Max Vocab - TOEFL 4500

This TOEFL vocabulary list has 4500 words. It is particularly useful when test day is coming, and you are planning to review TOEFL words in a short time frame.

Study on Your Phone

TOEFL 4500 - Set 12

(300 words)

Word	POS	Definition
elective	noun	A course chosen by a student, not required
electricity	noun	Form of energy resulting from charged particles
electron	noun	A subatomic particle with a negative electric charge
elicit	verb	To draw out or bring forth
eligible	adj.	Having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the appropriate conditions.
eliminate	verb	To remove or get rid of something
elliptical	adj.	Shaped like an ellipse
elm	noun	A type of tree with broad leaves
emblem	noun	A symbol representing a concept, idea, or organization
embryo	noun	An early stage of development in a living organism
emerald	noun	A precious green gemstone
emission	noun	The act of sending out something
emit	verb	To send out or give off (such as light, sound, or heat)
emotion	noun	A strong feeling deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others
emotional	adj.	Relating to feelings
enactment	noun	The process of making a law
encase	verb	To cover or surround completely
enclose	verb	To surround or close off on all sides
encounter	verb	To unexpectedly come across or face someone or something
endangered	adj.	At risk of becoming extinct
endow	verb	To provide with a quality, ability, or asset
enforce	verb	To compel observance of or obedience to
engaging	adj.	Charming and attractive
engine	noun	A machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion
engraving	noun	The art or process of carving a design onto a hard surface
enlightenment	noun	A state of gaining knowledge and understanding
enroll	verb	To officially register or sign up for something
enterprising	adj.	Having or showing initiative and resourcefulness
entry	noun	An act of going or coming in
enzyme	noun	A protein that accelerates chemical reactions
ephemeral	adj.	Lasting for a very short time
epic	noun	A long narrative poem, often written about a hero or heroic events
epidemic	noun	A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
epitomize	verb	To be a perfect example of something
era	noun	A long and distinct period of history
errand	noun	A short journey to accomplish a specific task
essay	noun	A short piece of writing on a particular subject
essence	noun	The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something
establish	verb	To set up or create
estate	noun	A large piece of land with a grand house
evacuation	noun	The act of moving people from a dangerous place to safety
exceed	verb	To go beyond the limits of something
exclude	verb	To leave out or not include
excursion	noun	A short trip for pleasure or leisure
execute	verb	To carry out or perform a task or action
exhilarating	adj.	Causing strong feelings of excitement and happiness
expel	verb	To force out or eject
exposition	noun	A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory
extend	verb	To stretch out, make longer or larger
extent	noun	The area covered by something.
exterior	noun	The outer surface or structure of something
extract	verb	To remove or take out, especially by effort or force.
extraordinary	adj.	Very unusual or remarkable.
extreme	adj.	Reaching the highest degree; very great or intense
fabric	noun	Material made by weaving or knitting fibers
facade	noun	The front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one
facial	adj.	Relating to the face
facilitate	verb	To make an action or process easier
factor	noun	One of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation
factual	adj.	Based on or restricted to facts
faculty	noun	An inherent mental or physical power
fade	verb	To gradually lose brightness, color, or strength
Fahrenheit
fair	adj.	In accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate
fairly	adv.	To a moderate extent or degree
fancy	verb	To imagine or think; to have a notion or desire of; to like
fare	verb	To perform in a specified way in a particular situation or over a particular period
fashion	noun	A popular trend or style
fasten	verb	To attach or join one thing to another securely
fatal	adj.	Causing death
fatigue	noun	Extreme tiredness
faucet	noun	A device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe
fault	noun	A mistake or error
fauna	noun	The animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
favorable	adj.	Expressing approval
favored	adj.	Preferred or supported over others
federal	adj.	Relating to a system of government in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs.
fellow	noun	A person in the same group or class
fellowship	noun	A group of people with shared interests
female	adj.	Relating to or characteristic of women or girls
feminist	noun	A person who supports equal rights for women
ferment	verb	To undergo a chemical change to produce alcohol or acid
fertilize	verb	To make soil or land more fertile by adding nutrients
feudal	adj.	Relating to the social system in medieval Europe where people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and land in return.
fiber	noun	A thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed
file	noun	A folder or box for holding loose papers
filter	verb	To remove impurities or unwanted elements
fin	noun	A thin, flat body part or structure used for swimming by fish and other aquatic animals
fitness	noun	The condition of being physically healthy and strong
flag	noun	A piece of cloth with a distinctive design used as a symbol of a country or institution
flagellum	noun	A long, whip-like appendage used for movement
flake	noun	A small, thin piece that has been detached from something larger
flame	noun	A stream of hot, burning gas from something on fire
flap	verb	To move up and down or back and forth with quick and irregular motions
flask	noun	A small container for liquids, often used for drinking alcohol
flat	adj.	smooth and even; without marked lumps or indentations
flavoring	noun	A substance added to food or drink to give it a particular taste
flint	noun	A hard type of quartz used to start fires
float	verb	To stay on the surface of a liquid without sinking
flock	noun	A group of birds, sheep, or goats
flourish	verb	To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way
flux	noun	A state of continuous change
fold	verb	To bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part
foliage	noun	The leaves of a plant or tree, or leaves on the stems or branches on which they are growing
folklore	noun	Traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through generations
forage	verb	To search widely for food or provisions.
forecast	verb	To predict or estimate a future event or trend
forefront	noun	The leading or most important position or place
foreshorten	verb	To reduce the length or duration
formation	noun	The action of forming or process of being formed
formulate	verb	To create or devise a method or plan
fossil	noun	Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms
foster	verb	To encourage or promote the development of something
fountain	noun	A structure that sends water into the air
frame	noun	A rigid structure that surrounds or encloses something
fray	verb	To unravel or become worn at the edge
freight	noun	Goods transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft
fresco	noun	A painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries.
frost	noun	Thin layer of ice crystals forming on surfaces
fulfill	verb	To achieve or realize a goal or desire
function	noun	The natural purpose or activity of someone or something
funding	noun	Money provided for a particular purpose
fungus	noun	A group of organisms that includes molds, yeasts, and mushrooms, which grow on organic matter
furnace	noun	An enclosed structure for heating materials to very high temperatures
furnish	verb	To provide or supply with furniture or equipment
fuse	verb	To join or blend to form a single entity
gallop	verb	To run at a fast pace
garbage	noun	Waste material or unwanted items
gaseous	adj.	Having the form of gas
gemstone	noun	A precious or semi-precious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved.
gender	noun	The state of being male or female, typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones.
gene	noun	A unit of heredity
generation	noun	A group of people born and living around the same time
genesis	noun	The origin or beginning of something
genetic	adj.	Relating to genes or heredity
genetically	adv.	In a way that relates to genes or heredity
genetics	noun	The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
genius	noun	Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability
gentle	adj.	Soft or mild in action or effect.
geology	noun	The science that deals with the Earth's physical structure and substance
germ	noun	A microorganism that can cause disease.
giant	noun	A very large and powerful person or thing
gigantic	adj.	Very large; huge
gin	noun	A clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavored with juniper berries.
giraffe	noun	A tall African mammal with a very long neck and legs, known for its spotted coat.
girder	noun	A large iron or steel beam used for building structures
given	adj.	Specified or fixed
glacial	adj.	Extremely cold
gland	noun	An organ that secretes substances
glare	verb	To stare in an angry or fierce way
glimpse	noun	A brief or quick view or look
glorify	verb	To praise or honor greatly
glow	verb	To emit a steady light
glue	noun	A sticky substance used for joining things together
gorilla	noun	A large, powerful ape with a stocky body and coarse dark hair, native to the forests of central Africa.
gospel	noun	The teaching or revelation of Christ
Gothic
gourd	noun	A hard-shelled fruit of a plant in the squash family, often used for decoration or as a container.
governor	noun	An official elected or appointed to act as ruler of a state or region
grace	noun	Simple elegance or refinement of movement
gradient	noun	A rate of inclination or slope
grading	noun	The process of evaluating and assigning a score or mark
gradual	adj.	Taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees
grain	noun	The seeds of cereal plants like wheat, rice, or corn
granite	noun	A very hard, granular, crystalline, igneous rock
grant	verb	To agree to give or allow something requested
granular	adj.	Consisting of small grains or particles
graph	noun	A diagram showing the relation between variable quantities
graphic	adj.	Relating to visual art, especially drawing, engraving, or lettering.
grasshopper	noun	An insect with long hind legs for jumping.
gravel	noun	Loose, small stones used for paths or roads
gravitational	adj.	Relating to the force that attracts objects toward one another, especially toward the center of the Earth
grazing	verb	To feed on grass in a field
grimly	adv.	In a stern or forbidding manner
groan	verb	To make a deep, long sound showing pain, despair, pleasure, etc.
grocery	noun	Items of food sold in a store
groom	verb	To clean and brush an animal
gross	adj.	Very unpleasant or disgusting
guideline	noun	A rule or principle that provides direction
guilty	adj.	Responsible for a wrongdoing
gulf	noun	A large area of sea partially enclosed by land
gull	noun	A seabird with long wings and usually white and gray or white and black plumage.
gymnasium	noun	A room or building equipped for physical exercise and sports
habitat	noun	The natural environment in which a plant or animal lives.
hammer	noun	A tool with a heavy head and a handle used for pounding.
harbor	noun	A place on the coast where vessels may find shelter
hardware	noun	Tools, machinery, and other durable equipment
harmony	noun	A pleasing combination of elements in a whole
haste	noun	Excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry
hawk	noun	A bird of prey known for its keen vision and hunting skills
hay	noun	Dried grass used as animal fodder
heading	noun	A title or caption at the top of a page or section
healing	noun	The process of becoming healthy again
heed	verb	To pay attention to
hemisphere	noun	Half of a sphere, often referring to the Earth.
henceforth	adv.	From this time forward
herald	verb	To announce or signal the arrival of something
herb	noun	A plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities
herd	noun	A group of animals of a single kind that are kept, fed, or travel together
hibernation	noun	A state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals during winter
hide	verb	To conceal oneself or an object from view or detection
hierarchy	noun	A system where people or things are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
hieratic	adj.	Relating to priests or priestly duties
hieroglyph	noun	A character used in a system of writing, especially that of ancient Egypt, using symbols or pictures to denote objects, concepts, or sounds.
hind	adj.	Located at the back or rear
hint	noun	A small piece of practical information or advice
hinterland	noun	An area lying beyond what is visible or known, often rural or less developed
hitherto	adv.	Up to this point in time
hive	noun	A structure where bees live
hockey	noun	A team sport played on ice or a field where players use sticks to hit a puck or ball into the opponent's goal.
hollow	adj.	Having an empty space inside
homestead	noun	A house and the surrounding land owned by a family
homing	adj.	Having the ability to return to a specific location
hominid	noun	A member of the biological family that includes humans and their fossil ancestors.
hook	noun	A curved piece of metal or other material used for catching, holding, or pulling something
horizon	noun	The line where the earth's surface and the sky appear to meet
hormone	noun	A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
horn	noun	A hard, pointed part that grows on the head of some animals
host	noun	A person who receives or entertains guests
household	noun	The people living together in a single residence
hover	verb	To remain in one place in the air
huddle	verb	To crowd together
hue	noun	A color or shade
hum	verb	To make a continuous low sound
humanity	noun	The human race collectively
hummingbird	noun	A small bird known for its ability to hover and fly backwards, typically having brightly colored plumage and a long slender bill.
hydrogen	noun	A colorless, odorless gas that is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe
hydrothermal	adj.	Related to hot water, especially when referring to geological processes involving heated water in the earth's crust
hypothesize	verb	To propose an explanation based on limited evidence
ideal	adj.	Perfect or most suitable
idealize	verb	To regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality
identity	noun	The characteristics or qualities of a person or thing that make them distinct
idiom	noun	A phrase or expression with a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its words
idle	adj.	Not active or in use
ignition	noun	The act of setting something on fire or starting to burn
imagist	noun	A poet or artist who practices a style focused on clear, sharp language and imagery
immature	adj.	Not fully developed or grown
immigrant	noun	A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country
immunity	noun	The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin
immutable	adj.	Unchanging over time or unable to be changed
impending	adj.	About to happen soon
impermeable	adj.	Not allowing fluid to pass through
impersonal	adj.	Not influenced by personal feelings; neutral or objective
implication	noun	A conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.
imply	verb	To suggest or indicate something indirectly
impose	verb	To forcibly place upon
impressive	adj.	Evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill
imprint	verb	To mark by pressure
inactivate	verb	To make something inactive or ineffective
inactive	adj.	Not engaging in any activity or not in use
inanimate	adj.	Not alive, especially not in the manner of animals and humans.
inanity	noun	Lack of sense or meaning; silliness
inception	noun	The beginning or start of something
incessantly	adv.	Without stopping
incident	noun	An event or occurrence, often one that is unexpected or unpleasant
incinerate	verb	To burn something completely, reducing it to ashes
inclination	noun	A tendency to act or feel a certain way
inconspicuous	adj.	Not easily seen or noticed
inconvenient	adj.	Causing trouble or difficulty
incorporate	verb	To include as part of a whole
incubate	verb	To keep something warm so it can develop
incursion	noun	A sudden invasion or attack
independent	adj.	Free from outside control; not subject to another's authority
indifference	noun	Lack of interest or concern
indigestion	noun	Discomfort or pain in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
indispensable	adj.	Absolutely necessary or essential
individual	noun	A single human being as distinct from a group, class, or family
industry	noun	Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods
inevitably	adv.	As is certain to happen
infancy	noun	The early stage of development
infant	noun	A very young child or baby
infection	noun	The process of being infected by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens.
inflammation	noun	A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
inflate	verb	To fill something with air or gas so that it becomes larger
influenza	noun	A contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract
inform	verb	To give knowledge or information to someone
infrared	adj.	Relating to or denoting electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of radio waves.
infrastructure	noun	The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
ingredient	noun	A component or element of a mixture, especially in cooking
inherit	verb	To receive something from someone after their death
inhibit	verb	To prevent or slow down the activity or occurrence of something
initially	adv.	At the beginning
inn	noun	A small hotel providing accommodations, food, and drink, especially for travelers.
inner	adj.	Located inside or further in
innovative	adj.	Featuring new methods or ideas
inquire	verb	To ask for information
insanity	noun	A state of severe mental illness
inscribe	verb	To write or carve words or symbols on something, especially as a formal or permanent record
insect	noun	A small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings.
insight	noun	The ability to understand people or situations clearly
insistence	noun	The act of demanding something firmly
inspire	verb	To fill with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
instance	noun	An example or single occurrence of something
instinct	noun	An innate pattern of behavior in animals
instruction	noun	Detailed information on how to do something
insufficient	adj.	Not enough to meet a need or requirement
insulate	verb	To protect something by surrounding it with material that prevents the passage of heat, sound, or electricity.
insulin	noun	A hormone regulating blood sugar
insurance	noun	A contract providing financial protection against loss or harm
intact	adj.	Not damaged or impaired; whole