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 90 of 104

spurious SAT GRE TOEFL

Not genuine or authentic; false or fake in nature.

spurn GRE TOEFL

To reject or refuse with disdain or contempt.

squander GRE TOEFL

To waste something valuable, such as money, time, or resources, in a reckless manner.

squarely TOEFL

Directly or firmly; in a fair and honest manner; exactly or precisely.

squash GRE TOEFL IELTS

To compress or flatten something with force; also, a type of gourd or a racket game.

squeeze TOEFL IELTS

To press something firmly, often to extract liquid or fit into a tight space.

squirrel TOEFL IELTS

A small, bushy-tailed rodent that collects and stores food; also, to hoard something away.

stability TOEFL IELTS

The state of being steady, balanced, or unchanging; firmness in position or character.

stabilize TOEFL IELTS

To make or become stable, steady, or firm.

stable TOEFL IELTS

Firmly fixed or steady; not likely to move, change, or fail.

stack TOEFL IELTS

A neat pile of objects; to arrange items in such a pile.

staff TOEFL IELTS

A group of people employed in an organization; also, a long stick used as a support or symbol.

stagecoach TOEFL

A large, horse-drawn vehicle used to carry passengers and mail in the 18th and 19th centuries.

stagger GRE TOEFL

To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall; also, to arrange things unevenly in time or space.

staggering GRE TOEFL

Shocking or astonishing in extent; also, the present participle of stagger, meaning unsteady movemen...

stagnant SAT GRE TOEFL

Not flowing or moving; (of air or water) stale; (of progress) not advancing.

staid SAT TOEFL

Steady, sedate, and conservative in manner or appearance; dignified but possibly dull.

stain GRE TOEFL IELTS

A spot or mark made by a foreign substance; to discolor or pollute.

stained TOEFL

Marked or discolored by stains; treated to change color or preserve material.

staircase TOEFL IELTS

A set of steps forming a way to go from one level to another, often with a railing.

stake GRE IELTS

A pointed stick or post, often used to mark a boundary or support plants; also refers to a share or ...

stale GRE TOEFL IELTS

No longer fresh or enjoyable; especially applied to food or ideas that have lost their appeal.

stalk GRE TOEFL IELTS

The main stem of a plant; also means to follow or approach someone stealthily.

stall TOEFL IELTS

A small booth or stand for selling goods; also means to delay or hesitate.

stalwart GRE TOEFL

Loyal, reliable, and hardworking; also refers to a firm supporter of a cause.

stamina GRE TOEFL

The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.

standard TOEFL IELTS

A level of quality or a criterion by which something is judged.

standardize TOEFL

To make consistent or uniform according to a standard.

standardized TOEFL

Made uniform or consistent according to a set standard, often used in testing or manufacturing.

standing TOEFL IELTS

One's position or reputation in a community; also refers to remaining upright or enduring status.

standpoint TOEFL IELTS

A point of view or perspective from which something is considered.

stanza SAT GRE TOEFL

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem, similar to a paragraph in prose.

staple GRE TOEFL

A basic or essential item; also refers to a metal fastener or something regularly produced.

starch TOEFL

A white, tasteless substance found in foods like potatoes and grains; also refers to a substance use...

stardom TOEFL

The state or condition of being a celebrity, especially in film, music, or sports.

starfish TOEFL

A marine invertebrate with a central disc and typically five arms, found on the seafloor.

stark GRE TOEFL

Extremely clear or plain, often in a harsh or bare way.

starvation TOEFL IELTS

The severe lack of food leading to extreme hunger or death.

starve TOEFL IELTS

To suffer or die from lack of food; to deprive of sustenance.

stash GRE TOEFL

A hidden or secure place for storing supplies; to put something away secretly.

stately TOEFL

Impressive or dignified in appearance or manner.

static SAT GRE IELTS

Still or stationary; lacking movement or change.

stationary SAT GRE TOEFL

Not moving or not intended to be moved.

stationery GRE TOEFL IELTS

Writing materials such as paper, envelopes, and pens.

statistics TOEFL IELTS

Numerical data collected for analysis, often used to infer trends or patterns.

statue TOEFL IELTS

A carved or sculpted figure, typically representing a person or animal.

stature SAT GRE TOEFL

A person's height or the level of achievement and respect they have earned.

status GRE TOEFL IELTS

The current condition or position of a person or thing in society or a system.

statute SAT GRE TOEFL IELTS

A written law passed by a legislative body.

steadfast TOEFL

Loyal, determined, and firm in belief or purpose.

steady TOEFL IELTS

Firm, stable, or constant in movement, purpose, or progress.

steak TOEFL IELTS

A thick slice of meat, typically beef, grilled or fried.

steep GRE TOEFL IELTS

Having a sharp incline or slope; extremely high or intense.

steer GRE TOEFL IELTS

To guide or control the direction of a vehicle or vessel; also refers to a young bull.

stellar SAT TOEFL

Outstanding or excellent; relating to stars.

stem GRE TOEFL IELTS

The main body or supporting structure of a plant; a source or origin.

stereotype GRE TOEFL IELTS

A widely held but oversimplified and often inaccurate belief about a group of people.

sterile GRE TOEFL

Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; unable to reproduce.

sterling SAT TOEFL IELTS

Of high quality or excellent; also refers to British pounds sterling.

stern GRE TOEFL IELTS

Serious and strict in manner or attitude.

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