurement, and Comparison (51–60)

51. Approximate — Nearly correct, but not exact.

52. Capacity — The maximum amount something can hold or produce.

53. Proportion — A part compared with the whole.

54. Ratio — A comparison between quantities.

55. Majority — More than half.

56. Minority — The smaller part of a group.

57. Equivalent — Equal in value, meaning, or function.

58. Relative — Considered in comparison with something else.

59. Predominant — Most common or influential.

60. Widespread — Existing over a large area or among many people.

7. Science and Environmental Vocabulary (61–70)

61. Adapt — Adjust to new conditions.

62. Conserve — Protect or use carefully.

63. Ecosystem — A community of organisms and its environment.

64. Emission — The release of gas, energy, or other substances.

65. Erosion — Gradual wearing away of soil or rock.

66. Habitat — The natural home of an organism.

67. Organism — An individual living thing.

68. Resource — Something useful or valuable.

69. Sustainable — Capable of continuing without exhausting resources.

70. Species — A biological classification of organisms.

8. Society, Economy, and Government (71–80)

71. Authority — The power or right to make decisions.

72. Community — People sharing a place or interest.

73. Culture — Shared beliefs, customs, and practices.

74. Economy — The system of producing and exchanging goods and services.

75. Income — Money received or earned.

76. Infrastructure — Essential facilities and systems.

77. Policy — A plan or set of guiding rules.

78. Population — All inhabitants of an area or members of a group.

79. Regulate — Control through rules.

80. Trend — A general direction of change.

9. University and Education Vocabulary (81–90)

81. Assignment — Academic work given to students.

82. Deadline — The latest time something must be completed.

83. Enrollment — The process of registering for study.

84. Lecture — An educational presentation.

85. Prerequisite — A requirement that must be completed first.

86. Curriculum — The courses and content of an educational program.

87. Scholarship — Financial support for education.

88. Seminar — A small-group academic discussion.

89. Syllabus — An outline of a course.

90. Tuition — Money charged for instruction.

10. Argument and Communication Vocabulary (91–100)

91. Acknowledge — Recognize or accept something.

92. Advocate — Publicly support an idea or policy.

93. Assert — State something confidently.

94. Challenge — Question or dispute.

95. Emphasize — Give special importance to.

96. Interpret — Explain the meaning of something.

97. Perspective — A particular viewpoint.

98. Propose — Suggest a plan or idea.

99. Respond — Answer or react.

100. Summarize — Express the main points briefly.

11. Time, Order, and Sequence (101–110)

101. Initially — At the beginning.

102. Subsequently — Afterward.

103. Eventually — Finally, after some time.

104. Meanwhile — During the same period.

105. Prior — Earlier or previous.

106. Temporary — Lasting for a limited time.

107. Ongoing — Continuing or developing.

108. Consecutive — Following one after another.

109. Simultaneous — Happening at the same time.

110. Duration — The length of time something lasts.

12. Linking Words and Academic Adverbs (111–120)

111. Although — Despite the fact that.

112. However — Nevertheless; used to introduce a contrast.

113. Nevertheless — In spite of that.

114. Therefore — For that reason.

115. Consequently — As a result.

116. Furthermore — In addition.

117. Whereas — In contrast with the fact that.

118. Otherwise — If not; in a different situation.

119. Indeed — In fact; used for emphasis.

120. Relatively — In comparison with something else.

13. Campus and Everyday Life Vocabulary (121–130)

121. Accommodation — A place to live or stay.

122. Appointment — An arranged meeting at a particular time.

123. Availability — The condition of being obtainable or free.

124. Complaint — An expression of dissatisfaction.

125. Confirmation — Proof that something is correct or arranged.

126. Facility — A building, place, or equipment provided for a purpose.

127. Reservation — An arrangement to hold a place or service.

128. Orientation — An introduction to a new environment or program.

129. Schedule — A plan of activities and times.

130. Transportation — The movement of people or goods.

14. Biology, Geography, and Earth Science (131–140)

131. Abundant — Existing in large quantities.

132. Climate — Long-term weather patterns.

133. Diversity — The existence of different types.

134. Evolution — Gradual biological change across generations.

135. Extinct — No longer existing as a living species.

136. Fossil — Preserved remains or traces of ancient life.

137. Geological — Related to Earth's structure and history.

138. Migration — Movement from one region to another.

139. Precipitation — Rain, snow, or other water falling from the atmosphere.

140. Terrestrial — Related to land or Earth.

15. Technology, Information, and Innovation (141–150)

141. Access — The ability or opportunity to use something.

142. Application — The practical use of an idea or technology.

143. Automate — Make a process operate automatically.

144. Component — One part of a larger system.

145. Digital — Using electronic or computer-based technology.

146. Efficient — Producing results with minimal waste.

147. Innovation — A new idea, method, or invention.

148. Integrate — Combine parts into a whole.

149. Process — A series of actions or steps.

150. Transform — Change substantially in form or character.

TOEFL Vocabulary Study Plan

15-day vocabulary checklist

0/15 completed

Study 10 words per day. Learn their meanings, pronunciation, word families, and use in sentences.

Day 1: Essential Academic Verbs

Day 2: Research and Evidence

Day 3: Cause and Effect

Day 4: Change and Trends

Day 5: Academic Adjectives

Day 6: Quantity and Comparison

Day 7: Science and Environment

Day 8: Society and Economy

Day 9: University and Education

Day 10: Argument and Communication

Day 11: Time and Sequence

Day 12: Linking Words

Day 13: Campus and Daily Life

Day 14: Biology and Earth Science

Day 15: Technology and Innovation

Reset checklist

Recommended daily practice: Learn 10 words, review 20 previously learned words, and write five original sentences. Pay special attention to synonyms, prefixes, suffixes, and vocabulary used in academic passages and campus conversations.

Important: Memorization alone is insufficient. For the TOEFL iBT, practice recognizing how each word functions in context, particularly in Reading's Complete the Words and Read an Academic Passage tasks.