TOEFL Vocabulary (copy) (Edit by Claude)

abandon

to leave or give up completely

In short: give up

Mnemonic: a + band + on: A BAND ON the bus drives away and leaves you behind, abandoned.

Example: They had to abandon the car in the snow.

ability

the skill or power to do something

In short: skill

Mnemonic: abil + ity: ABLE + ity, the state of being able.

Example: She has the ability to speak four languages.

abolish

to officially end or stop something, especially a law or system

In short: end (a law)

Mnemonic: a + bol + ish: A BOWL-ish of old rules dumped in the bin, ended for good.

Example: Many countries have abolished the death penalty.

absence

the state of being away or not present

In short: not present

Mnemonic: ab + sence: AB (away) + SENSE: you're away, so nobody senses you there.

Example: Nobody noticed his absence from the meeting.

absorb

to take in information, ideas, or substances

In short: soak up

Mnemonic: ab + sorb: AB (in) + SORB (sip): sip it all in like a sponge.

Example: A sponge absorbs water quickly.

abstract

consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else; extract or remove (something); used euphemistically to say that stolen something; (abstract oneself) withdraw.

1. (adj.) conceptual / theoretical

2. (verb) extract / remove

Example: The scientist abstracted the key data from the long report.

abundant

having a lot of something

In short: plentiful

Mnemonic: a + bun + dant: A BUN DANCE: so many buns dancing, there's plenty.

Example: Fruit is abundant in summer.

accelerate

to speed up or increase the speed of something

In short: speed up

Mnemonic: ac + celer + ate: CELER (speed, as in celerity): add speed.

Example: The car accelerated on the highway.

accessible

1. (adj.) (of a place) able to be reached or entered.

2. (adj.) (of a person, especially one in a position of authority) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable.

Example: The new library is accessible to people in wheelchairs.

accommodate

to make room for something or someone, or to adjust to fit a need or condition

In short: make room / adjust

Mnemonic: ac + commod + ate: A COMMODE-ATE: the hotel makes room for you, even a commode.

Example: The hotel can accommodate 200 guests.

accompany

to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something

In short: go with

Mnemonic: ac + company: keep someone COMPANY, go with them.

Example: My mother will accompany me to the doctor.

accumulate

(v.) to increase in number or amount; to pile up, collect, or gather

(v.) to increase

Example: Dust accumulates quickly under the bed.

accurate

correct and precise

In short: exact

Mnemonic: ac + cur + ate: A CURE that is exactly right: precise.

Example: The weather report was accurate today.

accustomed to

being familiar with something and accepting it as normal

In short: used to

Mnemonic: ac + custom + ed: your CUSTOM, a habit you're used to.

Example: I am accustomed to waking up early.

achieve

to reach a goal or complete something successfully

In short: reach a goal

Mnemonic: a + chieve: A CHIEF: work hard and you achieve becoming the chief.

Example: She worked hard to achieve her dream.

acknowledge

to accept that something is true or exists, or to show appreciation or recognition

In short: admit / recognize

Mnemonic: ac + knowledge: show your KNOWLEDGE that it's true; admit it.

Example: He acknowledged his mistake and said sorry.

acquire

to get or gain something, often through learning or experience

In short: get / gain

Mnemonic: ac + quire: A CHOIR: join a choir and you acquire a trained voice.

Example: She acquired a new skill this summer.

active

doing things, not just sitting and waiting, often involving physical movement

In short: doing things

Mnemonic: act + ive: ACT-ive: always acting, always doing.

Example: My grandfather is still very active at 80.

adaptation

a change or adjustment to fit new conditions or needs

In short: adjustment

Mnemonic: adapt + ation: ADAPT like an adapter plug: change to fit.

Example: Thick fur is an adaptation to cold weather.

adept

(adj.) Skilled; expert at

Example: She is adept at solving difficult math problems.

adequate

(adj.) enough, sufficient

Example: We had adequate food for the whole trip.

adhere to

to stick to or follow closely (a plan, rules, etc.)

In short: stick to

Mnemonic: ad + here: ADD HERE: glue it here and stick to it.

Example: All students must adhere to the school rules.

adjacent

next to or near something

In short: next to

Mnemonic: ad + jacent: AD + JASON: Jason sits right next to you.

Example: The park is adjacent to my house.

adjust

to change something slightly

In short: change slightly

Mnemonic: ad + just: ADD JUST a little: a small tweak.

Example: Please adjust your seat before driving.

adopt

to take up or start to use something new

In short: take up

Mnemonic: a + dopt: ADD + OPT: opt to add it to your life, take it up.

Example: The school adopted a new uniform policy.

advantageous

providing a benefit or leading to a better situation

In short: beneficial

Mnemonic: advantage + ous: full of ADVANTAGE, beneficial.

Example: Speaking English is advantageous for this job.

advent

the arrival or beginning of something important or impressive

In short: arrival

Mnemonic: ad + vent: AD (to) + VENT (come): the coming, the arrival.

Example: The advent of smartphones changed our lives.

adverse

preventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable.

(adj.) harmful

Example: The medicine had no adverse effects.

advise

to give someone suggestions about the best course of action

In short: suggest

Mnemonic: ad + vise: ADD + VISE (view): add your view, tell them what to do.

Example: The doctor advised me to rest.

advocate

noun: supporter, ally

Example: He is a strong advocate of free education.

aesthetic

(adj.) relating to beauty

Example: The room has a calm, simple aesthetic.

affect

(1) pretend; fake;feign (2) influence, affect

1. (Verb) Pretend / Feign

2. (Verb) Influence

Example: Lack of sleep can affect your test score.

agent

a person or thing that takes an active role or produces a certain effect

In short: cause / doer

Mnemonic: a + gent: A GENTleman who acts and gets things done.

Example: Water is the main agent of erosion.

aggregate

a total amount or value made up of smaller parts added together

In short: total

Mnemonic: ag + gre + gate: A GREAT GATE that gathers everything into one total.

Example: The aggregate score of the team was 250.

aggression

behavior intended to harm or upset, or forceful action

In short: attack behavior

Mnemonic: ag + gress + ion: GRR + GRESS (step): growling and stepping in to attack.

Example: The dog showed aggression toward strangers.

agitate

to disturb, upset, or excite someone or something

In short: disturb / stir up

Mnemonic: agi + tate: AGI-TATE sounds like JIGGLE-ate: shake it up, disturb.

Example: The news agitated the workers.

alienate

make (someone) feel isolated or estranged.

(verb) isolate / drive away / estrange

Mnemonic:

ALIENATE → make someone feel like an ALIEN → make them feel isolated or disconnected.

Example: His rude jokes alienated his classmates.

alleviate

(verb) to relieve, make more bearable

syn: lesson, lighten, allay, mitigate, assuage

(verb) lessen the intensity or severity of something negative

(verb) lighten

Example: This medicine will alleviate your headache.

allocate

to set aside or distribute for a specific purpose

In short: distribute

Mnemonic: al + locate: ALL + LOCATE: locate a share for all.

Example: The school allocated money for new books.

alter

to change or modify something

In short: change

Mnemonic: al + ter: ALL + TURN: turn it all a little, change it.

Example: The tailor altered my jeans.

alternative

a different choice or option that can be used instead of something else

In short: other option

Mnemonic: alter + native: ALTER + NATIVE: the other native road, another option.

Example: We need an alternative plan if it rains.

altitude

how high something is above the ground or above sea level

In short: height

Mnemonic: alti + tude: ALTI (high) + TUDE: how high up.

Example: The plane flew at a high altitude.

amateur

someone who is not a professional in a particular field

In short: non-professional

Mnemonic: ama + teur: AMA (love, as in amour): does it for love, not money.

Example: He is an amateur photographer, not a professional.

ambiguous

having more than one possible meaning, which can cause confusion

In short: unclear

Mnemonic: ambi + guous: AMBI (both) + GUESS: you can guess both meanings.

Example: The question was ambiguous, so many students got it wrong.

ambitious

having a strong desire to achieve something important

In short: driven

Mnemonic: ambi + tious: AIM BIG + tious: aims big for success.

Example: She is ambitious and wants to become a CEO.

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

In short: mixed feelings

Mnemonic: ambi + valent: AMBI (both) + VALENT (value): you value both sides, mixed feelings.

Example: I am ambivalent about moving to a new city.

amend

(verb) to make changes to improve, correct, or modify something, especially a document, law, or statement.

(verb) modify / revise / correct

(verb) correct

Example: The government amended the law to protect workers.

ample

(adj.) enough or more than enough

Example: There is ample time to finish the test.

amplify

render larger, more extended, or more intense.

to increase, strengthen, or make something more noticeable/intense.

(verb) intensify

Example: The speakers amplify the singer's voice.

analogy

a comparison between two things to show how they are similar in some way

In short: comparison

Mnemonic: ana + logy: AN ALLY-logy: one thing is an ally (match) of another, a comparison.

Example: The teacher used an analogy to explain the heart as a pump.

analyze

to carefully study something in order to understand it better

In short: examine

Mnemonic: ana + lyze: ANA + LYSE (break apart): break it apart to study it.

Example: Scientists analyze the water samples.

ancient

very old or from a long time ago

In short: very old

Mnemonic: an + cient: ANCE-stors: from your ancestors' time.

Example: We visited ancient temples in Egypt.

annual

happening once every year

In short: yearly

Mnemonic: ann + ual: ANNU (year), as in per annum: once a year.

Example: The school holds an annual sports day.

anomaly

noun: abnormality, irregularity

noun: something different from usual pattern

Example: A cold day in July is an anomaly here.

antagonize

(verb) cause (someone) to become hostile or alienated.

(verb) make someone hostile

provoke / anger / make hostile / alienate

(verb) provoke

Mnemonic:

ANTAGONIST = enemy → ANTAGONIZE = make someone your enemy.

Example: Don't antagonize the dog by pulling its tail.

anticipate

to expect or predict something that will happen in the future

In short: expect

Mnemonic: anti + cipate: ANTE (before) + CIPATE (take): take it in before it happens.

Example: We anticipate heavy traffic this evening.

apparatus

a set of equipment or tools used for a specific purpose

In short: equipment

Mnemonic: appa + ratus: A PAIR OF RATS used in the lab equipment: the apparatus.

Example: The lab has modern apparatus for experiments.

apparent

easy to see or understand; clear to anyone

In short: obvious

Mnemonic: appa + rent: APPEAR-ent: it clearly appears.

Example: It was apparent that he was tired.

appeal to

to ask for something urgently; be attractive or interesting

In short: request / attract

Mnemonic: ap + peal: A PEAL of bells calls out to you: ask, attract.

Example: Bright colours appeal to children.

appearance

the way something or someone looks

In short: looks

Mnemonic: appear + ance: how you APPEAR: your looks.

Example: She changed her appearance with a new haircut.

append

to add something at the end of a document or piece of writing

In short: add at end

Mnemonic: ap + pend: AP + PEND (hang): hang it on at the end.

Example: Please append your resume to the email.

applicable

relevant or appropriate in a given situation

In short: relevant

Mnemonic: appli + cable: APPLY + CABLE: the right cable that applies here, relevant.

Example: This rule is not applicable to children.

apply

use something, like knowledge or a method, to a particular situation

In short: use

Mnemonic: ap + ply: A PLY of cream: put it to use.

Example: Apply this cream to the burn.

appreciate

to recognize the value of something

In short: value

Mnemonic: ap + preci + ate: A PRICE: see the price (value) of something.

Example: I really appreciate your help.

apprehensive

worried or fearful about what might happen

In short: worried

Mnemonic: appre + hensive: APPREHEND (arrest): worried you'll be caught.

Example: She felt apprehensive before her first exam.

approach

move closer to something or someone; a way of doing something

In short: come near / method

Mnemonic: ap + proach: A PROACH sounds like A COACH: walk up close to the coach.

Example: The cat slowly approached the bird.

appropriate

1. take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.

2. devote (money or assets) to a special purpose.

3. suitable or proper in the circumstances.

1. (adj.) suitable

2. (verb) take

3. (verb) allocate

Example: He appropriated his roommate's notes without asking.

arbitrary

(adj.) based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

(adj.) done without reason

(adj.) random

Example: The teacher's choice of winner seemed arbitrary.

argue

to give reasons for or against something; to try to make someone agree with you

In short: reason / dispute

Mnemonic: ar + gue: R U GUilty? Two sides argue it out.

Example: Scientists argue that the climate is changing fast.

arid

(adj.) very dry

Example: Very few plants grow in arid deserts.

articulate

(adj.) able to use language effectively; expressed clearly and forcefully

(adj.) able to express ideas clearly

Example: She gave an articulate answer to the hard question.

artificial

made by humans, not natural

In short: man-made

Mnemonic: arti + ficial: ART + OFFICIAL: made by art (humans), not nature.

Example: These flowers are artificial, not real.

ascertain

(verb) find (something) out for certain; make sure of.

to find out or determine something with certainty.

(verb) determine / find out / establish

Example: The police tried to ascertain who broke the window.

aspect

a part or feature of something

In short: feature / part

Mnemonic: a + spect: A + SPECT (look): one way to look at it, one part.

Example: Cost is one aspect of the decision.

assemble

to bring or gather things together into a single group or place

In short: gather / put together

Mnemonic: as + semble: AS + SEMBLE (together): bring together into one.

Example: We assembled the new table ourselves.

assert

to state something confidently and forcefully

In short: state firmly

Mnemonic: as + sert: A + SURE-T: say it with sureness.

Example: He asserted that he was innocent.

assessment

the act of evaluating or judging the quality, importance, or value of something

In short: evaluation

Mnemonic: as + sess + ment: A SESSion of judging: an evaluation.

Example: The teacher's assessment of my essay was positive.

assign

to give a task or responsibility to someone

In short: give a task

Mnemonic: as + sign: A SIGN: sign the task over to someone.

Example: The teacher assigned homework for the weekend.

assist

to help someone with a task

In short: help

Mnemonic: as + sist: AS + SISTer: your sister helps you.

Example: Nurses assist doctors during surgery.

associated

connected to or related to

In short: connected

Mnemonic: as + soci + ated: SOCI (companion, as in social): linked together.

Example: Smoking is associated with lung disease.

assumption

a belief or idea that you accept as true without proof or evidence

In short: belief without proof

Mnemonic: as + sump + tion: ASS-U-ME: believed without proof.

Example: Don't make assumptions about people.

attitude

the way you think and feel about something

In short: outlook

Mnemonic: atti + tude: AT-TUDE: your mood toward things.

Example: She has a positive attitude toward learning.

attract

to draw someone or something closer

In short: draw in

Mnemonic: at + tract: AT + TRACT (pull, as in tractor): pull toward.

Example: Flowers attract bees.

attribute

1. a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.

2. regard something as being caused by someone or something.

1. (noun) a quality or characteristic

2. (verb) regard something as being caused by something; credit something to a cause/person

1. (noun) characteristic

2. (verb) credit / ascribe

Example: Patience is her best attribute.

augment

(v.) to make larger, increase

(v.) to increase

Example: He took a part-time job to augment his income.

authority

the power to make decisions or control people and things

In short: power

Mnemonic: author + ity: AUTHOR: the author has power over the story.

Example: The police have the authority to stop cars.

autonomy

the ability to make your own decisions; freedom

In short: self-rule

Mnemonic: auto + nomy: AUTO (self) + NOMY (law): self-rule.

Example: Teenagers want more autonomy from their parents.

available

ready for use or able to be used

In short: ready to use

Mnemonic: a + vail + able: AVAIL-ABLE: you can avail it now.

Example: The book is available in the library.

balance

a state where different things occur in equal or proper amounts or importance

In short: equal state

Mnemonic: bal + ance: BALL + ANCE: equal balls on both sides of a scale.

Example: Try to balance work and rest.

basic

simple and fundamental; forming the base or starting point

In short: fundamental

Mnemonic: bas + ic: BASE + ic: the base level.

Example: Learn the basic rules before you play.

belie

to give a false impression of something

In short: misrepresent

Mnemonic: be + lie: BE + LIE: it tells a lie about the truth.

Example: His smile belied his sadness.

beneficial

helpful or advantageous; producing good results or effects

In short: helpful

Mnemonic: bene + ficial: BENE (good) + FIC (make): makes good things.

Example: Exercise is beneficial to your health.

bestow

to give as a gift or honor

In short: give (honor)

Mnemonic: be + stow: BEST + STOW: place your best gift in someone's hands.

Example: The king bestowed an award on the hero.

bias

a preference or opinion that unfairly affects a person's judgment or decision-making

In short: unfair preference

Mnemonic: bi + as: BI (two) + ASide: two sides, but you lean to one unfairly.

Example: The judge must not show bias.

bland

lacking strong features or characteristics; uninteresting

In short: dull

Mnemonic: b + land: B-LAND: a boring land with no flavour.

Example: The soup was bland without salt.

bolster

(verb) support or strengthen.

(verb) support / strengthen / reinforce

Example: Good grades bolstered her confidence.

bond

a strong connection or relationship between people or things

In short: connection

Mnemonic: b + ond: BOND sounds like BOUND: bound together.

Example: There is a strong bond between the twins.

boost

to increase or improve something

In short: increase

Mnemonic: boo + st: BOO-ST: the crowd's roar boosts you up.

Example: The good news boosted her mood.

boundary

a limit or border that separates one area, region, or thing from another

In short: limit

Mnemonic: bound + ary: BOUND + ARY: where things are bound, the edge.

Example: The river forms the boundary between the two states.

brief

short in time, duration, or length

In short: short

Mnemonic: b + rief: BRIEF-case for short notes: short.

Example: He gave a brief speech.