TOEFL Academic Word List

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering essential TOEFL academic terms across disciplines including academic inquiry, environmental science, economics, sociology, government, technology, medicine, jurisprudence, philosophy, and humanities.

abstract

Existing as an idea, not as a concrete thing; a summary of a text.

academia

The environment or community of higher education and research.

ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.

arbitrary

Based on random choice rather than reason.

coherent

Logical and consistent; easy to understand.

deduce

To arrive at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence.

discourse

Written or spoken communication or debate.

biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

catalyst

A substance speeding up a reaction; a person or event causing change.

deplete

To reduce the amount of something available.

indigenous

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.

photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to produce food.

precipitation

Rain, snow, or other moisture falling from the atmosphere.

austerity

Difficult economic conditions resulting from reduced spending.

commodity

A raw material or product that can be traded.

deficit

The amount by which expenditure exceeds income.

depreciate

To diminish in value over time.

fiscal

Relating to government revenue, especially taxes.

monopoly

Exclusive control of trade in a commodity or service.

subsidy

Money given by a government to help an industry.

tariff

A tax or duty to be paid on imports or exports.

assimilate

To take in and fully understand information; to integrate socially.

demographic

Relating to population; population statistics.

marginalize

To treat as insignificant or peripheral.

norms

Standards of behavior that are typical or expected.

solidarity

Unity among individuals with a common interest.

stigma

A mark of disgrace associated with a circumstance or quality.

urbanization

The process of making an area more urban.

accountability

The fact of being responsible to others for one's actions.

autonomy

The right of self-government; independence.

bicameral

Having two legislative chambers.

bureaucracy

A system of government with many complex rules and processes.

coalition

A temporary alliance of parties for joint action.

impeach

To charge a public official with misconduct.

incumbent

The current holder of an office; currently holding office.

jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions in a territory.

ratify

To give formal consent to make something officially valid.

sovereignty

Supreme power, especially of a state over its territory.

algorithm

A set of rules for solving a problem or completing a task.

bandwidth

Data transmission capacity; range of frequencies used in communication.

blockchain

A digital ledger of transactions duplicated across a network.

encrypt

To convert data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

latency

The delay between a cause and its effect in a system.

machine learning

A type of AI that enables systems to learn from data.

scalable

Able to be changed in size or scale; designed to grow.

semiconductor

A material with electrical conductivity between a conductor and insulator.

acute

(Of a condition) severe and sudden in onset.

chronic

(Of a condition) persisting for a long time.

contagious

(Of a disease) spread by direct or indirect contact.

deficiency

A lack of something essential; a shortage.

epidemic

A widespread occurrence of a disease in a region.

pathogen

A bacterium, virus, or organism causing disease.

placebo

An inert substance given to a control group in a trial.

prognosis

The likely course of a disease or recovery.

resilience

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

acquit

To free someone from a criminal charge.

adjudicate

To make a formal judgment in a dispute.

arbitration

Use of a third party to settle a dispute out of court.

deterrent

Something discouraging illegal action.

due process

Fair treatment through the judicial system.

extradite

To hand over a person to another country for trial.

indictment

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

litigation

The process of taking legal action in court.

plaintiff

A person who brings a case against another in court.

precedent

A previous case used as an example in later cases.

statute

A written law passed by a legislative body.

altruism

Selfless concern for others' well-being.

axiom

A statement accepted as true without proof.

consequentialism

The doctrine that outcomes determine the morality of actions.

deontology

An ethical theory based on rules and duties.

dialectic

The art of investigating truth through logical discussion.

empiricism

The theory that knowledge derives from sense experience.

epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge.

existentialism

A philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility.

fallacy

A mistaken belief; an error in reasoning.

nihilism

The rejection of all moral and religious principles.

ontology

The branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of being.

utilitarianism

The doctrine that actions are right if they benefit the majority.

aesthetic

Concerned with beauty; a set of artistic principles.

allegory

A story or image representing an abstract idea.

canon

A general rule or standard; a body of accepted works.

motif

A recurring element or theme in a work of art.

rhetoric

The art of effective speaking or writing.

satire

The use of humor or exaggeration to criticize something.

syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence.

vernacular

Everyday language; relating to ordinary speech.