| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Permeate | to spread throughout |
| Etymology | the study of word roots and origins |
| Prevaricator | a liar |
| Nefarious | wicked or evil |
| Gregarious | outgoing, sociable |
| Ostracize | to banish or exclude |
| Diurnal | during the day |
| Officious | busybody, meddlesome |
| Stereotyped | preconceived idea |
| Stilted | overly formal |
| Askance | disapprovingly |
| Inscrutable | difficult to understand |
| Insidious | harmful but hardly noticeable |
| Insouciance | lack of concern |
| Intercessor | go between |
| Interstices | gaps or spaces |
| Intransigent | stubborn |
| Intrepid | brave |
| Foment | cause to happen |
| Fortuitous | lucky |
| Aphorism | wise old saying |
| Aplomb | with calmness and self-confidence |
| Maudlin | overly sentimental |
| Apocryphal | suspicious (looks fake but might be genuine) |
| Appurtenances | accessories, equipment (necessary) |
| Arabesque | intricate design of fine lines |
| Archaic | outdated |
| Archipelago | group of islands |
| Grandiloquent | pompous, overly-formal |
| Pandemonium | chaos |
| Panegyric | speech in praise or tribute |
| Fraught | to be full of (negative) |
| Fructify | make productive |
| Arterial | main |
| Nemesis | arch-rival |
| Nepotism | favoritism towards relatives |
| Niggardly | cheap and stingy |
| Noisome | foul-smelling |
| Peripatetic | nomadic, wandering |
| Nominal | minimal, little value |
| Nonplussed | confused and upset |
| Grotesque | extremely ugly |
| Habiliments | costume or clothing |
| Hackneyed | over-used |
| Haggard | exhausted |
| Panoramic | wide, far-ranging |
| Paradox | contradiction |
| Verbatim | exact words |
| Verbiage | wordiness |
| Polyglot | multilingual |
| Verbose | wordy |
| Exorbitant | excessive |
| Verdant | lush, green |
| Aridity | dryness |
| Modicum | small amount |
| Momentous | important, critical |
| Monograph | long, formal written work |
| Modulate | adjust |
| Mollify | calm, soothe |
| Buttress | support, strengthen |
| Cacophony | noise |
| Descry | to glimpse |
| Shoddy | poor quality, inferior |
| Shibboleth | catch phrase |
| Shrew | bitter woman |
| Discursive | rambling |
| Sidle | side step |
| Feign | pretend, mask |
| Disheveled | messy |
| Disparaging | insulting |
| Disparity | vast difference |
| Sinecure | well paid position with little work |
| Sinister | evil, threatening |
| Dispersion | scatter |
| Dissemble | pretend |
| Skeptical | doubting |
| Skittish | easily frightened |
| Sober | serious (not staid) |
| Soiree | evening party |
| Solicitous | overly protective |
| Disseminate | broadcast |
| Dissent | disagree with |
| Dissonance | disagreement |
| Dissuade | persuade against |
| Distraught | hysterical or very upset |
| Divulge | reveal |
| Sophisticated | refined or cultivated |
| Soporific | causing sleepiness |
| Spasmodic | convulsive |
| Specious | suspicious |
| Doleful | sad or mournful |
| Flout | to defy openly |
| Dogma | set of beliefs |
| Ductile | malleable |
| Dulcet | sweet sounding |
| Duplicity | deception or lying |
| Whimsical | spontaneous |
| Spurious | fake |
| Squalid | filthy |
| Ebullient | extremely happy |
| Ecstatic | extremely happy or excited |
| Edict | official order |
| Edification | improvement |
| Staid | serious |
| Stark | very plain |
| Stentorian | extremely loud |
| Precocious | overly mature |
| Sheen | shine |
| Scathing | harsh, very critical |
| Deviation | change, difference |
| Devoid | empty, lacking |
| Diaphanous | translucent |
| Diatribe | abuse of speech, bitter speech |
| Didactic | instructive and entertaining |
| Diffident | shy, modest |
| Reticent | reluctant to speak |
| Retract | take back |
| Retrench | cut back, economize |
| Dilatory | tardy, slow |
| Dilettante | poser, amateur |
| Diminutive | small, tiny |
| Discordant | disagreeing |
| Anathema | someone or something hated |
| Retrograde | to worsen or decline |
| Animadversion | insult or put down |
| Animated | lively or energetic |
| Anomaly | irregularity |
| Chronic | continuous |
| Reverie | daydream |
| Lucid | clear thinking |
| Ludicrous | ridiculous |
| Malign | insult or slender |
| Rococo | overly decorated |
| Homogeneous | the same or similar |
| Writhe | to squirm or twist in pain or pleasure |
| Zenith | highest point or peak |
| Desideratum | goal |
| Despicable | revolting or disgusting |
| Destitution | poverty |
| Desuetude | uselessness |
| Apparition | ghost |
| Gouge | to dig out |
| Preclude | to stop or prevent |
| Derogatory | insulting |
| Parochial | small minded |
| Trepidation | fear |
| Trenchant | intelligent,keen, sharp "remark" |
| Truncated | cut short |
| Truculent | fierce or hostile |
| Sinuous | curvy |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace