SAT Vocabulary Wordbank

Your Progress

Overall Progress

0%
Learned
0
Remaining
851

Difficulty Breakdown

Medium
0/404 (0%)
Easy
0/322 (0%)
Hard
0/125 (0%)

Mastery Level Breakdown

Struggling
0
Learning
0
Proficient
0
Mastered
0
Not Practiced
851
0
Words Practiced
0
Total Sentences

Practice every word individually

Master all 851 SAT vocabulary words with bite-sized lessons

🔥 Keep your streak alive! Start today

Difficulty Level
Part of Speech
Mastery Level

Showing 851 of 851 words

abase

to humiliate, degrade

verb

abate

to reduce, lessen

verb

abdicate

to give up a position, usually one of leadership

verb

abduct

to kidnap, take by force

verb

aberration

something that differs from the norm

noun

abet

to aid, help, encourage

verb

abhor

to hate, detest

verb

abject

wretched, pitiful

adjective

abjure

to reject, renounce

verb

abnegation

denial of comfort to oneself

noun

abrogate

to abolish, usually by authority

verb

abscond

to sneak away and hide

verb

absolution

freedom from blame, guilt, sin

noun

abstain

to freely choose not to commit an action

verb

abstruse

hard to comprehend

adjective

accede

to agree

verb

accentuate

to stress, highlight

verb

accessible

obtainable, reachable

adjective

acclaim

high praise

noun

accolade

high praise, special distinction

noun

accommodating

helpful, obliging, polite

adjective

accord

an agreement

noun

accost

to confront verbally

verb

accretion

slow growth in size or amount

noun

acerbic

biting, bitter in tone or taste

adjective

acquiesce

to agree without protesting

verb

acrimony

bitterness, discord

noun

acumen

keen insight

noun

adamant

impervious, immovable, unyielding

adjective

adept

extremely skilled

adjective

admonish

to caution, criticize, reprove

verb

adorn

to decorate

verb

adroit

skillful, dexterous

adjective

adulation

extreme praise

noun

adumbrate

to sketch out in a vague way

verb

adverse

antagonistic, unfavorable, dangerous

adjective

aerial

somehow related to the air

adjective

aesthetic

artistic, related to the appreciation of beauty

adjective

affable

friendly, amiable

adjective

affront

an insult

noun

aggrandize

to increase or make greater

verb

aggrieved

distressed, wronged, injured

adjective

agile

quick, nimble

adjective

agnostic

believing that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven

adjective

agriculture

farming

noun

aisle

a passageway between rows of seats

noun

alacrity

eagerness, speed

noun

alias

a false name or identity

noun

allay

to soothe, ease

verb

allege

to assert, usually without proof

verb

alleviate

to relieve, make more bearable

verb

allocate

to distribute, set aside

verb

aloof

reserved, distant

adjective

altercation

a dispute, Thght

noun

amalgamate

to bring together, unite

verb

ambiguous

uncertain, variably interpretable

adjective

ambivalent

having opposing feelings

adjective

ameliorate

to improve

verb

amenable

willing, compliant

adjective

amiable

friendly

adjective

amicable

friendly

adjective

amorous

showing love, particularly sexual

adjective

amorphous

without deThnite shape or type

adjective

anachronistic

being out of correct chronological order

adjective

analgesic

something that reduces pain

noun

analogous

similar to, so that an analogy can be drawn

adjective

anarchist

one who wants to eliminate all government

noun

anathema

a cursed, detested person

noun

anecdote

a short, humorous account

noun

anesthesia

loss of sensation

noun

anguish

extreme sadness, torment

noun

animated

lively

adjective

annul

to make void or invalid

verb

anomaly

something that does not Tht into the normal order

noun

anonymous

being unknown, unrecognized

adjective

antagonism

hostility

noun

antecedent

something that came before

noun

antediluvian

ancient

adjective

anthology

a selected collection of writings, songs, etc.

noun

antipathy

a strong dislike, repugnance

noun

antiquated

old, out of date

adjective

antiseptic

clean, sterile

adjective

antithesis

the absolute opposite

noun

anxiety

intense uneasiness

noun

apathetic

lacking concern, emotion

adjective

appalling

inspiring shock, horror, disgust

adjective

appease

to calm, satisfy

verb

appraise

to assess the worth or value of

verb

approbation

praise

noun

appropriate

to take, make use of

verb

aquatic

relating to water

adjective

arable

suitable for growing crops

adjective

arbiter

one who can resolve a dispute, make a decision

noun

arbitration

the process or act of resolving a dispute

noun

arboreal

of or relating to trees

adjective

arcane

obscure, secret, known only by a few

adjective

archaic

of or relating to an earlier period in time, outdated

adjective

archetypal

the most representative or typical example of something

adjective

arid

excessively dry

adjective

arrogate

to take without justiThcation

verb

ascetic

practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious

adjective

ascribe

to assign, credit, attribute to

verb

aspersion

a curse, expression of ill-will

noun

aspire

to long for, aim toward

verb

assail

to attack

verb

assess

to evaluate

verb

assiduous

hard-working, diligent

adjective

assuage

to ease, pacify

verb

astute

very clever, crafty

adjective

audacious

excessively bold

adjective

audible

able to be heard

adjective

augment

to add to, expand

verb

auspicious

favorable, indicative of good things

adjective

austere

very bare, bleak

adjective

avarice

excessive greed

noun

avenge

to seek revenge

verb

aversion

a particular dislike for something

noun

balk

to stop, block abruptly

verb

ballad

a love song

noun

banal

dull, commonplace

adjective

bane

a burden

noun

bard

a poet, often a singer as well

noun

bashful

shy, excessively timid

adjective

beguile

to trick, deceive

verb

behemoth

something of tremendous power or size

noun

benevolent

marked by goodness or doing good

adjective

benign

favorable, not threatening, mild

adjective

bequeath

to pass on, give

verb

berate

to scold vehemently

verb

bereft

devoid of, without

adjective

beseech

to beg, plead, implore

verb

bias

a tendency, inclination, prejudice

noun

bilk

cheat, defraud

verb

blandish

to coax by using ssattery

verb

blemish

an imperfection, ssaw

noun

boisterous

loud and full of energy

adjective

bombastic

excessively conThdent, pompous

adjective

boon

a gift or blessing

noun

bourgeois

a middle-class person, capitalist

noun

brazen

excessively bold, brash

adjective

brusque

short, abrupt, dismissive

adjective

burnish

to polish, shine

verb

cacophony

tremendous noise, disharmonious sound

noun

cadence

a rhythm, progression of sound

noun

cajole

to urge, coax

verb

calamity

an event with disastrous consequences

noun

calibrate

to set, standardize

verb

callous

harsh, cold, unfeeling

adjective

calumny

an attempt to spoil someone else's reputation by spreading lies

noun

camaraderie

brotherhood, jovial unity

noun

candor

honesty, frankness

noun

canny

shrewd, careful

adjective

capacious

very spacious

adjective

capitulate

to surrender

verb

capricious

subject to whim, fickle

adjective

captivate

to get the attention of, hold

verb

carouse

to party, celebrate

verb

carp

to annoy, pester

verb

catalyze

to charge, inspire

verb

caucus

a meeting usually held by people working toward the same goal

noun

caustic

bitter, biting, acidic

adjective

cerebral

related to the intellect

adjective

circuitous

roundabout

adjective

circumlocution

indirect and wordy language

noun

circumscribed

marked off, bounded

adjective

circumspect

cautious

adjective

circumvent

to get around

verb

clandestine

secret

adjective

clemency

mercy

noun

clergy

members of Christian holy orders

noun

cloying

sickeningly sweet

adjective

coagulate

to thicken, clot

verb

coalesce

to fuse into a whole

verb

cobbler

a person who makes or repairs shoes

noun

coerce

to make somebody do something by force or threat

verb

cogent

intellectually convincing

adjective

cognizant

aware, mindful

adjective

coherent

logically consistent, intelligible

adjective

colloquial

characteristic of informal conversation

adjective

collusion

secret agreement, conspiracy

noun

colossus

a gigantic statue or thing

noun

combustion

the act or process of burning

noun

commendation

a notice of approval or recognition

noun

commensurate

corresponding in size or amount

adjective

commodious

roomy

adjective

compelling

forceful, demanding attention

adjective

compensate

to make an appropriate payment for something

verb

complacency

self-satisThed ignorance of danger

noun

complement

to complete, make perfect

verb

compliant

ready to adapt oneself to another's wishes

adjective

complicit

being an accomplice in a wrongful act

adjective

compliment

an expression of esteem or approval

noun

comprehensive

including everything

adjective

compress

to apply pressure, squeeze together

verb

compunction

distress caused by feeling guilty

noun

concede

to accept as valid

verb

concise

brief and direct in expression

adjective

concoct

to fabricate, make up

verb

concomitant

accompanying in a subordinate fashion

adjective

concord

harmonious agreement

noun

condolence

an expression of sympathy in sorrow

noun

condone

to pardon, deliberately overlook

verb

conduit

a pipe or channel through which something passes

noun

confection

a sweet, fancy food

noun

conformist

one who behaves the same as others

noun

confound

to frustrate, confuse

verb

congeal

to thicken into a solid

verb

congenial

pleasantly agreeable

adjective

congregation

a gathering of people, especially for religious services

noun

congruity

the quality of being in agreement

noun

connive

to plot, scheme

verb

consecrate

to dedicate something to a holy purpose

verb

consensus

an agreement of opinion

noun

consign

to give something over to another's care

verb

consolation

an act of comforting

noun

consonant

in harmony

adjective

constituent

an essential part

noun

constrain

to forcibly restrict

verb

construe

to interpret

verb

consummate

to complete a deal; to complete a marriage ceremony through sexual

verb

consumption

the act of consuming

noun

contemporaneous

existing during the same time

adjective

contentious

having a tendency to quarrel or dispute

adjective

contravene

to contradict, oppose, violate

verb

contrite

penitent, eager to be forgiven

adjective

contusion

bruise, injury

noun

conundrum

puzzle, problem

noun

convene

to call together

verb

convivial

characterized by feasting, drinking, merriment

adjective

convoluted

intricate, complicated

adjective

copious

profuse, abundant

adjective

coronation

the act of crowning

noun

corpulence

extreme fatness

adjective

corroborate

to support with evidence

verb

corrosive

having the tendency to erode or eat away

adjective

cosmopolitan

sophisticated, worldly

adjective

counteract

to neutralize, make ineffective

verb

covet

to desire enviously

verb

credulity

readiness to believe

noun

crescendo

a steady increase in intensity or volume

noun

criteria

standards by which something is judged

noun

culmination

the climax toward which something progresses

noun

culpable

deserving blame

adjective

cultivate

to nurture, improve, reThne

verb

cumulative

increasing, building upon itself

adjective

cunning

sly, clever at being deceitful

adjective

cupidity

greed, strong desire

noun

daunting

intimidating, causing one to lose courage

adjective

debacle

a disastrous failure, disruption

noun

debase

to lower the quality or esteem of something

verb

debauch

to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures

verb

debunk

to expose the falseness of something

verb

decorous

socially proper, appropriate

adjective

deface

to ruin or injure something's appearance

verb

defer

to postpone something; to yield to another's wisdom

verb

deferential

showing respect for another's authority

adjective

deft

skillful, capable

adjective

defunct

no longer used or existing

adjective

delegate

to hand over responsibility for something

verb

deleterious

harmful

adjective

deliberate

intentional, ressecting careful consideration

adjective

delineate

to describe, outline, shed light on

verb

demagogue

a leader who appeals to a people's prejudices

noun

demarcation

the marking of boundaries or categories

noun

demean

to lower the status or stature of something

verb

demure

quiet, modest, reserved

adjective

denigrate

to belittle, diminish the opinion of

verb

denounce

to criticize publicly

verb

deplore

to feel or express sorrow, disapproval

verb

depravity

wickedness

noun

deprecate

to belittle, depreciate

verb

derelict

abandoned, run-down

adjective

deride

to laugh at mockingly, scorn

verb

derivative

taken directly from a source, unoriginal

adjective

desecrate

to violate the sacredness of a thing or place

verb

desiccated

dried up, dehydrated

adjective

desolate

deserted, dreary, lifeless

adjective

despondent

feeling depressed, discouraged, hopeless

adjective

despot

one who has total power and rules brutally

noun

destitute

impoverished, utterly lacking

adjective

deter

to discourage, prevent from doing

verb

devious

not straightforward, deceitful

adjective

dialect

a variation of a language

noun

diaphanous

light, airy, transparent

adjective

diligent

showing care in doing one's work

adjective

diminutive

small or miniature

adjective

dirge

a mournful song, especially for a funeral

noun

disaffected

rebellious, resentful of authority

adjective

disavow

to deny knowledge of or responsibility for

verb

discern

to perceive, detect

verb

disclose

to reveal, make public

verb

discrepancy

difference, failure of things to correspond

noun

discretion

the quality of being reserved in speech or action; good judgment

noun

discursive

rambling, lacking order

adjective

disgruntled

upset, not content

adjective

disparage

to criticize or speak ill of

verb

disparate

sharply differing, containing sharply contrasting elements

adjective

dispatch

to send off to accomplish a duty

verb

dispel

to drive away, scatter

verb

disperse

to scatter, cause to scatter

verb

disrepute

a state of being held in low regard

noun

dissemble

to conceal, fake

verb

disseminate

to spread widely

verb

dissonance

lack of harmony or consistency

noun

dissuade

to persuade someone not to do something

verb

distend

to swell out

verb

dither

to be indecisive

verb

divine

godly, exceedingly wonderful

adjective

divisive

causing dissent, discord

adjective

divulge

to reveal something secret

verb

docile

easily taught or trained

adjective

dogmatic

aggressively and arrogantly certain about unproved principles

adjective

dormant

sleeping, temporarily inactive

adjective

dour

stern, joyless

adjective

dubious

doubtful, of uncertain quality

adjective

duplicity

crafty dishonesty

noun

duress

hardship, threat

noun

dynamic

actively changing

adjective

ebullient

extremely lively, enthusiastic

adjective

eclectic

consisting of a diverse variety of elements

adjective

ecstatic

intensely and overpoweringly happy

adjective

ecund

fruitful, fertile

adjective

edict

an order, decree

noun

efface

to wipe out, obliterate, rub away

verb

effulgent

radiant, splendorous

adjective

egregious

extremely bad

adjective

elaborate

complex, detailed, intricate

adjective

elated

overjoyed, thrilled

adjective

elegy

a speech given in honor of a dead person

noun

elicit

to bring forth, draw out, evoke

verb

eloquent

expressive, articulate, moving

adjective

elucidate

to clarify, explain

verb

elude

to evade, escape

verb

emaciated

very thin, enfeebled looking

adjective

embezzle

to steal money by falsifying records

verb

emend

to correct or revise a written text

verb

emollient

soothing

adjective

emote

to express emotion

verb

empathy

sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own

noun

emulate

to imitate

verb

enamor

to Thll with love, fascinate, usually used in passive form followed by ÒofÓ or

verb

encore

the audience's demand for a repeat performance; also the artist's

noun

encumber

to weigh down, burden

verb

enfranchise

to grant the vote to

verb

engender

to bring about, create, generate

verb

enigmatic

mystifying, cryptic

adjective

enmity

ill will, hatred, hostility

noun

ennui

boredom, weariness

noun

entail

to include as a necessary step

verb

enthrall

to charm, hold spellbound

verb

ephemeral

short-lived, sseeting

adjective

epitome

a perfect example, embodiment

noun

equanimity

composure

noun

equivocal

ambiguous, uncertain, undecided

adjective

eral

wild, savage

adjective

erudite

learned

adjective

eschew

to shun, avoid

verb

esoteric

understood by only a select few

adjective

espouse

to take up as a cause, support

verb

ethereal

heavenly, exceptionally delicate or reThned

adjective

etid

having a foul odor

adjective

etter

to chain, restrain

verb

etymology

the history of words, their origin and development

noun

euphoric

elated, uplifted

adjective

evanescent

sseeting, momentary

adjective

evince

to show, reveal

verb

exacerbate

to make more violent, intense

verb

exalt

to glorify, praise

verb

exasperate

to irritate, irk

verb

excavate

to dig out of the ground and remove

verb

exculpate

to free from guilt or blame, exonerate

verb

excursion

a trip or outing

noun

execrable

loathsome, detestable

adjective

exigent

urgent, critical

adjective

exonerate

to free from guilt or blame, exculpate

verb

exorbitant

excessive

adjective

expedient

advisable, advantageous, serving one's self-interest

adjective

expiate

to make amends for, atone

verb

expunge

to obliterate, eradicate

verb

expurgate

to remove offensive or incorrect parts, usually of a book

verb

extant

existing, not destroyed or lost

adjective

extol

to praise, revere

verb

extraneous

irrelevant, extra, not necessary

adjective

extricate

to disentangle

verb

exult

to rejoice

verb

fabricate

to make up, invent

verb

fallacious

incorrect, misleading

adjective

fastidious

meticulous, demanding, having high and often unattainable standards

adjective

fathom

to understand, comprehend

verb

fatuous

silly, foolish

adjective

foil

to thwart, frustrate, defeat

verb

forage

to graze, rummage for food

verb

forbearance

patience, restraint, toleration

noun

forestall

to prevent, thwart, delay

verb

forlorn

lonely, abandoned, hopeless

adjective

forsake

to give up, renounce

verb

forum

a medium for lecture or discussion

noun

foster

to stimulate, promote, encourage

verb

fractious

troublesome or irritable

adjective

frenetic

frenzied, hectic, frantic

adjective

frivolous

of little importance, trissing

adjective

frugal

thrifty, economical

adjective

garish

gaudy, in bad taste

adjective

garrulous

talkative, wordy

adjective

genial

friendly, affable

adjective

gluttony

overindulgence in food or drink

noun

goad

to urge, spur, incite to action

verb

gourmand

someone fond of eating and drinking

noun

grandiloquence

lofty, pompous language

noun

grandiose

on a magniThcent or exaggerated scale

adjective

gratuitous

uncalled for, unwarranted

adjective

gregarious

drawn to the company of others, sociable

adjective

grievous

injurious, hurtful; serious or grave in nature

adjective

guile

deceitful, cunning, sly behavior

noun

hackneyed

unoriginal, trite

adjective

hallowed

revered, consecrated

adjective

haos

absolute disorder

noun

hapless

unlucky

adjective

harrowing

greatly distressing, vexing

adjective

hastise

to criticize severely

verb

haughty

disdainfully proud

adjective

hedonist

one who believes pleasure should be the primary pursuit of humans

noun

hegemony

domination over others

noun

heinous

shockingly wicked, repugnant

adjective

herish

to feel or show affection toward something

verb

heterogeneous

varied, diverse in character

adjective

hiatus

a break or gap in duration or continuity

noun

hide

to voice disapproval

verb

hierarchy

a system with ranked groups, usually according to social, economic, or

noun

horeography

the arrangement of dances

noun

hronological

arranged in order of time

adjective

hypocrisy

pretending to believe what one does not

noun

hypothetical

supposed or assumed true, but unproven

adjective

iconoclast

one who attacks common beliefs or institutions

noun

idiosyncratic

peculiar to one person; highly individualized

adjective

idolatrous

excessively worshipping one object or person

adjective

ignominious

humiliating, disgracing

adjective

illicit

forbidden, not permitted

adjective

immerse

to absorb, deeply involve, engross

verb

immutable

not changeable

adjective

impassive

stoic, not susceptible to suffering

adjective

impeccable

exemplary, ssawless

adjective

imperious

commanding, domineering

adjective

impetuous

rash; hastily done

adjective

implacable

incapable of being appeased or mitigated

adjective

implicate

to involve in an incriminating way, incriminate

verb

implicit

understood but not outwardly obvious, implied

adjective

impregnable

resistant to capture or penetration

adjective

impudent

casually rude, insolent, impertinent

adjective

impute

to ascribe, blame

verb

inane

silly and meaningless

adjective

incessant

unending

adjective

inchoate

unformed or formless, in a beginning stage

adjective

incisive

clear, sharp, direct

adjective

inclination

a tendency, propensity

noun

incorrigible

incapable of correction, delinquent

adjective

increment

an enlargement; the process of increasing

noun

indefatigable

incapable of defeat, failure, decay

adjective

indigenous

originating in a region

adjective

indigent

very poor, impoverished

adjective

indignation

anger sparked by something unjust or unfair

noun

indomitable

not capable of being conquered

adjective

induce

to bring about, stimulate

verb

ineffable

unspeakable, incapable of being expressed through words

adjective

inept

not suitable or capable, unqualiThed

adjective

inexorable

incapable of being persuaded or placated

adjective

inextricable

hopelessly tangled or entangled

adjective

infamy

notoriety, extreme ill repute

noun

infusion

an injection of one substance into another; the permeation of one

noun

ingenious

clever, resourceful

adjective

ingenuous

not devious; innocent and candid

adjective

inhibit

to prevent, restrain, stop

verb

inimical

hostile, enemylike

adjective

iniquity

wickedness or sin

noun

injunction

an order of ofThcial warning

noun

innate

inborn, native, inherent

adjective

innocuous

harmless, inoffensive

adjective

innovate

to do something in an unprecedented way

verb

innuendo

an insinuation

noun

inoculate

to introduce a microorganism, serum, or vaccine into an organism in

verb

inquisitor

one who inquires, especially in a hostile manner

noun

insatiable

incapable of being satisThed

adjective

insidious

appealing but imperceptibly harmful, seductive

adjective

insinuate

to suggest indirectly or subtly

verb

insipid

dull, boring

adjective

insolent

rude, arrogant, overbearing

adjective

instigate

to urge, goad

verb

insular

separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off

adjective

insurgent

one who rebels

noun

integral

necessary for completeness

adjective

interject

to insert between other things

verb

interlocutor

someone who participates in a dialogue or conversation

noun

interminable

without possibility of end

adjective

intimation

an indirect suggestion

noun

intractable

difThcult to manipulate, unmanageable

adjective

intransigent

refusing to compromise, often on an extreme opinion

adjective

intrepid

brave in the face of danger

adjective

inundate

to ssood with abundance

verb

inure

to cause someone or something to become accustomed to a situation

verb

invective

an angry verbal attack

noun

inveterate

stubbornly established by habit

adjective

inviolable

secure from assault

adjective

irascible

easily angered

adjective

iridescent

showing rainbow colors

adjective

irreverence

disrespect

noun

irrevocable

incapable of being taken back

adjective

jubilant

extremely joyful, happy

adjective

judicious

having or exercising sound judgment

adjective

juxtaposition

the act of placing two things next to each other for implicit

noun

knell

the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death

noun

kudos

praise for an achievement

noun

laceration

a cut, tear

noun

laconic

terse in speech or writing

adjective

languid

sluggish from fatigue or weakness

adjective

larceny

obtaining another's property by theft or trickery

noun

largess

the generous giving of lavish gifts

noun

latent

hidden, but capable of being exposed

adjective

lenient

demonstrating tolerance or gentleness

adjective

lethargic

in a state of sluggishness or apathy

adjective

licentious

displaying a lack of moral or legal restraints

adjective

limpid

clear, transparent

adjective

linchpin

something that holds separate parts together

noun

lithe

graceful, ssexible, supple

adjective

litigant

someone engaged in a lawsuit

noun

lucid

clear, easily understandable

adjective

luminous

brightly shining

adjective

lurid

ghastly, sensational

adjective

maelstrom

a destructive whirlpool which rapidly sucks in objects

noun

magnanimous

noble, generous

adjective

malediction

a curse

noun

malevolent

wanting harm to befall others

adjective

malleable

capable of being shaped or transformed

adjective

mandate

an authoritative command

noun

manifold

diverse, varied

adjective

maudlin

weakly sentimental

adjective

maverick

an independent, nonconformist person

noun

mawkish

characterized by sick sentimentality

adjective

maxim

a common saying expressing a principle of conduct

noun

meager

deThcient in size or quality

adjective

medley

a mixture of differing things

noun

mendacious

having a lying, false character

adjective

mercurial

characterized by rapid change or temperamentality

adjective

meritorious

worthy of esteem or reward

adjective

metamorphosis

the change of form, shape, substance

noun

meticulous

extremely careful with details

adjective

mitigate

to make less violent, alleviate

verb

modicum

a small amount of something

noun

modulate

to pass from one state to another, especially in music

verb

morass

a wet swampy bog; Thguratively, something that traps and confuses

noun

mores

the moral attitudes and Thxed customs of a group of people.

noun

morose

gloomy or sullen

adjective

multifarious

having great diversity or variety

adjective

mundane

concerned with the world rather than with heaven, commonplace

adjective

mutable

able to change

adjective

myriad

consisting of a very great number

adjective

nadir

the lowest point of something

noun

nascent

in the process of being born or coming into existence

adjective

nebulous

vaguely deThned, cloudy

adjective

nefarious

heinously villainous

adjective

negligent

habitually careless, neglectful

adjective

neophyte

someone who is young or inexperienced

noun

nocturnal

relating to or occurring during the night

adjective

noisome

unpleasant, offensive, especially to the sense of smell

adjective

nomadic

wandering from place to place

adjective

nominal

trissing, insigniThcant

adjective

nonchalant

having a lack of concern, indifference

adjective

nondescript

lacking a distinctive character

adjective

notorious

widely and unfavorably known

adjective

novice

a beginner, someone without training or experience

noun

noxious

harmful, unwholesome

adjective

nuance

a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression

noun

obdurate

unyielding to persuasion or moral inssuences

adjective

obfuscate

to render incomprehensible

verb

oblique

diverging from a straight line or course, not straightforward

adjective

oblivious

lacking consciousness or awareness of something

adjective

obscure

unclear, partially hidden

adjective

obsequious

excessively compliant or submissive

adjective

obsolete

no longer used, out of date

adjective

obstinate

not yielding easily, stubborn

adjective

obstreperous

noisy, unruly

adjective

obtuse

lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect

adjective

odious

instilling hatred or intense displeasure

adjective

ominous

foreboding or foreshadowing evil

adjective

onerous

burdensome

adjective

opulent

characterized by rich abundance verging on ostentation

adjective

oration

a speech delivered in a formal or ceremonious manner

noun

ornate

highly elaborate, excessively decorated

adjective

oscillate

to sway from one side to the other

verb

ostensible

appearing as such, seemingly

adjective

ostentatious

excessively showy, glitzy

adjective

ostracism

exclusion from a group

noun

palatable

agreeable to the taste or sensibilities

adjective

palette

a range of colors or qualities

adjective

palliate

to reduce the severity of

verb

pallid

lacking color

adjective

panacea

a remedy for all ills or difThculties

noun

paradigm

an example that is a perfect pattern or model

noun

paradox

an apparently contradictory statement that is perhaps true

noun

paragon

a model of excellence or perfection

noun

paramount

greatest in importance, rank, character

adjective

pariah

an outcast

noun

parody

a satirical imitation

noun

parsimony

frugality, stinginess

noun

patent

readily seen or understood, clear

adjective

pathology

a deviation from the normal

noun

pathos

an emotion of sympathy

noun

paucity

small in quantity

adjective

pejorative

derogatory, uncomplimentary

adjective

pellucid

easily intelligible, clear

adjective

penchant

a tendency, partiality, preference

noun

penitent

remorseful, regretful

adjective

penultimate

next to last

adjective

penurious

miserly, stingy

adjective

permeate

to spread throughout, saturate

verb

pernicious

extremely destructive or harmful

adjective

perplex

to confuse

verb

perspicacity

shrewdness, perceptiveness

adjective

perusal

a careful examination, review

noun

petulance

rudeness, irritability

noun

philanthropic

charitable, giving

adjective

phlegmatic

uninterested, unresponsive

adjective

pillage

to seize or plunder, especially in war

verb

pinnacle

the highest point

noun

pithy

concisely meaningful

adjective

pittance

a very small amount, especially relating to money

noun

placate

to ease the anger of, soothe

verb

placid

calm, peaceful

adjective

platitude

an uninspired remark, clich"

noun

plaudits

enthusiastic approval, applause

noun

plausible

believable, reasonable

adjective

plenitude

an abundance

noun

plethora

an abundance, excess

noun

pliable

ssexible

adjective

poignant

deeply affecting, moving

adjective

polemic

an aggressive argument against a speciThc opinion

noun

potable

suitable for drinking

adjective

potentate

one who has great power, a ruler

noun

pragmatic

practical

adjective

precipice

the face of a cliff, a steep or overhanging place

noun

preclude

to prevent

verb

precocious

advanced, developing ahead of time

adjective

predilection

a preference or inclination for something

noun

preponderance

superiority in importance or quantity

adjective

prepossessing

occupying the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings

adjective

presage

an omen

noun

prescient

to have foreknowledge of events

adjective

prescribe

to lay down a rule

verb

presumptuous

disrespectfully bold

adjective

pretense

an appearance or action intended to deceive

noun

primeval

original, ancient

adjective

privation

lacking basic necessities

noun

probity

virtue, integrity

noun

proclivity

a strong inclination toward something

noun

procure

to obtain, acquire

verb

profane

lewd, indecent

adjective

profuse

plentiful, abundant

adjective

promulgate

to proclaim, make known

verb

propagate

to multiply, spread out

verb

propensity

an inclination, preference

noun

propitious

favorable

adjective

propriety

the quality or state of being proper, decent

noun

prosaic

plain, lacking liveliness

adjective

proscribe

to condemn, outlaw

verb

protean

able to change shape; displaying great variety

adjective

prowess

extraordinary ability

noun

prudence

cautious, circumspect

noun

prurient

eliciting or possessing an extraordinary interest in sex

adjective

puerile

juvenile, immature

adjective

pugnacious

quarrelsome, combative

adjective

pulchritude

physical beauty

noun

punctilious

eager to follow rules or conventions

adjective

pungent

having a pointed, sharp qualityÑoften used to describe smells

adjective

punitive

involving punishment

adjective

putrid

rotten, foul

adjective

quagmire

a difThcult situation

noun

quaint

charmingly old-fashioned

adjective

quell

to control or diffuse a potentially explosive situation

verb

querulous

whiny, complaining

adjective

quixotic

idealistic, impractical

adjective

quotidian

daily

adjective

rail

to scold, protest

verb

rancid

having a terrible taste or smell

adjective

rancor

deep, bitter resentment

noun

rash

hasty, incautious

adjective

raucous

loud, boisterous

adjective

raze

to demolish, level

verb

rebuke

to scold, criticize

verb

recalcitrant

deThant, unapologetic

adjective

recapitulate

to sum up, repeat

verb

reciprocate

to give in return

verb

reclusive

solitary, shunning society

adjective

rectitude

uprightness, extreme morality

noun

refract

to distort, change

verb

refurbish

to restore, clean up

verb

refute

to prove wrong

verb

relish

to enjoy

verb

remedial

intended to repair gaps in students' basic knowledge

adjective

remiss

negligent, failing to take care

adjective

renown

honor, acclaim

noun

renunciation

to reject

noun

repentant

penitent, sorry

adjective

replete

full, abundant

adjective

repose

to rest, lie down

verb

reprehensible

deserving rebuke

adjective

reprieve

a temporary delay of punishment

noun

reproach

to scold, disapprove

verb

reprobate

evil, unprincipled

adjective

reprove

to scold, rebuke

verb

repudiate

to reject, refuse to accept

verb

reputable

of good reputation

adjective

requisition

a demand for goods, usually made by an authority

noun

rescind

to take back, repeal

verb

resilient

able to recover from misfortune; able to withstand adversity

adjective

resolute

Thrm, determined

adjective

respite

a break, rest

noun

resplendent

shiny, glowing

adjective

restitution

restoration to the rightful owner

noun

restive

resistant, stubborn, impatient

adjective

retract

withdraw

verb

revel

to enjoy intensely

verb

revere

to esteem, show deference, venerate

verb

revoke

to take back

verb

rhapsodize

to engage in excessive enthusiasm

verb

ribald

coarsely, crudely humorous

adjective

rife

abundant

adjective

ruminate

to contemplate, ressect

verb

ruse

a trick

noun

saccharine

sickeningly sweet

adjective

sacrosanct

holy, something that should not be criticized

adjective

sagacity

shrewdness, soundness of perspective

noun

salient

signiThcant, conspicuous

adjective

salutation

a greeting

noun

salve

a soothing balm

noun

sanctimonious

giving a hypocritical appearance of piety

adjective

sanguine

optimistic, cheery

adjective

satiate

to satisfy excessively

verb

scathing

sharp, critical, hurtful

adjective

scintillating

sparkling

adjective

scrupulous

painstaking, careful

adjective

scurrilous

vulgar, coarse

adjective

semaphore

a visual signal

noun

seminal

original, important, creating a Theld

adjective

sensual

involving sensory gratiThcation, usually related to sex

adjective

sensuous

involving sensory gratiThcation

adjective

serendipity

luck, Thnding good things without looking for them

noun

serene

calm, untroubled

adjective

sinuous

lithe, serpentine

adjective

sobriety

sedate, calm

noun

solicitous

concerned, attentive

adjective

solipsistic

believing that oneself is all that exists

adjective

soluble

able to dissolve

adjective

somnolent

sleepy, drowsy

adjective

sophomoric

immature, uninformed

adjective

sovereign

having absolute authority in a certain realm

adjective

speculative

not based in fact

adjective

spurious

false but designed to seem plausible

adjective

stagnate

to become or remain inactive, not develop, not ssow

verb

staid

sedate, serious, self-restrained

adjective

stingy

not generous, not inclined to spend or give

adjective

stoic

unaffected by passion or feeling

adjective

stolid

expressing little sensibility, unemotional

adjective

strenuous

requiring tremendous energy or stamina

adjective

strident

harsh, loud

adjective

subjugate

to bring under control, subdue

verb

sublime

lofty, grand, exalted

adjective

submissive

easily yielding to authority

adjective

succinct

marked by compact precision

adjective

surmise

to infer with little evidence

verb

surreptitious

stealthy

adjective

surrogate

one acting in place of another

noun

sycophant

one who ssatters for self-gain

noun

tacit

expressed without words

adjective

taciturn

not inclined to talk

adjective

tangential

incidental, peripheral, divergent

adjective

tantamount

equivalent in value or signiThcance

adjective

tedious

dull, boring

adjective

temerity

audacity, recklessness

noun

temperance

moderation in action or thought

noun

tenable

able to be defended or maintained

adjective

tenuous

having little substance or strength

adjective

terrestrial

relating to the land

adjective

timorous

timid, fearful

adjective

tirade

a long speech marked by harsh or biting language

noun

tome

a large book

noun

tone

to repent, make amends

verb

torpid

lethargic, dormant, lacking motion

adjective

torrid

giving off intense heat, passionate

adjective

tractable

easily controlled

adjective

transgress

to violate, go over a limit

verb

transient

passing through briessy; passing into and out of existence

adjective

transmute

to change or alter in form

verb

travesty

a grossly inferior imitation

noun

tremulous

fearful

adjective

trenchant

effective, articulate, clear-cut

adjective

trepidation

fear, apprehension

noun

trite

not original, overused

adjective

trophy

to wither away, decay

verb

truculent

ready to Thght, cruel

adjective

truncate

to shorten by cutting off

verb

ttain

to achieve, arrive at

verb

turgid

swollen, excessively embellished in style or language

adjective

turpitude

depravity, moral corruption

noun

typical

not typical, unusual

adjective

ubiquitous

existing everywhere, widespread

adjective

umbrage

resentment, offense

noun

uncanny

of supernatural character or origin

adjective

unctuous

smooth or greasy in texture, appearance, manner

adjective

undulate

to move in waves

verb

upbraid

to criticize or scold severely

verb

usurp

to seize by force, take possession of without right

verb

utilitarian

relating to or aiming at usefulness

adjective

utopia

an imaginary and remote place of perfection

noun

vacillate

to ssuctuate, hesitate

verb

vacuous

lack of content or ideas, stupid

adjective

validate

to conThrm, support, corroborate

verb

vapid

lacking liveliness, dull

adjective

variegated

diversiThed, distinctly marked

adjective

vehemently

marked by intense force or emotion

adverb

veneer

a superThcial or deceptively attractive appearance, fa"ade

noun

venerable

deserving of respect because of age or achievement

adjective

venerate

to regard with respect or to honor

verb

vent

ardent, passionate

adjective

veracity

truthfulness, accuracy

noun

verbose

wordy, impaired by wordiness

adjective

vestige

a mark or trace of something lost or vanished

noun

vex

to confuse or annoy

verb

vicarious

experiencing through another

adjective

vicissitude

event that occurs by chance

noun

vigilant

watchful, alert

adjective

vilify

to lower in importance, defame

verb

vindicate

to avenge; to free from allegation; to set free

verb

vindictive

vengeful

adjective

viscous

not free ssowing, syrupy

adjective

vitriolic

having a caustic quality

adjective

vituperate

to berate

verb

vivacious

lively, sprightly

adjective

vocation

the work in which someone is employed, profession

noun

vociferous

loud, boisterous

adjective

wallow

to roll oneself indolently; to become or remain helpless

verb

wane

to decrease in size, dwindle

verb

wanton

undisciplined, lewd, lustful

adjective

whimsical

fanciful, full of whims

adjective

wily

crafty, sly

adjective

winsome

charming, pleasing

adjective

wistful

full of yearning; musingly sad

adjective

wizened

dry, shrunken, wrinkled

adjective

wrath

vengeful anger, punishment

noun

yoke

to join, link

verb

zealous

fervent, Thlled with eagerness in pursuit of something

adjective

zenith

the highest point, culminating point

noun

zephyr

a gentle breeze

noun