Intermediate Vocabulary Words

Academic vocabulary common across TOEFL, IELTS, and multi-test contexts. These words appear in university-level texts and are essential for scoring well on standardized English proficiency tests.

6223 words · Page 4 of 104

airsickness TOEFL

A feeling of sickness or discomfort that occurs when a person is in an airplane or other vehicle tha...

aisle TOEFL IELTS

A long, narrow passageway inside a building, especially a store or church

ajar TOEFL IELTS

Partially open, often leaving a small gap

akin SAT TOEFL

Similar or related in nature or degree

alacrity SAT GRE TOEFL

A quality of being enthusiastic and eager to act or respond

albeit SAT TOEFL

Although or even though

alchemy SAT GRE TOEFL

An ancient practice that aimed to transform base metals into gold and find the elixir of life

alder SAT TOEFL

A type of deciduous tree native to Europe and Asia

alert TOEFL IELTS

Waking or wide-awake, often watching or listening carefully

alien SAT TOEFL IELTS

A person who was born in one country but lives in another, or a being that comes from a different pl...

alienate SAT GRE TOEFL IELTS

To cause someone or something to become hostile, resentful, or opposed

alignment TOEFL IELTS

The state of being properly arranged or positioned

alike TOEFL IELTS

Similar or identical in appearance, nature, or degree

allay SAT GRE TOEFL

To reduce or calm someone's fear, pain, or other negative emotions

allegation GRE TOEFL

A statement or claim that something is true, often made by someone

allegiance GRE TOEFL IELTS

A feeling of loyalty or devotion to a person, place, or cause

allegory SAT GRE TOEFL

A story, poem, or painting that uses symbolic characters and events to convey a theme or message

alleviate SAT GRE TOEFL

To make something less or more bearable, such as pain, suffering, or hardship

alley SAT GRE TOEFL

A narrow street or road between buildings, often between houses

alliteration GRE TOEFL

A literary device in which words that are close together in a sentence or phrase start with the same...

allocate GRE TOEFL

To assign or set aside resources or time for a specific use or purpose.

allot SAT TOEFL

To divide or assign a share or portion of something, such as land or resources.

alloy GRE TOEFL

A mixture of metals, often combined with other elements to create a material with specific propertie...

allude SAT GRE TOEFL

To make a passing or indirect reference to something, often without directly mentioning it.

allure GRE TOEFL

A quality or feature that attracts or entices someone or something, often in a charming or attractiv...

allusion SAT TOEFL

A reference to a person, place, event, or work of art that is made without directly quoting or menti...

ally SAT GRE TOEFL IELTS

A person or organization that works or cooperates with another person or organization to achieve a c...

aloft GRE TOEFL

High up in the air, often in a lofty or elevated position.

alone TOEFL IELTS

By oneself, without the company of others, or isolated from others.

aloof SAT TOEFL

Keeping a distance, often in a reserved or distant manner, or unapproachable.

alter SAT TOEFL IELTS

To make a change or modification to something, often in its form or character.

alteration SAT GRE TOEFL

A change or revision to something, often in its form or character.

alternate SAT TOEFL IELTS

Following a pattern or sequence in which one thing takes the place of another in an alternating fash...

alternation TOEFL IELTS

A process or change that involves the substitution of one thing for another in an alternating fashio...

alternative SAT TOEFL IELTS

One of two or more options or choices, which may be pursued instead of another option.

altitude SAT TOEFL IELTS

A measure of the height above sea level, or the height of something above a surface.

aluminum TOEFL IELTS

A lightweight, silvery-white metal used for a wide range of applications, including cooking vessels ...

amateur SAT TOEFL

Someone who engages in an activity or skill for pleasure or enjoyment, without professional training...

amaze TOEFL IELTS

To be deeply surprised, dazzled, or astonished, often by something extraordinary or unexpected.

amazement TOEFL IELTS

A feeling of being deeply surprised or astonished, often because something is extraordinary or unexp...

amazing TOEFL

Extremely good or impressive, or surpassing ordinary expectations, often because it is new, unusual,...

ambience GRE TOEFL

The atmosphere or character of a particular place, location, or environment, often created by its se...

ambiguous SAT GRE TOEFL

Unclear, vague, or misleading, often because something is open to multiple interpretations or meanin...

ambition TOEFL IELTS

A strong desire or drive to achieve something, often accompanied by persistence, effort, and determi...

ambitious SAT TOEFL IELTS

Having a strong desire or drive to achieve something, often accompanied by persistence, effort, and ...

ambivalence GRE TOEFL

A state of having mixed feelings or contradictory views about something, often resulting in uncertai...

ambivalent GRE TOEFL

Having mixed feelings or contradictory views about something, often resulting in uncertainty or inde...

amble GRE TOEFL

To walk or move slowly and leisurely, often in a carefree or casual manner.

ambush SAT GRE TOEFL

An unexpected attack or assault, often carried out by surprise or stealth.

amenable SAT GRE TOEFL

Easy to handle or manage, often because it is adaptable, flexible, or responsive to suggestions or c...

amend GRE TOEFL

To change or modify something, often to make it better or more suitable, or to correct an error or f...

amendment GRE TOEFL IELTS

A change or modification to something, often to make it better or more suitable, or to correct an er...

amenity GRE TOEFL

an amenity is a service, comfort, or luxury that is provided to make something more pleasant or enjo...

amiable GRE TOEFL IELTS

amiable describes a person who is pleasant, friendly, and sociable; having a kindly disposition.

amicable SAT GRE TOEFL IELTS

amicable describes a relationship that is peaceful, friendly, and free from conflict; having a spiri...

amid TOEFL

amid is a preposition that means surrounded by or in the middle of something; situated or located wi...

amiss GRE TOEFL

amiss can mean something that is wrong, mistaken, or going wrong; a mistake or an error.

amnesia GRE TOEFL

amnesia is a condition where you forget memories, events, and other details of your past; a loss of ...

amnesty GRE TOEFL

amnesty is a government order that grants a general pardon to certain individuals for past offenses;...

amorous SAT GRE TOEFL

amorous describes a person who is romantic, fond of love, or interested in relationships.

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