Word Definition

abate v. to diminish in intensity v. to cause to diminish in intensity

aberrant adj. diverging from the standard type

abjure v. to reject or renounce

abscond v. to leave secretly, evading detection

abstain v. to voluntarily refrain from doing something

acumenn. keen judgment and perception

admonish v. scold or to advise firmly

adulterate v. to contaminate or make impure by introducing inferior elements

advocate v. to recommend, support, or advise n. one who advocates

aesthetic adj. concerned with the nature of beauty and art

affectation n. fake or artificial behavior, often meant to impress or conceal the truth

aggrandize v. enlarge or increase, esp. wealth, power, reputation

alacrity n. promptness and eagerness

alleviate v. to relieve a problem or ease a burden

amalgamate v. to combine to or mix together

ambiguous adj. Unclear adj. open to multiple interpretations

ambivalent adj. having mixed or contradictory feelings about someone or something

ameliorate v. to improve or mitigate a situation

amenable adj. easily convinced or persuaded

anachronism n. something old-fashioned n. something appearing in a time period where it does

not belong

analogous n. Comparable n. appropriate for analogy

anoint v. to choose for a particular office or position v. to use oil on a person in a religious
ceremony

anomaly n. an exception or unusual case

antipathy n. strong dislike or hatred

antithetical adj. contrary to the very nature of

Apathy n. state of total disinterest or unenthusiasm

appease v. to placate v. to satisfy (an appetite, a need)

arbitrary adj. seemingly chosen or designated without reason or purpose

Arcane adj. secret or known only to a select group

archaic adj. old-fashioned adj. no longer in the common usage

arduous adj. difficult, taxing, requiring considerable effort

articulate adj. exhibiting considerable communication skills, well-spoken

Artless adj. without artifice adj. natural, untrained

ascetic adj. austere or self-denying

assuagev. to provide relief from an unpleasant feeling v. to satisfy a need or appetite

astonishment n. total surprise, shock

audacious adj. very bold or presumptuous

austere adj. severe, unadorned

Avarice n. greed

aver v. to assert or allege

banal adj. boring, cliché

belie v. give a false impression (intentional or unintentional) in word, appearance, or deed

benign adj. gentle, harmless

biased adj. prejudiced, displaying partiality

bolster v. to shore up or support

bombastic adj. overblown, theatrical

brazen adj. bold or open to the point of shocking adj. shameless

Bucolic adj. pastoral, rustic, countryfied

burgeon v. flourish, bloom, expand or increase quickly

cacophony n. loud and chaotic noise

calumny n. lie or slander

candid adj. honest, open

canon n. accepted rules and tenets of a discipline n. sacred works/scripture; in this sense it is also
used to refer to notable literary and artistic works of a culture or discipline

Capacity n. the capability to perform a particular action or fulfill a given function n. the total amount
a container can hold n. a particular position or role (i.e. “she served in an advisory capacity”)

capricious adj. mercurial, unpredictable, whimsical

castigate v. to scold or berate strongly

catalyst n. something that speeds up a process or causes action

caustic adj. Corrosive adj. bitterly sarcastic

censurev. to express intense condemnation

chauvinist n. someone who believes prejudicially that their own group is the superior one

chicanery n. trickery or deception

chronological adj. ordered by time

coalesce v. to come together, esp. from disparate parts

cogent adj. clearly laid out and persuasive

commensurate adj. in accordance with, proportional

compelling adj. Captivating adj. very persuasive

comprehensive adj. complete and thorough

condone v. to approve or allow

confound v. to confuse or astonish

connoisseur n. an expert in a particular subject matter area, usually relating to the fine arts or
cultural pursuits

consequential adj. as a result of adj. significant or memorable

construe v. to interpret

consumption n. utilization (esp. of a resource)

contend v. assert or claim v. grapple with

contentious adj. Controversial adj. involving conflict

contriteadj. remorseful
convoluted adj. roundabout, not straightforward

copious adj. plentiful or abundant

cosmopolitan adj. of or relating to a city or urban area adj. sophisticated

covet v. to desire something that does not belong to you

craft n. Cunning n. skill

craven adj. cowardly to the point of being shameful

credence n. belief or trust

credulous adj. gullible, naïve

decorum n. appropriate behavior or good manners

deference n. respect or polite submission

deflect v. divert or cause to ricochet

deftness adj. skill, acumen adj. manual dexterity

delineate v. to describe very accurately v. to clearly demarcate a boundary v. to render an

outline

demur v. to object or raise concerns

denigrate v. say negative things about, particularly in a defamatory way

deride v. to mock or ridicule

derivative adj. imitates another work in a way that is unoriginal or uninspiring

desiccate v. to dry out completely v. to suck out the vitality and passion

desultory adj. Halfhearted adj. inconsistent or random

detachment n. objectivity or aloofness

determinant n. a strong factor in an outcome

diatribe n. a rant or angry speech denouncing someone or something

didactic adj. educational or with an instructive purpose; often includes an element of moralizing

diffident adj. shy, timid, or reserved due to a lack of confidence

dilettante n. someone with an amateur, nonserious interest in something

dirge n. funeral or mourning lament n. any sad, slow song

disabuse v. to dispel someone’s illusions or false impressions about something

discern v. to perceive

discrepancy n. inconsistency

disinterested adj. objective, unbiased adj. not invested in the outcome

disparage v. to belittle

disparate adj. dissimilar to such a degree that comparison is not possible

dispassionate adj. impartial or cool

disregard v. to ignore or pay no attention to

dissemble v. to mislead or conceal the truth, esp. with respect to one’s motives

disseminate v. to spread widely (esp. information)

dissonance n. a clash between two elements that don’t blend well

diverge v. to split apart, esp. a road or path

dogma n. the official beliefs or tenets of particular sect or group

dupe v. to deceive or fool

ebullient adj. cheerful, enthusiastic, excited

eccentric adj. quirky or unusual

eclectic adj. composed of a variety of styles, themes, motifs, etc.

efficacy n. effectiveness

elegy n. sad poem or song, often in remembrance of someone deceased

elicit v. to provoke a response

eloquence adj. persuasive and articulate speech

eminent adj. well-known, respected, distinguished

empirical adj. based on evidence

emulate v. to imitate or attempt to equal in accomplishment

enervate v. to exhaust or drain of energy

engender v. to cause or give rise to

enhance v. intensify, increase, augment

entitlement n. belief that one deserves things one has not earned n. the rights one is afforded
under the law
ephemeral adj. short-lived or transient

equable adj. even-tempered adj. not given to much change or variation

equivocate v. to use ambiguous language in order to mislead or deceive

erroneous adj. incorrect

erudite adj. learned

eschew v. avoid or abstain from

esotericadj. obscure, arcane

estimable adj. deserving respect, esteem, and admiration

eulogy n. memorial speech for one who has passed, normally given at a funeral

exacerbate v. to make worse

exacting adj. challenging, demanding, grueling

exculpate v. to exonerate or vindicate

exigent adj. urgent or pressing

exonerate v. to clear of charges of wrongdoing

expatiate v. to elaborate on something in great detail

explicate v. to explain in detail

exposition n. a thorough explanation n. a public show or fair

extraneous adj. irrelevant or superfluous

extrapolate v. to estimate or conjecture about the future based on presently available

information or facts

facetious adj. glib or flippant

facilitate v. to make something easier or simpler

fallacious adj. relying on a fallacy and thus incorrect/misinformed

fastidious adj. Meticulous adj. invested in cleanliness

fluctuate v. to shift without apparent pattern

foment v. to foster unrest or discontent

forestall v. to hold off or try to prevent

fortuitous adj. fortunate and lucky

frugal adj. economical, thrifty

gainsay v. deny or oppose

galvanize v. to prod someone into action

garrulous adj. talkative

gauche adj. socially inept, inappropriate, or awkward

germane adj. relevant to the matter at hand

glib adj. talking volubly, but carelessly or insincerely

gregarious adj. sociable, genial

guile n. craftiness and cunning

hackneyed adj. cliché, trite, banal

harangue n. diatribe or rant

hedonism n. the pursuit of pleasure

hierarchical adj. arranged in rank order or hierarchy

homogenous adj. uniform, identical

hyperbole n. obvious exaggeration for effect

iconoclast n. a person who attacks traditional religious and cultural institutions

ideological adj. relating to a particular belief system or theory

imminent adj. about to happen

immutable adj. unchangeable

impair v. to hinder or weaken someone or something

impediment n. barrier, hindrance, or obstruction

imperturbable adj. remaining calm under any circumstance

implacable adj. Unforgiving adj. relentless

Implicit adj. implied or insinuated without being directly stated

imprudence n. bad judgment

impudent adj. disrespectful

inadvertent adj. by accident or unintentional

Inchoate adj. rudimentary, in the beginning stages

inconclusive adj. indeterminate or unresolved

indebted adj. owing money adj. owing gratitude to someone or something

indefatigable adj. cannot be made tired

indolent adj. Lazy adj. idle

infer v. to conclude from implicit evidence (as opposed to explicit facts)

ingenuous adj. naïve or innocent

inimical adj. harmful or hostile

Innocuous adj. harmless

inscrutable adj. enigmatic, incomprehensible

insipid adj. bland, uninspired, inane

insular adj. tight-knit and isolated; uninterested in matters outside one’s immediate sphere

intensive adj. concentrated and in-depth

intermediary n. a go-between

intimate adj. close (as in a relationship) adj. particularly private v. to imply

intractable adj. Unmanageable adj. stubborn or obstinate

intransigent adj. uncompromising, obstinate

intrepidadj. bold and adventurous

inveterate adj. ingrained, habitual

invulnerable adj. indestructible, impervious to harm

irascible adj. irritable, testy, touchy

irresolute adj. wishy-washy, hesitant

laconic adj. taciturn, reserved, succinct

laud v. to praise

laudable adj. praiseworthy

litigation n. legal proceedings

loquacious adj. talkative

lucid adj. clear and coherent

luminous adj. full of light

magnanimity n. generosity and nobility of spirit

maladroit adj. clumsy, awkward, inept

malign adj. evil or harmful v. to speak negatively about someone or something

malleable adj. pliant or pliable adj. easily influenced

maverick n. an unorthodox person or rebel

mendacity n. untruthfulness, dishonesty

mercurial adj. easily changeable, fickle

meticulous adj. paying close attention to detail

misanthrope n. person who hates humanity

mitigate v. to improve a painful, unpleasant, or negative situation

modest adj. not boastful adj. not overly showy

mollify v. placate

monotony n. boredom and repetition

mundane adj. everyday, boring

munificent adj. very generous

naïve adj. inexperienced or gullible

nascentadj. just beginning or in the early stages

neglect v. to abandon or leave uncared-for

nonplussed adj. confused and baffled

notoriety n. fame for doing something negative or criminal

nuance n. subtle shades of difference

obdurate adj. stubborn, obstinate

obscureadj. mysterious or not well-known v. to cover something up or make it more difficult to

perceive

obsequious adj. overly fawning and helpful in a way that is disingenuous

obstinate adj. stubborn, uncompromising

obviate v. to forestall the need for something v. to prevent

occlude v. to block or obstruct

occult n. the mystical and supernatural

offset v. to counterbalance or counteract

olfactory adj. relating to smell or the sense of smell

omniscience n. the quality or state of being all-knowing

onerous adj. difficult or burdensome

opaque adj. not see-through; blocking light

opportunism n. the practice of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise without particular
concern for morality or ethics

opprobrium n. criticism or condemnation

oscillate v. to swing back and forth between two points, poles, or positions

ostentatious adj. overly showy in a way that is gaudy or vulgar

outstripv. to overtake or outrun

overshadow v. to literally cast a shadow over v. to appear more notable than

painstaking adj. attentive to detail, meticulous

partial adj. incomplete

partisan n. a devoted supporter of a group, cause, or person

patent adj. blatant, obvious

paucity n. scarcity, poverty

pedantic adj. overly concerned with irrelevant detail, fussy

pedestrian adj. boring, monotonous, run-of-the-mill

perfidy n. treachery or deceit

perfunctory adj. done without much effort, care, or thought

peripheral adj. on the edge or periphery; not centrally important

permeate v. to pervade or penetrate throughout

perseverance n. persistence in the face of obstacles

peruse v. to read something carefully and closely v. to read something informally or quickly
pervasive adj. found everywhere, widespread; often has a negative connotation

phenomena n. things that happen

phlegmatic adj. cool and unruffled

pith n. the essential substance of something

placate v. to calm, esp. an angry or upset person

plastic adj. easily shaped or molded adj. made of plastic

platitude n. a trite or cliché statement

plausible adj. believable, reasonable

plethora n. a surplus or overabundance of something

plummet v. to fall quickly and far

polarizev. to cause a sharp division between two groups

polemical adj. angry, hostile, harshly critical

pragmatic adj. practical

precarious adj. uncertain or unstable

preceded adj. went before

precipitate v. to cause adj. hastily and not well-considered n. particulate matter formed within a
solution

precursor n. a forerunner

prescient adj. knowing things before they happen, prophetic

presumptuous adj. overly familiar; invades social boundaries

prevail v. to succeed, esp. with respect to vanquishing an opponent v. to convince or persuade

prevaricate v. to evade or deceive without outright lying

pristine adj. untouched, clean, pure

probity n. integrity and honor

prodigal n. a reckless spender

prodigious adj. enormous, immense, gigantic

profligate adj. extravagant and wasteful, esp. in an immoral way

proliferate v. to multiply and spread rapidly

propitiate v. to obtain special favor from someone, esp. a powerful person or deity, by
performing a pleasing action v. to appease someone who is angry

propriety n. appropriateness, manners, decorum

prospective adj. potential or likely adj. applicable to the future

qualification n. Credential n. a modifying statement

quotidian adj. relating to the everyday or mundane

rationalize v. to attempt to justify with reasons that are only superficially valid

reconcile v. to bring into harmony v. to repair a relationship

recondite adj. arcane or obscure

refute v. to rebut or disprove

relentless adj. never stopping, constant

relevant adj. relating to the topic or issue at hand

reproach v. to scold or express criticism

repudiate v. to renounce or disown

rescind v. to take back or retract (an offer or statement)

respectively adv. in the sequential order previously given

reticentadj. hesitant to speak adj. introverted or silent

reverent adj. solemn and respectful

rhetoricn. the art of effective communication (written or verbal)

salubrious adj. health-promoting

sanction v. to give official permission v. to impose a penalty for a particular action n.

punishments imposed for breaking a regulation

satiate v. to completely satisfy (with respect to hunger or appetite)

secular adj. of or relating to the world or worldly matters (as opposed to religious ones)

sediment n. material that settles at the bottom of a body of water

sedulous adj. dedicated and careful

simultaneous adj. occurring at the same moment

solicitous adj. considerate, attentive

soporific adj. makes sleepy

sparse adj. scattered or scarce adj. austere and unadorned

specious adj. spurious; appearing true but actually false

sporadic adj. occasional or scattered

spurious adj. fake or false

stolid adj. calm and dependable

subjective adj. open to personal interpretation; not based in objective fact

substantiate v. to corroborate or give evidence of something

subversive adj. meant to undercut established institutions or norms

sufficient adj. enough for a given purpose

superbly adv. excellently

supine adj. laying back with the face upward (opposite position to prone)

supplant v. to overtake or replace

sycophant n. a fawning, insincere admirer

synthesize v. to combine disparate parts into a coherent whole

tacit adj. unspoken; implicit

taciturnadj. reticent or reserved; tending towards silence

temperance n. moderation and restraint, sometimes used to specifically describe abstinence

from alcohol

tenuous adj. weak, flimsy, insubstantial

timorous adj. meek or timid

tirade n. an angry rant

torpor n. tiredness, lethargy

tortuous adj. winding or twistyadj. complicated

tractable adj. can be easily influenced or managed

transient adj. passes quickly; short-lived

ubiquitous adj. ever-present or universal

unadorned adj. plain; unembellished

undermine v. to weaken or compromise

underscore v. to line underneath for emphasisv. to emphasize

untenable adj. weak or unsupportable, esp. with respect to an opinion or situation

vacillate v. to shift between multiple options or opinions

venalityn. the state of being capable of being bribed

venerate v. to give a high degree of respect; may border on worship

veracityn. Truth and factual accuracy

verboseadj. long-winded; loquacious

vexation n. state of being frustrated, irritated, or concerned.

volatile adj. easily changeable or extreme; unstable

whimsical adj. fanciful or capricious

zeal n. passion or fervor