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400 must have words for the TOEFL

398 words 12 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. abandon
    forsake; leave behind
  2. abduction
    the criminal act of carrying someone away by force
    آدم ربایی، ربودن
  3. abstract
    existing only in the mind
    خلاصه
  4. accumulate
    get or gather together
  5. accuracy
    the quality of being near to the true value
  6. accuse
    blame for; make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against
  7. acquire
    come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
  8. acquisition
    something gained
  9. adapt
    make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
  10. addictive
    causing or characterized by addiction
  11. adjacent
    having a common boundary or edge
  12. adjust
    alter or regulate so as to conform to a standard
  13. adolescent
    a person who is older than 12 but younger than 20
  14. advent
    arrival that has been awaited
  15. adversely
    in an opposing or negative manner
  16. advocate
    a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
  17. affection
    a positive feeling of liking
  18. affluence
    abundant wealth
  19. aggravate
    make worse
  20. aggregate
    a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
  21. agnostic
    a person who claims the existence of God is unknowable
  22. allegedly
    according to what has been declared but not proved
  23. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
  24. allocate
    distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
  25. amateurish
    lacking professional skill or expertise
  26. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  27. amend
    make revisions to
  28. analyze
    break down into components or essential features
  29. ancestral
    of or inherited from someone from whom you are descended
  30. anesthesia
    loss of bodily sensation
  31. animism
    the doctrine that all natural objects have souls
  32. annex
    attach to
  33. anomaly
    deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
  34. anticipate
    regard something as probable or likely
  35. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  36. apex
    the highest point of something
  37. apprehend
    anticipate with dread or anxiety
  38. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
  39. arrogantly
    in an arrogant manner
  40. artillery
    large but transportable armament
  41. ascertain
    learn or discover with confidence
  42. assail
    attack someone physically or emotionally
  43. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
  44. asset
    a useful or valuable quality
  45. assimilate
    make alike
  46. associate
    bring or come into action
  47. astrological
    relating to divination by the positions of heavenly bodies
  48. atheist
    someone who denies the existence of god
  49. augment
    enlarge or increase
  50. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
  51. battle
    a hostile meeting of opposing military forces
  52. inclined
    at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
  53. berate
    censure severely or angrily
  54. biased
    favoring one person or side over another
  55. bitterly
    extremely and sharply
  56. bond
    a connection that fastens things together
  57. bribery
    the practice of offering something for an illegal advantage
  58. bulk
    the property possessed by a large mass
  59. burden
    weight to be carried or borne
  60. bureaucratic
    of or relating to unnecessary procedures and red tape
  61. candidate
    someone who is considered for something
  62. capricious
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
  63. cartel
    a consortium formed to limit commercial competition
  64. cast
    put or send forth
  65. catastrophic
    extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin
  66. cause
    events that provide the generative force of something
  67. cease
    put an end to a state or an activity
  68. certifiable
    capable of being guaranteed or certified
  69. charismatic
    possessing an extraordinary ability to attract
  70. chronologically
    with respect to chronology
  71. circulate
    move through a system and return to the starting point
  72. civil
    of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
  73. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  74. coalition
    the union of diverse things into one body or form or group
  75. coerce
    cause to do through pressure or necessity
  76. cohesion
    the state of sticking together
  77. coincide
    happen simultaneously
  78. collapse
    break down, literally or metaphorically
  79. collide
    crash together with violent impact
  80. combustion
    a reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
  81. commodity
    any good that can be bought and sold
  82. compensate
    make amends for
  83. complex
    complicated in structure
  84. complication
    the act or process of making more difficult or challenging
  85. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
  86. compress
    squeeze or push together
  87. concentrated
    gathered together or made less diffuse
  88. condemn
    express strong disapproval of
  89. confide
    reveal in private
  90. conflict
    an open clash between two opposing groups
  91. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
  92. conquest
    the act of defeating and taking control of
  93. consciously
    with awareness
  94. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  95. constraint
    the state of being physically limited
  96. contamination
    the state of being corrupted by contact or association
  97. contemplate
    think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
  98. contemptuous
    expressing extreme scorn
  99. contest
    a struggle between rivals
  100. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
  101. contrary
    exact opposition
  102. convey
    transmit or serve as the medium for transmission
  103. convict
    find or declare guilty
  104. core
    the center of an object
  105. corrode
    cause to deteriorate due to water, air, or an acid
  106. counter
    a calculator recording the number of times something happens
  107. cremation
    the incineration of a dead body
  108. cultivation
    production of food by preparing the land to grow crops
  109. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
  110. cure
    a medicine or therapy that treats disease or relieves pain
  111. curriculum
    an integrated course of academic studies
  112. cynically
    with cynicism; in a cynical manner
  113. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  114. decipher
    convert something hidden or secretive into ordinary language
  115. decline
    grow worse
  116. decrepit
    worn and broken down by hard use
  117. degrade
    reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
  118. deify
    exalt to the position of a God
  119. delinquency
    nonpayment of a debt when due
  120. denominator
    the divisor of a fraction
  121. denote
    have as a meaning
  122. deny
    declare untrue; contradict
  123. depict
    give a description of
  124. deplete
    use up, as resources or materials
  125. derive
    come from
  126. descendant
    a person considered as coming from some ancestor or race
  127. despise
    look down on with disdain or disgust
  128. despondent
    without or almost without hope
  129. detain
    cause to be slowed down or delayed
  130. detection
    the perception or discovery that something has occurred
  131. deviant
    a person whose behavior does not conform to social norms
  132. devise
    arrange by systematic planning and united effort
  133. devotion
    commitment to some purpose
  134. dilemma
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
  135. dimension
    a construct distinguishing objects or individuals
  136. diminish
    decrease in size, extent, or range
  137. discrete
    constituting a separate entity or part
  138. discriminate
    marked by the ability to see or make fine distinctions
  139. disease
    an impairment of health
  140. dispose of
    deal with or settle
  141. distill
    undergo condensation
  142. distinctly
    in a distinct and distinguishable manner
  143. distort
    twist and press out of shape
  144. diverse
    distinctly dissimilar or unlike
  145. divination
    the art or gift of prophecy by supernatural means
  146. domesticate
    make fit for cultivation and service to humans
  147. dynamic
    characterized by action or forcefulness of personality
  148. ecclesiastic
    of or associated with a church
  149. election
    a vote choosing the winner of a position or political office
  150. elemental
    of or being the essential or basic part
  151. elite
    a group or class of persons enjoying superior status
  152. emission
    the act of causing to flow forth
  153. engender
    call forth
  154. enterprising
    marked by initiative and readiness to undertake new projects
  155. entrepreneurial
    of or relating to someone who starts a new business
  156. equity
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
  157. erode
    remove soil or rock
  158. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
  159. eruption
    the sudden occurrence of a violent discharge
  160. esthetically
    in a tasteful way
  161. evade
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
  162. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
  163. evolve
    undergo development
  164. exalt
    praise, glorify, or honor
  165. exclusive
    admitting or accepting only a particular group
  166. exotic
    characteristic of another place or part of the world
  167. expeditiously
    with efficiency; in an efficient manner
  168. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
  169. exponentially
    in a manner of rapid growth
  170. extinction
    the state of being no longer in existence
  171. extract
    remove, usually with some force or effort
  172. famine
    a severe shortage of food resulting in starvation and death
  173. fatally
    with fatal consequences or implications
  174. feasibly
    in a practicable manner; so as to be feasible
  175. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
  176. fertilize
    provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to
  177. flood
    the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto land
  178. fluctuate
    move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
  179. folklore
    the unwritten stories and proverbs and songs of a culture
  180. forensics
    the use of scientific techniques in criminal investigations
  181. fortify
    make strong or stronger
  182. fossilize
    convert to plant or animal remains
  183. fringe
    an ornamental border of short lengths of hanging threads
  184. gala
    a lavish public entertainment or celebration
  185. gap
    an open or empty space in or between things
  186. generation
    group of genetically related organisms in a line of descent
  187. grotesque
    distorted and unnatural in shape or size
  188. guilty
    responsible for or chargeable with wrongdoing
  189. gut
    the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus
  190. haggle
    an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
  191. haunt
    follow stealthily or pursue like a ghost
  192. hazardous
    involving risk or danger
  193. hedonistic
    devoted to pleasure
  194. hierarchy
    a series of ordered groupings within a system
  195. hilarious
    extremely funny; causing laughter
  196. horror
    intense and profound fear
  197. humiliation
    depriving one of self-esteem
  198. hypocritical
    professing feelings or virtues one does not have
  199. hypothesize
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  200. illiterate
    not able to read or write
  201. impact
    the striking of one body against another
  202. impair
    make worse or less effective
  203. implant
    fix or set securely or deeply
  204. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
  205. implicate
    bring into intimate and incriminating connection
  206. implicitly
    without ever expressing so clearly
  207. impoverish
    make poor
  208. improvisation
    a performance given without planning or preparation
  209. in common
    sharing equally with another or others
  210. trench
    any long ditch cut in the ground
  211. inaugurate
    commence officially
  212. incentive
    a positive motivational influence
  213. incompetent
    not qualified or suited for a purpose
  214. indisputable
    not open to question; obviously true
  215. industrious
    characterized by hard work and perseverance
  216. inference
    a conclusion you can draw based on known evidence
  217. infinitesimal
    immeasurably small
  218. inflation
    the act of filling something with air
  219. ingenious
    showing inventiveness and skill
  220. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
  221. inheritance
    hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
  222. inhibit
    limit the range or extent of
  223. inject
    force or drive (a fluid or gas) into by piercing
  224. innovative
    introducing new ideas or creative methods
  225. inquiry
    an instance of questioning
  226. inscription
    the activity of carving or engraving letters or words
  227. installation
    the act of setting something up for use
  228. integrally
    in an integral manner
  229. integrity
    an undivided or unbroken completeness with nothing wanting
  230. intensify
    increase in extent or strength
  231. intentionally
    with intention; in an intentional manner
  232. interdict
    command against
  233. intermediately
    to an intermediate degree
  234. intervene
    be placed or located between other things
  235. intrepid
    invulnerable to fear or intimidation
  236. intrinsic
    belonging to a thing by its very nature
  237. intrusive
    tending to enter uninvited
  238. intuitively
    in an intuitive manner
  239. invasive
    gradually intrusive without right or permission
  240. invoke
    request earnestly; ask for aid or protection
  241. irrigation
    the act of supplying dry land with water by artificial means
  242. jointly
    in collaboration or cooperation
  243. juxtapose
    place side by side
  244. kin
    a person related to another or others
  245. lease
    a contract granting use or occupation of property
  246. legitimate
    in accordance with accepted standards or principles
  247. liability
    the state of being legally obliged and responsible
  248. longitude
    the angular distance from the prime meridian at Greenwich
  249. loyal
    steadfast in allegiance or duty
  250. luxury
    something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
  251. maintenance
    activity involved in keeping something in good working order
  252. manipulation
    exerting shrewd or devious influence for one's own advantage
  253. marginal
    at or constituting a border or edge
  254. maximize
    make as big or large as possible
  255. meditate
    reflect deeply on a subject
  256. medium
    the surrounding environment
  257. merchant
    a businessperson engaged in retail trade
  258. merit
    the quality of being deserving
  259. migration
    the movement of persons from one locality to another
  260. milieu
    the environmental condition
  261. minimum
    the smallest possible quantity
  262. misconception
    an incorrect assumption
  263. mobilize
    make ready for action or use
  264. modify
    cause to change; make different
  265. net
    an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together
  266. nobility
    a privileged class holding hereditary titles
  267. notion
    a general inclusive concept
  268. nucleus
    a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
  269. obese
    excessively large
  270. objectively
    in a manner not influenced by emotion
  271. obnoxious
    causing disapproval or protest
  272. obtain
    come into possession of
  273. offense
    a failure to show regard for others
  274. oppress
    come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
  275. Orwellian
    relating to a British writer concerned with social justice
  276. overlap
    extend over and cover a part of
  277. paradigm
    a standard or typical example
  278. parallel
    being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
  279. parochial
    relating to or supported by or located in a parish
  280. passion
    a strong feeling or emotion
  281. paternal
    characteristic of a father
  282. peer
    look searchingly
  283. per capita
    relating to each person individually
  284. permeate
    spread or diffuse through
  285. persevere
    be persistent, refuse to stop
  286. persist
    refuse to stop
  287. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
  288. phantom
    something existing in perception only
  289. phonetic
    using symbols to represent each speech sound
  290. photosynthesis
    formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
  291. physical
    involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
  292. pious
    having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
  293. piracy
    the act of plagiarizing
  294. plunge
    dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
  295. poll
    the counting of votes (as in an election)
  296. portrayal
    any likeness of a person, in any medium
  297. potent
    having or wielding force or authority
  298. precipitation
    the falling to earth of any form of water
  299. predicament
    an unpleasant or difficult situation
  300. prejudiced
    showing bias or bigotry or influenced by preconceived ideas
  301. prestige
    a high standing achieved through success or influence
  302. prevailing
    most frequent or common
  303. prevalent
    most frequent or common
  304. privileged
    blessed with special advantages
  305. procedure
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
  306. process
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
  307. prognosis
    a prediction of the course of a disease
  308. proliferation
    a rapid increase in number
  309. promote
    assign to a higher position
  310. proportion
    relation with respect to comparative quantity or magnitude
  311. proportionately
    in proportion
  312. proprietor
    someone who owns a business
  313. prosper
    make steady progress
  314. prototype
    a standard or typical example
  315. proximity
    the property of being close together
  316. psychic
    a person sensitive to things beyond natural perception
  317. rank
    relative status
  318. rate
    a quantity considered as a proportion of another quantity
  319. ratio
    relation with respect to comparative quantity or magnitude
  320. realism
    the attribute of accepting the facts of life
  321. rebel
    someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
  322. recede
    pull back or move away or backward
  323. reciprocity
    a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence
  324. reconciliation
    the reestablishment of cordial relations
  325. reform
    make changes for improvement to remove abuse and injustices
  326. regulate
    bring into conformity with rules, principles, or usage
  327. relic
    an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
  328. reservoir
    lake used to store water for community use
  329. residual
    relating to or indicating a remainder
  330. resign
    accept as inevitable
  331. resist
    withstand the force of something
  332. retain
    secure and keep for possible future use or application
  333. retrieve
    get or find back; recover the use of
  334. reward
    compensation for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
  335. rigor
    excessive sternness
  336. rite
    any customary observance or practice
  337. ritually
    in a ceremonial manner
  338. roster
    a list of names
  339. rotate
    turn on or around an axis or a center
  340. sacrifice
    the act of killing in order to appease a deity
  341. safeguard
    a precautionary measure warding off impending danger
  342. saga
    a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family
  343. scandal
    a disgraceful event
  344. scar
    a mark left by the healing of injured tissue
  345. secular
    someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
  346. seep
    pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
  347. seize
    take hold of; grab
  348. perpetuate
    cause to continue or prevail
  349. sentiment
    a personal belief or judgment
  350. sequence
    a following of one thing after another in time
  351. severely
    to a severe or serious degree
  352. shame
    a painful feeling of embarrassment or inadequacy
  353. shrink
    wither, as with a loss of moisture
  354. shuttle
    bobbin that passes the weft thread between the warp threads
  355. sibling
    a person's brother or sister
  356. simulation
    the act of imitating the behavior of some situation
  357. skit
    a short theatrical performance or episode
  358. smuggle
    import or export without paying customs duties
  359. solar
    relating to the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
  360. sole
    the underside of the foot
  361. solidarity
    a union of interests or purposes among members of a group
  362. source
    the place where something begins
  363. spectrum
    a broad range of related objects, values, or qualities
  364. stable
    resistant to change of position or condition
  365. status quo
    the existing state of affairs
  366. stigmatize
    condemn or openly brand as disgraceful
  367. strategic
    relating to an elaborate and systematic plan of action
  368. striking
    having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
  369. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
  370. subsidy
    a grant of financial assistance, especially by a government
  371. subtly
    in a manner difficult to detect or grasp
  372. surveillance
    close observation of a person or group
  373. survive
    continue in existence after
  374. suspect
    regard as untrustworthy
  375. suspend
    bar temporarily
  376. suspicious
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
  377. symbolic
    relating to or using arbitrary signs
  378. tangible
    perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
  379. terminal
    occurring at or forming an end
  380. tolerate
    put up with something or somebody unpleasant
  381. trend
    a general tendency to change, as of opinion
  382. trigger
    lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
  383. unleash
    turn loose or free from restraint
  384. unmask
    take the mask off
  385. vanish
    become invisible or unnoticeable
  386. vanity
    feelings of excessive pride
  387. vein
    a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart
  388. verdict
    findings of a jury on issues submitted to it for decision
  389. vestige
    an indication that something has been present
  390. villainy
    the quality of evil due to wicked behavior
  391. violation
    an act that disregards an agreement or a right
  392. vitriolic
    harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone
  393. vulnerable
    capable of being wounded or hurt
  394. willing
    the act of making a choice
  395. witness
    someone who sees an event and reports what happened
  396. working class
    a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
  397. wound
    an injury to living tissue
  398. zeal
    a feeling of strong eagerness
Created on Sat Jan 04 14:27:20 EST 2014 (updated Tue May 06 09:10:06 EDT 2014)

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