TOEFL Vocabulary

How TOEFL Tests Vocabulary

TOEFL Vocabulary by Topic

Key academic words and collocations for the subject areas most frequently used in TOEFL Reading passages and Listening lectures:

TOEFL Academic Word List: High-Frequency Words

Essential TOEFL Collocations

Practice Exercises for TOEFL Vocabulary

Practise and test your TOEFL vocabulary with these free interactive exercises:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the TOEFL Academic Word List?

  The TOEFL Academic Word List refers to the high-frequency academic vocabulary that appears across TOEFL iBT Reading passages, Listening lectures, and the Writing tasks. Much of it overlaps with Averil Coxhead’s 570-word-family Academic Word List (AWL), since TOEFL passages are written in an academic register similar to introductory university textbooks. Mastering this vocabulary is essential because TOEFL rewards precise understanding of academic register, not just everyday English.
• How many words do I need to know for TOEFL?

  Most test-takers need an active and passive vocabulary of roughly 6,000–8,000 words to perform well across all four TOEFL sections, with a strong emphasis on academic vocabulary rather than everyday conversational words. Scores above 100 typically require a wider and more precise academic vocabulary, including the ability to recognise synonyms and paraphrases quickly in Reading and Listening.
• Is TOEFL vocabulary different from IELTS vocabulary?

  There is significant overlap, since both exams draw on general academic English, but TOEFL leans more heavily toward North American academic and campus-life vocabulary — lecture-style Listening passages, campus-service conversations, and textbook-style Reading passages. IELTS vocabulary spans a slightly broader range of everyday and Task 2 essay topics. If you are preparing for both exams, our IELTS Vocabulary guide is a useful companion resource.
• How does TOEFL test vocabulary in the Reading section?

  TOEFL Reading includes dedicated vocabulary-in-context questions that ask you to identify the closest meaning of a highlighted word based on the surrounding passage, plus indirect vocabulary demands throughout every comprehension question. A strong academic vocabulary lets you read passages faster and infer unfamiliar words from context rather than getting stuck.
• How does TOEFL test vocabulary in the Listening section?

  TOEFL Listening lectures use academic vocabulary at natural speaking speed, often introducing and defining a specialised term within the lecture itself. You are expected to follow this vocabulary in real time, take notes on key terms, and answer questions about how the vocabulary relates to the lecture’s main ideas, without being able to replay the audio.
• What vocabulary should I focus on for TOEFL Speaking and Writing?

  For Speaking and Writing, focus on vocabulary that lets you state an opinion clearly, summarise source material accurately, and connect ideas logically — verbs like indicate, suggest, contend, and highlight, and academic connectors like consequently, whereas, and in contrast. Precision and appropriate register matter more than simply using rare or complex words.
• Are TOEFL collocations tested directly?

  TOEFL does not test collocations with a dedicated question type the way some other exams do, but using natural, accurate collocations (such as conduct research or draw a conclusion rather than awkward alternatives) directly improves your Speaking and Writing scores, since raters assess language use and how naturally you express your ideas.
• How should I learn TOEFL vocabulary effectively?

  Learn TOEFL vocabulary in context by reading academic texts and listening to lecture-style audio rather than memorising isolated word lists. For each new word, note its meaning, part of speech, a natural collocation, and one example sentence, then review using spaced repetition. Our Flash Cards exercise supports this kind of active, repeated recall.
• Does TOEFL vocabulary include British or American spelling?

  TOEFL is produced by ETS, a US-based organisation, so passages and official materials generally use American English spelling and vocabulary conventions (for example, analyze rather than analyse, color rather than colour). Both American and British vocabulary are understood by TOEFL raters, but matching American conventions in your own Writing responses is a safe default.
• What is the difference between passive and active TOEFL vocabulary?

  Passive vocabulary is vocabulary you can recognise and understand while reading or listening — this is what TOEFL Reading and Listening mainly test. Active vocabulary is vocabulary you can produce accurately yourself in Speaking and Writing. Many candidates have a much larger passive vocabulary than active vocabulary, so deliberately practising using new words in your own spoken and written sentences is essential for balanced TOEFL preparation.