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in Learn English

TOEFL Essential Words, Phrases, and Vocabulary

If you’re studying for the TOEFL exam, then you’ll probably need to level up your academic English vocabulary. Check out key TOEFL vocabulary, essential words and phrases, and a whole lot more!

TOEFL essential words

TOEFL essential words

TOEFL Essential Words

Sure, you can study TOEFL words lists will academic English, but it’s not easy to remember them because they’re just individual words. It’s easier to remember new vocabulary in a dialogue. Then, you can have an opportunity to put into practice what you just learned with some exercises.

Also be sure to check out my top 10 tips for getting a higher score on the TOEFL exam as well. You’ll see all the TOEFL tips and tricks for doing well on this test.

TOEFL Vocabulary Builder: Ace the TOEFL with 500+ Essential Vocab Words (TOEFL Prep Books)
TOEFL Vocabulary Builder: Ace the TOEFL with 500+ Essential Vocab Words (TOEFL Prep Books)
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 158 Pages - 03/07/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published...
Check Price on Amazon

Can I see a sample from the book?

Do you like to try before you buy? Here’s an example dialogue from the book, along with the practice exercises

Ample Time

Ethan is talking to his professor after class about his assignment.

Ethan: Hi, I’d like to follow up about those emails I sent you. I asked if I could get an extension on that assignment. But, you didn’t email back.

Professor: I didn’t email back because I’ve been very clear. There are no extensions in my classes. You had ample time—I told you about the assignment more than a month ago. You can’t deny that you had enough time if you were organized.

Ethan: Yes, but I have a midterm exam in another class this week too.

Professor: That’s the life of a student, isn’t it? I know that my policy may seem harsh but is your future boss going to be kind if you keep missing deadlines? I’ve never misled anyone about my policy. I’ve stated it at least 10 times.

Ethan: Who else can I talk to about this? Who is your boss?

Professor: You will not coerce me, or my boss into giving you an extension. I recommend that you don’t persist with this. It will get you nothing. Focus your time and attention on your assignment! You still have one more day. That’s an adequate amount of time.

 

Vocabulary

extension: The act of making something longer.
ample: Plentiful; enough.
deny: State that something isn’t true.
harsh: Not gentle.
misled: Gave the wrong idea about something.
coerce: Force someone to do something that they don’t want to do.
persist: Continuing with something, especially when facing opposition.
adequate: Enough to suit your needs.

Vocabulary Challenge

  1. Do you think Professor Bolen will give me an _____? My grandmother is in the hospital.
  2. The contractors _____ about how much the final cost would be.
  3. You have _____ time to finish your homework before soccer practice. If you don’t finish, you won’t be able to go to soccer.
  4. My salary is _____, but not enough for luxuries.
  5. Stop trying to _____ me. I’m not going to do it.
  6. You can’t _____ that I’m better at managing finances.
  7. It’s a bit _____, but I think we should take away Toni’s computer for a week. What she did was so bad.
  8. If you _____ in asking me, I’m just going to get angry.

Answers

  1. extension
  2. misled
  3. ample
  4. adequate
  5. coerce
  6. deny
  7. harsh
  8. persist

TOEFL Vocabulary Builder Book

TOEFL Vocabulary Builder: Ace the TOEFL with 500+ Essential Vocab Words (TOEFL Prep Books)
TOEFL Vocabulary Builder: Ace the TOEFL with 500+ Essential Vocab Words (TOEFL Prep Books)
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 158 Pages - 03/07/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published...
Check Price on Amazon

The TOEFL Vocabulary Builder book by Jackie Bolen is exactly what you need if you want to get a high score on this exam. It has hundreds of words that are commonly seen on this exam but that you might not know.

Get your copy of the book if you want to . . .

  • Have hundreds of words and expressions in American English at your fingertips.
  • Learn the academic English you need for the TOEFL.
  • Open doors for future academic programs or jobs.
  • See how these words and phrases are used in real life.
  • Become more confident with English
  • Have some fun while learning vocabulary.
  • Improve your TOEFL score.

Sounds like exactly what you need? There are more than 500 key TOEFL vocabulary words that every English learner who is taking the TOEFL should know. Pick up the book today:

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Essential TOEFL Words: Join the Conversation

Do you have any TOEFL tips or tricks? Leave a comment and let us know about them! We’d love to hear from you. Also, don’t forget to check out the top 10 tips for TEOFL iBT reading exam and this practice test.

Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
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