A
abate ---------- to lessen/ to subside
abdication ------ giving up control authority
aberration------ straying away from what is normal
abet ----- ----- help/encourage smb (in doing wrong)
abeyance ------------------ suspended
actionabhor --------------------- to hate/ to detest
abide --------------------- be faithful to endure
abjure ------------------- promise or swear to give up
abraded ----------------- rubbed off/ worn away by friction
abrogate ---------------- repeal or annul by authority
abscond ---------------- to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse --------------- difficult to comprehend/ obscure
abut ------------------- border on
abysmal --------------- bottomless extreme
acarpous -------------- effete/ no longer fertile/ worn out
acclaimed ------------- welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade -------------- praise/ approval
accretion ------------- the growing of separate things into one
accrue ----------------accumulate
adamant ------------- kind of stone inflexible
admonitory --------- containing warning
adorn --------------- add beauty decorate
adulteration -------- making unpure/ poorer in quality
affable ------------- polite and friendly
affinity ------------- close connection/ relationship
aggravate ---------- make worse/ irritate
agile ---------------- active/ quick-moving
agog --------------- eager/excited
ail ----------------- trouble/ be ill
alacrity ----------- eager and cheerful readiness
alcove ------------ recess/partially enclosed place
ale ----------- fermented alcoholic beverage
aleck ------------ one who considers himself smarter than others
allegiance ------- duty/ support/ loyalty
alleviate -------- make (pain) easier to bear
alloy ----------- to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof ---------- reserved/ indifferent
amalgamate --------mix/ combine/ unite societies
ambidextrous ------- able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous ----------- doubtful/ uncertain
ambivalent ---------- having both of two contrary meanings
ambrosial ----------- extremely pleasing to taste
ameliorate ---------- improve/ make better
amortize ---------- end (a debt) by setting aside money
anguish ----------- severe/ suffering
animosity ---------- strong dislike
antidote ---------- medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical -------- direct opposing
apartheid --------- brutal/ racial/ discrimination
aplomb ------------ self-confidence
apostate ----------- abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis -------deification glorification to godliness
appease --------- make quiet or calm
apprehensive --- fear/ unhappy feeling about future
apprise ---------- give notice to inform
approbation------ approval
apropos ---------appropriate to the situation
aptapt -------------- well-suited quick-wittedar
abesque ------- a complex ornate design
arboreal ---------- of connected with trees
ardor------------ enthusiasm
arduous -------- steep difficult/ ascent/ laborious
argot------------ jargon/ slang
arrant ----------- in the highest degree
arrogance ------- proud/ superior manner of behaviour
articulate -------- speak distinctly connect by joints
ascend ----------- go or come up
ascertain -------- get to know
ascetic ----------- practicing self-denial austere stark
ascribe ----------- consider to be the origin of or belonging to
aseptic ----------- surgically clean
asperity ---------- roughness harshness ill temper irritability
aspersion ---------- slander
assail ------------- with attack/ violently
assiduous --------- diligent hard-working sedulous
assuage ----------- make something (pain desire) less
asterisk ----------- the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)
astringent --------- substance that shrinks
astute ------------- clever quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement --------- repayment death of Jesus
attenuate ---------- make thin. weaken enervate
attune ------------- bring into harmony
audacious ---------- daring foolishly bold impudent
augury ------------- omen sign
august -------------- majestic venerable
auspicious ----------- favorable successful prosperous
austere -------------- severely moral and strict simple and plain
auxiliary ------------- helping supporting
aver ----------------- affirm assert prove justify
aversion ------------- strong dislike
avid ----------------- eager greedy
avow ---------------- admit. Declare openly
B
baleful ------- harmful ominous causing evil
balk ---------- obstacle purposely to get on the way of
baneful -------- causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive
barrage -------- artificial obstacle built across a river
barren ----not good enough unable to have young ones without value
bask ------------- in enjoy warmth and light
beatify ----------- to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen ---------- to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner
belabor ----------- beat hard
bellicose ---------- belligerent pugnacious warlike
belligerent -------- (person nation) waging war
benefactor --------- person who has given help
benevolence -------- wish or activity in doing good
benign -------------- kind and gentle mild (climate)
bequest ------------- arrangement to give something at death
berate -------------- scold sharply
bereft --------------- rob or dispossess of something (material)
bewilder ------------- puzzle confuse
bigot --------- stubborn narrow-minded person
bilge --------- bulge the protuberance of a cask
blandishment ------- flattery coaxing
blandness ----------- polite manner comforting uninteresting
blatant ------------- noisy and rough
blithe ----------- cheerful casual carefree
bogus ----------- sham counterfeit not genuine
boisterous ------ loud noisy rough lacking restraint
bolster ---------- give greatly needed support
boorish -------- crude offensive rude
brash -------- hasty rush cheeky saucy
brass -------- yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen ------- made of brass
breach -------- opening broken place breaking
brittle ------ easily broken
broach ------ bring up announce begin to talk about
brook ------- to tolerate endure
buoyant ----- able to float light-hearted
burgeon ------ grow forth send out buds
burnish ------- to polish rub to a shine
C
cabal ----- a scheme or plot a group of plotters
cadge ----- to beg to get by begging
cajole ---- use flattery or deceit to persuade
calipers --- metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument
calumny ----- slander aspersion
candid ------ frank straight-forward
cant ------- insincere talk/jargon
cantankerous ------- bad-tempered/quarrelsome
canvass -------- discuss thoroughly sort of touting
castigate ------- to chastise correct by punishing
castigation ----- severe punishment
catalyst ------ substance that causes speeding up
caustic ------ biting sarcastic
censure ------ expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke
centurion ----- leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary ------ cautious wary
chastened ----- corrected punished
chastisement ----- punishment
chauvinist ----- a blindly devoted patriot
chicanery ----- legal trickery/false argument
chisel ------ steel tool for shaping materials
churl ------ bad-tempered person
clamor ------ shout complain with a lot of noise
clientele ---- customers
clinch ------- come to grips/settle conclusively
cling -------- to resist separation
clot -------- half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture ------ closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coagulation ------- change to a thick and solid state
coalescing -------- coming together and uniting into one substance
coax -------- get smb to do something by kindness
coda ------ passage that completes a piece of music
coddle ------treat with care and tenderness
coerce --------- compel to force to make obedient
coeval ------- of the same period coexisting
cogent ------ strong convincing
cogitate ------ think deeply mediate
cognizant ----- being fully aware of
cohort ------- a group or band of people
colander --- bowl-shaped vessel with many holes
collusion ------ secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion ------ process of burning
commemorate ----- keep the memory of
commodious -------- having plenty of space for what is needed
commuter ------ person who travels regularly
complaisance ------ tending to comply obliging willingness to please
compunction ------ feeling of regret for one's action
conceal --------- hide keep secret
conceit ------- over-high opinion of too much pride
conciliatory ------ reconciling soothing comforting mollifying
concord -------- agreement or harmony
concur -------- agree in opinion happen together
condense ------- increase in density strength make laconic
conduce ---- To bring about
condone ----- forgive
congeal -------- make or become stiff and solid
conjoin ------ to join together
connoisseur ------ a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art)
connotation ------ suggestion in addition to
consequential ------- pompous self important
console -------- give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous ------- easily seen remarkable
consternation ------- surprise and fear dismay
constrain ---- compel
constrict ------ make tight or smaller
consume ------- get to the end of
consummate ------ perfect/make perfect/complete
contemn -------- to scorn or despise
contentious ---- argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome
contiguous ---- touching neighboring near
contrite ----- filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious --- insubordinate rebellious
conundrum --- a riddle dilemma enigma
conviction ---- convincing firm belief
convoke ------ call together summon
convoluted --- complicated coiled twisted
cordial --- warm and sincere
cordon ---- line (of police acting as a guard)
cornucopia ---- abundant supply
corporeal --- physical of or for the body
correlate --- have a mutual relation
corroboration ------ additional strengthening evidence
countenance ------- to favor or approve of
counterfeit ---- forgery
countervail ----- counterbalan
cecovert ------ disguised
covetous ----- eagerly desirous
cower ---- crouch shrink back
coy ------ shy/modest (esp of a girl)
crass ----- very great (es. stupidity)
cravat ----- piece of linen worn as a necktie
craven ----- cowardly
crease ------ line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket
credulity ----- too great a readiness to believe things
credulous ----- ready to believe things
crush ------- press lose shape subdue overwhelm
cryptic ------ secret with a hidden meaning
cumbersome ------- burdensome heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon ----- bad-tempered person
curriculum ----- course of study
cursory ---- quick hurried
curtail ----- make shorter then was planned
D
dainty --- pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please
daunt ---- intimidate make fearful
dawdler ------ person who is slow waste of time
dearth ------ shortage
debacle ------- a breakup overthrow sudden disaster
decorum ------- propriety properness
decree -------- order given by authority
decry -------- disapprove of
defer --------- postpone give way (to show respect)
deferential ------- showing respect
defiance -------- open disobedience or resistance
delineate ------ to portray depict sketch out
deluge -------- great flood heavy rush of water
demagogue ------- person appealing not to reasons
demur -------- to hesitate raise objections
denigrate ------- blacken belittle sully defame
denouement ---- an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot
deplete -------- use until none remains
deposition -------- dethronement depositing
deprave -------- make morally bad corrupt
deprecate -------- protest against express disapproval of
dereliction -------- deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision ------- ridicule mockery deriding
derivative -------- unoriginal obtained from another source
derogatory ------ insulting tending to damage
descry ------- catch sight of see something in the distance
desiccant ------ substance used to absorb moisture
desuetude ------ cessation of use disuse
desultory --- aimless haphazard digressing at random
deter ------- discourage hinder
detraction ----- slandering verbal attack aspersion
detumescence ------- diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance ------ being different in moral standards (from normal)
dexterity ----- skill (esp. in handling)
diaphanous ----- transparent gauzy
diatribe ----- bitter and violent attack in words
didactic ------ intended to instruct
diffidence ---- shyness
dilate ----- speak comprehensively become wider large
disallow ----- refuse to allow or accept as a correct
discern ----- see with an effort but clearly
discomfit ------ confuse embarrass
disconcert ------ upset the self-possession of
discountenance ----- refuse to approve of
discourse ---- speech lecture
discredit ----- refuse to believe
discreet ----- careful/prudent
discrete ------ individually distinct
disdain ------ look on with contempt
disencumber ------ free from encumbrance
disheveled ------ untidy
disingenuous ----- sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning
disinter ----- dig up from the earth
dislodge ------ move force from the place occupied
dismal ------ sad gloomy miserable
disparate ------ essentially different
disproof ------ proof to the contrary
dissemble ----- speak or behave so as to hide something (in mind)
disseminate ---- distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent ----- have a different opinion refuse to assent
dissolution ----- disintegration looseness in morals
distraught ---- distracted violently upset in mind
divergence ---- getting farther apart from a point
divestiture ----- taking off getting rid of giving up
divulge ----- make known something secret
doggerel ---- trivial poorly constructed verse
dogmatic ---- positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion
dolt ----- stupid fellow
dormant ----- in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote ----- show much fondness center one's attention
drawl ---- slow way of speaking
droll ---- jesting
drone ---- male bee person who isn't self-employed
drowsiness ---- feeling sleepy half asleep
dubious ---- feeling doubt
dud ---- no use person something that fails
dulcet ----- melodious harmonious
dupe ---- cheat make a fool of
duplicity ---- deliberate deception
duress ---- threats to compel smb
dwarf ----- person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo ---- a generator something that produces electric current
E
earthenware ---- dishes made of baked clay
ebullience ----- exuberance outburst of feeling
ebullient ----- overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement
ecumenical ----- representing the whole Christian world
edacious ------ voracious devouring
eddy ------ circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)
edible ----- fit to be eaten/not poisonous
effete ------ infertile worn out weak
efficacy ----- production of a desired result
effluvia ----- outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor
effrontery ----- boldness impudence arrogance
egress ---- way out exit
elaborate ---- worked out with much care in great detail
elegy ----- a lament a melancholy composition
elicit ----- draw out
eloquence ----- fluent speaking skillful use of language
emaciate ----- make thin and weak
embellish ---- make beautiful
embezzle ------- use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emote ----- stir up excite
empirical ----- relying on experiment
encapsulate ----- enclose in capsule
encomium ----- warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric
encumbrance ---- burden things that get on the way of
endearing ---- making dear or liked
endemic ----- epidemic
epiphany ----- A Christian feast
endorse ------ write one's name on the back of
enduring ----- lasting
enervate ----- weaken deprive of strength attenuate
engender ----- cause produce give rise to
engrave ----- impress deeply
engrossing ---- taken up all the time or attention
engulf ------ swallow up
enigma ----- something that is puzzling
enmity ------- hatred being an enemy
ensign ------ flag/badge
entangle ----- put into difficulties
enthral ----- please greatly/enslave (fig)
entice ----- tempt or persuade
entreat ----- ask earnestly
enunciate ------ pronounce (words)/express a theory
enzyme ----- catalyst
epicurean ----- devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle ------ letter
epithet ----- adjective
epitome --- example
equable ---- steady regular
equanimity ---- calmness of temperament
equilibrium ---- state of being balanced
equipoise ---- equal distribution of weight equilibrium
equivocal --- having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious
equivocate ---- try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate ---- get rid of pull up by the roots
erratic ---- irregular in behaviour or opinion
erudite ---- learned scholarly
eschew ---- avoid
esoteric --- abstruse intended only for a small circle of
espouse --- marry give one's support to
eulogy ---- formal praise panegyric
euphoria ---- elation state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia ---- easy and painless death
evasive ----- tending to evade
evince ----- to show clearly to indicate
evoke ---- call up bring out
excoriation ----- severe criticism
exculpate ----- to clear from a charge of guilt
exhaustive ----- complete thorough
exigency --- emergency an urgent situation
exoneration ---- set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame)
exorbitant ------ much too high or great
expatiate ------ to roam wander freely
expedient ------ likely to be useful for a purpose
expiation ------ ending expiring
exploit ---- brilliant achievement develop use selfishly
expostulate ----- argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest
expurgate ----- to remove obscenity purify censor
exscind ------ to cut out cut away
extant ------ still in existence
extempore ------ without previous thought or preparation
extenuate ------ reduce the strength
extinct ------- no longer active
extinguish ------- end the existence of/wipe or put out
extirpate ------- to destroy exterminate cut out exscind
extol ------ praise highly
extort ----- obtain by threats violence
extralegal ----- outside the law
extricable ----- that can be freed
extrovert ------ cheerful person
exuberance --- state of growing vigorously being full of life
F
facetious --- humorous funny jocular
facile ----- easily done
fagged ---- too tired, exhausted
fallacious ----- based on error
falter ----- waver/move in an uncertain manner
fatuous ---- without sense foolish self-satisfaction
fawn ---- young deer try to win smb's favor
feckless ---- lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless
fecund ----- fertile
feint ---- pretend
felicitous ---- apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos
felon ---- person guilty of murder
ferment ---- substance become excited
ferocity ---- savage cruelty
ferret ---- discover by searching search
fervid ---- showing earnest feeling
fervor ---- warmth of feelings earnestness
fetid ------ stinking
fetter ------ to shackle put in chains
feud ----- bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity ---- loyalty accuracy
fidget ---- move restlessly make nervous
figurehead ----- carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse ----- delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical ----- too fussy about food clothing etc.
finicky ----- finical
fission ------ splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate ----- stare at
flak ----- criticism/anti-aircraft guns
flamboyant ------ brightly colored florid
flaunting ------ show off complacently
flax ------ pale yellow (hair) a plant
fledged ------- able to fly trained experienced
fleet ------ number of ships quick-moving
flinch ----- draw move back wince
flop ---- fail/move/fall clumsily
florid ------ very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face)
flout ----- reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition)
fluke ----- lucky stroke
fluster ------ make nervous or confused
foible ------ defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil ----- prevent from carrying out contrast
foment ----- put something warm (to lessen the pain)
foolproof ----- incapable of failure or error
foppish ------ like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forage ----- food for horses and cattle
forbear ----- refrain from be patient ancestor
forbearance ----- patience willingness to wait
ford ------ shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall ------ prevent by taking action in advance preempt
forfeit ------- suffer the loss of something
forge ------- workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead
forgery ------- counterfeit forswear ------ renounce disallow repudiate
foster ------- nurture care for
fracas ------- noisy quarrel
fragile ------- easily injured broken or destroyed
fragrance ---- sweet-smelling
frantic ----- wildly excited with joy pain anxiety
frenetic ------ frantic frenzied
fret ------ worry irritation wear away
fringe ----- edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead
froward ----- intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn
frugal ------- careful economical
fulmination ------ bitter protest
fulsome --- disgusting offensive due to excessiveness
G
gainsay ---- to deny to oppose
garble ----- make unfair selection from facts
garner ----- to gather and save to store up
garrulity ----- talkativeness
garrulous ------ too talkative
gaucherie ------ socially awkward tactless behavior
germane ------ relevant pertinent to
gist ------ the point general sense
glean ------ gather facts in small quantities
glib ------ ready and smooth but not sincere
glimmer ------ weak/unsteady light
gloat ------ over look at with selfish delight
glut ------- supply to much fill to excess
gnaw ------- waste away bite steadily
goad ------ something urging a person to action
gorge ----- eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream
gossamer ----- soft light delicate material
gouge ------ tool for cutting grooves in wood
gourmand -- a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
grandiloquent ----- using pompous words
grave ------- serious requiring consideration
graze ------ touch or scrape lightly in passing
gregarious ------- living in societies liking the company
grievous ----- causing grief or pain serious dire grave
grovel ------- crawl humble oneself
guile ----- deceit cunning
gullible ------ easily gulled
gush ------ burst out suddenly/talk ardently
gust --- outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc.
H
hack ---- cut roughly hired horse
halcyon ---- calm and peaceful
hallow ---- to make holy consecrate
harangue ----- a long passionate speech
harbinger ---- something or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow ------ to distress create stress or torment
haughty ------ arrogant conceited
heed ------- attention/give notice to
heinous ------ odious (of crime)
heresy ------ belief contrary to what is generally accepted
hermetic ------- sealed by fusion
heterogeneous ------ made up of different kinds
hew ------- make by hard work cut (by striking)
highbrow ------ (person) with superior tastes
hirsute ----- hairy shaggy
hoax ------ mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi ----- polloi the masses the rabble
hollow ----- not soled with hole
holster ----- leather case for a pistol
homiletics ------ act of preaching
hone ------- stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink -------- trick mislead
hospitable -------- liking to give hospitality
hubris ------- arrogant pride
hush ------- make or become silent
husk ------ worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy ------ falsely making oneself appear to be good
I
iconoclast ---- person who attacks popular beliefs
idiosyncrasy ---- personal mannerism
idolatry ---- excessive admiration of
idyll ---- a carefree episode or experience
ignoble ----- dishonorable common undignified
ignominious ----- shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful
illicit ---- unlawful forbidden
imbroglio ----- complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate ----- pure faultless
imminent ----- likely to come or happen soon
immutable ----- that cannot be changed
impair ------ worsen diminish in value
impassive ------ unmoved feeling no sign of passion
impecunious ----- having little or no money
impede ----- hinder get in the way of
impediment ---- something that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending ------ imminent being about to happen expected
imperative ------ urgent essential
imperious ----- commanding haughty arrogant
impermeable ----- that cannot be permeated
imperturbable ----- calm not capable of being excited
impervious ------ not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness ---- haughty arrogant commanding
impetuous ----- having sudden energy impulsive thrusting
impiety ---- lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable --- incapable of being placated unpleasable
implicate ----- show that smb has a share
implicit ----- implied though not plainly expressed
implosion ----- collapse bursting inward
importune ----- beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation ------ an invocation of evil a curse
impromptu ------ without preparation
impudent ----- rash indiscreet
impugned ------ challenged to be doubted
impute ----- to attribute to a cause or source ascribe
inadvertent ----- not paying proper attention
inane ----- silly senseless
inasmuch ----- since because
incense ------- make angry
incessant ----- often repeated continual
inchoate ----- not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary
incipient ---- beginning
incise ----- engrave make a cut
inincite ----- stir up rouse
inclined ----- directing the mind in a certain direction
incongruous --- out of place not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility ----- cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous ----- skeptical unwilling to believe
inculcate ----- fix firmly by repetition
incumbents ----- official duties
incursion ----- a raid a sudden attackindefat
igability ------ not easily exhaustible tirelessness
indelible ----- that cannot be rubbed out
indigence ---- poverty
indigenous ----- native
indistinct ---- not easily heard seen clearly marked
indolence ----- laziness
indomitable --- not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge ---- gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself
indulgent ----- inclined to indulge
ineffable ---- to great to be described in words
ineluctable ------ certain inevitable
inept ----- unskillful said or done at the wrong time
ineptitude ---- quality of being unskillful
inferno --- hell
infuriate ----- fill with fury or rage
infuse ----- put pour fill
ingenuous ---- naive young artless frank honest sincere
ingest ----- take in by swallowing
inimical ---- harmful or friendly
inimitable ---- defying imitation unmatchable
innocuous ---- causing no harm
inscrutable --- incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible ---- unconscious unresponsive unaffected
insinuate ---- suggest unpleasantly make a way for something gently
insipid --- without taste or flavor
insouciant --- unconcerned carefree
insularity --- narrow-mindedness isolated
insurrection ---- rising of people to open resistance to
interdict ---- prohibit forbid
interim --- as an installment
intersperse ---- place here and there
intransigence --- unwillingness to compromise stubbornness
intransigent --- uncompromising
intrepid --- fearless brave undaunted
introspection ---- examining one's own thoughts and feel
ingsinundate --- flood cover by overflowing
inured --- accustomed to adapted
invective --- abusive language curses
inveigh ---- to attack verbally denounce deprecate
inveterate ---- deep-rooted. long-established
invincible --- too strong to be defeated
involute ---- complex
irascible ---- irritable easily angered
irate --- angry
ire --- anger
irksome ---- tiresome
irresolute --- hesitating undecided
irrevocable ---- final and unalterable
itinerate --- to travel from place to place to peregrinate
J
jabber ---- talk excitedly utter rapidly
jagged ---- notched, rough
jibe ---- gibe make fun of
jocular ---- meant as a joke
judicious ---- sound in judgment wise
K
knead --------- press & stretch dough
knit --- draw together unite firmly
knotty --------- difficult to solve
L
labyrinthine --- to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose ---- causing tears tearful
lackluster ---- (of eyes) dull
lament --- show feel great sorrow
lassitude ---- weariness tiredness
latent ---- present but not yet active developed or visible
laudatory ---- expressing or giving praise
lavish ---- giving or producing freely liberally or generously
legacy ----- something handed down from ancestors
levee ----- formal reception/embankment
levity ----- lack of seriousness
libel ---- statement that damages reputation
liberality ----- free giving generosity
libertine ---- immoral person
lien ----- legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn ----- paint portray
limp ---- lacking strength walking unevenly
lionize --- treat as a famous person
lithe ---- bending twisting
loll ---- rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog's tongue)
lope ---- move along with long strides
loquacious ---- talkative garrulous
lucubrate ---- write in scholarly fashion
luculent ---- easily understood lucid clear
lugubrious ---- mournful excessively sad
lull ---- become quiet or less active
lumber ---- move in a clumsy/noisy way
luminary ---- star light-giving body
lurk ---- be out of view ready to attack
lustrous ---- being bright polished
M
macabre ----- gruesome suggesting death
macerate ----- make or become soft by soaking in water
machination ------ plot scheme (esp. evil)
maladroit ------ tactless clumsy
malapropism ------ misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence ------ wishing to do evil
malign ----- injurious speak ill of smb tell lie
malinger ------ to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty
malleable ------ yielding easily shaped moldable adapting
manacle ------- chains for the hands or feet
massacre ------ cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation ------ be admitted enter a university as a student
maudlin ------ sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maul ----- hurt by rough handling
maverick ----- rebel nonconformist
mellifluous ----- sweetly flowing
mendacity ------ dishonesty
mendicant ------ a beggar
mercurial ------ quick changeable in character fleeting
meretricious ---- attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize ------ hypnotize
meticulous ----- giving great attention to details
mettle ------ quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome ------ courageous high-spirited
middling ------ fairly good but not very good
minatory ----- menacing threatening
mince ----- pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize
misanthrope ------- person who hates mankind
mischievous ------ harmful causing mischief
miser ------- person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist ------ one who hates women/females
mite ----- Avery small amount, portion, or particle
moderation ------ quality of being limited not extreme
mollify ------ make calmer or quieter
molt------- moult lose hair feathers before new growing
morbid ------ diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)
morose ------ ill-tempered unsocial
muffler ------ cloth worn round the neck/silencer
multifarious ------- varied motley greatly diversified
mundane -- worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday
myriad ----- very great number
N
nadir ---- lowest weakest point
nascent --- coming into existence emerging
nebulous ---- cloud-like hazy vague indistinct
negligent ---- taking too little care
neophyte ---- person who has been converted to a belief
nexus ----- a connection tie or link
nibble ------ show some inclination to accept (an offer)
noisome ----- offensive disgusting (smell)
nonchalant ----- not having interest
nonplused ------ greatly surprised
nostrum ---- a quack remedy an untested cure
noxious ----- harmful
nugatory ----- trifling/worthless
O
obdurate --- hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible
obfuscate --- to darken make obscure muddle
oblivious --- unaware having no memory
obloquy --abusively detractive language sharp criticism
obsequious --- too eager to obey or serve
obstreperous --- noisy loud
obtain --- to be established accepted or customary
obtrusive --- projecting prominent undesirably noticeable
obtuse --- blunt/stupid
obviate ---- to make unnecessary get rid of
occluded --- blocked up
odious --- repulsive hateful
odium --- contempt dislike aversion
odor ---- smell favor reputation
officious --- too eager or ready to help offer advice
ominous --- threatening
onerous ---- needing effort burdensome
opaqueness ---- dullness/not allowing light to pass through
opprobrious ---- showing scorn or reproach
ossify -- to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible --- seeming appearing as such professed
ostentation --- display to obtain admiration or envy
ostracism ---- shut out from society refuse to meet talk
overhaul ---- examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening --presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate
P
paean --- song of praise or triumph
palate ---- roof of the mouth sense of taste
palatial ---- magnificent
palliate ---- lessen the severity of
palpability ---- can be felt touched understood
palpitate ---- tremble beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric --- formal praise eulogy
paradigm --- a model example or pattern
parenthesis ---- sentence within another one something separated
pariah ---- an outcast a rejected and despised
personparley --- negotiation, discussion between enemies
parsimonious --- too economical miserly
partisan -- one-sided committed to a party biased
patron --- regular customer person who gives support
paucity --- scarcity a lacking of
peccadillo --- small sin small weakness in one's character
pedantic --- bookish showing off learning
pedestrian --- commonplace trite unremarkable
pellucid --- transparent easy to understand
penchant --- strong inclination a liking
penitent --- feeling or showing regret
penurious --- poor/stingy
penury ---- extreme poverty
peregrination --- traveling about wandering
peremptory ---- urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate
perfidious --- treacherous faithless
perfidy ---- treachery breaking of faith
perfunctory ---- done as a duty without care
perilous ----- dangerousperi
patetic ---- wandering
perish ---- be destroyed decay
perjury --- willful FALSE statement unlawful act
permeate ---- spread into every part of
pernicious ---- harmful injurious
perpetrate --- be guilty commit (a crime)
personable ---- pleasing in appearance attractive
perspicacity ---- quick judging and understanding
pertain ----- belong as a part have reference
pest --- destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified ---- taken away power (to think feel act)
petrify ---- to make hard rocklike
petrous ---- like a rock hard stony
petulant ---- unreasonably impatient
philistine --- a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic --- calm sluggish temperament unemotional
picaresque --- involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied --- of mixed colors
pinch -- be too tight take between the thumb and finger
pine --- waste away through sorrow or illness
pious -- dutiful to parents devoted to religion
piquant --- agreeably pungent stimulating
pique -- hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity)
pitfall --- covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger
pith ---- essential part force soft liquid substance
pivotal --- of great importance (others depend on it)
placate --- soothe pacify calm
plaintive --- mournful melancholy sorrowful
plaque --- flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude ---- a trite or banal statement unoriginality
plea --- request
plead ---- address a court of law as an advocate
plethora --- glut
pliant ---- pliable easily bent shaped or twisted
plod --- continue doing something without resting
pluck -- pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers)
plumb ---- get to the root of
plummet --- fall plunge steeply
plunge ---- move quickly suddenly and with force
poignant ---- deeply moving keen
poncho --- large piece of cloth
ponderous ---- heavy bulky dull
portent -- omen marvelous threatening
precarious ---- uncertain risky dangerous
precepts ---- rules establishing standards of conduct
preclude ----- prevent make impossible
precursory ----- preliminary anticipating
predilection ----- special liking mental preference
predominate ----- have more power than others
preen ------ tidy/show self-satisfaction
premature ---- doing or happening something before the right time
preponderance --- greatness in number strength weight
presage ----- warning sign
presumption --- arrogance
preternatural ----not normal or usual
prevalent ----- common
prevaricate ---- to equivocate to stray from the truth
prim ---- neat formal
pristine ---- primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated
probity ----- uprightness incorruptibility principle
proclivity --- inclination
procrastination --- keeping on putting off
prodigal --- wasteful reckless with money
prodigious --- enormous wonderful
profane ---- worldly having contempt for God
profligacy ---- shameless immorality
profligate ---- wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant
profundity --- depth
profuse ----- abundant/lavish
proliferate --- grow reproduce by rapid multification
prolix ---- tiring because too long
prone ---- prostrate inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation --- increasing the number spreading extending
propinquity --- nearness in time or place affinity of nature
propitiatory ---- conciliatory appeasing mitigating
propitious ---- auspicious presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic --- everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian
proscribe --- denounce as dangerous
protracted ---- prolonged
provident ----frugal looking to the future
provisional ---- of the present time only
provoke ---- make angry vax
prudence ---- careful forethought
prudish --- easily shocked excessively modest
prune --- dried plum silly
personpry --- get something inquire too curiously
pucker --- wrinkle
pugnacious --- fond of in the habit of fighting
puissance ----- strength
punctilious ---- precise paying attention to trivialities
pundit ----- pedant authority on a subject
pungency ----- sharpness stinging quality
purvey ---- provide supply
pusillanimous ---- cowardly craven
putrefaction ---- becoming rotten
pyre --- large pile of wood for burning
Q
quack ---- person dishonestly claiming to something
quaff ------ drink deeply
quail ----- lose courage turn frightened
qualm ----- feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness
quandary ----- state of doubt or perplexity
quell ----- suppress subdue
quibble ------ try to avoid by sophistication
quiescence ------- state of being passive/motionless
quiescent ------ at rest dormant torpid
quirk ------- habit or action peculiar to smb or something
quixotic ------- generous unselfish
quotidian ----- banal everyday
R
rabble ---- mob crowd the lower classes of populace
raconteur ---- person who tells anecdotes
raffish ---- low vulgar base tawdry
ramify ---- to be divided or subdivided to branch out
rancorous ----- feeling bitterness spitefulness
rant ----- use extravagant language
rapacious ----- greedy (esp for money)
rarefy ------ to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine
rave ----- act with excessive enthusiasm
reactionary ----- opposing progress
rebuff ----- snubrecalcit
rant ------ disobedient
recant ----- take back as being FALSE give up
recast ------ cast or fashion a new
recidivism ----- relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity ----- granting of privileges in return for similar
recitals ----- a number of performance of music
recluse ----- person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense ----- make payment to reward punish
reconcile ---- settle a quarrel restore peace
recondite ------ little known abstruse
recreancy ------ cowardice a cowardly giving up
recuperate ----- become strong after illness loss exhaustion
redeem ------ get back by payment compensate
redoubtable ----- formidable causing fear
refine ----- make or become pure cultural
refractory ----- stubborn unmanageable untractable
refulgent ----- shining brilliant
regale ----- to delight or entertain to feast
regicide ----- crime of killing a king
reiterate ----- say or do again several times
rejuvenation ------ becoming young in nature or appearance
relapse ------- fall back again
reminiscent ----- viewing the past
remonstrate ----- to protest object
render ---- deliver provide represent
renovate ---- restore something to better condition
renowned ----- celebrated famous
repast ---- meal
repel ---- refuse to accept/cause dislike
repine ----- at be discontented with
reproach ----- scold upbraid
reprobate ----- person hardened in sin one devoid of decency
repudiate ---- disown refuse to accept or pay
repulsive ----- causing a feeling of disgust
requite ---- repay give in return
rescind ---- repeal/annul/cancel
resigned ---- unresisting submissive
resilience --- quality of quickly recovering the original shape
resort --- to frequently visit
restive --- refusing to move reluctant to be controlled
resuscitation --- coming back to consciousness
retard --- check hinder
reticent --- reserved untalkative silent taciturn
retrospective ---- Looking back on past
revere --- have deep respect for
reverent --- feeling or showing deep respect
riddle ---- puzzling person or thing
rift ---- split crack dissension
rivet ----- fix take up secure metal pin
roll ----- call calling of names
rotund ---- rich and deep plump and round
ruffian ----- violent cruel man
rumple ----- make rough
S
sagacious --- having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage
salacious ----- obscene
salubrious ------ healthful
salutary ----- remedial wholesome causing improvement
sanctimony ----- self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety
sanction ------ approval (by authority) penalty
sanguine ------- cheerful confident optimistic
sanity ------ health of mind soundness of judgment
sash ----- long strip worn round the waist
satiate ----- satisfy fully
saturnine ----- gloomy dark sullen
savor ---- taste flavor something
sawdust ----- tiny bits of wood
scabbard ----- sheath for the blade
scent ----- smell (especially pleasant)
scorch ---- become discolored/dry up/go at high speed
scribble ------ write hastily
scurvy ------ mean contemptible
secular --- material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries
sedulous ----- persevering
seminal ----- like a seed constituting a source originative
sententious ---- short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs
sequence ---- succession connected line of
sere ---- make hard and without feeling
sermon ----- reproving a person for his faults
serrated ---- having a toothed edge
serration ---- having a toothed edge
servile ---- like a slave lacking independence
sever ---- break off
severance ----- severing
shallow ----- little depth not earnest
shard ------ piece of broken earthenware
sheath ------ cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shrewd ---- astute showing sound judgement
shrill ----- sharp piercing
shun ----- keep away from avoid
shunt --- send from one track to another lay aside
sidestep ----- step to one side
simper ------ (give a) silly/self-conscious smile
sinuous ----- winding undulating serpentine
skiff ------ small boat
skit ------ short piece of humorous writing
slack ---- sluggish dull not tight
slake ----- to assuage to satisfy allay
slate ----- king of blue-grey stone propose criticize
sluggard ---- lazy slow-moving person
slur ----- join sounds/words (indistinct)
smolder ---- burn slowly without flame
snare ---- trap
snub ---- treat with contempt
soar ----- rise fly high
sober ---- self-controlled
sobriety --- quality or condition of being sober
sodden ----- soaked saturated
soggy ---- heavy with water
solvent ----- of the power of forming a solution
somatic ------- of the body
soot ----- black powder in smoke
sophisticated ------ complex subtle refined
sophistry ------ fallacious reasoning faulty logic
sophomoric -- self-assured though immature affected bombastic
soporific ---- producing sleep
sordid ---- wretched comfortless contemptible
spear ---- weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious ---- illogical of questionable truth or merit
splenetic ----- bad-tempered irritable
splice ---- join (two ends)
sponge ---- porous rubber for washing live at once expense
spurious --- FALSE counterfeit
spurn ---- have nothing to do reject or refuse
squalid ------ foul filthy
squander ----- spend wastefully
squat ---- crouch/settle without permission
stanch ----- to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply ----- rising or falling sharply
stentorian ----- extremely loud and powerful
stickler ----- person who insists on importance of something
stigma --- mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize ---- describe smb scornfully
sting --- something sharp
stingy ---- spending using unwillingly
stint ----- to be thrifty to set limits
stipple ----- paint with dots
stipulate ---- state or put forward as a necessary condition
stolid ----- showing no emotion impassive
stray ---- wander lose one's way
streak --- long thin move very fast
striated ---- striped grooved or banded
stride ----- walk with long steps
strut ---- a supporting bar
stygian ---- hence dark gloomy
stymie ---- to hinder obstruct or block
subdue ---- overcome bring under control
sublime ----- extreme astounding
submerge ----- put under water liquid sink out of sight
suborn --- induce by bribery or something to commit perjury
subpoena --- written order requiring a person to appear in a low court
substantiation ---- giving facts to support (statement)
subsume ---- include under a rule
succor ----- assistance relief in time of distress
suffice ---- be enough
suffocate ---- cause or have difficulty in breathing
sullied ---- to be stained or discredited
summarily ----- briefly without delay
sumptuous ----- magnificent
sundry ---- various miscellaneous separate
supercilious ----- disdainful characterized by haughty scorn
superfluous ---- more then is needed or wanted
superimpose ---- put something on the top
supersede ----- take the place of
supine ---- lying on the back slow to act passive
suppliant ----- asking humbly beseeching
supplicate ---- make a humble petition to
suppress ----- prevent from being known put an end to
surcharge ----- additional load/charge
surfeit ----- satiate feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility ---- sensitiveness
swerve ----- change direction suddenly
sycophant ----- person who flatter to the rich and powerful
synopsis ----- summary or outline
T
taciturn ---- untalkative silent
tadpole ---- form of a frog when it leaves the egg
talon ----- claw of a bird of prey
tamp ----- tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper ----- interfere with
tangential ---- suddenly changeable
tarnished ---- lost brightness
tassel ---- bunch of threads
taunt --- contemptuous reproach hurtful remark
taut ---- tightly stretched
tautology ---- a repetition a redundancy
tawdry ----- cheap gaudy showy tacky
teetotal ----- oppose to alcohol
telltale ---- That gives warning or information
temerity ---- boldness brashness intrepidness
temperance --- abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation
temperate ---- showing self-control
tenacity --- firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on
tenuous --- insubstantial flimsy weak
tepid --- lukewarm
terse ---- brief and to the point
testiness ----- witness/evidence
thrift ---- care economy thriving prosperous
thwart ----- obstruct/frustrate
timid ------ shy easily frightened
timorous ----- fearful timid afraid
toady ------ obsequious flatterer
tonic ----- something giving strength or energy
topple ---- be unsteady and overturn
torment ---- severe pain or suffering
torpid ---- sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant
torque --- twisting force causing rotation
tortuous ---- devious/not straightforward
tout -- person who worries others to buy something to use his service
tractable ---- easily controlled or guided
transgress ---- break go beyond (a limit)
transient ---- temporary fleeting
transitory ---- brief
travesty ---- parody/imitation
trenchant ---- forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive
trepidation ---- alarm excited state of mind
trickle ---- flow in drops
trifling ---- unimportant
trite ---- not new
truce ---- (agreement) stop of fighting for a time
truculence ---- aggressiveness ferocity
trudge ----- walk heavily
turbid ---- muddy having the sediment stirred up
turbulence --- being uncontrolled violent
turgid ---- excessively ornate swollen or bloated
turmoil --- trouble disturbance
turpitude ---- wickedness shamefulness
turquoise ---- greenish-blue precious stone
tyro ---- tiro beginner
U
ubiquitous ---- present everywhere
ulterior --- situated beyond
umbrage ---- offense resentment
uncouth ---- rough awkward
underbid -- make a lower bid then smb else
undermine --- weaken gradually at the base make something under
undulate ---- to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate
unearth ----- discover and bring to lightunenc
umbered ---- easy-going trifle
unfeigned ----- not pretended sincere
unscathed ----- unharmed unhurt
untoward ---- unfortunate inconvenient
upbraid ---- scold reproach
urbane ---- elegant refined in manners
V
vacillation ---- being uncertain hesitating
vagary ----- strange act or idea
vain ----- without use result conceited
valiant ---- brave
valorous ----- brave
vanquish ------ conquer
variegate ----- To mark with different shade or colors
veer ------ change direction
venal ----- ready to do something dishonest
veneer ----- surface appearance covering the TRUE nature
veneration ----- regard with deep respect
veracity ----- truth
verdant ----- fresh and green
verisimilitude ---- appearing TRUE or real
veritable ----- real rightly named
verve ----- spirit vigor enthusiasm
vestige ---- trace or sign
vex ---- annoy distress trouble
vigilance ---- watchfulness self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant --- member of a vigilance committee
vigorous ---- strong energetic
vilify ---- slander say evil things
vindictive ---- having a desire to revenge
virago ---- a loud domineering woman a scold or nag
visceral ---- of the internal organs of the body
viscous ---- sticky/semi-fluid
vitiate ---- lower the quality weaken the strength
vituperate ---- curse abuse in words
vivacious ----- lively high-spirited
volatile --- changeable inconstant fickle unstable explosive
volubility ----- fluency verbosity easy use of spoken language
voluble ---- fluent
W
waffle --- talk vaguely and without much result
waft --- scent waving movement carry lightly through
wag ---- merry person
warmonger --- person who stirs up war
warrant ---- authority written order guarantee
wean --- to turn away (from a habit)
weigh ---- measure hoe heavy something is
welter --- turmoil a bewildering jumble
wend ---- to go proceed
whimsical ---- full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince ---- show bodily or mental pain
woo --- try to win
writ --- written order
X
xenophile (zen-uh-fahyl) --- a person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs
Y
yarn --- tale story fibers for knitting
yawn -------- open mouth widely and breathe in deeply through it because of tiredness or boring
yolk ----------- inside yellow part of the egg
Z
zealous --------- enthusiasm
zenith ----------- highest point
