Print › All Vocabulary Words

adroit: adj. skillful; clever - syn: dexterous; apt - ant: clumsy ; awkward
adulterate: v. to make impure; to contaminate - syn: taint; corrupt - ant: refine; refined
adventitious: adj. accidental; nonessential - syn: incidental
aegis: n. a shield; protection - syn: backing
aesthetic: pertaining to beauty
affectation: n. a phony attitude; pose - syn: insincerity; sham - ant: sincerity; genuineness
affluence: n. wealth; richness - syn: fortune
agape: adj. open-mouthed; surprised; agog - syn: astonished
aggrandize: v. (1) to increase the range of; to expand - syn: enlarge; augment; enrich - ant: decrease; diminish (2) to make appear larger - syn: exaggerate; embellish - ant: belittle; devalue
altruism: n. a concern for others; generosity - syn: unselfishness; magnanimity - ant: selfishness; egoism
ambiguous: adj. open to more than one interpretation - syn: unclear; uncertain; vague - ant: explicit; definite
amoral: adj. lacking a sense of right and wrong - syn: corrupt; evil - ant: innocent; virtuous
amorphous: adj. shapeless, formless, vague
animosity: n. hatred - syn: ill-will; hostility - ant: friendliness; congeniality
antipathy: n. an intense dislike - syn: aversion - ant: affinity
antithesis: n. an exact opposite; an opposite extreme - syn: converse - ant: same
badinage: n. playful, teasing talk - syn: chaff; joshing
banal: adj. common, ordinary - syn: trivial; insipid - ant: original; fresh
baroque: adj. overly decorated - syn: ornate - ant: simple
bauble: n. a showy but useless thing - syn: trinket
bedlam: n. a noisy uproar; a scene of wild confusion - syn: mayhem; chaos
besiege: v. to overwhelm; to surround and attack
besmirch: v. to make dirty; to stain - syn: soil; sully; smear - ant: cleanse
bestial: adj. savage; brutal - syn: brutish; vile; cruel - ant: humane; kind
bilious: adj. bad tempered; cross
blanch: v. to whiten; to make pale
bland: adj. mild; tasteless; dull - syn: smooth; agreeable - ant: exciting; thrilling
blandishment: n. flattery - syn: overpraise; bootlicking
bombast: n. impressive but meaningless language
bona fide: adj. in good faith - syn: legitimate; genuine - ant: fraudulent; phony
boor: n. a rude or impolite person - syn: buffoon; clown - ant: sophisticate
bovine: adj. pertaining to cows or cattle
bowdlerize: v. to remove offensive passages of a play, novel, etc. - syn: censor
brevity: n. briefness; short duration - syn: terseness; conciseness - ant: lengthiness
bucolic: adj. pertaining to the countryside; rural; rustic - syn: pastoral - ant: urban
callow: adj. young and inexperienced - syn: immature - ant: mature; sophisticated
carcinogen: n. causing cancer
carnal: adj. relating to physical appetite, especially sexual - syn: erotic - ant: chaste; modest
carrion: n. decaying flesh
cataclysm: n. a violent change - syn: disaster; catastrophe - ant: triumph; boon
cataract: n. a large waterfall
caveat: n. a warning - syn: admonition; caution
celibate: adj. abstaining from intercourse; unmarried
censure: v. to criticize sharply - syn: condemn; reproach - ant: praise; applaud
cessation: n. a stopping; a discontinuance - syn: ceasing; end - ant: beginning; commencement
chaff: worthless matter
chagrin: n. embarrassment; a complete loss of courage
chimerical: adj. imaginary; fantastic - syn: absurd; illusionary - ant: practical
debacle: n. a complete failure; a total collapse - syn: calamity; catastrophe - ant: success; triumph
debauchery: n. corruption; self-indulgence - syn: excess; dissipation
deference: n. respect; consideration
defile: v. to pollute; to corrupt
deign: v. to lower oneself before an inferior - syn: stoop; condescend
delineate: v. to describe, to depict
demeanor: n. behavior; manner of conducting oneself - syn: deportment
denouement: n. an outcome; result - syn: conclusion
deride: v. to ridicule; to mock - syn: scorn - ant: praise
desiccated: adj. dried up
despicable: adj. contemptible; hateful - syn: vile; base - ant: laudable; worthy
deviate: v. to turn aside from a course; to stray - syn: digress
diadem: n. a crown
diaphanous: adj. very sheer and light - syn: transparent; gossamer - ant: opaque
dichotomy: n. a division into two parts
ebullient: adj. enthusiastic - syn: exuberant; lively - ant: dejected; dispirited
eclectic: adj. choosing from various sources - syn: selective - ant: narrow
edify: v. improve someone morally
effete: adj. worn out; barren - syn: exhausted; spent and sterile - ant: vital; vigorous
egregious: remarkably bad; outrageous
elegy: n. a sad or mournful poem - syn: dirge; lament
elicit: v. to draw forth; to call forth - syn: evoke; extract - ant: cover; suppress
elixir: n. a supposed remedy for all ailments - syn: medicine; panacea
elucidate: v. to make clear - syn: explain; clarify - ant: obscure
emanate: v. to come forth; to send forth - syn: rise; emerge
emendation: n. a correction - syn. improvement; amendment
empathy: n. an understanding of another's feelings - syn: appreciation; compassion
empirical: based on practical experience rather than theory
endemic: adj. confined to a particular country or area - syn: native; indigenous - ant: alien; foreign
enervate: v. to weaken - syn: devitalize; exhaust - ant: energize; strengthen
ephemeral: adj. lasting only a brief time; short-lived - syn: transient; fleeting - ant: permanent
epitome: n. a typical example - syn: embodiment; archetype
erotic: adj. pertaining to sexual love
eschew: v. to keep away from; to avoid; to shun - ant: embrace; welcome
extenuate: v. to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses
facetious: adj. comical; jocular; flippant - syn: joking; witty: jocose - ant: solemn; serious
factious: adj. causing disagreement - syn: belligerent; contentious - ant: cooperative; united
fastidious: adj. hard to please; fussy - syn: meticulous; exacting - ant: casual; lax
fatuous: adj. foolish; inane - syn: silly - ant: sensible; wise
fecund: adj. fertile; productive - syn: prolific - ant: sterile
ferret: v. to search or drive out
fervent: adj. eager; earnest - syn: burning; passionate - ant: apathetic
fetish: n. an object that receives respect or devotion - syn: charm; talisman
finesse: n. diplomacy; tact; artful management - syn: skill; cunning - ant: tactlessness
fissure: n. an opening; a groove; a split
flaccid: flabby
flaunt: v. to show off - syn: boast; exhibit - ant: conceal
foment: to stir up; to incite
fop: n. an excessively fashion-conscious man - syn: dandy
fortuitous: adj. happening by chance or accident - syn: accidental; unexpected - ant: premeditated; intentional
gambol: v. to frolic; to romp about playfully - syn: play; caper; rollick
garish: adj. tastelessly gaudy - syn: showy; glaring; flashy - ant: sedate; conservative
garner: v. to gather; to acquire - syn: harvest
garrulous: adj. talkative - syn: loquacious; verbose - ant: taciturn
germane: relevant; fitting
gibe: v. to scoff; to ridicule - syn: jeer; taunt; sneer - ant: compliment; praise
gloat: v. to look at or think about with great satisfaction - syn: revel; crow
glower: v. to stare angrily - syn: frown; scowl - ant: grin
grandiose: adj. impressive; showy; magnificent - syn: stately; imposing - ant: humble
gratuitous: adj. unnecessary or uncalled for
grotesque: adj. absurd; distorted
gumption: n. courage and initiative; common sense - syn: enterprise; aggressiveness; drive
hackneyed: adj. commonplace; overused - syn: trite; banal - ant: fresh; imaginitive
halcyon: adj. calm; pleasant - syn: tranquil; unruffled - ant: troubled; tumultuous
hallow: to make holy
harbinger: n. an omen or sign - syn: warning; portent
harlequin: n. a clown
hedonism: n. pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses
hegira: n. flight; escape
hermetic: tightly sealed
heterogeneous: adj. different; dissimilar - syn: diverse; varied - ant: homogeneous; similar
hoi polloi: n. the common people; the masses
hospice: a shelter for travelers, orphans, or the ill or destitute
hybrid: n. anything of mixed origin
idiosyncrasy: n. a peculiar personality trait - syn: eccentricity; quirk
idolatry: n. excessive or blind adoration; worship of an object
ignoble: adj. dishonorable; shameful - syn: despicable; base - ant: noble; glorious
imminent: adj. likely to happen; threatening - syn: impending; approaching - ant: distant; delayed
immolate: v. to kill someone as a sacrificial victim, usually by fire
immutable: adj. unchangeable; fixed - syn: enduring - ant: flexible; changeable
impair: v. to weaken; to cause to become worse - syn: damage; deteriorate - ant: enhance
impale: v. to pierce with a sharp stake through the body
impecunious: adj. without money; penniless - syn: destitute; indigent - ant: affluent; prosperous
impediment: n. a barrier; obstruction - syn: obstacle; hindrance - ant: aid
imperative: adj. extremely necessary; vitally important
imperious: adj. domineering; haughty - syn: overbearing; arrogant; masterful - ant: servile; submissive
impinge: v. to encroach; to trespass - syn: infringe; intrude
impious: adj. disrespectful toward God - syn: irreligious; profane - ant: devout; pious
importune: v. to ask persistently; to beg - syn: appeal; badger
impotent: adj. powerless; lacking strength - syn: ineffective; helpless - ant: potent; powerful
imprecation: n. a curse - syn: condemnation; anathema - ant: blessing
juxtapose: v. to place side-by-side for comparison - syn: measure; examine
kinetic: adj. pertaining to motion
kismet: n. destiny; fate; fortune (one's lot in life)
knell: n. a sound made by a bell, often rung slowly for a death or funeral
labyrinth: n. a complicated network of winding passages; a maze
lachrymose: adj. tearful, weepy
laconic: adj. using few words; short; concise - syn: pithy; taciturn - ant: verbose; loquacious
languid: adj. sluggish; drooping from weakness - syn: listless; feeble; drooping - ant: robust; vigorous
legerdemain: n. sleight of hand; deception
libertine: n. one who leads an immoral life - syn: hedonist; glutton; epicurean
machination: n. an evil design or plan - syn: scheme; plot
macroscopic: adj. visible to the naked eye - ant: microscopic
maelstrom: n. whirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind
malapropism: n. a word humorously misused
martinet: n. a strict disciplinarian; taskmaster
masochist: n. one who enjoys his or her own pain and suffering
mendacious: adj. lying; false; deceitful - syn: duplicitous - ant: truthful
meretricious: attractive in a cheap, flashy way
milieu: n. environment; setting
nebulous: adj. hazy; vague; uncertain - syn: cloudy; indistinct; obscure - ant: distinct; precise
necromancy: n. magic, especially that practiced by witches - syn: black magic; conjuring
neologism: n. a new word or expression - syn: coinage
nihilism: n. a total rejection of established laws
nirvana: n. a condition of great peace or happiness
non sequitur: n. something that does not logically follow - syn: fallacy; misconception
nubile: adj. suitable for marriage in age and physical development, referring to a female
obdurate: adj. stubborn; hardhearted - syn: inflexible; obstinate - ant: compliant; amenable
obfuscate: v. to confuse; to bewilder - syn: muddle; obscure - ant: clarify; elucidate
obloquy: n. strong disapproval; a bad reputation resulting from public criticism - syn: censure; rebuke - ant: acclaim; praise
obsequious: adj. excessively submissive or overly attentive - syn: servile; fawning - ant: domineering; haughty
obviate: v. to prevent; to get around - syn: circumvent
offal: n. garbage; waste parts
olfactory: adj. pertaining to smell
onerous: adj. burdensome; heavy; hard to endure - syn: crushing; distressing
onus: n. a burden; a responsibility - syn: obligation
optimum: adj. best; most favorable; ideal
opulent: adj. rich, luxurious; wealthy
orifice: mouth; opening
orthography: n. correct spelling
paleontology: n. a science dealing with prehistoric life, through the study of fossils
panache: n. self-confidence; a showy manner - syn: charisma; spirit
panegyric: n. an expression of praise - syn: tribute; extolment - ant: denunciation
paradigm: n. a model; an example
parochial: adj. local; narrow; limited - syn: provincial; narrow-minded - ant: universal; catholic
parody: n. a work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner - syn: caricature; burlesque; lampoon
paroxysm: n. a sudden outburst; a fit - syn: outburst; commotion
patent: adj. evident or obvious - syn: indisputable; apparent
peccadillo: n. a minor offense; a misdeed
pedantic: adj. tending to show off one's learning - syn: bookish
pedestrian: adj. ordinary or dull - syn: commonplace; mediocre - ant: imaginative; compelling
pejorative: adj. having a negative effect; insulting - syn: disparaging; derogatory - ant: complimentary
perdition: damnation; ruin; hell
perfunctory: adj. done without care; in a routine fashion - syn: indifferent; offhand - ant: diligent; attentive
perspicacity: n. keenness of judgment - syn: perceptiveness - ant: stupidity; ignorance
peruse: v. to read carefully; scrutinize
quagmire: n. a swamp; a difficult or inextricable situation
quandary: n. a puzzling situation; a dilemma - syn: predicament
quasi-: adj. resembling; seeming; half
querulous: complaining; grumbling
quiddity: n. an essential quality - syn: essence
raiment: n. clothing; garments
rakish: adj. dashingly stylish and confident - syn: dapper; jaunty - ant: slovenly; disheveled
ratiocinate: to reason; to think
rationalize: v. to make an excuse for - syn: justify
recapitulate: v. to summarize; to repeat briefly
recoil: v. to retreat; to draw back
recondite: adj. difficult to understand; profound
rectify: v. to correct; to make right - syn: remedy; resolve
redolent: adj. having a pleasant odor; suggestive or evocative - syn: aromatic - ant: acrid
redundant: adj. repetitious; using more words than needed - syn: wordy; excessive; unnecessary - ant: essential
regress: v. to move backward
sacrosanct: adj. extremely holy - syn: divine; angelic
sadistic: adj. deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others - syn: barbarous; perverse - ant: civilized; humane
sagacious: adj. wise; having keen perception and sound judgment - syn: shrewd; intelligent - ant: obtuse; fatuous
salutary: adj. healthful; wholesome - syn: beneficial - ant. pernicious
sanguine: adj. cheerful; optimistic
sapient: adj. wise; full of knowledge - syn: sagacious - ant: fatuous; inane
saturnine: adj. gloomy; sluggish - syn: sullen; morose - ant: genial
savant: n. a person of extensive learning; an eminent scholar
scintillate: v. to sparkle; to twinkle; to sparkle intellectually
scurrilous: adj. coarsely abusive; vulgar - syn: indecent - ant: respectable
sedition: n. rebellion or resistance against the government - syn: treachery; disloyalty
sedulous: adj. hard working; diligent - syn: studious; assiduous - ant: lazy; lax
sentient: adj. conscious; capable of feeling or perceiving - syn: alert; alive; cognizant
shard: n. a fragment
shibboleth: n. a word or pronunciation that distinguishes someone as of a particular group