empirical
Based on observation, experience, or experiment.
ExampleThe professor asks whether the claim is supported by empirical evidence.
ExampleThe passage contrasts speculation with empirical data.
Usage Scenarios
Evaluating evidence
Recognize empirical when a claim is supported by data, measurement, observation, or experiment rather than belief.
ExampleThe professor says the argument lacks empirical evidence.
Reading research passages
Recognize it when the passage contrasts theory with observed results.
ExampleEmpirical data from field studies challenged the older explanation.
Usage Guide
Recognize empirical when a TOEFL passage discusses research based on actual observation or experiment. It often appears near evidence, data, study, or findings.
The safest chunks are empirical evidence, empirical data, and empirical research. These phrases are common in academic passages.
Do not use empirical for any strong opinion. The word requires a connection to observation, experience, data, or experiment.
Word Forms & Word Building
Empirical is the adjective. It usually modifies evidence, data, research, study, or findings.
Empirically is the adverb. It means through observation or experiment: empirically tested.
Empiricism is the philosophy that knowledge comes from experience, but TOEFL learners mostly need empirical.
Meaning Boundaries
Empirical vs theoretical
Theoretical is based on ideas or models. Empirical is based on observation or experiment.
Empirical vs anecdotal
Anecdotal evidence comes from individual stories. Empirical evidence is usually more systematic.
Register
Empirical is formal and common in TOEFL academic reading and science lectures.
Memory Tricks
Think evidence you can observe. Empirical is tied to data, experiments, and experience.
Study empirical evidence as one chunk; it is the most useful TOEFL phrase.
When a passage compares ideas, ask which side has empirical support.
Common Traps
Do not use empirical to mean important. It means evidence-based.
Do not pair empirical with feelings unless the feelings are measured in a study.