| nemesis | someone seeking revenge |
| neologism | newly or new coined word or phrase |
| neophyte | recent convert, beginner |
| nettle | annoy, vex |
| nicety | precision, minute distinction |
| niggardly | meanly stingy, parsimonious |
| nihilist | one who considers traditional belief to be groundless and existence meaningless, absolute skeptic, revolutionary terrorist |
| noisome | foul smelling, unwholesome |
| nominal | in name only, trifling |
| nonchalance | indifference, lack of concern, composure |
| nonplus | bringing to a halt by confusion, perplex |
| nuance | shade of difference in meaning or color |
| nubile | marriageable |
| nugatory | futile, worthless |
| nuptial | related to marriage |
| obdurate | stubborn |
| obeisance | bow |
| obfuscate | confuse, muddle, cause confusion, make needlessly complex |
| obliterate | destroy completely |
| oblivion | obscurity, forgetfulness |
| oblivious | inattentive or unmindful, wholly absorbed |
| obloquy | slander, disgrace, infamy |
| obsequious | slavishly attentive, servile, sycophancy |
| obsequy | funeral ceremony |
| obsidian | black volcanic rock |
| obstreperous | boisterous, noisy |
| obtrude | push(oneself or ones idea) forward or intrude, butt in, stick out or extrude |
| obtuse | blunt, stupid |
| obviate | make unnecessary, get rid off |
| occident | the west |
| occlude | shut, close |
| oculist | physician who specializes in the treatment of the eyes |
| odious | hateful, vile |
| odium | detestation, hatefulness, disrepute |
| odoriferous | giving off an odor |
| officious | meddlesome, excessively pushy in offering one’s service |
| onerous | burdensome |
| onomatopoeia | words formed in imitation of natural sounds |
| opalescent | iridescent, lustrous |
| opiate | medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain |
| opprobrium | infamy, vilification |
| opulence | extreme wealth, luxuriousness, abundance |
| opus | work |
| oracular | prophetic, uttered as if with divine authority, mysterious or ambiguous |
| oratorio | dramatic poem set to music |
| ordain | decree or command, grant holy orders, predestine |
| ordination | ceremony conferring holy orders |
| orthography | correct spelling |
| osseous | made of bone, bony |
| ossify | change or harden into bone |
| ostensible | apparent, professed, pretended |
| ostentatious | showy, pretentious, trying to attract attention |
| ostracize | exclude from public favor, ban |
| overweening | presumptuous, arrogant |
| overwrought | extremely agitated, hysterical |
| ovoid | egg shaped |
| pacifist | one apposed to force, antimilitarist |
| paean | song of praise or joy |
| paleontology | study of prehistoric life |
| palimpsest | parchment used for second time after original writing has been erased |
| pall | grow tiresome |
| pallet | small, poor bed |
| palliate | ease pain, make less severe or offensive |
| pallid | pale, worn |
| palpable | tangible, easily perceptible |
| palpitate | throb, flutter |
| pan | criticize harshly |
| panacea | cure all, remedy for all diseases |
| panache | flair, flamboyance |
| pandemic | widespread, affecting the majority of people |
| pander | cater to the low desires of the people |
| panegyric | formal praise |
| parable | short, simple story teaching a moral |
| paradigm | model, example, pattern |
| paradox | something apparently contradictory in nature |
| paragon | model of perfection |
| paramour | illicit lover |
| parley | conference |
| parochial` | narrow in outlook, provincial, related to parishes |
| paroxysm | fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage |
| parquet | floor made of wood strips inland in a mosaic like pattern |
| parry | ward off a blow, deflect |
| parsimony | stinginess, excessive frugality |
| passé | old fashioned, past the prime |
| pastiche | imitation of another style in musical composition or in writing |
| pastoral | rural |
| patent | open to the public to read, obvious |
| pathological | pertaining to diseases |
| pathos | tender sorrow, pity, quality in art or literature producing these feelings |
| patina | green crust on old bronze works, tone slowly taken by varnished paintings |
| patois | local or provincial dialect |
| patrician | noble aristocratic |
| peccadillo | slight offense |
| pecuniary | pertaining to money |
| pedagogue | teacher |
| pedagogy | teaching, art of education |
| pedant | scholar who overemphasizes book learning or technicalities |
| pedantic | showing off learning, bookish |
| pedestrian | ordinary, unimaginative |
| peerless | having no equal, incomparable |
| pejorative | negative in connotation, having a belittling effect |
| pellucid | transparent, limpid, easy to understand |
| penance | self imposed punishment for sin |
| penchant | strong inclination, liking |
| pendulous | hanging, suspended |
| penitent | repentant |
| pensive | dreamily thoughtful, thoughtful with a hint of sadness, contemplative |
| penury | sever poverty, stinginess |
| peon | landless agricultural worker, bond servant |
| perdition | damnation, complete ruin |
| peregrination | journey |
| peremptory | demanding and leaving no choice |
| perfidious | treacherous, disloyal |
| perfunctory | superficial, not thorough, lacking interest, care or enthusiasm |
| peripatetic | walking about, moving |
| perjury | false testimony while under oath |
| pernicious | very destructive |
| peroration | conclusion of an oration |
| personable | attractive |
| perspicacious | having insight, penetrating, astute |
| perspicuity | clearness of expression, freedom from ambiguity |
| perspicuous | stubborn, persistent |
| peruse | read with care |
| perverse | stubbornly wrongheaded, wicked and unacceptable |
| pestilential | causing plague, baneful |
| petulant | touchy, peevish |
| pharisaical | self righteous, hypocritical |
| philanderer | faithless flirt, flirt |
| philanthropist | lover of mankind, doer of good |
| philatelist | stamp collector |
| philistine | narrow minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain |
| philology | study of language |
| phlegmatic | calm not easily disturbed |
| phoenix | symbol of immortality or rebirth |
| phylum | major classification, second to kingdom of plants and animals, division |
| physiognomy | face |
| physiological | pertaining to the science of the function of living organism` |
| pie bald | different colors, mottled, spotted |
| pied | variegated, multicolored |
| pillory | punish by placing in a wooden frame, subject to criticism and ridicule |
| pine | languish, decline, long for, yearn |
| pinion | restrain |
| piquant | pleasantly tart tasting, stimulating |
| pique | provoke or arose, annoy |
| piscatorial | pertaining to fishing |
| pith | core or marrow, essence, substance |
| pithy | concise, meaningful, substantial, meaty |
| placate | pacify, conciliate |
| placid | peaceful, calm |
| plaintive | mournful |
| platitude | trite remark, common place statement |
| platonic | purely spiritual, theoretical, without sensual desire |
| plaudit | enthusiastic approval, round of applause |
| plebian | common, pertaining to the common people |
| plenary | complete full |
| plenitude | abundance, completeness |
| pliant | flexible, easily influenced |
| pluck | courage |
| plumb | examine critically in order to understand, measure depth (sounding) |
| plutocracy | society ruled by wealth |
| polemic | controversy, argument in support of a point of view |
| polemical | aggressive in verbal attack, disputatious |
| polity | form of government of nation or state |
| polyglot | speaking several languages |
| ponderous | weighty , unwieldy |
| pore | study industriously, ponder, scrutinize |
| portend | foretell, presage |
| portent | sign, omen, forewarning |
| portly | stout, corpulent |
| poseur | person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc |
| potentate | monarch, sovereign |
| poultice | soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body |
| prate | speak foolishly, boast idly |
| precept | practical rule guiding conduct |
| precipitate | rash, premature, hasty, sudden |
| precipitate | throw headlong, hasten |
| precipitous | sleep, overhasty |
| preclude | make impossible, eliminate |
| precocious | advanced in development |
| predilection | partiality, preference |
| preempt | head off, forestall by acting first, supplant, appropriate for oneself |
| preen | make oneself tidy in appearance |
| prefatory | introductory |
| prehensile | capable of grasping or holding |
| prelate | church dignitary |
| preponderance | superiority of power quantity etc |
| presage | foretell |
| prescience | ability to foretell the future |
| presentiment | feeling something will happen, anticipatory fear, premonition |
| presumptuous | arrogant, taking liberties |
| pretentious | ostentatious, pompous, making unjustified claims, over ambitious |
| prevaricate | lie |
| prim | very precise and formal, exceedingly proper |
| primogeniture | seniority by birth |
| primp | groom oneself with care |
| pristine | primitive, unspoiled |
| privation | hardship, want |
| probity | uprightness, incorruptibility |
| proclivity | inclination, natural tendency |
| prodigal | reckless with money, wasteful |
| prodigious | marvelous, enormous |
| profane | violate, desecrate, treat unworthy |
| profligate | dissipated, wasteful, wildly immoral |
| progenitor | ancestor |
| progeny | children, offspring |
| prognosis | forecasted course of disease, prediction |
| prognosticate | predict |
| proletarian | member of the working class, |
| prolific | abundantly fruitful |
| prolixity | tedious wordiness, verbosity |
| promiscuous | haphazard, mixed indiscriminately |
| promontory | headland |
| prone | inclined to, prostrate |
| propensity | natural inclination |
| prophylactic | used to prevent diseases |
| propinquity | nearness, kinship |
| propitiate | appease |
| propitious | favorable, fortunate, advantageous |
| propriety | fitness, correct conduct |
| prosaic | matter of fact, dull & unimaginative |
| proscenium | part of a stage in front of the curtain |
| proscribe | ostracize, banish outlaw |
| proselytize | induce someone to convert to a religion or belief |
| prosody | the art of versification |
| protean | versatile, able to take any form |
| protuberance | protrusion, bulge |
| provenance | origin or source of something |
| provender | dry food, fodder |
| provident | displaying foresight, thrifty, preparing for emergencies |
| proviso | stipulation |
| prowess | extraordinary ability, military bravery |
| prude | excessively modest or proper person |
| prurient | having or causing lustful thoughts & desires |
| pry | inquire impertinently, use leverage to raise or open something |
| psyche | soul, mind |
| psychosis | mental disorder |
| puerile | childish |
| pugilist | boxer |
| pugnacity | combativeness, disposition to fight |
| puissant | powerful, strong, potent |
| pulchritude | beauty, comeliness |
| punctilious | stressing niceties of conduct or form, minutely attentive to fine points |
| purchase | firm grasp or footing |
| purgatory | place of spiritual expiation |
| purport | intention, meaning |
| purported | alleged, claimed, reputed or rumored |
| purse | pucker, contract into wrinkles |
| purveyor | furnisher of foodstuffs, caterer |
| pusillanimous | cowardly, fainthearted |
| putative | supposed, reputed |
| quaff | drink with relish |
| quail | cower, lose heart |
| qualified | limited, restricted |
| qualms | misgiving, uneasy fears, especially about matters of conscience |
| quay | dock, landing place |
| querulous | fretful, whining |
| quibble | minor objection or complaint |
| quiescent | at rest, dormant, temporarily inactive |
| quintessence | purest & highest embodiment |
| quip | taunt |
| quisling | traitor who aids invaders |
| quixotic | idealistic but impractical |
| quorum | number of members necessary to conduct a meeting |
| quotidian | daily, commonplace, customary |
| raconteur | story teller |
| rail | scold rant |
| raiment | clothing |
| rakish | stylish, sporty |
| ramble | wander aimlessly |
| ramification | branching out, sub division |
| ramify | divide into branches or subdivisions |
| rancor | bitterness, hatred |
| rankle | irritate, fester |
| rapacious | plundering, excessively grasping |
| raspy | grating, harsh |
| ratiocination | reasoning, act of drawing conclusions from premises |
| raucous | harsh and shrill, disorderly & boisterous |
| ravel | fall apart into tangles, entangle |
| reactionary | opposing progress, politically ultraconservative |
| rebus | puzzle for which pictures stand for |
| recalcitrant | obstinately stubborn, determined to resist authority, unruly |
| recant | disclaim or disavow, retract a previous statement, openly confess error |
| recidivism | habitual return to crime |
| recondite | abstruse, profound secret |
| recrimination | counter charge |
| rectitude | uprightness, moral virtues, correctness of judgment |
| recumbent | reclining, lying down completely or in part |
| redolent | fragrant, odorous |
| redoubtable | causing fear, formidable |
| refectory | dinning hall |
| refractory | stubborn, unmanageable |
| refulgent | brightly shinning, gleaming |
| regale | entertain |
| regicide | murderer of a king or queen |
| rejoinder | retort, come back, reply |
| remiss | negligent |
| remnant | remainder |
| remonstrance | protest, objection |
| rescind | cancel |
| resignation | patient submissiveness |
| resilient | elastic, having the power of springing back |
| resolution | determination |
| restitution | reparation, indemnification |
| restive | restlessly impatient, obstinately resisting control |
| retinue | reserved, uncommunicative, inclined to silence |
| retiring | modest, shy |
| retroactive | taking effect before its enactment or imposition |
| retrograde | go backwards, degenerate |
| reverie | daydream, musing |
| revile | attack with abusive language, vilify |
| rhapsodize | to speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner |
| rhetoric | art of effective communication, insincere or grandiloquent language |
| ribald | wanton, profane |
| rider | amendment or clause added to a legislative bill |
| rife | abundant, current |
| rile | vex, irritate, muddy |
| rivulet | small stream |
| rococo | ornate, highly decorated |
| roil | to make liquids murky by stirring up sediments, to disturb |
| roseate | rosy, optimistic |
| rostrum | platform for speech making, pulpit |
| rote | repetition |
| rotundity | roundness, sonorousness of speech |
| rout | stampede, drive out |
| rubric | title or heading (red print), protocol, directions for religious ceremony |
| rue | regret, lament, mourn |
| ruminate | chew over and over(mentally or physically), mull over, ponder |
| runic | mysterious, set down in an ancient alphabet |
| saccharine | cloyingly sweet |
| sacrosanct | most sacred, inviolable |
| sagacious | perceptive, shrewd, having insight |
| salacious | lascivious, lustful |
| sallow | yellowish, sickly in color |
| salubrious | healthful |
| salutary | tending to improve, beneficial, wholesome |
| sanctimonious | displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness |
| sanguinary | bloody |
| sanguine | cheerful, hopeful |
| sardonic | disdainful, sarcastic, cynical |
| sartorial | pertaining to tailors |
| sate | satisfy to the full, cloy |
| saturnine | gloomy |
| savant | scholar |
| scabbard | sheath |
| scad | great quantity |
| schism | division, split |
| scintilla | shred, least bit |
| scotch | stamp out |
| scourge | lash, whip, severe punishment |
| scurrilous | obscene, indecent |
| scurry | move briskly |
| scurvy | contemptible, despicable |
| seamy | sordid, unwholesome |
| secession | withdrawal |
| sedition | resistance to authority, insubordination |
| sedulous | diligent |
| seemly | proper, appropriate |
| seine | net for catching fish |
| semblance | outward appearance, guise |
| seminal | germinal, influencing future developments, related to seed or semen |
| sententious | terse, concise, aphoristic |
| sentient | capable of sensation, aware, sensitive |
| sentinel | sentry, look out |
| sequester | isolate, segregate, seclude, retire from public life |
| sere | parched, dry |
| serendipity | accidental good fortune or luck |
| servile | slavish, cringing |
| sham | pretend |
| sheaf | bundle of things tied together |
| shrew | scolding woman |
| shunt | divert, turn aside, sidetrack |
| shyster | lawyer using questionable methods |
| sibylline | prophetic, oracular |
| simian | monkeylike |
| simile | comparison of one thing with another, using words like or as |
| simper | smirk, smile affectedly |
| simulate | feign |
| sinecure | well paid position with little responsibility |
| sinewy | tough, strong and firm |
| sinuous | winding, bending in and out, not morally honest |
| skiff | small light sail boat or row boat |
| skinflint | stingy person, miser |
| skittish | lively, frisky |
| skullduggery | move furtively and secretly |
| slake | quench, sate |
| sleazy | flimsy, unsubstantial |
| sleeper | something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes valuable |
| sleight | dexterity |
| slew | large quantity or number |
| slight | insult to ones dignity, snub |
| slough | cast off |
| sluggard | lazy person |
| slur | insult to ones character or reputation, slander |
| smattering | slight knowledge |
| snivel | run at the nose, snuffle, whine |
| sobriety | moderation, seriousness |
| sodden | temporary stay |
| solecism | construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically |
| solicitous | worried, concerned |
| soliloquy | talking to oneself |
| solstice | point at which the sun is farthest from the equator |
| solvent | able to pay all debts |
| somnolent | half asleep |
| sophist | teacher of philosophy, quibbler, employer of fallacious reasoning |
| sophistry | seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning |
| sophomoric | immature, half baked like a sophomore |
| soporific | sleep causing, marked by sleepiness |
| spangle | small metallic pieces sewn to clothing for ornamentation |
| spat | squabble, minor dispute |
| specious | seemingly reasonable but incorrect, misleading (intentionally |
| sphinx like | enigmatic mysterious |
| splice | fasten together, unite |
| sportive | playful |
| spry | vigorously active, nimble |
| squat | stocky, short and thick |
| staccato | played in an abrupt manner, marked by abrupt sharp sound |
| staid | sober, sedate |
| stalwart | strong, brawny, steadfast |
| stanch | check flow of blood |
| steep | soak, saturate |
| stentorian | extremely loud |
| stigma | token of disgrace, brand |
| stilted | bombastic, stiffly pompous |
| stint | be thrifty, set limits |
| stint | supply, allotted amount, assigned portion of work |
| stipple | paint or draw with dots |
| stock | typical, standard, kept regularly in supply |
| stockade | wooden enclosure or pen, fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier |
| stodgy | stuffy, boringly conservative |
| stoic | impassive, unmoved by joy or grief |
| stolid | dull, impassive |
| strident | loud and harsh, insistent |
| strut | pompous walk |
| stultify | cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent, frustrate or hinder |
| stupor | state of apathy, daze, lack of awareness |
| stygian | gloomy, hellish, deathly |
| stymie | present an obstacle, stump |
| subaltern | subordinate |
| sublimate | refine, purify |
| sublime | exalted, noble and uplifting, utter |
| subliminal | below the threshold |
| suborn | persuade to act unlawfully |
| substantive | essential, pertaining to the substance |
| subsume | include, encompass |
| subterfuge | pretense, evasion |
| subtlety | perceptiveness, ingenuity, delicacy |
| succor | aid, assist, comfort |
| suffragist | advocate of voting rights(women) |
| suffuse | spread over |
| sully | tarnish, soil |
| sunder | separate, part |
| superannuated | retired or disqualified because of age |
| supercilious | arrogant, condescending, patronizing |
| supererogatory | superfluous, more than needed or demanded |
| supine | lying on the back |
| supplant | replace, usurp |
| suppliant | entreating, beseeching |
| supplicate | petition humbly, pray to grant in favor |
| surfeit | satiate, stuff, indulge to excess in anything |
| surreptitious | secret, furtive, sneaky, hidden |
| sustain | experience, support, nourish |
| swarthy | dark, dusky |
| swathe | wrap around, bandage |
| swill | drink greedily |
| sybarite | lover of luxury |
| sycophant | servile flatter, bootlicker, yes man |
| syllogism | deceptive or specious argument, logical formula |
| sylvan | rustic, pertaining to the woods |
| symbiosis | interdependent relationship often mutually beneficial |
| synoptic | summary, providing a general overview |
| taciturn | habitually silent, talking little |
| tactile | pertaining to the organs or sense of touch |
| talon | claw of a bird |
| taper | candle |
| tarry | delay, dawdle |
| tautological | needlessly repetitious |
| temerity | boldness, rashness |
| temperate | restrained self controlled |
| temporize | avoid committing oneself, gain time |
| tenacious | holding fast |
| tenacity | firmness, persistence |
| tendentious | having an aim, biased, deigned to further a cause |
| tenet | doctrine, dogma |
| tenuous | thin, rare, slim |
| tessellated | inlaid, mosaic |
| testator | maker of a will |
| testy | irritable, short tempered |
| theocracy | government run by religious leaders |
| thespian | pertaining to drama |
| thrall | slave, bondage |
| throes | violent anguish |
| tiller | handle used to move a boats rudder |
| timidity | lack of self confidence or courage |
| timorous | fearful, demonstrating fear |
| tipple | drink (alcohol) frequently |
| tirade | extended scolding, denunciation, harangue |
| tithe | tax of one tenth |
| titter | nervous laugh |
| toady | servile flatter, yes man |
| tome | large volume |
| torpor, torpid | lethargy, sluggishness, dormancy |
| torrid | passionate, hot or scorching |
| tortuous | winding full of curves |
| totter | move unsteadily, sway, as if about to fall |
| tout | publicize, praise excessively |
| tract | pamphlet, a region of indefinite size |
| tractable, tractability | docile, easily managed |
| traduce | expose to slander |
| transcendent | surpassing, exceeding ordinary limits, superior |
| transcribe | copy |
| transitory | impermanent, fleeting |
| transmute | change, convert to something different |
| transpire | be revealed, happen |
| transport | strong emotion |
| trappings | outward decorations, ornaments |
| travail | painful labor |
| travesty | comical parody, treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous |
| treatise | article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly |
| trenchant | cutting, keen |
| trepidation | fear, nervous apprehension |
| tribulation | distress, suffering |
| trinket | knickknack, bauble |
| troth | pledge of good faith especially in betrothal |
| truculence | aggressiveness, ferocity |
| truism | self-evident truth |
| tumid | swollen, pompous, bombastic |
| tureen | deep dish for serving soup |
| turgid | swollen, distended |
| turpitude | depravity |
| tutelage | guardianship, training |
| tutelary | protective, pertaining to a guardianship |
| tyro | beginner, novice |
| ubiquitous | being everywhere, omnipresent |
| umbrage | resentment, anger, sense of injury or insult |
| unassailable | not subject to question, not open to attack |
| unassuaged | unsatisfied, not soothed |
| unbridled | violent |
| unconscionable | unscrupulous, excessive |
| unction | the act of anointing with oil |
| unctuous | oily, bland, insincerely suave |
| unequivocal | plain, obvious |
| unerringly | infallibly |
| unexceptionable | not offering any basis for criticism, entirely acceptable |
| unfledged | immature |
| unguent | ointment |
| uninhibited | unrepressed |
| unmitigated | unrelieved or immoderate, absolute |
| unobtrusive | inconspicuous, not blatant |
| unprepossessing | unattractive |
| unrequited | not reciprocated |
| unseemly | unbecoming, indecent |
| unsullied | untarnished |
| unwonted | unaccustomed |
| upbraid | severely scold, reprimand |
| upshot | outcome |
| ursine | bear like, pertaining to a bear |
| usury | lending money at illegal rates of interest |
| uxorious | excessively devoted to ones wife |
| vacillate | waver, fluctuate |
| vacuous | empty, lacking in ideas, stupid |
| vagary | caprice, whim |
| vagrant | stray, random |
| vagrant | homeless wanderer |
| vainglorious | boastful, excessively conceited |
| vanguard | forerunners, advance forces |
| vapid | dull & unimaginative, insipid & flavorless |
| vaunted | boasted, bragged, highly publicized |
| vassal | feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord |
| venal | capable of being bribed |
| venial | forgivable, trivial |
| ventral | abdominal |
| venturesome | bold |
| veracious | truthful |
| veracity | truthfulness |
| verbiage | pompous array of words |
| verdant | green, lush in vegetation |
| verdigris | green coating on copper which has been exposed to the weather |
| verisimilar | probable or likely |
| verisimilitude | appearance of truth, likelihood |
| veritable | actual, being truly so, not false or imaginary |
| verity | quality of being true, lasting truth or principle |
| vernal | pertaining to spring |
| verve | enthusiasm, liveliness |
| vestige | trace, remains |
| viand | food |
| vicarious | acting as a substitute, done by a deputy |
| vicissitude | change of fortune |
| victuals | food |
| vignette | picture, short literary sketch |
| vilify | slander |
| vintner | winemaker, seller of wine |
| virile | manly |
| virtuoso | highly skilled artist |
| visage | face, appearance |
| visceral | felt in ones inner organs |
| viscid | adhesive, gluey |
| vital | vibrant and lively, critical, living, breathing |
| vitiate | spoil the effect of , make inoperative |
| vitreous | pertaining to or resembling glass |
| vitriolic | corrosive, sarcastic |
| vituperative | abusive, scolding |
| volition | act of making a conscious choice |
| voracious | ravenous |
| vouchsafe | grant condescendingly, guarantee |
| vulpine | like a fox, crafty |
| waffle | speak equivocally about an issue |
| waggish | mischievous, humorous, tricky |
| waif | homeless child or animal |
| wan | having a pale or sickly color, pallid |
| wanderlust | strong longing to travel |
| wane | decrease in size or strength, draw gradually to an end |
| wangle | wiggle out, fake |
| wanton | unrestrained, willfully malicious, unchaste |
| warble | sing, babble |
| warren | tunnel in which rabbit live, crowded conditions in which people live |
| wastrel | profligate |
| wax | increase, grow |
| waylay | ambush, lie in wait |
| welt | mark from a beating or whipping |
| welter | turmoil, bewildering jungle |
| welter | wallow |
| wheedle | cajole, coax, deceive by flattery |
| whelp | young wolf, dog, tiger, etc |
| whinny | neigh like a horse |
| whit | pare, cut off bits |
| whorl | ring of leaves around a stem, ring |
| winsome | agreeable, gracious, engaging |
| wispy | thin, slight, barely discernable |
| wistful | vaguely longing, sadly pensive |
| witless | foolish, idiotic |
| witticism | witty saying, wisecrack |
| wizened | withered, shriveled |
| woe | deep, inconsolable grief, affliction, suffering |
| wont | custom, habitual procedure |
| wrest | pull away, take by violence |
| writhe | twist in coils, contort in pain |
| xenophobia | fear or hared of foreigners |
| yen | longing, urge |
| yeoman | man owning small estate, middle class farmer |
| yoke | join together, unite |
| yokel | country bumpkin |
| zephyr | gentle breeze, west wind |