Kaplan GRE & GMAT Exams Writing Workbook, 3rd Edition (2008)
GRE & GMAT Resources
Vocabulary Builder
A
Abandon (n): total lack of inhibition
Abase: to humble, disgrace
Abash: to embarrass
Abatement: decrease, reduction
Abdicate: to give up a position, right, or power
Aberrant: atypical, not normal
Aberration: something different from the usual or normal
Abet: to aid, act as accomplice
Abeyance: temporary suppression or suspension
Abhor: to loathe, detest
Abiding: enduring, continuing
Abject: miserable, pitiful
Abjure: to reject, abandon formally
Ablution: act of cleansing
Abnegate: to deny, renounce
Abolitionist: one who opposes the practice of slavery
Abominate: to hate
Abortive: interrupted while incomplete
Abridge: to condense, shorten
Abrogate: to abolish or invalidate by authority
Abscond: to depart secretly
Absolve: to forgive, free from blame
Abstain: to refrain deliberately from something
Abstemious: moderate in appetite
Abstruse: difficult to comprehend
Abut: to touch, to be in contact with
Abyss: an extremely great depth
Accede: to express approval; agree to
Accessory: attachment, ornament; accomplice, partner
Accolade: praise, distinction
Accommodating: helpful
Accord: to reconcile, come to an agreement
Accost: to approach and speak to someone
Accretion: growth in size or increase in amount
Accrue: to accumulate, grow by additions
Acerbic: bitter, sharp in taste or temper
Acidulous: sour in taste or manner
Acme: highest point, summit
Acquiesce: to agree, comply quietly
Acquittal: release from blame
Acrid: harsh, bitter
Acrimony: bitterness, animosity
Acuity: sharpness
Acumen: sharpness of insight
Adage: old saying or proverb
Adamant: uncompromising, unyielding
Adjacent: next to
Adjunct: something added, attached, or joined
Admonish: to caution or reprimand
Adroit: skillful, accomplished, highly competent
Adulation: high praise
Adulterate: to corrupt or make impure
Adumbrate: to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
Adventitious: accidental
Adversarial: antagonistic, competitive
Adverse: unfavorable, unlucky, harmful
Aerial: having to do with the air
Aerie: nook or nest built high in the air
Aesthetic: pertaining to beauty or art
Affable: friendly, easy to approach
Affected (adj): pretentious, phony
Affinity: fondness, liking; similarity
Affront (n): personal offense, insult
Agenda: plan, schedule
Aggrandize: to make larger or greater in power
Aggregate (n): collective mass or sum; total
Aggrieve: to afflict, distress
Agile: well coordinated, nimble
Agitation: commotion, excitement; uneasiness
Agnostic: one doubting that people can know God
Agrarian: relating to farming or rural matters
Alacrity: cheerful willingness, eagerness; speed
Alchemy: medieval chemical philosophy based on quest to change metal into gold
Algorithm: mechanical problem-solving procedure
Alias: assumed name
Alienated: distanced, estranged
Aligned: precisely adjusted; committed to one side or party
Allay: to lessen, ease, or soothe
Allegory: symbolic representation
Alliteration: repetition of the beginning sounds of words
Allocation: allowance, portion, share
Allure (v): to entice by charm; attract
Allusion: indirect reference
Allusiveness: quality of making many indirect references
Altercation: noisy dispute
Altruism: unselfish concern for others’ welfare
Amalgam: mixture, combination, alloy
Ambidextrous: able to use both hands equally well
Ambiguous: uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations
Ambivalence: attitude of uncertainty; conflicting emotions
Ambulatory: itinerant; related to walking around
Ameliorate: to make better, improve
Amenable: agreeable, cooperative
Amend: to improve or correct flaws in
Amenity: pleasantness; something increasing comfort
Amiable: friendly, pleasant, likable
Amicable: friendly, agreeable
Amity: friendship
Amoral: unprincipled, unethical
Amorous: strongly attracted to love; showing love
Amorphous: having no definite form
Amortize: to diminish by installment payments
Amphitheater: arena theater with rising tiers around a central open space
Ample: abundant, plentiful
Amplify: to increase, intensify
Amulet: ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
Anachronism: something chronologically inappropriate
Anachronistic: outdated
Analgesia: a lessening of pain
Analogous: comparable, parallel
Anarchy: absence of government or law; chaos
Anathema: ban, curse; something shunned or disliked
Ancillary: accessory, subordinate, helping
Anecdote: short, usually funny account of an event
Angular: characterized by sharp angles; lean and gaunt
Animation: enthusiasm, excitement
Animosity: hatred, hostility
Annul: to cancel, nullify, declare void, or make legally invalid
Anodyne: something that calms or soothes pain
Anoint: to apply oil to, esp. as a sacred rite
Anomaly: irregularity or deviation from the norm
Anonymity: condition of having no name or an unknown name
Antagonist: foe, opponent, adversary
Antecedent (adj): coming before in place or time
Antedate: dated prior to the actual occurrence
Antediluvian: prehistoric, ancient beyond measure
Antepenultimate: third from last
Anterior: preceding, previous, before, prior (to)
Anthology: collection of literary works
Anthropomorphic: attributing human qualities to nonhumans
Antipathy: dislike, hostility; extreme opposition or aversion
Antiquated: outdated, obsolete
Antiquity: ancient times; the quality of being old or ancient
Antithesis: exact opposite or direct contrast
Apace: done quickly
Apathetic: indifferent, unconcerned
Apathy: lack of feeling or emotion
Aperture: an opening or hole
Aphasia: inability to speak or use words
Aphelion: point in a planet’s orbit that is farthest from the sun
Aphorism: old saying or short pithy statement
Aplomb: poise, confidence
Apocryphal: not genuine; fictional
Apostate (n): one who renounces a religious faith
Apostrophe: speech to the reader or someone not present; a superscript sign (‘)
Apothegm: a short, instructive saying
Apotheosis: glorification; glorified ideal
Appease: to satisfy, placate, calm, pacify
Append: to attach
Appraise: to evaluate the value of something
Apprehension: the act of comprehending; fear, foreboding
Apprise: to give notice of; inform
Approbation: praise; official approval
Appropriate (v): to take possession of
Arable: suitable for cultivation
Arbitrary: depending solely on individual will; inconsistent
Arbitrator: mediator, negotiator
Arboreal: relating to trees; living in trees
Arboretum: place where trees are displayed and studied
Arcane: secret, obscure, known only to a few
Archaic: antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated
Archipelago: large group of islands
Ardent: passionate, enthusiastic, fervent
Ardor: great emotion or passion
Arduous: extremely difficult, laborious
Arraign: to call to court to answer a charge
Arrogate: to demand, claim arrogantly
Arsenal: ammunition storehouse
Articulate (adj): well-spoken, expressing oneself clearly
Artifact: historical relic, item made by human craft
Artisan: craftsperson; expert
Artless: open and honest
Ascend: to rise or climb
Ascendancy: state of rising, ascending; power or control
Ascertain: to determine, discover, make certain of
Ascetic (adj): self-denying, abstinent, austere
Ascribe: to attribute to, assign
Ashen: resembling ashes; deathly pale
Asinine: lacking intelligence or sound judgment
Askance: scornfully
Askew: crooked, tilted
Asocial: unable or unwilling to interact socially
Asperity: harshness, roughness
Aspersion: false rumor, damaging report, slander
Aspire: to have great hopes; to aim at a goal
Assail: to attack, assault
Assay: to analyze or estimate
Assent (v): to express agreement
Assiduous: diligent, persistent, hardworking
Assignation: appointment for lovers’ meeting; assignment
Assimilation: act of blending in, becoming similar
Assonance: resemblance in sound, especially in vowel sounds; partial rhyme
Assuage: to make less severe, ease, relieve
Astral: exalted, elevated in position; relating to the stars
Astringent: harsh, severe, stern
Astute: having good judgment
Asunder (adv): into different parts
Asymmetrical: not corresponding in size, shape, position, etcetera
Atone: to make amends for a wrong
Atrocious: monstrous, shockingly bad, wicked
Atrophy (v): to waste away, wither from disuse
Attenuate: to make thin or slender; weaken
Attest: to testify, stand as proof of, bear witness
Audacious: bold, daring, fearless
Audible: capable of being heard
Audit (n): formal examination of financial records
Auditory: having to do with hearing
Augment: to expand, extend
Augury (adj): prophecy, prediction of events
August: dignified, awe-inspiring, venerable
Auspicious: having favorable prospects, promising
Austere: stern, strict, unadorned
Authoritarian: extremely strict, bossy
Autocrat: dictator
Autonomous: separate, independent
Auxiliary: supplementary, reserve
Avarice: greed
Avenge: to retaliate, take revenge for an injury or crime
Aver: to declare to be true, affirm
Averse: being disinclined toward something
Aversion: intense dislike
Avert: to turn (something) away; prevent
Aviary: large enclosure housing birds
Avow: to state openly or declare
Awry: crooked, askew, amiss
Axiom: premise, postulate, self-evident truth
B
Bacchanalian: drunkenly festive
Baleful: harmful, with evil intentions
Balk (v): to refuse, shirk; prevent
Ballad: folk song, narrative poem
Balm: soothing, healing influence
Ban (v): to forbid, outlaw
Banal: trite and overly common
Bane: something causing ruin, death, or destruction
Banter: playful conversation
Base: being of low value or position
Bastion: fortification, stronghold
Bay (v): to bark, especially in a deep, prolonged way
Beatific: appearing to be saintly, angelic
Becalm: to make calm or still; keep motionless by lack of wind
Becloud: to confuse; darken with clouds
Beguile: to deceive, mislead; charm
Behemoth: huge creature
Belabor: to insist repeatedly or harp on
Beleaguer: to harass, plague
Belfry: bell tower, room in which a bell is hung
Belie: to misrepresent; expose as false
Belittle: to represent as unimportant, make light of
Bellicose: warlike, aggressive
Belligerent: hostile, tending to fight
Bellow: to roar, shout
Bemuse: to confuse, stupefy; plunge deep into thought
Benchmark: standard of measure
Benefactor: someone giving aid or money
Beneficent: kindly, charitable; doing good deeds; producing good effects
Benighted: unenlightened
Benign: kindly, gentle or harmless
Benison: blessing
Bent: a natural inclination toward something
Bequeath: to give or leave through a will; to hand down
Bereaved: suffering the death of a loved one
Beseech: to beg, plead, implore
Besmear: to smear
Bespatter: to spatter
Bestial: beastly, animal-like
Bestow: to give as a gift
Betoken: to indicate, signify, give evidence of
Bevy: group
Bias: prejudice, slant
Bibliophile: book lover
Bicker: to have a petty argument
Bifurcate: divide into two parts
Bilateral: two-sided
Bilious: bad-natured
Bilk: to cheat, defraud
Billet: board and lodging for troops
Biped: two-footed animal
Bisect: to cut into two (usually equal) parts
Blanch: to pale; take the color out of
Blandish: to coax with flattery
Blasphemous: cursing, profane, irreverent
Blatant: glaring, obvious, showy
Blight (v): to afflict, destroy
Blithe: joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
Bludgeon: to hit as with a short heavy club
Bluster: to boast or make threats loudly
Boisterous: rowdy, loud, unrestrained
Bolster: to support; reinforce
Bombastic: using high-sounding but meaningless language
Bonanza: extremely large amount; something profitable
Bonhomie: good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
Boon: blessing, something to be thankful for
Boor: crude person, one lacking manners or taste
Botanist: scientist who studies plants
Bountiful: plentiful
Bouquet: a bunch of cut flowers
Bourgeois: middle-class
Bovine: relating to cows
Brazen: bold, shameless, impudent; of or like brass
Breach: act of breaking, violation
Brevity: the quality of being brief in time
Brigand: bandit, outlaw
Broach: to mention or suggest for the first time
Bromide: a dull, commonplace person or idea
Brusque: rough and abrupt in manner
Buffet (v): to strike, hit
Buffoon: clown or fool
Bulwark: defense wall; anything serving as defense
Burgeon: to sprout or flourish
Burly: brawny, husky
Burnish: to polish, make smooth and bright
Bursar: treasurer
Bustle: commotion, energetic activity
Butt: person or thing that is object of ridicule
Buttress (v): to reinforce or support
Byway: back road
C
Cabal: a secret group seeking to overturn something
Cacophonous: jarring, unpleasantly noisy
Cadaver: dead body
Cadence: rhythmic flow of poetry; marching beat
Cajole: to flatter, coax, persuade
Calamitous: disastrous, catastrophic
Callous: thick-skinned, insensitive
Callow: immature, lacking sophistication
Calumny: false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
Canard: a lie
Candid: frank or fair
Candor: honesty of expression
Canny: smart; founded on common sense
Canonize: to declare a person a saint; raise to highest honors
Canvass: to examine thoroughly; conduct a poll
Capacious: large, roomy; extensive
Capitulate: to submit completely, surrender
Capricious: impulsive, whimsical, without much thought
Careen: to lean to one side
Carnal: of the flesh
Carom: to strike and rebound
Carp (v): to find fault, complain constantly
Cartography: science or art of making maps
Cast (n): copy, replica
Cast (v): to fling, to throw
Castigate: to punish, chastise, criticize severely
Cataclysmic: disastrous
Categorical: absolute, without exception
Catharsis: purification, cleansing
Catholic: universal; broad and comprehensive
Caucus: smaller group within an organization; a meeting of such a group
Caulk: to make watertight
Causality: cause-and-effect relationship
Caustic: biting, sarcastic; able to burn
Cavalcade: a procession
Cavalier(adj): carefree, happy; with lordly disdain
Cavil: to raise trivial objections
Cavort: to frolic, frisk
Cede: to surrender possession of something
Celerity: rapidity of motion or action
Censorious: severely critical
Censure: to criticize or find fault with
Centripetal: directed or moving toward the center
Certitude: assurance, certainty
Cessation: temporary or complete halt
Cession: act of surrendering something
Chagrin: shame, embarrassment, humiliation
Chalice: goblet, cup
Champ (v): chew noisily
Champion (v): to defend or support
Chaotic: extremely disorderly
Charlatan: quack, fake
Chary: watchful, cautious, extremely shy
Chastise: to punish, discipline, scold
Chattel: piece of personal property
Chauvinist: someone prejudiced in the belief of their kind’s superiority
Cheeky: lacking prudence or discretion
Cherubic: sweet, innocent, resembling a cherub angel
Chicanery: trickery, fraud, deception
Chide: to scold, express disapproval
Chimerical: fanciful, imaginary, visionary; impossible
Choice (adj): specially selected, preferred
Choleric: easily angered, short-tempered
Chortle: to chuckle
Chromatic: relating to color
Chronicler: one who keeps records of historical events
Churlish: rude
Circuitous: roundabout
Circumlocution: roundabout, lengthy way of saying something
Circumnavigate: to sail completely around
Circumscribe: to encircle; set limits on, confine
Circumspect: cautious, wary
Circumvent: to go around; avoid
Cistern: tank for rainwater
Citadel: fortress or stronghold
Civil: polite; relating to citizens
Civility: courtesy, politeness
Clairvoyant (adj): having ESP, psychic
Clamor (n): noisy outcry
Clamor (v): to make a noisy outcry
Clandestine: secretive, concealed for a darker purpose
Clarity: clearness; clear understanding
Cleave: to split or separate; to stick, cling, adhere
Clemency: merciful leniency
Clement: mild
Cloister (v): to confine, seclude
Cloying: indulging to excess
Coagulate: to clot or change from a liquid to a solid
Coalesce: to grow together or cause to unite as one
Coddle: to baby, treat indulgently
Coerce: to compel by force or intimidation
Coffer: strongbox, large chest for money
Cogent: logically forceful, compelling, convincing
Cognate: related, similar, akin
Cognition: mental process by which knowledge is acquired
Cognomen: family name; any name, especially a nickname
Cohabit: to live together
Coherent: intelligible, lucid, understandable
Collate: to arrange in an order
Collateral: accompanying
Collected: acting calm and composed
Colloquial: characteristic of informal speech
Colloquy: dialogue or conversation, conference
Collusion: collaboration, complicity, conspiracy
Comeliness: physical grace and beauty
Commend: to compliment, praise
Commensurate: proportional
Commission: fee payable to an agent; authorization
Commodious: roomy, spacious
Communicable: transmittable
Commute: to change a penalty to a less severe one
Compatriot: fellow countryman
Compendious: summarizing completely and briefly
Compensate: to repay or reimburse
Complacent: self-satisfied, smug, affable
Complaisant: agreeable, friendly
Complement: to complete, perfect
Compliant: submissive and yielding
Complicity: knowing partnership in wrongdoing
Composed: acting calm
Composure: a calm manner or appearance
Compound (adj): complex; composed of several parts
Compound (v): to combine, add to
Compress (v): to reduce, squeeze
Compulsive: obsessive, fanatic
Compunctious: feeling guilty or having misgivings
Compunction: feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret
Concatenate: linked together
Concave: curving inward
Concede: to yield, admit
Conceptualize: to envision, imagine
Concerto: musical composition for orchestra and soloist(s)
Conciliatory: overcoming distrust or hostility
Concomitant: accompanying something
Concord: agreement
Concur: to agree
Condone: to pardon or forgive; overlook, justify, or excuse a fault
Conduit: tube, pipe, or similar passage
Confection: something sweet to eat
Confiscate: to appropriate, seize
Conflagration: big, destructive fire
Confluence: meeting place; meeting of two streams
Confound: to baffle, perplex
Congeal: to become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing
Congenial: similar in tastes and habits
Congenital: existing since birth
Conglomerate: collected group of varied things
Congress: formal meeting or assembly
Congruity: correspondence, harmony, agreement
Conjecture: speculation, prediction
Conjugal: pertaining to marriage
Conjure: to evoke a spirit, cast a spell
Connive: to conspire, scheme
Connoisseur: a person with refined taste
Consanguineous: of the same origin; related by blood
Conscientious: governed by conscience; careful and thorough
Consecrate: to declare sacred; dedicate to a goal
Consensus: unanimity, agreement of opinion or attitude
Consequential: important
Consign: to commit, entrust
Consistent: containing no contradictions, being harmonious
Consolation: something providing comfort or solace for a loss or hardship
Consolidate: to combine, incorporate
Consonant (adj): consistent with, in agreement with
Constituent: component, part; citizen, voter
Constrained: forced, compelled; confined, restrained
Constraint: something that forces or compels; something that restrains or confines
Constrict: to inhibit
Construe: to explain or interpret
Consummate (adj): accomplished, complete, perfect
Consummate (v): to complete, fulfill
Contend: to battle, clash; compete
Contentious: quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
Continence: self-control, self-restraint
Contravene: to contradict, deny, act contrary to
Contrite: deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
Contumacious: rebellious
Contusion: bruise
Conundrum: riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution
Convalescence: gradual recovery after an illness
Convene: to meet, come together, assemble
Conventional: typical, customary, commonplace
Convex: curved outward
Convivial: sociable; fond of eating, drinking, and people
Convoke: to call together, summon
Convoluted: twisted, complicated, involved
Copious: abundant, plentiful
Coquette: woman who flirts
Cornucopia: abundance
Corporeal: having to do with the body; tangible, material
Corpulence: obesity, fatness, bulkiness
Correlation: association, mutual relation of two or more things
Corroborate: to confirm, verify
Corrode: to weaken or destroy
Corrugate: to mold in a shape with parallel grooves and ridges
Cosmetic (adj): relating to beauty; affecting the surface of something
Cosmography: science that deals with the nature of the universe
Cosmopolitan: sophisticated, free from local prejudices
Cosset: to pamper, treat with great care
Coterie: group of people with a common interest or purpose
Countenance (n): facial expression; look of approval or support
Countenance (v): to favor, support
Countermand: to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
Countervail: to counteract, to exert force against
Coven: group of witches
Covert: hidden; secret
Covet: to strongly desire something possessed by another
Cower: to cringe in fear
Crass: crude, unrefined
Craven: cowardly
Credence: acceptance of something as true or real
Credible: plausible, believable
Credulous: gullible, trusting
Creed: statement of belief or principle
Crescendo: gradual increase in volume of sound
Criterion: standard for judging, rule for testing
Cryptic: puzzling
Cuisine: characteristic style of cooking
Culmination: climax, final stage
Culpable: guilty, responsible for wrong
Culprit: guilty person
Cumulative: resulting from gradual increase
Cupidity: greed
Curator: caretaker and overseer of an exhibition, esp. in a museum
Curmudgeon: cranky person
Cursory: hastily done, superficial
Curt: abrupt, blunt
Curtail: to shorten
Cutlery: cutting instruments; tableware
Cygnet: young swan
Cynic: person who distrusts the motives of others
D
Dally: to act playfully or waste time
Daunt: to discourage, intimidate
Dearth: lack, scarcity, insufficiency
Debase: to degrade or lower in quality or stature
Debauch: to corrupt, seduce from virtue or duty; indulge
Debilitate: to weaken, enfeeble
Debunk: to discredit, disprove
Debutante: young woman making debut in high society
Decadence: decline or decay, deterioration
Decamp: to leave suddenly
Decapitate: to behead
Decathlon: athletic contest with ten events
Deciduous: losing leaves in the fall; short-lived, temporary
Declivity: downward slope
Decorous: proper, tasteful, socially correct
Decorum: proper behavior, etiquette
Decry: to belittle, openly condemn
Defamatory: slanderous, injurious to the reputation
Defame: to disgrace or slander
Defer: to submit or yield
Deference: respect, honor
Deferential: respectful and polite in a submissive way
Deficient: defective, not meeting a normal standard
Defile: to make unclean or dishonor
Definitive: clear-cut, explicit or decisive
Deflation: decrease, depreciation
Deform: to disfigure, distort
Deft: skillful, dexterous
Defunct: no longer existing, dead, extinct
Delectable: appetizing, delicious
Delegate (v): to give powers to another
Deleterious: harmful, destructive, detrimental
Delineation: depiction, representation
Delta: tidal deposit at the mouth of a river
Deluge (n): flood
Deluge (v): to submerge, overwhelm
Demagogue: leader or rabble-rouser who usually uses appeals to emotion or prejudice
Demarcation: borderline; act of defining or marking a boundary or distinction
Demean: to degrade, humiliate, humble
Demise: death
Demote: to reduce to a lower grade or rank
Demotion: lowering in rank or grade
Demur: to express doubts or objections
Denigrate: to slur or blacken someone’s reputation
Denounce: to accuse, blame
Denunciation: public condemnation
Deplete: to use up, exhaust
Deplore: to express or feel disapproval of; regret strongly
Deploy: to spread out strategically over an area
Depose: to remove from a high position, as from a throne
Depravity: sinfulness, moral corruption
Deprecate: to belittle, disparage
Depreciate: to lose value gradually
Deride: to mock, ridicule, make fun of
Derisive: expressing ridicule or scorn
Derivative: copied or adapted; not original
Derive: to originate; take from a certain source
Derogate: to belittle, disparage
Descry: to discover or reveal
Desecrate: to abuse something sacred
Desiccate: to dry completely, dehydrate
Desist: to stop doing something
Despondent: feeling discouraged and dejected
Despot: tyrannical ruler
Destitute: very poor, poverty-stricken
Desultory: at random, rambling, unmethodical
Detached: separate, unconnected
Determinate: having defined limits; conclusive
Detestation: extreme hatred
Detractor: one who takes something away
Detrimental: causing harm or injury
Deviate: to stray, wander
Deviation: departure, exception, anomaly
Devoid: totally lacking
Devout: deeply religious
Dexterous: skilled physically or mentally
Diabolical: fiendish; wicked
Dialect: regional style of speaking
Diaphanous: allowing light to show through; delicate
Diatribe: bitter verbal attack
Dichotomy: division into two parts
Dictum: authoritative statement; popular saying
Didactic: excessively instructive
Differentiate: to distinguish between two items
Diffidence: shyness, lack of confidence
Diffract: to cause to separate into parts, esp. light
Diffuse: widely spread out
Dilapidated: in disrepair, run-down, neglected
Dilate: to enlarge, swell, extend
Dilatory: slow, tending to delay
Dilettante: an amateur
Diluvial: relating to a flood
Diminutive: small
Diplomacy: discretion, tact
Dirge: funeral hymn
Disabuse: to free from a misconception
Disaffected: discontented and disloyal
Disarray: clutter, disorder
Disband: to break up
Disbar: to expel from legal profession
Disburse: to pay out
Discern: to perceive something obscure
Disclaim: to deny, disavow
Disclose: to confess, divulge
Discomfit: to cause perplexity and embarrassment
Discompose: to disturb the composure or serenity
Disconcerting: bewildering, perplexing, slightly disturbing
Disconsolate: unable to be consoled; extremely sad
Discordant: harsh-sounding, badly out of tune
Discredit: to dishonor or disgrace
Discredited: disbelieved, discounted; disgraced, dishonored
Discrepancy: difference between
Discrete: distinct, separate
Discretionary: subject to one’s own judgment
Discursive: wandering from topic to topic
Disdain: to regard with scorn and contempt
Disengaged: disconnected, disassociated
Disgorge: to vomit, discharge violently
Disheveled: untidy, disarranged, unkempt
Disinclined: averse, unwilling, lacking desire
Disingenuous: sly and crafty
Disinterest: lack of interest or a disadvantage
Disjointed: lacking coherence or order, being separated
Disparage: to belittle, speak disrespectfully about
Disparate: dissimilar, different in kind
Disparity: contrast, dissimilarity
Dispassionate: free from emotion; impartial, unbiased
Dispel: to drive out or scatter
Dispense: to distribute, administer
Dispense with: to suspend the operation of, do without
Disperse: to break up, scatter
Dispirit: to dishearten, make dejected
Dispute: to debate, to quarrel
Disquieted: feeling anxiety, being disturbed, lacking peace
Disregard: to neglect, pay no attention to
Disrepute: disgrace, dishonor
Dissemble: to pretend, disguise one’s motives
Disseminate: to spread far and wide
Dissension: difference of opinion
Dissimulate: to disguise or put on a false appearance
Dissipate: to scatter; to pursue pleasure to excess
Dissociate: to separate; remove from an association
Dissonant: harsh and unpleasant sounding
Dissuade: to persuade someone to alter original intentions
Distaff: the female branch of a family
Distend: to swell, inflate, bloat
Distraught: very worried and distressed
Distrust (n): disbelief and suspicion
Dither (v): to move or act confusedly or without clear purpose
Diurnal: daily
Diverge: to move in different directions, to deviate from a source
Divest: to get rid of
Divine (v): to foretell or know by inspiration
Divisive: creating disunity or conflict
Docile: tame, willing to be taught
Doctrinaire: rigidly devoted to theories
Dogged (adj): persistent, stubborn
Dogmatic: rigidly fixed in opinion, opinionated
Doldrums: a period of despondency
Doleful: sad, mournful
Dolor: sadness
Dolt: idiot, dimwit, foolish person
Domineer: to rule over something in a tyrannical way
Dormant: at rest, inactive, in suspended animation
Dotage: senile condition, mental decline
Dotard: senile old person
Doting: excessively fond, loving to excess
Doughty: courageous
Dour: sullen and gloomy; stern and severe
Dowry: money or property given by a bride to her husband
Draft (v): to plan, outline; to recruit, conscript
Draw: to attract, to pull toward
Drivel: stupid talk; slobber
Droll: amusing in a wry, subtle way
Dross: waste produced during metal smelting; garbage
Dudgeon: angry indignation
Dulcet: pleasant sounding, soothing to the ear
Dumb: unable to speak
Dupe (n): fool, pawn
Dupe (v): to deceive, trick
Duplicity: deception, dishonesty, double-dealing
Durability: strength, sturdiness
Duress: threat of force or intimidation; imprisonment
Dwindle: to shrink or decrease
Dyspeptic: suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
E
Earthy: crude
Ebb (v): to fade away, recede
Ebullient: exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits
Eclectic: selecting from various sources
Ecstatic: joyful
Eddy: air or wind current
Edict: law, command, official public order
Edifice: building
Edify: to instruct morally and spiritually
Editorialize: to express an opinion on an issue
Efface: to erase or make illegible
Effervescent: bubbly, lively
Efficacious: effective, efficient
Effigy: stuffed doll; likeness of a person
Effluvia: outpouring of gases or vapors
Effrontery: impudent boldness; audacity
Effulgent: brilliantly shining
Effusive: expressing emotion without restraint
Egregious: conspicuously bad
Egress: exit
Elation: exhilaration, joy
Elegy: mournful poem, usually about the dead
Elevated: high in status, exalted
Elicit: to draw out, provoke
Eloquence: fluent and effective speech
Elucidate: to explain, clarify
Emaciated: skinny, scrawny, gaunt, esp. from hunger
Emancipate: to set free, liberate
Embellish: to ornament, make attractive with decoration or details; add details to a statement
Embezzle: to steal money in violation of a trust
Embroil: to involve in; cause to fall into disorder
Emend: to correct a text
Eminent: celebrated, distinguished; outstanding, towering
Emollient: having soothing qualities, esp. for skin
Emotive: appealing to or expressing emotion
Empathy: identification with another’s feelings
Emulate: to copy, imitate
Enchant: to charm or attract
Encipher: to translate a message into code
Encomium: warm praise
Encumber: to hinder, burden, restrict motion
Endemic: belonging to a particular area, inherent
Endogamous: marrying within a specific group due to law or custom
Enervate: to weaken, sap strength from
Engender: to produce, cause, bring about
Enigmatic: puzzling, inexplicable
Enjoin: to urge, order, command; forbid or prohibit, as by judicial order
Enmity: hostility, antagonism, ill-will
Ennui: boredom, lack of interest and energy
Enormity: state of being gigantic or terrible
Ensconce: to settle comfortably into a place
Enshroud: to cover, enclose with a dark cover
Entail: to involve as a necessary result, necessitate
Enthrall: to captivate, enchant, enslave
Entice: to lure or tempt
Entity: something with its own existence or form
Entomologist: scientist who studies insects
Entreat: to plead, beg
Entrenched: established solidly
Enumerate: to count, list, itemize
Enunciate: to pronounce clearly
Eon: indefinitely long period of time
Ephemeral: momentary, transient, fleeting
Epicure: person with refined taste in food and wine
Epigram: short, witty saying or poem
Epigraph: quotation at the beginning of a literary work
Epilogue: concluding section of a literary work
Epithet: an abusive word or phrase
Epitome: representative of an entire group; summary
Epochal: very significant or influential; defining an epoch or time period
Equanimity: calmness, composure
Equestrian (n): one who rides on horseback
Equine: relating to horses
Equitable: fair
Equity: justice, fairness
Equivocal: ambiguous, open to two interpretations
Equivocate: to use vague or ambiguous language intentionally
Eradicate: to erase or wipe out
Errant: straying, mistaken, roving
Erratic: wandering and unpredictable
Erroneous: in error; mistaken
Ersatz: fake
Erudite: learned, scholarly
Eschew: to abstain from, avoid
Esoteric: understood only by a learned few
Espouse: to support or advocate; to marry
Estimable: admirable
Esurient: hungry, greedy
Ethereal: not earthly, spiritual, delicate
Ethos: beliefs or character of a group
Etymology: origin and history of a word; study of words
Eulogy: high praise, often in a public speech
Euphemism: use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
Euphony: pleasant, harmonious sound
Euphoria: feeling of well-being or happiness
Eurythmics: art of harmonious bodily movement
Euthanasia: mercy killing; intentional, easy and painless death
Evade: to avoid, dodge
Evanescent: momentary, transitory, short-lived
Evince: to show clearly, display, signify
Evoke: to inspire memories; to produce a reaction
Exacerbate: to aggravate, intensify the bad qualities of
Exalt: to glorify, to elevate
Excommunicate: to bar from membership in the church
Excoriate: to denounce
Exculpate: to clear of blame or fault
Execrable: utterly detestable
Exemplary: serving as an example, commendable
Exhort: to urge or incite by strong appeals
Exhume: to remove from a grave; uncover a secret
Exigent: urgent; excessively demanding
Exonerate: to clear of blame
Exorbitant: extravagant, greater than reasonable
Exorcise: to expel evil spirits
Expansive: sweeping, comprehensive; tending to expand
Expatiate: to wander; to discuss or describe at length
Expatriate (n): one who lives outside one’s native land
Expatriate (v): to drive someone from his/her native land
Expedient (adj): convenient, efficient, practical
Expiate: to atone for, make amends for
Explicable: capable of being explained
Explicit: clearly defined, specific; forthright in expression
Exponent: one who champions or advocates
Expound: to elaborate; to expand or increase
Expunge: to erase, eliminate completely
Expurgate: to censor
Extemporaneous: unrehearsed, on the spur of the moment
Extenuate: to lessen the seriousness, strength, or effect of
Extol: to praise
Extort: to obtain something by threats
Extraneous: irrelevant, unrelated, unnecessary
Extrapolate: to estimate
Extremity: outermost or farthest point
Extricate: to free from, disentangle, free
Extrinsic: not inherent or essential, coming from without
Extrovert: an outgoing person
Exuberant: lively, happy, and full of good spirits
Exude: to give off, ooze
Exult: to rejoice
F
Fabricate: to make or devise; construct
Fabricated: constructed, invented; faked, falsified
Facade: face, front; mask, superficial appearance
Facetious: witty in an inappropriate way
Facile: very easy
Facilitate: to aid, assist
Facility: aptitude, ease in doing something
Facsimile: an exact copy
Fallacious: wrong, unsound, illogical
Fallible: capable of failing
Fallow: uncultivated, unused
Fanaticism: extreme devotion to a cause
Farcical: absurd, ludicrous
Fastidious: careful with details
Fathom (v): to measure the depth of, gauge; to understand
Fatuous: stupid; foolishly self-satisfied
Fault: break in a rock formation; mistake or error
Fawn (v): to flatter excessively, seek the favor of
Faze: to bother, upset, or disconcert
Fealty: intense loyalty
Feasible: possible, capable of being done
Feckless: ineffective, careless, irresponsible
Fecund: fertile, fruitful, productive
Federation: union of organizations; union of several states, each of which retains local power
Feign: to pretend, give a false impression; to invent falsely
Feisty: excitable, easily drawn into quarrels
Felicitous: suitable, appropriate; well-spoken
Felicity: feeling great happiness
Fell (v): to chop, cut down
Fell: cruel
Fervid: passionate, intense zealous
Fetid: foul-smelling, putrid
Fetter: to bind, chain, confine
Fey: otherworldly; doomed
Fickle: unreliable
Fictive: fictional, imaginary
Fidelity: loyalty
Fiendish: excessively bad or cruel
Filch: to steal
Filial: appropriate for a child
Filibuster: use of obstructive tactics in a legislative assembly to prevent adoption of a measure
Finesse: refinement or skill at a task or in a situation
Finicky: fussy, difficult to please
Fission: process of splitting into two parts
Fissure: a crack or break
Fitful: intermittent, irregular
Fixity: being fixed or stable
Flaccid: limp, flabby, weak
Flag: to lose energy and strength
Flagrant: outrageous, shameless
Flamboyant: flashy, garish; exciting, dazzling
Flammable: combustible, being easily burned
Fledgling: young bird just learning to fly; beginner, novice
Flippant: disrespectful, casual
Flora: plants
Florid: gaudy, extremely ornate; ruddy, flushed
Flounder: to falter, waver; to muddle, struggle
Flout: to treat contemptuously, scorn
Fluctuate: to alternate, waver
Flurried: to become agitated and confused
Fluster: to agitate or confuse
Fodder: raw material; feed for animals
Foible: minor weakness or character flaw
Foil (v): to defeat, frustrate
Foist: to pass off as genuine
Foliate: to grow, sprout leaves
Foment: to arouse or incite
Forage: to wander in search of food
Forbearance: patience, restraint, leniency
Ford (v): to cross a body of water at a shallow place
Foreboding: dark sense of evil to come
Foreclose: to rule out; to seize debtor’s property for lack of payments
Forensic: relating to legal proceedings; relating to debates
Forensics: study of argumentation and debate
Forestall: to prevent, delay; anticipate
Forethought: anticipation, foresight
Forfend: to prevent
Forgo: to go without, refrain from
Formulate: to conceive, devise; to draft, plan; to express, state
Forsake: to abandon, withdraw from
Forswear: to repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject
Forte (n): strong point, something a person does well
Fortnight: two weeks
Fortuitous: happening by luck, fortunate
Foster (v): to nourish, cultivate, promote
Foundation: groundwork, support; institution established by donation to aid a certain cause
Founder (v) to fall helplessly; sink
Fracas: noisy dispute
Fractious: unruly, rebellious
Fragmentation: division, separation into parts, disorganization
Fratricide: the killing of a brother or sister
Fraudulent: deceitful, dishonest, unethical
Fraught: full of, accompanied by
Frenetic: wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
Frenzied: feverishly fast, hectic, and confused
Frivolous: petty, trivial; flippant, silly
Frugal: thrifty; cheap
Fulminate: to explode with anger
Fulsome: excessive, overdone, sickeningly abundant
Funereal: mournful, appropriate to a funeral
Furor: rage, fury
Furtive: secret, stealthy
Fusion: process of merging things into one
G
Gainsay: to deny
Gall (n): bitterness; careless nerve
Gall (v): to exasperate and irritate
Gallant: a very fashionable young man
Gambol: to dance or skip around playfully
Game (adj): courageous
Gargantuan: giant, tremendous
Garner: to gather and store
Garrulous: very talkative
Gauche: crude, socially awkward
Gaucherie: a tactless or awkward act
Gaunt: thin and bony
Gavel: mallet used for commanding attention
Genre: type, class, category
Genteel: stylish, elegant in manner or appearance
Geriatric: relating to old age or the process of aging
Germinate: to begin to grow (as in a seed or idea)
Gestation: growth process from conception to birth
Gibe (v): to make heckling, taunting remarks
Girth: distance around something
Glib: fluent in an insincere manner; offhand, casual
Glower: to glare, stare angrily and intensely
Gluttony: eating and drinking to excess
Gnostic: having to do with knowledge
Goad: to prod or urge
Gossamer: something light, delicate, or tenuous
Gouge: scoop out; extort
Gradation: process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color
Grandiloquence: pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language
Grandiose: magnificent and imposing; exaggerated and pretentious
Granular: having a grainy texture
Grasp (v): to perceive and understand; to hold securely
Gratis: free, costing nothing
Gratuitous: free, voluntary; unnecessary and unjustified
Gratuity: something given voluntarily, tip
Gregarious: outgoing, sociable
Grievous: causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing
Grimace: facial expression showing pain or disgust
Grimy: dirty, filthy
Gross (adj): obscene; blatant, flagrant
Gross (n): total before deductions
Grovel: to humble oneself in a demeaning way
Grubby: dirty, sloppy
Guile: trickery, deception
Gullible: easily deceived
Gustatory: relating to sense of taste
Gyrate: to move in a circular motion
H
Habitat: dwelling place
Hackneyed: worn out by over-use
Hail: to greet with praise
Hallow: to make holy; treat as sacred
Hamlet: small village
Hapless: unfortunate, having bad luck
Harangue: a pompous speech
Harbinger: precursor, sign of something to come
Hardy: robust, vigorous
Harmony: accord, tranquility, agreement
Harrowing: extremely distressing, terrifying
Hasten: to hurry, to speed up
Haughty: arrogant and condescending
Headlong: recklessly
Heathen: pagan; uncivilized and irreligious
Hectic: hasty, hurried, confused
Hector: a bully, braggart
Hedonism: pursuit of pleasure as a goal
Hegemony: leadership, domination, usually by a country
Heinous: shocking, wicked, terrible
Hemicycle: semicircular form or structure
Heretical: opposed to an established religious orthodoxy
Hermetic: tightly sealed
Heterodox: unorthodox, not widely accepted
Heterogeneous: composed of unlike parts, different, diverse
Hew: to cut with an ax
Hiatus: a gap or a break
Hidebound: excessively rigid; dry and stiff
Hinder: to hamper
Hindsight: perception of events after they happen
Hinterland: wilderness
Hoary: very old; whitish or gray from age
Holistic: emphasizing importance of the whole and interdependence of its parts
Holocaust: widespread destruction, usually by fire
Homage: public honor and respect
Homogenous: composed of identical parts
Homonym: word identical in pronunciation but different in meaning
Hone: to sharpen
Honor (v): to praise, glorify, pay tribute to
Humane: merciful, kindly
Husband (v): to farm; manage carefully and thriftily
Hutch: pen or coop for animals; shack, shanty
Hydrate: to add water to
Hyperbole: purposeful exaggeration for effect
Hyperventilate: to breathe abnormally fast
Hypochondria: unfounded belief that one is often ill
Hypocrite: person claiming beliefs or virtues he or she doesn’t really possess
Hypothermia: abnormally low body temperature
Hypothesis: assumption subject to proof
Hypothetical: theoretical, speculative
I
Iconoclast: one who attacks traditional beliefs
Idealism: pursuit of noble goals
Idiosyncrasy: peculiarity of temperament, eccentricity
Ignoble: dishonorable, not noble in character
Ignominious: disgraceful and dishonorable
Ignoramus: an ignorant person
Ilk: type or kind
Illicit: illegal, improper
Illimitable: limitless
Illusory: unreal, deceptive
Illustrious: famous, renowned
Imbue: to infuse; dye, wet, moisten
Immaculate: spotless; free from error
Immaterial: extraneous, inconsequential, nonessential; not consisting of matter
Immense: enormous, huge
Immerse: to bathe, dip; to engross, preoccupy
Immobile: not moveable; still
Immunological: relating to immune system
Immure: to imprison
Immutable: unchangeable, invariable
Impair: to damage, injure
Impasse: blocked path, dilemma with no solution
Impassioned: with passion
Impassive: showing no emotion
Impeach: to charge with misdeeds in public office; accuse
Impeccable: flawless, without fault
Impecunious: poor, having no money
Impediment: barrier, obstacle; speech disorder
Imperative: essential; mandatory
Imperious: arrogantly self-assured, domineering, overbearing
Impertinent: rude
Imperturbable: not capable of being disturbed
Impervious: impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
Impetuous: quick to act without thinking
Impious: not devout in religion
Implacable: inflexible, incapable of being pleased
Implant: to set securely or deeply; to instill
Implausible: improbable, inconceivable
Implicate: to involve in a crime, incriminate
Implicit: implied, not directly expressed
Impolitic: unwise
Importune: to ask repeatedly, beg
Impose: to inflict, force upon
Imposing: dignified, grand
Impotent: powerless, ineffective, lacking strength
Impound: to seize and confine
Impoverish: to make poor or bankrupt
Imprecation: curse
Impregnable: totally safe from attack, able to resist defeat
Impressionable: easily influenced or affected
Impromptu: spontaneous, without rehearsal
Improvident: without planning or foresight, negligent
Imprudent: unwise
Impudent: arrogant and rude
Impugn: to call into question, attack verbally
Inane: foolish, silly, lacking significance
Incandescent: shining brightly
Incarnadine: blood-red in color
Incarnate: having bodily form
Incendiary: combustible, flammable, burning easily
Incense (v): to infuriate, enrage
Inception: beginning
Incessant: continuous, never ceasing
Inchoate: just begun; disorganized
Incipient: beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage
Incisive: perceptive, penetrating
Incognito: in disguise, concealing one’s identity
Incommunicado: lacking a means to communicate
Incongruous: incompatible, not harmonious
Incontrovertible: unquestionable, beyond dispute
Incorrigible: incapable of being corrected
Incredulous: skeptical, doubtful
Inculcate: to teach, impress in the mind
Inculpate: to blame, charge with a crime
Incumbent (adj): holding a specified office, often political; required, obligatory
Incursion: sudden invasion
Indefatigable: never tired
Indefensible: inexcusable, unforgivable
Indelible: permanent, not erasable
Indenture: bound to another by contract
Indicative: showing or pointing out, suggestive of
Indict: to accuse formally, charge with a crime
Indigenous: native, occurring naturally in an area
Indigent: very poor
Indignant: angry, incensed, offended
Indisputable: not disputed, unquestioned
Indolent: habitually lazy, idle
Indomitable: fearless, unconquerable
Indubitable: unquestionable
Induce: to persuade; bring about
Induct: to place ceremoniously in office
Inebriated: drunk, intoxicated
Inept: clumsy, awkward
Inert: unable to move, tending to inactivity
Inestimable: too great to be estimated
Inevitable: certain, unavoidable
Inexorable: inflexible, unyielding
Inextricable: incapable of being disentangled
Infallible: incapable of making a mistake
Infamy: reputation for bad deeds
Infatuated: strongly or foolishly attached to, inspired with foolish passion, overly in love
Infer: to conclude, deduce
Infernal: hellish, diabolical
Infiltrate: to pass secretly into enemy territory
Infinitesimal: extremely tiny
Infirmity: disease, ailment
Infringe: to encroach, trespass; to transgress, violate
Infuriate: to anger, provoke, outrage
Infuriating: provoking anger or outrage
Ingenious: original, clever, inventive
Ingenuous: straightforward, open; naive and unsophisticated
Inglorious: lacking fame or honor, shameful
Ingrained: an innate quality, deep-seated
Ingrate: ungrateful person
Ingratiate: to bring oneself purposely into another’s good graces
Ingress: entrance
Inhibit: to hold back, prevent, restrain
Inimical: hostile, unfriendly
Iniquity: sin, evil act
Initiate: to begin, introduce; to enlist, induct
Inject: to force into; to introduce into conversation
Injunction: command, order
Injurious: causing injury
Inkling: hint; vague idea
Innate: natural, inborn
Innateness: state of being natural or inborn
Innocuous: harmless; inoffensive
Innovate: to invent, modernize, revolutionize
Innuendo: indirect and subtle criticism, insinuation
Innumerable: too many to be counted
Inquest: investigation; court or legal proceeding
Insatiable: never satisfied
Inscrutable: impossible to understand fully
Insentient: unfeeling, unconscious
Insidious: sly, treacherous, devious
Insinuate: to suggest, say indirectly, imply
Insipid: bland, lacking flavor; lacking excitement
Insolent: insulting and arrogant
Insoluble: not able to be solved or explained
Insolvent: bankrupt, unable to pay one’s debts
Instigate: to incite, urge, agitate
Insubstantial: modest, insignificant
Insufficiency: lacking in something
Insular: isolated, detached
Insuperable: insurmountable, unconquerable
Insurgent (adj): rebellious, insubordinate
Insurrection: rebellion
Integral: central, indispensable
Integrity: decency, honest; wholeness
Intemperate: not moderate
Inter: to bury
Interdict: to forbid, prohibit
Interject: to interpose, insert
Interlocutor: someone taking part in a dialogue
Interloper: trespasser; meddler in others’ affairs
Interminable: endless
Internecine: deadly to both sides
Interpolate: to insert; change by adding new words or material
Interpose: to insert; to intervene
Interregnum: interval between reigns
Intersect: to divide by passing through or across
Intersperse: to distribute among, mix with
Interstice: a space between things
Intimation: clue, suggestion
Intractable: not easily managed
Intramural: within an institution like a school
Intransigent: uncompromising, refusing to be reconciled
Intrepid: fearless
Intrigued: interested, curious
Intrinsic: inherent, internal
Introspective: contemplating one’s own thoughts and feelings
Introvert: someone given to self-analysis
Intuitive: instinctive, untaught
Inundate: to cover with water; overwhelm
Inure: to harden; accustom; become used to
Invective: verbal abuse
Inveigh: protest strongly
Investiture: ceremony conferring authority
Inveterate: confirmed, long-standing, deeply rooted
Invidious: likely to provoke ill will, offensive
Inviolable: safe from violation or assault
Invoke: to call upon, request help
Irascible: easily angered
Iridescent: showing many colors
Irreverent: disrespectful
Irrevocable: conclusive, irreversible
Itinerant: wandering from place to place, unsettled
J
Jaded: tired by excess or overuse; slightly cynical
Jangling: clashing, jarring; harshly unpleasant (in sound)
Jargon: nonsensical talk; specialized language
Jaundice: yellowish discoloration of skin
Jaundiced: affected by jaundice; prejudiced or embittered
Jettison: to cast off, throw cargo overboard
Jibe: to shift suddenly from one side to the other
Jingoism: belligerent support of one’s country
Jocular: jovial, playful, humorous
Jubilee: special anniversary
Judicious: sensible, showing good judgment
Juggernaut: huge force destroying everything in its path
Juncture: point where two things are joined
Jurisprudence: philosophy of law
Juxtaposition: side-by-side placement
K
Keen: having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp, perceptive
Kernel: innermost, essential part; seed grain, often in a shell
Keynote: note or tone on which a musical key is founded; main idea of a speech, program, etcetera
Kindle: to set fire to or ignite; excite or inspire
Kinetic: relating to motion; characterized by movement
Kismet: fate
Knell: sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure
Kudos: fame, glory, honor
L
Laceration: cut or wound
Lachrymose: tearful
Lackadaisical: idle, lazy; apathetic, indifferent
Lackluster: dull
Laconic: using few words
Laggard: dawdler, loafer, lazy person
Lambaste: disapprove angrily
Lament (v): to deplore, grieve
Lampoon (v): to attack with satire, mock harshly
Languid: lacking energy, indifferent, slow
Languor: listlessness
Lap (v): to drink using the tongue; to wash against
Lapidary: relating to precious stones
Larceny: theft of property
Larder: place where food is stored
Largess: generosity; gift
Larynx: organ containing vocal cords
Lascivious: lewd, lustful
Lassitude: lethargy, sluggishness
Latent: present but hidden; potential
Latitude: freedom of action or choice
Laudable: deserving of praise
Lavish: to give plentiful amounts of
Laxity: carelessness
Legerdemain: trickery
Legible: readable
Legislate: to decree, mandate, make laws
Lenient: easygoing, permissive
Lethargy: indifferent inactivity
Levitate: to rise in the air or cause to rise
Levity: humor, frivolity, gaiety
Lexicon: dictionary, list of words
Liberal (adj): tolerant, broad-minded; generous, lavish
Liberation: freedom, emancipation
Libertarian: one who believes in unrestricted freedom
Libertine: one without moral restraint
Libidinous: lustful
License: freedom to act
Licentious: immoral; unrestrained by society
Lien: right to possess and sell the property of a debtor
Limpid: clear and simple; serene; transparent
Lineage: ancestry
Liniment: medicinal liquid used externally to ease pain
Lionize: to treat as a celebrity
Lissome: easily flexed, limber, agile
Listless: lacking energy and enthusiasm
Literal: word for word; upholding the exact meaning of word
Literate: able to read and write; well-read and educated
Lithe: moving and bending with ease; graceful
Litigation: lawsuit
Livid: discolored from a bruise; reddened with anger
Loathe: to abhor, despise, hate
Locomotion: movement from place to place
Lodged: fixed in one position
Lofty: noble, elevated in position
Logo: corporate symbol
Loiter: to stand around idly
Loquacious: talkative
Low (v): to make a sound like a cow, moo
Lucid: clear and easily understood
Ludicrous: laughable, ridiculous
Lugubrious: sorrowful, mournful
Lull: to soothe
Lumber (v): to move slowly and awkwardly
Luminary: bright object; celebrity; source of inspiration
Luminous: bright, brilliant, glowing
Lunar: relating to the moon
Lurid: harshly shocking, sensational; glowing
Luxuriance: elegance, lavishness
Lyrical: suitable for poetry and song; expressing feeling
M
Macabre: gruesome, producing horror
Machination: plot or scheme
Macrobiotics: art of prolonging life by special diet of organic, nonmeat substances
Macrocosm: system regarded as an entity with subsystems
Maelstrom: whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind
Magnanimous: generous, noble in spirit
Magnate: powerful or influential person
Magnitude: extent, greatness of size
Mainstay: chief support
Maladroit: clumsy, tactless
Malady: illness
Malapropism: humorous misuse of a word
Malcontent: discontented person, one who holds a grudge
Malediction: curse
Malefactor: evil-doer; culprit
Malevolent: ill-willed; causing evil or harm to others
Malfunction (n): breakdown, failure
Malfunction (v): to fail to work
Malice: animosity, spite, hatred
Malinger: to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
Malleable: capable of being shaped
Malodorous: foul-smelling
Manifest (adj): obvious
Manifold: diverse, varied, comprised of many parts
Mannered: artificial or stilted in character
Manual (adj): hand-operated; physical
Manumission: release from slavery
Mar: to damage, deface; spoil
Marginal: barely sufficient
Maritime: relating to the sea or sailing
Martial: warlike, pertaining to the military
Martinet: strict disciplinarian, one who rigidly follows rules
Martyr: person dying for his/her beliefs
Masochist: one who enjoys pain or humiliation
Materialism: preoccupation with material things
Matriculate: to enroll as a member of a college or university
Matrilineal: tracing ancestry through mother’s line rather than father’s
Maudlin: overly sentimental
Maverick: a person who resists adherence to a group
Mawkish: sickeningly sentimental
Meager: scanty, sparse
Meander: to wander aimlessly without direction
Meaningful: significant
Meddler: person interfering in others’ affairs
Medieval: relating to the Middle Ages
Megalith: huge stone used in prehistoric structures
Megalomania: mental state with delusions of wealth and power
Melancholy: sadness, depression
Melodious: having a pleasing melody
Menagerie: various animals kept together for exhibition
Mendacious: dishonest
Mendacity: a lie, falsehood
Mendicant: beggar
Mercenary (adj): motivated only by greed
Mercenary (n): soldier for hire in foreign countries
Mercurial: quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
Meretricious: gaudy, falsely attractive
Meridian: circle passing through the two poles of the earth
Meritorious: deserving reward or praise
Metamorphosis: change, transformation
Metaphor: figure of speech comparing two different things
Meticulous: extremely careful, fastidious, painstaking
Metronome: time-keeping device used in music
Mettle: courageousness; endurance
Microbe: microorganism
Microcosm: tiny system used as analogy for larger system
Migratory: wandering from place to place with the seasons
Militate: to operate against, work against
Minatory: menacing, threatening
Minimal: smallest in amount, least possible
Miniscule: very small
Mirth: frivolity, gaiety, laughter
Misanthrope: person who hates human beings
Misapprehend: to misunderstand, fail to know
Misconstrue: to misunderstand, fail to discover
Miscreant: one who behaves criminally
Miserliness: extreme stinginess
Misgiving: apprehension, doubt, sense of foreboding
Mishap: accident; misfortune
Misnomer: an incorrect name or designation
Missive: note or letter
Mitigate: to soften, or make milder
Mnemonic: relating to memory; designed to assist memory
Mobility: ease of movement
Mock (v): to deride, ridicule
Moderate (adj): reasonable, not extreme
Moderate (v): to make less excessive, restrain; regulate
Modicum: a small amount
Mollify: to calm or make less severe
Mollusk: sea animal with a soft body
Molt (v): to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
Momentous: important
Monastic: extremely plain or secluded, as in a monastery
Monochromatic: having one color
Monogamy: custom of marriage to one person at a time
Monolith: large block of stone
Monologue: dramatic speech performed by one actor
Monotony: lack of variation; wearisome sameness
Montage: composite picture
Moot: debatable; previously decided
Morbid: gruesome; relating to disease; abnormally gloomy
Mordacious: caustic, biting
Mordant: sarcastic
Mores: customs or manners
Moribund: dying, decaying
Morose: gloomy, sullen, or surly
Mote: small particle, speck
Motley: many-colored; composed of diverse parts
Mottle: to mark with spots
Multifaceted: having many parts, many-sided
Multifarious: diverse
Mundane: worldly; commonplace
Munificent: generous
Munitions: ammunition
Mutability: changeability
Myopic: near-sighted
Myriad: immense number, multitude
N
Nadir: lowest point
Naiveté: a lack of worldly wisdom
Narrative: account, story
Nascent: starting to develop, coming into existence
Nebulous: vague, cloudy
Necromancy: black magic
Nefarious: vicious, evil
Negligent: careless, inattentive
Negligible: not worth considering
Nemesis: a formidable, often victorious opponent
Neologism: new word or expression
Neonate: newborn child
Neophyte: novice, beginner
Nether: located under or below
Nettle (v): to irritate
Neutrality: disinterest, impartiality
Neutralize: to balance, offset
Nicety: elegant or delicate feature; minute distinction
Niche: recess in a wall; best position for something
Niggardly: stingy
Niggling: trifle, petty
Nihilism: belief that existence and all traditional values are meaningless
Noisome: stinking, putrid
Nomenclature: terms used in a particular science or discipline
Nominal: existing in name only; negligible
Non sequitur: conclusion not following from apparent evidence
Nonentity: an insignificant person
Novitiate: period of being a beginner or novice
Noxious: harmful, unwholesome
Nullify: to make legally invalid; to counteract the effect of
Numismatics: coin collecting
Nutritive: relating to nutrition or health
O
Obdurate: stubborn
Obeisance: a show of respect or submission
Obfuscate: to confuse, obscure
Objurgate: scold
Obliging: accommodating, agreeable
Oblique: indirect, evasive; misleading, devious
Obliterate: demolish completely, wipe out
Obloquy: abusive language; ill repute
Obscure (adj): dim, unclear; not well known
Obscurity: place or thing that’s hard to perceive
Obsequious: overly submissive, brownnosing
Obsequy: funeral ceremony
Obsolete: no longer in use
Obstinate: stubborn
Obstreperous: troublesome, boisterous, unruly
Obtrusive: pushy, too conspicuous
Obtuse: insensitive, stupid, dull
Obviate: to make unnecessary; to anticipate and prevent
Occlude: to shut, block
Odious: hateful, contemptible
Officious: too helpful, meddlesome
Offshoot: branch
Ominous: menacing, threatening, indicating misfortune
Omnipotent: having unlimited power
Omniscient: having infinite knowledge
Omnivorous: eating everything; absorbing everything
Onerous: burdensome
Ontology: theory about the nature of existence
Opalescent: iridescent, displaying colors
Opaque: impervious to light; difficult to understand
Opine: to express an opinion
Opportune: appropriate, fitting
Opportunist: one who takes advantage of circumstances
Opprobrious: disgraceful, contemptuous
Optimum: the most favorable degree
Opulence: wealth
Oracle: person who foresees the future and gives advice
Oration: lecture, formal speech
Orator: lecturer, speaker
Orchestrate: to arrange music for performance; to coordinate, organize
Ordain: to make someone a priest or minister; to order
Orifice: an opening
Ornithologist: scientist who studies birds
Orotund: pompous
Oscillate: to move back and forth
Ossify: to turn to bone; to become rigid
Ostensible: apparent
Ostentatious: showy
Ostracism: exclusion, temporary banishment
Ouster: expulsion, ejection
Overabundance: excess, surfeit
Overstate: to embellish, exaggerate
Overt: in the open, obvious
Overture: musical introduction; proposal, offer
Overweening: arrogant
Overwrought: agitated, overdone
P
Pacific: calm, peaceful
Pacifist: one opposed to war
Pacify: to restore calm, bring peace
Paean: a song of praise or thanksgiving
Palatial: like a palace, magnificent
Palaver: idle talk
Paleontology: study of past geological eras through fossil remains
Palette: board for mixing paints; range of colors
Palisade: fence made up of stakes
Pall (n): covering that darkens or obscures; coffin
Pall (v): to lose strength or interest
Palliate: to make less serious, ease
Pallid: lacking color or liveliness
Palpable: obvious, real, tangible
Palpitation: trembling, shaking, irregular beating
Paltry: pitifully small or worthless
Panacea: cure-all
Panache: flamboyance, verve
Pandemic: spread over a whole area or country
Panegyric: elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
Panoply: impressive array
Panorama: broad view; comprehensive picture
Paradigm: ideal example, model
Paradox: contradiction, incongruity; dilemma, puzzle
Paradoxical: self-contradictory but true
Paragon: model of excellence or perfection
Paramount: supreme, dominant, primary
Paraphrase: to reword, usually in simpler terms
Parch: to dry or shrivel
Pare: to trim
Pariah: outcast
Parity: equality
Parley: discussion, usually between enemies
Parochial: of limited scope or outlook, provincial
Parody: humorous imitation
Parry: to ward off or deflect
Parsimony: stinginess
Partisan (adj): biased in favor of
Partisan (n): strong supporter
Pastiche: piece of literature or music imitating other works
Patent (adj): obvious, unconcealed
Patent (n): official document giving exclusive right to sell an invention
Pathogenic: causing disease
Pathos: pity, compassion
Patrician: aristocrat
Patricide: murder of one’s father
Patrimony: inheritance or heritage derived from one’s father
Patronize: to condescend to, disparage; to buy from
Paucity: scarcity, lack
Pauper: very poor person
Pavilion: tent or light building used for shelter or exhibitions
Peccadillo: minor sin or offense
Peculation: theft of money or goods
Pedagogue: teacher
Pedant: one who pays undue attention to book learning and rules; one that displays learning ostentatiously
Pedestrian (adj): commonplace
Pediment: triangular gable on a roof or facade
Peerless: unequaled
Pejorative: having bad connotations; disparaging
Pellucid: transparent; translucent; easily understood
Penance: voluntary suffering to repent for a wrong
Penchant: inclination
Pending (prep): during, while awaiting
Penitent: expressing sorrow for sins or offenses, repentant
Pensive: thoughtful
Penultimate: next to last
Penumbra: partial shadow
Penury: extreme poverty
Perambulate: walk about
Percipient: discerning, able to perceive
Perdition: complete and utter loss; damnation
Peregrinate: to wander from place to place
Peremptory: imperative; dictatorial
Perennial: present throughout the years; persistent
Perfidious: faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy
Perfunctory: done in a routine way; indifferent
Perihelion: point in orbit nearest to the sun
Peripatetic: moving from place to place
Periphrastic: containing too many words
Perjure: to tell a lie under oath
Permeable: penetrable
Pernicious: very harmful
Perpetuity: continuing forever
Perplexing: puzzling, bewildering
Personification: act of attributing human qualities to objects or abstract qualities
Perspicacious: shrewd, astute, keen-witted
Pert: lively and bold
Pertinacious: persistent, stubborn
Pertinent: applicable, appropriate
Perturbation: disturbance
Perusal: close examination
Pervasive: present throughout
Pervert (v): to cause to change in immoral way; to misuse
Pestilence: epidemic, plague
Pettish: fretful
Petulance: rudeness, peevishness
Phalanx: massed group of soldiers, people, or things
Philanderer: pursuer of casual love affairs
Philanthropy: love of humanity; generosity to worthy causes
Philistine: narrow-minded person, someone lacking appreciation for art or culture
Philology: study of words
Phlegm: coldness or indifference
Phlegmatic: calm in temperament; sluggish
Phoenix: mythical, immortal bird that lives for 500 years, burns itself to death, and rises from its ashes
Phonetics: study of speech sounds
Phonic: relating to sound
Picayune: petty, of little value
Piddling: trivial
Piety: devoutness
Pilfer: to steal
Pillage: to loot, especially during a war
Pillory: ridicule and abuse
Pinnacle: peak, highest point of development
Pious: dedicated, devout, extremely religious
Pique: fleeting feeling of hurt pride
Pithy: profound, substantial; concise, succinct, to the point
Pittance: meager amount or wage
Placate: to soothe or pacify
Placid: calm
Plaintiff: injured person in a lawsuit
Plaintive: expressing sorrow
Plait: to braid
Plangent: loud sound; wailing sound
Plastic: flexible; pliable
Platitude: stale, overused expression
Plaudit: applause
Plebeian: crude, vulgar; low-class
Plenitude: abundance, plenty
Plethora: excess, overabundance
Pliant: pliable, yielding
Pluck: to pull strings on musical instrument
Plucky: courageous, spunky
Plummet: to fall, plunge
Pluralistic: including a variety of groups
Ply (v): to use diligently; to engage; to join together
Pneumatic: relating to air; worked by compressed air
Poach: to steal game or fish; cook in boiling liquid
Podium: platform or lectern for orchestra conductors or speakers
Poignant: emotionally moving
Polar: relating to a geographic pole; exhibiting contrast
Polarize: to tend towards opposite extremes
Polemic: controversy, argument; verbal attack
Politic: shrewd and practical; diplomatic
Polyglot: speaker of many languages
Pompous: self-important
Ponderous: weighty, heavy, large
Pontificate: to speak in a pretentious manner
Pore (v): to study closely or meditatively
Porous: full of holes, permeable to liquids
Portent: omen
Portly: stout, dignified
Posit: to put in position; to suggest an idea
Posterior: bottom, rear
Posterity: future generations; all of a person’s descendants
Potable: drinkable
Potentate: monarch or ruler with great power
Poverty: lacking money or possessions
Pragmatic: practical; moved by facts rather than abstract ideals
Prattle: meaningless, foolish talk
Precarious: uncertain
Precept: principle; law
Precipice: edge, steep overhang
Precipitate (adj): sudden and unexpected
Precipitate (v): to throw down from a height; to cause to happen
Precipitous: hasty, quickly, with too little caution
Précis: short summary of facts
Preclude: to rule out
Precocious: unusually advanced at an early age
Precursor: forerunner, predecessor
Predestine: to decide in advance
Predicament: difficult situation
Predicate (v): to found or base on
Predictive: relating to prediction, indicative of the future
Predilection: preference, liking
Predisposition: tendency, inclination
Preeminent: celebrated, distinguished
Premeditate: to consider, plan beforehand
Premonition: forewarning; presentiment
Preponderance: majority in number; dominance
Prepossessing: attractive, engaging, appealing
Preposterous: absurd, illogical
Presage: to foretell, indicate in advance
Prescient: having foresight
Presentiment: premonition, sense of foreboding
Prestidigitation: sleight of hand
Presumptuous: rude, improperly bold
Pretext: excuse, pretended reason
Prevalent: widespread
Prevaricate: to lie, evade the truth
Primeval: ancient, primitive
Primordial: original, existing from the beginning
Pristine: untouched, uncorrupted
Privation: lack of usual necessities or comforts
Probity: honesty, high-mindedness
Proclivity: tendency, inclination
Procure: to obtain
Prodigal: wasteful, extravagant, lavish
Prodigious: vast, enormous, extraordinary
Proficient: expert, skilled in a certain subject
Profligate: corrupt, degenerate
Profundity: great depth
Profuse: lavish, extravagant
Progenitor: originator, forefather, ancestor in a direct line
Progeny: offspring, children
Prognosticate: to predict
Progressive: favoring progress or change; moving forward
Proliferation: propagation, reproduction; enlargement, expansion
Prolific: productive, fertile
Prolix: tedious; wordy
Prologue: introductory section of a literary work or play
Promontory: piece of land or rock higher than its surroundings
Promulgate: to make known publicly
Propagate: to breed
Propensity: inclination, tendency
Propinquity: nearness
Propitiate: to win over, appease
Propitious: favorable, advantageous
Proponent: advocate, defender, supporter
Propriety: appropriateness
Prosaic: relating to prose; dull, commonplace
Proscribe: to condemn; to forbid, outlaw
Prose: ordinary language used in everyday speech
Prosecutor: person who initiates a legal action or suit
Proselytize: to convert to a particular belief or religion
Prostrate: lying face downward, lying flat on the ground
Protagonist: main character in a play or story, hero
Protean: readily assuming different forms or characters
Protestation: declaration
Protocol: ceremony and manners observed by diplomats
Protract: to prolong, draw out, extend
Protrusion: something that sticks out
Provident: prudent, frugal
Providential: prudent, lucky
Provincial: rustic, unsophisticated, limited in scope
Provocation: cause, incitement to act or respond
Prowess: bravery, skill
Proximity: nearness
Proxy: power to act as substitute for another
Prudent: careful, cautious
Prurient: lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
Pseudonym: pen name; fictitious or borrowed name
Puerile: childish, immature, silly
Pugilism: boxing
Pugnacious: quarrelsome, eager and ready to fight
Pulchritude: beauty
Pulverize: to pound, crush, or grind into powder; destroy
Pummel: to pound, beat
Punctilious: careful in observing rules of behavior or ceremony
Pundit: an authority or critic
Pungent: strong or sharp in smell or taste
Punitive: having to do with punishment
Purgation: process of cleansing, purification
Purge (v): to cleanse or free from impurities
Puritanical: adhering to a rigid moral code
Purport: to profess, suppose, claim
Pusillanimous: cowardly
Putrid: rotten
Q
Quack (n): faker; one who falsely claims to have medical skill
Quadrilateral: four-sided polygon
Quadruped: animal having four feet
Quaff: to drink heartily
Quagmire: marsh; difficult situation
Quandary: dilemma, difficulty
Quarantine: isolation period, originally 40 days, to prevent spread of disease
Quaternary: consisting of or relating to four units or members
Quell: to crush or subdue
Querulous: inclined to complain, irritable
Query (n): question
Quibble: to argue about insignificant and irrelevant details
Quicken: to hasten, arouse, excite
Quiescence: inactivity, stillness
Quiescent: inactive, at rest
Quintessence: most typical example; concentrated essence
Quiver (v): to shake slightly, tremble, vibrate
Quixotic: overly idealistic, impractical
Quotidian: occurring daily; commonplace
R
Raconteur: witty, skillful storyteller
Radical (adj): fundamental; drastic
Raging: violent, wild
Rail (v): to scold with bitter or abusive language
Raillery: lighthearted jesting
Rally (v): to assemble; recover, recuperate
Ramble (v): to roam, wander; to babble, digress
Ramification: implication, outgrowth, or consequence
Rampant: unrestrained
Rancor: bitter hatred
Rapacious: greedy; predatory
Rapport: relationship of trust and respect
Rapprochement: having a cordial relationship
Rapt: deeply absorbed
Rarefy: to make thinner, purer, or more refined
Ratify: to approve formally, confirm
Ratiocination: methodical, logical reasoning
Ration (n): portion, share
Ration (v): to supply; to restrict consumption of
Rationale: line of reasoning
Raucous: harsh-sounding; boisterous
Ravenous: extremely hungry
Ravine: deep, narrow gorge
Raze: to tear down, demolish
Reactionary (adj): marked by extreme conservatism, esp. in politics
Rebarbative: irritating; repellent
Rebuff (n): blunt rejection
Rebuke (v): to reprimand, scold
Rebut: to refute by evidence or argument
Recalcitrant: resisting authority or control
Recant: to retract a statement, opinion, etcetera
Recapitulate: to review with a brief summary
Receptive: open to others’ ideas; congenial
Recidivism: tendency to repeat previous behavior
Reciprocate: to show or feel in return
Reclusive: shut off from the world
Recondite: relating to obscure learning; known to only a few
Recount (v): to describe facts or events
Recreant: disloyal; cowardly
Recruit (v): to draft, enlist; to seek to enroll
Rectify: to correct
Rectitude: moral uprightness
Recurrence: repetition
Redress (n): relief from wrong or injury
Redundancy: unnecessary repetition
Refectory: room where meals are served
Reform (v): to change, correct
Refract: to deflect sound or light
Refractory: obstinately resistant
Refuge: escape, shelter
Refurbish: to renovate
Refute: to contradict, discredit
Regal: magnificent, splendid, fit for royalty
Regard: high esteem
Regimen: government rule; systematic plan
Regress: to move backward; revert to an earlier form or state
Rehabilitate: to restore to good health or condition; reestablish a person’s good reputation
Reiterate: to say again, repeat
Rejoinder: response
Rejuvenate: to make young again; renew
Relegate: to assign to a class, especially to an inferior one
Relent: to become gentler in attitude
Relinquish: to renounce or surrender something
Relish (v): to enjoy greatly
Remediable: capable of being corrected
Reminiscence: remembrance of past events
Remission: lessening, relaxation
Remit: to send (usually money) as payment
Remonstrate: to protest or object
Remote: distant, isolated
Remuneration: pay or reward for work, trouble, etcetera
Renascent: reborn, coming into being again
Renegade: traitor, person abandoning a cause
Renege: to go back on one’s word
Renitent: resisting pressure, obstinate
Renounce: to give up or reject a right, title, person, etcetera
Renown: fame, widespread acclaim
Rent (adj): torn apart
Repast: meal or mealtime
Repeal: to revoke or formally withdraw (often a law)
Repent: to regret a past action
Repentant: apologetic, guilty, remorseful
Replete: abundantly supplied
Replicate: to duplicate, repeat
Repose: relaxation, leisure
Reprehend: to criticize
Reprehensible: blameworthy, disreputable
Repress: to restrain or hold in
Repression: act of restraining or holding in
Reprise: repetition, esp. of a piece of music
Reproach (v): to find fault with; blame
Reprobate: morally unprincipled person
Reprove: to criticize or correct
Repudiate: to reject as having no authority
Requiem: hymns or religious service for the dead
Requite: to return or repay
Rescind: to repeal, cancel
Residue: remainder, leftover, remnant
Resilient: able to recover quickly after illness or bad luck; able to bounce back into shape
Resolute: determined; with a clear purpose
Resolve (n): determination, firmness of purpose
Resolve (v): to conclude, determine
Resonate: to echo
Respire: to breathe
Respite: interval of relief
Resplendent: splendid, brilliant
Restitution: act of compensating for loss or damage
Restive: impatient, uneasy, restless
Restorative: having the power to renew or revitalize
Restrained: controlled, repressed, restricted
Resuscitate: to revive, bring back to life
Retard (v): to slow, hold back
Reticent: not speaking freely; reserved
Retinue: group of attendants with an important person
Retiring: shy, modest, reserved
Retort: cutting response
Retract: to draw in or take back
Retrench: to regroup, reorganize
Retroactive: applying to an earlier time
Retrograde: having a backward motion or direction
Retrospective: looking back to the past
Revelry: boisterous festivity
Revere: to worship, regard with awe
Revert: to backslide, regress
Revile: to criticize with harsh language, verbally abuse
Revitalize: to renew; give new energy to
Revoke: to annul, cancel, call back
Revulsion: strong feeling of repugnance or dislike
Rhapsody: emotional literary or musical work
Rhetoric: persuasive use of language
Ribald: humorous in a vulgar way
Riddle (v): to make many holes in; permeate
Rife: widespread, prevalent; abundant
Rift: an open space; to divide
Righteous: morally right
Riposte: a retort
Risqué: bordering on being inappropriate or indecent
Robust: strong and healthy; hardy
Rococo: very highly ornamented
Roil: to disturb or cause disorder
Root (v): to dig with a snout (like a pig)
Rooted: to have an origin or base
Rostrum: stage for public speaking
Rotund: round in shape; fat
Rue: to regret
Ruffled: irritated
Ruminate: to contemplate, reflect upon
Rustic: rural
S
Saccharine: excessively sweet or sentimental
Sacrosanct: extremely sacred; beyond criticism
Sagacious: shrewd, wise
Salacious: lustful
Salient: prominent or conspicuous
Sallow: sickly yellow in color
Salubrious: healthful
Salutation: greeting
Sanction: permission, support; law; penalty
Sanctuary: haven, retreat
Sanguine: ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
Sap (v): to weaken gradually
Sapient: wise
Sardonic: cynical, scornfully mocking
Satiate: to satisfy
Saunter: to amble; walk in a leisurely manner
Savant: learned person
Scabbard: sheath for sword or dagger
Scabrous: dealing with indecent things; blemished
Scale (v): to climb to the top of
Scantiness: barely enough, meager
Scarcity: not enough, insufficient
Scenario: plot outline; possible situation
Schism: a division or separation; disharmony
Scintilla: very small amount
Scintillate: to sparkle, flash
Scion: descendent, child
Score (n): notation for a musical composition
Score (v): to make a notch or scratch
Scrivener: professional copyist
Scrupulous: restrained; careful and precise
Scurrilous: vulgar, low, indecent
Secant: straight line intersecting a curve at two points
Secede: to withdraw formally from an organization
Sectarian: narrow-minded; relating to a group or sect
Secular: not specifically pertaining to religion
Sedentary: inactive, stationary; sluggish
Sedition: behavior promoting rebellion
Seismology: science of earthquakes
Seminal: relating to the beginning or seeds of something
Senescent: aging, growing old
Sententious: having a moralizing tone
Sentient: aware, conscious, able to perceive
Sepulchral: typical of a place of burial
Sequester: to remove or set apart; put into seclusion
Seraphic: angelic, pure, sublime
Serendipity: habit of making fortunate discoveries by chance
Serrated: saw-toothed, notched
Servile: submissive, obedient
Shard: piece of broken glass or pottery
Shirk: to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
Sidle: to cause to turn sideways; to move along one side
Simian: apelike; relating to apes
Simper: to smirk, smile foolishly
Simulated: fake, made to look real
Sinecure: well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
Singe: to burn slightly, scorch
Sinuous: winding; intricate, complex
Skulk: to move in a stealthy or cautious manner; sneak
Slake: to calm down or moderate
Slight: to treat as unimportant; insult
Slipshod: careless, hasty
Slough: to discard or shed
Sluggard: lazy, inactive person
Smelt (v): to melt metal in order to refine it
Smutty: obscene, indecent
Snippet: tiny part, tidbit
Sobriety: seriousness
Sobriquet: nickname
Sodden: thoroughly soaked; saturated
Sojourn: visit, stay
Solace: comfort in distress; consolation
Solarium: room or glassed-in area exposed to the sun
Solecism: grammatical mistake
Solicitous: concerned, attentive; eager
Solidarity: unity based on common aims or interests
Soliloquy: literary or dramatic speech by one character, not addressed to others
Solipsism: belief that the self is the only reality
Solstice: shortest or longest day of the year
Soluble: capable of being solved or dissolved
Somber: dark and gloomy; melancholy, dismal
Somnambulist: sleepwalker
Somnolent: drowsy, sleepy; inducing sleep
Sonic: relating to sound
Sonorous: producing a full, rich sound
Sophist: person good at arguing deviously
Sophistry: deceptive reasoning or argumentation
Sophomoric: immature and overconfident
Soporific: sleepy or tending to cause sleep
Sordid: filthy; contemptible and corrupt
Sovereign: having supreme power
Spartan: austere, severe, grave; simple, bare
Specious: deceptively attractive
Speculation: contemplation; act of taking business risks for financial gain
Speculative: involving assumption; uncertain; theoretical
Sporadic: infrequent, irregular
Sportive: frolicsome, playful
Sprightly: lively, animated, energetic
Spur (v): to prod
Spurious: lacking authenticity; counterfeit, false
Spurn: to reject or refuse contemptuously; scorn
Squabble: quarrel
Squalid: filthy; morally repulsive
Squander: to waste
Staccato: marked by abrupt, clear-cut sounds
Stagnant: immobile, stale
Staid: self-restrained to the point of dullness
Stalwart: strong, unwavering
Stand (n): group of trees
Stasis: motionless state; standstill
Stately: grand, unapproachable
Steadfast: immovable
Stentorian: extremely loud
Stigma: mark of disgrace or inferiority
Stilted: stiff, unnatural
Stint (n): period of time spent doing something
Stint (v): to be sparing or frugal
Stipend: allowance; fixed amount of money paid regularly
Stockade: enclosed area forming defensive wall
Stoic: indifferent to or unaffected by emotions
Stolid: having or showing little emotion
Stratagem: trick designed to deceive an enemy
Stratify: to arrange into layers
Striate: striped, grooved
Stricture: something that restrains; negative criticism
Strident: loud, harsh, unpleasantly noisy
Stringent: imposing severe, rigorous standards
Stripling: an adolescent boy
Stultify: to impair or reduce to uselessness
Stupefy: to dull the senses of; stun, astonish
Stymie: to block or thwart
Subdued: suppressed, stifled
Subjection: dependence, obedience, submission
Subjugate: to conquer, subdue; enslave
Sublimate: to repress impulses
Sublime: awe-inspiring; of high spiritual or moral value
Subliminal: subconscious; imperceptible
Submissive: tending to be meek and submit
Subpoena: notice ordering someone to appear in court
Subterfuge: trick or tactic used to avoid something
Subterranean: hidden, secret; underground
Subvert: to undermine or corrupt
Succinct: terse, brief, concise
Succulent: juicy; full of vitality or freshness
Sufferable: bearable
Suffragist: one who advocates extended voting rights
Sully: to soil, stain, tarnish; taint
Sumptuous: lavish, splendid
Superabundance: excessive
Superannuated: too old, obsolete, outdated
Supercilious: arrogant, haughty, overbearing, condescending
Supererogatory: nonessential
Superfluous: extra, more than necessary
Supersede: to take the place of; replace
Supervise: to direct or oversee the work of others
Supplant: to replace, substitute
Supple: flexible, pliant
Supplicant: one who asks humbly and earnestly
Supposition: assumption
Surfeit: excessive amount
Surly: rude and bad-tempered
Surmise: to make an educated guess
Surmount: to conquer, overcome
Surreptitious: characterized by secrecy
Susceptible: vulnerable, unprotected
Sustenance: supplying the necessities of life
Sybarite: person devoted to pleasure and luxury
Sycophant: self-serving flatterer, yes-man
Symbiosis: cooperation, mutual helpfulness
Symposium: meeting with short presentations on related topics
Synchronous: happening at the same time
Syncopation: temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
Synthesis: blend, combination
Synthetic: artificial, imitation
T
Tableau: vivid description, striking incident or scene
Tacit: silently understood or implied
Taciturn: uncommunicative, not inclined to speak much
Tactful: skillful in dealing with others
Tactile: relating to the sense of touch
Talisman: something producing a magical effect
Tandem: acting as a group or in partnership
Tangential: digressing, diverting
Tangible: able to be sensed; perceptible, measurable
Tantamount: equivalent in value or significance; amounting to
Tarnished: corroded, discolored; discredited, disgraced
Tawdry: gaudy, cheap, showy
Taxonomy: science of classification
Technocrat: strong believer in technology; technical expert
Teeter: to waver or move unsteadily
Temerity: recklessness
Temperance: restraint, self-control, moderation
Tempered: moderated, restrained
Tempestuous: stormy, raging, furious
Temporal: relating to time; chronological
Tenable: defensible, reasonable
Tenacious: stubborn, holding firm
Tendentious: biased
Tenet: belief, doctrine
Tensile: capable of withstanding physical stress
Tenuous: weak, insubstantial
Tepid: lukewarm; showing little enthusiasm
Terminal (adj): concluding, final; fatal
Terminal (n): depot, station
Terrestrial: earthly; down-to-earth, commonplace
Terse: concise, brief, free of extra words
Testament: statement of belief; will
Testimonial: statement testifying to a truth; something given in tribute to a person’s achievement
Tether (v): to bind, tie
Theocracy: government by priests representing a god
Theology: study of God and religion
Theoretical: abstract
Thrall: a person in servitude, enslaved
Threnody: a sad poem or song
Thwart: to block or prevent from happening; frustrate
Tidings: news
Timorous: timid, shy, full of apprehension
Tinge: to color slightly
Tirade: long violent speech; verbal assault
Titan: person of colossal stature or achievement
Toady: flatterer, hanger-on, yes-man
Tome: book, usually large and academic
Tonal: relating to pitch or sound
Topography: art of making maps or charts
Torpid: lethargic; unable to move; dormant
Torrid: burning hot; passionate
Torsion: act of twisting and turning
Tortuous: having many twists and turns; highly complex
Tottering: barely standing
Tractable: obedient, yielding
Trammel: to impede or hamper
Transcend: to rise above, go beyond
Transcendent: rising above, going beyond
Transcription: copy, reproduction; record
Transfiguration: a change; an exalting change
Transgress: to trespass, violate a law
Transient (adj): temporary, short-lived, fleeting
Transitory: short-lived, existing only briefly
Translucent: partially transparent
Transmute: to change in appearance or shape
Transpire: to happen, occur; become known
Travesty: parody, exaggerated imitation, caricature
Tremulous: trembling, quivering; fearful, timid
Trenchant: acute, sharp, incisive; forceful, effective
Trepidation: fear and anxiety
Trifling: of slight worth, trivial, insignificant
Trite: shallow, superficial
Trounce: to beat severely, defeat
Troupe: group of actors
Truculent: savage and cruel; fierce; ready to fight
Truism: something that is obviously true
Truncate: to cut off, shorten by cutting
Trying: difficult to deal with
Tryst: agreement between lovers to meet; rendezvous
Tumult: state of confusion; agitation
Tundra: treeless plain found in Arctic or subarctic regions
Turbid: muddled; unclear
Turbulence: commotion, disorder
Turgid: swollen, bloated
Turpitude: inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
Tyrannical: oppressive; dictatorial
Tyro: beginner, novice
U
Ubiquitous: being everywhere simultaneously
Umbrage: offense, resentment
Unadulterated: absolutely pure
Unanimity: state of total agreement or unity
Unavailing: hopeless, useless
Unbending: inflexible, unyielding
Unbridled: unrestrained
Unconscionable: unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
Unctuous: greasy, oily; smug and falsely earnest
Undaunted: resolute even in adversity
Undermine: to sabotage, thwart
Undocumented: not certified, unsubstantiated
Undulating: moving in waves
Unequivocal: absolute, certain
Unfailing: not likely to fail, constant, infallible
Unfettered: free, unrestrained
Unfrock: to strip of priestly duties
Ungracious: rude, disagreeable
Unheralded: unannounced, unexpected
Unidimensional: having one size or dimension
Uniform (adj): consistent and unchanging; identical
Unimpeachable: beyond question
Uninitiated: not familiar with an area of study
Unobtrusive: modest, unassuming
Unpolished: lacking sophistication
Unruffled: poised, calm
Unscrupulous: dishonest
Unsoiled: clean, pure
Unsolicited: unrequested
Unstinting: generous
Unsullied: clean
Unswayable: unable to change
Untoward: not favorable; unruly
Untrammeled: unhampered
Unwarranted: groundless, unjustified
Unwitting: unconscious; unintentional
Unyielding: firm, resolute
Upbraid: to scold sharply
Uproarious: loud and forceful
Upsurge: sudden rise
Urbane: courteous, refined, suave
Usurp: to seize by force
Usury: practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
Utilitarian: efficient, functional, useful
Utopia: perfect place
V
Vacillate: to waver, show indecision
Vacuous: empty, void; lacking intelligence, purposeless
Valiant: brave, courageous
Validate: to authorize, certify, confirm
Valorous: brave, valiant
Vanquish: to conquer, defeat
Vapid: tasteless, dull
Variable: changeable, inconstant
Variegated: varied; marked with different colors
Vaunted: boasted about, bragged about
Vehemently: strongly, urgently
Venal: willing to do wrong for money
Vendetta: prolonged feud marked by bitter hostility
Venerable: respected because of age
Veneration: adoration, honor, respect
Vent (v): to express, say out loud
Veracious: truthful, accurate
Veracity: accuracy, truth
Verbatim: word for word
Verbose: wordy
Verdant: green with vegetation; inexperienced
Verdure: fresh, rich vegetation
Verified: proven true
Verisimilitude: quality of appearing true or real
Verity: truthfulness; belief viewed as true and enduring
Vermin: small creatures offensive to humans
Vernacular: everyday language used by ordinary people; specialized language of a profession
Vernal: related to spring
Versatile: adaptable, all-purpose
Verve: energy, vitality
Vestige: trace, remnant
Vex: to irritate, annoy; confuse, puzzle
Viable: workable, able to succeed or grow
Viaduct: series of elevated arches used to cross a valley
Vicarious: substitute, surrogate; enjoyed through imagined participation in another’s experience
Vicissitude: change or variation; ups and downs
Vie: to compete, contend
Vigilant: attentive, watchful
Vignette: decorative design; short literary composition
Vilify: to slander, defame
Vim: energy, enthusiasm
Vindicate: to clear of blame; support a claim
Vindication: clearance from blame or suspicion
Vindictive: spiteful, vengeful, unforgiving
Virile: manly, having qualities of an adult male
Virtuoso: someone with masterly skill; expert musician
Virulent: extremely poisonous; malignant; hateful
Viscous: thick, syrupy and sticky
Vitiate: reduce in value or effectiveness
Vitriolic: burning, caustic; sharp, bitter
Vituperate: to abuse verbally
Vociferous: loud, vocal and noisy
Void (adj): not legally enforceable; empty
Void (n): emptiness, vacuum
Void (v): to cancel, invalidate
Volition: free choice, free will; act of choosing
Volley (n): flight of missiles, round of gunshots
Voluble: speaking much and easily, talkative; glib
Voluminous: large; of great quantity; writing or speaking at great length
Voracious: having a great appetite
Vortex: swirling, resembling a whirlpool
W
Waive: to refrain from enforcing a rule; to give up a legal right
Wallow: to indulge oneself excessively, luxuriate
Wan: sickly pale
Wane: to dwindle, to decrease
Wanton: undisciplined, unrestrained, reckless
Waspish: rude, behaving badly
Wax: to increase
Weather (v): to endure, undergo
Welter (n): a confused mass; a jumble
Whet: to sharpen, stimulate
Whimsy: playful or fanciful idea
Wily: clever, deceptive
Windfall: sudden, unexpected good fortune
Winsome: charming, happily engaging
Withdrawn: unsociable, aloof; shy, timid
Wizened: withered, shriveled, wrinkled
Wraith: a ghost
Wrangle: loud quarrel
Writ: written document, usually in law
X
Xenophobia: fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
Y
Yoke (v): to join together
Z
Zealot: someone passionately devoted to a cause
Zenith: highest point, summit
Zephyr: gentle breeze