📘 30 Academic Vocabulary Words to Boost Your TOEFL Score – Psychology, Science & Law Themes
Getting ready for the TOEFL Reading, Listening, and Writing sections?
These 30 academic words, drawn from psychology, science, law, and education, will help you tackle challenging passages, write stronger essays, and sound more fluent in Speaking.
Each word comes with a definition, usage example, and a pronunciation tip to help in the Speaking and Listening sections.
🔢 Word List with Usage & Tips
🧠 Psychology & Human Behavior
- Accomplice
• Meaning: A partner in wrongdoing
• Example: The accomplice helped the thief escape.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkʌm.plɪs/ - Accost
• Meaning: To approach aggressively
• Example: He was accosted by reporters.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkɒst/ - Acquiesce
• Meaning: To agree reluctantly
• Example: She acquiesced to her manager’s demands.
• Pronunciation: /ˌæk.wiˈes/ - Acrid
• Meaning: Harsh or bitter (in taste or emotion)
• Example: His acrid remarks offended many people.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæk.rɪd/ - Acrimonious
• Meaning: Bitter and angry
• Example: The discussion became increasingly acrimonious.
• Pronunciation: /ˌæk.rɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/ - Acrimony
• Meaning: Bitterness in speech or behavior
• Example: There was acrimony between the two parties.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæk.rɪ.mə.ni/ - Adamant
• Meaning: Firm and unyielding
• Example: She was adamant about completing the project.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæd.ə.mənt/ - Admonish
• Meaning: To warn gently
• Example: The teacher admonished the student for tardiness.
• Pronunciation: /ədˈmɒn.ɪʃ/ - Admonitory
• Meaning: Giving a warning
• Example: His admonitory tone made them reconsider.
• Pronunciation: /ədˈmɒn.ɪ.tər.i/ - Addle
• Meaning: To confuse
• Example: The difficult instructions addled her brain.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæd.l/ - Addled
• Meaning: Confused
• Example: His addled thoughts prevented him from speaking clearly.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæd.l̩d/ - Adapt
• Meaning: To adjust to new conditions
• Example: Immigrants adapt to new cultures quickly.
• Pronunciation: /əˈdæpt/
🔁 General Use / Transitions / Connectors
- Accord
• Meaning: Agreement or harmony
• Example: The two sides reached an accord.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkɔːd/ - Actuate
• Meaning: To put into action
• Example: His speech actuated many reforms.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæk.tʃu.eɪt/ - Addendum
• Meaning: An addition or supplement
• Example: The contract included an addendum.
• Pronunciation: /əˈden.dəm/ - Adjunct
• Meaning: Something added or attached
• Example: Technology is an adjunct to education.
• Pronunciation: /ˈædʒ.ʌŋkt/ - Adherent
• Meaning: A supporter or follower
• Example: He is an adherent of free-market policies.
• Pronunciation: /ədˈhɪə.rənt/
🔬 Science & Technology
- Accretion
• Meaning: Gradual accumulation
• Example: The accretion of sediments formed the island.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkriː.ʃən/ - Accrue
• Meaning: To accumulate over time
• Example: Interest will accrue on the account.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkruː/ - Acuity
• Meaning: Sharpness of mind or senses
• Example: His mental acuity is impressive.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkjuː.ɪ.ti/ - Acumen
• Meaning: Keen insight
• Example: She has strong business acumen.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæk.jə.mən/ - Acute
• Meaning: Sharp or severe
• Example: He suffered from acute pain after surgery.
• Pronunciation: /əˈkjuːt/
📜 Language, Literature, and Philosophy
- Adage
• Meaning: A traditional saying or proverb
• Example: The adage “practice makes perfect” holds true.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæd.ɪdʒ/ - Acerbic
• Meaning: Sharp and forthright (especially in style)
• Example: His acerbic wit made people laugh and think.
• Pronunciation: /əˈsɜː.bɪk/
🎓 Education & Academic Skills
- Adept
• Meaning: Highly skilled
• Example: She is adept at solving puzzles.
• Pronunciation: /əˈdept/ - Adequate
• Meaning: Sufficient or acceptable
• Example: The supply was adequate for the needs.
• Pronunciation: /ˈæd.ɪ.kwət/ - Adhesive
• Meaning: Sticky; able to adhere
• Example: An adhesive label was placed on the package.
• Pronunciation: /ədˈhiː.sɪv/
⚖️ Law & Politics
- Adjudicate
• Meaning: To make a formal judgment
• Example: The judge will adjudicate the case next week.
• Pronunciation: /əˈdʒuː.dɪ.keɪt/
🎯 Practice Questions (TOEFL Style)
1. Which word fits the blank?
“After months of negotiation, the two countries signed an ______.”
A) Accost B) Accord C) Adapt D) Addle
Answer: B) Accord
2. Which word best describes a confused mind?
A) Addendum B) Addled C) Abet D) Abjure
Answer: B) Addled
3. A scientist observing slow rock formation would talk about:
A) Accretion B) Abhorrence C) Adequacy D) Actuation
Answer: A) Accretion
🎓 TOEFL Tip of the Day
Using precise academic words like adjudicate, accretion, acumen, and acerbic will help you sound formal, focused, and professional in the Speaking and Writing sections.
📄 Download Resources
👉 Click here to download Master Flashcards A31-A60
👉 Click here to download Master Flashcards A1-A30
📚 Related TOEFL Resources
• 30 Academic Vocabulary Words to Boost Your TOEFL Score – Psychology & Academic Skills
• Index of all A Words
