Vocabulary List for 8th Graders
This list below contains almost 100 of the most important vocabulary words for 8th grade students to learn.
Add these to your mental word bank and watch your confidence grow in both speaking and writing.
In addition to the definition, each word's page includes 20+ sentence examples.
This is critical as language is contextual and can't be learned from definition alone.
abhor
abrasive
alternative
ambiguous
amiss
anarchy
anonymous
anthology
apathy
apprehend
assimilate
assumption
audacious
authority
avid
ban
belligerent
bisect
bizarre
boycott
capable
cause
characterize
chronological
commence
compels
concise
conclude
confiscate
conjecture
conscientious
consecutive
consistent
construct
contrast
corroborate
depict
derive
despicable
despondent
elapse
embark
encompass
endeavor
evidence
evoke
feasible
focus
formula
generation
gruesome
imminent
impel
imperative
inspire
integrate
interrogate
merge
modify
mutiny
narrate
novice
obsolete
opposition
perish
perspective
persuasive
plagiarize
precise
prediction
prevalent
procedure
profound
proprietor
prudent
pseudonym
quote
rebel
rebuff
rebuke
recur
resilient
response
reverberate
significant
similar
simulate
simultaneous
source
specific
spontaneous
surmise
theory
tirade
universal
validate
variable
Other Vocab Lists
- High School Freshmen - 9th grade vocab words
- Middle School - 7th grade vocabulary words
- Middle School - 6th grade vocabulary list
Why Vocabulary Matters

Learning vocabulary words is important because it allows you to communicate better with others, understand texts more easily, and read more books.
We use words every single day, whether in conversation or in reading articles, but do we know what these words mean?
There are many different ways to study vocabulary words. Some people prefer studying them on their own while others collaborate with classmates. Whichever way you choose to study them, learning vocabulary has many benefits for us all.
It helps you understand what you're reading. According to research, children must comprehend 98 percent of the words they read in order to comprehend what they are reading. Their comprehension of novels and textbooks will increase as their vocabulary grows.
It is crucial for language development. Children with a large vocabulary are more likely to think deeply, express themselves more clearly, and read more. Improving language and literacy abilities early in childhood will enable children to achieve greater academic and communication success.
A good vocabulary basis is necessary for effective communication, or "saying what you mean." When you speak, using the appropriate words makes you a more effective communicator.