Xiggi's Word of the Day SAT List
About this set
Created by:
solvetime on May 24, 2011
Subjects:
sat, writing, critical reading, english, college confidential
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2,211 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Abash | humiliate, humble, embarrass |
| abattoir | a slaughterhouse. |
| abed | in bed. |
| aberrant | abnormal. |
| aberrant | markedly different from an accepted norm. |
| abeyance | suspension; temporary cessation. |
| Abhor | hate |
| Abhorrence | hatred |
| abjure | to renounce or reject with solemnity. |
| abjure | to renounce, reject, or shun. |
| ablution | the washing of the body, or some part of it. |
| ablution | the washing of the body, or some part of it. |
| abominate | to detest intensely. |
| Abridge | shorten (usually used for books) |
| abrogate | to annul; to do away with. |
| abscond | to depart in secret. |
| Absolved | forgiven; removed from blame |
| Abstain | refrain from |
| abstemious | sparing in diet. |
| abstemious | temperate; abstinent; refraining from indulgence. |
| Abstinence | self-denial, moderation |
| abstruse | difficult to comprehend. |
| abulia | loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions. |
| accede | to agree or assent; also, to become a party. |
| Accentuated | emphasized |
| acclimate | to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or situation. |
| Accomplice | someone who aids a criminal |
| acerbic | sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone. |
| acme | the highest point of something. |
| acquiesce | to concur, but not heartily. |
| acrid | bitter to the taste or smell. |
| acrid | sharp and harsh; bitter. |
| Acrimony | bitterness and bad feeling |
| acrimony | bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness. |
| acuity | acuteness of perception or vision. |
| acumen | quickness of perception or discernment. |
| acumen | quickness or keenness of perception or discernment. |
| adage | an old saying. |
| adamant | not capable of being swayed. |
| adamant | not susceptible to persuasion; unyielding. |
| Adept | skilful |
| admonition | gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning. |
| Adulation | adoration, admiration |
| Adulatory | involving strong praise or worship |
| adumbrate | to give a slight representation of; to outline. |
| adventitious | added extrinsically; not essentially inherent. |
| aegis | a shield; protection. |
| Aesthete | someone concerned with art and beauty |
| aesthete | one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty. |
| Aesthetic | concerned with art and beauty |
| Aesthetics | visual/artistic impact; study of art/beauty |
| aestival | of or belonging to the summer. |
| Affable | sociable, pleasant, friendly |
| affable | courteous; sociable. |
| affable | easy to speak to; also, gracious. |
| Affectation | pretence; unnatural manner |
| afflatus | a divine inspiration. |
| affray | a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl. |
| aficionado | a fervent admirer; a fan. |
| aggrandize | to make or make appear great or greater. |
| aggress | to make an attack. |
| Agile | flexible |
| agitprop | propaganda. |
| agog | in eager desire. |
| agon | struggle; conflict. |
| Alacrity | speed and eagerness |
| alacrity | a cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptitude. |
| alfresco | outdoors; outdoor. |
| Algae | seaweed-like simple plants |
| algorithm | a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. |
| Allege | claim, assert |
| Alleviate | make less severe |
| Almanac | year-book with useful information |
| alpenglow | a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains. |
| Amalgamation | joining together |
| Ambiguous | unclear, vague |
| Ambiguous | vague |
| ambit | circuit or compass; also, sphere of action or influence. |
| Ambivalence | lack of certainty |
| ameliorate | to make better. |
| amicable | characterized by friendliness and good will. |
| amity | friendship. |
| Amorphous | having no definite shape |
| Amphibian | able to live on land and in water |
| Amphitheater | arena, auditorium |
| Anachronistic | in the wrong time period |
| anathema | a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked. |
| Anecdote | short, amusing story |
| animadversion | harsh criticism or disapproval. |
| animus | a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition. |
| anodyne | serving to relieve pain. |
| Anomaly | irregularity, inconsistency |
| Anonymous | without a name |
| antediluvian | extremely old. |
| Anthology | book containing many items (e.g. Poems) anthology collection of poems/ short stories etc. |
| aplomb | confidence; coolness. |
| apocryphal | of doubtful authority or authenticity. |
| apogee | the highest point. |
| apologia | a formal defense or justification. |
| apostasy | desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party. |
| apothegm | a terse remark, conveying some important truth. |
| apotheosis | a model of excellence or perfection of a kind. |
| apparition | a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance. |
| appellation | a name, title, or designation. |
| apposite | of striking appropriateness and relevance. |
| apprise | to give notice to; to inform. |
| approbation | formal or official approval; also, praise. |
| appurtenance | an adjunct or accessory. |
| Arable | suitable for cultivation |
| arbiter | one having the power of judging and determining. |
| arbitrage | The simultaneous purchase and sale of a good or asset. |
| Arbitrary | random; for no definite reason |
| Arbitration | mediation; deciding between two opposing sides |
| arcane | understood by only a few. |
| arcanum | a secret; a mystery. |
| Archetypal | acting as a classic example of something |
| Archived | kept in store |
| Ardor | enthusiasm |
| argot | a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group. |
| Argus-eyed | extremely observant; watchful. |
| aright | rightly; correctly. |
| arrant | outright; thoroughgoing. |
| Arrest | to stop |
| arriviste | an upstart. |
| arrogate | to claim or seize without right or justification. |
| Ascetic | without luxuries/indulgences; harshly simple; Spartan |
| ascetic | one who practices extreme self-denial; also, austere, severe. |
| ascetic | one who practices extreme self-denial; also, austere, severe. |
| ascribe | to attribute, as to a cause. |
| asperity | roughness, of surface, sound, or manner. |
| aspersion | a damaging or derogatory remark. |
| asseverate | to affirm or declare positively or earnestly. |
| Assiduous | diligent, hard working |
| Assiduous | eager and thorough |
| assiduous | constant in application or attention. |
| Assiduously | eagerly; thoroughly |
| assuage | to soften; to ease, or lessen. |
| Astute | mentally sharp |
| Asylum | refuge; place of safety |
| atelier | a workshop; a studio. |
| atrabilious | irritable; ill-natured. |
| Atypical | not typical |
| aubade | a song greeting the dawn. |
| Audacious | very bold |
| augury | an omen; prediction |
| Auspicious | favorable, indicating good fortune |
| auspicious | favorable; also, prosperous; fortunate. |
| autochthonous | formed or existing where found. |
| autocrat | a despot. |
| autocrat | a ruler with unlimited authority. |
| autodidact | a person who is self-taught. |
| avarice | an excessive desire of gain; greediness. |
| avatar | an incarnation. |
| aver | to assert as true. |
| Avian | concerned with birds |
| avoirdupois | weight; heaviness. |
| avuncular | resembling an uncle. |
| bacchanalia | a revel. |
| badinage | light, playful talk. |
| badinage | playful raillery; banter. |
| bagatelle | a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece. |
| bailiwick | a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work. |
| Balk | hinder, prevent |
| banal | commonplace; trivial. |
| bandog | a large and fierce dog. |
| Bane | troublesome influence |
| Bard | poet |
| Barricade | barrier |
| bedaub | to besmear or soil. |
| bedizen | to dress or adorn in gaudy manner. |
| beholden | obliged; indebted. |
| bellicose | warlike; pugnacious. |
| Belligerent | aggressive; ready to fight |
| bellwether | a leader of a movement or activity. |
| bellwether | a leader or leading indicator. |
| benefaction | the act of conferring a benefit; also, a benefit conferred. |
| Benefactor | giver of gifts |
| beneficence | the practice of doing good. |
| Benign | kindly |
| benignant | kind; gracious; favorable. |
| benison | blessing; benediction. |
| Berate | rebuke, criticize |
| berate | to scold severely or angrily. |
| Bereft | deprived of |
| bestow | to give or confer. |
| bete | noire something or someone particularly detested or avoided. |
| bevy | a group; an assembly. |
| Bewilder | confuse |
| bibelot | a trinket. |
| bibulous | of, pertaining to, marked by, or given to the consumption of alcohol. |
| Bicker | quarrel about petty matters |
| bifurcate | to divide into two branches. |
| bilious | of or pertaining to bile; also, ill-tempered. |
| Bilked | cheated |
| billet | to quarter, or place in lodgings. |
| billet-doux | a love letter. |
| billingsgate | foul language. |
| bivouac | a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp. |
| bivouac | an encampment for the night. |
| blackguard | a scoundrel. |
| blandishment | flattering speech or action; allurement. |
| blandishment | flattery intended to persuade. |
| bloviate | to speak or write in a pompous manner. |
| Blueprint | plans for a building etc. |
| bombast | high-sounding words; an inflated style. |
| bombast | pompous or pretentious speech or writing. |
| bombinate | to buzz; to hum; to drone. |
| bon | ton the height of the fashion; fashionable society. |
| bonhomie | pleasant and easy manner; geniality. |
| booboisie | a class of people regarded as stupid or foolish. |
| bootless | unavailing; unprofitable; useless. |
| bootless | unavailing; useless. |
| boulevardier | a man-about-town. |
| bouleversement | complete overthrow; a reversal. |
| Bourgeois | middle class, capitalist |
| bowdlerize | to remove or modify the parts considered offensive. |
| brackish | somewhat salty; also, distasteful. |
| braggadocio | empty boasting. |
| Braggart | someone who boasts |
| bravado | a real or pretended show of courage or boldness. |
| bravura | a showy display. |
| bricolage | construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available. |
| brio | liveliness; spirit. |
| brio | vigor; vivacity. |
| Brobdingnagian | gigantic; enormous. |
| bromide | a commonplace or conventional saying. |
| Browse | glance/look through |
| Brusqueness | unfriendliness, abruptness |
| bucolic | rustic; pastoral. |
| Buffoonery | foolish behavior intended to amuse |
| bumptious | crudely, presumptuously, or noisily self-assertive. |
| bumptious | obtusely and offensively self-assertive. |
| busker | a street musician or performer. |
| busker | a street musician. |
| buss | kiss. |
| Buttress | support |
| Byline | the line giving the name of the author of an article |
| cabal | a group that seeks power usually through intrigue. |
| cacophony | harsh or discordant sound. |
| cadge | to beg; to sponge. |
| cadre | a core or nucleus of trained or otherwise qualified personnel around which an organization is formed. |
| cadre | a small unit that serves as the nucleus of a larger organization. |
| caesura | a break or pause in a line of verse; also, any break or pause. |
| Cajole | coax |
| cajole | to coax. |
| callow | immature. |
| callow | immature. |
| Calumny | slander |
| calumny | malicious misrepresentation; slander. |
| Camaraderie | friendliness |
| camarilla | a group of secret and often scheming advisers. |
| canard | a fabricated sensational report or statement. |
| Candor | frankness, honesty |
| canorous | melodious; musical. |
| canorous | melodious; musical. |
| cant | empty, solemn speech. |
| capacious | able to contain much; large; roomy. |
| capitulate | to surrender under agreed conditions. |
| Capricious | impulsive, unpredictable, whimsical |
| capricious | whimsical; changeable. |
| captious | disposed to find fault or raise objections. |
| Captivate | fascinate |
| carapace | a shell; a protective covering. |
| carom | to strike and rebound; also, a glancing off. |
| Carouse | party?, sing and drink |
| Carping | complaining, finding fault |
| Cartographer | map-maker |
| castigate | to punish or criticize severely. |
| cataract | a large waterfall; also, a downpour, a flood. |
| Catastrophic | disastrous |
| caterwaul | to make a harsh cry or screech. |
| Catnap | short sleep |
| Caustic | burning; strongly attacking |
| cavalcade | a procession. |
| caveat | a warning or caution. |
| cavil | a frivolous objection. |
| cavil | to raise trivial objections; also, a trivial objection. |
| cavort | to bound or prance about. |
| celerity | quickness; swiftness. |
| censorious | harshly critical. |
| censure | to criticize severely; also, an expression of disapproval. |
| Censures | blames; criticizes |
| Cerebral | concerned with thinking |
| cerebration | mental activity. |
| chagrin | acute vexation or embarrassment. |
| Charlatan | trickster |
| chary | careful; wary; cautious. |
| Cherished | looked after, valued, held |
| chicanery | the use of trickery to deceive. |
| chichi | affectedly trendy. |
| chimera | a mental fabrication. |
| chimerical | merely imaginary; fanciful. |
| choler | anger. |
| choleric | easily angered; also, indicating or expressing anger. |
| chortle | to utter, or express with, a snorting, exultant laugh or chuckle. |
| chthonic | dwelling in or under the earth; also, pertaining to the underworld. |
| Circuitous | roundabout, indirect |
| circumambient | surrounding; encompassing. |
| circumlocution | the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few. |
| Circumscribed | limited |
| circumspect | cautious; prudent; wary. |
| Clairvoyant | able to see into the future |
| clamber | to climb with difficulty, or with hands and feet. |
| Clandestine | secret, furtive |
| claque | a group of fawning admirers. |
| clarion | a kind of trumpet; also, loud and clear. |
| clemency | disposition to show mercy; also, an act of mercy. |
| clerisy | the intelligentsia. |
| Cliché | over-used, unoriginal expression |
| Clientele | customers, patrons |
| clinquant | tinsel. |
| Clique | small group with common interests |
| Cloying | sickly sweet; over sentimental |
| Cockaigne | an imaginary land of ease and luxury. |
| coeval | existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary. |
| coeval | existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary. |
| Cogent | convincing, forceful |
| Cogent | convincing, forceful |
| cogent | appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing. |
| cogent | having the power to compel conviction. |
| cogitate | consider carefully and deeply; ponder. |
| cogitate | to think; to ponder. |
| Cognizant | aware of |
| cognoscente | an expert in a certain field. |
| cohort | a group; also, a companion or associate. |
| Collage | picture made up of many smaller pictures |
| collegial | characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues; also, collegiate. |
| colloquial | characteristic of informal spoken language. |
| Colloquially | locally and informally |
| collude | to act in concert; to conspire. |
| collude | to conspire; to act in concert. |
| Collusion | plotting and planning |
| Colossus | huge figure or statue; giant |
| comely | pleasing to the sight. |
| comestible | suitable to be eaten. |
| comestible | suitable to be eaten. |
| comity | a state of mutual civility and respect. |
| comity | a state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect. |
| commensurate | equal in measure or extent; also, proportionate. |
| commodious | comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| complaisant | exhibiting a desire to please. |
| complement | something that fills up or completes. |
| complement | that which completes. |
| Compliant | flexible; not stubborn |
| comport | to behave (oneself) in a particular manner. |
| comport | to conduct; to behave. |
| compunction | anxiety or unease from guilt; also, a scruple. |
| compunction | the sting of conscience. |
| concatenation | a chain; a succession. |
| Conciliatory | tending to bring opposing sides together; ending argument |
| concinnity | elegance -- used chiefly of literary style. |
| Concocted | made up, invented |
| concomitant | accompanying; attendant. |
| concomitant | accompanying; attending. |
| concomitant | accompanying; attending. |
| concupiscence | lust. |
| concupiscence | lust. |
| Condescending | arrogant |
| Condescending | arrogant; talking down to someone |
| condign | deserved; adequate. |
| condign | deserved; adequate. |
| Condone | give silent approval to |
| confabulation | familiar talk; also, a plausible but imagined memory. |
| conflagration | a large and destructive fire. |
| conflate | to bring together; to meld. |
| confluence | a coming together. |
| Confounds | confuses |
| confrere | a colleague, comrade, or intimate associate. |
| confrere | a colleague. |
| confute | to refute conclusively. |
| Congeal | solidify |
| congeries | a collection; an aggregation. |
| Congregation | gathering (esp. In a church) |
| Congregation | gathering of people (esp. In a church) |
| connubial | of or pertaining to marriage. |
| consanguineous | related by blood. |
| consanguineous | related by blood; descended from the same ancestor. |
| Consecration | dedication |
| Consensus | common agreement |
| Consensus | general agreement |
| conspectus | a sketch, survey, or outline of a subject. |
| conspectus | a sketch, survey, or outline of a subject. |
| constitutional | a walk taken for one's health. |
| Consummate | supremely good |
| Contagious | can be caught through direct contact (used of diseases) |
| Contemplate | think over deeply |
| contemporaneous | originating, existing, or occurring at the same time. |
| Contemptuous | arrogant; showing intolerance |
| contradistinction | distinction by contrast. |
| contradistinction | distinction by contrast. |
| contravene | to act or be counter to. |
| contretemps | something inopportune or embarrassing. |
| Contrite | sorry |
| contrite | feeling or expressing grief and regret for sins or offenses. |
| contumacious | obstinate; stubbornly disobedient. |
| contumely | rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt. |
| Conundrum | puzzle |
| Conundrum | puzzle, riddle |
| conurbation | an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities. |
| conurbation | an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities. |
| convivial | merry; festive; social. |
| convivial | relating to or fond of festivity and good company. |
| Coop | chicken-shed |
| copious | large in number or quantity. |
| copious | large in quantity; also, affording an abundant supply. |
| copse | a thicket of small trees. |
| coquette | a flirt. |
| Cordial | friendly |
| cormorant | a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person. |
| cornucopia | the horn of plenty; also, an abundance. |
| corpulent | very fat; obese. |
| Corroborate | give evidence in support of something |
| corroborate | to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence. |
| Corroborating | giving supporting evidence |
| coruscate | to give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light. |
| coruscate | to sparkle. |
| cosmopolite | a cosmopolitan person. |
| cosset | to pamper. |
| cosset | to pamper. |
| coterminous | of equal extent or duration. |
| countermand | to revoke (a former command) or recall by a contrary order. |
| countermand | to revoke (a former command) or recall by a contrary order. |
| countervail | to counteract; also, to offset. |
| coxcomb | a vain, showy fellow. |
| cozen | to defraud; also, to obtain by deceit. |
| crapulous | sick from, or marked by, excessive drinking. |
| Crass | crude |
| credulous | inclined to believe too readily. |
| crepuscular | pertaining to twilight. |
| crepuscular | pertaining to twilight. |
| Crescendo | increase in volume in music |
| crux | the essential point or feature. |
| cudgel | a club. |
| Culpable | guilty, blameworthy |
| Cumulative | building up; increasing |
| cupidity | eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth. |
| cupidity | greed. |
| Curator | person in charge of a museum or its exhibits |
| cursory | hastily or superficially performed. |
| Curtail | limit, shorten |
| Curtailed | cut short |
| Cynicism | looking on the black side; pessimistic (esp. About human behaviour) |
| Cynics | pessimists |
| cynosure | a center of attention. |
| cynosure | a center of attention. |
| daedal | skillful; artistic; ingenious. |
| daedal | skillful; artistic; ingenious. |
| dapple | a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots. |
| dapple | a small spot or blotch. |
| Debacle | disaster |
| Debased | degraded |
| Debilitating | weakening |
| debouch | to emerge; to issue. |
| Debunkers | people who expose faults and get rid of myths |
| Decibel | unit of sound measurement |
| Decibel | unit to measure noise |
| Decorous | proper, appropriate in behavior |
| Decorously | done in a way consistent with good, correct behavior |
| Decried | criticized, belittled |
| defenestrate | to throw out of a window. |
| deign | to condescend. |
| Deleterious | harmful |
| deleterious | harmful. |
| deleterious | hurtful; destructive; pernicious. |
| Deliberate | v.) Think deeply about |
| Deliberation | careful thought |
| Delineated | outlined |
| Delineates | outlines |
| deliquesce | to melt away or become liquid. |
| Demagogue | a leader who appeals to the emotions of the mob |
| Demagogue | political leader who plays on the emotions of the crowd |
| demagogue | a leader who obtains power by means of appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. |
| demagogue | a leader who tries to stir up people by appeals to emotion, prejudice, etc. |
| Demean | degrade |
| demur | to object; also, to delay. |
| Denigrated | belittled, degraded, decried |
| denizen | an inhabitant. |
| denouement | the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work. |
| deprecate | to disapprove of strongly. |
| deprecate | to disapprove of; also, to belittle. |
| deprecate | to disapprove of; also, to belittle. |
| depredation | an act of plundering or ravaging. |
| deracinate | to uproot. |
| Deride | mock |
| deride | to laugh at with contempt. |
| deride | to laugh at with contempt. |
| Derided | mocked |
| derogate | to deviate from expectation; also, to detract; also, to disparage. |
| descant | a discourse; also, to discourse. |
| descry | to catch sight of something distant or obscure. |
| descry | to catch sight of; to detect. |
| desideratum | anything desired. |
| desideratum | something desired. |
| Desolate | empty, lonely |
| Destitution | poverty |
| desuetude | disuse. |
| desuetude | disuse. |
| desultory | jumping from subject to subject; erratic; inconsistent. |
| desultory | without logical sequence; disconnected; aimless. |
| Detractor | a person who give negative criticism |
| detritus | debris. |
| detritus | debris. |
| deus | ex machina an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an apparently insoluble difficulty. |
| diablerie | sorcery; also, mischievous conduct. |
| diadem | a crown. |
| diadem | a crown. |
| diaphanous | allowing light to pass through. |
| diaphanous | allowing light to pass through. |
| dictum | an authoritative statement. |
| Didactic | intending to preach or teach |
| didactic | conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson. |
| diffident | bashful or unassertive. |
| diffident | showing modest reserve. |
| Diffidently | hesitantly |
| digerati | persons knowledgeable about computers. |
| diktat | an authoritative decree or order. |
| Dilatory | slow, dragging, slack |
| dilatory | given to, or marked by, procrastination or delay. |
| dilatory | inclined to put off what ought to be done at once. |
| dilettante | an amateur; also, an admirer or lover of the fine arts. |
| Diminutive | very small |
| Dingy | shabby; dark |
| Disavowed | disclaimed |
| Discern | distinguish, discriminate |
| discomfit | to disconcert; also, to thwart. |
| Disconcert | make someone feel uncomfortable |
| disconcert | to disturb the composure of. |
| disconcert | to disturb the composure of. |
| disconsolate | hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless. |
| Discourse | lecture |
| discrete | constituting a separate thing; also, consisting of distinct or unconnected parts. |
| Discursive | talking at length about something |
| discursive | digressive; rambling; also, marked by analytical reasoning. |
| Disdain | contempt |
| Disdain | contempt |
| Disgruntled | annoyed; dissatisfied |
| dishabille | the state of being carelessly or partially dressed. |
| disheveled | disordered; disorderly; untidy. |
| disheveled | in loose disorder; disarranged. |
| Disingenuous | crafty |
| Disparaged | criticized |
| Disparate | dissimilar, different |
| disparate | fundamentally different; also, composed of dissimilar elements. |
| disparate | fundamentally different; composed of markedly dissimilar elements. |
| Dispelled | removed; made to disappear |
| disport | to frolic; to amuse (oneself). |
| disquisition | a formal discourse on a subject. |
| Dissembler | someone who hides the truth |
| Dissemblers | people who try to hide the truth |
| Disseminate | spread (information) |
| Disseminates | spreads (esp. Ideas) |
| Dissent | disagreement |
| dissimulate | to feign; to pretend. |
| Dissipated | wasted; dispersed |
| dissolute | loose in morals and conduct. |
| Distort | twist out of shape |
| Distortion | twisting out of shape |
| distrait | divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety. |
| Diversion | entertainment |
| Divination | fortune-telling; forecasting |
| Divisive | causing division |
| Divisive | discordant, disruptive |
| Divulge | give out; reveal |
| doff | to take off; to remove; also, to rid oneself of. |
| Dogged | stubborn, steadfast |
| Dogmatic | inflexible, rigid |
| dolorous | marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow. |
| donnybrook | a brawl or dispute. |
| doppelganger | a ghostly double. |
| dotage | senility. |
| doughty | valiant; brave. |
| doula | a woman who assists in childbirth. |
| dour | stubbornly unyielding; also, harshly uninviting; also, showing a brooding ill humor. |
| doyen | the senior member of a body or group. |
| Draftee | someone called up into the army etc. |
| Drubbed | beaten |
| dubiety | the condition or quality of being doubtful; also, a matter of doubt. |
| dudgeon | a state or fit of intense indignation. |
| dudgeon | a state or fit of intense indignation. |
| dulcet | melodious. |
| Dupe | deceive, trick, fool |
| dyspeptic | pertaining to or having indigestion; also, ill-humored. |
| ebullient | high-spirited. |
| ebullient | joyously unrestrained |
| Eccentric | unconventional, unusual, odd |
| Eclectic | taking things from different sources; varied |
| Ecstasy | extreme joy |
| edacious | given to eating. |
| edacious | given to eating. |
| edify | to instruct and improve. |
| efface | to cause to disappear by rubbing out, striking out, etc. |
| effete | infertile; also, worn out; also, decadent; effeminate. |
| Efficacious | effective |
| efficacious | producing, or capable of producing, a desired effect. |
| Effrontery | daring, over-confidence, impudence |
| effrontery | shameless boldness; insolence. |
| effulgence | a flood of light; great luster or brightness; splendor. |
| effulgence | the state of being bright and radiant. |
| effusive | excessively demonstrative. |
| Egotist | selfish person |
| Egregious | outstandingly bad |
| egregious | outrageously bad. |
| egress | the act of going out or leaving; exit. |
| eke | to increase; to add to. |
| eldritch | unearthly; weird; eerie. |
| eleemosynary | relating to charity. |
| eleemosynary | relating to charity; charitable. |
| Elliptical | indirect, roundabout |
| Eloquent | able to speak well and persuasively |
| Elucidate | make clear; explain |
| elucidate | to make clear or manifest |
| Elude | avoid |
| Elusive | difficult to pin down |
| Elysium | paradise. |
| Embellish | decorate |
| Embellish | decorate, adorn |
| Embellishment | decoration |
| Embezzle | to steal money by tampering with accounts |
| Embittered | made to feel bitter; resentful |
| emblazon | to display pompously; to decorate. |
| embonpoint | plumpness of person. |
| Emend | edit |
| Emissary | messenger and representative |
| Emollient | something that soothes (esp. An ointment) |
| emolument | profit, gain. |
| emolument | the wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor. |
| emolument | the wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor. |
| Empathetic | able to sympathize with |
| Empathy | form of sympathy; feeling of closeness |
| Empirical | practical, observed, found by experiment |
| empyrean | the highest heaven; the heavens; the sky. |
| Emulate | copy, imitate |
| Emulate | imitate, copy |
| Emulated | copied |
| en | masse all together. |
| Enchantment | fascination |
| encomium | expression of praise. |
| encomium | high praise. |
| Encompassed | surrounded |
| Encompassing | including |
| encumbrance | a burden, impediment, or hindrance. |
| encumbrance | a burdensome and troublesome load. |
| encumbrance | something that burdens or impedes. |
| Endorsed | supported, approved |
| Enduring | lasting |
| enervate | to weaken. |
| enervate | to weaken. |
| Enervated | weakened |
| Enfranchised | given voting rights |
| Engendered | caused, produced, stimulated |
| Enhances | improves |
| Enigmatically | in a puzzling manner |
| enjoin | to direct or impose with authority; also, to forbid. |
| enmity | hatred; ill will. |
| ennui | a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest. |
| ennui | a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction. |
| Ensemble | troupe (musicians etc.); group; set (of clothes) |
| Ensemble | troupe or group (esp. Musicians or dancers) |
| entreat | to ask for or request earnestly. |
| enunciate | to utter articulately; also, to state or set forth precisely or systematically. |
| Ephemeral | short-lived |
| Ephemeral | short-lived, transient, temporary |
| ephemeral | short-lived. |
| ephemeron | something short-lived. |
| epicene | having the characteristics of both the male and the female. |
| epigone | an inferior imitator. |
| epigone | an inferior imitator. |
| Epilogue | end part of book or play |
| Epilogue | part added at the end |
| Epilogue | something written at the end (esp. Of a play) |
| Epistolary | though the medium of (postal)letters |
| equable | equal and uniform; also, not easily disturbed. |
| equable | equal and uniform; also, serene. |
| equanimity | calmness; composure. |
| equipoise | equilibrium; also, counterbalance. |
| Equitable | fair; equal |
| equivocate | to be deliberately ambiguous or unclear. |
| equivocate | to be deliberately ambiguous. |
| Eradication | wiping out; destroying |
| Erasure | wiping out |
| eremite | a hermit. |
| ergo | therefore; consequently. |
| errant | wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving. |
| erroneous | containing or characterized by error. |
| ersatz | being a substitute or imitation. |
| ersatz | being a substitute or imitation. |
| erudite | characterized by extensive reading or knowledge. |
| erudite | characterized by extensive reading or knowledge. |
| eschew | to avoid. |
| eschew | to shun; to avoid. |
| Espouses | adopts, supports, takes up |
| espy | to see at a glance. |
| esurient | hungry; greedy. |
| Ethos | system of values |
| etiolate | to blanch or bleach; to make sickly. |
| Etymology | study of word origins |
| Eulogy | praise |
| euphonious | pleasing in sound. |
| euphonious | pleasing or sweet in sound. |
| Euphoric | overjoyed, excited |
| Evanescent | short-lived |
| evanescent | fleeting. |
| evanescent | liable to vanish or pass away like vapor. |
| Evenhanded | fair; unbiased |
| evince | to show in a clear manner. |
| evince | to show in a clear manner. |
| exacerbate | to aggravate; to make worse. |
| exacerbate | to irritate; to make worse. |
| Exacerbates | makes worse |
| Exalt | raise to higher level; worship |
| exalt | to praise, glorify, or honor. |
| exalt | to praise, glorify, or honor. |
| Exasperation | frustration and annoyance |
| Exasperation | frustration; annoyance |
| excoriate | to censure scathingly; also, to flay. |
| excrescence | something growing out from something else; also, a disfiguring or unwanted part. |
| Exculpate | remove blame or guilt |
| exculpate | to clear from alleged fault or guilt. |
| exculpate | to relieve of blame. |
| excursus | a digression. |
| execrable | detestable; extremely bad. |
| exegesis | exposition; explanation. |
| exegete | a person who explains or interprets difficult parts of written works. |
| exemplar | a model or pattern to be copied or imitated; a specimen; an ideal model or type. |
| Exemplary | acting as a good example; excellent |
| Exemplify | act as a good example of |
| exhort | to urge strongly. |
| Exhortation | strong encouragement |
| exigency | state of requiring immediate action; also, an urgent situation; also, that which is required in a particular situation. |
| exigent | requiring immediate aid or action; also, demanding. |
| exiguity | smallness; thinness; the quality of being meager. |
| exiguous | extremely scanty. |
| Exonerated | pardoned, acquitted |
| Exorbitant | very expensive |
| expatiate | to speak or write at length. |
| expatiate | to speak or write at some length. |
| Expedite | hurry something up; hasten |
| expeditious | characterized by speed and efficiency. |
| expeditious | characterized by speed and efficiency. |
| expeditious | characterized by speed and efficiency. |
| expiate | to make amends for. |
| explicate | to explain. |
| explicate | to explain. |
| expropriate | to deprive of possession; also, to transfer (another's property) to oneself. |
| Expropriated | confiscated, seized |
| expunge | to blot out; to obliterate. |
| Expurgated | censored; removed offensive parts |
| Extant | in existence, present |
| extant | still existing. |
| extant | still in existence. |
| extemporaneous | composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment. |
| extempore | without premeditation or preparation. |
| extempore | without preparation; on the spur of the moment. |
| Extenuating | mitigating; excusing or making something seem less serious |
| Exterminated | wiped out |
| extirpate | to eradicate; to destroy. |
| extirpate | to root out; to eradicate. |
| Extol | praise |
| extol | to praise. |
| extraneous | coming from the outside; also, not essential; also, irrelevant. |
| Extricate | get out of; remove |
| extricate | to free or release from a difficulty or entanglement. |
| Fabrication | manufacture; invention |
| Façade | front of building; assumed or false appearance |
| facetious | characterized by wit and pleasantry. |
| facetious | playfully jocular; humorous. |
| Facile | over simplified |
| facile | easily done or performed. |
| facile | performable or attainable with little labor. |
| factious | addicted to form parties and raise dissensions. |
| factitious | artificial; sham; not natural. |
| factotum | a person employed to do all kinds of work. |
| factotum | a person employed to do all kinds of work. |
| faineant | doing nothing; idle; also, a do-nothing. |
| fait | accompli an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact. |
| Fallacious | wrong |
| fallible | liable to make a mistake. |
| fanfaronade | empty boasting; bluster. |
| farrago | an assortment. |
| farrago | an assortment; a medley. |
| Fathom | to measure depth |
| fatidic | of, relating to, or characterized by prophecy. |
| fatuous | inanely foolish; stupid; also, illusory. |
| fatuous | weak; silly; stupid; foolish. |
| fealty | fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness. |
| febrile | feverish. |
| febrile | feverish. |
| feckless | ineffective; weak; worthless. |
| fecund | fruitful; prolific. |
| Feign | pretend |
| Felicities | suitable or happy things |
| Felicitous | apt, suitable, fortunate |
| felicitous | apt; also, delightful. |
| felicitous | apt; also, delightful. |
| Feral | wild, untamed |
| Fervent | eager, passionate |
| fetid | stinking. |
| fetid | stinking. |
| fettle | a state or condition of fitness, order, or mind. |
| fey | possessing or displaying a strange and otherworldly aspect or quality; elfin. |
| fiat | an arbitrary or authoritative command or order. |
| Fickle | changeable |
| fiduciary | relating to the holding of something in trust for another. |
| filial | of, pertaining to, or befitting a son or daughter. |
| fillip | a snap; also, a stimulus. |
| fin | de siecle characteristic of the close of the century; sophisticated; world-weary. |
| firmament | the sky or heavens. |
| firmament | the sky; the heavens. |
| Fission | splitting |
| flagitious | grossly wicked; scandalous. |
| Flagrant | obvious |
| flaneur | one who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer. |
| Flaunting | showing off |
| flibbertigibbet | a silly, flighty, or excessively talkative person. |
| Flippancy | joking; levity |
| flippant | lacking proper respect or seriousness. |
| flippant | showing inappropriate levity; pert. |
| Florid | elaborate, fancy, ornate |
| Florid | flowery, fancy, extravagant, elaborate |
| Florid | over-decorated, red-colored, flowery |
| florid | flushed with red; also, excessively ornate. |
| florid | of a lively reddish color; also, excessively ornate. |
| Flourish | thrive, prosper |
| flout | to treat with contempt. |
| flummery | mumbo jumbo; nonsense. |
| flummox | to confuse; to perplex. |
| foment | to instigate; to incite. |
| foment | to nurse to life or activity; to encourage. |
| foment | to nurse to life or activity; to incite. |
| foofaraw | excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter. |
| Foolhardy | reckless |
| Foolhardy | reckless |
| fop | a man who is much concerned with his appearance. |
| fop | a man who is vain about his dress and appearance. |
| Forage | search for food |
| forcible | effected by force used against resistance; also, powerful. |
| Forensics | concerned with debate or legal argument |
| Foreshadows | suggests something that will happen |
| forfend | to avert; also, to protect or preserve. |
| forgo | to do without. |
| forlorn | sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost. |
| Formidable | inspiring fear or awe |
| Fortitude | bravery; ability to withstand trouble |
| Fortitude | strength, bravery |
| Fortuitous | accidental, fortunate coincidence |
| fortuitous | happening by chance. |
| Forum | meeting, discussion, place for debate |
| foundling | an abandoned child. |
| fractious | tending to cause trouble; also, irritable. |
| Franchise | license |
| frangible | capable of being broken; easily broken. |
| Freight | cargo, luggage |
| friable | easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder. |
| frisson | a brief moment of intense excitement. |
| frisson | a shudder of excitement, pleasure, or fear. |
| Frivolity | non-seriousness |
| Frugal | economical |
| Frugal | very economical |
| fugacious | lasting but a short time. |
| fugacious | lasting but a short time. |
| fulminate | to issue or utter verbal attacks or censures. |
| fulminate | to thunder forth menaces. |
| fulsome | offensive from excess of praise. |
| funereal | pertaining to a funeral; solemn; mournful. |
| funereal | pertaining to or suiting a funeral; gloomy; mournful. |
| fungible | interchangeable. |
| furbelow | something showy or superfluous. |
| furtive | obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy. |
| fustian | a kind of coarse twilled cotton; also, bombast. |
| gadabout | one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity. |
| gainsay | to contradict; to deny. |
| gallimaufry | a hodgepodge. |
| galumph | to move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread. |
| galvanic | pertaining to a direct current of electricity; also, having the effect of an electric shock. |
| gambol | to dance and skip about in play. |
| gamine | an urchin; also, a mischievous girl or young woman. |
| gamut | a complete extent or range. |
| Gargantuan | huge, enormous |
| Garish | too bright; gaudy |
| garrulous | talkative. |
| garrulous | talkative; also, wordy. |
| gastronome | a lover of good food and drink. |
| gastronome | a person devoted to refined enjoyment of good food and drink. |
| gauche | lacking social polish; tactless. |
| gaucherie | a socially awkward or tactless act; also, lack of tact. |
| Gauge | measure, estimate, guess |
| gelid | extremely cold; icy. |
| Genial | friendly |
| genial | sympathetically cheerful and cheering; kindly. |
| genial | sympathetically cheerful and cheering; kindly. |
| genuflect | to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel. |
| germane | appropriate or fitting; relevant. |
| gesticulate | to make gestures or motions. |
| gewgaw | a showy trifle; a pretty but worthless bauble. |
| gewgaw | a trinket; a bauble. |
| Gibberings | meaningless noises |
| gimcrack | a showy but useless or worthless object. |
| gimcrack | a trivial mechanism. |
| Glacial | icy cold |
| Glacial | icy cold, unfriendly |
| gloaming | twilight; dusk. |
| gloaming | twilight; dusk. |
| glower | to stare angrily or with a scowl. |
| glower | to stare angrily or with a scowl. |
| gnomic | uttering or containing maxims. |
| gnomic | uttering, containing, or characterized by maxims. |
| Goad | urge, provoke, prod |
| Gourmand | epicure, food lover |
| gourmand | one who enjoys good food in great quantities. |
| gourmand | one who enjoys good food in great quantities. |
| grandee | a man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman. |
| grandee | a man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman. |
| grandiloquent | lofty in style. |
| Grandiose | flamboyant, pompous |
| Grandiose | on a grand scale, excessive |
| gravid | pregnant. |
| gravitas | high seriousness. |
| gravitas | high seriousness; dignity. |
| Gregarious | outgoing, sociable; liking to be in crowds |
| gregarious | seeking and enjoying the company of others. |
| gregarious | seeking and enjoying the company of others. |
| grok | to understand. |
| Grub | Street the world or category of impoverished literary hacks. |
| gubernatorial | of or pertaining to a governor. |
| gustatory | pertaining to the sense of taste. |
| habitue | one who habitually frequents a place. |
| habitué | one who habitually frequents a place. |
| Hackneyed | unoriginal; overused |
| halcyon | peaceful; undisturbed; happy. |
| halcyon | peaceful; undisturbed; happy. |
| hale | free from disease and weakening conditions; healthy. |
| Harangue | strong verbal attack |
| harangue | a speech addressed to a large public assembly; also, a noisy or pompous speech. |
| harbinger | a precursor; one that presages what is to come. |
| hardscrabble | barren, marginal; also, marked by poverty. |
| harridan | a scolding, vicious old woman. |
| harridan | a scolding, vicious woman. |
| Haughty | arrogant; too proud |
| hauteur | haughtiness; arrogance. |
| hauteur | haughtiness; pride; arrogance. |
| hebetude | mental dullness or sluggishness. |
| Heckler | someone who tries to put a speaker off |
| hector | to bully or harass. |
| Hedonist | pleasure seeker |
| Hedonist | pleasure-seeker |
| Hedonistic | pleasure-seeking |
| Heinous | very bad |
| heterodox | holding unorthodox opinions. |
| heterogeneous | consisting of dissimilar elements. |
| Hierarchy | chain of command |
| hinterland | backcountry. |
| hirsute | covered with hair or bristles. |
| hirsute | shaggy; hairy. |
| histrionic | theatrical. |
| hoary | white or gray with age; hence, extremely old. |
| hobbledehoy | an awkward, gawky young fellow. |
| hobnob | to associate familiarly. |
| Hobson's | choice a choice without an alternative. |
| Hogmanay | the name, in Scotland, for the last day of the year. |
| hoi | polloi the common people; the masses. |
| homily | a sermon or lecture; also, an inspirational saying or a platitude. |
| hortatory | giving strong encouragement; inciting. |
| hubris | overbearing pride or presumption. |
| hugger-mugger | secret; also, muddled, disorderly. |
| hugger-mugger | secret; clandestine. |
| hullabaloo | a confused noise; uproar. |
| hyperbole | extravagant exaggeration. |
| hypnagogic | leading to sleep; hypnotic. |
| Hypocrite | someone who does not practise what he preaches |
| Iconoclast | person who opposes orthodoxy |
| idee | fixe a fixed idea. |
| idee | fixe a fixed idea; an obsession. |
| Ides | the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months. |
| Idiosyncratic | characteristic, personal; unique to an individual |
| Idolatrous | worshipping idols; over-praising |
| idyll | a poem or prose work depicting rural or pastoral life; also, a carefree episode or experience. |
| ignoble | not noble. |
| ignoramus | an ignorant person; a dunce. |
| Illegible | cannot be read |
| Illusory | not real |
| imbroglio | a complicated and embarrassing state of things. |
| imbroglio | a complicated and embarrassing state of things. |
| imbue | to dye; to instill profoundly. |
| Immoderate | excessive |
| immolate | to kill or destroy, often by fire. |
| immolate | to kill or destroy, often by fire. |
| Immunize | protect against disease |
| immure | to enclose within or as if within walls. |
| immure | to inclose within walls, or as within walls. |
| Immutable | cannot be changed |
| impassible | incapable of suffering; unfeeling, or not showing feeling. |
| Impassioned | passionate; strongly felt |
| Impassive | unreacting |
| impassive | devoid of emotion; also, showing no emotion. |
| impecunious | habitually without money; poor. |
| impecunious | not having money. |
| Impenitent | unremorseful, unapologetic |
| impervious | impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected. |
| Impetuous | impulsive |
| Impetuous | spontaneous, impulsive |
| Impious | irreverent; unholy |
| implacable | incapable of being pacified. |
| importunate | troublesomely urgent. |
| importunate | troublesomely urgent. |
| imprecation | a curse. |
| impregnable | able to resist attack. |
| improvident | lacking foresight; negligent; thoughtless. |
| impugn | to call in question; to make insinuations against. |
| impugn | to call in question; to make insinuations against. |
| Impute | imply |
| inamorata | a woman whom one is in love with. |
| inanition | exhaustion from lack of nourishment; also, emptiness. |
| inanition | exhaustion from lack of nourishment; also, emptiness. |
| Inarticulate | garbled, unintelligible |
| Inarticulate | unable to express well in words, unclear in speech |
| Inauspicious | not favorable |
| Incantation | magic spell; chant; ritual words |
| inchoate | partially but not fully in existence or operation. |
| inchoate | partly but not fully in existence or operation. |
| Incinerator | device to burn waste |
| incipient | beginning to be; commencing; initial. |
| incipient | beginning to exist or appear. |
| Incisive | directly to the point |
| inclement | harsh; severe -- especially said of the weather. |
| inclement | physically severe or harsh (esp. said of the weather). |
| incommunicado | without the means or right to communicate. |
| incongruous | lacking in harmony. |
| Inconsequential | unimportant |
| Inconsequential | unimportant, negligible |
| Inconspicuous | not easily seen |
| Incontrovertible | cannot be denied |
| incontrovertible | indisputable; unquestionable. |
| Incremental | increasing in steps |
| inculcate | to teach and impress by frequent repetition or instruction. |
| inculcate | To teach by frequent repetitions. |
| Incumbent | in office; current office holder |
| Indecorous | not in accordance with acceptable behavior |
| Indefatigable | cannot be tired |
| indefatigable | untiring. |
| Indefensible | cannot be defended; very wrong |
| indelible | incapable of being removed or erased. |
| indigence | extreme poverty. |
| indigent | extremely poor. |
| Indignation | offence, righteous anger |
| Indiscernible | cannot be seen easily |
| Indiscretion | unwise act |
| Indiscriminately | randomly |
| indolent | avoiding labor and exertion; lazy. |
| indolent | lazy; inactive. |
| Indomitable | cannot be conquered |
| indomitable | incapable of being subdued or overcome. |
| indomitable | not to be subdued; untamable. |
| Industrious | hard working |
| Ineffable | cannot be expressed in words |
| ineffable | incapable of being expressed. |
| ineffable | incapable of being expresses in words. |
| ineffectual | without effect; weak; useless. |
| Inefficacious | ineffective |
| ineluctable | impossible to avoid or evade. |
| ineluctable | Impossible to avoid. |
| Inexorable | cannot be put off |
| inexorable | unyielding; relentless. |
| Inexorableness | inescapability |
| Inflammatory | stirring up; arousing discontent |
| ingenue | a naive girl or young woman, or an actress representing such a person. |
| inhere | to be inherent. |
| inimical | unfriendly; unfavorable. |
| inkhorn | affectedly or ostentatiously learned. |
| innocuous | harmless. |
| inscrutable | difficult to fathom or understand; impenetrable. |
| inscrutable | difficult to understand; incomprehensible. |
| insensate | lacking sensation or awareness. |
| Insidious | dangerous; menacing |
| Insinuate | hint slyly |
| Insolence | insulting, offensive, or rude behavior |
| insouciant | marked by lighthearted unconcern; carefree. |
| insouciant | nonchalant. |
| insuperable | incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome. |
| Insurgency | rebellion, revolt, riot |
| Intemperate | not moderate |
| interlard | to insert between; to mix. |
| Interlocutors | people involved in a discussion |
| Interminable | never ending |
| internecine | destructive; especially, mutually destructive; also, relating to conflict within a group. |
| interpolate | to insert between; also, to alter or corrupt by insertion. |
| interregnum | the interval between two reigns; also, any breach of continuity in an order. |
| interstice | a space between things or parts. |
| interstice | a space between things or parts. |
| intractable | not easily governed, managed, or directed. |
| intractable | not easily governed, managed, or directed. |
| Intransigent | inflexible, unyielding |
| Intransigent | stubborn |
| intransigent | not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course. |
| intransigent | uncompromising. |
| Intrepid | brave |
| Intrepid | brave |
| intrepid | fearless; bold. |
| introspection | the act or process of self-examination; reflection. |
| introspection | the act or process of self-examination; reflection. |
| Intuitive | working by intuition; ?gut feeling? |
| inure | to make used to; also, to take or have effect. |
| inure | to use till use gives little or no pain or inconvenience. |
| invective | insulting or abusive language. |
| invective | insulting or abusive language. |
| inveigh | to attack with harsh criticism. |
| inveigle | to entice. |
| inveigle | to persuade or obtain by ingenuity or flattery. |
| inveterate | deep-rooted; of long standing. |
| inveterate | deep-rooted; of long standing. |
| invidious | likely to produce ill will. |
| invidious | tending to provoke envy or ill will. |
| invidious | tending to provoke envy or ill will. |
| Inviolable | cannot be invaded |
| iota | a very small quantity or degree. |
| irascible | easily provoked to anger. |
| irascible | quickly aroused to anger. |
| irenic | promoting peace. |
| Iridescent | glowing; giving off light |
| Irony | quirk of fate; sarcasm |
| Irrational | not logical |
| irrefragable | impossible to refute. |
| irrefragable | impossible to refute. |
| Irresolute | not firm |
| Irreverence | disrespect, cheek |
| itinerant | going from place to place. |
| itinerant | traveling from place to place. |
| Jaded | tired, worn out |
| jejune | lacking in nutritional value; also, immature; also, dull. |
| jocular | given to or characterized by joking. |
| jocund | light-hearted; mirthful. |
| jocund | pleasant, cheering, delightful. |
| jollification | merrymaking; revelry. |
| Jollity | happiness; gaiety |
| jovial | merry; joyous; jolly. |
| jovial | merry; joyous; jolly. |
| Jubilant | thrilled, delighted |
| Jubilation | rejoicing |
| juju | an object superstitiously believed to embody magical powers. |
| junta | a clique that seeks or obtains power usually through intrigue or revolution. |
| junta | a governmental council or committee, esp. one that rules after a revolution. |
| Jurisprudence | study of law |
| Juror | member of a jury |
| Juxtaposition | placing two things next to each other |
| juxtaposition | a placing or being placed in nearness or side by side. |
| ken | cognizance; view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge. |
| Kernel | most important part, core |
| Kin | family, relatives |
| kismet | destiny; fate. |
| kismet | destiny; fate. |
| kitsch | art in pretentious bad taste. |
| knell | the stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral. |
| kobold | a kind of domestic spirit in German mythology. |
| kvetch | to complain habitually. |
| kvetch | to complain habitually. |
| lachrymose | given to or causing tears. |
| lachrymose | given to shedding tears. |
| lackadaisical | lacking spirit or liveliness. |
| lackadaisical | lacking spirit or liveliness. |
| laconic | expressing much in few words. |
| laconic | using or marked by the use of a minimum of words. |
| lacuna | a blank space; a missing part. |
| lacuna | a missing part; a gap. |
| lambaste | to scold sharply; also, to beat. |
| lambent | playing on the surface; flickering. |
| lambent | playing on the surface; flickering. |
| land | of Nod sleep. |
| land | of Nod sleep. |
| languid | lacking vigor or force. |
| Languidly | in a slow and relaxed manner |
| languor | lack of energy or vitality. |
| Larceny | theft |
| largess | generosity; also, money or gifts bestowed. |
| lascivious | lewd; lustful. |
| lascivious | wanton; lewd. |
| lassitude | lack of vitality or energy. |
| lassitude | lack of vitality or energy. |
| latitudinarian | having or expressing broad and tolerant views. |
| laudable | praiseworthy; commendable. |
| laudable | praiseworthy; commendable. |
| Legend | key to a map |
| legerdemain | sleight of hand. |
| legerdemain | sleight of hand. |
| Legion | numerous |
| leitmotif | a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a idea, person, or situation; a dominant and recurring theme. |
| lenity | the state or quality of being lenient. |
| levity | an inappropriate lack of seriousness. |
| levity | frivolity. |
| lexicography | the writing or compiling of dictionaries. |
| lexicon | a dictionary. |
| lexicon | a dictionary; also, the vocabulary of a person, group, etc. |
| libation | the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice; also, a beverage. |
| Libertarian | tolerant, open-minded, believer in liberty |
| limn | to draw or paint; also, to describe. |
| limn | to draw or paint; also, to describe. |
| limn | to draw or paint; also, to describe. |
| limpid | clear; also, serene. |
| Linchpin | central point of an argument |
| lineament | a distinguishing or characteristic feature. |
| lissom | limber; supple; flexible; lithe. |
| lissom | supple; nimble. |
| listless | having no desire or inclination. |
| Lithe | flexible |
| Lithe | flexible |
| Litigant | claimant in a law case |
| littoral | on a coastal or shore region. |
| Livid | very angry |
| Loathing | hatred |
| Lobbyist | one who tries to persuade |
| Lobbyist | someone who tries to persuade someone |
| logorrhea | excessive talkativeness. |
| logorrhea | excessive talkativeness. |
| Longevity | long life |
| Longevity | long life, permanence |
| longueur | a dull and tedious passage in a work of literature or performing art. |
| loquacious | very talkative. |
| louche | of questionable taste or morality. |
| lubricious | lewd; also, slippery or smooth. |
| Lucid | clear, logical |
| lucre | money; profit. |
| lucre | money; profit. |
| lucubration | nocturnal study; also, that which is composed by night; meditation. |
| ludic | playful. |
| lugubrious | exaggeratedly or affectedly sorrowful. |
| lugubrious | indicating sorrow, often ridiculously. |
| lugubrious | mournful; gloomy; dismal. |
| Lull | reduce fear, soothe |
| luminary | any body that gives light; also, a person of eminence or brilliant achievement. |
| Lummox | clumsy person |
| Lure | tempt, attract, entice |
| Lurid | glaring |
| Lyricist | someone who writes the words for songs |
| machination | a crafty scheme intended to accomplish some usually evil end. |
| Machinations | plots and plans |
| maelstrom | a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent state of affairs. |
| maelstrom | a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool; also, a turbulent state of affairs. |
| maladroit | awkward; unskillful; inept. |
| malaise | a condition of uneasiness or ill-being. |
| malapropism | misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound. |
| malapropos | unseasonable or unseasonably; inappropriate or inappropriately. |
| malcontent | one who is discontented or dissatisfied. |
| Malediction | curse |
| malediction | a curse. |
| malfeasance | wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior. |
| Malign | to say evil things about someone; slander |
| Malinger | deliberately avoid work |
| malinger | to feign illness or inability. |
| malleable | capable of being shaped; also, adaptable. |
| malleable | capable of being shaped; also, adaptable. |
| malodorous | having a bad odor. |
| malversation | misconduct in public office. |
| Mandated | ordered |
| Manifest | obvious; clear |
| manse | a large and imposing house. |
| manse | a large and imposing residence. |
| martinet | a strict disciplinarian. |
| masticate | to chew. |
| Matriarchal | governed by women |
| matutinal | relating to or occurring in the morning. |
| maudlin | easily moved to tears. |
| maudlin | excessively sentimental. |
| maunder | to talk or wander aimlessly. |
| Maverick | rebel; loner |
| mawkish | sickly or excessively sentimental. |
| Maxim | proverb; sentence expressing a rule of conduct |
| Maxim | short saying expressing a rule of conduct |
| mazy | resembling a maze in form or complexity; intricate; confusing. |
| Mediator | someone who tries to bring disputing sides together |
| megalomania | a mental disorder characterized by delusions of grandeur. |
| melange | a mixture. |
| melange | a mixture. |
| melange | a mixture. |
| melee | a confused conflict. |
| melee | a hand to hand conflict. |
| mellifluous | flowing sweetly or smoothly. |
| mellifluous | flowing sweetly or smoothly. |
| Melodramas | unrealistic, overacted plays |
| mendacious | given to deception or falsehood. |
| mendacious | untruthful; also, untrue. |
| Mendicant | beggar |
| mendicant | a beggar. |
| Mentors | advisors, teachers |
| mephitic | offensive to the smell; also, noxious. |
| mercurial | changeable; temperamental; volatile. |
| meretricious | pertaining to prostitutes; tawdry. |
| Meticulous | painstaking; careful about details |
| meticulous | extremely or excessively careful about details. |
| métier | an occupation for which one is especially well suited. |
| miasma | noxious effluvia; also, a harmful atmosphere; also, an atmosphere that obscures. |
| microcosm | a smaller, representative unity having analogies to a larger unity. |
| mien | aspect; air; manner; demeanor. |
| mien | demeanor; also, aspect; appearance. |
| Miffed | annoyed |
| Milestone | important event or stage |
| milieu | environment; setting. |
| milieu | environment; setting. |
| militate | to have force or influence. |
| milksop | an unmanly man. |
| mimetic | imitative. |
| Mimicry | imitation, impersonation |
| minatory | threatening; menacing. |
| minatory | threatening; menacing. |
| miscreant | a scoundrel, a villain; also, a heretic. |
| miscreant | a villain, rascal. |
| Misgivings | doubts |
| misnomer | a misnaming. |
| misnomer | a misnaming. |
| misnomer | a wrong or inapplicable name. |
| missive | a written message. |
| missive | a written message; a letter. |
| Mitigated | made less severe |
| Modicum | very small amount |
| modicum | a small or token amount. |
| moiety | a half; a small part. |
| moiety | a half; also, a small part. |
| moil | to labor; to toil; to drudge. |
| Mollify | calm, soothe, pacify |
| mollify | to reduce in intensity; to soothe; to soften. |
| mollify | to reduce in intensity; to soothe; to soften. |
| mollify | to soothe; to temper; to soften. |
| Momentous | very important |
| monomania | obsession with a single subject. |
| monomania | obsession with single subject only. |
| Monopoly | an exclusive right to something |
| Morass | mess; tangled mass |
| mordant | biting; caustic; sarcastic. |
| mordant | biting; caustic; sarcastic. |
| mores | customs; habits; ways. |
| moribund | dying. |
| moribund | dying. |
| Morose | gloomy |
| mountebank | a quack; also, a charlatan. |
| Muffle | suppress (esp. Sound) |
| mulct | to defraud. |
| multifarious | having great diversity or variety. |
| multifarious | having great diversity or variety. |
| Mundane | boring, dull |
| Mundane | dull, ordinary |
| Munificence | generosity |
| munificent | very generous. |
| munificent | very generous. |
| Mural | wall painting, fresco |
| Myriad | many |
| myriad | consisting of a very great, but indefinite, number; also, a very great many. |
| myrmidon | a loyal follower. |
| Mystify | confuse |
| Mystify | confuse |
| nadir | the lowest point. |
| nadir | the lowest point. |
| Narcissism | vanity; excessive concern with one?s own appearance |
| Narcissistic | over-concerned about one?s own appearance |
| nascent | beginning to exist or to grow. |
| ne | plus ultra the highest point; also, the most profound degree. |
| nebbish | a weak-willed, timid, or ineffectual person. |
| Nefarious | infamous; wicked |
| nefarious | wicked in the extreme. |
| nefarious | wicked in the extreme. |
| Negate | cancel; deny |
| neologism | a new word or expression; the use or creation of new words or expressions. |
| neophyte | a new convert; also, a beginner. |
| neophyte | a novice. |
| neoteric | recent in origin; modern. |
| nepotism | favoritism shown to members of one's family. |
| nescience | lack of knowledge or awareness. |
| nescience | lack of knowledge. |
| nettlesome | causing irritation, vexation, or distress. |
| nettlesome | causing irritation, vexation, or distress. |
| nimbus | a dark gray rain cloud; also, a halo, an aura. |
| nimiety | excess. |
| Nit | pickers people who find fault with small details |
| noisome | offensive or disgusting; also, harmful; unwholesome. |
| noisome | offensive to the smell. |
| nonage | a period of immaturity; minority. |
| nonage | a period of youth or immaturity. |
| nonagenarian | someone whose age is in the nineties. |
| Nonchalance | an appearance of indifference |
| Nonchalantly | in an unconcerned manner |
| Nondescript | having no special features |
| Nondescript | having no special features |
| nonpareil | having no equal. |
| nonplus | to cause to be at a loss as to what to think, say, or do. |
| nosegay | a bouquet; a posy. |
| nostrum | a medicine whose effectiveness is unproved; a questionable remedy. |
| nostrum | a questionable remedy. |
| Novice | beginner |
| nugatory | insignificant; also, ineffectual. |
| nugatory | insignificant; also, ineffectual. |
| numinous | spiritual; holy. |
| numismatics | the collection and study of coins. |
| Nurtured | fostered, encouraged |
| Obdurate | stubborn |
| obdurate | hardened in feelings or in wrongdoing; unyielding. |
| obdurate | hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked. |
| obeisance | an expression of deference. |
| obfuscate | to darken; to obscure. |
| Objectivity | being unbiased; scientific attitude |
| objurgate | express strong disapproval of. |
| objurgate | to scold or rebuke sharply. |
| oblation | an offering. |
| oblivious | forgetful; also, unmindful. |
| obloquy | ill repute. |
| obsequious | servilely attentive; fawning. |
| obsequious | servilely attentive; fawning. |
| Obstreperous | noisy and boisterous |
| obstreperous | noisily and stubbornly defiant; also, boisterous. |
| obtrude | to thrust out; also, to impose on others. |
| Obtrusive | obvious |
| obviate | to anticipate and dispose of or make unnecessary. |
| obviate | to prevent by interception. |
| Odometer | devise to measure distance travelled |
| officious | meddlesome. |
| officious | meddlesome. |
| Ominous | threatening |
| omnipresent | present in all places at the same time. |
| oneiric | a pertaining to or suggestive of dreams. |
| oneiric | pertaining to or suggestive of dreams. |
| Onerous | burdensome |
| onus | a burden; an obligation. |
| onus | burden; also, blame; stigma. |
| opportune | suitable for a given purpose or occasion. |
| opprobrium | disgrace; infamy; reproach mingled with contempt. |
| Opulent | lavish, wealthy |
| Opulent | lavish; wealthy |
| Oration | formal speech |
| Ornate | highly decorated |
| orotund | full in sound; also, bombastic. |
| orotund | full in sound; also, pompous. |
| osculation | the act of kissing; a kiss. |
| ossify | to harden or to become bone. |
| ostensible | appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. |
| ostentation | excessive or pretentious display. |
| Ostentatious | flamboyant, pretentious |
| Ostracism | shunning |
| ostracize | to banish or expel. |
| ostracize | To expel from a community or group. |
| otiose | ineffective; also, being at leisure; also, of no use. |
| outre | unconventional; eccentric; bizarre. |
| overweening | overbearing; also, excessive. |
| pablum | something (as writing or speech) that is trite, insipid, or simplistic. |
| paean | a song or other expression of praise or joy. |
| paladin | a champion of a cause. |
| palaver | idle talk; also, to talk idly. |
| palimpsest | an object a place whose older layers or aspects are apparent. |
| palimpsest | an object or place whose older layers or aspects are apparent. |
| palindrome | a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward. |
| palindrome | a word, verse, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward. |
| palliate | to extenuate; also, to relieve. |
| Pallid | pale |
| palpable | plain; distinct; obvious. |
| palpable | plain; distinct; obvious. |
| panacea | a cure-all. |
| panacea | a remedy for all diseases or problems. |
| panache | dash or flamboyance in manner or style. |
| pandemic | affecting a whole people or a number of countries. |
| panjandrum | an important or self-important official. |
| panoply | a splendid or impressive array. |
| panoply | a splendid or impressive array. |
| pantheon | the collective gods of a people; also, a group of highly esteemed persons. |
| Pantomime | play without words |
| Paradox | apparently contradictory situation |
| paragon | a model of excellence or perfection. |
| Paramount | vital; great |
| Paranoid | excessively worried |
| Parched | dried up |
| Parched | dry |
| pari | passu at an equal pace or rate. |
| pari | passu at an equal pace or rate. |
| Pariah | outcast |
| parley | a conference or discussion; also, to confer. |
| parlous | dangerous. |
| parlous | fraught with danger; hazardous. |
| paroxysm | an outburst; a fit. |
| paroxysm | any sudden and violent emotion; a fit. |
| parse | to analyze. |
| parsimonious | frugal to excess. |
| parsimony | excessive sparingness in the expenditure of money. |
| Partisan | biased; supporting one particular side |
| parvenu | a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status. |
| parvenu | an upstart; one newly risen in class or economic status. |
| pastiche | a hodgepodge; a potpourri. |
| paterfamilias | the male head of a household or the father of a family. |
| paterfamilias | the male head of a household; the father of a family. |
| Pathos | sadness |
| patina | a superficial layer. |
| patrician | a nobleman; also, a person of refined upbringing, manners, and taste. |
| Patronizing | condescending, talking down to someone |
| paucity | fewness. |
| paucity | fewness; insufficiency. |
| peccadillo | a slight offense; a petty fault. |
| peccadillo | a slight trespass or offense. |
| pecuniary | relating to money. |
| Peer | an equal |
| pejorative | depreciatory; disparaging; unfavorable; belittling. |
| pelf | money; riches. |
| pellucid | transparent, clear; also, easily understandable. |
| pellucid | transparent, clear; easily understandable. |
| penchant | a strong liking. |
| penchant | a strong liking. |
| Penitent | repentant; sorry; contrite |
| Penurious | poor, having no money |
| penury | extreme poverty; also, insufficiency. |
| perambulate | to stroll; to walk through or over. |
| perdurable | very durable; long lasting. |
| perdurable | very durable; long lasting. |
| peregrination | a traveling from place to place. |
| peregrination | a wandering. |
| peremptory | precluding or putting an end to all debate or action. |
| perfervid | ardent; impassioned. |
| Perfidious | treacherous |
| perfidy | faithlessness; treachery. |
| perforce | by necessity. |
| perforce | by necessity. |
| Perfunctory | superficial; not thorough |
| perfunctory | done routinely. |
| perfunctory | performed mechanically. |
| peripatetic | walking about or traveling from place to place. |
| permeate | to spread or diffuse through. |
| pernicious | deadly; destructive; exceedingly harmful. |
| perorate | to conclude or sum up a long discourse; also, to speak at length. |
| Perplexing | puzzling |
| perquisite | a benefit in addition to a salary. |
| persiflage | frivolous or bantering talk. |
| persiflage | frivolous or bantering talk. |
| perspicacity | clearness of understanding. |
| perspicacity | clearness of understanding. |
| pertinacious | obstinate; also, stubbornly persistent. |
| Pervasive | spreading everywhere; common |
| pervicacious | stubborn; obstinate. |
| pettifogger | a petty, unscrupulous lawyer; also, one who quibbles over trivia. |
| Philanthropic | generous |
| philomath | a lover of learning. |
| philomath | a lover of learning; a scholar. |
| philter | a love potion. |
| Phlegmatic | calm, imperturbable |
| physiognomy | the face, with respect to the temper of the mind. |
| piebald | mottled. |
| piebald | mottled; also, mixed. |
| piebald | mottled; also, mixed. |
| pied-a-terre | a temporary or second place of lodging. |
| Pinioned | tied down |
| placate | to appease; to pacify. |
| Plagiarism | stealing someone?s ideas; taking credit for the work of another |
| plaint | an expression of sorrow; also, a complaint. |
| plaintive | expressive of sorrow or melancholy. |
| plangent | beating with a loud or deep sound; also, expressing sadness. |
| platitude | a banal, trite, or stale thought or remark. |
| platitude | a thought or remark which is banal, trite, or stale. |
| plaudit | enthusiastic approval. |
| Plaudits | praise |
| plebeian | common; vulgar. |
| plenary | full; complete. |
| plenary | full; entire; complete. |
| plenipotentiary | invested with full power. |
| pleonasm | the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea. |
| plethora | excess; superabundance. |
| Ploy | trick |
| Polarization | separating into two extremes |
| Polarizing | separating into two extremes |
| politic | political; also, shrewdly tactful; also, judicious; expedient. |
| polyglot | speaking many languages. |
| polyglot | speaking, writing, or made up of many languages. |
| polymath | a person of great learning. |
| polymath | a person of great or varied learning. |
| Pompously | arrogantly |
| Ponderous | slow and heavy |
| popinjay | a vain and talkative person. |
| portend | to foreshadow; to bode. |
| portend | to foreshadow; to bode. |
| portentous | foreboding; ominous. |
| posit | to postulate; also, to suggest. |
| posit | to postulate; also, to suggest; also, set firmly. |
| postprandial | happening or done after a meal. |
| potable | drinkable. |
| potable | drinkable; also, a beverage, especially an alcoholic one. |
| potboiler | a usually inferior literary or artistic work, produced quickly for the purpose of making money. |
| Potentate | powerful ruler |
| potentate | one who possesses great power or sway. |
| practicable | feasible; also, usable. |
| Pragmatist | practical person |
| Preamble | introduction to a document |
| precipice | a very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging place. |
| Precludes | prevents |
| Precocious | developing very early |
| precocious | characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development. |
| Predatory | greedy, voracious |
| Predetermined | fixed beforehand; fated |
| Predilection | liking, fondness |
| predilection | an established preference. |
| prelapsarian | pertaining to the time or state before the Fall. |
| preponderate | to exceed in weight, influence, importance, amount, etc. |
| preponderate | to exceed in weight, influence, importance, amount, etc. |
| Prepossessing | attractive |
| prepotency | predominance. |
| prescience | knowledge of events before they take place. |
| prescient | knowing or anticipating the outcome of events before they happen. |
| presentiment | a premonition. |
| prestidigitation | manual dexterity in the execution of tricks. |
| prestidigitation | sleight of hand. |
| Pretentious | putting on an act, immodest |
| Pretentious | putting on an act; immodest |
| preternatural | beyond of different from what is natural; inexplicable; extraordinary; abnormal. |
| prevaricate | to depart from or evade the truth. |
| prevaricate | to stray from truth; to equivocate. |
| prima | facie at first view. |
| prink | to primp. |
| privation | the state of being deprived of something. |
| probity | complete and confirmed integrity. |
| probity | honesty; uprightness. |
| proclivity | a natural inclination. |
| proclivity | a natural inclination. |
| Procrastinate | put off and delay |
| Procrastination | postponing, delaying |
| procrastination | the act or habit of delaying doing something. |
| Profane | unholy; wicked |
| Proficiency | competence, skill |
| profligate | dissipated; dissolute. |
| Profundity | depth (of ideas etc.) |
| profuse | plentiful; copious. |
| Proliferated | increased, flourished |
| Prolific | producing a lot |
| prolix | unnecessarily long. |
| prolix | wordy. |
| Promethean | of or pertaining to Prometheus; also, boldly original. |
| Promulgated | spread, encouraged |
| pronunciamento | a proclamation; a pronouncement. |
| propinquity | nearness. |
| propinquity | nearness. |
| propitiate | to appease; to conciliate. |
| propitious | presenting favorable circumstances. |
| propitious | presenting favorable circumstances. |
| proponent | an advocate. |
| propound | put forward; to propose. |
| propound | to put forward for consideration. |
| Prosaic | dull, mundane |
| Prosaic | ordinary, banal |
| proscribe | to forbid; to prohibit. |
| proselytize | to convert (someone) to another religion, belief, etc. |
| Protagonist | main character in a book, play, film etc. |
| protean | readily assuming different shapes or forms. |
| protean | readily assuming different shapes. |
| Protégé | someone who is under the protection or guidance of a mentor |
| provenance | origin; source. |
| provenance | origin; source. |
| provender | food or provisions. |
| Provocative | stimulating, provoking something |
| Proximity | closeness |
| Prudent | wise, cautious |
| Prudent | wise; cautious |
| Pseudonym | false name |
| puckish | whimsical; mischievous; impish. |
| puerile | displaying a lack of maturity. |
| puerile | juvenile; childish. |
| pugilist | a boxer. |
| pugilist | a boxer. |
| Pugnacious | aggressive, belligerent |
| pugnacious | combative; quarrelsome. |
| pugnacious | inclined to fighting. |
| puissant | powerful. |
| puissant | powerful. |
| pukka | authentic; genuine; also, first-class. |
| pulchritude | beauty. |
| pule | to whimper; to whine. |
| punctilious | precise; exact in the smallest particulars. |
| Punctuated | interrupted |
| purblind | having greatly reduced vision. |
| purblind | having greatly reduced vision. |
| purdah | a state of seclusion. |
| pusillanimous | cowardly. |
| pusillanimous | lacking in courage and resolution. |
| putative | commonly thought or deemed; supposed. |
| putative | commonly thought or deemed; supposed. |
| putsch | an attempt to overthrow a government. |
| Pyrrhic | victory a victory achieved at great cost. |
| qua | in the capacity or character of; as. |
| quaff | to drink with relish. |
| quaff | to drink with relish. |
| quagmire | a predicament. |
| Quaint | unusual, picturesque |
| quandary | A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty. |
| Quart | a measure of volume (two pints) |
| quash | to annul; also, to crush; to subdue. |
| Quell | suppress |
| Querulous | always complaining |
| Querulous | always complaining |
| Querulous | always complaining |
| querulous | habitually complaining. |
| querulous | habitually complaining; also, expressing complaint. |
| quiddity | the essence or nature of a thing. |
| quiddity | the essence or nature of a thing. |
| quidnunc | a gossip; a busybody. |
| quidnunc | a gossip; a busybody. |
| quiescent | at rest; still. |
| quiescent | at rest; still; inactive. |
| quietus | final acquittance, as from debt; that which silences claims; rest; death. |
| quixotic | foolishly impractical; also, capricious; impulsive. |
| quondam | former; sometime. |
| quondam | former; sometime. |
| quorum | a gathering of members of an organization large enough to transact business. |
| quorum | such a number of the officers or members of any body as is legally competent to transact business. |
| quotidian | occurring daily; also, ordinary. |
| quotidian | of an everyday character; ordinary. |
| raconteur | a person skilled in telling stories. |
| raconteur | one who excels in telling stories and anecdotes. |
| raffish | tawdry; also, rakish. |
| Railed | complained strongly |
| raillery | good-humored banter or teasing repartee. |
| raiment | clothing in general; garments. |
| Rancorous | full of bitterness and bad feeling |
| Rancorous | full of bitterness, unforgiving, revengeful Rancorously bitterly Raucous rough; unpleasant (used for sounds) |
| rapacious | grasping; greedy. |
| rapine | the act of plundering. |
| rapport | relation characterized by sympathetic understanding, emotional affinity, or mutual trust. |
| rapport | relation. |
| rapprochement | the establishment or state of cordial relations. |
| rara | avis a rare or unique person or thing. |
| rara | avis a rare or unique person or thing. |
| ratiocination | the process of reasoning. |
| ratiocination | the process of reasoning. |
| raucous | unpleasantly loud and harsh. |
| Razing | knocking down |
| rebarbative | repellent; irritating. |
| rebarbative | repellent; objectionable. |
| recalcitrant | marked by stubborn resistance. |
| recalcitrant | stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority or restraint. |
| recherche | exotic; rare; also, affected, pretentious. |
| recidivism | a tendency to lapse into a previous condition or pattern of behavior; esp., into prior criminal habits. |
| Reclusive | isolated, withdrawn |
| Reconciliation | bringing sides together after a dispute |
| recondite | difficult to understand. |
| recondite | incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding. |
| Recrimination | blame |
| recrimination | a counter accusation. |
| recrudescent | breaking out again. |
| recumbent | reclining; lying down. |
| Recuperate | recover, get better (after illness) |
| redact | to edit. |
| redivivus | living again; revived; restored. |
| redolent | having or exuding fragrance; also, evocative, reminiscent. |
| redoubt | a stronghold. |
| redoubt | a stronghold. |
| redoubtable | formidable; also, illustrious; eminent. |
| redound | to have a consequence or effect. |
| redress | to set right. |
| Refracted | bent (esp. Of light) |
| refractory | stubbornly disobedient. |
| refulgent | brilliant; resplendent. |
| Refurbish | renovate |
| Refurbished | redecorated; renewed |
| Regale | entertain |
| regale | to entertain with something that delights. |
| Regurgitate | bring up food that has been swallowed. (Metaphorically - to recall memorized facts) |
| rejoinder | an answer to a reply. |
| relegate | to assign or remove, usually to an inferior position. |
| Remiss | failing to do one?s duty |
| remonstrate | to present and urge reasons in opposition. |
| Remorseful | full of regret or repentance |
| remunerate | to pay an equivalent to for any service, loss, or expense. |
| Remuneration | payment for work done |
| renascent | rising again into being; showing renewed vigor. |
| renege | to go back on a promise or commitment. |
| Renunciations | giving things up |
| repast | a meal. |
| repast | a meal; figuratively, any refreshment. |
| Repeal | revoke, cancel |
| Repentance | being sorry |
| repine | to feel or express discontent. |
| repletion | the condition of being completely or excessively full. |
| Reprehensible | very bad; deserving strong criticism |
| requisite | necessary, indispensable. |
| requisite | necessary; indispensable. |
| Requisitioned | ordered something |
| Resilient | able to spring back after trouble |
| Resolute | firm of purpose |
| respite | an interval of rest or relief. |
| respite | an interval of rest or relief. |
| Resplendent | glowing |
| restive | resisting control. |
| restive | resisting control; stubborn. |
| Retention | holing something in or back |
| reticent | inclined to keep silent. |
| reticent | inclined to keep silent. |
| Revel | party; enjoy |
| Reveler | merrymaker |
| revenant | one who returns after death or a long absence. |
| Revered | highly respected |
| Revered | respected, honored |
| Revoke | cancel |
| Rhapsodize | praise excessively |
| ribald | characterized by, or given to, vulgar humor. |
| ribald | characterized by, or given to, vulgar humor. |
| rictus | a gaping grin or grimace. |
| rictus | a gaping grin or grimace. |
| riparian | of or pertaining to the bank of a river. |
| riparian | of or pertaining to the bank of a river. |
| riposte | a quick and effective reply by word or act. |
| risible | exciting or provoking laughter. |
| risible | worthy to be laughed at; amusing. |
| rivulet | a small stream or brook. |
| robustious | boisterous; vigorous. |
| rodomontade | pretentious, bragging speech. |
| roister | to revel; to carouse. |
| roseate | cheerful; bright; also, rose-colored. |
| Roster | list |
| rotund | round; spherical; also, chubby. |
| rubicund | inclining to redness; ruddy. |
| rubicund | inclining to redness; ruddy. |
| ruminate | to chew the cud; also, to ponder; to reflect. |
| rusticate | to go to the country; also, to force to reside in the country; to banish. |
| sacrosanct | sacred; inviolable. |
| sacrosanct | sacred; inviolable. |
| Sagacious | wise |
| sagacious | of keen penetration and judgment; wise. |
| Sagacity | wisdom |
| salad | days a time of youthful inexperience, innocence, or indiscretion. |
| salient | noticeable; also, projecting; also, leaping. |
| salmagundi | a mixture or assortment; also, a kind of mixed dish or salad. |
| salmagundi | a mixture or assortment; also, a kind of mixed dish or salad. |
| salubrious | healthful. |
| salubrious | healthful; promoting health. |
| salutary | beneficial; also, healthful. |
| salutary | beneficial; also, healthful. |
| salutary | beneficial; also, healthful. |
| Salvage | save from destruction |
| Salvageable | can be saved from destruction |
| Salve | comfort, relieve |
| Sanctimonious | pretending to be holy, hypocritical |
| Sanctioned | given permission |
| sanctum | a place where one is free from intrusion. |
| sang-froid | coolness in trying circumstances. |
| sang-froid | coolness in trying circumstances. |
| sapient | wise; sage; discerning. |
| sapient | wise; sage; discerning. |
| sardonic | bitterly sarcastic. |
| sardonic | scornful, mocking. |
| sartorial | of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, or |