| abase | lower, degrade |
| abash | embarrass |
| abjure | renounce |
| abnegation | self-sacrifice, renunciation |
| abominate | detestable |
| abominate | loathsome, hate |
| abrogate | abolish |
| absolve | pardon |
| abstemious | sparing in eating & drinking |
| abstruse | obscure, profound |
| abysmal | bottomless |
| accede | agree |
| acclaim | applaud |
| acclivity | sharp incline |
| accord | agreement |
| accouter | equip |
| accretion | growth, increase |
| acerbity | bitterness of speech |
| acquiesce | assent |
| acrimonious | bitterness |
| acrophobia | fear of heights |
| actuarial | calculating |
| actuate | motivate |
| acuity | sharpness |
| addle | muddle |
| adherent | supporter |
| adjunct | something attached (inferior) |
| adjuration | solemn urging |
| adroit | skilful |
| adulation | flattery |
| adventitious | accidental, casual |
| adversity | poverty |
| advert | refer |
| aegis | shield, defense |
| aerie | nest of a large bird |
| affable | easily approachable |
| affected | artificial, pretend |
| affliction | state of distress |
| affront | insult, offense |
| agglomeration | collection |
| aggrandize | increase or intensify |
| agnostic | one who is skeptical of God |
| agrarian | pertaining to land |
| alacrity | eagerness, cheerful promptness |
| alcove | nook, recess |
| allay | calm, pacify |
| allegory | story in which characters are used as symbols, eg: fables |
| alliteration | repetition of beginning sound |
| allude | refer |
| allure | entice, attract |
| allusion | indirect reference |
| altruistic | unselfish generosity |
| amalgamate | combine |
| ambivalence | state of having contradictory emotional attitudes |
| ameliorate | improve |
| amenable | readily manageable |
| amity | friendship |
| amoral | non-moral |
| amorous | moved by sexual love |
| amorphous | without shape |
| amok | in a state of rage |
| anachronism | something misplaced in time |
| analogous | comparable |
| analogy | similarity |
| anarchist | person who seeks to overturn govt. |
| anathema | solemn curse (anathematize) |
| anecdote | short account of interesting event |
| animadversion | critical remark |
| animosity | active enemy |
| animus | hostile feeling |
| anneal | make less brittle |
| annotate | comment |
| anodyne | pain killer |
| anoint | consecrate |
| anomalous | abnormal |
| anomaly | irregularity |
| antagonism | hostility |
| antecede | precede |
| antediluvian | antiquated |
| anthology | book of literary selections |
| anthropoid | manlike |
| anthropomorphic | having human form |
| anticlimax | letdown in thought or emotion |
| antipathy | aversion, dislike |
| antiquated | obsolete |
| antithesis | contrast |
| apathy | lack of caring |
| aphasia | loss of speech |
| aphorism | a saying or maxim |
| apiary | place where bees are kept |
| aplomb | poise or assurance |
| apocryphal | untrue, made up |
| apologist | one who writes in defense of a cause |
| apostate | one who abandons his religious faith or political belief |
| apothecary | druggist |
| apothegm | compact saying |
| apotheosis | elevation to god-hood, perfect example |
| appease | pacify |
| appellation | name or title |
| apposite | appropriate; fitting |
| apprise | inform |
| approbation | approval |
| appropriate | acquire |
| appurtenances | subordinate possessions |
| apropos | with reference to; regarding |
| aquiline | curved, hooked |
| arboretum | place where different varieties of trees are studied |
| arcade | covered passageway (lined with shops) |
| arcane | secret |
| archaic | antiquated |
| archetype | prototype, primitive pattern |
| ardor | heat, passion |
| arduous | hard, strenuous |
| argot | slang |
| aria | operatic solo |
| arraign | charge in court, indict |
| array | draw up in order |
| array | adorn |
| arroyo | gully |
| articulate | affective, distinct |
| artifice | trickery, deception |
| artless | without guile, open and honest |
| ascendancy | controlling influence |
| ascetic | practicing self-denial |
| ascribe | refer, attribute |
| ashen | ash colored |
| asinine | stupid |
| askance | indirect look |
| askew | crookedly; slanted |
| asperity | sharpness of temper |
| aspersion | slanderous remark |
| assail | assault |
| assay | analyze, evaluate |
| assiduous | diligent |
| assuage | ease or lessen pain |
| astral | relating to stars |
| astringent | binding, harsh or severe, causing contraction |
| astute | wise, shrewd |
| asunder | apart, into parts |
| atavism | resemblance to remote ancestors |
| atheistic | denying the existence of god |
| atrophy | wasting away |
| attribute | essential quality |
| attribute | gradual decrease in numbers |
| audacious | daring, bold |
| augury | omen, prophecy |
| austere | forbiddingly stern, severely simple or unornamented |
| autocratic | having absolute, unchecked power, dictatorial |
| automaton | mechanism that imitates actions or humans |
| auxiliary | providing or offering help, additional or subsidiary |
| avarice | greediness for wealth |
| aver | state confidently |
| avert | prevent, turn away |
| aviary | enclosure for birds |
| avid | greedy, eager for |
| avocation | secondary or minor occupation |
| avow | declare openly |
| avuncular | like an uncle |
| awl | pointed tool for piercing |
| awry | distorted, crooked |
| azure | sky blue |
| babble | chatter idly |
| bacchanalian | drunken |
| badinage | teasing conversion |
| bait | harass, tease |
| baleful | deadly, ominous, having a malign influence |
| balk | stop short |
| balk | foil |
| banal | hackneyed, commonplace, trite, lacking originality |
| balmy | mild, fragrant |
| bandy | discuss lightly, heated (words) exchange |
| bantering | good naturedly ridiculing |
| barefaced | shameless, bold, unconcealed |
| baroque | highly ornate |
| bastion | stronghold |
| bate | let down, restrain |
| bauble | trifle, trinket |
| bawdy | indecent, obscene |
| beatific | blissful |
| beatitude | blessedness, state of bliss, growing closer to god |
| bedizen | dress with vulgar finery |
| bedraggle | wet thoroughly |
| befuddle | confuse thoroughly |
| beget | father, produce, give rise to |
| begrudge | resent |
| beguile | mislead or delude, cheat, pastime |
| behemoth | monstrous size or power |
| beholden | obligated, indebted |
| behoove | be suited to, be incumbent upon |
| belabor | explain excessively, assail verbally |
| beleaguer | besiege or attack, harass |
| belie | contradict, give false impression |
| belittle | depreciate, disparage |
| bellicose | warlike |
| belligerent | quarrelsome |
| bemoan | lament, express disapproval of |
| bemused | confused |
| benediction | blessing |
| benevolent | generous, charitable |
| benign | not malignant, kindly, favorable |
| benison | blessing |
| bequeath | hand down, leave to some one by will |
| berate | scold strongly |
| bereavement | state of being deprived of something |
| bereft | deprived of, lacking |
| beseech | beg, plead |
| beset | harass or trouble |
| besiege | surround with armed forces, harass |
| besmirch | soil, defile |
| betoken | signify, indicate |
| betroth | become engaged to, marry |
| bevy | large group |
| bicameral | two chambered, as a legislative body |
| bigotry | stubborn intolerance |
| bilious | suffering from indigestion, irritable |
| bilk | swindle, cheat |
| bivouac | temporary encampment |
| blanch | bleach, whiten |
| bland | soothing or mild, agreeable |
| bucolic | rustic, pastoral |
| bugaboo | bugbear, object of baseless terror |
| bulwark | earthwork or other strong defense, person who defends |
| burgeon | grow forth, send out buds |
| burlesque | give an imitation that ridicules |
| burnish | make shiny by rubbing or polishing |
| buttress | support, prop up |
| cadence | rhythmic rise and fall( of sound), beat |
| cajole | coax, wheedle |
| callow | immature, youthful, inexperienced |
| calumny | malicious misrepresentation, slander |
| camaraderie | good fellowship |
| canard | unfound rumor, exaggerated report |
| candor | frankness, open honesty |
| canker | any evil, any ulcerous sore |
| canny | thrifty, shrewd |
| cant | insincere expression of piety, jargon of thieves |
| cantankerous | ill humored, irritable |
| cantata | story set to music |
| canto | division of a long poem |
| capacious | spacious |
| capitulate | surrender |
| caprice | whim |
| capricious | fickle, unpredictable |
| captious | faultfinding |
| carafe | glass water bottle, decanter |
| carapace | shell covering the back (turtle, crab) |
| careen | lurch, sway from side to side |
| carillon | set of bell capable of being played |
| carousal | drunken revel |
| carping | fault finding, petty criticism |
| carrion | rotting flesh of dead body |
| castigation | punishment, severe criticism |
| cataclysm | deluge, upheaval |
| catcall | shout of disapproval, boo |
| catechism | book for religious instruction, instruction by question and answers |
| catharsis | purging or cleaning of passageway |
| cathartic | purgative |
| catholic | universal |
| caucus | private meeting of members |
| caulk | make water tight |
| caustic | burning, sarcastically biting |
| cauterize | burn with hot iron |
| cavalcade | procession |
| cavalier | casual and offhand |
| cavil | make frivolous objections |
| cede | yield |
| celerity | speed, rapidity |
| censorious | critical |
| censure | blame or criticize |
| cerebration | thought |
| certitude | certainty |
| cessation | stoppage |
| cession | yield |
| chafe | warm by rubbing |
| chaff | worthless product of an endeavor |
| chaffing | bantering; joking |
| chagrin | vexation |
| charisma | divine gift, popular charm |
| chary | cautious |
| chase | ornament a metal surface by indent’g |
| chaste | pure, modest, virginal |
| chasten | discipline; punish in order to correct |
| chastise | punish |
| chauvinist | blindly devoted; zealous adherent |
| cherubic | angelic; innocent looking |
| chicanery | trickery; deception |
| chide | scold |
| chimerical | fantastically improbable; unrealistic |
| chisel | tool for cutting |
| chisel | swindle or cheat |
| chivalrous | courteous; faithful; brave |
| choleric | hot-tempered |
| chortle | chuckle with delight |
| churlish | boorish; rude |
| ciliated | having minute hairs |
| cipher | nonentity |
| cipher | secret code |
| circlet | small ring; band |
| circumlocution | indirect expression |
| circumscribe | limit; confine |
| circumspect | prudent; cautious |
| clairvoyant | having foresight; fortuneteller |
| clamber | climb by crawling |
| clamor | noise |
| clandestine | secret |
| clangor | loud, resounding noise |
| clarion | shrill, trumpet like sound |
| clavicle | collarbone |
| cleave | split or sever; remain faithful to; cling to |
| cleft | split |
| clemency | disposition to be lenient |
| climactic | relating to the highest point |
| clime | region; climate |
| clique | small exclusive group |
| cloister | monastery or convent |
| cloying | distasteful; excessively sweet or sentimental |
| coalesce | combine; fuse |
| coda | concluding section of a musical |
| coddle | treat gently or pamper |
| codicil | supplement to the body of a will |
| coercion | use of force to get something |
| coeval | living at the same time as; contemporary |
| cogent | convincing |
| cogitate | think over |
| cognate | related linguistically; allied by blood |
| cognitive | having to do with knowledge |
| cognizance | knowledge |
| cohere | stick together |
| cohesion | tendency to keep together |
| cohort | armed band |
| coiffure | hair style |
| colander | utensil with holes used for straining |
| collate | examine in order to verify authenticity, arrange in order |
| collation | light metal |
| colloquy | informal discussion |
| collusion | conspiring in a fraudulent scheme |
| comely | attractive, agreeable |
| comestible | something fit to be eaten |
| comeuppance | rebuke, deserts |
| comity | courtesy, civility |
| commandeer | to draft for military purpose, to take for public use |
| commensurate | equal in extent |
| commiserate | feel or express pity or sympathy for |
| communal | held in common, of a group of people |
| compact | agreement, contract |
| compelling | overpowering, irresistible effect |
| compendium | brief, comprehensive summary |
| commodious | spacious and comfortable |
| compilation | listing of statistical information in tabular or book form |
| complacency | self satisfaction, smugness |
| complaisant | trying to please obliging |
| complement | make perfect, complete, consummate |
| complementary | serving to complete something |
| compliant | yielding, conforming to requirements |
| complicity | participation, involvement |
| comport | behave, bear one’s self |
| compromise | adjust or settle by making mutual concessions, endanger the interests or reputation of |
| compunction | remorse |
| concave | hallow |
| conceit | vanity or self love, whimsical idea, extravagant metaphor |
| conception | beginning, forming of an idea |
| concerted | mutually agreed on, done together |
| concession | an act of yielding |
| conciliatory | reconciling, soothing |
| conclave | private meeting |
| concoct | prepare by combing, make up in concert |
| concomitant | that which accompanies |
| concord | harmony |
| condescend | bestow courtesies with a superior air |
| condign | adequate, deservedly severe |
| condole | express sympathetic sorrow |
| condone | overlook, forgive, give tact approval, excuse |
| conflagration | great fire |
| conformity | harmony, agreement |
| congeal | freeze, coagulate |
| congenial | pleasant, friendly |
| congenital | existing at birth |
| compliance | readiness to yield, conformity in fulfilling requirements |
| blasé | bored with pleasure or dissipation |
| blighted | suffering from disease or destroyed |
| blithe | gay; joyous |
| blowhard | talkative boaster |
| bludgeon | club; heavy headed weapon |
| bluff | rough but good natured |
| bluff | pretense |
| bluster | blow in heavy gusts |
| bode | foreshadow |
| bohemian | unconventional (in an artistic way) |
| bombastic | pompous |
| boorish | rude; insensitive |
| bouillon | clear beef soup |
| bourgeois | middle class; dully conventional |
| bowdlerize | expurgate |
| braggadocio | boasting |
| braggart | boaster |
| bravado | swagger; assumed air of defiance |
| brazen | insolent |
| brevity | conciseness |
| brindled | tawny or grayish with spots |
| brocade | rich figured fabric |
| brook | tolerate |
| browbeat | intimidate; bully |
| brusque | blunt; abrupt |
| brooch | ornamental clasp |
| boisterous | violent; rough; noisy |
| conglomeration | mass of material sticking together |
| congruence | correspondence of parts, harmonious relationship |
| congruent | in agreement, corresponding |
| conjecture | guess, surmise |
| conjugal | pertaining to marriage |
| connivance | pretense of ignorance of something wrong, assistance, permission to offend |
| connotation | suggested or implied meaning of an expression |
| connubial | pertaining to marriage |
| consanguinity | kinship |
| conscientious | careful, scrupulous |
| consequential | pompous, self important |
| conservatory | school of fine arts (drama, music) |
| consign | deliver officially, entrust, set apart |
| consistency | absence of contradictions, dependability, degree of thickness, uniformity |
| consonance | harmony, agreement |
| consort | associate with |
| consort | husband or wife |
| constituent | supporter |
| construe | explain , interpret |
| contagion | infection |
| contend | struggle, compete, assert earnestly |
| contention | claim, thesis |
| contentious | quarrelsome |
| contest | dispute |
| contiguous | adjacent to, touching upon |
| continence | self restraint, sexual chastity |
| contortions | twisting, distortions |
| contrite | penitent |
| contrived | forced, artificial, not spontaneous |
| controvert | oppose with arguments, attempt to refute, contradiction |
| contumacious | disobedient, resisting authority |
| contusion | bruise |
| conviction | judgment that someone is guilty of crime, strongly held belief |
| convivial | festive, gay, characterized by joviality |
| convoke | call together |
| copious | plentiful |
| coquette | flirt |
| cornice | projecting molding on building |
| cornucopia | horn overflowing with fruit and grain, symbol of abundance |
| corporeal | material, bodily |
| corpulent | very fat |
| coterie | select circle, group that meets socially |
| countenance | approve, tolerate |
| countenance | face |
| countermand | cancel, revoke |
| counterpart | thing that completes another, things very much alike |
| covenant | agreement |
| covetous | avaricious |
| cow | intimidate, terrorize |
| cower | shrink quivering, as from fear |
| cozen | cheat, hoodwink, swindle |
| crabbed | sour, peevish |
| crass | very unrefined, gross insensible |
| craven | cowardly |
| credence | belief |
| credulity | gullibility, naiveté |
| creed | system of religious or ethical belief |
| crone | hag |
| crotchety | whimsical, eccentric |
| cull | reject, pick out |
| culpable | deserving blame |
| cupidity | greed |
| curator | superintendent, manager |
| curmudgeon | churlish, miserly individual |
| curtail | shorten, reduce |
| cynosure | object of general attention |
| dally | trifle with, procrastinate |
| dank | damp |
| dapper | neat and trim |
| dawdle | loiter, waste time |
| deadpan | wooden, impassive |
| debase | reduce in quality or value, degrade, lower in esteem |
| debauch | corrupt, seduce from virtue |
| debunk | expose as false, exaggerate, worthless, ridicule |
| decadence | decay |
| declivity | downward slope |
| décolleté | having a low cut neck line |
| decrepitude | state of collapse caused by illness or old age |
| decry | express strong disapproval of, disparage |
| default | failure to act |
| defer | delay till later |
| defer | submit, give in respectfully |
| deference | courteous regard for another’s wish |
| defoliate | destroy leaves |
| defray | provide for the payment of |
| defrock | to strip a priest or minister of church authority |
| deify | turn into God |
| deign | stoop, condescend |
| deleterious | harmful |
| delineate | portray, depict, sketch |
| delude | deceive |
| deluge | flood rush |
| delusion | false belief, hallucination |
| delusive | deceptive, raising vain hopes |
| demagogue | false leader, person who appeals to peoples prejudice |
| demoniac | fiendish |
| demotic | object, hesitate |
| demur | grave, serious, coy |
| denigrate | blacken |
| denizen | inhabitant or resident, regular visitor |
| denotation | meaning, distinguishing by name |
| denouement | outcome, final development of the plot of a play or literary work |
| depravity | wickedness, extreme corruption |
| deprecate | express disapproval of protest against, belittle |
| depredation | plundering |
| deride | make fun of, ridicule |
| derision | ridicule |
| descry | catch sight of |
| despoil | plunder |
| despondent | depressed; gloomy |
| despot | tyrant |
| desultory | aimless; haphazard |
| determinate | having a fixed order |
| detraction | slandering; aspersion |
| devious | roundabout; erratic |
| devolve | deputize; pass on to others |
| diadem | crown |
| dialectical | relating to art of debate |
| diaphanous | transparent |
| diatribe | scolding |
| dichotomy | split; branching into two parts |
| dictum | authorative statement; maxim |
| didactic | teaching; instrumental |
| diffidence | shyness |
| diffuse | wordy; spread out |
| dilatory | delaying |
| dilettante | aimless follower of arts; amateur |
| diminution | lessening; reduction is size |
| dint | means; effort |
| diorama | life-size; 3d scene from nature or history |
| dirge | lament with music |
| disabuse | undeceive, correct a false impression |
| disaffected | disloyal |
| disavowal | denial, disclaiming |
| discerning | mentally quick and observant, having insight |
| disclaim | disown, renounce claim to |
| discombobulated | confused, discomposed |
| discomfit | defeat, disconcert, put to rout |
| disconcert | confuse, upset, embarrass |
| disconsolate | sad |
| discount | disregard |
| discrete | separate, unconnected |
| discretion | prudence, ability to adjust actions to circumstances |
| discriminating | able to see differences, prejudiced |
| discursive | digressing, rambling |
| disdain | view with scorn or contempt |
| disenfranchise | deprive of a civil right |
| disgruntle | make discontented |
| disingenuous | not naïve, sophisticated |
| disinter | dig up unearth |
| disinterested | unprejudiced |
| disjunction | act or state of separation, disunity |
| dispassionate | calm, impartial |
| dispirited | lacking in spirit |
| disport | amuse |
| disputatious | argumentative, fond of arguing |
| disquietude | uneasiness, anxiety |
| disquisition | formal systematic inquiry, an explanation of the results of a formal inquiry |
| dissemble | disguise, pretend |
| dissertation | formal essay |
| dissimulate | pretend, conceal by feigning |
| dissipate | squander, waste, scatter |
| distant | reserved or aloof, cold in manner |
| distrait | absentminded |
| diva | operatic singer, prima Donna |
| docket | program as for trial, book were such entries are made |
| doctrinaire | unable to compromise about points of doctrine, dogmatic unyielding |
| doddering | shaky, infirm from old age |
| doff | take off |
| dogged | determined, stubborn |
| doggerel | poor verse |
| dogmatic | opinionated, arbitrary, doctrinal |
| dolorous | sorrowful |
| dolt | stupid person |
| dormer | window projecting from roof |
| dotage | senility |
| dote | excessively fond of, show signs of mental decline |
| dour | sullen, stubborn |
| dowdy | slovenly, untidy |
| dregs | sediment, worthless residue |
| drivel | nonsense, foolishness |
| dross | queer and amusing |
| dross | waste mater, worthless impurities |
| dulcet | sweet sounding |
| duplicity | double dealing, hypocrisy |
| dutiful | respectful obedient |
| dyspeptic | suffering from indigestion |
| earthy | unrefined, coarse |
| ebullient | showing excitement, overflowing with enthusiasm |
| ecclesiastic | pertaining to church |
| eclectic | selective, composed of elements drawn from disparate sources |
| economy | efficiency or conciseness in using something |
| eddy | swirling current of water, air, etc |
| edict | decree(issued by a sovereign), official command |
| edify | instruct, correct morally |
| efface | rub out |
| effeminate | having womanly traits |
| Effervescence | inner excitement or exuberance, bubbling from fermentation or carbonation |
| effete | worn out, exhausted, barren |
| effluvium | noxious smell |
| effrontery | shameless boldness |
| effusion | pouring forth |
| effusive | pouring forth, gushing |
| egregious | notorious, conspicuously bad or shocking |
| egress | exit |
| ejaculation | exclamation |
| elegy | poem or song expressing lamentation |
| ellipsis | omission of words from text |
| elucidate | explain, enlighten |
| elysian | relating to paradise, blissful |
| emaciated | thin and wasted |
| emancipate | set free |
| embellish | adorn, ornament, enhance(as a story) |
| embezzlement | stealing |
| embroil | throw into confusion, involve in strife, entangle |
| emend | correct(usually a text) |
| emendation | correction of errors, improvement |
| emetic | substance causing vomiting |
| emollient | soothing or softening remedy |
| emolument | salary, compensation |
| empathy | ability to identify with another’s feelings |
| empirical | based on experience |
| encomiastic | praising, eulogistic |
| encomium | high praise, eulogy |
| encumber | burden |
| endearment | fond word or act |
| endue | endow, provide with some quality |
| enervate | weaken |
| enfranchise | admit to rights of citizenship(the right to vote) |
| engender | cause, produce |
| enjoin | command, order, forbid |
| ennui | boredom |
| enrapture | please intensely |
| ensconce | settle comfortably |
| entomology | study of insects |
| entrance | put under a spell, carry away with emotions |
| entreat | plead ask earnestly |
| entrée | entrance, a way in |
| enunciate | utter or speak(especially distinctly |
| environ | enclose, surround |
| epaulet | ornament worn on the shoulder |
| ephemeral | short lived, fleeting |
| epicure | coinsure of food and drink |
| epigram | witty thought or saying(usually short) |
| epilogue | short speech at conclusion of a dramatic work |
| episodic | loosely connected |
| epistemologist | philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge |
| epitaph | inscription in memory of a dead person |
| epithet | word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person |
| epitome | perfect example or embodiment |
| equable | uniform, tranquil, steady |
| equanimity | calmness of temperament, composure |
| equine | resembling a horse |
| equipoise | balance, balancing force, equilibrium |
| equivocal | ambiguous, intentionally misleading |
| equivocate | lie, mislead, attempt to conceal the truth |
| errant | wandering |
| erudite | learned, scholarly |
| eschew | avoid |
| esoteric | hard to understand, known only to a chosen few |
| espouse | adopt, support |
| ethereal | light, heavenly, unusually refined |
| ethnology | study of human kind |
| ethos | underling character of a culture, group |
| etymology | study of word parts |
| eugenic | pertaining to the improvement of race |
| eulogistic | praising |
| eulogy | expression of praise(often on someone’s death) |
| euphemism | mild expression in place of an unpleasant one |
| euphony | sweet sound |
| evanescent | fleeting, vanishing |
| evince | show clearly |
| evocative | tending to call up(emotions, memories) |
| ewe | female sheep |
| exacerbate | worsen, embitter |
| exalt | praise, raise in rank or dignity |
| exasperate | vex |
| exceptionable | objectionable |
| excise | cut away, cut out |
| excoriate | scold with biting harshness |
| exculpate | clear from blame |
| execrable | very bad |
| execrate | curse, express abhorrence for |
| exegesis | explanation(especially of biblical passages) |
| exemplify | show by example |
| exhilarating | invigorating and refreshing, cheering |
| exhort | urge |
| exigency | urgent situation |
| exiguous | small minute |
| existential | pertaining to existence |
| expansive | outgoing and sociable, broad and extensive, able to increase in size |
| expatiate | talk at length |
| expedient | suitable, practical, politic |
| explicate | explain, interpret, clarify |
| exploit | deed or action( particularly a brave deed) |
| exploit | make use of, sometimes unjustly |
| expository | explanatory, serving to explain |
| expostulation | protest, remonstrance |
| expropriate | take possession of |
| expurgate | clean, remove offensive parts of a book |
| extant | still in existence |
| extemporaneous | not planned, impromptu |
| extenuate | weaken , mitigate |
| extirpate | root up |
| extol | praise, glorify |
| extraneous | not essential, superfluous |
| exuberance | overflowing abundance, joyful, enthusiasm, lavishness, flamboyance |
| exude | give forth, discharge |
| exult | rejoice |
| facetious | joking(inappropriately), humorous |
| facile | easily accomplished, ready or fluent, superficial |
| faction | party, clique, dissension |
| factious | inclined to form factions, causing dissension |
| factitious | artificial, sham |
| factotum | handyman |
| fallow | plowed but not sowed, uncultivated |
| falter | hesitate |
| fanaticism | excessive zeal, extreme devotion to a cause |
| fancied | imagined, unreal |
| fancier | breeder or dealer of animals |
| farce | broad comedy, mockery |
| fastidious | difficult to please, squeamish |
| fatalism | belief that events are determined by force that is beyond ones control |
| fatuous | foolish, inane |
| fawning | courting favor by cringing and flattering |
| febrile | feverish |
| fecundity | fertility, fruitfulness |
| feint | trick, shift, sham blow |
| felicitous | suitably expressed, well chosen |
| felicity | happiness, appropriateness |
| fell | cruel, deadly |
| fell | cut or knock down,, bring down |
| ferment | agitation, commotion |
| ferret | drive or hunt out of hiding |
| fervid | ardent |
| fervor | glowing ardor, intensity of feeling |
| fester | rankle, produce irritation or resentment |
| fete | honor at a festival |
| fetid | malodorous |
| fetter | shackle |
| fiat | command |
| fidelity | loyalty |
| filch | steal |
| filial | pertaining to son or daughter |
| filibuster | block legislation by making long speeches |
| filigree | delicate lace like metal work |
| firebrand | hotheaded, troublemaker |
| fitful | intermittent, spasmodic |
| flag | droop, grow feeble |
| flagrant | conspicuously wicked, blatant, outrageous |
| flail | thresh grain by hand, strike or slap, toss about |
| flamboyant | ornate |
| flay | strip off skin, plunder |
| fledgling | inexperienced |
| flick | light stroke as with a whip |
| flinch | hesitate, shrink |
| flippant | lacking proper seriousness |
| flit | fly, dart lightly, pass swiftly by |
| florid | ruddy, reddish, flowery |
| flotsam | drifting wreckage |
| fluster | confuse |
| fluted | having vertical parallel grooves(pillar) |
| foible | weakness, slight fault |
| foil | contrast |
| foil | defeat, frustrate |
| foment | stir up, instigate |
| foppish | vain about dress and appearance |
| forbearance | patience |
| ford | place where the river can be crossed on foot |
| forensic | suitable to debate or courts of law |
| forestall | prevent by taking action in advance |
| forlorn | sad and lonely, wretched |
| forswear | renounce, abandon |
| fortuitous | accidental, by chance |
| founder | fail completely, sink |
| fracas | brawl, melee |
| fractious | unruly |
| fray | brawl |
| fret | to be annoyed or vexed |
| frieze | ornamental band on a wall |
| frond | fern leaf, palm, banana leaf |
| frustrate | thwart, defeat |
| fulminate | thunder, explode |
| fulsome | disgustingly excessive |
| funereal | sad, solemn |
| furtive | stealthy, sneaky |
| gadfly | animal biting fly, an irritating person |
| gainsay | deny |
| gall | bitterness, nerve |
| gall | annoy, chafe |
| gambol | romp, skip about, leap playfully |
| gamely | in a spirited manner, with courage |
| garrulous | wordy, talkative, loquacious |
| gaunt | lean and angular, barren |
| genuflect | bend the knee as in worship |
| germane | pertinent, bearing upon the case at hand |
| gerontocracy | government ruled by old people |
| gerrymander | change voting district lines |
| gibe | mock |
| glean | gather leavings |
| glib | fluent, facile, slick |
| gloat | express evil satisfaction, view malevolently |
| glower | scowl |
| goad | urge on |
| gossamer | sheer, like cobwebs |
| gull | trick, hoodwink |
| halcyon | calm, peaceful |
| hallowed | blessed, consecrated |
| hap | chance, luck |
| harangue | long passionate &vehement speech |
| harbinger | forerunner |
| hilarity | boisterous mirth |
| hindmost | furthest behind |
| hinterlands | back country |
| hireling | one who serves for hire |
| hirsute | hairy |
| histrionic | theatrical |
| hoary | white with age |
| homeostasis | tendency of a system to maintain relative stability |
| homily | serious warning, sermon |
| hortatory | encouraging, extortive |
| hubris | arrogance, excessive self conceit |
| hummock | small hill |
| husband | conserve, save, use sparingly |
| husbandry | frugality, thrift, agriculture |
| hyperbole | exaggeration, overstatement |
| hypercritical | excessively exacting |
| ichthyology | study of fish |
| iconoclastic | attacking cherished traditions |
| ignoble | not noble, unworthy |
| ignominy | deep disgrace, shame or dishonor |
| illimitable | infinite |
| imbibe | drink in |
| imbue | saturate, fill |
| immure | imprison, shut up in confinement |
| impale | pierce |
| impalpable | intangible, imperceptible |
| impecunious | without money |
| impenitent | not repentant |
| imperious | haughty, domineering |
| impetuous | violent, hasty, rash |
| impolitic | not wise |
| imponderable | weightless |
| import | significance |
| importune | beg persistently |
| imprecation | curse |
| improvident | thriftless |
| imprudent | lacking caution, injudicious |
| impudence | insolence, impertinence |
| impugn | dispute or contradict(in an insulting way), gainsay, challenge |
| impuissance | powerlessness, feebleness |
| impute | attribute, ascribe |
| inane | silly, senseless |
| incendiary | arsonist |
| inchoate | recently began, rudimentary, elementary |
| incipient | beginning, in an early stage |
| incommodious | not spacious, inconvenient |
| incongruity | lack of harmony, absurdity |
| incontinent | lacking self restraint, licentious |
| incontrovertible | indisputable ,not open to question |
| incorporeal | lacking a material body, insubstantial |
| incubus | burden, mental care, nightmare |
| indigence | poverty |
| indigent | poor, destitute |
| indignation | anger at injustice |
| indissoluble | permanent |
| indite | write, compose |
| indolent | lazy |
| indubitable | unable to be doubted, unquestionable |
| ineffable | unutterable, cannot be expressed in speech |
| ineluctable | irresistible, not to be escaped |
| inerrancy | infallibility |
| inexorable | relentless, unyielding, implacable |
| infirmity | weakness |
| infraction | violation |
| ingenuous | naïve and trusting, young, unsophisticated |
| ingratiate | become popular with |
| inimical | unfriendly, hostile, harmful, detrimental |
| iniquitous | wicked, immoral, unrighteous |
| innuendo | hint, insinuation |
| insalubrious | unwholesome, not healthy |
| insidious | stealthy, sly, treacherous |
| insipid | lacking in flavor, dull |
| insolvent | bankrupt, lacking money to pay |
| insouciant | indifferent, without concern or care |
| insularity | narrow mindedness, isolation |
| interdict | prohibit, forbid |
| interloper | intruder |
| internecine | mutually destructive |
| interregnum | period between two reigns |
| intimate | fearless |
| intractable | unruly, stubborn, unyielding |
| intransigence | refusal of any compromise, stubbornness |
| intrepid | fearless |
| inured | accustomed, hardened |
| invective | abuse |
| inveigh | denounce, utter censure or invective |
| inveigle | lead astray, wheedle |
| inveterate | deep rooted, habitual |
| invidious | designed to create ill will or envy |
| irascible | irritable, easily angered |
| iridescent | exhibiting rainbow like colors |
| irremediable | incurable, uncorrectable |
| irresolute | uncertain how to act, weak |
| irrevocable | unalterable, irreversible |
| isthmus | narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land |
| itinerant | wandering, traveling |
| jaundiced | prejudiced (envious, hostile, resentful) yellowed |
| jaunt | trip, short journey |
| jaunty | lighthearted, animated, easy and carefree |
| jibe | agree, be in harmony with |
| jocose | given to joking |
| jocund | merry |
| junket | trip, especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense |
| ken | range of knowledge |
| kindred | related, similar in nature or character |
| knave | untrustworthy person, rogue, scoundrel |
| knell | tolling of a bell, especially to indicate a funeral, disaster |
| knoll | little round hill |
| labile | likely to change, unstable |
| lachrymose | producing tears |
| lackadaisical | lacking purpose or zest, halfhearted |
| laconic | briefing and to the point |
| laity | laypersons, person not connected with the clergy |
| lampoon | ridicule |
| lancet | small surgical tool for making incisions |
| languor | lassitude, depression |
| largess | generous gift |
| lascivious | lustful |
| lassitude | languor, weariness |
| latitude | freedom from narrow limitations |
| leaven | cause to rise or grow lighter, enliven |
| lectern | reading desk |
| legerdemain | sleight of hand |
| leonine | like a lion |
| levee | earthen or stone embankment |
| levity | lack of seriousness or steadiness, frivolity |
| lexicographer | compiler of dictionary |
| lexicon | dictionary |
| libel | defamatory statement, act of writing something that smears a persons a persons character |
| libertine | debauched person, roué |
| libidinous | lustful |
| libretto | text of an opera |
| licentious | amoral. lewd & lascivious, unrestrained |
| lien | legal claim on a property |
| ligneous | like wood |
| limn | draw, outline , describe |
| limpid | clear |
| lineaments | features, especially of the face |
| lionize | treat as a celebrity |
| list | tilt, lean over |
| litany | supplicatory prayer |
| lithe | flexible, supple |
| litotes | understatement for emphasis |
| livid | lead colored, black and blue, ashen, enraged |
| loath | reluctant, disinclined |
| lode | metal bearing vein |
| loll | lounge about |
| lope | gallop slowly |
| low | moo |
| lucre | money |
| lugubrious | mournful |
| luscious | pleasing to taste or smell |
| macabre | grisly, gruesome |
| macerate | soften by soaking in liquid, waste away |
| machinations | evil schemes or plot |
| maculated | spotted or stained |
| madrigal | pastoral song |
| magniloquent | boastful, pompous |
| maladroit | clumsy, bungling |
| malapropism | comic misuse of a word |
| malcontent | person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs |
| malediction | curse |
| malefactor | evildoer, criminal |
| malevolent | wishing evil |
| malfeasance | wrongdoing |
| malinger | one who feigns illness to escape duty |
| malodorous | foul smelling |
| manacle | restrain, handcuff |
| mannered | affected, not natural |
| manumit | emancipate, free from bondage |
| marshal | put in order |
| martinet | strict person |
| matriculate | enroll(college or school) |
| matrix | point of origin |
| maudlin | effusively sentimental |
| mawkish | mushy and gushy |
| mayhem | injury to body |
| mealymouthed | indirect in speech, hypocritical, evasive |
| medium | element that is a creatures natural environment |
| medium | channel communication, compromise |
| mellifluous | sweetly or smoothly flowing, melodious |
| menagerie | collection of wild animals |
| mendacious | lying, habitually dishonest |
| mendicant | beggar |
| mercenary | motivated solely by money or gain |