How to use this list
This is a 100-word starter pack, not a comprehensive list. The full TOEFL working vocabulary is closer to 5,000 words and the Academic Word List covers most of them, but if you only have time for one short vocab pass before your test, these 100 are the ones that move your score most per hour. They are concentrated in five categories that examiners reward actively: argument verbs you use in Writing and Speaking, academic nouns that appear in Reading and Listening passages, transition phrases that hold your essays together, precise adjectives that distinguish band 4 from band 5, and the 20 phrasal verbs that show up most in Listening conversations.
The fastest way to learn this list: take five words per day from one category, write each one into a sentence about your own life or studies (not the example sentence on this page), and re-read all five the next morning. After 20 days you have the whole list. Drill the categories in the order they appear here, which goes from highest examiner-reward (argument verbs) to most niche (lecture phrasal verbs).
argue
To state a position with supporting reasons.
Use in: "The author argues that climate policy must include carbon taxes."
claim
To assert (often with the implication that the statement may not be proven).
Use in: "Some researchers claim that intermittent fasting boosts longevity."
contend
To argue strongly, often against opposition.
Use in: "Marcus contends that a sin tax would reduce obesity."
maintain
To hold to a position over time, even under challenge.
Use in: "Despite criticism, the professor maintains her original hypothesis."
assert
To state firmly and clearly.
Use in: "The study asserts that screen time correlates with sleep loss."
acknowledge
To accept or recognise (often a counter-point).
Use in: "While I acknowledge Sophia's concern about cost, I still support the policy."
concede
To accept reluctantly, usually a point against your own position.
Use in: "I concede that the data is limited, but the trend is clear."
refute
To disprove or argue strongly against.
Use in: "Newer evidence refutes the earlier claim about saturated fat."
challenge
To question or dispute.
Use in: "This article challenges the assumption that GDP measures wellbeing."
propose
To put forward an idea or solution.
Use in: "The author proposes a four-day work week as a productivity reform."
suggest
To imply or recommend without stating directly.
Use in: "The findings suggest that early intervention works best."
imply
To indicate without stating outright.
Use in: "The professor implies that the experiment had design flaws."
demonstrate
To show clearly through evidence.
Use in: "The graph demonstrates a sharp decline after 2018."
illustrate
To give an example that clarifies.
Use in: "To illustrate, consider the case of Japan's ageing workforce."
support
To provide evidence or reasoning for.
Use in: "Several studies support the link between sleep and memory."
undermine
To weaken (an argument, a position).
Use in: "The methodology problems undermine the conclusion."
justify
To give reasons that defend an action or belief.
Use in: "Can we justify higher taxes on the wealthiest one percent?"
qualify
To narrow or limit a statement to be more accurate.
Use in: "I qualify my support: the policy works only with subsidies attached."
distinguish
To mark or describe the difference between.
Use in: "It is important to distinguish correlation from causation."
attribute
To explain something as caused by a specific source.
Use in: "Historians attribute the recovery to the new monetary policy."
hypothesis
A proposed explanation, to be tested.
Heard in: Biology lecture. "The first hypothesis was that the species evolved on the island."
phenomenon
An observable event or fact (plural: phenomena).
Heard in: Astronomy lecture. "This phenomenon was first observed in the 1970s."
framework
A structured way of organising ideas.
Heard in: Economics. "Keynes provided the framework for modern macroeconomics."
paradigm
A dominant model or way of thinking in a field.
Heard in: History of science. "Quantum mechanics produced a paradigm shift."
discrepancy
A difference between things expected to match.
Heard in: Lab discussion. "There's a discrepancy between the model and the data."
correlation
A statistical relationship between variables.
Heard in: Psychology. "The correlation between sleep and grades is strong."
causation
One thing directly causing another.
Heard in: Methods lecture. "Correlation alone does not prove causation."
implication
A consequence that follows from a fact or finding.
Heard in: Sociology. "These data have important implications for policy."
consensus
A widely-shared agreement among researchers.
Heard in: Climate lecture. "There is scientific consensus that warming is human-caused."
controversy
A debate or disagreement, often longstanding.
Heard in: History. "The Vietnam War remains a source of controversy."
approach
A method or way of doing something.
Heard in: Literature. "Feminist scholars take a different approach to the text."
methodology
The system of methods used in a study.
Heard in: Research design. "The methodology was peer-reviewed before publication."
criterion
A standard used for judgment (plural: criteria).
Heard in: Admissions. "The criterion for selection was academic merit."
factor
A contributing element or cause.
Heard in: Geography. "Soil type was a key factor in agricultural development."
aspect
A particular part or feature of something.
Heard in: Art history. "This aspect of Picasso's work has been understudied."
component
A part that makes up a whole.
Heard in: Engineering. "The motor has three main components."
mechanism
The way a process works at a detailed level.
Heard in: Biology. "The mechanism of photosynthesis converts light to chemical energy."
scope
The range covered by a study or argument.
Heard in: Lecture intro. "The scope of this paper is limited to the eastern subspecies."
significance
The importance or meaning of a result.
Heard in: Statistics. "The significance level was set at 0.05."
constraint
A limitation that affects what is possible.
Heard in: Engineering. "Budget was the main constraint on the design."
furthermore
In addition to what has been said. Stronger than "also."
Use in: "Furthermore, the tax revenue could fund healthier school meals."
moreover
In addition (formal, slightly emphatic).
Use in: "Moreover, the policy has worked in three other countries."
in addition
Adding a further point.
Use in: "In addition, this approach is more cost-effective."
consequently
As a result of what was just said.
Use in: "Sugar taxes reduce consumption; consequently, obesity rates fall."
therefore
For that reason.
Use in: "Therefore, I support the proposed reform."
thus
In this way; therefore (formal).
Use in: "Thus, the data supports the original hypothesis."
however
Introduces contrast.
Use in: "However, there are valid concerns about implementation."
nevertheless
In spite of that; even so.
Use in: "The plan has flaws; nevertheless, it is better than nothing."
on the other hand
Introduces the opposing perspective.
Use in: "On the other hand, critics argue the tax is regressive."
in contrast
Highlights a clear difference.
Use in: "In contrast, Sweden took a stricter approach."
while
Connects two contrasting points.
Use in: "While I agree with Marcus, I see Sophia's point too."
although
Even though.
Use in: "Although the data is preliminary, the trend is clear."
for instance
For example.
Use in: "For instance, Mexico's sugar tax cut consumption by 12 percent."
for example
Introduces an illustration.
Use in: "For example, the policy worked in Norway."
specifically
In particular; more precisely.
Use in: "Specifically, the tax applies to drinks with added sugar."
in particular
Especially.
Use in: "Low-income families, in particular, benefit from the subsidy."
in fact
Confirms or reinforces a point with reality.
Use in: "In fact, the data is stronger than the author claims."
indeed
Used to emphasise a point already made.
Use in: "Indeed, three independent studies reach the same conclusion."
in conclusion
Signals the closing summary.
Use in: "In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the costs."
overall
Considering everything.
Use in: "Overall, the policy is a net positive."
For deeper coverage of writing transitions, see the full TOEFL transition words and linking phrases guide.
substantial
Large in size, value, or importance.
Use in: "There is substantial evidence for the genetic link."
significant
Notable, important, statistically meaningful.
Use in: "Sleep loss has a significant effect on memory consolidation."
crucial
Extremely important; decisive.
Use in: "Vitamin D is crucial for bone development."
essential
Necessary; cannot be done without.
Use in: "Peer review is essential to scientific progress."
comprehensive
Covering all aspects.
Use in: "The report offers a comprehensive review of the policy."
extensive
Covering a wide range; thorough.
Use in: "Extensive testing confirmed the safety of the drug."
distinct
Clearly different.
Use in: "The two species have distinct mating patterns."
subtle
Slight, easily missed, requiring attention.
Use in: "The differences in dialect are subtle but real."
controversial
Causing strong disagreement.
Use in: "The author's interpretation remains controversial."
plausible
Believable; reasonable but not proven.
Use in: "The hypothesis is plausible but lacks direct evidence."
compelling
Persuasive; demanding attention.
Use in: "She makes a compelling case for the reform."
robust
Strong; able to withstand challenge.
Use in: "The study design is robust to selection bias."
preliminary
Early; before the main work.
Use in: "These are preliminary results pending replication."
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation.
Use in: "The data is ambiguous and supports neither side fully."
precise
Exact; accurate.
Use in: "We need precise measurements before drawing conclusions."
arbitrary
Based on personal choice rather than reasoning.
Use in: "The cut-off date seems arbitrary."
inevitable
Certain to happen.
Use in: "Some loss of biodiversity now appears inevitable."
prevalent
Common; widespread.
Use in: "Smoking is less prevalent than it was 20 years ago."
viable
Workable; capable of succeeding.
Use in: "Solar power is now a viable alternative to coal."
analogous
Similar in a relevant way.
Use in: "The brain is analogous to a computer in some respects."
point out
Draw attention to.
Heard in: "The professor pointed out a flaw in the experiment."
carry out
Perform or conduct.
Heard in: "We carried out the survey across 12 universities."
come up with
Think of; devise.
Heard in: "Can you come up with a better example?"
look into
Investigate.
Heard in: "I'll look into the housing options for next semester."
figure out
Work out; solve.
Heard in: "I'm trying to figure out which course to drop."
turn in
Submit (an assignment).
Heard in: "When do we turn in the lab report?"
drop off
Decrease; or deliver something briefly.
Heard in: "Enrolment drops off after the first semester."
pick up
Collect; or learn casually.
Heard in: "I picked up Spanish during my year abroad."
give up
Stop trying.
Heard in: "Don't give up on the math course yet."
put off
Postpone.
Heard in: "I keep putting off the application essay."
go through
Examine in detail; experience.
Heard in: "Let's go through the syllabus together."
work on
Spend effort on.
Heard in: "I've been working on my speaking pronunciation."
deal with
Handle; manage.
Heard in: "How do you deal with exam stress?"
make up for
Compensate for.
Heard in: "I'll make up for the missed lab next week."
rely on
Depend on; trust.
Heard in: "Don't rely on lecture slides alone."
build on
Extend or develop further.
Heard in: "Modern theory builds on the Keynesian framework."
break down
Analyse into parts.
Heard in: "Let me break down the equation step by step."
account for
Explain; constitute a proportion.
Heard in: "Genetics accounts for 30 percent of the variation."
rule out
Exclude as a possibility.
Heard in: "We can rule out measurement error."
draw on
Use as a source.
Heard in: "The author draws on cognitive science."
For a fuller treatment of phrasal verbs and idioms, see TOEFL idioms and phrasal verbs 2026.
Where to go after this list
Once these 100 words are automatic, deepen your vocab in this order. First, the TOEFL Academic Word List: 570 word families, covers the majority of academic vocab. Second, the subject-area vocabulary directory: word lists for biology, astronomy, economics, history, and so on, organised by the topics TOEFL Reading and Listening passages actually cover. Third, the high-frequency TOEFL vocabulary page: the 40 words that show up in 70 percent of all recent TOEFL tests. Together those three resources cover roughly 80 percent of the vocab you will encounter on test day.
Related TOEFLMock resources
FAQ
How many words do I really need for TOEFL?
Band 4 needs about 3,000 active academic words. Band 5 needs around 5,000 plus the 570-word AWL. Band 6 needs depth and nuance across the 5,000-word base, not more new words.
Why only 100 words?
Because the highest-leverage starter set sits in these 5 categories. Once these are automatic, move to the Academic Word List for the next 470.
List or reading practice?
Both. Lists for the first 1,000 words (faster drill); reading practice after that (anchors the words in context).
Same vocabulary level in TOEFL 2026?
Yes. The 2024-26 changes affected task types and scoring, not vocabulary level. If anything, the new Complete the Words task in Reading rewards vocabulary control more directly.
Difference between this list and the AWL?
This is the first week. The AWL is the full 12 to 24 week curriculum. Both pages link to each other.