IdiomPal Word List for the TOEIC® Test

A sample of common workplace vocabulary for TOEIC® test preparation, grouped by topic, with meanings and example sentences. The IdiomPal app includes all 1,246 words with flashcards and quizzes.

Human resources

acceptance n.

state of being okay with something or someone

Example: Her acceptance of the job offer pleased the hiring manager.

booklet n.

a small book, leaflet, or brochure

Example: The training booklet contains essential information for all new employees.

born adj.

brought to life

Example: He is a born leader who can motivate the sales team easily.

dislike v.

to not like, hate

Example: Some employees dislike working late, so we offer flexible hours.

enjoyable adj.

not boring, fun

Example: The team-building workshop was highly enjoyable and productive for everyone.

fitness n.

the state of being healthy

Example: The company offers free gym memberships to promote employee fitness.

incomplete adj.

not yet finished

Example: Please do not submit incomplete applications to the HR department.

indoor adj.

inside a house or building

Example: The company retreat features various indoor activities for all staff.

inexperience n.

to not have much practice with something

Example: Her temporary mistakes were caused by her inexperience in sales.

managerial adj.

to do with management or supervision

Example: She has over five years of managerial experience in hospitality.

placement n.

the act of placing someone in a job or the location of something

Example: The agency specializes in the placement of temporary office staff.

poorly adv.

Badly; not enough; not sufficient

Example: The team performed poorly due to a lack of preparation.

renew v.

to make something new again

Example: You must renew your professional license before the end of this month.

specialty n.

something you are very good at

Example: Digital marketing is her specialty, especially social media advertising campaigns.

sunny adj.

a day with no clouds or rain just sunshine

Example: We hope for sunny weather for the outdoor team-building activities tomorrow.

taker n.

someone who does not give but only takes

Example: In a healthy workplace, there should be a balance between givers and takers.

trainee n.

someone who is learning on the job

Example: Each new trainee will be assigned a mentor during the training period.

trainer n.

one who teaches a person or animal to do something

Example: The experienced trainer explained the new software functions to the staff.

uncomfortable adj.

not pleased or happy with a situation or thing

Example: Some employees felt uncomfortable with the sudden change in office policy.

unpaid adj.

working for no money

Example: She gained valuable experience during her unpaid internship.

willingness n.

being happy to do something

Example: Her willingness to work overtime helped us complete the project on time.

actively adv.

in a way that takes effort and action

Example: The human resources department is actively seeking a new marketing director.

broaden v.

to widen

Example: Working abroad helps employees broaden their professional perspectives.

departmental adj.

to do with a specific area or unit in an organization

Example: All employees must attend the departmental meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon.

desirable adj.

worth having or wanting

Example: Previous experience in sales is highly desirable for this managerial position.

Marketing

actress n.

a female actor

Example: The marketing campaign featured a famous actress to promote the product.

advertiser n.

someone who is selling something through media

Example: The advertiser decided to increase their budget for online campaigns.

artistic adj.

to be creative, good at art

Example: The design team showed great artistic skill in the new brochure.

colorful adj.

having many different colors

Example: The marketing presentation used colorful slides to attract the clients.

dealership n.

a business that can buy and sell certain things

Example: The car dealership offers a great discount to corporate buyers.

flyer n.

brochure, leaflet

Example: We distributed a promotional flyer to attract more local customers.

generalization n.

an idea that is true most of the time but not all of the time

Example: It is a broad generalization to say that all customers prefer low prices.

honestly adv.

really, truly

Example: I honestly believe this marketing strategy will increase our sales.

lately adv.

recently

Example: Have you noticed any changes in consumer behavior lately?

meaningful adj.

to have a meaning or purpose

Example: The workshop helped us establish meaningful connections with potential clients.

mislead v.

to lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions

Example: The advertisement must not mislead consumers about the product's benefits.

nationwide adj.

all across the country

Example: The brand is planning a nationwide marketing campaign next month.

outdoor adj.

outside in the open air

Example: The company will host an outdoor exhibition during the summer.

photographer n.

someone who takes pictures for a living

Example: We need to hire a freelance photographer for our product launch.

photography n.

the art of taking pictures

Example: Product photography is essential for our online e-commerce platform.

rewrite v.

to write again differently

Example: Please rewrite the press release to make it more engaging for readers.

seller n.

someone who promotes or exchanges goods or services for money

Example: The online platform charges a fee for each item a seller lists.

shopper n.

someone who buys things in a store

Example: The store offers discounts to attract more weekend shoppers.

timely adj.

to happen at the right time or good time

Example: Your timely response to client inquiries helps maintain high customer satisfaction.

clip v.

to cut short, snip

Example: Please clip the discount coupons from the local newspaper for our records.

clue n.

a hint, a tip

Example: The low survey scores gave a clue about why customers are leaving.

creativity n.

the state of having talent and imagination

Example: Our marketing campaign requires great creativity to attract younger demographics.

engagement n.

the act of participating in something

Example: Customer engagement on our social media platforms increased by twenty percent.

favorable adj.

to be seen as good or positive

Example: The company received favorable feedback from the product testers.

indicator n.

a signal or a warning

Example: Rising customer retention rates are a good indicator of overall success.

Office

additionally adv.

furthermore, also

Example: Additionally, we need to finalize the budget by tomorrow afternoon.

afterward adv.

after an event or action

Example: We will have a presentation and then discuss the plan afterward.

anyhow adv.

anyway, besides

Example: The meeting was long, but we finished the report anyhow.

anytime adv.

at a time you choose, it's not important when

Example: You can contact our customer service department anytime for help.

bye interj.

opposite of 'hello'

Example: She said bye to her colleagues before leaving the office.

caller n.

the person that is phoning you

Example: The receptionist asked the caller to hold for a moment.

cleaner n.

someone who cleans for a living

Example: The office cleaner empties the trash bins every evening.

comfortably adv.

to do something easily

Example: The newly renovated office allows employees to work comfortably.

completion n.

the end, the finishing point

Example: The completion of this project is expected by next Friday.

definite adj.

for certain, exact

Example: We need a definite answer from the supplier by this afternoon.

explanatory adj.

to explain or make clear

Example: The presentation includes explanatory diagrams to help understand the concept.

finalize v.

to make final

Example: We must finalize the contract details before the meeting tomorrow.

heater n.

something that warms a room

Example: The office manager ordered a new heater for the conference room.

inexpensive adj.

having a low price; cheap

Example: We need to find an inexpensive venue for our annual dinner.

loudly adv.

in a manner that is not quiet

Example: Please do not speak loudly in the open office area.

neat adj.

tidy, clean

Example: Please keep your workspace neat and organized for safety.

noisy adj.

too loud

Example: The noisy construction work outside disrupted our morning meeting.

painter n.

an artist who paints

Example: We hired a professional painter to repaint the office lobby.

partially adv.

In part; in some degree; not wholly

Example: The project was only partially completed by the end of the quarter.

planner n.

a person who makes plans

Example: Our event planner coordinates all logistics for annual conferences.

postage n.

the charge for mailing something

Example: Please calculate the exact postage before sending the packages.

postal adj.

of or relating to the system for delivering mail

Example: The postal rates have increased significantly this year.

presenter n.

a person who shows and explains something to an audience

Example: The next presenter will discuss the quarterly financial results.

reconsider v.

to think something over again

Example: The board will reconsider your proposal during the next monthly meeting.

renewal n.

the act of making something new again

Example: The contract renewal requires signatures from both parties by Friday afternoon.

Finance

affordable adj.

not expensive, one is able to pay easily

Example: We need to find an affordable office space in the city center.

banker n.

someone who works for the bank

Example: Our corporate banker advised us on the best loan options available.

careless adj.

to do something with little care or attention

Example: A careless mistake in the financial report delayed the project.

costly adj.

to be expensive, to be of a high price

Example: Delaying the product launch could be a very costly mistake.

mileage n.

distance travelled in miles

Example: Employees can claim reimbursement for business mileage.

partial adj.

to be a part of something whole

Example: The company agreed to a partial refund for the damaged goods.

payable adj.

an amount of money due

Example: All invoices are payable within thirty days of receipt.

quarterly adj.

every 4 months

Example: We submit our quarterly financial statements to the board.

realistic adj.

to be reasonable or be close to real life

Example: We need to set a realistic budget for our new marketing campaign.

unemployed adj.

having no job

Example: The government provides financial assistance to unemployed citizens searching for work.

unusually adv.

not normal or usual

Example: The sales department reported unusually high revenue for this quarter.

accordingly adv.

therefore, so

Example: We must update the budget and adjust our spending accordingly.

advisor n.

someone who gives an opinion on what to do

Example: Our financial advisor recommended investing in diversified portfolios.

calculation n.

to add, subtract, multiply, divide etc.

Example: Double-check your calculation before submitting the final financial budget.

calculator n.

a device that does math for you

Example: Please bring a basic calculator to the accounting training session tomorrow.

economical adj.

of good value

Example: Hybrid cars are more economical to run for daily business trips.

economically adv.

related to use of income and money

Example: The manager managed the department's budget economically to avoid debt.

economist n.

an expert in the science of economics

Example: The chief economist predicted a rise in interest rates next quarter.

projection n.

a guess about future events, e.g. sales or income

Example: The financial projection shows a significant increase in sales next quarter.

wisely adv.

to do something that is the right thing to do

Example: The executive board wisely decided to invest in renewable energy sources.

absorb v.

to take in or soak up

Example: The company had to absorb the extra shipping costs this quarter.

accumulate v.

to slowly get more and more of something, e.g. wealth

Example: Investors hope to accumulate wealth by purchasing undervalued shares.

accuracy n.

the state of being exact and correct

Example: Double-check the financial data to ensure the accuracy of the report.

accurately adv.

when something is done correctly

Example: The automated system can accurately calculate tax deductions within seconds.

allocate v.

to assign (usually people or money) to something

Example: We need to allocate more resources to marketing campaigns this year.

Travel

baggage n.

travel bags

Example: Please keep your baggage with you at all times during the flight.

carrier n.

a person or thing that carries something

Example: We need to choose a reliable carrier for shipping our products.

gardener n.

a person who works with plants and flowers for a living

Example: The hotel hired a professional gardener to maintain the courtyard.

hourly adj.

happens every 60 minutes

Example: The shuttle bus provides hourly service to the airport terminal.

icy adj.

made of ice

Example: Employees should drive carefully on the icy roads today.

rainy adj.

water from the clouds, wet or showery

Example: The outdoor corporate event was postponed due to the rainy weather forecast.

rental n.

the act of paying for the use of something (as an apartment or house or car)

Example: The company covers the cost of car rental during business trips.

snowy adj.

cold weather with snow falling

Example: Travel plans were disrupted due to the snowy conditions in Europe.

traveler n.

a tourist or adventurer who visits many countries

Example: The travel agency offers custom tour packages for business travelers.

windy adj.

weather that is stormy or gusty

Example: Flights were delayed today due to extremely windy weather conditions.

adapter n.

something that connects to something to make it usable

Example: Please bring a power adapter for your laptop when traveling abroad.

announcer n.

someone who gives a message publicly

Example: The airport announcer warned passengers about the gate change.

asleep adj.

not awake, in sleep

Example: He fell asleep on the long flight to the overseas conference.

attendant n.

someone who waits on or tends to the needs of another

Example: The flight attendant helped passengers store their carry-on luggage.

basket n.

a container made of pieces of wood

Example: We placed a gift basket of local fruits in the client's hotel room.

blanket n.

a large piece of cloth used to cover someone or something

Example: Passengers can request a warm blanket during the overnight flight.

brake v.

to stop a vehicle by pressing a pedal

Example: You must brake gently when driving the delivery van in heavy rain.

captain n.

the person in charge of a ship or airplane

Example: The captain announced a brief delay due to severe weather conditions ahead.

cart n.

a wagon or truck used to for transport

Example: Please return the luggage cart to the designated area near the airport entrance.

conditioner n.

shampoo-like substance used after washing hair

Example: The hotel provides premium shampoo and conditioner for all executive suite guests.

deck n.

like a patio or terrace

Example: The hotel features a beautiful outdoor deck overlooking the ocean for events.

dine v.

have supper; eat dinner

Example: The executives plan to dine at a local restaurant after the conference ends.

diner n.

a small, informal restaurant

Example: We grabbed a quick breakfast at a nearby diner before the meeting started.

dive v.

jump in or swim under water

Example: Tourists often dive in the marine reserve during their stay at the resort.

elephant n.

a large animal with a long trunk and big ears found in Africa and Asia

Example: The tourism agency organized a safari trip to see wild elephants.

Technology

beginner n.

to be new at something

Example: This software training program is designed for the absolute beginner.

fortunately adv.

happily, luckily

Example: Fortunately, the technical issue was resolved before the product demonstration.

internet n.

the information highway, the worldwide web

Example: The IT team is working to restore our office internet connection.

probable adj.

possible, but not certain to be or become true or real

Example: The probable cause of the delay was a system error.

programmer n.

a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs

Example: The senior programmer updated the software to fix the bug.

safely adv.

in a way that is not dangerous

Example: All confidential customer data must be safely stored on secure servers.

simplify v.

make easier to understand

Example: The team is working to simplify the user interface of the app.

specially adv.

in particular

Example: This software tool was specially designed to help managers track project progress.

unreal adj.

not true to life

Example: The graphics in this new virtual reality program feel unreal.

accessible adj.

available, easy to reach

Example: The database is accessible to all employees via the company intranet.

advisable adj.

something one should do, or is good to do

Example: It is advisable to back up your data before upgrading the software.

battery n.

something that produces electric energy

Example: My laptop battery is low, so I need to find an outlet.

commonly adv.

frequently, usually

Example: This software is commonly used by graphic designers to create marketing flyers.

correctly adv.

to do something the right way

Example: Ensure all customer addresses are entered correctly into the database system.

influential adj.

powerful

Example: The CEO is one of the most influential figures in tech.

instruct v.

to teach

Example: The software developer will instruct the team on how to use the database.

lab n.

where you do experiments

Example: The research lab developed a new prototype for the technology.

lighter adj.

not as heavy as

Example: The new laptop model is much lighter than the previous version.

occurrence n.

something that happens

Example: Server downtime is a rare occurrence due to our excellent IT support.

reliability n.

the state of being trustworthy

Example: The reliability of our server is critical for daily business operations.

smoothly adv.

to do something easily with no trouble

Example: The transition to the new software system went very smoothly.

tech n.

short form of the word 'technology'

Example: The tech industry is rapidly evolving with new innovations.

unfamiliar adj.

not well known

Example: She felt hesitant when using the unfamiliar software interface.

unlimited adj.

without end

Example: Our premium subscription plan offers unlimited cloud storage space.

administrator n.

the person who manages an office

Example: Contact the network administrator if you cannot log into your account.

General

cleanliness n.

state of being not dirty, clean

Example: The restaurant must maintain high standards of cleanliness at all times.

collector n.

someone who buys and keeps old things

Example: He is an art collector who often buys expensive paintings.

homeless adj.

to be without a place to live

Example: The company donates unused office furniture to local homeless shelters.

hungry adj.

in need of food, needing to eat

Example: After the long seminar, all the attendees were very hungry.

mister n.

a form of address for a man

Example: Please welcome our keynote speaker, Mister David Evans.

pottery n.

earthenware, stoneware, ceramics

Example: The shop sells beautiful pottery imported from Japan.

unsure adj.

not certain or sure

Example: If you are unsure about the contract terms, consult our legal team.

whoever pron.

anyone who

Example: Whoever submits the best proposal will win the design contract.

yearly adj.

happening every 12 months

Example: Our company holds a yearly conference to discuss strategic goals.

accent n.

special manner of oral expression

Example: He speaks English with a strong French accent during presentations.

amuse v.

to entertain

Example: The speaker tried to amuse the audience with a lighthearted joke.

appreciation n.

to show thanks for something or someone

Example: We sent thank-you cards to express our appreciation for their support.

cloudy adj.

weather where the sky is filled with clouds

Example: Although the weather is cloudy, the outdoor corporate event will proceed as scheduled.

commerce n.

trade, business, industry

Example: The chamber of commerce promotes local business growth through networking events.

complication n.

the act of making something more difficult

Example: A legal complication delayed the signing of the merger agreement for weeks.

developer n.

someone who designs and builds properties

Example: The property developer plans to build a new commercial center downtown next year.

disappointment n.

what is felt when someone does not fulfill your expectations

Example: The cancellation of the contract was a major disappointment for the sales team.

editorial n.

a newspaper article written by the editor

Example: The local newspaper published an editorial about the city's new economic policy.

excellence n.

the state of being very, very good

Example: Our company received an award for operational excellence in logistics.

inspector n.

a high ranking police officer

Example: The police inspector arrived to investigate the security breach at the corporate office.

lengthy adj.

long in time or size

Example: After a lengthy negotiation, we finally signed the contract yesterday.

mower n.

machine used to cut grass

Example: The landscaping crew brought a new riding mower to clear the fields.

performer n.

an entertainer like an actor or a singer

Example: Each performer must sign a waiver before appearing on the television show.

similarity n.

the state of being almost the same

Example: There is a strong similarity between these two design concepts.

traditionally adv.

to do things the way they used to be done

Example: Traditionally, our company hosts a year-end banquet for all employees.

Daily life

cooler n.

a box (filled with ice) that keeps drinks cold

Example: Please bring a cooler with cold drinks to the company picnic.

delicious adj.

to taste good

Example: The catering service prepared delicious food for our annual corporate party.

rider n.

someone who uses an animal or a bicycle or motorcycle for transport

Example: Every delivery rider must wear a helmet for safety while working.

runner n.

someone who travels on foot by running

Example: The local marathon attracts thousands of runners from around the world.

sleepy adj.

tired, ready for bed

Example: Employees often feel sleepy after having a heavy lunch in the afternoon.

tablecloth n.

a cover for a table

Example: The banquet staff placed a clean white tablecloth on each dining table.

tasty adj.

delicious

Example: The cafeteria serves tasty and healthy meals to all employees daily.

apple n.

a type of fruit from trees that is green, red, or yellow

Example: The cafeteria serves fresh fruit, including a green apple with lunch.

bake v.

to cook things inside the oven

Example: The cafeteria staff will bake fresh pastries early every morning.

baker n.

someone who bakes for a living

Example: Our head baker created a special menu for the catering event.

bakery n.

a place where baked goods (breads and cakes and pastries) are made and sold

Example: The local bakery supplies bread to several restaurants in the city.

bean n.

a long thin green vegetable

Example: Coffee bean quality determines the flavor profile of the final brew.

butter n.

a kind of soft spread for bread, made from cow's milk

Example: The restaurant ordered twenty kilograms of butter for the upcoming holiday banquet.

fry v.

to cook in a pan

Example: The restaurant staff fry fresh vegetables for the daily lunch special.

grocery n.

a place that sells food items

Example: The local grocery store expanded its organic product section.

hobby n.

something you do in your spare time for fun

Example: Designing mobile applications started as a hobby but became my career.

juice n.

the natural liquid from a plant or fruit

Example: We provide fresh juice in the office breakroom every morning.

pan n.

a flat, round cooking container used for frying

Example: The chef heated the pan before searing the high-quality beef.

pie n.

round, covered pastrywith a filling like cherry or apple

Example: They ordered a large apple pie for the office anniversary party.

provider n.

someone who takes care of others with money, food, home

Example: As the primary provider, he works hard to support his entire family.

ray n.

a beam of light from the sun

Example: A ray of sunlight passed through the office window in the morning.

recipe n.

directions for baking or cooking something

Example: The chef shared his secret recipe for the popular restaurant dish.

refrigerator n.

an electric box that cools food

Example: Please put the leftover food in the breakroom refrigerator.

salad n.

food made of mainly leaves or lettuce and vegetables

Example: He ordered a chicken salad for lunch at the cafeteria.

sandwich n.

two pieces of bread with a filling inside, e.g. meat or jam

Example: She grabbed a quick sandwich before heading to the meeting.

Manufacturing

dependable adj.

reliable, trustworthy

Example: We are looking for a dependable supplier who always delivers on time.

locally adv.

in a specific area

Example: We prefer to source our manufacturing materials locally to save costs.

machinery n.

tools, equipment

Example: The factory recently upgraded its heavy packaging machinery.

protective adj.

to want to keep safe

Example: All factory workers must wear protective gear at all times.

shipment n.

delivery of goods, e.g. carried by a large vehicle

Example: We expect the shipment of electronic components to arrive by tomorrow morning.

shortage n.

a lack of something

Example: The factory is experiencing a critical shortage of raw materials this month.

sticker n.

a label with glue on the back

Example: Please place a barcode sticker on each package before shipping.

thirsty adj.

in need of water

Example: Warehouse workers get thirsty easily during the hot summer months.

unexpected adj.

to be a surprise

Example: The unexpected delay in shipping caused us to miss our deadline.

unload v.

to remove something (usually from a truck)

Example: The workers will unload the delivery truck at the loading dock.

bug n.

an insect

Example: The warehouse was sprayed to eliminate any bug infestation before the shipment arrived.

cage n.

a box-like crate usually made of steel

Example: The warehouse uses a secure metal cage to store high-value electronics safely.

centimeter n.

a form of measurement, e.g. there are 100 cm in a meter

Example: The product packaging needs to be one centimeter wider to fit the manual.

container n.

something that holds things

Example: The shipping container was loaded onto the vessel early this morning.

electrical adj.

to do with electricity

Example: All electrical equipment must undergo a safety inspection every six months.

electrician n.

a person who installs or repairs electrical or telephone lines

Example: We hired a certified electrician to rewire the server room safely.

environmentally adv.

related to natural surroundings

Example: The factory invested in environmentally friendly machinery to reduce emissions.

faulty adj.

broken, not perfect

Example: The manufacturer recalled all faulty hard drives from the market.

harmful adj.

damaging, hurtful

Example: The company policy strictly prohibits dumping harmful chemicals near rivers.

inspect v.

look over carefully

Example: Quality control officers inspect each batch of products before shipment.

inspection n.

a formal or official examination of something

Example: The facility passed the environmental inspection with an excellent rating.

irregular adj.

occuring at unexpected times

Example: We experienced irregular shipments last month due to global shipping delays.

kilometer n.

a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters

Example: The new factory is located one kilometer away from the main highway.

lightweight adj.

someone or something that is not heavy

Example: This lightweight material is perfect for manufacturing our portable devices.

mask n.

something that covers your face

Example: Factory workers must wear a protective mask when handling chemical substances.

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TOEIC is a registered trademark of ETS. This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS. Word list based on the TOEIC Service List 1.2 by Browne & Culligan, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Meanings and examples are AI-assisted adaptations under the same license.