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.
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TOEFL 4500 - Set 2
(300 words)| Word | POS | Definition |
|---|---|---|
banish | verb | To send someone away from a country or place as an official punishment |
bankruptcy | noun | The state of being unable to pay debts |
banquet | noun | A large formal meal for many people, often followed by speeches in celebration of a particular event |
bar | noun | A long, rigid piece of metal or other material |
barbarian | noun | A person perceived as uncivilized or primitive |
bare | adj. | Not covered |
barely | adv. | Only just; almost not |
barometer | noun | An instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used in forecasting the weather. |
barren | adj. | Not producing offspring |
barricade | noun | A barrier used to block or defend a place |
barrier | noun | A structure or object that impedes free movement |
barter | verb | To trade goods or services without using money |
bashful | adj. | Shy or easily embarrassed |
basin | noun | A large bowl used for holding liquids |
bask | verb | To lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere |
baste | verb | To pour juices or melted fat over food during cooking to keep it moist. |
batter | verb | To hit repeatedly with force |
bear | verb | To carry or support |
beat | verb | To win against someone in a competition |
becoming | adj. | Flattering or attractive |
beforehand | adv. | In advance or ahead of time |
befuddle | verb | To confuse or perplex |
beget | verb | To cause something to happen or exist |
begrudge | verb | To resent someone's possession or enjoyment of something |
beguile | verb | To charm or enchant, often in a deceptive way |
behave | verb | To act in a particular way, especially to act properly or according to rules |
behavior | noun | The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others |
belie | verb | To give a false impression |
believer | noun | A person who accepts something as true or real |
belittle | verb | To make someone or something seem less important |
belligerent | adj. | Hostile and aggressive |
benefactor | noun | A person who gives money or help to a person or cause |
beneficial | adj. | Favorable or advantageous; resulting in good. |
beneficiary | noun | A person or group that receives benefits or advantages |
benefit | noun | An advantage or profit gained from something |
benevolent | adj. | Kind and generous |
benign | adj. | Kind and gentle |
bent | adj. | Curved or having an angle |
bequest | noun | A gift left in a will |
berate | verb | To scold or criticize angrily |
bereave | verb | To deprive someone of a loved one through a profound absence, especially due to death |
beset | verb | To trouble or threaten persistently. |
besides | prep. | In addition to; apart from |
besiege | verb | To surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender |
bestow | verb | To give or present something as a gift or honor |
betray | verb | To be disloyal or unfaithful |
beverage | noun | A drink, especially one other than water. |
bewilder | verb | To confuse someone very much |
bias | noun | A tendency to favor one thing over another unfairly |
bicker | verb | To argue about petty matters |
bidding | noun | The offering of particular prices for something, especially at an auction |
bigoted | adj. | Having or showing an unreasonable dislike for a person or group based on race, religion, etc. |
bill | noun | A statement of money owed for goods or services |
biochemistry | noun | The study of chemical processes within and related to living organisms |
bizarre | adj. | Very strange or unusual |
blame | verb | To hold someone responsible for a fault or wrong. |
bland | adj. | Lacking strong flavor or taste |
blast | verb | To explode or destroy something with an explosion |
bleach | verb | To make something whiter or lighter in color |
bleak | adj. | Cold and dreary; lacking in warmth or life |
bleed | verb | To lose blood from the body |
blemish | noun | A small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something. |
blend | verb | To mix together smoothly and inseparably |
blessed | adj. | Having divine favor or happiness |
blessing | noun | A beneficial thing for which one is grateful |
blink | verb | To quickly open and close the eyes |
bliss | noun | Extreme happiness or joy |
block | noun | A solid piece of material with flat surfaces |
blunder | noun | A stupid or careless mistake |
blunt | adj. | Not sharp |
board | noun | A long, thin, flat piece of wood or other hard material, used for floors or other building purposes. |
boast | verb | To talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. |
boastful | adj. | Showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction |
bold | adj. | Showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous |
bombastic | adj. | High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated. |
bonanza | noun | A situation that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits |
bond | noun | A close connection or relationship |
bondage | noun | The state of being a slave or the practice of slavery. |
bonus | noun | An extra reward or payment |
boon | noun | A thing that is helpful or beneficial |
boredom | noun | The state of being weary and restless through lack of interest. |
boring | adj. | Not interesting or exciting |
botany | noun | The scientific study of plants |
bound | adj. | Obligated or certain to do something |
boundary | noun | A line that marks the limits of an area |
boundless | adj. | Without limits or end |
bow | verb | To bend the upper part of the body forward as a gesture of respect or greeting |
brace | verb | To prepare for something difficult or unpleasant |
brag | verb | To talk with excessive pride about achievements or possessions |
brain | noun | The organ in the head of humans and other vertebrates that controls thoughts, memory, feelings, and activity |
brawl | noun | A rough or noisy fight |
breach | verb | To break through or make a gap in |
breakdown | noun | Failure of a system or machine |
breed | verb | To produce offspring through reproduction |
breeze | noun | A light or gentle wind |
brew | verb | To make a beverage by soaking, boiling, and fermentation |
brighten | verb | To make or become more light |
brim | noun | The upper edge or lip of a container or a circular object. |
brink | noun | The edge or border of something |
brisk | adj. | Active, fast, and energetic |
brittle | adj. | Easily broken, cracked, or snapped |
broaden | verb | To make wider or more extensive |
bruise | noun | A mark on the skin caused by a blow or impact, rupturing underlying blood vessels. |
brutal | adj. | Extremely harsh or cruel |
bud | noun | A compact knob-like growth on a plant which develops into a leaf, flower, or shoot |
budge | verb | To move slightly or to cause something to move |
budget | noun | An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. |
bulk | noun | The majority or greater part of something |
bulky | adj. | Large and difficult to carry or handle |
burglar | noun | A person who illegally enters a building to commit a crime |
burning | adj. | Very hot or on fire |
burnish | verb | To polish something, especially metal, by rubbing. |
butt | noun | The rear end of the body |
butter | noun | A solid dairy product made by churning cream |
byword | noun | A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or concept |
calamity | noun | A sudden event causing great damage or distress |
calculate | verb | To determine by mathematical means |
caliber | noun | The quality or level of ability of someone or something |
cancel | verb | To decide that an event will not happen |
candidate | noun | A person who applies for a job or is nominated for election |
canny | adj. | Having shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters |
canvas | noun | A strong, heavy cloth used as a surface for painting. |
capable | adj. | Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing |
capacious | adj. | Having a lot of space inside |
captivate | verb | To attract and hold the attention or interest of someone |
captivity | noun | The condition of being imprisoned or confined |
carbon | noun | A chemical element with atomic number 6, found in all known life forms |
cardinal | adj. | Most important or essential |
career | noun | An occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework |
carnage | noun | Large-scale killing or destruction of life |
carnal | adj. | Related to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities |
castigate | verb | To criticize someone severely |
casual | adj. | Relaxed and unconcerned |
casualty | noun | A person injured or killed in an accident or a military action |
cataclysm | noun | A large-scale and violent event in the natural world. |
catastrophe | noun | A sudden event causing great damage or suffering |
catching | verb | To capture or seize |
categorical | adj. | Absolute and unqualified |
cathedral | noun | A large and important church which is the central place of worship for a diocese and where a bishop has his seat. |
catholic | adj. | All-embracing or universal |
cause | verb | To make something happen |
caustic | adj. | Able to burn or corrode organic tissue |
cautious | adj. | Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers |
cavern | noun | A large cave or a chamber in a cave, typically a naturally occurring underground space |
ceaseless | adj. | Constant and unending |
celebrity | noun | A famous person |
celestial | adj. | Related to the sky or outer space |
censor | verb | To suppress or remove parts of a book, film, or other media that are considered unacceptable |
censure | verb | To express severe disapproval |
centigrade | adj. | Relating to a temperature scale where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees |
ceremonial | adj. | Related to or used for formal events or rituals |
ceremonious | adj. | Relating to or characterized by formal ceremony or ritual. |
ceremony | noun | A formal event performed on important social or religious occasions |
chafe | verb | To become irritated or annoyed |
chalk | noun | A soft white limestone used for writing or drawing |
champion | noun | A person who has defeated all opponents in a competition |
chaos | noun | Complete disorder and confusion |
chalk | noun | A soft white limestone used for writing or drawing |
champion | noun | A person who has defeated all opponents in a competition |
chaos | noun | Complete disorder and confusion |
character | noun | The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual |
charge | verb | To demand payment for a service or product |
charisma | noun | A compelling charm or appeal that can inspire devotion in others |
charitable | adj. | Generous in giving to those in need |
charity | noun | An organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need |
chary | adj. | Cautious or wary |
chaste | adj. | Abstaining from extramarital or all sexual intercourse. |
chat | verb | To talk in a friendly and informal way |
check | verb | To examine or verify the accuracy or quality of something |
cherish | verb | To hold dear or to treat with love and affection |
chide | verb | To scold or rebuke someone gently |
chiefly | adv. | Mainly or primarily |
chill | noun | A feeling of coldness |
chilly | adj. | Noticeably cold |
chirp | verb | To make a short, sharp sound |
choice | noun | The act of selecting among options |
choke | verb | To have difficulty breathing because something is blocking the throat |
choose | verb | To select from a number of possibilities |
chop | verb | To cut into pieces |
chore | noun | A routine task, especially a household one |
chorus | noun | A group of singers performing together, often in a church or concert setting. |
chronic | adj. | Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring |
chuckle | verb | To laugh quietly or to oneself |
cipher | noun | A method of transforming a text to conceal its meaning |
circuitous | adj. | Not direct or straightforward |
circular | adj. | Having the shape of a circle |
circulate | verb | To move continuously or freely through a closed system or area |
circulation | noun | The movement of blood through the body |
circumference | noun | The distance around a circle or rounded object |
circumscribe | verb | To restrict within limits |
circumspect | adj. | Careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences |
circumvent | verb | To find a way around an obstacle or problem |
cite | verb | To mention or refer to as evidence or support |
civilian | noun | A person not in the armed services or the police force |
clamor | noun | A loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting. |
clamp | noun | A device used to hold things tightly together |
clandestine | adj. | Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit |
clarify | verb | To make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible |
clause | noun | A distinct part of a sentence, containing a subject and predicate |
clean | adj. | Free from dirt or impurities |
cleanse | verb | To make something clean or free from impurities |
cleft | noun | A split or opening |
clergy | noun | People ordained for religious duties in a church |
climate | noun | The weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period. |
climax | noun | The most exciting or important part of a story or situation |
clinch | verb | To secure or settle definitely |
cling | verb | To hold on tightly to |
clinic | noun | A facility for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients |
clip | noun | A small device for holding things together |
clog | verb | To block or obstruct a passage |
close | verb | To shut something |
clot | noun | A thick mass of coagulated liquid, especially blood. |
clothing | noun | Garments that cover the body |
clumsy | adj. | Lacking coordination or skill |
cluster | noun | A group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together |
clutter | noun | A collection of things lying around in an untidy state |
coarse | adj. | Having a rough texture |
coax | verb | To persuade someone gently to do something or go somewhere, by being kind and patient, or by appearing to be |
coddle | verb | To treat with excessive care or kindness |
cogent | adj. | Clear, logical, and convincing |
cohere | verb | To stick together in a mass |
coherent | adj. | Logical and consistent |
cohesion | noun | The action or fact of forming a united whole. |
cohesive | adj. | Sticking together or being united |
coil | verb | To wind into loops or spirals |
coin | noun | A small, flat, round piece of metal used as money. |
coincide | verb | To occur at the same time or to be the same in nature or time |
collaborate | verb | To work jointly on an activity or project. |
collapse | verb | To fall down or inward suddenly; cave in |
collateral | noun | Property or assets pledged as security for a loan |
colloquial | adj. | Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary. |
colossal | adj. | Extremely large or great |
combination | noun | A joining or merging of different parts or qualities |
comet | noun | A celestial body of ice, dust, and gas |
commander | noun | A person in authority, especially over a military unit |
commence | verb | To begin or start |
commend | verb | To praise or express approval for someone or something |
commentator | noun | A person who provides a spoken description or analysis of an event, especially a sports event, as it happens. |
commerce | noun | The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale |
commission | noun | A group of people officially charged with a particular function. |
committee | noun | A group of people appointed for a specific function |
commodious | adj. | Spacious and comfortable |
communicate | verb | To convey information or express one's thoughts and feelings |
community | noun | A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common |
compact | adj. | Small and efficiently arranged |
company | noun | A business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money |
comparable | adj. | Able to be likened to something else |
comparative | adj. | Relating to comparison between two or more things. |
compare | verb | To examine the similarities and differences |
compassion | noun | Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others |
compatible | adj. | Able to exist or work together without conflict |
compel | verb | To force or drive someone to do something |
compensation | noun | Money awarded to someone for loss, injury, or suffering |
compete | verb | To take part in a contest or rivalry |
competent | adj. | Having the necessary ability or skills to do something successfully. |
compile | verb | To gather information from different sources and put it together |
complaint | noun | A statement expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance |
complement | noun | Something that completes or makes perfect |
complementary | adj. | Combining well to enhance or emphasize qualities |
complete | adj. | Having all the necessary or appropriate parts. |
complex | adj. | Consisting of many different and connected parts |
complicate | verb | To make something more difficult or confusing by causing it to be more complex |
compliment | noun | A polite expression of praise or admiration |
complimentary | adj. | Expressing praise or admiration |
comply | verb | To act in accordance with a wish or command |
component | noun | A part or element of a larger whole |
composed | adj. | Calm and in control of emotions |
composure | noun | Calmness and self-control |
comprehend | verb | To understand or grasp the meaning of something |
comprehensive | adj. | Complete and covering all or nearly all elements or aspects |
comprise | verb | To include or contain; to be made up of |
compulsive | adj. | Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes. |
compulsory | adj. | Required by law or a rule; obligatory |
conceal | verb | To hide or keep something secret |
concede | verb | To admit something is true after first denying or resisting it |
conceit | noun | Excessive pride in oneself |
conceive | verb | To form or devise a plan or idea in the mind |
concerned | adj. | Worried about something |
concert | noun | A musical performance given in public |
concerted | adj. | Jointly arranged, planned, or carried out |
concession | noun | An act of yielding or compromising |
conciliatory | adj. | Intended to pacify or make peace |
concise | adj. | Expressing much in few words |
conclude | verb | To bring something to an end |
conclusive | adj. | Serving to settle or decide a question; decisive |
concoct | verb | To prepare by mixing ingredients |
concrete | adj. | Existing in a physical form; real or solid |
concur | verb | To agree |
concurrence | noun | Agreement or approval |
concurrent | adj. | Happening or existing at the same time |
condemn | verb | To express strong disapproval |
condiment | noun | A substance used to add flavor to food |
condition | noun | The state of something, especially with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order |
condone | verb | To accept or allow behavior that is considered wrong |
conduct | verb | To organize and carry out |
cone | noun | A solid or hollow object with a round flat base and a point at the top. |
confederate | noun | A person or group that joins with another for a common purpose |
confer | verb | To discuss or exchange opinions |
conference | noun | A formal meeting for discussion |
confess | verb | To admit or acknowledge something, typically something that one has done wrong or feels guilty about |