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 72 of 104

pompous SAT GRE TOEFL

Speakers or behavior that is smug, self-important, or overly grandiose.

ponder SAT GRE TOEFL IELTS

To think about something carefully and deeply.

ponderous SAT TOEFL

Heavy, bulky, or slow-moving; also, tediously lengthy or dull.

popcorn TOEFL

Popped corn kernels, typically eaten as a snack, often salted or buttered.

populace SAT TOEFL

The general population or ordinary people in a region or country.

popular TOEFL IELTS

Liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people or the general public.

popularity TOEFL IELTS

The state or condition of being widely admired, accepted, or sought after.

populous SAT TOEFL

Having a large population; densely populated.

porcelain GRE TOEFL IELTS

A hard, white, translucent ceramic material made by baking refined clay, often used for tableware or...

porcupine GRE TOEFL

A large rodent with sharp, barbed quills that it raises when threatened.

pore TOEFL

A tiny opening in a surface, especially in the skin or in plant tissue, allowing passage of substanc...

porous GRE TOEFL

Having tiny holes or spaces that allow liquids or air to pass through.

portable GRE TOEFL IELTS

Capable of being easily carried or moved.

portend SAT GRE TOEFL

To be a sign or warning of something, especially something momentous or ominous.

portfolio SAT GRE IELTS

A collection of work samples, often used by artists or professionals to showcase their skills; also,...

portion TOEFL IELTS

A part or share of a whole.

portrait TOEFL IELTS

A painted, photographed, or sculpted representation of a person.

portraitist TOEFL

An artist who specializes in painting or drawing portraits.

portraiture TOEFL

The art or practice of creating portraits.

portray TOEFL

To depict or represent something in a visual work or description.

portrayal TOEFL

The act or manner of depicting someone or something in a visual or verbal form.

pose GRE TOEFL IELTS

To present or place in a particular position, often for artistic or deceptive purposes; also, a ques...

positive SAT TOEFL IELTS

Having a good or constructive quality; or indicating confidence or certainty; also, a photographic i...

possess SAT TOEFL IELTS

To own or have something as property; to control or be influenced by a feeling or quality.

possession TOEFL IELTS

The state of owning or holding something; or something owned.

post TOEFL IELTS

To hang or send something officially, such as a notice or letter; also, a job or position of duty.

postage TOEFL

The fee paid for mailing a letter or parcel; the system of sending mail.

postal TOEFL IELTS

Relating to the system of sending mail through a postal service.

postcard TOEFL

A card for sending by post without an envelope, typically with a picture on one side.

postdate SAT TOEFL

To date something with a later date than the present one.

poster TOEFL IELTS

A large printed picture or notice used for decoration or advertising.

posterity TOEFL

All future generations of people.

postgraduate SAT TOEFL

Relating to or denoting education undertaken after earning a bachelor's degree.

posthumous GRE TOEFL

Occurring or continuing after one's death.

postmaster TOEFL

An official in charge of a post office.

postoperative TOEFL

Occurring after a surgical operation.

postpone TOEFL IELTS

To delay or arrange for something to take place at a later time.

postulate GRE TOEFL IELTS

To suggest or assume the existence of something as a basis for reasoning or argument.

posture TOEFL IELTS

The position in which someone holds their body; also refers to an attitude or stance on an issue.

postwar TOEFL

Relating to the period after a war, especially World War II.

pot TOEFL IELTS

A container, typically round and deep, used for cooking or storing food.

potent SAT TOEFL IELTS

Having great power, influence, or effect.

potential SAT TOEFL IELTS

Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future.

potentiality TOEFL

The fact or state of being possible; latent ability or quality.

potted TOEFL

Preserved or stored in a small container, often used to describe plants or food; can also mean intox...

potter TOEFL

A person who makes pottery; can also mean to move around aimlessly or work in a leisurely manner.

pottery TOEFL IELTS

Ceramic ware made from clay and hardened by heat, or the art of making such items.

poultry TOEFL

Domesticated birds raised for meat or eggs, such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks.

pounce TOEFL IELTS

To leap suddenly, typically to seize prey; can also refer to moving or acting swiftly and aggressive...

pound TOEFL IELTS

A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces or approximately 0.45 kilograms; can also mean to strike repeate...

poverty TOEFL IELTS

The state of being extremely poor, lacking sufficient money or resources for basic needs.

practicable SAT TOEFL

Capable of being put into practice or carried out successfully; feasible.

practical TOEFL IELTS

Concerned with actual use or practice, rather than theory; useful in real situations.

practicality TOEFL

The quality of being practical; suitability for real-world use.

practically TOEFL IELTS

Almost or nearly; in a practical manner.

prairie TOEFL IELTS

A large, flat grassland area, especially in North America, with few trees and rich soil.

preach GRE TOEFL IELTS

To deliver a religious message, typically during a sermon; can also mean to advocate earnestly for a...

precarious SAT GRE TOEFL

Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse. Also refers to a situation...

precaution SAT TOEFL IELTS

A measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happenin...

precede SAT GRE TOEFL

To come before something in time or order.

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