PCAT VOCABULARY LIST

Instructions: As you read this list, mark the words you

are not familiar with and practice them. There is an
exercise link at the end of the list. Good Luck!

abate: reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen

abbreviate: make (a word, phrase, or text) shorter
abbreviation: 1. a shortened form of a name, phrase or word 2. the act of shortening
something
abdicate: 1. leave or give up a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like,
especially in a formal manner; abandon, lay down, or withdraw from 2. fail to do what is
required by (a responsibility or duty)
aberrant: different from the right, normal, usual course, expected course or an accepted
standard
aberration: a departure from what is right, true, correct, etc., typically an unwelcome
one
abeyance: 1. a temporary stoppage or delay of activity 2. suspension
abhor: regard with extreme dislike and hatred
ability: 1. the capacity to do something 2. a skill or talent in a specific area
abjure: 1. to officially renounce 2. to formally and publicly announce that one no longer
believes in something
abolish: 1. to get rid of in an official way 2. to put an end to 3. to completely destroy
abolition: 1. the act of getting rid of something 2. the act of stopping or cancelling
something
abortive: 1. failed 2. unfinished and therefore unsuccessful 3. imperfect
abridge: 1. to make something shorter while keeping the same meaning 2. to condense
3. to reduce
abrogate: 1. to officially put an end to something, especially a law or another type of
formal agreement
abrupt: 1. brusque or curt in behavior or speech 2. unexpected or sudden, most often in
an unpleasant or shocking way 3. steep
abscond: leave or escape from a place hurriedly or secretly, typically to avoid detection
of, capture, legal prosecution or arrest for an unlawful action
absolution: 1. giving forgiveness; freeing from blame or fault, especially when referring
to religious issues
absorb: 1. to incorporate something 2. to soak up or suck up something 3. to gradually
take something in
abstain: deliberately choose not to do or have something that is enjoyable but that may
not be healthy, safe, or morally right 2. refrain from voting
abstemious: 1. moderation when consuming something one enjoys, such as alcohol or
food 2. showing restraint
abstract: 1. not concrete; not related to a physical object or real event 2. expressing or
showing feelings instead of real objects or people 3. difficult to understand because of
its complexity 4. theoretical
abstruse: difficult to understand, especially because of being extremely complex
abundance: 1. an extremely large quantity of something 2. a quantity that is considered
to be more than enough
accede: 1. to formally take on official duties 2. to agree; to give consent 3. to do what
someone else says
accelerate: 1. to speed up 2. to go faster 3. to make something happen or to happen at
a quicker rate than normal
access: 1. a way of entering or exiting a place 2. the right or permission to use,
approach, or enter something or somewhere 3. the act of approaching
accessible: 1. obtainable 2. easy to enter, speak with, or approach 3. easily influenced
accessory: 1. an object that is added to another in order to make it more useful or
attractive 2. a person that helps another person commit a crime, but who does not
actually take part in the crime
accolade: 1. an award 2. a declaration of praise, approval, or admiration
accompaniment: 1. something that accompanies something or someone else 2. music
that accompanies a singer or the main tune
accomplishment: 1. fulfillment, success or achievement 2. something that was done
successfully
accord: concurrence of opinions or wills
accost: approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted
way, as with a demand or request
account: 1. an explanation or description of a specific event or situation 2. a narrative 3.
the reasons behind a specific event or action
accrue: 1. to accumulate over a long period of time 2. to increase 3. to grow in a slow
way
acquiesce: 1. to agree to something reticently but without protesting
acquisition: 1. the act of getting something or gaining possession of a skill or a good 2.
something that one gets or gains possession of
acrophobia: 1. a strong or abnormal fear of heights
acuity: 1. acuteness or sharpness, especially of thought, vision or perception
acumen: the ability to think clearly, make good judgments and take quick decision in a
particular subject, such as business or politics
adjacent: 1. near 2. close to 3. neighboring 4. touching
adjust: 1. to make changes to 2. to settle or adapt to a situation
adroit: very clever or skillful in a physical or mental way
adulation: excessive admiration, praise, or flattery
adumbrate: 1. to give hints or vague information about something that is going to
happen in the future 2. to foretell 3. to obscure
adversity: a difficult, unlucky, or unpleasant situation, condition, or event; misfortune;
tragedy
affable: 1. kind or friendly 2. warm and open to others
affect: 1. to impact someone emotionally or mentally 2. to produce a change in
aggrandize: 1. increase the scope of 2. make great or greater 3. increase or enhance
the power, status, position, reputation or wealth of
aggregate: 1. to collect or bring together 2. to add amounts together
alacrity: a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something
alchemy: 1. a type of chemistry from the Medieval age which focused on two major
tasks: turning ordinary metals into gold and developing an elixir that allows people to
stay young forever 2. magical powers of transformation or creation
allay: 1. to calm or to lessen negative feelings or pain 2. to pacify 3. to alleviate or
relieve
alleviate: 1. to make something more bearable or relieve problems or pain 2. to make
something less severe or easier
allocate: divide and give out (something) for a particular purpose
aloof: 1. unfriendly or unwilling to interact with others 2. distant 3. uninvolved
altruistic: unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others
amalgamate: mix, merge, combine or unite to form one thing
amass: 1. to gather or collect goods of any kind over a long period of time 2. to
accumulate
ambiguous: 1. not expressed or understood clearly 2. open to or having several
possible meanings or interpretations
ambivalence: 1. the state of having simultaneous contradicting feelings towards an
someone or something 2. uncertainty 3. fluctuation
ambulatory: 1. able to walk 2. mobile and able to move from one place to another 3.
moving and not stationary
ameliorate: 1. to improve 2. to make better 3. to make tolerable
amenable: 1. ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield 2. responsible or
answerable
amend: 1. to make changes to 2. to improve 3. to alter 4. to remove errors from
amendment: 1. a change that is made to something, such as a law, an agreement or
any other document 2. a minor change or addition to something
amiable: pleasant and friendly; good-natured and likable
amicable: characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill, often despite a difficult
situation
amity: 1. a positive or friendly relationship 2. a peaceful relationship, especially when
referring to two or more nations or specific groups
amorphous: 1. without a defined shape or form 2. unorganized 3. missing a clear
structure
anachronistic: 1. something or someone that is not in its correct chronological, proper,
or historical order 2. something that is or seems to be no longer suitable for or relevant
to modern times
analgesic: 1. a medication that is used to relieve pain without causing the patient to
lose consciousness
analogous: 1. similar to 2. alike or related in a way that allows analogies to be drawn
analogy: 1. a comparison designed to show that two or more things are similar 2. partial
resemblance 3. comparability
anarchy: 1. a lack of government or social control of any sort 2. lawlessness and
confusion due to an absence of control or structure
anathema: 1. a malediction or a curse 2. something or someone that is considered to
be cursed 3. someone or something that is greatly disliked
anecdote: a short, often funny story, especially about something some happening,
usually personal or biographical
animosity: 1. clear negativity or hatred of someone or something 2. strong opposition 3.
open hostility
annex: 1. to take control or possession over a piece of land without permission and
often by the use of force 2. to add or attach 3.
anomalous: deviating from or inconsistent with what is standard, normal, or expected
anomaly: 1. something strange or different from what is considered to be normal 2.
unusual or unexpected 3. irregularity
antagonism: 1. unfriendliness or opposition 2. a strong feeling of dislike or hatred
towards someone
antagonist: a person who opposes to, struggles against, or competes with someone or
something, especially in combat; adversary; opponent
antediluvian: 1. of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood 2. a very old or old-
fashioned person or thing
anthology: 1. a book that contains many different selections, often from various authors
2. a collection of music or different works of art
anthropology: the study of human races, origins, societies, beliefs, cultures, and its
physical development
anticipate: 1. to predict or foresee 2. to look forward to something 3. to prepare for
something or deal with something before it happens
antipathy: a strong feeling of intense aversion, dislike, or hostility
antiquated: 1. so old that it is no longer fashionable 2. old-fashioned 3. obsolete 4. out-
dated
apathy: 1. uninterested and not energetic behavior 2. lack of interest 3. lack of concern
apocryphal: 1. something that is quite possibly untrue or is of doubtful authenticity,
despite the fact that many people believe it to be true
appease: 1. to calm a situation 2. to pacify a situation by giving one's enemies what
they demand 3. to soothe
append: 1. to attach something; to affix 2. to add something to a written work such as a
letter or a book
appreciate: 1. to become more valuable or increase in worth 2. to be grateful or
thankful for 3. to understand the true meaning of a situation
approach: to move nearer
approbation: 1. approval, which is often given warmly or officially 2. accolade
appropriate: 1. to take possession or control of something 2. to steal 3. to set aside or
to devote to a specific purpose
approximate: 1. to come close to something 2. to be similar to something 3. to get near
arable: 1. land which is suitable for growing crops
arbitrary: 1. determined in a random way 2. based on preference rather than logic
arcane: known or understood by only a few; secret or mysterious
archaic: 1. antiquated 2. belonging to a time in the past 3. old-fashioned
archetype: 1. a perfect example or model for something 2. a prototype 3. the original
pattern or model
archives: 1. a group of documents with some sort of historical or informational value 2.
the place where these documents are kept
arrogate: 1. to appropriate or take ownership of something without the power or right to
do so 2. to claim something in a way that is illegal or unfair
articulate: 1. capable of expressing oneself in a clear and coherent manner 2. clear and
well formulated language
artifice: 1. clever skills or behavior that are often used to trick others 2. craftiness 3.
ingenuity 4. trickery
artisan: 1. a craftsman 2. a worker who has a specific skill and is able to make things
by hand 3. a company or person that produces small batches of high quality goods
ascendancy: the advantage, power, or influence that one person or group has over
another; supremacy; domination
ascetic: avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple and severe self-disciplined life,
typically for religious reasons
assail: physically attack or severely criticize (someone or something) in a violent or
angry way
assess: 1. to estimate or determine the value of something; to appraise 2. to evaluate
assessment: 1. the act of evaluating and judging something 2. one's judgments or
observations about a particular subject
assiduous: showing hard work, great care, and attention to detail; diligent
assistance: 1. help or support 2. the act of helping or supporting someone
assuage: 1. make less intense or severe 2. appease or satisfy
assume: 1. to believe that something is true without proof 2. to take on a role or
responsibility 3. to adopt an idea
astute: 1. crafty 2. possessing the ability to correctly judge situations and use one's
observations to take advantage of the situation 3. shrewd
atrophy: 1. (of body tissue or a part of the body) a wasting or decrease in size because
of disease, injury, or lack of use 2. gradual degeneration, decline, or decrease in
effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
attain: 1. to succeed at something 2. to achieve 3. to reach or arrive at
attenuate: reduce the strength, effect, density, amount, or size of something
audacious: extremely bold or daring, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes
of other people
augment: 1. to increase something in size, quantity or value 2. to enlarge 3. to enhance
August: impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
auspicious: 1. showing signs or suggesting that a positive and successful future is
likely 2. favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate
austere: 1. strict or cold in one's behavior or appearance 2. serious 3. plain and lacking
adornment, decoration or luxury
autocrat: 1. a ruler with absolute power; dictator; despot 2. someone who demands that
people completely obey them
automaton: a self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot
available: 1. free and ready to be used; not busy 2. accessible 3. at someone's disposal
avarice: extreme greed to get or keep money or possessions; cupidity
aver: 1. say (something) in a very strong and determined way 2. declare in a positive or
confident manner
aversion: 1. dislike of or repugnance toward something or someone 2. the person or
thing that causes this strong dislike
balk: 1. to stop suddenly and refuse to continue 2. to hinder or obstruct 3. to hesitate 4.
to stubbornly refuse or to be unwilling to continue or let something happen
banal: boring, ordinary, or not interesting because it contains nothing new, original, or
unusual
barrage: 1. a concentrated artillery bombardment to protect one's own advancing or
retreating or to stop the advance of enemy troops 2. an artificial barrier across a river or
estuary to increase the depth of the water, prevent flooding, facilitate irrigation, etc
befuddle: 1. to completely confuse someone 2. to perplex
begrudge: 1. to give something to someone with hesitation or reluctance 2. to envy
someone because they have something you want and you believe they don't deserve to
have it
beguile: 1. to trick someone, convincing them to do something 2. to charm someone 3.
to mislead
beleaguer: 1. to harass or create trouble for 2. to besiege or surround a place, person
or group with troops
belie: 1. give a false representation to; disguise or misrepresent 2. show to be false;
contradict; prove false
belittle: 1. to disparage or put down 2. to consider something to be less important or
make it seem less important 3. to scorn or disparage
bellicose: 1. hostile 2. aggressive and willing to fight 3. fond of arguing or fighting 4.
quarrelsome
belligerent: inclined or eager to fight or argue; hostile and aggressive
bemoan: 1. to complain about something 2. to show or express disapproval of 3. to
show or express grief over; to lament
benefit: 1. an advantage 2. a gift or payment from an employer to an employee 3. a
payment from an insurance company or social welfare program 4. something intended
to help 5. an event designed to raise money for someone or for a cause
benevolent: kind, generous, and helpful; charitable
benign: 1. not harmful 2. displaying kindness or gentleness 3. beneficial
bequeath: 1. leave or give (personal property) by will 2. pass (something) on to
another; hand down
berate: scold or criticize (someone) angrily
bestial: 1. similar to or related to animals or beasts 2. brutal; showing traits that are not
human 3. cruel
billowing: 1. moving in a way that looks like a wave 2. surging, swelling, or rolling
blandishment: a flattering or pleasing statement, speech, or action intended to flatter,
coax, entice someone gently into doing something
blasphemy: 1. an action or a message which shows disrespect for a religion, God, or a
holy object
blatant: 1. obvious, easily detectable, or blunt 2. noisy in a vulgar way 3. obtrusive
blighted: 1. suffering from a disease 2. anything that destroys, prevents growth, or
causes devaluation
blithe: 1. happy or joyous 2. carefree 3. casual and not worried about the possible
negative consequences of one's actions
boisterous: 1. noisy, energetic, and lacking in restraint or discipline 2. (of waves,
weather, wind, etc.) wild or stormy
bolster: 1. a long, narrow cushion or pillow 2. support or reinforce; strengthen
bombastic: (of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding but with little meaning, usually
intended to impress people; inflated; pretentious
boon: 1. a blessing or something helpful 2. a positive result that is gained through
having made a request
boorish: rude and bad-mannered; of or like a boor; insensitive; awkward
brazen: 1. bold and shameless 2. having a loud, usually harsh, resonant sound
breach: 1. an act of breaking or failing to follow a law, rule, trust, faith, promise,
agreement, or code of conduct 2. a hole, opening or space in a wall, fence, barrier, or
line of defense, especially during a military attack
broach: 1. to start to discuss a difficult or otherwise uncomfortable subject 2. to talk
about a difficult subject for the first time
brusque: a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way in speech or manner
bulwark: 1. something or someone which protects one from negative, dangerous or
unpleasant things or gives support and encouragement in bad situations 2. a wall built
for defense
buoyant: 1. able to float 2. cheerful and optimistic
bureaucracy: 1. a large government or administration that is divided into various
departments, in which the officials must follow a set of inflexible rules 2. a complicated
management system which requires compliance with an annoying set of rules or
regulations
burgeon: 1. grow, increase, expand or develop quickly 2. begin to grow or blossom (as
buds or branches)
burnish: 1. to make something brilliant or shiny by rubbing it 2. to polish
buttress: 1. a structure, usually made of brick or stone, built against a wall for support
or strengthen it 2. a source of defense or support 3. something that resembles a
buttress
cacophonous: involving or producing a harsh, discordant, and unpleasant mixture of
loud sounds
cajole: persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax
caldron: 1. a large kettle or pot that is made of metal and is often hung over a fire in
order to heat its contents
callous: unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling about the problems or suffering
of other people
callow: 1. inexperienced, immature or young 2. lacking experience or judgment; not
experienced in life 3. lacking feathers
calumny: 1. slander 2. a statement that is false, which is often made with malicious
intent, looking to damage someone's reputation
canny: careful, shrewd, and having good judgment, especially in money or business
matters
cantankerous: bad-tempered, quarrelsome, and often angry and annoyed
capable: 1. able to do something 2. quite good at a certain task; skilled
capacious: capable of containing a large quantity easily; spacious; roomy
capitulate: 1. surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms 2. give up all resistance,
usually because they are stronger than you
capricious: suddenly and unexpectedly changing mood or behavior without any good
reason; impulsive and unpredictable
carping: 1. marked by excessive complaining or fault finding 2. critical or fault-finding 3.
difficult to please
cartographer: 1. a person who designs, draws or otherwise makes charts and maps
castigate: criticize someone or something severely
catalyst: 1. (Chemistry) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction 2.
somebody, something or an event that quickly causes change or action
catharsis: 1. a purging or cleansing of any part of the human body 2. a release of
strong feelings or emotional tensions, especially through art
caucus: 1. a closed or private meeting of political officials or party members in which
party affairs are discussed or candidates are selected 2. a group of politicians with
similar interests
caustic: 1. capable of burning, corroding, destroying, or eating away by chemical action
2. severely critical or sarcastic, often in a funny or clever way
cavalcade: 1. a ceremonial procession of people, horses or vehicles 2. a series of
related things or events
celerity: 1. speed or rapidity 2. swiftness or quickness
censorious: often criticizing other people or ideas, and wanting to find faults in them;
highly critical
censure: strong criticism or disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a
formal statement
certitude: 1. certainty or freedom from doubt 2. a feeling of confidence 3. a fact that
someone is absolutely certain is true
chagrin: a feeling of being very annoyed, disappointed, or embarrassed because of
failure, disappointment, or humiliation
charlatan: someone who cheats people by pretending or claiming to have more
knowledge or skill than he or she possesses, especially in medicine; quack
chary: 1. cautious about taking risks or acting 2. choosy or sparing
chastise: 1. punish, especially by beating 2. scold or criticize someone severely for
doing something wrong
chicanery: the use of clever, unfair, or dishonest methods to achieve a political,
financial, or legal purpose
chide: 1. express mild disapproval of (someone) 2. scold mildly so as to correct or
improve; reprimand
chimerical: 1. imagined or totally unrealistic 2. something conceived by a wild
imagination
choleric: 1. hot-tempered and easily angered 2. prone to become angry quickly and/or
easily
churlish: 1. rude, unfriendly, and unpleasant 2. difficult to work with or deal with
circuitous: 1. (of a route or journey) longer than it needs to be because it is not direct 2.
not straight, short, and direct
circumlocution: 1. an indirect or roundabout way of expressing an idea 2. language
that is wordier than it needs to be 3. using many words to express an idea that could
easily be explained using less words
circumscribe: 1. draw a line around; encircle 2. restrict something such as power,
rights, or opportunities within limits
circumspect: 1. prudent or careful about taking risks 2. cautious and wary about the
outcome of an action
circumvent: 1. surround or circle around (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap 2.
avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.), especially cleverly or illegally 3. go around
or bypass
classic: 1. typical; traditional; famous 2. extraordinarily good 3. timeless; considered to
be good or exceptional over a long period of time
classical: 1. relating to ancient cultures 2. respecting tradition or the original way of
doing things 3. traditional
clemency: 1. mildness or kindness, especially at the time of deciding on punishment 2.
pleasantness or mildness of weather
coalesce: 1. grow together or into one body 2. unite or merge into a single body, group,
or mass
coercion: 1. persuasion through threats or force 2. using force to convince someone to
do something
cogent: 1. an argument that is structured in such a way that makes it easily believable
2. something convincing 3. a logical argument
cogitate: 1. to meditate 2. to think deeply or carefully about something 3. to ponder 4. to
ruminate
coherence: 1. a logical ordering of things 2. consistency 3. the state of being logical
coherent: 1. consistent or logical 2. understandable 3. capable of explaining one's
thoughts or ideas in a way that is easily understood 4. unified; sticking together
collage: 1. a work of art made from scraps or pieces of other objects that are put onto a
flat surface
collapse: 1. to cave in due to pressure or lack of support 2. to fall down 3. to break
down 4. to fold into a smaller or more compact shape, allowing something to be more
easily stored
collate: 1. to put pages into a logical or correct order 2. to examine and compare two or
more written works
colloquial: 1. not formal 2. familiar and conversational 3. informal
collusion: 1. a conspiracy 2. secret cooperation or activities for illegal or fraudulent
purposes
commandeer: 1. to seize control of something via force 2. to take control of something
for military purposes 3. to confiscate
commodity: 1. a product or good that can be bought and sold 2. something useful or of
value
communication: 1. the act of transmitting information from one person to another 2. the
message that is transmitted
compatible: 1. able to exist in harmony 2. well-suited 3. capable of being mixed
compensate: 1. to pay someone for something that has been lost, damaged, or taken
away 2. to make up for something negative 3. to pay someone for their services
compile: 1. to gather things together 2. to put things together in a logical or orderly form
complacency: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction with your own abilities or
situation that prevents you from trying harder, often while unaware of some potential
danger, defect, or the like
complaisant: 1. willing or eager to please other people 2. cheerfully obliging 3.
agreeable
complement: 1. to go well with something 2. to make perfect; to complete
complex: 1. complicated and not easy to understand 2. involving or made from many
different parts
compliant: 1. complying, obliging, or yielding, especially to an excessive degree 2.
meeting or in accordance with a set of rules, standards, or requirements
compound: 1. to increase 2. to combine 3. to make something worse 4. to pay interest
comprehensive: 1. all-encompassing 2. thorough 3. extensive 4. dealing with most or
all aspects of a certain issue
compromise: 1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions 2. reduce the
quality, value, or degree of something 3. endanger the interests or reputation of
compute: 1. to calculate 2. to determine by using a calculator or computer
conceive: 1. to draw up or think up a plan 2. to get pregnant 3. to invent something
concise: 1. expressed in few words 2. clear and succinct 3. brief yet clear
concomitant: 1. something that is connected to something else, often occurring at the
same time 2. something associated with another thing
concurrent: 1. contemporary 2. happening or existing at the same time 3. simultaneous
conduct: to lead or guide
confer: 1. to grant something, like a title, to someone 2. to discuss or exchange
opinions
conflagration: a large destructive fire that causes a lot of land or property damage;
large-scale military conflict
confluence: 1. a place where two rivers or streams join to become one 2. a coming
together of people or things
conform: 1. to meet (standards) 2. to comply with 3. to be similar to 4. to behave in a
way that is expected and acceptable
conformity: 1. agreement or compliance with a particular subject or issue 2. behavior
that displays compliance with socially accepted rules or norms
confound: 1. to surprise or confuse someone 2. to mix something up 3. to refute 4. to
bewilder
congenial: 1. (of a person) agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character 2. (of
a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to or adapted in one's spirit, feeling,
temper, etc.; compatible
congregation: 1. an assembly of people for religious worship, prayer, or teaching 2. a
gathering or collection of people, animals, or things
conscientious: 1. controlled by or done according to, what one knows is right 2.
working hard and careful to do things well
conspicuous: 1. obvious; easily noticed 2. attracting attention, especially because it is
strange or unusual
consternation: a feeling of worry, shock, or confusion, often caused when something
unexpected happens
constrain: 1. to keep back; to confine 2. to restrain; to limit 3. to force; to oblige
construction: 1. the act or business of building things, especially structures
consume: 1. to eat 2. to use; to use up 3. to totally destroy
consummate: 1. perfect 2. indicating great skill or ability 3. superb; supreme
contemporary: 1. from or existing in the same time period 2. modern
contentious: 1. tending to argue or quarrel; quarrelsome 2. causing, involving, or
characterized by argument or controversy
context: 1. the circumstances surrounding something 2. the words before and after
something that help explain what it means 3. the circumstances or situation in which
something happens, which help to explain it
contract: 1. to get smaller; to shrink 2. to make smaller 3. to hire someone to work
under a contract 4. to get
contradict: 1. to make a statement that goes against what has been expressed by
another 2. to deny 3. to disagree with something
contrast: 1. the act of finding differences between two or more things 2. a difference
between two or more things
controversy: 1. a disagreement or dispute over a specific subject about which people
have differing opinions 2. a heated discussion or argument
contusion: 1. a bruise 2. an injury that doesn't cut one's skin
conundrum: 1. a difficult problem, for which there is no clear answer 2. a puzzle or
riddle that can be answered using a pun
conventional: 1. traditional 2. based on what is considered to be traditional or typical 3.
common 4. related to or based on a convention or an agreement
converse: 1. to talk with a person or a group of people 2. to have a conversation
convert: 1. to change something; to transform 2. to undergo a change 3. to change to
another religion
convinced: 1. very sure 2. persuaded 3. certain
convivial: 1. (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and making you feel happy
and welcome; festive 2. (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial 3. fond of eating,
drinking, and good company; sociable; jovial
coordinate: 1. to harmonize 2. to make two or more things work well or efficiently
together 3. to match
copious: large in quantity or number; affording ample supply; abundant; plentiful
core: 1. the center of something 2. the most important or essential part of something
corpulent: 1. overweight 2. fat 3. physically large
correspond: 1. to communicate through messages, letters or e-mails 2. to be related to
or quite similar to
corresponding: 1. related to 2. comparable 3. matching 4. directly related
corroborate: strengthen, confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, etc.) by
providing information or evidence that agrees with them
corrugated: 1. wrinkled; creased 2. possessing parallel ridges or folds 3. furrowed
couple: 1. two people who are romantically involved 2. two similar or equal things
covert: 1. secretive or not openly shown 2. hidden; concealed 3. veiled
craven: 1. contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly 2. a cowardly person
credit: 1. money that is given to someone with the understanding that it will be paid
back with interest 2. recognition or praise
credulity: a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true,
especially without proper or adequate evidence; lack of doubt
credulous: 1. gullible or easily deceived 2. overly willing to believe what one sees or
hears 3. easily tricked or convinced
culture: 1. behaviors, beliefs, and standards that are shared between one large group
of people or a society 2. art, such as music, literature, dance, theater, etc.
cupidity: 1. avarice 2. a strong or excessive desire for possessions or wealth
cursory: quick and probably not detailed
curtail: 1. to reduce or shorten something 2. to establish a limit on something 3. to
abridge
cynical: 1. displaying a belief that people only act in self-interested ways 2. pessimistic
or skeptical 3. distrustful of humans or human nature 4. contemptuous or
condescending
dauntless: showing fearlessness and determination
debacle: 1. a complete collapse or failure, often in an embarrassing way 2. a sudden,
disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat
debase: 1. to degrade 2. to adulterate 3. to reduce in quality or value 4. to humiliate
debilitate: 1. make (someone or something) weak 2. reduce the strength of (someone
or something)
debunk: expose or ridicule (an idea, belief, claim, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or
exaggerated
decimate: 1. destroy, kill, or remove a large number or proportion of (a group) 2.
reduce, damage, or destroy the strength or effectiveness of something severely 3.
select by lot and kill every tenth one of
decline: 1. a fall in the number of something; a reduction 2. the act of reducing in
number 3. a downward slope
decorum: 1. appropriateness and good taste in behavior, speech, dress, etc. 2.
etiquette 3. (often used in plural) decorums: the conventions or requirements of polite
behavior
decry: 1. to openly express displeasure or disagreement with 2. to condemn
deference: respectful submission to someone or something
deferential: 1. considerate 2. respectful towards one's elders or superiors 3. polite
defile: 1. to spoil something by making it less pure; to corrupt 2. to pollute or make
something dirty
definition: 1. a clear outline of something 2. the meaning of a word or phrase
defoliate: 1. to promote leaf loss on a plant, often by using chemicals 2. to make a plant
or tree lose its leaves, often for agricultural or military reasons
defunct: 1. no longer in existence 2. dead 3. extinct
deleterious: 1. damaging or harmful 2. injurious to health
deliberate: 1. to carefully debate or think about something serious 2. to thoughtfully
weigh the available options
delineate: 1. describe or portray (something) clearly and precisely 2. draw or trace the
outline of; sketch or trace in outline
demagogue: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and
popularity by appealing to emotion, passions, prejudice, etc. rather than by using
rational argument in order to win them over quickly and so gain power
demur: 1. to hesitate because you have doubts or object to something 2. to refuse to do
something 3. to voice opposition
demure: (especially of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, shy, and well
behaved
demystify: make (a difficult subject, mystery, or mystique from) clearer and easier to
understand, especially by explaining it clearly
denigrate: 1. criticize in a derogatory and often unfair manner; defame 2. make
(something) seem less important or valuable; belittle
denounce: 1. to condemn or accuse something or someone, often in a formal manner
2. to strongly and publicly criticize someone or something
deplete: 1. to cause a great reduction in the fullness or size of 2. to use up 3. to
decrease the number of something
depose: 1. remove someone important from office or a position of power suddenly and
forcefully 2. testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement
depravity: behavior that is immoral or evil; wickedness
deprecate: 1. criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something) 2. depreciate;
belittle
depreciation: 1. decrease in value due to age, wear, decay, market conditions, etc. 2. a
decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money 3. an instance of disparaging
or belittlement
depredation: 1. a predatory attack 2. an act of attacking, plundering, or preying upon
deride: speak of or write about (someone or something) in a way that shows you think
they are stupid, unimportant, or useless; make fun of; ridicule
derivative: 1. developed from, based on, influenced by, or copied something else;
derived 2. copied or adapted from others; not original; secondary
derogatory: showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
descry: 1. see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully 2. discover by looking
carefully
desecrate: 1. to pollute something with violence or spoil something, especially in
reference to holy places
desiccate: dry (something, especially food) out thoroughly, typically in order to preserve
it
despondent: very sad and with no enthusiasm from loss of hope or courage; dejected
despot: 1. a ruler or other person with absolute, unlimited power, typically one who
uses that power in cruel and unfair ways; autocrat 2. any tyrant or oppressor
destitute: 1. extremely poor and lacking money, food, a home, or possessions 2. (often
followed by of) destitute of: deprived of, devoid of, or lacking
deteriorate: 1. to get or become worse 2. to depreciate 3. to disintegrate over time
detrimental: 1. causing damage or injury 2. harmful
deviate: 1. to stray from the established course or standards 2. to digress
devoid: completely lacking something that is necessary or usual; destitute or empty
(usually followed by of = devoid of)
devote: 1. to dedicate time or resources to something 2. to set apart
dexterous: 1. skillful in the use of one's hands 2. possessing great mental skill; clever
differentiate: 1. to determine or recognize the difference between two or more things;
to distinguish 2. to make one thing unlike another
diffident: modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence in one's own ability, worth,
or fitness
diffuse: 1. pour out and cause to spread freely, as a fluid 2. spread or scatter over a
wide area widely or thinly; disseminate; dispersed; not concentrated in one area 3.
spread among a large group of people 4. cause (light) to spread evenly to reduce glare
digress: leave or move away from the main subject being discussed temporarily in
talking or writing
digression: a temporary departure from the main subject, especially in speech or
writing
diligent: steady, hard-working, and careful in one's work or duties; industrious;
painstaking
dirge: 1. a funeral song or march 2. a slow and sad song that expresses grief and/or
mourning
discern: 1. see, recognize, find out, or understand something that is far away or not
very clear 2. perceive or recognize (someone or something) with difficulty by the sight or
some other sense 3. come to know, recognize, or distinguish mentally
discomfit: make (someone) feel uneasy, embarrassed, uncomfortable, or confused,
especially mentally
discredit: 1. damage the credit or reputation of (someone); disgrace 2. cause
(someone or something) to seem dishonest or untrue
discrepancy: 1. a difference or variation between things that should be identical 2.
inconsistency 3. disagreement
discrete: 1. distinct 2. separate 3. not continuous
discretion: 1. the ability to judge people or situations wisely and make the right choices
2. the ability to behave in a way that does not cause offense
discursive: 1. prone to straying from the main subject of a conversation or a lesson 2.
rambling or superficially covering a wide range of topics
disdain: the feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they are not
important and do not deserve any interest, respect, notice, response, etc.
disingenuous: 1. not straightforward; not candid or frank; insincere 2. slyly deceptive or
misleading, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really
does
disinterested: 1. impartial; not influenced by opinion, prejudice, etc.; free from bias 2.
uninterested; indifferent
disparage: 1. speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle 2. lower in rank or
reputation
disparity: 1. a large difference between two or more things 2. inequality 3. incongruity
dispassionate: not influenced or affected by passion, emotion, or bias
dispel: 1. make (a doubt, fear, belief, feeling, or idea) go away or end, usually by
proving them wrong or unnecessary 2. drive away or off in various directions; disperse;
dissipate
displacement: 1. the act of removing someone or something from the place it held or
lived previously
disputatious: inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; argumentative; contentious
disquiet: 1. a feeling of worry, unease, or nervous; impatient; restless; uneasy 2. make
anxious, uneasy, or restless; disturb
dissemble: 1. hide your true feelings, opinions, motives, beliefs, etc. 2. hide under a
false appearance; feign
disseminate: 1. spread (something, especially news, information, ideas, etc.) widely 2.
scatter widely, as in sowing seed
distinct: 1. different or separate 2. unmistakable; obvious
distribution: 1. the act of giving something out to people 2. the way in which something
is distributed or spread out over an area
diurnal: 1. daily; happening every day 2. done during the daytime or related to daytime
divergent: 1. tending to split and move out in different directions from a single point;
diverging 2. be or become different
diverse: 1. possessing various characteristics 2. distinct 3. diversified
diversity: 1. difference or variety 2. the state of having people from different races and
cultures gathered together in one space or organization
divulge: make (something private, secret, or previously unknown) known to public;
disclose; reveal
dogged: marked by stubborn determination and persistent in effort to do or get
something and continuing to try despite difficulties
dogmatic: an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles as
if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted
domain: 1. territory 2. field of activity or study 3. a set or group of websites that share
the same suffix such as .net .org etc.
dormant: 1. sleeping, lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive 2. not active or developing
now, but it may become active or develop in the future 3. in a state of rest or inactivity;
inoperative
drawl: 1. slow or lazy speech that is marked by the prolongation of vowel sounds
droll: 1. strange yet amusing 2. curious in a funny way
drone: 1. a male bee whose only purpose is to mate with the queen bee 2. a low and
monotonous buzzing or humming 3. an aircraft that does not have a pilot on it and is
controlled by someone on the ground 4. a lazy person who lives off of others
dupe: 1. deceive (an unwary person) by trickery; fool or cheat 2. an easily deceived
person
duration: 1. the amount of time that something lasts
ebullient: cheerful, lively, and showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm or
excitement
eccentric: 1. strange 2. unusual 3. unconventional and deviating from what is
considered to be "normal" behavior
eclectic: 1. selecting or choosing from various sources, systems, or styles 2. made up
of or combining elements from a variety of sources
edifice: 1. a building or structure that is large and impressive 2. any sort of well-
established system
efface: 1. cause to disappear by rubbing out or wiping out; erase 2. cause (something)
to fade or disappear
efficacy: the ability or power to produce desired result or effect
effigy: 1. a sculpture or monument of a person 2. a poorly made dummy that looks like
or represents a person and is most often used in protest or ridicule
effrontery: 1. presumptuousness without the ability to see that one's behavior is
unacceptable 2. shamelessly bold behavior
effusive: 1. expressing pleasure or gratitude in an unrestrained manner; gushy 2.
overflowing 3. exuberant
egregious: 1. something terribly bad 2. something surprisingly negative
egress: 1. the act of leaving a place 2. an exit or way of leaving a location 3. permission
or the right to leave
elated: 1. very happy and excited; exultantly proud and joyful; overjoyed 2. make very
proud, happy, or joyful
elicit: 1. evoke or draw out (a response, information, etc.) from someone 2. draw out or
entice forth; bring to light
eloquent: 1. persuasive in speaking or writing 2. characterized by fluent and persuasive
speech 3. movingly or vividly expressive
elucidate: make clear, plain, or easy to understand, especially by explanation or giving
more information; clarify; explain
elude: 1. avoid or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) by quickness, cunning,
etc.; evade 2. fail to be understood or remembered by (someone) 3. fail to be achieved
by (someone)
elusive: 1. difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember 2.
cleverly or skillfully evasive
emaciated: 1. extremely thin due to great hunger or illness
emancipate: 1. to liberate someone or something 2. to free someone or something from
bondage or control 3. to grant freedom and rights to someone
emerge: 1. to appear 2. to come into view 3. to become known 4. to come into
existence
emollient: having the quality of softening, soothing, relaxing, or less painful, especially
to the skin
empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, attitudes,
experiences, and emotions of another
empirical: relying on or derived from observation or experiment rather than theory or
pure logic
emulate: try to equal or excel (someone or something you admire), typically by imitation
encomium: a speech or piece of writing that expresses glowing and warmly
enthusiastic praise
encompass: 1. form a circle or ring around; encircle; surround 2. include different types
of people or things; include comprehensively; contain 3. enclose; envelop
endemic: 1. very common, prevalent in, or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or
people 2. native
enervate: 1. deprive (someone) of physical, mental, or moral energy or vitality 2.
weaken
enfranchise: 1. to give a group of people or a person specific rights, especially the right
to vote 2. to free from bondage
engender: produce, cause, or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)
enhance: intensify, increase, or improve the quality, amount, extent, or strength of
something, as in cost, value, attractiveness, effectiveness, etc.
enigma: someone or something that is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand
or explain completely
enmity: 1. animosity 2. hatred 3. ill-will towards others 4. a deep-seated dislike of
another person
ensconce: 1. to make oneself comfortable or safe; to settle 2. to conceal something
entity: 1. an individual, complete, unit that possesses its own unique characteristics 2. a
being
enumerate: 1. name (a number of things in a series or list) separately, one by one 2.
determine the number of; count
ephemeral: lasting for only a very short time
epicure: 1. a gourmet 2. someone who enjoys good food and wine and has refined
tastes
epistle: 1. a missive; a long and formal letter 2. a literary work, such as a novel or a
poem, that takes the form of a series of many letters
epistolary: 1. conducted by letters; written in letter form 2. associated with letters or the
writing of letters
epitome: 1. a person or thing that is a representative or perfect example of a whole
class or type 2. a summary of a written work; an abstract
equanimity: the state of being calm, stable, and composed, especially after a shock or
disappointment or in a difficult situation
equipment: 1. supplies or tools needed to complete a task
equitable: dealing fairly and equally with everyone; just and impartial
equivocal: 1. not clear and seeming to have two or more possible opposing meanings
2. ambiguous
equivocate: 1. to deliberately speak in a way that confuses people in an attempt to
conceal the truth 2. to lie 3. to mislead a person or people
erode: 1. to eat away or wear away something 2. to slowly deteriorate 3. to reduce
something
erosion: 1. the gradual corroding or eating away of a subject 2. deterioration
erudite: having, containing, or showing a lot of knowledge or learning gained from
reading
eschew: 1. to escape or avoid 2. to stop doing something or give something up 3. to
intentionally keep away from something
esoteric: intended for or understood by only a small number of people, especially those
with special knowledge
espouse: 1. to marry someone or take them as your spouse 2. to give your support to a
belief or an idea 3. to embrace a cause
ethic: 1. a belief or set of beliefs which affects one's behavior 2. a person's moral
principles or standards
etymology: 1. the study of the history and origins of words 2. the study of the evolution
of words
eulogy: a speech or a piece of writing in praise of a person, event, or thing, especially
one praising someone who has died
euphemism: 1. a word that is substituted for another, often unpleasant,offensive or
upsetting, word
evanescent: soon passing away or fading from sight, memory, or existence like vapor
or smoke; quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a short time
evince: 1. to show or demonstrate something in a clear way 2. to reveal something,
such as an emotion
evoke: 1. bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind 2. bring out; arouse; call
forth
evolution: 1. gradual development or change, especially over long periods of time
evolve: 1. to grow 2. to develop gradually over an extended period of time 3. to go
through evolutionary changes
exacerbate: increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of (disease, pain, annoyance,
etc.)
exacting: 1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements; not easily satisfied; rigorous 2.
requiring great effort, time, care, patience, or attention
excavate: 1. dig a large hole or channel in the ground, especially with a machine 2.
uncover or expose by digging; unearth 3. dig out and remove (earth, soil, etc.) 4. form (a
hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
exceed: 1. to surpass 2. to go beyond 3. to be greater than
exceptionable: 1. debatable; open to or causing objection 2. upsetting 3. causing
people to be offended
exclude: 1. to leave someone or something out 2. to eject 3. to deliberately not include
4. to prevent
exculpate: show, declare, or prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or other bad
action
execrable: 1. abominable or excessively terrible 2. detestable or easy to hate
exegesis: 1. critical analysis or explanation of a text, especially one from the Bible
exemplify: 1. to serve as a typical example of 2. to use an example to illustrate or
clarify 2. to embody
exhaustive: 1. complete; comprehensive 2. dealing with or studying all aspects 3. all-
inclusive
exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something by strong, often stirring
argument, admonition, advice, or appeal; admonish strongly
exorbitant: going far beyond what is reasonable, fair, expected, just, proper, or usual,
especially of a price or amount charged
exorcism: 1. the act of getting rid of the evil spirits from one's body or a specific place
expand: 1. to add details or information 2. to grow larger 3. to cause growth or to make
larger
expansion: 1. growth 2. the act or process of getting larger 3. an increase in size or
number
expatriate: 1. someone who no longer lives in the country they were born in or the
country considered to be their homeland
expedite: 1. to hasten; to make something happen more quickly 2. to speed up 3. to do
something efficiently as well as quickly
expiate: 1. to accept punishment or pay the price for one's actions 2. to make amends
explicit: fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated, leaving no room for confusion or
doubt
exploit: 1. to take advantage of 2. to make use of
exploitation: 1. selfish utilization of someone's work 2. abuse of someone in order to
gain advantage
exposition: 1. a show where works of art are displayed for the public to contemplate 2.
a clear, detailed, easy to understand explanation 3. a show in which many objects that
are for sale are displayed
expunge: 1. to get rid of or cancel 2. to get rid of something written by erasing it or
striking it out
extant: (especially of a document) not destroyed or lost; still in existence, usually
despite being very old
extenuate: (of a factor or situation) lessen or try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
(an offense, guilt, etc.) by giving excuses or serving as an excuse
extol: praise (someone or something) highly, especially in a very enthusiastic way
extraneous: 1. not essential 2. not required to do something 3. unrelated; irrelevant
extricate: free or remove (someone or something) from a difficult or unpleasant
situation (such as a trap, net, debt, peril, etc.); set free
extrinsic: 1. external; not originating inside something or someone 2. extraneous
fabricate: 1. to create 2. to manufacture 3. to build
facile: 1. ignoring the true complexities or difficulties of a real situation; superficial 2. (of
a person) having a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach 3. working, acting, or
speaking with effortless ease and fluency 4. (of success) easily achieved
facilitate: 1. to help make something happen 2. to assist 3. to make something easier
faction: 1. a small group within a larger group, usually contentious minority within a
larger group 2. conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension
factor: 1. a variable or an element 2. something that influences a result
fallacious: 1. based on false information or ideas; erroneous; illogical 2. deceptive;
misleading
fanatical: 1. too enthusiastic 2. unreasonably zealous about something 3. extreme in
one's beliefs or activities
fanaticism: wildly excessive or irrational (especially religious, political, or ideological)
beliefs, devotion, dedication, or enthusiasm that make someone behave in an
unreasonable way
fastidious: 1. very attentive to small details and wanting everything to be correct and
perfect 2. difficult to please; exacting 3. wanting (clothes, possessions, and property) to
always be clean, neat, etc.
fathom: 1. a unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), a unit for measuring the depth
of water 2. understand the reason for (something) thoroughly after much thought
fatuous: 1. something or someone that is silly, foolish or pointless
feasible: 1. achievable 2. capable of being done or accomplished 3. possible 4. likely
feign: pretend to feel or be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)
felicitous: 1. suitable or carefully chosen for some purpose or situation; aptly chosen;
appropriate; apt 2. marked by happiness or good fortune; pleasing and fortunate
feral: 1. a wild or undomesticated animal 2. a person who behaves in a wild manner
fervent: 1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm,
etc. 2. hot; boiling; burning; glowing
fervid: 1. having or showing feelings, spirit, or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive
degree 2. very hot; burning; glowing
fervor: 1. intensity of emotion 2. zeal 3. enthusiasm 4. great heat
fetid: 1. something that has a terrible smell, often as if it were decaying
fickle: 1. likely to change one's opinion; not constant 2. unstable; frequently changing
finesse: 1. impressive delicacy, skill, or subtlety in action, performance, skill,
discrimination, taste, etc. 2. skillful, subtle handling or manipulating of people or difficult
situations; tactful, diplomatic maneuvering; adroit and artful management
fitful: 1. restless or sporadic 2. marked by frequent stops or pauses 3. prone to change
flabbergasted: 1. shocked 2. surprised 3. dumbfounded
flagrant: 1. (of a bad action, situation, person, etc.) shockingly noticeable or evident;
obviously offensive; glaringly bad; notorious; outrageous 2. notorious; scandalous
flamboyant: 1. excessively decorated 2. ornate 3. brightly colored and showy, often to
draw attention to someone or something
flaunt: 1. to show something, like a personal quality, wanting to get admiration from
others 2. to flaunt something
fledgling: 1. a young bird just fledged 2. a young, inexperienced, or underdeveloped
person or organization
flippant: showing a lack of proper respect or seriousness about a serious subject or
situation, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever, especially when this annoys
other people
florid: 1. flushed with red or pink 2. highly decorated
flout: 1. to scorn something 2. to reject 3. to consciously refuse to comply with a rule or
law
fluctuate: 1. to constantly undergo changes 2. to undulate 3. to shift back and forth; to
rise and fall
foolhardy: bold or daring in a foolish way; foolishly ignoring obvious dangers; rash;
reckless
forbearance: the quality of being polite, calm, and patient in difficult situations or in the
face of provocation; self-control; patient restraint and tolerance
forlorn: 1. pitifully sad and lonely; unhappy and neglected; abandoned or left behind 2.
nearly hopeless; desperate
format: 1. to arrange a document in a specific way 2. to prepare a computer disk to
save specific files
forsake: 1. to desert or abandon someone who needs you 2. to give up something
special or important
fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing or enduring pain, difficulty, adversity,
misfortune, danger, or temptation with courage
fortuitous: 1. happening by accident or chance rather than intention, especially in a
way that is lucky or convenient 2. lucky; fortunate
fractious: 1. irritable and quarrelsome 2. difficult to control; unruly
fraudulent: 1. dishonest and illegal; based on fraud or deception; using fraud; tricky;
deceitful; dishonest 2. done or obtained by deception, especially criminal deception
fraught: filled, charged, or loaded (with), especially unpleasant or undesirable things
such as problems, difficulties, or things that are confusing
frivolous: 1. not serious 2. unimportant 3. carefree in nature and superficial 4. trivial
furor: 1. a great, widespread outburst of enthusiasm, excitement, controversy, or the
like; craze; fury; rage; madness 2. a sudden outburst (as of protest); public disorder or
uproar 3. violent anger; frenzy
furrow: 1. a deep wrinkle in one's skin 2. a line in the ground that was dug by a plow 3.
a long line or channel in any surface
furtive: done quietly, quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed
gait: 1. a particular way or manner of walking, stepping, or running; manner of moving
on foot; way of walking or running 2. the particular way a horse or dog walks or runs
gallant: 1. (of a person or their behavior) brave and noble; high-spirited and daring 2.
(of a man) courteously attentive especially to women; chivalrous; flirtatious 3. showy,
colorful, or stylish, as in dress or manner; splendid; magnificent; well-dressed
galleon: 1. a three-masted ship used, primarily by the Spanish, between the 15th and
17th century as a warship or a merchant ship
gambol: 1. to frolic or jump about playfully 2. to skip about
gargantuan: very large in size or amount; of a tremendous size, volume, or degree;
huge; enormous; gigantic
garish: too bright or colorful (clothes or decoration) in an ugly way; tastelessly colorful,
showy, or elaborate
garner: 1. to gather or to collect something, especially through great effort 2. to acquire
or to amass
garrulous: talking much or too much, especially about things that are not important
gaunt: 1. extremely thin due to illness or hunger 2. empty or barren 3. dreary
generate: 1. to create or bring about 2. to produce 3. to produce energy, like electricity
genre: 1. a category or class 2. a specific style used in works of art that share common
features
germane: 1. relevant to the argument or subject being discussed 2. fitting 3. related to a
subject
germinal: 1. in the earliest stages of development 2. embryonic 3. creative
germinate: 1. sprout or cause to sprout, as from a seed, spore, bulb, or bud 2. start
developing or growing 3. come into existence; begin
glacial: 1. icy or unfriendly 2. related to a glacier 3. slow moving 4. extraordinarily cold
glutton: 1. a person who eats and drinks excessively or voraciously 2. a person with a
great desire, fondness, or capacity for something
goad: 1. to provoke someone 2. to urge someone on 3. to tease or incite a person or an
animal
gossamer: 1. a fine, filmy cobweb often seen floating in the air or caught on bushes or
grass 2. (something) delicate, light, delicate or flimsy
grandiose: 1. (in a good sense) large and impressive, in size, effect, grandeur, or
extent 2. (in a bad sense) seeming or trying to seem very important, but really looking
artificial or silly; pompous and showy 3. more complicated or elaborate than necessary
grate: 1. to shred something, such as cheese 2. to persistently annoy 3. to produce an
annoying sound through friction
gratis: 1. free 2. without charge or price
gratuitous: 1. unearned; not called for 2. not necessary 3. with no cause 4. free
gregarious: 1. an extremely sociable person 2. an animal that tends to live in flocks or
herds
guffaw: 1. a hearty, unrestrained, and loud burst of laughter
guile: clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something or to make others do
what you want
guileless: innocent; honest; straightforward
gustatory: 1. pertaining to the sense of taste
hackneyed: 1. (of a phrase, idea, fashion, etc.) have been said or used so often that
they no longer seem interesting or original and have become boring and not interesting
2. not fresh or original
hallowed: 1. considered holy 2. religiously important 3. highly respected
hamper: slow or prevent the free movement, progress, or action of (someone or
something); hold back; hinder; impede
hangar: 1. a large building where airplanes or aircraft are stored or repaired
harangue: 1. a long, angry and vociferous speech, often made with the intention of
persuading someone 2. an aggressive and highly opinionated piece of writing
hasten: 1. make something happen sooner or more quickly; speed up; accelerate 2.
move or act quickly; hurry 3. cause to hurry
haughtiness: 1. arrogance 2. believing that one is better or more important than others
3. shameful pride
hedonist: a person who believes that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal
in life; a pleasure-seeker
hegemony: 1. dominance, influence or control over others, especially in reference to
political power
heresy: 1. a belief or opinion that is against the orthodox doctrines of a particular
(especially Christian) religion and is considered wrong 2. any belief or theory (in politics,
philosophy, science, etc.) that is opposed to established beliefs, customs, etc.
hiatus: 1. a pause in a specific event or activity 2. an interruption or space where
something is missing 3. a gap or a break
hierarchy: 1. the order of people based on their rank or status 2. a system where
people or things are ranked based on their status
histrionic: 1. of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater 2. excessively theatrical,
dramatic, or emotional in character or style; affected
hoary: 1. white, gray, or grayish-white in color 2. ancient 3. extremely old
homogeneous: of the same or similar nature or kind
hone: 1. to sharpen something or make it sharper than it already is 2. to improve a skill
3. to perfect
hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence that offends people; arrogance resulting from
excessive pride or from passion
hyperbole: 1. a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer exaggerates for
emphasis 2. an exaggerated statement that is not intended to be taken literally
hypochondriac: 1. a person who speculates a great deal about his or her own health
and believes that they are sick when they are, in fact, not sick at all 2. someone who is
constantly anxious about his or her own health
hypocrisy: 1. the act or process of pretending to believe in something you don't believe
in 2. being two-faced, false or insincere
hypothesis: an unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. that is made on the
basis of limited evidence and not proven but that leads to further study, discussion, or
investigation, etc.
identify: 1. to discover 2. to equate 3. to recognize a person or a problem
ideology: 1. a set of ideas which influence or govern a person or a society
idiosyncrasy: 1. a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that is
characteristic of a person, especially that is different from most people 2. an unusual
feature or characteristic of something 3. an unusual individual reaction to food or a drug
ignominy: public shame or embarrassment where you lose other people's respect;
shame and dishonor; infamy
illicit: 1. not allowed by law, custom, rule, etc.; prohibited; unlawful 2. disapproved of or
not permitted for moral or ethical reasons; illegal or disapproved of by society
illusory: 1. not real despite appearing as if it's real 2. deceptive
immutable: 1. not able to be changed 2. always the same
impartial: 1. fair and unbiased 2. refraining from supporting a specific side in an
argument 3. not partial
impasse: 1. a situation that has no solution or escape, especially because the people
involved cannot agree; a deadlock or a stalemate 2. a road or passage having no exit; a
blind alley
impassive: 1. calm and not showing emotion 2. unaffected 3. expressionless and
without feeling
impecunious: having little or no money
imperious: proud and unplesant attitude of assuming power or authority without
justification and expecting other people to obey
impertinent: 1. rude and not demonstrating the amount of respect that is customary for
the situation at hand
impervious: 1. (scientific) impenetrable 2. incapable of being affected or harmed
impetuous: 1. acting or done quickly, without considering the results of your actions;
controlled by emotion rather than thought 2. moving with great force or violence;
rushing; furious
impinge: 1. to have a negative effect on something, often limiting it 2. to collide with or
hit something 3. to encroach upon something
impious: 1. disrespectful or not showing the proper respect, especially when related to
religion 2. lacking the expected level of respect for authority
implacable: 1. someone with strong ideas which are impossible to change 2. unable to
appease
implement: 1. to put something in force or into effect 2. to carry out
implicate: 1. to demonstrate, imply or show that a person is involved in something,
such as a crime
implication: something implied or suggested without saying it directly
implicit: 1. not explicitly said or explained; implied 2. suggested
impose: 1. to force people to comply with a rule or to accept something 2. to demand
impoverished: 1. very poor; poverty stricken 2. something that has become worse than
it previously was
impromptu: 1. done without any planning 2. unrehearsed 3. offhand
impute: say or suggest that someone or something has a specific quality, especially a
bad one, or is guilty of (something, especially something undesirable)
inadvertent: 1. accidental or not on purpose 2. not intentional 3. heedless
inane: 1. lacking sense, meaning, substance, or importance; silly 2. empty; void; vacant
incentive: 1. something that motivates people to do something or take action 2. a
reward or the threat of punishment that inspires people to act
incessant: 1. unending 2. never stopping or pausing 3. continuing constantly without
interruptions of any sort
inchoate: not completely formed or developed yet; disorganized; incomplete
incipient: 1. just starting 2. in the beginning stages 3. beginning to appear
incisive: 1. sharp 2. penetrating 3. clearly expressed 4. direct
inclination: 1. a tendency to support something or like something; a preference 2. a
slope or angle
incline: 1. to be in favor of something or have a preference 2. to bend or slant 3. to
slope
incoherent: 1. unclear; difficult to understand 2. rambling or disjointed 3. lacking unity
incompatible: 1. unable to exist together in harmony or agreement because of basic
differences 2. not consistent or able to coexist with (another)
incongruity: 1. the condition, quality, or fact of being unusual or different to other things
which happen or exist in the same situation; incompatibility; unsuitableness;
dissimilarity; inconsistency 2. disagreement of parts; lack of symmetry or of harmony
incongruous: 1. inappropriate or not considered to be normal 2. incompatible or
inconsistent with the rest of things in its group or time
inconsequential: 1. of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial 2. inconsequent;
illogical 3. irrelevant
incorporate: 1. to include something into a larger unit or group 2. to combine
incorrigible: (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, changed,
improved, or reformed, especially because firmly established
incredulous: 1. unwilling or unable to believe something, and usually showing this;
doubting; skeptical 2. showing doubt or disbelief 3. incredible; not easy to be believed
incubate: 1. hatch 2. develop or cause to develop under favorable conditions
indefatigable: 1. untiring and inexhaustible 2. not yielding to fatigue despite persisting
in labor or effort for a long time
indelible: 1. impossible to remove or forget 2. producing marks that cannot be erased
or removed 3. permanent
index: 1. an alphabetical list showing all that is included in a book or a larger document
2. an alphabetical list of the documents in a collection 3. an indication
indifferent: 1. not caring about something; apathetic or indifferent 2. impartial 3.
unremarkable or average
indigenous: existing, growing, or produced naturally in a particular place or climate;
native
indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at unfair, mean, or ungrateful action
or treatment
indiscriminate: 1. affecting or harming many people or things without considering who
or what you harm or damage 2. done without choosing or judging carefully; not
discriminating 3. random; haphazard
indolent: 1. disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy 2. causing little or no pain 3. slow to
heal, grow, or develop; inactive
indomitable: very determined and impossible to defeat, discourage, or subdue;
unyielding; unconquerable
induce: 1. persuade or influence someone to do something 2. bring about, produce, or
cause 3. draw (a general rule or conclusion) by inductive reasoning
ineffable: too great, powerful, impressive, beautiful, etc., to be described or expressed
in words
inept: 1. not effective 2. unfit or wrong in an inappropriate way 3. awkward or clumsy
inert: 1. unable to move or act 2. moving or acting very slowly 3. not energetic or
interesting
inertia: 1. lack of activity 2. the fact that matter moves in the same direction unless
acted upon by another force
inexorable: 1. incapable of being altered, swayed or stopped 2. not capable of being
persuaded
infallible: 1. never failing 2. unable to make a mistake 3. trustworthy or totally sure 4.
incapable of being wrong
infer: form an opinion or guess that something is true by reasoning, especially based on
known facts, evidence, or premises
ingenious: clever, resourceful, original, and inventive
ingenuous: innocent and unsuspecting, artless, innocent, naive, candid or openly
straightforward, especially because they have not had much experience of life
ingrate: 1. someone who is ungrateful and does not show or feel thanks for gifts,
favors, etc.
inherent: existing in someone or something as a natural and inseparable element,
quality, right, or attribute
inhibit: 1. prevent someone from doing what he or she wants to do 2. prevent or slow
down the activity, growth or occurrence of (something) 3. restrain, hinder, arrest, or
check (an action, impulse, etc.)
inimical: 1. harmful or injurious 2. unkind or hostile towards others
iniquity: 1. complete immorality 2. wickedness or sin 3. something completely unfair 4.
something unjust
initiate: 1. to begin 2. to introduce a person to into a subject or knowledge; to teach
someone 3. to formally admit someone into a group
injury: 1. physical harm caused by violence or an accident
innate: 1. a quality or ability existing in one from birth 2. an essential characteristic
existing as part of the basic nature
innocuous: 1. that does not injure or harm 2. not likely to bother or offend anyone 3.
not likely to arouse strong feelings or hostility
innovate: 1. to begin to use or to invent new ideas, concepts, products, equipment, etc.
2. to make changes
innuendo: an indirect or subtle hint, remark, gesture, or reference, especially of a
disparaging or a derogatory nature
inscrutable: (especially of a person or their expression) difficult or impossible to
understand or interpret; enigmatic; mysterious
insensible: 1. not able to feel pain, emotions, etc. 2. unaware; unconscious 3. not
caring about or sympathetic to someone or something; not be unwilling to react to it 4.
not realizing or noticing something
insert: 1. to put or place something in something else 2. to add something
insidious: 1. seemingly harmless yet, in truth, damaging and harmful 2. slowly acting
and causing harm
insipid: 1. without flavor; tasteless 2. not interesting or exciting; dull; boring
instigate: 1. cause something to happen or begin, especially an official process 2. urge,
provoke, or incite to some action, especially something bad
institute: 1. an organization that promotes education or art 2. an organization that
carries out research 3. an organization with a specific purpose
insular: 1. ignorant of or no interested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside your own
group or country 2. not interested in learning new ideas or ways of doing things 3. of,
relating to, or from an island
insurgent: 1. rebellious 2. fighting against leadership, authority, government or political
rule
integrate: 1. to add something to a unit to make it whole 2. to combine two or more
things 3. to join; to unify
intelligence: 1. the ability to learn or to acquire knowledge or skills 2. classified or
secret information about an organization or a country
interaction: 1. the act of communicating and acting with other individuals
interminable: 1. continual 2. without end 3. tedious
intermittent: 1. happening at irregular intervals 2. not steady 3. stopping and starting
intervene: 1. to get involved or become involved in a situation in order to change its
suspected outcome 2. to interrupt 3. to be situated between two things
intransigence: 1. stubbornness 2. unwillingness to compromise or yield 3. inflexibility
intransigent: unwilling or refusing to change your opinions or behavior with no good
reason
intrepid: very bold or brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations; fearless
intrinsic: 1. inherent 2. relating to the basic nature of something 3. fundamental
intuitive: 1. of, relating to, or arising from intuition; instinctive 2. known or perceived
through intuition
inundate: overwhelm (someone or something) by sending or providing with a large
amount of things at the same time
inure: 1. to make someone or something used to something unpleasant 2. to harden 3.
to take effect
invective: 1. severe or abusive language used to blame, criticize or insult
inveterate: 1. established or habitual 2. deep-rooted 3. settled in a habit and unlikely to
change
invidious: 1. arousing anger or envy in others 2. causing animosity due to unfairness 2.
offensive
inviolable: 1. incorruptible 2. indestructible 3. unable to be violated or attacked due to
its sacred status
invoke: 1. request blessing, help, inspiration, support, etc. from someone, especially
God, a god, a saint, etc. 2. ask for; request earnestly 3. make someone have a
particular feeling or remember something
irascible: becoming angry very easily
irate: feeling or showing extreme anger; very angry; enraged
ire: 1. intense anger 2. wrath 3. rage
irksome: 1. annoying and tedious 2. irritating
irreproachable: 1. impeccable 2. perfect 3. without fault 4. blameless
irrevocable: 1. unable to be taken away 2. unable to be changed 3. final
itinerant: 1. moving from place to place, especially for work reasons 2. traveling
jaded: 1. feeling or showing a lack of interest and excitement because something has
been experienced too many times 2. worn out or wearied, as by overwork or overuse;
tired
jargon: 1. special vocabulary or expressions that are difficult to understand and are
exclusively used by a certain group of professionals 2. gibberish
jaundiced: 1. unnaturally yellow in color 2. envious or jealous 3. prejudiced or
judgmental
jaunt: 1. a short trip or journey taken for fun or pleasure
jocular: humorous, amusing, or joking; funny or intended to make someone laugh
jollity: 1. happiness or cheerfulness 2. a festive or celebratory gathering
jubilant: 1. thrilled 2. feeling and expressing great joy 3. expressing extreme happiness,
often due to a victory or success
jubilation: great happiness or joy because something good has happened
judicious: having, applying, or showing reason and good judgment or sense in making
decisions
jurisprudence: 1. the theory or science of law 2. a system, body or department of law
justify: 1. to explain or defend one's position or reasoning 2. to adjust one's text so that
the right and left edges of a document are equal 3. to prove something to be correct
juxtaposition: 1. the act of placing items side-by-side 2. the act of placing items close
together, often to incite comparison
kindle: 1. to build or light a fire 2. to make something burn; to ignite 3. to arouse an
emotion or cause a feeling 4. to stir up
knotty: 1. full of knots and tangles 2. confusing or puzzling
laceration: 1. a wound or a cut in flesh which is often deep or severe
lachrymose: 1. depressed; sad 2. tending to cry easily or frequently 3. causing tears
lackadaisical: feeling or showing a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or determination;
carelessly lazy
laconic: using very few words in speech, writing, or expression; terse; concise
laggard: someone or something that is very slow or late in doing things and always
falling behind others
lampoon: 1. to criticize a person or a group through a humorous piece of writing or art
languid: 1. lacking enthusiasm, energy, or strength; without interest or spirit 2. (of a
period of time) relaxed and pleasant 3. weak or faint from illness or fatigue 4. slow in
progress; tardy
languish: 1. to become weaker 2. to suffer through a difficult, unwanted situation over
an extended period of time 3. to long for something or someone 4. to be ignored or
neglected
larceny: 1. theft 2. the act of taking someone else's property and acting as if it is now
yours
largess: 1. money or gifts given liberally or openly, often to many people 2. generous
giving of gifts
latent: exists but is not active, obvious, completely developed, or cannot be seen
laud: praise someone or something highly
laudable: deserving or worthy of praise
lax: 1. not as strict or strong 2. loose 3. not careful
legerdemain: 1. trickery or skillful deceit 2. a sleight of hand or cleverly executed trick
legion: 1. a large number 2. a group of many soldiers which forms part of an army
lethargic: 1. sluggish or drowsy; tired or slightly tired 2. apathetic
leviathan: 1. something or someone that is very large and powerful, especially a ship 2.
a very large animal, especially a whale
levity: 1. lack of seriousness, especially when strictness is required or appropriate 2.
frivolity 3. fickleness
levy: 1. to impose a tax, fee or fine on 2. to officially request the payment of a tax, fee or
fine
libertarian: 1. a person who believes that individuals should be able to make their own
decisions and that the government shouldn't limit them
licentious: 1. amoral or lascivious 2. showing little to no respect for laws or social
norms 3. not restrained
limpid: 1. transparent; clear 2. easily intelligible 3. serene and without worry
liniment: 1. a fluid that is rubbed on a specific part of the body in order to relieve
muscle pain
listless: having or showing little or no energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness and unwilling to
do anything needing effort
lithe: young, healthy, attractive, and able to move and bend in an easy and graceful
way
livid: 1. extraordinarily angry 2. of a blue or bluish color; the same color as a bruise 3.
pallid
lofty: 1. elevated; high 2. arrogant; thinking that one is better or more important than
others 3. tall
longevity: 1. long life 2. the length or duration of life 3. long existence or service
loquacious: tending to talk a lot or too much
lucrative: producing a lot of wealth or profit; profitable
lugubrious: very sad, mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in a way that seems
exaggerated, ridiculous, or insincere way
lull: 1. cause to sleep, rest, or calm, typically with soothing sounds or movements 2.
cause someone feel secure, relaxed, or confident instead of careful and alert, especially
by deception 3. a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness, as in a storm 4. become calm
lummox: 1. a large and clumsy person who is often considered to be quite stupid
luscious: 1. sweet 2. pleasant to taste or smell 3. delightful for any of the senses 4.
exceptionally physically attractive
luxuriant: 1. (of vegetation) abundant or lush in growth; having heavy and thick growth
2. fertile; fruitful; productive 3. richly abundant, profuse, or superabundant 4. marked by
or displaying luxury; luxurious
maelstrom: 1. extremely turbulent and violent water that rapidly moves in a circular
direction 2. a violent or tumultuous situation
magnanimous: 1. kind, generous, or forgiving in overlooking injury or insult, especially
towards a rival or less powerful person; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness
2. high-minded; generous and noble
magnate: 1. a very successful or very important person in a specific industry
maladroit: 1. awkward 2. clumsy 3. inept 4. unskilled
malady: 1. an illness, disease or ailment 2. a major problem
malediction: 1. a curse or the act of saying a curse 2. speaking in a defamatory or evil
way
malefactor: 1. a person that does things that are illegal; a criminal 2. a person that does
evil
malevolent: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil to another or others; malicious;
evil
malingerer: 1. a person who fakes being ill in order to avoid work or a duty they are
supposed to perform
malleable: 1. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered, pounded, or pressed
into various shapes without breaking or cracking 2. easily influenced, trained, or
controlled; adaptable
margin: 1. a border or edge 2. the difference between the cost of production of a good
and the amount at which it is sold
marred: damaged or disfigured by injury or rough wear; spoiled; impaired
marsupial: 1. any animal that has a pouch in which its young stay until they are fully
developed and able to survive outside of the pouch
martinet: 1. a person who demands that others follow the laws or rules exactly 2. an
extremely strict person
maudlin: 1. self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, especially in a foolish or annoying way
2. foolishly tearful or sentimental, especially when you are drunk
maverick: a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of or resists adherence
to a group
mawkish: 1. sickening or nauseating 2. overly emotional or excessively sentimental,
often in a false way
meager: 1. meek or feeble 2. inadequate 3. deficient in quantity; less than is needed or
necessary
meander: 1. to walk slowly and without purpose or without direction 2. to follow a
winding path 3. to randomly wander
mechanism: 1. a machine or device 2. the working parts of a machine
mediate: 1. to settle disputes through negotiation 2. to be an intermediary 3. to work
with opposing sides to reach an agreement
melancholy: a feeling of sadness, depression, and of being without hope, typically with
no obvious cause
menagerie: 1. a collection of animals that are kept in cages and exhibited for the public
2. a place where a collection of animals is kept 3. a diverse group
mendacious: 1. deceptive and untruthful 2. false 3. lying
mercenary: 1. working or acting only for money or other reward 2. a professional
soldier hired to serve in a foreign army, guerrilla organization, etc.
mercurial: 1. changing mood or opinion unexpectedly, suddenly, and often 2. volatile;
erratic; unstable 3. lively and continuously active
merge: 1. to put two or more things together; to unite; to combine
meticulous: 1. extremely concerned with details 2. thorough and precise 3. finicky

mettle: 1. resilience; stamina 2. fortitude and courage 3. the ability to deal with
situations that are considered difficult 4. temperament
milieu: 1. setting 2. environment 3. the conditions and people that create a person's
environment
mire: 1. to entangle or trap 2. to cause to stick or get stuck 3. to soil or stain with mud
misanthrope: a person who hates or distrusts all people and avoids involvement with
human society
miserly: 1. a person who is reluctant or unhappy to spend money 2. a person who is
not charitable or thoughtful with others
mitigate: make something less severe, serious, painful, harmful, unpleasant, or bad
modicum: 1. a limited amount of something 2. a small object 3. a reduced quantity
modify: 1. to make changes to something 2. to adjust or alter
momentous: 1. extremely important, especially in reference to the future or future
events 2. weighty
monotonous: 1. repetitive and boring 2. lacking variety 3. dull 4. wearisome
moratorium: 1. a temporary or permanent stoppage 2. a legally authorized or ordered
stoppage of payments by a debtor due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstances
3. a pause
moribund: 1. near death 2. near extinction or obsoleteness 3. stagnant or not active
morose: 1. austere and churlish 2. ill-tempered 3. bleak or dreary in nature 4. showing
a gloomy attitude
motley: 1. a heterogeneous group 2. polychromatic 3. characterized by variety
multifarious: 1. characterized by variety 2. largely diverse 3. composed of a wide
variety of parts or elements
mundane: 1. ordinary and not interesting or exciting 2. relating to the world and
practical matters instead of heavenly or spiritual ones; worldly; earthly
munificent: 1. very generous 2. liberal with one's giving of money 3. lavish
mutinous: 1. rebellious and uncontrollable 2. refusing to accept authority 3. unruly;
disobedient
mutual: 1. shared between two or more parties 2. held in common
myriad: 1. a large number, often one that is too large to count 2. a great deal of people
or things
nadir: 1. the point opposite the zenith on a sphere, directly below the observer 2. the
lowest, worst point in a situation
nascent: 1. emerging or beginning to exist 2. recently formed or started 3. developing
nebulous: 1. vague; ambiguous; missing a definitive shape or definition 2. cloud-like 3.
misty; foggy
nefarious: extremely wicked; criminal; evil; immoral; sinful
negate: 1. to deny something or say something isn't true 2. to cancel something out; to
nullify
negative: 1. pessimistic 2. harmful or bad 3. expressing or showing "no" 4. expressing
disapproval
negligence: 1. failure to take the proper amount of care in a specific situation, often
causing damage or harm 2. the state or quality of being negligent 3. carelessness
neologism: 1. a word or phrase which has only recently been invented or coined 2. a
new meaning for a word that already exists
neophyte: 1. a newcomer to a specific belief; a proselyte 2. a person who has only
recently started to participate in a subject or an activity
nettle: 1. to bother or annoy 2. to provoke 3. to irritate or sting as if with nettles
noisome: 1. very unpleasant, offensive or disgusting, as an odor 2. harmful, dangerous,
or injurious, especially to health
nomadic: 1. constantly moving from place to place without a fixed pattern 2. itinerant 3.
pertaining to a wandering tribe
nominal: 1. insignificant 2. in name, but not in practice 3. very small
nonchalance: 1. indifference 2. a lack of concern 3. composure; casualness
nondescript: 1. lacking any characteristic or quality which marks something as different
or individual 2. very ordinary 3. dull; drab; plain
nonentity: 1. something that doesn't exist 2. something imaginary 3. someone or
something that is not important
nonetheless: 1. nevertheless 2. however
norm: 1. a rule or standard 2. a pattern or something that is expected 3. a model
nostalgia: 1. homesickness; a longing for one's home or hometown 2. a feeling of
sadness and pleasure when thinking about events or things from the past;
sentimentality
notoriety: 1. infamy; disrepute 2. fame that is received for negative reasons or actions
novice: a person who is new and not experienced in a job or situation
noxious: 1. detrimental to living beings 2. something that is dangerous for one's
physical health
nuance: a small variation in meaning, tone or feeling
nuclear: 1. related to or employing nuclear weapons or energy 2. related to the nucleus
of an atom
nullify: 1. to void something, especially a legal agreement or decision 2. to make
something useless or null
obdurate: 1. stubbornly refusing to do what other people want 2. stubbornly refusing to
change your opinions, plans, or the way you do something despite what anyone else
says, in a way that does not seem reasonable
obfuscate: 1. to make something more difficult to understand, often intentionally 2. to
darken or make opaque 3. to make something obscure or confusing
oblique: 1. possessing a slanting or sloping angle or direction; inclined 2. not
expressing something in a clear or direct manner
obliterate: 1. to totally destroy 2. to make something disappear completely 3. to get rid
of, erase or cover completely
oblivious: 1. unaware or not conscious about something happening at that moment 2.
forgetful 3. inattentive
obscure: 1. not famous or well-known 2. difficult to see 3. faint; vague 4. unnoticeable
5. mysterious
obsequious: 1. overly attentive or eager to flatter others 2. excessive obedience or
flattery, often in order to gain favors from people of influence
obstinate: 1. unreasonably stubborn and unwilling to change one's opinion or attitude 2.
troublesome to deal with, change or remove
obstreperous: 1. noisy and unruly, often in an aggressive way 2. resistant to authority;
defiant
obtuse: annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand explanations or situations quickly
obviate: anticipate and prevent or remove (a need, problem, difficulty, disadvantage,
etc.) by effective measures so that action to deal with it becomes unnecessary
odious: 1. something that causes strong dislike or hatred 2. repulsive or vile
officious: someone who is overly eager to offer their unsolicited opinion, advice or
services; overbearing
ogle: 1. to look at someone fondly or amorously 2. to stare at something in a way that
shows desire
olfactory: 1. related to one's sense of smell
ominous: 1. threatening or suggestive that something bad is going to occur 2.
inauspicious
omnipotent: 1. possessing infinite power 2. having an enormous influence 3. all-
powerful
omniscient: 1. possessing unlimited knowledge 2. knowing, or seemingly knowing,
everything
onerous: 1. something difficult to deal with, oppressive or burdensome 2. something
difficult to endure 3. something draining
ongoing: 1. continuing 2. happening at the present time 3. in progress
onus: 1. a burden or a difficult task 2. an obligation 3. responsibility
opaque: 1. not letting light pass through; not transparent or translucent 2. difficult to
understand or explain
option: 1. the ability or right to choose 2. a choice or something that can be chosen
ordain: 1. to formally make or declare someone a preacher, priest or other religious
leader 2. to formally declare or order 3. to establish by law or other rules
orient: 1. to adapt something 2. to align something based on a specific point or direction
3. to direct towards a goal
orientation: 1. the act of finding or determining one's position 2. a person or group's
interests or beliefs 3. training for a job
ornate: 1. elaborate or heavily adorned 2. marked by complex language and unusual
vocabulary
orthodox: 1. conventional or acceptable by the general public 2. traditional or old-
fashioned in one's beliefs 3. a strict observer of a certain faith
ossify: 1. convert or be converted into bone 2. become rigid or inflexible in habits,
attitudes, opinions, etc.
ostensible: 1. something apparent or professed to be true 2. something conspicuous
and open to view
overt: 1. transparent; done or displayed in public 2. not hidden 3. clear and apparent
overwrought: 1. tired; fatigued 2. upset 3. nervous or worried 4. overly emotional 5. too
ornate or complex
palatable: 1. tasty 2. fit to be consumed by humans 3. acceptable
palliate: 1. to lessen the symptoms of an illness 2. to make something less severe 3. to
make something serious seem less important or negative
pallid: 1. lacking vitality, liveliness or intensity; dull 2. extremely pale, to the point that
one appears to be unhealthy
palpable: 1. so strong or so obvious that it can be felt 2. easily noticed 3. tangible
panacea: 1. a cure for any malady 2. something that people think will cure any difficulty
or problem
panegyric: a speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something
panel: 1. a board 2. a group of people who work together in order to make decisions,
pass judgment or entertain people
paradigm: 1. something that serves as an example or a model 2. accepted ideas or
practices that are used in order to explain or view a shared reality
paradox: 1. something that sounds untrue or impossible but might be possible or true 2.
something that contradicts itself or has opposite qualities
paragon: 1. someone or something that is perfect and is considered a model to be
copied or imitated 2. the model of perfection or excellence
parallel: 1. not intersecting 2. occurring at the same time 3. extending in the same
direction
parameter: 1. a boundary that limits a specific action or process 2. a rule that controls
something
paramount: 1. supreme 2. more important than any other thing
parasite: 1. any animal or plant that lives on and feeds on another animal or plant
parch: 1. to scorch the surface of something through exposure to light or heat 2. to
cause something to become extremely dry 3. to expose certain food products (grains,
corn, etc.) to extreme heat in order to roast them
pariah: 1. a person who is looked down upon or rejected by society, often because they
are not trusted or respected 2. an outcast
parochial: 1. showing interest only in matters that directly affect you; narrow in scope 2.
related to a parish
parody: 1. a work of art such as a text or a play which is created to poke fun at or
ridicule another work 2. to poke fun at someone or something
parry: 1. to skillfully avoid dealing with criticism or answering a tough question 2. to
deflect or ward off an attack
parsimonious: 1. cheap; frugal with one's money 2. unwilling to spend or give money
partisan: 1. strongly prejudiced in favor of something 2. one-sided or partial 3. someone
who is devoted to a political party
pathos: 1. sadness or pity 2. the quality of something, such as a work of art, which
arouses emotions such as pity or sadness
patron: 1. a person who supports a group, activity or organization by donating money to
them; a benefactor 2. a regular or frequent customer
paucity: 1. a lack of something 2. scantiness 3. insufficiency in number; shortage
peccadillo: a small mistake, fault, sin, or offense that is not very serious or harmful
pedant: a person who is obsessed with the rules and minor details
pedantic: 1. giving too much importance to formal rules or small details 2. making an
excessive display of one's own learning
pedestrian: 1. ordinary; dull 2. commonplace 3. undistinguished
peerless: 1. unequaled or unrivaled 2. incomparable to anything else 3. better than
anything else of its type
pejorative: 1. derogatory or disapproving 2. causing something to become worse
pellucid: 1. simple to understand 2. clear, transparent or translucent; allowing the
passage of light
penchant: 1. a clear inclination towards something 2. a taste for something
pensive: 1. contemplative 2. appearing as if lost in thought, especially about something
serious or sad 3. thoughtful
penury: 1. extreme poverty; the state of being extraordinarily poor 2. insufficiency or
scarcity
perceive: 1. to become aware of 2. to observe; to notice
perdition: 1. total destruction; utter ruin 2. eternal damnation 3. a state of eternal
punishment
peremptory: 1. someone who is overly assertive, to the point that they do not allow
contradiction 2. someone domineering and totalitarian 3. someone who is offensively
arrogant
perfidious: deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful
perfidy: 1. treachery or unfaithfulness 2. betrayal of trust 3. behavior or an event that
shows that someone cannot be trusted 4. deceitfulness
perfunctory: 1. an action performed in a routine and careless manner 2. acting in a way
which shows a lack of interest
period: 1. an interval or length of time 2. a full stop
peripheral: 1. something that is found on the outer edge or boundary 2. trivial or
unimportant 3. something that is secondary or supplementary
pernicious: 1. deadly 2. causing extreme harm, destruction or injury
perquisite: 1. any money or other benefit received in addition to one's fixed salary 2. a
bonus payment or a tip
persist: 1. to persevere 2. to continue despite difficulty 3. to stand firm
persistent: 1. unending; unstopping 2. constant 3. stubborn; not willing to give up
perspective: 1. a vista or view 2. a way of looking at or examining something 3. an
outlook
perspicacious: 1. astute 2. shrewd and clear-sighted 3. quick to notice things and
judge them correctly
pertinacious: 1. stubborn or unyielding; resolute in one's belief or opinion 2. determined
and persistent 3. obstinate
pertinent: 1. relevant to the topic at hand 2. logically related to the matter 3. fitting
peruse: 1. to read something thoroughly 2. to examine something in detail 3. to skim
something; to read something in a relaxed manner
pervasive: 1. spread all over or spreading to all parts 2. present everywhere 3.
permeating; penetrating
petrify: 1. to make something become hard or stone like 2. to freeze with horror or fear
3. to make hard or inflexible
petulant: easily, suddenly, frequently, childishly, or unreasonably annoyed, irritable, or
bad-tempered, especially over trivial matters
phase: 1. a stage (of time) 2. a period of time in a person's life
phenomenon: 1. an extraordinary person or thing 2. an observable fact or occurrence
3. something remarkable
philanthropist: 1. a person who loves mankind and works to promote its wellbeing 2. a
person or organization that is generous with its resources, especially with its money
philistine: 1. an uncultured person who does not like or understand art 2. a vulgar
person
philosophy: 1. the study of human morals and behavior 2. ideas and theories about
something 3. the way someone thinks about life 4. a theory or belief that guides
someone's behavior
phlegmatic: not easily upset, excited, or angered to action or display of emotion;
apathetic; sluggish
piety: 1. devoutness, love or reverence to God 2. devoutness shown through actions or
one's daily life
pillage: 1. to rob using force, especially during wartime 2. to loot
pinnacle: 1. the peak 2. the highest point 3. a tall and pointed formation 4. the most
important or successful part of a person's life
pithy: 1. precise and full of meaning 2. succinct; concise, yet meaningful
pivotal: 1. of extreme importance 2. critical; crucial 3. significant
placate: make (someone) less angry or hostile, especially by making concessions or by
being nice to them
placebo: 1. a harmless substance that has no real affect on the person who takes it 2.
something designed or done to placate the person who takes or receives it
placid: 1. peaceful and undisturbed 2. serene, with a lack of movement or activity 3.
showing calm
plasticity: 1. flexibility or the ability to be shaped or formed into different shapes 2. the
capacity to be molded
platitude: 1. a trite, dull or unoriginal saying that is considered common information,
despite the remark being said as if it were original information 2. absence of originality
plaudit: 1. applause 2. any sort of expression of praise or approval
plausible: something that is credible and possibly true
plethora: a large or excessive amount of (something), especially a larger amount than
you need, want, or can deal with; overabundance; excess
pliable: 1. malleable 2. flexible 3. easy to manipulate into other shapes
plumage: 1. the feathers of a bird (collectively) 2. elaborate costume or dress
plummet: 1. to fall suddenly or drastically 2. to plunge
podium: 1. a platform that is raised above the ground which people stand on to give a
speech, receive a prize, or to conduct a musical group
polemical: 1. controversial and often hostile 2. strongly critical
ponderous: 1. slow and clumsy because of great weight or size 2. very boring or dull 3.
that seems heavy; bulky; massive
portend: 1. to foreshadow something negative that is going to occur in the future 2. to
be a sign of something
portent: 1. a warning about something that is going to occur in the future 2. an
indication or sign that something is going to happen, especially referring to negative
events
pose: 1. to take on a posture for artistic purposes 2. to formally ask a question 3. to
cause a problem 4. to impersonate someone
poseur: 1. a person who pretends to be something that they are not in order to impress
others
posterity: 1. future generations 2. one's descendants
posthumous: 1. taking place after death 2. published after death
postulate: 1. a prerequisite 2. something which is accepted as true before developing
or discussing another idea 3. a basic principle
potable: 1. fit to drink 2. suitable for drinking by humans or animals
potent: 1. extremely powerful or effective 2. influential 3. possessing great authority or
power
pragmatic: dealing or concerned with facts or actual practice in a reasonable and
logical way instead of depending on ideas, theories or speculation; practical
prattle: 1. to speak at length about subjects that are unimportant, often without making
any sense 2. to speak without sense and in a juvenile manner
preamble: 1. the introduction to a written document or a speech 2. an introductory
statement
precarious: 1. something that is not certain 2. risky or subject to chance 3. something
which lacks security and is in a possibly dangerous situation
precede: 1. to exist before something 2. to come before 3. to have a higher rank than
someone
precedent: 1. a practice or act in the past which is used to justify a similar practice in
the present
preceding: 1. before 2. prior to
precept: 1. a command or rule which indicates what proper behavior is 2. a standard of
conduct 3. a warrant
precipice: 1. a very steep side of a mountain or cliff, typically a tall one 2. a dangerous
situation that could lead to harm or failure 3. a very dangerous situation
precipitate: 1. cause (something) to happen quickly, suddenly, unexpectedly, or
prematurely before expected, warranted, needed, or desired 2. throw headlong; hurl
downward 3. fall; fall downward suddenly and dramatically
precipitous: 1. quite steep 2. occurring suddenly or dramatically
preclude: 1. to make something impossible or prevent 2. to deter or impede something
from happening
precocious: 1. (especially of children) unusually advanced or mature in development,
especially mental development 2. appearing or developing early
precursor: a person or thing that goes before another person or something else and
that often leads to or influences its development; forerunner; harbinger
predilection: 1. a personal preference towards something 2. a special liking of
something
predominant: 1. the most powerful 2. the most common 3. superior or supreme
preeminent: 1. superior 2. excelling or more important than others 3. outstanding
prerogative: 1. a privilege or something that one is permitted to do that others aren't 2.
an advantage 3. a right
presentiment: 1. a feeling that a negative or unfortunate event is about to occur or is
going to occur in the near future 2. a premonition
presumption: 1. the act of assuming 2. something assumed 3. the act of believing
something without seeing proof
pretext: a false reason or motive that you pretend to have in order to hide your real
reason or motive for doing something; excuse
prevaricate: 1. stray away from or avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a
question 2. speak or act falsely or misleadingly
primeval: 1. primordial 2. related to or from the earliest time, especially when referring
to the origin of Earth 3. original
pristine: 1. unspoiled; uncorrupted 2. new and in good condition 3. pure
process: 1. a series of happenings or actions that lead to a specific result 2. a naturally
occurring series of changes
proclivity: 1. an inclination towards something 2. a natural propensity or tendency 3. a
predisposition to want to do something, especially when referring to something bad
procrastinate: 1. delay or postpone doing (something unpleasant or burdensome) until
a future time, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness 2. postpone or delay
needlessly
procure: 1. obtain something, especially with care, effort, or difficulty 2. obtain (a sexual
partner, especially woman) for another, for the purpose of prostitution
prodigal: 1. carelessly and foolishly wasting a lot of money, time, or supplies, etc. 2.
extremely generous; lavish 3. extremely abundant; profuse
prodigious: 1. very great or impressive in size, force, or extent; enormous 2.
extraordinary; marvelous; wonderful; amazing
profane: 1. to defile 2. to show a lack of respect for objects considered to be sacred or
holy 3. to violate
profound: 1. very deep 2. (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great 3. (of a disease or
disability) very severe 4. (of a subject or idea) intellectually deep; entering far into
subjects 5. (of a person or statement) having or showing deep thought or wisdom
profuse: 1. created or given in large amounts; generous 2. plentiful 3. given abundantly
or magnanimously
prohibit: 1. to forbid or ban 2. to not allow or permit 3. to officially ban
prohibitive: 1. something that discourages one from doing something 2. restricting
people from doing something
project: 1. a scheme or a plan 2. a proposal 3. a task which requires work to be done
proletarian: 1. a member of the working class
proliferate: 1. to increase or grow at a rapid pace 2. to multiply or reproduce quickly
prolific: 1. producing a large amount of something, especially fruit, offspring or works 2.
bountiful, fruitful or productive
promulgate: 1. to put an official decree or law into effect via official announcement 2. to
make something publicly known by officially announcing it
propensity: 1. a tendency or natural inclination to behave in a certain way 2. a
preference
propitiate: 1. make (a god, spirit, or person) pleased, less angry, or regain their favor
by giving or doing something that pleases them 2. appease; conciliate
propitious: 1. likely to result in or show success 2. something advantageous 3.
benevolent; favorable
proponent: 1. a person who is actively in favor of something 2. a supporter 3. an
advocate
prosaic: lacking in interest, imagination, originality, or excitement; commonplace or dull;
matter-of-fact or unimaginative
proscribe: 1. to make something no longer be lawful; to prohibit (legally) 2. to banish 3.
to forbid 4. to denounce
prospective: 1. something in the future that is expected or predicted to happen 2.
probable or likely to happen
prosperity: a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial
respects; good fortune, wealth, success, etc.
protagonist: 1. one of the main characters of a story 2. a leader of a cause or
movement
protean: 1. ever changing 2. versatile and able to change form, shape or meaning
quickly 3. able to play many roles
provident: 1. making arrangements for the future and showing foresight 2. preparing for
the future, especially by saving money for possible emergencies
provincial: 1. from or related to a specific province 2. an unsophisticated person from
the country 3. showing narrow-minded or unsophisticated thought or ideas
provocative: 1. provoking or tending to provoke, as to action, thought, feeling, etc.;
inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing 2. causing people to become sexually excited
prudent: 1. careful, and using good judgment in practical matters 2. careful in regard to
one's own interests; provident 3. cautious or discreet in conduct; circumspect; not rash
prurient: 1. expressing lustful behaviors or ideas 2. overly interested in sex
puerile: 1. childish, juvenile or immature 2. silly; foolish 3. related to or belonging to
childhood
pulchritude: 1. physical beauty or attractiveness, especially related to women 2. moral
beauty
punctilious: 1. exact in one's attention to detail; extremely correct with one's behavior
pundit: 1. an expert or educated person on a specific subject 2. an authority on a
specific subject who often makes public declarations on the subject
purchase: 1. an object that has been bought 2. the act of buying something
purloin: 1. to take something from someone in violation of their trust 2. to pilfer or steal
pusillanimous: lacking courage or determination; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
pyromania: 1. a compulsive and irresistible want to set things on fire
quaff: 1. to drink or swallow hurriedly and heartily
quagmire: 1. a soft and wet piece of land which yields if stepped on 2. a complicated,
dangerous or awkward situation
quell: 1. to suppress or stop something, especially through the use of force 2. to pacify
or soothe a previously problematic situation
querulous: often complaining, especially in a way that annoys other people
quirk: 1. a peculiarity in one's personal behavior 2. an idiosyncrasy 3. a sharp twist or
turn
quixotic: having or showing ideas, plans, hope, etc. that are not practical or likely to
succeed; unrealistic and impractical
ramble: 1. to walk about or move about in an aimless manner 2. to follow a winding
path 3. to write or talk in an aimless, uncontrolled manner 4. to stroll or walk for pleasure
rampant: (of something bad) growing, happening, or spreading quickly and in an
uncontrolled way
ramshackle: (especially of buildings or vehicles) in a very bad condition and likely to fall
down; out of repair; likely to fall to pieces; shaky
rancor: a bitter and long-lasting angry feeling of hatred or dislike about something in the
past
rapport: a friendly relationship, especially of mutual trust, respect, or emotional affinity
ratify: (especially of governments or organizations) make (a treaty, contract, or
agreement) official by signing it or formally accepting it
rational: 1. logical 2. using reason to make decisions or act 3. sensible
raucous: loud, harsh, and disturbing noise
raze: 1. completely destroy a city, building, etc. 2. scrape or shave off; erase
rebuke: 1. to punish or scold someone severely 2. to express disapproval, often in a
sharp way 3. to harshly criticize
rebuttal: the act of proving that something is not true by using arguments or evidence;
response with contrary evidence
recalcitrant: 1. (of a person ) stubbornly refusing to obey authority, discipline, rules,
orders, etc. 2. (of an animal ) refusing to be controlled
recant: formally or publicly say that your past beliefs or statements were wrong and that
you no longer agree with them
recapitulate: 1. to summarize something or repeat it in a more concise way 2. to briefly
restate
receptacle: 1. any container or device for holding substances or objects 2. a vessel
used to hold things
recluse: a person who lives alone and tends to avoid other people, often for religious
meditation
reclusive: living alone and avoiding the company of other people, often for religious
meditation; solitary
rectify: 1. correct (something that is wrong) or make something right or better 2. correct
by calculation or adjustment
rectitude: 1. moral correctness 2. honest behavior 3. righteousness
recuperate: 1. to get better or recover from illness, financial loss or misfortune
redolent: 1. sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic 2. strongly smelling of 3. (redolent
of/with) strongly reminding you of something
redress: 1. compensation or remedy for some wrong that was done against someone;
retribution 2. rectification
redundant: 1. superfluous 2. unnecessarily wordy 3. not needed
refurbish: 1. to restore something to its original quality 2. to renovate 3. to make
something look like new again
refute: 1. to prove that something is not correct or true 2. to deny something
regale: 1. to entertain someone with food or drink; to feast 2. to entertain someone with
a story or something amusing
regime: 1. a government that is currently in power 2. a system of rules 3. a political
system 4. a management system
regulate: 1. to create and impose rules for something 2. to adjust to ensure accuracy 3.
to control; to manage
relegate: 1. put (someone or something) into a lower or less important rank or position
2. refer, commit, or hand over for decision, action, etc. 3. (UK) moved down to a lower
division
reliance: 1. a dependence on a specific person or object 2. the act of depending on
someone or something
relinquish: 1. give up (something, such as power, control, or possession), especially
when you do not want to do this; retire from; abandon 2. surrender 3. let go (a grasp,
hold, etc.)
renounce: 1. give up (a claim, right, or possession, etc.), especially by formal
announcement 2. give up (a cause, bad habit, way of life, etc.) voluntarily 3. reject;
disown
renown: 1. celebrity or great fame 2. the state of being famous or honored
replete: 1. completely stuffed; full, especially referring to food 2. well supplied
reprehensible: unacceptable, very bad, and deserving to be criticized
reprieve: 1. a way out of,or temporary relief from a bad experience or situation 2. the
deferment or complete cancellation of punishment
reprimand: a severe, formal, or official rebuke, disapproval, or censure
reproach: express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone),
especially for not being successful or not doing what is expected
reprobate: 1. someone who has bad habits or lacks scruples 2. a person without
principles
reproof: the act of reproving, censuring, blaming, or rebuking
reprove: 1. to find fault with 2. to condemn, criticize or express disapproval of bad
behavior 3. to rebuke
repudiate: 1. refuse to accept or reject with denial 2. disown
repugnant: extremely unpleasant, distasteful, objectionable, or offensive; arousing
disgust or aversion
rescind: end, revoke, repeal, or cancel (a law, agreement, order, or decision, etc.)
resolution: 1. a decision that is made by a group through a voting process 2. a
personal promise to oneself 3. a formal statement of intent or opinion
resolve: 1. firm or strong determination 2. a resolution made by a legislative body; a
ruling
resonant: 1. prompting thoughts of a similar experience 2. loud, clear, or deep 3.
enduring 4. echoing
respite: 1. a short break or delay from work or an unpleasant experience 2. a
postponement of punishment
resplendent: 1. brilliant; dazzling; bright; shiny 2. beautiful 3. impressive
restive: 1. impatient and restless 2. not willing to be controlled 3. difficult to control,
usually due to dissatisfaction or boredom
restrain: 1. to hold back or put limits on someone or something 2. to curb 3. to keep
under control
reticent: 1. not willing to tell people about one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs
2. uncommunicative, restrained, or reserved in style 3. reluctant; unwilling
revenue: 1. income 2. money that an organization, government or company receives
from different sources
reverent: feeling, showing, or characterized by great respect and admiration; deeply
respectful
revise: 1. to check something and make changes to make sure that it is acceptable 2.
to change or amend 3. to alter
revolution: 1. a huge change in something, such as a political organization or country
2. the circular movement around a certain celestial body 3. a complete cycle 4. a very
important change in the way people act
rhetoric: 1. a style of speaking or writing that is intended to influence people and that
may not be honest or reasonable 2. the art, skill, or study of using language formally
and effectively in speaking or writing
ribald: 1. vulgar or indecent 2. rude or lewd, but in a humorous way
rife: 1. prevalent or abundant 2. widespread; common 3. full of (something)
rigor: 1. strictness, harshness, or severity 2. exactitude 3. inflexibility
robust: 1. healthy 2. hardy or strong 3. sturdy and able to withstand detrimental
conditions 4. successful
ruminate: 1. to think about something carefully over a long period of time 2. to meditate
on 3. to chew on cud
sacrosanct: 1. something that is considered to be sacred 2. something considered far
too important to be subjected to changes
sagacious: having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense and
the ability to make good practical decisions
sagacity: the quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted based on
practical knowledge and experience
salacious: 1. lustful or obscene 2. containing sexual content
salient: 1. of utmost importance; prominent; notable 2. protruding beyond a line or
surface 3. jumping
salubrious: 1. healthy 2. wholesome 3. beneficial to one's health
salutary: 1. beneficial 2. favorable to one's health 3. bringing about good effects or
improvement
sanctimonious: pretending to be morally better than other people; excessively or
hypocritically pious
sanction: 1. official permission or approval, as for an action 2. a threat to punish
someone for breaking a law or rule 3. an official order, such as the limiting or stopping
of trade, that is taken against a country in order to force it to obey international laws
sanctity: 1. the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly 2. the quality of being
very important, valuable, and deserving respect
sanguine: cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident, especially in a difficult situation
sardonic: 1. demonstrating a lack of respect for another person or what they have said
or done 2. mocking 3. sneering 4. cynical
sate: satisfy (an appetite, desire, etc.) fully
satiate: 1. satisfy (an appetite or desire) fully so that you could not have any more 2.
having had enough or more than enough
satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize
someone or something and make them seem foolish, weak, bad, etc.
saturate: 1. make something completely wet with water or other liquid so that no more
can be absorbed 2. cause (a substance) to combine with, dissolve, or hold the greatest
possible amount of another substance
saturnine: very serious and unhappy; gloomy; taciturn
savant: a person with a high level of knowledge or skill, especially a distinguished
scientist
scale: 1. to climb a surface that is steep 2. to set something according to a scale or
measure something by a scale 3. to remove something in layers or scales
scrupulous: 1. very careful about doing something correctly, giving a lot of attention to
details 2. careful about doing what is honest and morally right
scrutinize: examine or inspect (something) closely, thoroughly, and very carefully
scurrilous: 1. fond of using coarse or indecent language 2. foul mouthed or obscene 3.
slanderous
scuttle: 1. to move across a surface hurriedly with short steps 2. to scurry
sedulous: showing continued hard work, effort, dedication, and determination
seminary: 1. an institution of higher education where people train to be religious
leaders, such as preachers, priests or rabbis 2. an institution of higher education for
girls
sequester: 1. to take someone's property until they have paid their debts or complied
with an order 2. to seclude or segregate 3. to hide something away
serendipity: 1. the fact of finding interesting or valuable things by chance; unexpected
and fortunate discoveries 2. accidental good fortune or luck
serene: 1. tranquil, peaceful or calm 2. bright or clear 3. untroubled or unaffected
serrated: 1. possessing a row of tooth-like sharp points along its edge 2. saw-like
servile: 1. too eager to serve, please, or obey others 2. of a slave or slaves
shrewd: having or showing sharp powers to understand things and to make good
judgments in practical affairs; astute
simile: (the use of) a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something
else, always including the words 'as' or 'like'
simulate: 1. to reproduce a situation 2. to feign 3. to do something that looks as if it is
real when it truly is not
skeptical: 1. having, showing or marked by doubt 2. doubting 3. questioning
skirmish: 1. a short or small battle 2. a minor fight in a much larger conflict 3. a
squabble or a short argument
slipshod: 1. (especially of a piece of work) showing a lack of care, thought, or
organization 2. careless in dress, manners, style, etc.; untidy or slovenly; shabby
sluggard: 1. a person who is habitually lazy 2. a slothful person 3. an idler
smelt: 1. to get metal from its ore by heating it
solace: give comfort to in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble
sole: 1. the bottom part of a foot or shoe 2. the bottom part of an object such as a golf
club or a plow
solicit: 1. to ask for something, often through a formal process 2. to petition
solicitous: 1. showing care, attention, or concern about someone's health, feelings,
safety, etc. 2. showing anxious desire; eager
somber: 1. very sad and serious; gloomy; depressing or grave 2. dull or dark in color,
especially grey or black
somnambulist: 1. a person who walks around while they are asleep 2. a sleepwalker
somnolent: 1. drowsy or sleepy 2. inducing sleep or sleepiness 3. causing
sluggishness
sophistry: the clever use of reasoning or arguments that seem true but are really false,
especially with the intention of deceiving
sophomoric: 1. immature yet overly confident in one's abilities 2. puerile 3. pretentious
and juvenile
soporific: 1. causing sleep 2. drowsy
sparse: 1. not dense or thick 2. small in amount and not dense or crowded 3. scanty
Spartan: avoiding luxury and comfort; rigorously self-disciplined or self-restrained
specify: 1. to designate 2. to state in an explicit manner 3. to be specific
specious: seeming to be right or true, but in fact wrong or false
sphere: 1. a globe; a ball shaped object 2. an area of knowledge, study or expertise
spontaneity: the state, quality, or fact of being spontaneous
spontaneous: 1. happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without being
planned or thought about 2. growing without cultivation or human labor, as plants and
fruits
sporadic: 1. occurring at irregular intervals; not constant or regular; patternless 2.
appearing singly or at widely scattered localities, as a plant or disease
spurious: 1. not genuine, authentic, or true; counterfeit 2. based on false ideas or bad
reasoning
spurn: refuse or reject with contempt or disdain, especially because you feel that
something or someone does not deserve your respect, attention, affection, etc.
squander: spend or use (money, time, supplies, or an opportunity) wastefully or
extravagantly
stability: 1. balance 2. firmness of position 2. being unlikely to change
stagnant: 1. (of water or air ) not flowing or moving, and often smells bad 2. not active,
changing, or progressing
staid: of a settled, unadventurous, sedate, and steady but boring character
stanza: 1. a part of a poem that is presented in paragraph form
stark: 1. very obvious; very plain and easily seen; unpleasantly or sharply clear 2.
complete; absolute; full; perfect; entire 3. unpleasant and difficult to accept or
experience; severe; violent; fierce
static: not moving, acting, or progressing, especially in an undesirable or uninteresting
way
statistics: 1. a field of study that collects and analyzes data 2. the data collected and
what it means
stereotype: 1. an oversimplified way of looking at something 2. a simple and
unwavering idea about what a certain person or group of people are like
stoic: 1. not showing emotion or complaining, even when something bad happens 2.
unemotional 3. indifferent to pleasure and pain
stoke: 1. to supply something with fuel, especially a furnace 2. to make a feeling
stronger 3. to add fuel to a fire
stolid: 1. expressing little to no emotion 2. unexcitable or impassive 3. dull (referring to
things)
stratagem: 1. a military plan designed to surprise or trick the enemy 2. a clever and
deceptive scheme for achieving a specific goal
strident: 1. (of a sound) loud, unpleasant, and rough 2. presenting a point of view,
especially a controversial one, in a way that offends some people
stringent: 1. strict, rigid 2. binding 3. constraining 4. extremely limiting
strut: 1. to walk about in a proud manner 2. to swagger
stupefy: 1. make (someone) confused or unable to think or feel properly 2. shock or
surprise (someone) very much; amaze; astonish
submissive: inclined, ready, or willing to obey someone else without arguing,
resistance, etc.; docile; yielding
subordinate: 1. from a lower rank or position 2. inferior 3. less important
subservient: 1. very willing or too willing to obey others unquestioningly 2. considered
less important than something or someone else; subordinate
subsidiary: 1. secondary 2. used to supplement something or someone 3. auxiliary
subsidy: 1. money that a government gives a group to help it 2. financial assistance
substantiate: 1. support with proof or evidence 2. give concrete form or body to;
convert into substance; embody 3. give substance to; make real or actual
subterfuge: 1. a plan or device used to conceal or hide something 2. a trick or
dishonest way of doing something
subversive: trying to overthrow, destroy, or damage an established system or
institution by persons working secretly from within, especially an established
government or political system
successive: 1. consecutive 2. following 3. sequential
succinct: 1. concise and clearly expressed 2. expressed in a short and easy to
understand way
sufficient: 1. enough as necessary 2. adequate
suffragist: 1. a person who fights in favor of granting voting rights to people who do not
have them, especially women
supercilious: behaving or looking as though you are better or more important than
everyone else, and that their opinions, beliefs, or ideas are not important
superficial: 1. being at, on, or near the surface 2. shallow; not profound or thorough
superfluous: being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive
supplant: remove or uproot (someone or something that is old or no longer used or
accepted) in order to replace with (more powerful) someone or something else
supplement: 1. to add to something, especially in order to make up for a deficiency 2.
an addition 3. something added to make something complete
supplementary: 1. used in order to complete something 2. additional
surfeit: 1. an excessive or too large amount or supply of something 2. overeat or feed
to excess 3. disgust caused by excess
surmise: 1. to draw a conclusion or guess, usually with little to no proof or evidence 2.
to conjecture
surreptitious: 1. obtained, done, or made in a secret, stealthy way, especially because
it would not be approved of; clandestine; secret or unauthorized 2. acting in a secret,
stealthy way
survive: 1. to live through an event 2. to stay alive 3. to continue to exist 4. to outlive
someone
susceptible: 1. easily influenced or harmed by something 2. (of a person) easily
affected emotionally; sensitive 3. a person who is vulnerable to being infected by a
certain disease, or to be affected by it more severely than others are
sustain: 1. to bear or to hold 2. to support 3. to keep something alive 4. to provide for 5.
to deal with
sybarite: 1. a person who is quite fond of luxury and pleasure
sycophant: a self-seeking person who attempts to win favor by flattering rich or
influential people
tacit: 1. expressed or understood without being directly said or expressed; implied 2.
unspoken; silent
taciturn: tending not to speak much; not liking to talk; uncommunicative
tactile: 1. tangible 2. related to the sense of touch 3. perceptible or detectable through
touch
talisman: 1. a good luck charm 2. an object that is believed to possess magical powers
tangential: 1. slightly or indirectly related to what you are doing, discussing, or thinking
about; not closely connected to something 2. merely touching; slightly connected;
peripheral
tangible: 1. palpable 2. able to be felt or touched 3. real
tantamount: 1. of an equal amount of value, force, etc. 2. having an equal effect as
something 3. equivalent to
tawdry: 1. unpleasant or immoral 2. cheap and clearly of bad quality 3. gaudy
tedium: 1. boredom 2. tediousness 3. the state of being boring over an extended period
of time
teem: 1. be full of things; abound or swarm; move in large numbers 2. be present in
large quantity
temerity: 1. recklessness or disregard for danger or consequences 2. foolish boldness
3. audacity
temperamental: 1. of, related to, or caused by temperament 2. excessively sensitive or
irritable; moody 3. unpredictable in behavior or performance
temperate: 1. emotionally calm and controlled 2. not extreme in behavior or language 3.
(of weather conditions) neither very hot nor very cold
temporize: act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision
tenacious: 1. holding firmly 2. that clings; adhesive; sticky 3. holding together firmly;
cohesive 4. very determined to do something; persistent; stubborn
tension: 1. a feeling of nervousness before something 2. a feeling of anger or hostility
between two or more people 3. the degree to which a string, rope or wire is tensed
tentative: 1. provisional 2. not fixed or positive 3. experimental 4. hesitant or without
confidence; uncertain
tenuous: 1. thin, weak, and easily broken; not certain, definite, or strong 2. very thin or
slender in form, as a thread; insubstantial
terse: 1. short or curt, often in a way that is interpreted as unfriendly 2. concise and to
the point
therapeutic: 1. possessing curative powers 2. used to make someone healthier or
happier 3. producing a positive effect on the body or mind
thwart: 1. to prevent something from happening 2. to hinder, frustrate or foil
timorous: 1. lacking confidence or nervous 2. showing fear 3. demonstrating timidness
tirade: a long, angry speech criticizing or accusing someone or something
titter: 1. to giggle 2. to laugh softly and in a nervous manner
toady: a person who praises and pretends to like a rich or important person, usually in
order to get some advantage from them; sycophant; yes man
torpid: 1. dormant or acting in a slow way due to laziness or sleepiness 2. deprived of
all power 3. dull
torpor: a state of not being active and having no or very little energy or enthusiasm
tortuous: 1. full of twists, turns, or bends 2. complicated, long, and confusing
totter: 1. to walk or move in an unsteady way, as if one were about to fall 2. to stagger
3. to sway or rock
tout: 1. try to persuade people to like, accept, or buy something by praising or
recommending highly and repeatedly, especially loudly and in public 2. (British) buy
tickets for an event and resell them at a much higher price
tractable: 1. (of a person) easily managed, taught, or controlled 2. (of a situation or
problem) easy to deal with
tranquil: 1. calm 2. relaxed 3. free from disturbances 4. quiet
transcribe: 1. to write something down 2. to make an exact written copy of 3. to put
something into writing
transform: 1. to change something 2. to convert 3. to totally change something in an
attempt to make it more attractive or improve it
transformation: 1. a major change in something or someone 2. a change into
something entirely different 3. the process of changing into something totally different
transgress: 1. to surpass the limits of what is considered by society to be acceptable 2.
to sin 3. to go beyond
transient: existing, happening, or staying somewhere for only a short time; temporary
transmit: 1. to convey 2. to send across 3. to communicate or broadcast 4. to give a
virus or illness to others 5. to pass from one person to another
transmute: 1. to transform 2. to convert from one form or state into another 3. to cause
something to convert into something else
traverse: 1. to move across or through 2. to cross 3. to extend across
treatise: a formal, usually lengthy, book or piece of writing about a particular subject
trenchant: 1. clear-cut 2. forceful, vigorous, or severe especially when referring to one's
arguments or ideas
trend: 1. the general direction in which something is moving or the way people are
behaving 2. a fashion 3. a tendency
trepidation: a feeling of fear or worry about what is going to happen because you think
something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
trigger: 1. to bring about 2. to cause 3. to set something off 4. to make something
happen
trinket: 1. a small object or piece of jewelry that is of no great value 2. a small object
trite: 1. (of a remark or idea) not fresh or original 2. not interesting or effective because
of overuse or repetition; worn out by constant use; common
truculent: easily annoyed or angered and always ready, eager or quick to argue or fight
truncate: 1. to make something shorter by cutting off one of its ends
turgid: 1. pompous or too serious; grandiloquent 2. swollen or bloated
turpitude: depraved, shameful, dishonest, or immoral behavior or character
tyro: 1. a person who has just started learning or doing something 2. a beginner or
novice
ubiquitous: present, or seeming to be present everywhere, especially at the same time;
omnipresent
unalloyed: 1. pure 2. perfect 3. not mixed 4. not alloyed
uncanny: strange or mysterious, especially in a way that is difficult or impossible to
explain or understand
uncouth: 1. behaving in a rude, unpleasant, or offensive way 2. not polite or socially
acceptable
unctuous: 1. oily or greasy 2. overly friendly or interested behavior that is often clearly
insincere
underlie: 1. to serve as a basis for 2. to be a strong influence on 3. to be situated below
something
underscore: 1. to emphasize or stress something 2. to draw a line under a word or
words 3. to stress
unfetter: 1. to release; to liberate 2. to free from restraint of any type
unfrock: 1. to remove someone's religious status; to take someone's status as a
religious leader away from them
ungainly: (of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy; not moving in an attractive or
graceful way
uniform: 1. a set of clothes that must be worn to be in a specific school or do a specific
job 2. an outfit worn by people from a same school or doing the same job
unruly: difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule
unscathed: 1. safe 2. unharmed or not injured 3. not damaged
unwitting: 1. (of a person) not aware of the full facts; not knowing; unaware; ignorant 2.
without knowing or planning; unintentional
upbraid: 1. to harshly criticize or scold 2. to strongly reproach someone for their
behavior
uproarious: 1. loud and noisy 2. marked by loud and unstructured noise 3. provoking
much laughter; highly funny
urbane: (of a person, especially a man) polite, courteous, and confident in a smooth,
polished way
usurp: seize and hold (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) by force or without legal
right
utilitarian: 1. useful; practical; not for show 2. capable of being used 3. created with its
utility, not its beauty, in mind
utopian: 1. modeled on or related to the idea of a perfect society 2. visionary 3.
impractical
utter: Complete
vacillate: 1. to change opinions or show indecision 2. to sway or stagger in an unsteady
manner 3. to oscillate
vacuous: 1. having or showing a lack of intelligence, interest, purpose, or thought 2.
without contents, meaning, importance, or substance; empty
vagrant: 1. a homeless person that does not have a job; a rover 2. a bird that is no
longer on its proper migratory route
vanquish: completely defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition
vapid: 1. showing no intelligence or imagination, and therefore very boring 2. lifeless,
dull, or boring 3. lacking taste or flavor
variegated: 1. marked with different and varied colors, stripes, spots or other markings
2. diversified or varied
vehement: 1. powerful 2. forceful 3. intense; impassioned 4. expressing strong feelings
and great energy
vehicle: 1. any device which is used to transport one or more people around 2. a
means or way of expressing a certain idea
venal: 1. dishonest and ready to do dishonest things in return for money; open to
bribery 2. for sale, available for a price, as by a bribe
veneer: 1. a thin coating 2. a decorative coating or facade 3. a polite but insincere way
of behaving
venerable: deserving respect, especially because of age, wisdom, character, long use,
etc.
venerate: regard or treat (someone or something ) with great respect
venial: 1. trivial 2. easily forgiven 3. minor
veracity: 1. honesty, accuracy, truthfulness 2. habitual or constant truthfulness
verbose: using or containing more words than are necessary, and therefore long and
boring
verdant: 1. covered in green, often referring to vegetation 2. inexperienced
vertigo: 1. a dizzy sensation 2. a loss of balance or dizziness which is often caused by
being up high 3. a dizzy or confused state of mind
vicarious: 1. living an experience through another person's description instead of doing
the action oneself 2. suffered by one person in place of another, especially referring to
punishment
vicissitude: 1. changes that occur throughout one's life, often making things worse; the
ups and downs of life 2. mutability or the natural process of change 3. alternation
between opposite things
vigilant: carefully watchful and alert to detect and avoid possible danger or difficulties
vignette: 1. a short story 2. a small decorative design found at the start or end of a
chapter in a book 3. a small image or drawing which fades into its background
vilify: 1. to slander or spread negative information about 2. to use negative language
about someone
vindicate: 1. clear from criticism, blame, guilt, suspicion, etc. with supporting arguments
or proof 2. defend or maintain (a cause, claim, etc.) against opposition
virtually: 1. essentially 2. almost 3. just about
virtuoso: a person who has special knowledge or skill in in some fine art, especially
playing a musical instrument
virulent: 1. (of a disease or poison) extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous;
deadly 2. (of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective 3. bitterly hostile or
antagonistic; full of hate and violent opposition
viscous: (of liquids) thick and sticky and does not flow easily
visible: 1. able to be seen 2. frequently seen in public; conspicuous 3. obvious
vision: 1. sight 2. the ability to see 3. a mental image 4. something or someone
considered to be extremely beautiful
vitriolic: 1. cruel and hateful language 2. marked by notable criticism or sarcasm
vocation: a particular occupation, business, or profession, especially one for which a
person is particularly suited or qualified
vociferous: 1. highly opinionated and loud about one's beliefs 2. clamorous or
offensively loud
voluble: 1. talkative; speaking with enthusiasm 2. fluent 3. expressed in many words 4.
garrulous
volume: 1. the amount of space taken up by something 2. an amount of something 3.
the sound level
voluminous: 1. large in volume 2. bulky 3. great in extent 4. long and detailed; enough
to fill volumes (writing)
voracious: 1. consuming or eager to consume very large amounts of food 2. very eager
in some desire, activity or pursuit
waive: 1. to defer something 2. to relinquish a right to something 3. to not enforce
something 4. to put aside
wane: 1. to decline in power 2. to lose strength or intensity 3. to approach the end 4. to
ebb or dwindle
wanton: 1. a cruel, malicious or violent action done, shown, used deliberately,
unprovokedly and unjustifiably 2. careless; reckless
waver: 1. be undecided between two opinions, possibilities, or courses of action or you
keep choosing one way and then the other 2. become unsteady because of weakness,
emotion, tiredness, etc.
wax: 1. to get larger or increase in size 2. to become stronger 3. to put wax on a surface
4. to express oneself
waylay: 1. to wait to ambush 2. to stop someone who is going somewhere in order to
talk to them or to harm them 3. to intercept or interrupt someone
welfare: 1. the well-being of a person or people 2. financial aid from a government to a
person in need
whelp: 1. the babies or young of an animal like a wolf, seal, lion, bear, etc. 2. a puppy
or cub
whet: 1. to stimulate or increase someone's interest in something 2. to sharpen
whimsical: 1. strange and unusual in a way that is considered to be amusing or
interesting 2. capricious 3. unpredictable and erratic
willful: 1. intentional 2. done on purpose, especially with the intention of causing harm
3. deliberate 4. stubborn
wily: 1. cunning 2. capable of deceiving others in order to get what you want 3. clever;
sly
winsome: 1. charming and pleasing, often in an innocent or child-like way 2. attractive
wispy: 1. quite thin or frail 2. not clear or distinct 3. a small quantity of something
zealot: 1. a fanatically committed person who is uncompromising in pursuit of their
religious, political, or other ideals 2. an excessively zealous person; fanatic
zenith: 1. the point in the sky that's directly over one's head 2. the highest point or peak
zephyr: 1. a light breeze, especially one that comes from the west 2. any lightweight,
soft or gentle fabric or yarn

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