The Index

All 373 academic words for TOEFL & IELTS, A to Z — each with its own definition, examples, synonyms, exam notes, and a scene that acts out its meaning.

373 words · more in the making

abandonverbto leave or give up something completely and for good
abateverbto become less intense, severe, or widespread
abilitynounthe skill, power, or means to actually do something
abridgeverbto shorten a text while keeping its substance
abundantadjectiveexisting in large quantities; more than enough
accelerateverbto speed up — to increase the rate at which something moves or happens
accumulateverbto gather or build up gradually, little by little
accuracynouncloseness to the true value — freedom from error
achieveverbto reach or attain a goal successfully through effort
acridadjectivesharp and bitter to smell or taste; harsh in tone
adaptverbto change yourself or something to suit new conditions
adeptadjectivehighly skilled at something; expert
affirmverbto state firmly as true, or to uphold and confirm something
aggravateverbto make a problem, injury, or bad situation worse
aggregateverbto gather many separate things into a single whole or total
algorithmnouna fixed step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or completing a task
alleviateverbto make pain, suffering, or a problem less severe
allocateverbto set apart a share of something limited for a particular purpose
amalgamateverbto combine several things into one whole, especially organizations
amassverbto gather a large quantity by deliberate effort
ambiguousadjectiveopen to more than one interpretation; not having one clear meaning
ambivalentadjectivehaving mixed, contradictory feelings about something
amountnoun (also verb)how much of something there is — a quantity of an uncountable mass
amplifyverbto increase the strength, volume, or intensity of something
analogynouna comparison that highlights a likeness between two different things
analyzeverbto examine something by breaking it into its parts and seeing how they relate
anomalynounsomething that deviates from what is normal, standard, or expected
anticipateverbto expect something and act in advance to be ready for it
arbitraryadjectivebased on whim or chance rather than reason or system
arduousadjectiveneeding great effort and endurance; difficult and tiring
assembleverbto fit parts together into a whole; to gather in one place
assessverbto examine something carefully and judge its value, quality, or amount
atrophyverb, nounto waste away through disuse or lack of nourishment; the wasting itself
augmentverbto increase something by adding to it
automateverbto make a task or process run by machines or software instead of people

balloonverbto swell rapidly and alarmingly, out of control
benevolentadjectivewell-meaning and kindly; intending good for others
benignadjectivegentle and harmless; (of a growth) not dangerous
biasnouna built-in tilt that skews judgments, readings, or results toward one side
blendverb, nounto mix things into a smooth, uniform whole; to fit in unnoticed
bloatverbto swell in an unpleasant, unhealthy, excessive way
borrowverbto take and use something that belongs to someone else, intending to give it back
boundarynouna line that marks the limit or edge of an area or a domain
brittleadjectivehard but liable to snap or shatter; lacking the give to bend
broadenverbto make or become broader; to take in more variety
budgeverbto move slightly — used almost always of things that will not
build upphrasal verbto increase, develop, or strengthen something gradually over time
bulgeverb, nounto swell out at one spot, into a rounded lump
burgeonverbto grow and flourish rapidly; to put out new growth
bypassverbto go around something, avoiding it rather than passing through it

calibrateverbto adjust an instrument or plan precisely against a standard
capacitynounthe maximum amount that something can hold, produce, or do
catalystnounsomething that precipitates change without being changed itself
cautiousadjectivecareful to avoid danger, risk, or mistakes
chantnoun & verba rhythmic phrase repeated over and over, especially in ritual or protest
charitableadjectivegenerous in giving to those in need; also lenient in judgment
cinchverb, nounto fasten a band tightly around something; (noun) a saddle girth, or something very easy or certain
classifyverbto place things into predefined named groups according to shared features
clusternoun, verba close-packed group; to gather into a tight, dense bunch
coalesceverbto come together and merge into a single whole
coalitionnouna temporary alliance of distinct groups formed for joint action
coherentadjectivelogical and well organized; holding together as a clear whole
coincideverbto happen at the same time, or occupy the same point, by independent paths
collectverbto bring things together by careful, deliberate selection
combineverb, nounto bring separate things together into one, while each keeps its own identity
come togetherphrasal verbfor separate people or things to unite into one, often in a shared effort
compactverbto press loose material firmly together into a dense mass
compressverbto press something into less space; to squeeze together
compriseverbto consist of; to be made up of specified parts
concentrateverb, nounto bring together in one place; to give full attention; to make denser
condenseverbto change from vapour into liquid; to make denser or more concise
congregateverbto come together in a crowd, usually of people acting of their own accord
consolidateverbto combine scattered things into one stronger whole; to make a position firm
conspicuousadjectiveclearly visible and attracting attention; impossible not to notice
constrainverbto limit something's freedom of action, movement, or growth
constraintnouna limitation or restriction on what can be done
constrictverbto squeeze something from all sides so it becomes narrower or tighter
contactnoun, verbthe state of touching; communication with someone
contractverbto become smaller or tighter by drawing inward; also, to catch a disease or make a formal agreement
convergeverbto come together from different directions toward one point
convinceverbto make someone believe or agree through evidence or argument
correlateverbto have a mutual relationship, so that two things vary together
counteractverbto act against something so as to reduce or cancel its effect
crumbleverbto break apart into many small fragments
crumpleverbto crush something into irregular folds and creases
culminateverbto reach a final high point or result after a long build-up
curtailverbto cut something short; to reduce or restrict it

deceiveverbto make someone believe something that is not true
deflateverbto collapse as air escapes, or to be let down; to reduce someone's confidence or an inflated level
denyverbto refuse to give or allow someone something they want; also, to say that something is not true
depleteverbto use up the supply of something faster than it is replaced
depositverbto put money into an account; to set or lay something down
depriveverbto keep someone or something from having what they need
deriveverbto obtain something from a source; to arise or develop from an origin
desertverbto leave a person, post, or duty you were bound to, especially treacherously
deterverbto discourage someone from acting by instilling doubt or fear of consequences
deteriorateverbto become progressively worse
deviateverbto depart from an established course, standard, or norm
differentadjectivenot the same as another; unlike in nature, form, or degree
differentiateverbto recognize or express what makes two or more things different
dilateverbto make or become wider, especially an opening
diligentadjectiveshowing careful, steady, and persistent effort
diluteverbto make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding more of something; to weaken
diminishverbto make or become smaller, weaker, or less important
disbandverbto break up an organized group so that it no longer exists
discernverbto perceive or recognize something, especially with difficulty
discrepancynouna difference between two things that should match or agree
dismissverbto reject an idea as unworthy of thought, or to send someone away
disparitynouna great and often unfair difference between two things or groups
disperseverbto spread out over a wide area; to scatter or cause to scatter
displayverb, nounto put something where it can be seen, or to show a quality openly
dissimilaradjectivedifferent in nature or kind; not alike
dissipateverbto scatter and gradually vanish; to fade away to nothing
dissolveverbfor a solid to break down into a liquid, or for something to be formally ended
distendverbto swell outward from pressure within; to stretch taut
distinguishverbto recognize or mark the difference between things
distortverbto twist something out of its true shape, sound, or meaning
distributeverbto spread something out or hand it out so that it reaches across a whole
divergeverbto separate and go in different directions; to become increasingly different
divideverb, nounto split a whole into parts or shares; (noun) a gap between groups
domainnounan area of activity, knowledge, or control
dormantadjectivetemporarily inactive; alive or present but not currently active
downsizeverbto deliberately reduce to a smaller size — a workforce, a company, or one's home and possessions
dwindleverbto become gradually smaller or fewer until little or nothing is left

easeverbmake something less severe, difficult, or uncomfortable, gently and by degrees
ebbverb, noun(of the tide) to flow back out to sea; to grow gradually weaker; (noun) the outgoing tide
edificenouna large, imposing building; or a complex system built up over time
efficientadjectiveachieving the result with minimal waste of energy, time, or effort
elaborateadjectiverich in carefully arranged detail; intricately worked out
elongateverbto make or grow longer and typically thinner in form
emergeverbto come out into view or existence from something that hid it
eminentadjectivefamous and respected; distinguished
enhanceverbto improve something further that is already good — its quality, value, or appeal
enlargeverbto make something bigger — especially a concrete thing like a photo
enthusiasmnounintense, eager enjoyment of or excitement about something
envelopverbto wrap up and surround something completely
ephemeraladjectivelasting for a very short time; fleeting
equilibriumnouna state of balance between opposing forces or influences
erodeverbto wear away gradually, by natural forces or steady pressure
escalateverbto increase or intensify step by step; to make a conflict more severe
estimateverbto judge an approximate value or amount quickly, without exact measurement
evaluateverbto examine something fully and judge its worth against criteria
evolveverbto change gradually over time, developing from one form into another
exacerbateverbto make a bad situation worse
exhibitverb, nounto show something publicly, or to display a quality or behaviour
exigencynounan urgent need or demand created by a pressing situation
expandverbto grow larger in size, number, or scope — or to add more detail
expendverbto use up effort, energy, or resources in doing something
exportverb, nounto send goods or data out to be sold or used elsewhere
extendverbto make something reach further, last longer, or cover more; to hold out formally
extractverb, nounto pull something out of what holds it — with care, effort, or force
extrapolateverbto extend a known trend beyond the data to estimate the unknown

fabricateverbto invent false information, or to build something from parts
facilitateverbto make a process easier or smoother
figurenouna number representing an amount, value, or quantity
filterverbto pass something through a barrier that holds back the unwanted part
fluctuateverbto rise and fall irregularly; to vary continually
forecastverbto say in advance what is likely to come, based on data and patterns
forsakeverbto give up or turn away from someone or something you once held dear
fosterverbto encourage the growth or development of; to nurture
frameworknouna supporting structure of parts or ideas that everything else is built on
frenzynounwild, uncontrolled excitement or frantic activity
fuseverb, nounto join or blend into one by melting; (noun) a safety wire that melts to break a circuit

galvanizeverbto shock someone or something into sudden action
garnerverbto gather or earn (support, attention, or resources), little by little
gatherverbto bring scattered things together into one place
generateverbto produce something — power, income, data, ideas — through an ongoing process
give upphrasal verbto stop trying; to surrender effort, hope, or a habit
glimpsenouna brief, partial look at something before it is gone
growverbto get bigger or develop, gradually and naturally, over time
guidelinenouna stated rule or principle that advises how to do something

hamperverbto hinder or slow something down; to get in the way of progress
haphazardadjectivelacking any plan, order, or system; done at random and carelessly
henceadverbfor this reason, therefore; also: from this time or place
homagenounspecial honour or respect shown publicly
hypothesisnouna proposed explanation used as a starting point for investigation

imminentadjectiveabout to happen at any moment; looming
impactnoun, verbthe striking of one thing against another; a strong effect
impedeverbto slow down or obstruct the progress of something
impetusnouna force or stimulus that drives something forward or sets it moving
implementverb, nounto put a plan, decision, or system into actual effect
imploreverbto beg someone earnestly to do something
implyverbto suggest something without stating it directly
incantationnouna series of words spoken as a magic spell
inclusiveadjectivedeliberately open to everyone, leaving no group or case out
indispensableadjectiveabsolutely necessary; impossible to do without
inevitableadjectivecertain to happen; impossible to avoid or prevent
inferverbto work out a conclusion from evidence rather than from a direct statement
inflateverbto fill with air until it swells — or to exaggerate beyond its true value
inherentadjectiveexisting as a natural, inseparable quality of something
inheritverbto receive a quality, title, or possession passed down from a predecessor
inhibitverbto hold something back; to restrain or slow a process or behavior
injureverbto harm or wound a living body — or a feeling or reputation
integrateverbto combine parts into one working whole; to bring into full, equal membership
intelligencenounthe ability to acquire and apply knowledge; also, gathered information
intensifyverbto become or make stronger, greater or more extreme
intermittentadjectivestopping and starting at irregular intervals; not continuous
interpolateverbto estimate a value between known points, or insert something into a text
interpretverbto decide and explain what something means — signs, data, words, or events
intersectverbto cross at a point and continue; to have a point or area in common
intrinsicadjectivebelonging to something by its very nature; essential rather than added
invokeverbto call on a law, authority, or idea for support; to summon
iterateverbto repeat a process in cycles, feeding each round's result into the next

jeopardizeverbto put something valuable at risk of harm, loss, or failure
joinverbto connect two things directly, or to become a member of a group
juxtaposeverbto place side by side, especially to highlight a contrast

keepverbto continue to have or hold something rather than let it go
kindadjectivegentle, caring, and considerate toward others

leave behindphrasal verbto go on without taking something; to outpace or move past it
legitimacynounthe quality of being lawful, justified, or widely accepted as valid
legitimateadjectiveconforming to the rules or the law; genuine and justified
lendverbto give something of yours for temporary use, expecting it back
lengthenverbto become longer, or to make something longer
lessenverbmake something smaller in amount, degree, or intensity
leveragenoun, verbadvantage gained by applying force, or influence, at the right point — or to use something that way
lingerverbto stay or persist longer than expected, as if reluctant to leave
logarithmnouna mathematical operation that measures a quantity by its order of magnitude — in powers of ten
lucidadjectiveclear and easy to understand; thinking or expressed with clarity

magnatenouna wealthy and powerful person, especially in business or industry
magnifyverbto make something look bigger — or seem greater than it really is
magnitudenounthe size or scale of something — often as a measured value on a scale
maximizeverbto make something as large, effective, or complete as possible
meetverbto come together with someone or something; to satisfy a requirement or need
mergeverbto combine into a single whole; for separate things to blend into one
meticulousadjectiveshowing extreme care about details; very precise and thorough
minimizeverbto reduce something to the smallest possible amount, or to downplay its importance
mitigateverbto make something less severe, harmful, or painful
modifyverbto make partial changes to something, altering or improving it
momentumnounthe force that keeps something moving or developing once it has started
mushroomverbto grow or multiply very fast and suddenly, often unchecked

narrowverb, adjectiveto become or make less wide; (adj.) small in width, or barely achieved
notionnounan idea, belief, or vague impression of something
numbernounhow many separate, countable things there are

obsoleteadjectiveno longer in use or useful; superseded by something newer
opaqueadjectivenot letting light through; impossible to see through or understand
optimizeverbto adjust something until it works as well as it possibly can
outliernouna point or person lying far outside the cluster the rest of the group forms
outweighverbto be greater than something else in weight, value, or importance
overrideverbto overrule a process or decision by using superior authority

paradigmnouna typical model or pattern; a framework of ideas within which thinking happens
parameternouna limit that defines the scope of something; a measurable factor
paramountadjectivemore important than anything else; supreme
perpetualadjectivenever ending or changing; continuing without interruption
persistverbto continue firmly despite difficulty; to continue to exist
perturbverbto disturb a system or a person's calm, knocking it off its steady state
phasenouna distinct stage or period in a process of change or development
piecemealadjective, adverbdone gradually, one piece or stage at a time
pile upphrasal verbto accumulate in a disorderly, often unwanted heap
pinchverb, nounto squeeze something at one point between two surfaces; (noun) the amount held between finger and thumb
pivotaladjectiveof crucial importance; being the point on which everything turns
plausibleadjectiveseeming reasonable or probably true; believable
poisedadjectivebalanced and composed; ready and about to do something
pragmaticadjectivedealing with problems sensibly and realistically rather than ideologically
precariousadjectivedangerously unstable or insecure; held in place only for now
precedeverbto come or go before something else in time or order
precisionnounexactness and consistency — results or workmanship tightly repeatable
predictverbto say what will happen before it happens, based on reason or evidence
prevalentadjectivewidespread; common in a particular place or time
probitynouncomplete honesty and moral integrity; uprightness
proceedverbto go on, especially after a pause; to carry on with a course of action
procrastinateverbto put off a task you know you should be doing, usually to your own cost
proficientadjectivehighly skilled and competent at something through training and practice
profoundadjectivevery great or intense; showing deep insight; reaching far below the surface
proliferateverbto increase rapidly in number; to multiply
prolongverbto make something last longer
proneadjectivelikely to do or suffer something, usually bad; inclined toward
propagateverbto spread or multiply through a medium — plants, waves, signals, ideas, errors
protractverbto drag something out in time, making it last longer than it should
pungentadjectivehaving a sharp, strong, penetrating smell or taste
purchaseverb, nounto buy something; also, a firm grip or foothold that lets force be applied
pursueverbto chase or strive after something; to go after a goal

quaintadjectiveattractively old-fashioned or unusual, in a charming way
quantifyverbto express or measure something as a quantity — to put a number on it

radiateverbto send out light, heat, or energy from a centre in all directions
reactverbto act or change in response to something that happens
realmnouna kingdom; or a domain or field of activity or knowledge
recedeverbto move back or further away; to withdraw gradually
reciprocaladjectivegiven, felt, or done by each of two sides to or for the other; mutual
redundantadjectiveno longer needed; superfluous; duplicating something already present
refineverbto purify a raw material, or to improve something by small changes
refuseverbto say that you will not accept or do something that is offered or asked of you
refuteverbto prove a statement or claim to be wrong
regenerateverbto regrow or restore something after loss or damage
relieveverbto lift pain or a burden away enough for it to become bearable
relinquishverbto voluntarily give up a right, claim, or possession, especially formally
renewableadjectivedrawn from a source that nature replenishes faster than it is used
replicateverbto make an exact copy of something, or to reproduce a result
researchnoun, verbcareful, systematic investigation to discover and establish facts
resilientadjectiveable to recover quickly from difficulties; springing back into shape
resonateverbto vibrate in sympathy with another; to strike a deep chord
restrictverbto keep something within set limits; to allow only a reduced amount or range
retainverbto keep something, especially against the chance of losing it
revenuenounthe total income a business or government takes in, before costs are subtracted
robustadjectivestrong and sturdy; able to withstand stress without failing

sanctionnoun & verbofficial approval to act — or a penalty for breaking a rule
saturateverbto fill something completely, until no more can be absorbed
scarceadjectiveexisting in too small a quantity for the demand; hard to get
scatterverbto throw or send things in different directions so they spread out irregularly
schedulenouna plan that fixes when each of a series of events or tasks will happen
schemenouna large-scale plan or system; also, a secret or cunning plot
scopenounthe full extent or range of what something covers, reaches, or deals with
scrunchverbto squeeze or crumple something into a small, tight mass
scrutinizeverbto examine something very closely and critically
separateverb, adjectiveto move or keep apart; (adjective) existing as distinct, unconnected
sequencenouna set of related things that follow one another in a particular order
sereneadjectivecalm, peaceful, and completely untroubled
shirkverbto avoid work or duty that is yours to do
shortenverbto make or become shorter
shrinkverbto become smaller; to draw back in fear or reluctance
shrivelverbto wrinkle, curl and contract as moisture is lost
similaradjectivealike in nature or appearance without being identical
simulateverbto imitate the behaviour of a real process or system, often to study or rehearse it
slackenverbto become or make looser or slower; to lose tension or pace
so-calledadjectivecalled by a name the speaker thinks is wrong or undeserved
somberadjectivedark and gloomy in mood, tone, or colour; grave and serious
sparseadjectivethinly scattered or present in small amounts; few and far between
splayverbto spread the ends of something out and apart from its base
splitverb, nounto break or divide along a line, often forcefully; to end a relationship
sprayverb, nounto scatter liquid in a cloud of fine drops; the drops themselves
spreadverb, nounto extend outward and cover a wider area
squashverbto crush something flat with pressure or a blow
squeezeverb, nounto press something hard from opposite sides — forcing juice out, or things into a tight space
stableadjectivefirmly fixed and not easily moved, changed, or upset
stagnantadjectivenot flowing or developing; inactive and slowly worsening for it
statisticnouna single numerical fact or measure drawn from a larger body of data
strategynouna carefully devised plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal
streamlineverbto shape or reorganize something so it meets less resistance — from air, water, or paperwork
stretchverb, nounto pull something out to greater length, or extend the body; a continuous length of space or time
subsideverbto sink to a lower level; to become less intense and die down
substantiateverbto support a claim with evidence or proof
subtleadjectiveso delicate or precise as to be difficult to notice or describe
suppressverbto hold something down by force; to stop it being seen, felt, or expressed
surgenouna sudden, powerful rise or forward rush
sustainableadjectiveable to continue indefinitely without exhausting resources or causing harm
swellverb, nounto grow larger from the inside — by absorbing, filling or rising; (noun) the slow heave of the sea
swindleverb, nounto cheat someone out of money or property; such a cheat
synthesisnounthe combining of separate elements into a new, coherent whole
synthesizeverbto combine separate parts or ideas into a single new whole

tamperverbto interfere with something secretly, so it no longer works as it should
tangibleadjectiveable to be touched; real, concrete, and definite
taperverb, nounto narrow gradually toward one end; to reduce something gradually; (noun) a slender candle
tenuousadjectivevery weak or slight; so thin or flimsy it could give way
thresholdnounthe point that must be crossed for something to begin or change
transcendverbto go beyond the limits of; to rise above
transformverbto change something so completely that it takes a new form or character
transitnoun, verbthe act of passing across or through; a system of public transport
transparentadjectiveletting light and image pass through; hiding nothing
triggerverb, nounto set something off; the small action or thing that starts a bigger event
trivialadjectiveof little value or importance; minor
truncateverbto cut something short by removing its end

unalikeadjectivenot alike; sharing no resemblance
undermineverbto weaken something gradually, especially from below or from within
unifyverbto bring or combine separate parts into a single whole
uniteverbto join together into one, or to act as one for a shared cause
unkemptadjectiveuntidy or messy in appearance; not cared for
unrulyadjectivedifficult to control, order, or discipline; disorderly

validateverbto confirm that something is true, accurate, or officially acceptable
verifyverbto check something against evidence or a source and confirm it is true or correct
viableadjectivecapable of working successfully; able to survive or be carried out
vigilantadjectivekeeping careful watch for possible danger or problems
virtualadjectiveexisting in software or in effect rather than in physical form; almost something
visibleadjectiveable to be seen; plain and noticeable
vividadjectiveproducing strong, clear images in the mind; intensely bright
volatileadjectiveliable to change suddenly and violently; explosively unstable

waneverbto decrease gradually in size, strength, or intensity
weatherverbto come safely through something difficult; to be worn by exposure
widenverbto make or become wider, side to side
widespreadadjectivefound or happening over a large area or among many people
wiltverbto droop and go limp from lack of water or energy
withdrawverbto take money out of an account; to remove, retreat, or take back
witherverbto dry up, droop and die back from loss of water or vitality
withholdverbto hold back and refuse to give or release something
worsenverbto become worse, or to make something worse