The 500 Most Common SAT Words
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Created by:
DWilson10 on September 12, 2008
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Study, SAT, AP-SAT TUTORIAL Vocabulary Practice, AP-SAT TUTORIAL 8-Week SAT, KC, SAT Vocab (see more)
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485 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
aberration | Deviation from what is correct or right. |
abeyance | Suspension of an activity; postponement. |
abstemious | Sparing in use of food or drink; moderate. |
abstruse | Concealed; difficult to comprehend; obscure. |
accolade | Embrace; award; commendation. |
acerbic | Bitter; harsh; caustic. |
acrimonious | Sarcastic; caustic; angry; mordant. |
acuity | Sharpness; acuteness; keenness. |
acute | 1. Perceptive. 2. Excruciating. |
adept | Proficient; masterful; expert. |
adherent | Believer; supporter; devotee. |
adjunct | 1. Attachment; appendage. 2. Subordinate or auxiliary capacity. |
admonish | Caution; reprove mildly; reprimand. |
adroit | Dexterous; proficient; skillful. |
adulation | Excessive flattery; adoration; idolization. |
adulterate | Make impure or inferior by adding improper ingredients; contaminate; pollute. |
advocate | 1. Argue for a cause; defend. 2. Support; uphold. |
aesthete | Person who cultivates beauty or art; connoisseur. |
aggrandize | Make more powerful; amplify; increase. |
alacrity | Eagerness; zeal; speed. |
altruistic | Concerned about the general welfare of others; charitable; generous. |
ambivalence | Uncertainty; doubt; indecisiveness. |
ambulatory | Able to walk; not stationary. |
ameliorate | Make better; improve. |
amiable | Cordial; of pleasant disposition; friendly. |
amorphous | Without structure; shapeless; nebulous. |
animate | Energize; enliven. |
anomaly | Abnormality; deviation from the general rule; irregularity. |
antediluvian | Ancient; antiquated; obsolete. |
antipathy | Feeling of opposition or repugnance; aversion; dislike. |
apathy | Lack of concern; emotion or interest; indifference. |
aperture | Gap; opening; orifice. |
apocryphal | False; unauthenticated; disputed. |
apotheosis | 1. Essence; epitome. 2. Canonization. |
appease | Satisfy; make peace; placate. |
approbatory | Expressing approval. |
arable | Suitable for cultivation or plowing. |
arrogant | Feeling superior to other people; egotistical. |
ascetic | Strict; austere. |
assuage | Ease; make less burdensome; mitigate. |
atrophy | Waste away from lack of use; degenerate. |
audacity | Boldness or adventurousness; gall. |
authoritarian | 1. Person who acts like a dictator; tyrant. 2. Disciplinarian. |
avarice | Extreme desire for wealth; greed; acquisitiveness. |
aviary | Large enclosure confining birds. |
avouch | Guarantee; take responsibility for; affirm. |
avow | Affirm; assert; declare; acknowledge. |
baleful | Sorrowful; sinister; evil. |
balm | Soothing ointment for pain or healing; salve. |
banal | Trite; insipid; ordinary. |
bane | Deadly affliction; curse; plague. |
barbarity | Cruel action; inhuman act; harsh conduct. |
barren | 1. Infertile; impotent. 2. Arid; unproductive. |
befuddle | Stupefy or confuse; misconstrue. |
belated | Tardy; overdue. |
beleaguer | Besiege; surround. |
belittle | Humiliate; tease; diminish in importance. |
bemoan | 1. Experience pain or distress. 2. Express pity for; mourn. |
bemused | Preoccupied by thought; bewildered; perplexed. |
bilk | Defraud; deceive; hoodwink. |
blandishment | Cajolery; enticement. |
bliss | Gaiety; happiness; enjoyment. |
blithe | Happy; pleased; delighted. |
boisterous | Noisy; loud; violent; rowdy. |
boorish | Ill-mannered; rude; gauche. |
brevity | Briefness; succinctness; terseness. |
broach | Introduce; bring up; mention. |
browbeat | Intimidate; harass; dominate. |
bungle | Botch; mismanage; spoil. |
buttress | Truss; foundation; support. |
cacophonous | Discordant; dissident; harsh. |
callow | Inexperienced; immature; naive. |
candid | Frank; blunt; open. |
carouse | Drink to excess; live it up. |
cease | Stop; end; halt. |
celerity | Swift motion; speed; alacrity. |
censorious | Critical; attacking; denouncing. |
charlatan | Fraud; person claiming knowledge he/she does not have; humbug; fake; hustler. |
chary | Careful; cautious. |
chasten | Castigate; punish; reprove. |
cherubic | Sweet; kind; innocent. |
chimerical | Fanciful; whimsical; playful. |
chronic | Compulsive; typical; habitual; inveterate. |
churlish | Selfish; rancorous; surly. |
circuitous | Indirect; roundabout; rambling. |
clamor | Loud noise or complaint; commotion; din. |
clandestine | Furtive; surreptitious; secret. |
clemency | Lenience; mercy; compassion. |
cloister | Convent; monastery; religious place. |
coagulate | Congeal; curdle; clot. |
coalesce | Combine; incorporate; merge. |
coddle | Pamper; overindulge; baby; spoil. |
coercion | Intimidation; duress; force; compulsion. |
cognate | Related by blood; having the same origin. |
commensurate | Equal in measure; of the same duration or size. |
compile | Collect data; accumulate; amass. |
concomitant | Concurrent; attendant; occurring with something else. |
concordance | Agreement; treaty; accord. |
confluence | Nexus; union; meeting; conflux. |
confound | Perplex; baffle; confuse. |
conglomerate | Corporation; partnership; firm. |
conjugal | Matrimonial; nuptial; marital. |
constrict | Squeeze; pinch; obstruct; block. |
contentious | Argumentative; pugnacious; quarrelsome. |
contrite | Penitent; apologetic; remorseful. |
conundrum | Mystery; puzzle. |
convoke | Convene; assemble. |
copious | Plentiful; ample; profuse. |
corpulence | Stoutness; obesity. |
coterie | Small group of people who share interests and meet frequently. |
crass | Vulgar; grossly ignorant; indelicate. |
credulous | Gullible; unsuspecting; naive. |
cryptic | Enigmatic; obscure; secret; puzzling. |
ctenoid | Comblike; having narrow segments. |
cuboid | Having the shape of a cube. |
cucullate | Hood-shaped. |
daub | Blur; smear; spread. |
dawdle | Procrastinate; loiter; idle; dally. |
dearth | Paucity; shortage; deficiency. |
debased | Lowered in status or character; degenerate. |
decipher | Solve or figure out a puzzle; translate; untangle. |
declivity | Downward slope. |
decorum | Appropriate conduct; polite or proper behavior; protocol. |
delectable | Delicious; delightful; savory. |
deleterious | Destructive; poisonous; unhealthy. |
delineate | Describe; outline; depict. |
delusion | Untrue belief; hallucination; fallacy; misconception. |
demagogue | Incendiary; agitator; opportunist. |
denounce | Reprove; accuse; condemn. |
depravity | Perverted disposition; wickedness; vileness; corruption. |
deprecatory | Disapproving; belittling; |
desecrate | Contaminate; profane; defile. |
desist | Discontinue or stop; cease; renounce. |
desolate | Alone; without hope or comfort; forsaken. |
despoil | Ravage; rob; loot. |
despot | Dictator; tyrant; totalitarian. |
diatribe | Extreme, bitter, and abusive speech; vituperation; tirade. |
didactic | Pedantic; academic; for teaching. |
diffidence | Self-doubt; timidity; shyness. |
dilatory | Lackadaisical; lazy; remiss. |
diligent | Assiduous; studious; hard-working. |
diminution | Decrease; reduction. |
disaffected | Disillusioned; dissatisfied; discontented. |
disapprobation | Dislike; reservation; denunciation. |
disband | Disperse; dissipate; scatter; dispel. |
discontent | Unhappy; displeased; miserable. |
discursive | Circuitous; digressive; rambling. |
dishearten | Dismay; daunt; depress. |
disinterment | Exhumation; removal of a body from a grave. |
disoblige | Slight or offend. |
disparage | Deprecate; belittle or abuse. |
dispassionate | Imperturbable; unemotional; calm; composed. |
disputatious | Quarrelsome; contentious; argumentative. |
dissemble | Disguise; conceal; mask; camouflage. |
dissension | Conflict; disagreement; strife. |
dissonant | Cacophonous; inharmonious; discordant; strident. |
dissuade | Obstruct; hinder; deter. |
distend | Bloat, bulge; swell; stretch. |
dither | Commotion; turmoil. |
divination | Prediction; prophecy; forecast. |
dolt | Cretin; fool; dimwit; idiot. |
dotard | Senile person. |
dubious | Irresolute; uncertain; moot. |
duplicity | Cunning; fraud; trickery; deception. |
edify | Instruct; enlighten; educate. |
efface | Cancel; delete; obliterate. |
effervescent | Lively; volatile. |
effigy | Mannequin; likeness; image. |
effrontery | Impudence; nerve; gall. |
egregious | Flagrant; glaring; outrageous. |
elegiac | Mournful; sorrowful; sad. |
elucidate | Interpret; define; clarify; explain. |
emanate | Radiate; flow from; emit. |
emasculate | Deprive of strength. |
embroil | Implicate; enmesh; involve. |
emcee | Master of ceremonies. |
empathize | Identify with; understand. |
emulate | Model; pattern. |
enervate | Exhaust or weaken; debilitate. |
engender | Generate; produce; cause. |
enigmatic | Cryptic; baffling; mysterious. |
enmesh | Tangle or involve. |
ennui | Dullness; boredom; monotony. |
enthrall | Mesmerize; captivate; thrill. |
entrench | Fortify; reinforce; secure. |
ephemeral | Transitory; fleeting; passing; temporary. |
epicure | Person devoted to luxurious living; person with refined tastes. |
epithet | Word used to describe or characterize a person or thing. |
equilibrium | Balance; stability; poise. |
equivocate | Prevaricate; dodge; evade; hedge. |
erudition | Learning; knowledge; enlightenment. |
escapade | Adventurous conduct; unusual behavior. |
esoteric | Confidential; personal; private; privileged. |
espouse | Embrace; defend; support. |
ethereal | Incorporeal; intangible; airy. |
eulogy | Commendation; speech giving great tribute. |
euphonic | Agreeable to the ear. |
evanescent | Ephemeral; fading; brief. |
exigent | Pressing; insistent; urgent. |
exonerate | Acquit; vindicate; free from responsibility. |
exorcise | Cast out evil spirits; expel demons. |
expatriate | Send into exile; renounce one's own country. |
expedite | Speed up matters; accelerate; quicken. |
expunge | Obliterate; remove; erase; exterminate. |
expurgate | Remove erroneous or objectionable material; delete; edit. |
extemporaneous | Spontaneous; impromptu. |
extol | Praise; laud; hail; glorify. |
extradite | Transfer a person to another jurisdiction for possible prosecution for an alleged offense. |
extricate | Remove; loosen; untie. |
fallible | Faulty; imperfect. |
fallow | Idle; dormant. |
fastidious | Meticulous; exacting. |
fathom | Measure; discover; perceive. |
fatuous | Ludicrous; inane; idiotic; silly. |
fecund | Prolific; productive; fruitful. |
felicity | Great happiness; bliss. |
fetid | Possessing an offensive smell; malodorous; foul; gamey. |
fetter | Restrain; restrict; curb. |
fickle | Capricious; erratic; spasmodic. |
fledgling | Young or inexperienced person; young bird. |
flippant | Nonchalant; frivolous; superficial; light. |
florid | Ornate; flushed with rosy color; ruddy. |
flout | Ridicule; scoff; mock; scorn. |
foible | Frailty; imperfection; weakness. |
forswear | Repudiate; forsake; eschew. |
fulsome | Loathsome; excessive. |
fume | Gas; vapor; harmful or irritating smoke. |
furtive | Clandestine; secretive; surreptitious; covert. |
gambol | Play; frolic; romp. |
garble | Confuse; scramble; distort. |
garish | Gaudy; ostentatious; excessive. |
garner | Collect; receive; attain; acquire. |
giddy | Scatterbrained; silly; frivolous. |
goad | Incite; pressure; irk; arouse; awaken. |
grandiloquence | Pompous or bombastic speech; lofty, welling language. |
grisly | Frightening; ghastly; gory; hideous. |
grovel | Act in a servile way; cringe; kneel. |
guile | Wiliness; deceit; cunning. |
guzzle | Gulp; swill; consume to excess. |
hackneyed | Trite; common; overdone; banal. |
haggle | Dicker; barter; make a deal. |
hallow | Make holy; consecrate; sanctify. |
hamper | Hinder; frustrate; impede. |
harbor | Preserve; conceal; secure; shelter. |
hardy | Stalwart; robust; sturdy. |
haughty | Arrogant; disdainful; blatantly proud; contemptuous. |
hearten | Encourage; give strength. |
hedge | Enclose; surround; fence. |
hedonism | Intemperance; self-indulgence; excess. |
herald | Announce; broadcast; report. |
heretic | Nihilist; infidel; radical; dissenter. |
hiatus | Interruption; pause; gap. |
hilarity | Boisterous merriment; enjoyment. |
histrionic | Pertaining to actors; melodramatic. |
hoary | Frosted; grey; grizzled. |
hyperbole | Exaggeration; fanciful statement; enhancement. |
iconoclasm | Attack on religious values or symbols. |
ignoramus | Moron; fool; dimwit. |
immutable | Incorruptible; enduring; unchanging. |
impecunious | Poor; destitute; penniless. |
imperturbable | Even-tempered; level-headed; calm. |
impervious | Airtight; sealed; impenetrable. |
impetuous | Hasty; rash; impulsive. |
impregnable | Invincible; invulnerable; unable to be captured or entered. |
impromptu | Makeshift; spontaneous. |
improvident | Reckless; rash. |
impugn | Denounce; censor; attack. |
inauspicious | Unfavorable. |
inaudible | Faint; soft; hard to hear. |
incipient | Embryonic; developing; in the beginning stages. |
incisive | Perceptive; astute. |
inclusive | All-encompassing; broad in scope; comprehensive. |
incoherent | Illogical; inconsistent. |
incongruous | Inconsistent; unsuitable; contradictory. |
incorrigible | Unruly; delinquent; incapable of reform. |
indecorous | Inappropriate; indelicate; unseemly. |
indefatigable | Diligent; persistent; inexhaustible. |
indenture | Contract binding a person to work for another. |
indolence | Lethargy; idleness; sloth. |
inebriation | Drunkenness; intoxication. |
ingenuous | Genuine; open; candid; frank. |
inimical | Antagonistic; hurtful; harmful; adverse. |
innocuous | Dull; harmless; innocent. |
inscrutable | Mysterious; perplexing. |
insipid | Dull; banal; tasteless. |
insolvent | Bankrupt; unable to pay debts. |
intercede | Intervene; negotiate. |
intonate | Speak or utter with a particular tone. |
intractable | Unruly; disobedient. |
intrinsic | Inherent; natural; innate. |
inveigh | Abuse; criticize; rebuke. |
inveterate | Habitual; chronic. |
irascible | Testy; touchy; irritable. |
issue | Discharge; emerge; emanate. |
jettison | Eliminate; discharge. |
jollity | Gaiety; merriment. |
judicious | Logical; reasonable; clever. |
juncture | Joint; seam; intersection; joining. |
juxtapose | Place side by side. |
kinetic | Caused by motion; dynamic. |
kitsch | Art or writing of a pretentious but shallow nature. |
kiosk | A small structure used as a newsstand, bandstand, etc. |
knave | A dishonest, deceitful person; a rogue. |
knotty | Snarled; tangled. |
knoll | Hillock; mound. |
kudos | Credit or praise for an achievement; glory. |
labyrinth | Maze; network; puzzle. |
lachrymose | Weepy; tearful. |
laconic | Concise; terse; curt. |
lamentation | Complaint; moan. |
lampoon | Mock; ridicule. |
languish | Decline; diminish; weaken. |
largess | Charity; philanthropy; gift. |
lassitude | Fatigue; weariness; debility. |
laudable | Commendable; admirable; exemplary. |
laxity | Carelessness; indifference. |
lethargy | Idleness; listlessness; passivity. |
levity | Lightness; frivolity. |
linger | Loiter; remain; hesitate. |
lithe | Flexible; agile; mobile; bendable. |
loutish | Clumsy; idiotic; buffoonlike. |
ludicrous | Outlandish; silly; ridiculous. |
lurid | Shockingly vivid; horrifying; sensational. |
maladroit | Clumsy; unskilled. |
malapropism | Inappropriate or ludicrous use of a word. |
malevolent | Venomous; spiteful; malignant. |
malinger | Feign illness to escape work; shirk. |
marred | Having blemishes; damaged; defaced. |
maudlin | Overemotional; mushy. |
meander | Twist; bend; zigzag. |
mendicant | Almsman; beggar; leech; parasite. |
meticulous | Precise; scrupulous; particular. |
mettle | Stamina; bravery; courage. |
mince | Chop; mitigate. |
mire | Mud; slime; muck. |
moribund | Failing; waning; ailing. |
motley | Multicolored; spotted; mixed. |
multifarious | Diverse; many-sided; multiple. |
mundane | Boring; ordinary; typical; tedious. |
munificent | Generous; extravagant; philanthropic. |
nadir | Lowest point. |
naive | Foolishly simple; childlike. |
nascent | Beginning; embryonic; incipient. |
nebulous | Unclear; vague; indefinite. |
needle | Provoke. |
nefarious | Evil; vile; sinister; wicked. |
nemesis | Just punishment; retribution. |
neologism | Newly coined phrase or expression. |
noisome | Noxious to health. |
noxious | Harmful; malignant. |
obdurate | Stubborn; intractable. |
obsequious | Servile; groveling. |
obviate | Make unnecessary. |
odious | Detestable; loathsome; revolting; sickening. |
officious | Meddlesome. |
opaque | Impenetrable by light; dull; dark; obscure. |
optimum | Peak or prime; ideal. |
opulent | Affluent; well-to-do; plentiful. |
ostentatious | Conspicuous; showy. |
ostracize | Exclude; isolate; bar; shun. |
palpable | Noticeable; obvious; apparent. |
paltry | Minor; petty; insignificant. |
panegyric | Elaborate praise, public compliment. |
paragon | Model or standard of excellence. |
pariah | Outcast; misfit; refugee. |
parochial | Religious; restricted. |
parsimony | Miserliness; unusually excessive frugality. |
partisan | Fan or supporter; enthusiast supporting a particular cause or issue. |
pastiche | Hodgepodge; literary or musical piece imitating other works. |
paucity | Scarcity; shortage; dearth. |
peccadillo | Small sin or fault. |
pedantic | Stuffy or dogmatic; meticulous; academic. |
peevish | Irritable; grouchy; ill-tempered. |
pejorative | Degrading; derogatory; negative. |
percipient | Able to perceive or see things as they actually are. |
perfidy | Deliberate breach of faith or trust; treachery. |
peripheral | Marginal; outer; surrounding. |
perspicacious | Astute; keen; perceptive. |
philistine | Barbarian; person lacking artistic judgment. |
pique | Irritate; miff; offend. |
pithy | 1. Substantial; profound. 2. Brief; concise. |
placid | Sincere; tranquil; composed; sedate. |
plaintive | Sad; mournful; pathetic. |
platitude | 1. Triteness. 2. Cliche; trivial remark. |
plaudit | Enthusiastic expression. |
pliable | Limber; malleable; flexible. |
poignant | Intense; powerful; biting; piercing. |
polemical | Controversial; argumentative; debatable. |
polyphony | Music with two or more melodies blended together. |
porous | Permeable; absorbent; having holes. |
posthumous | Arising or continuing after someone's death. |
potable | Drinkable. |
prattle | Gab; babble. |
precocious | Showing premature development. |
precursor | Forerunner. |
prescient | Showing foresight; predicting events before they occur. |
primeval | Belonging to a primitive age. |
primordial | Belonging to a primitive age; first in time. |
proclivity | Tendency; inclination; propensity. |
procrastinate | Postpone; stall; defer. |
prodigious | Exceptional; impressive; of huge quantity; immense. |
proficient | Skillful; masterful; expert. |
progeny | Heir; descendant; offspring. |
prolific | Fruitful; abundant; fertile. |
rescind | Cancel; repeal; veto. |
resilient | Elastic; stretchy; rebounding. |
resonant | Reverberant; ringing. |
resplendent | Dazzling; glorious; intense. |
restive | Nervous; restless; uneasy. |
retrospection | Contemplation of past things. |
reverent | Devout; solemn; worshipful. |
ribald | Lewd; obscene; irreverent. |
rudiment | Beginning; foundation or source. |
ruffian | Brutal person; cruel and sadistic person. |
ruminate | Contemplate; think about. |
saccharine | Sugary; syrupy. |
savant | Intellectual; scholar; philosopher. |
scanty | Meager; scarce. |
scoff | Mock; ridicule. |
sequester | Separate; isolate; segregate. |
soporific | Hypnotic; lethargic; causing sleep. |
spurious | Bogus; false. |
spurn | Defy; reject. |
squalor | 1. Severe poverty. 2. Filthiness. |
stratagem | Plot; tactic; deception. |
strident | Discordant; harsh; piercing. |
strife | Conflict; turmoil; struggle. |
stultify | Inhibit; make ineffective; cripple. |
supercilious | Egotistic; proud; arrogant. |
surfeit | Overabundance; excess; surplus. |
surly | Choleric; rude; sullen. |
surreptitious | Covert; furtive; acquired by stealthy means. |
svelte | Graceful; slim. |
sybarite | Someone devoted to luxury; pleasure-seeker. |
sycophant | Flatterer. |
taciturn | Reserved; shy; uncommunicative. |
tantamount | Indistinguishable; equivalent. |
taper | Diminish; thin; narrow. |
tawdry | Gaudy; showy; loud. |
temerity | Rashness; audacity; recklessness. |
tensile | Pertaining to tension; stretchable; ductile. |
tenuous | Attenuated; flimsy; thin. |
tirade | Diatribe; angry speech. |
torpor | Lethargy; apathy; dormancy. |
trepidation | Anxiety; alarm; apprehension. |
truant | Indolent; absent; idle. |
turgid | Swollen; bombastic; distended. |
turpitude | Depravity; baseness; shamefulness. |
undulate | Move in a wavy manner. |
unfathomable | Baffling; puzzling; incomprehensible. |
unkempt | Uncombed; messy; untidy. |
unscathed | Unhurt; uninjured. |
unwieldy | Clumsy; awkward; unmanageable. |
upbraid | Rebuke; scold; criticize. |
upshot | Final result; conclusion; end. |
vacillate | Hedge; waver; fluctuate. |
variegated | Multicolored; polychromic; varied. |
vehement | Fierce; emphatic; intense. |
venerate | Admire; show respect. |
veracity | Truth; sincerity; honesty; candor. |
verbose | Wordy; talkative; profuse. |
verdant | Lush; thick with vegetation; leafy. |
viable | Living; alive; feasible. |
vigilance | Attentiveness; prudence; care. |
vilify | Defame; denigrate. |
virulent | Fatal; lethal; toxic. |
vitriolic | Scathing; caustic. |
vociferous | Clamorous; outspoken; noisy; vocal. |
voluble | Verbose; wordy; garrulous. |
voluminous | Huge; immense; bulky. |
voracious | 1. Enthusiastic; overly eager. 2. Starving. |
vouchsafe | Confer; grant; permit. |
wan | Anemic; colorless; pale. |
waver | Totter; fluctuate. |
whet | Stimulate; sharpen; intensify. |
wistful | Yearning; pensive; sad. |
woe | Anguish; grief; affliction. |
writhe | Squirm; twist. |
xenophobe | One who dislikes strangers or foreigners. |
yeoman | Peasant; ordinary person. |
yore | Time long past. |
yowl | Long, mournful cry or howl. |
zealot | Fanatic; radical; enthusiast. |
zenith | Apex; summit; peak. |
curmudgeon | Cantankerous person. |
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