< V > TOEFL Vocabulary (5)

Time Efficiency

1. adjust v. To change; to get accustomed to something

Travelers are advised to adjust their watches before arriving in the new time zone.

Parts of speech adjustment n, adjustable adj

2. arbitrary adj. Chosen simply by whim or chance, not for any specific reason

The decision to build a school in Blackberry Township was  arbitrary, without any thought to future housing patterns.

Parts of speech arbitrate v, arbitrator n, arbitrarily adv

3. denominator n. The number written below the line in a fraction

In the fraction 1⁄2, the number 2 is the denominator.

Usage tips The phrase lowest common denominator means “the most basic and unsophisticated things that most people share.”

Parts of speech denominate v, denomination n, denominational adj

4. exponentially adv. At a very fast rate

In Turkey, the value of the lira has decreased exponentially in the last several decades.

Usage tips Exponentially is taken from mathematics, where an exponent is a number indicating how many times something is multiplied by itself. For example, 43 contains the exponent “3”, indicating 4 × 4 × 4.

Parts of speech exponent n, exponential adj

5. infinitesimal adj. Immeasurably small

The number of contaminants in the water was infinitesimal, so the water was safe to drink.

Parts of speech infinitesimally adv

6. maximize v. To increase or make as great as possible

A coach helps each athlete maximize his or her potential.

Parts of speech maximum n, maximum adj

7. parallel adj. Being an equal distance apart everywhere

The street where I live runs parallel to the main road through town.

Usage tips Parallel is often followed by to.

Parts of speech parallel n, parallel adv

8. proportion n. A part in relation to the whole

The average employee spends a large proportion of each workday answering e-mails.

Usage tips Proportion is often followed by of.

Parts of speech proportionate adj, proportionally adv

9. rate n. The cost per unit of a good or service; the motion or change that happens in a certain time.

Postal rates in Japan are among the highest in the world.

Some grasses grow at the rate of one inch per day.

Parts of speech rate v, rating n

10. sequence v. To organize or arrange in succession

Volunteers have been asked to sequence the files and organize the boxes.

Parts of speech sequence n, sequentially adv