168 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
tangential (tan·'jen·sha ̆l) adj. 1. only superficially relevant; of no substantive
connection. 2. of or relating to a tangent. Rudy’s thesis paper contained tangential
statements, not relevant facts.
tangible ('tan·j ̆·be ̆l) adj. able to be perceived by touch, palpable; real or con-
crete. There is no tangible evidence of misconduct; it’s all hearsay.
tawdry ('taw·dree) adj. gaudy or showy but without any real value; flashy and
tasteless. I’ve never seen such a tawdry outfit as the three-tiered taffeta prom gown
that the music singer wore to the awards ceremony!
teem (teem) v. to be full of; to be present in large numbers. The fisherman found a
stream teeming with bass.
temerity (te ̆·'mer·i·tee) n. foolish disregard of danger; brashness, audacity. This
is no time for temerity; we must move cautiously to avoid any further damage.
tenacious (te ̆·'nay·shu ̆s) adj. 1. holding firmly to something, such as a right or
principle; persistent, stubbornly unyielding. 2. holding firmly, cohesive.- sticking firmly, adhesive. 4. (of memory) retentive. When it comes to fighting
for equality, she is the most tenacious person I know.
tendentious (ten·'den·shu ̆s) adj. biased, not impartial, partisan; supporting a
particular cause or position. The tendentious proposal caused an uproar on the Sen-
ate floor.
tenet ('ten·it) n. a belief, opinion, doctrine or principle held to be true by a person,
group, or organization. This pamphlet describes the tenets of Amnesty International.
tenuous ('ten·yoo·u ̆s) adj. 1. unsubstantial, flimsy. 2. having little substance or
validity. Though the connection between the two crimes seemed tenuous at first, a
thorough investigation showed they were committed by the same person.
terse (turs) adj. concise, using no unnecessary words, succinct. After our disagree-
ment, Heidi and I engaged only in terse exchanges.
thwart (thwort) v. to prevent the accomplishment or realization of something.
The general thwarted an attack by the opposing army.
timid ('tim·id) adj. lacking confidence, conviction, or courage; fearful, hesitant,
shy. Adele was so timid she could barely muster the courage to look another person in
the eye.
timorous ('tim·o ̆·ru ̆s) adj. fearful, timid, afraid. The stray dog was timorous, and it
took a great deal of coaxing to get him to come near the car.