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abase: lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
abbreviate: shorten
abdicate: renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
aberrant: abnormal or deviant
aberration: deviation from the normal; mental disorder
abhor: detest; hate
abject: (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
abjure: renounce upon oath
ablution: washing
abnegation: renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abolish: cancel; put an end to
abominable: detestable; extremely unpleasant
abominate: loathe; hate
aboriginal: being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
abortive: unsuccessful; fruitless
abrasive: rubbing away; tending to grind down
abridge: condense or shorten
abrogate: abolish
abscond: depart secretly and hide
absolute: complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
absolve: pardon (an offense)
abstain: refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; ±â±ÇÇÏ´Ù
abstemious: sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
abstinence: restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
abstract: theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse: obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive: coarsely insulting; physically harmful
abysmal: bottomless
abyss: enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
academic: related to a school; not practical or directly useful
accede: agree
accelerate: move faster
accessible: easy to approach; obtainable
accessory: additional object; useful but not essential thing
acclaim: applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
acclimate: adjust to climate or environment; adapt
accolade: award of merit; strong praise and approval
accommodate: oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
accomplice: partner in crime
accord: agreement
accost: approach and speak first to a person
accretion: growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
accrue: come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
acknowledge: recognize; admit
acoustics: science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiesce: assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acquittal: deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
acrophobia: fear of heights
actuarial: calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
actuary: someone who advises insurance companies
acuity: sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
acumen: mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
acute: (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
adamant: hard; inflexible
adapt: make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
addiction: compulsive habitual need
address: direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
adept: expert at; very skilled
adhere: stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
adherent: supporter; follower
adjacent: adjoining; neighboring; close by
adjunct: something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration: solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
admonish: warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
adorn: decorate
adroit: skillful (in using mind or hand)
adulation: flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
adulterate: make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
advent: arrival
adventitious: accidental; casual; happening by chance
adversary: opponent; enemy
adverse: going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
adversity: great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
advocacy: support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
advocate: speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
aesthetic: artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
affable: easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
affected: artificial; pretended
affidavit: written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
affiliation: joining; associating with
affinity: feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
affirmation: positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
affliction: state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
affluence: abundance; wealth
affront: insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
aggrandize: make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
aggregate: sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
aghast: filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
agility: nimbleness; ability to move quickly
agitate: stir up; disturb
agnostic: one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
agrarian: pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
alacrity: cheerful promptness without reluctance
alchemy: medieval chemistry
alias: an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
alienate: make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
alimentary: supplying nourishment
allay: calm; pacify
allege: state without proof
allegiance: loyalty
alleviate: relieve (pain)
alliteration: repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate: assign; set apart for a particular purpose
alloy: mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
allude: refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
allure: entice; attract; tempt
alluvial: pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
altercation: noisy quarrel
altruistic: unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
amazon: female warrior
ambidextrous: capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience: environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
ambiguous: unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
ambivalence: the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
amble: walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
ambulatory: able to walk
ameliorate: improve
amenable: obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
amend: correct; change ; generally for the better
amenities: convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
amiable: agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable: peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
amity: friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
amnesia: loss of memory
amnesty: pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
amoral: nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
amorous: moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
amorphous: formless; lacking shape or definition
amphibian: able to live both on land and in water; N.
amphitheater: oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
amplify: increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph
anachronism: an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
analogous: comparable; similar
analogy: similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
anarchist: person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
anarchy: absence of governing body; state of disorder
ancestry: family descent; ADJ. ancestral
anchor: secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
ancillary: serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
anecdote: short story of an amusing or interesting event
anemia: condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
anesthetic: substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
anguish: acute pain; extreme suffering
angular: sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
animadversion: critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animated: lively; spirited
animosity: active enmity
annals: records arranged in yearly parts; history
anneal: reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
annex: attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
annihilate: destroy
annotate: comment; make explanatory notes
annuity: yearly allowance
annul: make void
anoint: consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
anomalous: abnormal; irregular
anomaly: irregularity
anonymity: state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
antagonism: hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
antecede: precede
antecedents: preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian: antiquated; extremely ancient
anthropoid: manlike; resembling a human being; N.
anthropologist: student of the history and science of humankind
anthropomorphic: having human form or characteristics
anticlimax: letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
antidote: remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
antipathy: aversion; dislike or opposition
antiseptic: substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
antithesis: contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
apathy: lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
aphasia: loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism: pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
apocalyptic: prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
apogee: highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
appall: dismay; shock deeply
apparition: ghost; phantom
appease: pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
append: attach
apposite: appropriate; fitting
appraise: estimate value of; N. appraisal
appreciate: be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
apprehend: arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
apprise: inform
approbation: approval
appropriate: acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
aptitude: fitness; talent
arbiter: person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
arbitrary: unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
arbitrate: act as judge (at the request of both sides)
arcade: a covered passageway usually lined with shops
arcane: esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
arch-: chief; first; Ex. archbishop
archaeology: study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
ardor: heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
aria: operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
aristocracy: hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
armada: fleet of warships
aromatic: fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
arraign: charge in court; indict
arrears: being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
arrogance: pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
arsenal: storage place for military equipment
articulate: effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
artifacts: object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
artisan: a manually skilled worker
ascendancy: controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
ascertain: find out for certain; make certain
ascetic: practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
ascribe: refer; attribute; assign
aseptic: preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
asperity: sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
aspersion: slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
aspirant: seeker after position or status
aspire: seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
assail: assault
assent: agree; accept; N. assessment
assiduous: diligent
assimilate: absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
assuage: mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption: something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
assurance: firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty
asteroid: small planet
astringent: binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
astronomical: enormously large or extensive
astute: wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage
asylum: place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
asymmetric: not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
atheistic: denying the existence of God; N. atheism
atone: make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
atrocity: brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
atrophy: wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
attentive: alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
attenuate: make thin; weaken
attest: testify; bear witness
attribute: essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
attrition: rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
audacious: daring; bold; N. audacity
audit: examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
augment: increase; add to
august: impressive; majestic
auspicious: favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
austere: forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
authenticate: prove genuine
authoritarian: subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
authoritative: having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
autocratic: having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
automaton: mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
autonomous: self-governing; N. autonomy
autopsy: examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
auxiliary: offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
avalanche: great mass of falling snow and ice
avarice: greediness for wealth
avenge: take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
aver: state confidently; declare as true
averse: reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
aversion: firm dislike
avert: prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
aviary: enclosure for birds; large cage
avocation: secondary or minor occupation
avow: declare openly; N. avowal
avuncular: of or like an uncle
awe: solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
axiom: self-evident truth requiring no proof
baffle: frustrate; perplex
banal: hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich'ed
bane: posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
bantering: joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
barb: sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
barrage: barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
barrister: counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
barterer: trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
beget: father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
belittle: disparage; depreciate
bellicose: warlike
belligerent: quarrelsome
benediction: blessing
benefactor: gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
beneficent: kindly; doing good
beneficial: helpful; useful; advantageous
beneficiary: person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
benevolent: generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
benign: kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
benison: blessing
bent: determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
bequeath: leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
beseech: beg; plead with
besiege: surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
bestow: confer
bicameral: two-chambered as a legislative body
bicker: quarrel
biennial: every two years
bizarre: fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
blunder: error; stupid mistake
bode: foreshadow; portend
bogus: counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
boisterous: violent; rough; noisy
bourgeois: middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
bovine: cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
breadth: width; extent
brevity: conciseness; shortness of duration
brochure: pamphlet
buoyant: able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
bureaucracy: overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
cache: hiding place; V.
cacophonous: discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cadaver: corpse; dead human body
cadaverous: like a corpse; pale
calamity: disaster; misery
calculated: deliberately planned; likely
calligraphy: beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
calumny: malicious misrepresentation; slander
cantankerous: ill-humored; irritable
capacious: spacious
caprice: whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious: unpredictable; fickle
caption: title; chapter heading; text under illustration
cardiologist: doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
caricature: distortion; burlesque
carillon: a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage: destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal: fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous: meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
cascade: small waterfall
castigation: punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
casualty: serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
catapult: slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
catastrophe: calamity ; disaster
categorical: without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
catharsis: purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic: purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
causal: implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic: burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
celerity: speed; rapidity
celestial: heavenly
censor: (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
censure: blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
centaur: mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade: denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
centrifugal: radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge: machine that separates substances by whirling them
centripetal: tending toward the center
centurion: Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
cerebral: pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
cerebration: thought; working of the brain
cessation: stoppage
chameleon: lizard that changes color in different situations
champion: support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
chaotic: in utter disorder
charisma: divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
chasm: abyss; very deep crack
chaste: morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
chauvinist: blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
check: stop motion; curb or restrain
chivalrous: courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
chronic: long established as a disease
chronicle: report; record (in chronological order)
cipher: nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circlet: small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
circuitous: roundabout
circumlocution: indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe: limit; confine; draw a line around
circumvent: outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
citadel: fortress
cite: quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
civil: having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
clairvoyant: having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
clamor: loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
clandestine: secret
claustrophobia: fear of being locked in
cleave: split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
clich'e: phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich'ed
climactic: relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
cloister: monastery or convent
cloying: distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
coalesce: combine; fuse; N. coalescence
coalition: partnership; league; union of separate political parties
codify: arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
coercion: use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
cogent: convincing
cogitate: think over; ponder
cognate: having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
cognitive: having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
cognizance: knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
cohere: stick together
cohesion: tendency to keep together
coin: make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
coincidence: the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
collaborate: work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
collate: examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
collateral: security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
colloquial: pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy: informal discussion; conversation
collusion: conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
colossal: huge
colossus: gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
combustible: easily burned; N. CF. combustion
comely: attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
comestible: something fit to be eaten
commandeer: take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
commensurate: equal in extent; of the same size
commiserate: feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious: spacious and comfortable
compact: agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
compatible: harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
compelling: overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
compendium: brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
compensatory: making up for; repaying
compilation: listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
compile: assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
complacency: self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
complaisant: trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
complement: complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
complementary: serving to complete something
compliance: conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
compliant: readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
complicity: participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
component: element; ingredient
composure: mental calmness
compound: combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex
comprehensive: broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
compress: force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
comprise: include; consist of
compunction: remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
compute: reckon; calculate
concatenate: link as in a chain
concave: hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
concede: admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
conceit: vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
concentric: having a common center
conception: beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
concession: an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
conciliatory: reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concise: brief and compact
conclusive: decisive; ending all debate
concoct: prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
concomitant: that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
concord: harmony; accord
concur: agree; coincide; happen at the same time
concurrent: happening at the same time; in agreement
condescend: (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
condign: adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condiments: seasonings; spices
condole: express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone: overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive: helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
conduit: aqueduct; passageway for fluids
confine: shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
confiscate: seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
conflagration: great fire
confluence: flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
conformity: harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
congeal: freeze; coagulate
congenial: pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
congenital: existing at birth
conglomeration: mass of material sticking together
congruence: correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
congruent: in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
conjecture: surmise; guess; V.
conjugal: pertaining to marriage
conjure: cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
connivance: pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connoisseur: person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
connotation: suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
connubial: pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
consanguinity: kinship; relationship by birth
conscientious: scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
conscript: draftee; person forced into military service; V.
consecrate: dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
consensus: general agreement; opinion reached by a group
consequential: self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
conservatory(conservatoire): school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
consign: send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
consistency: absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
console: lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
consolidation: unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
consonance: harmony; agreement
consort: associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
conspiracy: treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
constituent: supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
constraint: restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
construe: explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
consummate: complete; V.
contagion: infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
contaminate: pollute
contempt: scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
contend: struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contention: assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
contentious: quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
contest: dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
context: writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
contiguous: adjacent to; touching upon
contortions: twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
contrite: penitent; repentant; N. contrition
controvert: oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious: stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
contusion: bruise
convene: come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
convention: social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
conventional: ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
converge: approach; tend to meet; come together
conversant: familiar with; having knowledge of
converse: opposite; ADJ.
convert: one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
convex: curving outward
conveyance: vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
conviction: judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
convivial: pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
convoke: call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
convoluted: coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
cordial: warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
corollary: natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
corpulent: very fat; N. corpulence
correlation: mutual relationship
corroborate: confirm; support; strengthen
corrode: destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
corrosive: eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
cosmic: pertaining to the universe; vast
countenance: approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
counterpart: thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
couple: join; unite; OP. uncouple
covert: secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
craven: cowardly
credence: belief
credulity: belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet'e; ADJ. credulous
creed: system of religious or ethical belief
crescendo: increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
cringe: shrink back as if in fear; cower
criteria: standards used in judging; CF. criterion
crypt: secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
cryptic: mysterious; hidden; secret
culmination: highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
culpable: deserving blame; blameworthy
cumbersome: heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
cumulative: growing by addition; accumulative
cupidity: greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
curator: superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
cursory: casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
curtail: shorten; reduce
cynical: skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
d'ebris: rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
d'eb^acle: sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
daunt: intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
dauntless: bold; fearless
dawdle: loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
deadlock: standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
dearth: scarcity
debase: degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
debilitate: weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
decadence: decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant: pour off gently (wine or liquid)
decapitate: behead
decelerate: slow down
decimate: kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
decipher: decode; CF. indecipherable
decorum: propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
decoy: lure or bait; V.
decrepitude: state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
deducible: derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
deface: mar; disfigure
defame: harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
default: failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
defection: desertion
defer: give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
deference: courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
defiance: refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
defile: pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
definitive: most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
deflect: turn aside; turn away from a straight course
deft: neat; skillful
defunct: dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate: become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
degradation: humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
deify: turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
delete: erase; strike out
deliberate: consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
delineate: portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
delirium: mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
delta: flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
delude: deceive
deluge: flood; rush; V.
delusion: false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
delusive: deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
demagogue: person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demean: disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
demeanor: behavior; bearing
demented: insane
demise: death
demolition: destruction; V. demolish
denigrate: blacken; defame
denizen: (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
denotation: meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
denounce: condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
depict: portray
deplete: reduce; exhaust
deplore: regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
deploy: spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
depose: dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
deposition: testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
depravity: extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
deprecate: express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
depreciate: lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
depredation: plundering; destruction
deranged: insane
derelict: negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
deride: ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
derision: ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
derivative: unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
dermatologist: one who studies the skin and its diseases
derogatory: expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
desecrate: profane; violate the sanctity of
desiccate: dry up
desolate: (of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless
desolate: make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
despise: look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
despoil: plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
despondent: without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
despot: tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
destitute: extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
desultory: aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
deterrent: something that discourages or deters
detonation: explosion
detraction: slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
detrimental: harmful; damaging; N. detriment
deviate: turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
devise: think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
devoid: empty; lacking
devotee: enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
devout: pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
dexterous: skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
diabolical: diabolic; devilish; fiendish
dialectical: relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous: sheer; transparent
dichotomy: division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
diffidence: shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
digression: wandering away from the subject; V. digress
dilapidated: falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
dilate: expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
dilatory: delaying; tending to delay
dilemma: situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
diligence: steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute: make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
diminution: lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
din: continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
disabuse: correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
disapprobation: disapproval; condemnation
discernible: distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
discerning: mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
disclose: reveal; N. disclosure
discomfit: frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate: hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discord: conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
discordant: not harmonious; conflicting
discourse: serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
discredit: defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
discrepancy: lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
discrete: separate; unconnected
discretion: prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
discriminating: able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
disdain: treat with scorn or contempt
disenfranchise: disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
disfigure: mar the appearance of; spoil
dishearten: discourage
disinclination: unwillingness
disinterested: unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
disjointed: disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
disjunction: act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
dismember: cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
disparage: belittle
disparate: basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
disparity: difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
dispassionate: calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
dispatch: speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
dispel: scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
disperse: scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
disputatious: argumentative; fond of argument
disquietude: uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
dissection: analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
disseminate: distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
dissent: disagree
dissertation: formal essay; treatise
dissident: dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
dissipate: squander; waste foolishly; scatter
dissuade: persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
distend: expand; swell out
distill: refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
distort: twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
diurnal: daily; occurring during the daytime
diva: operatic singer; prima donna
diverge: vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
diverse: differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
diversion: act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
divest: strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
divine: perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
divulge: reveal
docile: obedient; easily managed; submissive
doctrine: teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
dogmatic: opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
dolorous: sorrowful; N. dolor
dormant: sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
dorsal: relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
drudgery: hard unpleasant work; menial work
duration: length of time something lasts
dynamic: energetic; vigorously active
ebb: (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient: showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric: irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity: oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic: ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
eclectic: selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse: darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
ecologist: person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
economy: efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecstasy: rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
edict: decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
eerie: weird; causing fear because strange
efface: rub out; remove the surface of
effectual: able to produce a desired effect; valid
effeminate: having womanly traits
effete: having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
efficacy: power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
effigy: dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
effrontery: rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effusion: pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
egoism: excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
egotistical: egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited
egregious: notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
elated: filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
elicit: draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
ellipsis: omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical: elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
eloquence: expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate: explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive: evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
emaciated: thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
emanate: issue forth; come out
emancipate: set free; liberate
embargo: ban on commerce or other activity
embark: commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed): enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish: adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement: taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
embrace: hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
embroider: decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
embroil: throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
embryonic: undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend: correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emissary: agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient: soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument: salary; payment for an office; compensation
empirical: based on experience
encipher: encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
enclave: territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic: praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass: surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment: gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
encumber: burden; N. encumbrance
endemic: prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
endorse: approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue: provide with some quality; endow
enduring: lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize: invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate: weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise: admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engaging: charming; attractive
engender: cause; produce; give rise to
engross: occupy fully; absorb
enhance: increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
enigma: puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
enjoin: command; order; forbid
enmity: ill will; hatred; hostility
enormity: hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
ensue: follow (as a result)
entail: make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
enthrall: capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice: lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
entity: real being
entomology: study of insects
entreat: plead; ask earnestly
entrepreneur: businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate: list; mention one by one
environ: enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
ephemeral: short-lived; fleeting
epic: long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure: connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
epilogue: short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
epitome: perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch: period of time
equable: tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity: calmness of temperament; composure
equilibrium: balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
equinox: period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
equitable: fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity: fairness; justice; OP. inequity
erode: eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic: pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
erroneous: mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite: (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
escapade: prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules
espionage: spying
esteem: respect; value; judge; N.
estranged: separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
etymology: study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic: pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic: praising; full of eulogy
euphemism: mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony: sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
euthanasia: mercy killing
evanescent: fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evince: show clearly
evocative: tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke: call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
exacerbate: worsen; aggravate; embitter
exacting: extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
exalt: raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
excise: cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim: cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
exculpate: clear from blame or guilt
execrate: curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute: put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
exemplary: serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify: show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt: not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion: effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
exhilarating: invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
exhume: dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency: urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous: small in amount; minute
exodus: departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate: acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant: (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise: drive out evil spirits
exotic: not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
expatriate: exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country
expedient: suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite: hasten; make go faster
expenditure: payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise: specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
expiate: make amends for (a sin)
explicate: explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit: totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit: brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
exploit: make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expository: explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
exposure: risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound: explain
expurgate: clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extant: (of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous: not planned; impromptu; extempore
extirpate: root up; uproot; destroy completely
extort: wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
extricate: free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle
extrinsic: external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert: person interested mostly in external objects and actions
exult: rejoice
fabricate: build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society
facet: small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
facilitate: help bring about; make less difficult
facsimile: copy
faculty: mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fallacious: false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
fallible: liable to err
fanaticism: excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic
fancied: imagined; unreal
fathom: comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
fauna: animals of a period or region; CF. flora
feasible: practical; able to be carried out; practicable
feign: pretend
felon: person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime
festive: joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
fickle: changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
fidelity: loyalty; accuracy
figurative: not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
finale: conclusion; concluding part
finite: limited
fissure: crevice; crack
flagrant: conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous
flora: plants of a region or era
flourish: grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)
fluctuate: waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly
fluency: smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent
foreboding: premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
foreshadow: give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure
foresight: ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future
forestall: prevent by taking action in advance
forgo(forego): give up; do without
forlorn: sad and lonely; wretched; desolate
formality: ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality
formidable: menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question
forte: strong point or special talent in a person's character
fortitude: bravery; courage; strength of mind
founder: person who establishes (an organization or business)
frail: weak; N. frailty
franchise: right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
fraudulent: cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle
friction: clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against
frigid: intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone
frivolous: lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial
frugality: thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive
fruition: bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition
frustrate: thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose
fugitive: fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large
fumble: move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
fundamental: basic; primary; essential
fusion: union; coalition; V. fuse
futile: useless; hopeless; ineffectual
galaxy: large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities
gale: windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter
galleon: large three-masted sailing ship
gargoyle: waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building
gauche: clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
genealogy: record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry
generality: vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people
generate: cause; produce; create
generic: characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus
genesis: beginning; origin
genre: particular variety of art or literature
germane: pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
germinate: cause to sprout; sprout
gerontocracy: government ruled by old people
glacial: like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg
glib: fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick
glossary: brief explanation of words used in the text
glutton: someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much
gnome: dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards
goad: urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually
graduated: arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)
grandeur: impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
grandiloquent: (of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
grandiose: affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas
graphic: pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described
gratify: please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire
gratuitous: given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment
gratuity: tip
gravity: seriousness; ADJ. grave
gregarious: sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group
grievance: cause of complaint; complaint
grotesque: fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)
grudging: unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)
guile: deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
guileless: without deceit
guise: outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
gullible: easily deceived
gusty: windy
gyroscope: apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.
hackneyed: commonplace; trite
hallucination: delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory
hamper: obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°ÀÌ³ª ÀÇº¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ï
haphazard: random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town
harass: annoy by repeated attacks
harbinger: forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)
harbor: give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge
harry: harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid
hatch: deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg
haughtiness: pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
hazardous: dangerous
hazy: slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind
hedonist: one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure
heedless: not noticing; disregarding
herbivorous: grain-eating; CF. herbivore
heresy: opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
heterogeneous: dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants
hibernate: sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
hierarchy: arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority
hieroglyphic: picture writing; ADJ.
hindrance: block; obstacle; V. hinder
homage: honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to
homespun: domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
homogeneous: of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout
hostility: unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile
humane: marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian
humanitarian: one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism
humid: damp; N. humidity
hybrid: mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
hypercritical: excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)
hypocritical: pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite
hypothetical: based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis
icon(ikon): religious image; idol; image or representation
ideology: system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
idiosyncrasy: individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic
ignite: kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
illicit: illegal
illuminate: brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks
illusion: misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
illusive: deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive
illusory: illusive; deceptive; not real
imbalance: lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
imbibe: drink in
immaculate: spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
imminent: impending; near at hand
immobility: state of being immovable
immune: resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
immutable: unchangeable
impair: injure; hurt; damage
impalpable: imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible
impartial: not biased; fair; N. impartiality
impassable: not able to be traveled or crossed
impasse: predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress
impassive: without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
impecunious: without money
impede: hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block
impediment: hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment
impel: drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impending: nearing; approaching; about to happen
impenetrable: not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impenitent: not repentant
imperative: absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done
imperceptible: unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable
imperial: like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
impermeable: impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate
impertinent: insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
imperturbable: unshakably calm; placid
impetuous: violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
impetus: moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
impiety: irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
impious: irreverent
implacable: incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
implausible: unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi
implement: put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
implicate: incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime
implication: something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
implicit: understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
implode: burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
implore: beg
imply: suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
imponderable: weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
import: significance; importance; meaning
imposture: assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
impotent: weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power
impromptu: without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
impropriety: improperness; unsuitableness
improvident: thriftless; not providing for the future
improvise: compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent: lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impudence: impertinence; insolence
impunity: freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
inadvertently: unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
inalienable: not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
inanimate: lifeless; not animate
inaugurate: begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
incarcerate: imprison
incarnate: endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody
incarnation: act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
incendiary: arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense: enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
incentive: spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
inception: start; beginning
incessant: uninterrupted; unceasing
incidence: rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality
incidental: not essential; minor; N: something incidental
incipient: beginning; in an early stage
incisive: (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into
incite: arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
incline: slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
inclined: tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
inclusive: tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
incognito: with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.
incoherent: unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent
incommodious: not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible: inharmonious; N. incompatibility
incongruity: lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
inconsequential: insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency: state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
incontinent: lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible: indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorporate: introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
incorrigible: uncorrectable
incredulity: tendency to disbelief
incredulous: withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
increment: increase
incriminate: accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence
incubate: hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease
incubus: burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate: teach (ideas or principles); instill
incumbent: obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
incur: bring upon oneself
incursion: temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
indefatigable: tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
indelible: not able to be erased
indentation: notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
indeterminate: uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative: suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
indices: signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
indict: charge; N. indictment
indifferent: unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
indigence: poverty
indigenous: native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
indigent: poor; destitute
indignation: anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
indignity: treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
indiscriminate: choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions
indisputable: too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indissoluble: permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
indite: write; compose
indolent: lazy
indomitable: unconquerable; unyielding
induce: persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement
inductive: pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
indulgent: humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
industrious: diligent; hard-working; N. industry
ineffectual: not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
inept: unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate
inequity: unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
inevitable: unavoidable
infallible: unerring; never making mistakes
infamous: notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
infantile: childish; infantlike
infer: deduce; conclude; N. inference
infiltrate: pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
infinitesimal: very small
infirmity: weakness
inflated: exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
influx: flowing into
infraction: violation (of a rule or regulation); breach
infringe: violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)
ingenious: marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity
ingenuous: naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
ingrained: deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice
ingrate: ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)
inherent: firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic
inhibit: restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition
inimitable: matchless; not able to be imitated
iniquitous: wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity
initiate: begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated
injurious: harmful; causing injury
innate: inborn
innocuous: harmless
innovation: change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative
inopportune: untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen
inquisitor: questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition
insatiable: not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
insightful: discerning; perceptive
insolence: impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude
insolvent: bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency
insomnia: wakefulness; inability to sleep
insubordination: disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate
insubstantial: lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial
insuperable: insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
insurgent: rebellious; N.
insurmountable: overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection: rebellion; uprising
intangible: not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral: complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part
integrate: make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity: honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness
intellect: higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability
intelligentsia: intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
inter: bury; N. interment
interdict: prohibit; forbid; N.
interim: meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
interminable: endless
intermittent: periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
internecine: mutually destructive
intervene: come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention
intimidate: frighten; N. intimidation
intractable: unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
intransigence: refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intrepid: fearless
intrinsic: essential; inherent; built-in
introvert: one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
intuition: immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
inundate: flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
invalidate: weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
invective: abuse
inverse: opposite
invert: turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
inveterate: deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
invincible: unconquerable
invulnerable: incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
iota: very small quantity
irksome: annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
ironic: expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
irreconcilable: impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefutable: indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant: not applicable; unrelated
irremediable: incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
irreparable: not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
irrepressible: unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
irreproachable: beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct
irresolute: uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
irretrievable: impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve
irreverence: lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
irrevocable: unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
isotope: varying from of an element
jargon: language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk
jeopardize: endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger
jingoist: extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
jubilation: rejoicing; great joy
judicious: sound on judgment; wise
kernel: central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
kindle: start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
kinetic: producing motion; of motion
laborious: demanding much work or care; tedious
labyrinth: maze
lament: grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
languid: lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
languish: lose animation or strength
languor: lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
lascivious: lustful
latent: present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
lateral: of or coming from the side
laud: praise; N. ADJ. laud