TOEFL vocabulary: 25 words that keep appearing in the test
B2–C125 words
TOEFL reading passages are drawn from academic textbooks, so the vocabulary repeats. These twenty-five words carry a lot of weight in the reading and integrated writing sections and are worth over-learning before test day.
Where you will use it: TOEFL reading, listening and integrated writing.
TOEFL vocabulary — The word list
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| abundant | Present in large quantities.“Fossils are abundant in this region.” |
| adapt | To change to fit new conditions.“Species adapt to warmer water.” |
| comprise | To consist of.“The committee comprises nine members.” |
| diminish | To become smaller or weaker.“The effect diminishes over time.” |
| emerge | To appear or become known.“A pattern began to emerge.” |
| facilitate | To make something easier.“Roads facilitated trade.” |
| inherent | Existing as a natural part.“There is an inherent risk in the method.” |
| phenomenon | An observable event or fact.“Migration is a seasonal phenomenon.” |
| prominent | Important and easily noticed.“She was a prominent scientist.” |
| subsequent | Coming after something else.“Subsequent studies confirmed it.” |
| undergo | To experience a process.“The samples undergo testing.” |
| utilise | To use something for a purpose.“Plants utilise sunlight for energy.” |
| accumulate | To collect gradually over time.“Sediment accumulates on the ocean floor.” |
| adjacent | Next to or near something.“The farms were adjacent to the river.” |
| coherent | Logical and well organised.“The author presents a coherent argument.” |
| constrain | To limit what can happen.“Cold temperatures constrain plant growth.” |
| diverse | Including many different types.“The island supports diverse wildlife.” |
| fundamental | Basic and extremely important.“Water is fundamental to life.” |
| infer | To reach a conclusion from evidence.“We can infer the climate was warmer.” |
| maintain | To keep something at the same level.“The body maintains a stable temperature.” |
| precede | To happen before something else.“A drought preceded the migration.” |
| retain | To continue to have or keep.“Clay soils retain water.” |
| trigger | To cause something to begin.“The eruption triggered rapid cooling.” |
| vast | Extremely large.“A vast forest once covered the region.” |
| whereas | Used to contrast two facts.“The north is wet, whereas the south is dry.” |
Useful learning tips
- Learn in small groupsTake five words at a time and review them before adding more.
- Say the examples aloudReading each sentence aloud connects spelling, sound and meaning.
- Write your own sentenceUse each word in a true sentence about your life or work.
How to study this list
Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.
Studying toefl vocabulary pairs well with our IELTS vocabulary list, academic English word list and English collocations, or browse all free English word lists.
Related guides
Questions about this list
How can I practise TOEFL vocabulary?
Start with five words and say each example aloud. Then recall the word from its meaning and review it over several days.
Where can I use TOEFL vocabulary?
TOEFL reading, listening and integrated writing.
How many words are in this list?
This list contains 25 English words with definitions and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete syllabus.
Turn this list into flashcards
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