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GRE High Frequency Words
GRE High Frequency Words
241
English
Graduate
08/08/2011

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Cards

Term
Officious
Definition
Helpful in an excessive, offensive manner
Term
Sycophant
Definition
Self-serving brown-noser
Term
Deferential
Definition
Courteously yielding to the wishes of another
Term
Assiduous
Definition
Persistent attention
Term
Equivocate
Definition
To avoid explicit statements; be ambiguous
Term
Penury
Definition
Extreme poverty
Term
Spurious
Definition
Lacking authenticity in origin; false
Term
Emulation
Definition
Imitate an admired person's characteristics
Term
Nonplussed
Definition
To put at a loss for what to say/do; to bewilder
Term
Discomfited
Definition
To embarrass; disconcert (original meaning: to defeat, frustrate)
Term
Parsimonious
Definition
Excessively frugal
Term
Ogle
Definition
To observe someone in a lecherous manner
Term
Hone
Definition
To sharpen
Term
Phlegmatic
Definition
Having a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
Term
Craven
Definition
Cowardly
Term
Quandry
Definition
State of perplexity
Term
Erudite
Definition
Scholarly, learned
Term
Effrontery
Definition
Shameless boldness
Term
Indolence
Definition
Habitual laziness; sloth
Term
Diffidence
Definition
Tentativeness; timidity
Term
Abate
Definition
Lessen intensity of something negative
Term
Aberrant
Definition
Deviating from standard
Term
Abeyance
Definition
Suspension, pause, temporary disuse
Term
Abscond
Definition
Get the f out of Dodge, usually because you did something wrong
Term
Abstemious
Definition
Not self-indulgent, especially when eating or drinking
Term
Admonish
Definition
Warn, reprimand
Term
Adulterate
Definition
Contaminate something by adding something inferior to the mix
Term
Aesthetic
Definition
Concerned with beauty, appreciation of beauty
Term
Aggregate
Definition
Whole formed by combining several disparate elements
Term
Alacrity
Definition
Brisk, cheerful readiness
Term
Alleviate
Definition
Make something negative less severe
Term
Amalgamate
Definition
Combine or unite to form one structure
Term
Ambiguous
Definition
Open to more than one meaning
Term
Ambivalence
Definition
Having mixed feelings/contradictory feelings
Term
Ameliorate
Definition
Make something negative better
Term
Anachronism
Definition
A thing belonging to a period other than the one in which it appears
Term
Analogous
Definition
Comparable in certain respects
Term
Anarchy
Definition
Disorder due to absence of authority
Term
Anomalous
Definition
Deviating from what is normal
Term
Antipathy
Definition
Deep-seated hatred; aversion
Term
Apathy
Definition
Lack of interest, concern
Term
Appease
Definition
Pacify by yielding to demands
Term
Apprise
Definition
Inform or tell someone
Term
Approbation
Definition
Approval, praise
Term
Appropriate (v.)
Definition
Take something for one's own use, typically w/o owner's permission; devote something to a special purpose
Term
Arduous
Definition
Involving strenuous effort
Term
Artless
Definition
W/o guile/deception; natural, simple; w/o finesse/sophistication
Term
Ascetic
Definition
Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstinence, typically for religious reasons
Term
Assiduous
Definition
Persistent attention; diligence
Term
Assuage
Definition
Ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe
Term
Attenuate
Definition
Make thinner; weaken or lessen
Term
Audacious
Definition
Daring; bold
Term
Austere
Definition
Forbiddingly stern; severly simple and unornamented
Term
Autonomous
Definition
Self-governing
Term
Aver
Definition
Assert confidently or declare
Term
Banal
Definition
Commonplace, trite, unoriginal
Term
Belie
Definition
Contradict; give a false impression
Term
Beneficent
Definition
Kindly, doing good
Term
Bolster
Definition
Support; reinforce
Term
Bombastic
Definition
Pompous; using inflated language
Term
Boorish
Definition
Rude; insensitive
Term
Burgeon
Definition
Grow forth; send out buds
Term
Burnish
Definition
To make shiny by rubbing; polish
Term
Buttress
Definition
Support; prop up
Term
Cacophonous
Definition
Discordant, inharmonious sounds
Term
Capricious
Definition
Unpredictable, fickle
Term
Castigation
Definition
Punishment, severe criticism
Term
Catalyst
Definition
Person of thing that causes action; agent that influences chemical reaction but remains unchanged itself
Term
Caustic
Definition
Burning; sarcastically biting
Term
Chicanery
Definition
Trickery; deception
Term
Coagulate
Definition
Thicken, congeal, clot
Term
Coda
Definition
Concluding section of a musical or literary composition
Term
Cogent
Definition
Convincing
Term
Commensurate
Definition
Proportionate; corresponding in extent, degree, amount, etc.
Term
Compendium
Definition
Brief, comprehensive summary
Term
Complaisant
Definition
Trying to please; overly polite; obliging
Term
Compliant
Definition
Yielding; conforming to requirements
Term
Conciliatory
Definition
Reconciling; soothing
Term
Condone
Definition
Overlook; forgive; tacit approval; excuse
Term
Confound
Definition
Confuse; puzzle
Term
Connoisseur
Definition
Person competent to act as a judge of something
Term
Contention
Definition
Claim, thesis
Term
Contentious
Definition
Quarrelsome
Term
Contrite
Definition
Penitent
Term
Conundrum
Definition
Riddle; difficult problem
Term
Converge
Definition
Approach; tend to meet; come together
Term
Convoluted
Definition
Coiled around; involved; intricate
Term
Craven
Definition
Cowardly
Term
Daunt
Definition
Intimidate; frighten
Term
Decorum
Definition
Propriety; orderliness and good manners
Term
Default
Definition
Failure to act
Term
Deference
Definition
Courteous regard for another's wish
Term
Delineate
Definition
Define, portray, depict, sketch
Term
Denigrate
Definition
To blacken, defame
Term
Deride
Definition
Ridicule, make fun of
Term
Derivative
Definition
Unoriginal; obtained from another source
Term
Desiccate
Definition
Dry up
Term
Desultory
Definition
Aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
Term
Deterrent
Definition
Something that discourages; hindrance
Term
Diatribe
Definition
Bitter scolding; invective
Term
Dichotomy
Definition
Split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
Term
Diffidence
Definition
Timidness; temerity
Term
Diffuse
Definition
Wordy; rambling; spread out (like a gas)
Term
Digression
Definition
Wandering away from the subject at hand
Term
Dirge
Definition
Lament with music
Term
Disabuse
Definition
Correct a false impression; undeceive
Term
Discerning
Definition
Mentally quick and observant; having insight
Term
Discordant
Definition
Not harmonious; conflicting
Term
Discredit
Definition
Defame; destroy confidence in; disbelieve
Term
Discrepancy
Definition
Lack of consistency; difference
Term
Discrete
Definition
Separate; unconnected; consisting of distinct parts
Term
Disingenuous
Definition
Lacking genuine candor; insincere
Term
Disinterested
Definition
Unpredjudiced (meaning to pre-judge a situation)
Term
Disjointed
Definition
Lacking coherence; separated at the joints
Term
Dismiss (secondary meaning)
Definition
Eliminate from consideration; reject
Term
Disparage
Definition
Belittle
Term
Disparate
Definition
Basically different; unrelated
Term
Dissemble
Definition
Disguise; pretend
Term
Disseminate
Definition
Distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
Term
Dissolution
Definition
Disintegration; looseness in morals
Term
Dissonance
Definition
Discord; opposite of harmony
Term
Distend
Definition
Expand; swell out
Term
Distill
Definition
Purify; refine; concentrate
Term
Diverge
Definition
Vary; go in different directions from the same point
Term
Divest
Definition
Strip; deprive
Term
Document (v.)
Definition
Provide written evidence
Term
Dogmatic
Definition
Opinionated; arbitrary; doctrinal
Term
Dormant
Definition
Sleeping; lethargic; latent
Term
Dupe
Definition
Someone easily fooled; gullible person
Term
Ebullient
Definition
Showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Term
Eclectic
Definition
Selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources
Term
Efficacy
Definition
Power to produce desired effect
Term
Effrontery
Definition
Shameless boldness; impudence; sheer nerve; presumptuousness
Term
Elegy
Definition
Poem or song expressing lamentation
Term
Elicit
Definition
Drawn out by discussion
Term
Embellish
Definition
Adorn; ornament; enhance, as in a story
Term
Empirical
Definition
Based on experience
Term
Emulate
Definition
Imitate; rival (????)
Term
Endemic
Definition
Prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area of the country
Term
Enervate
Definition
Weaken
Term
Engender
Definition
Cause; produce
Term
Enhance
Definition
Increase; improve
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
Short-lived; fleeting
Term
Equanimity
Definition
Calmness of temperament; composure
Term
equivocate
Definition
use ambiguous language to conceal truth or avoid committing oneself
Term
erudite
Definition
learned; scholarly
Term
esoteric
Definition
hard to understand; known only to the chosen few
Term
eulogy
Definition
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
Term
euphemism
Definition
mild expression in place of an unpleasant one
Term
exacerbate
Definition
worsen; embitter
Term
exculpate
Definition
clear from blame
Term
exigency
Definition
urgent situation; pressing needs or demands; state of requiring immediate attention
Term
extrapolation
Definition
projection; conjecture
Term
facetious
Definition
joking (often inappropriately); humorous
Term
facilitate
Definition
help bring about; make less difficult
Term
fallacious
Definition
false; misleading
Term
fatuous
Definition
brainless; inane; foolish, yet smug
Term
fawning
Definition
trying to please by behaving obsequiously; being flattering (cringingly so)
Term
felicitous
Definition
suitably expressed; apt; well-chosen
Term
fervor
Definition
glowing ardor; intensity of feeling
Term
Flag (v.)
Definition
decline in vigor or strength; hang limply; droop; to decline in interest
Term
Fledgling
Definition
Inexperienced
Term
Flout
Definition
Reject; mock
Term
Foment
Definition
Stir up; instigate
Term
Forestall
Definition
Prevent by taking action in advance
Term
Frugality
Definition
thrift; economy
Term
Futile
Definition
useless; hopeless
Term
Gainsay
Definition
Deny
Term
Garrulous
Definition
Talkative, wordy, loquacious
Term
Goad
Definition
Urge on
Term
Gouge
Definition
Overcharge
Term
Grandiloquent
Definition
Pompous; pompous; using high-sounding language
Term
Gregarious
Definition
sociable
Term
Guileless
Definition
Without deceit
Term
Gullible
Definition
Easily deceived
Term
Harangue
Definition
Long, passionate, and vehement speech
Term
Homogeneous
Definition
Of the same kind
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
Exaggeration; overstatement
Term
Iconoclastic
Definition
Attacking cherished traditions
Term
Idolatry
Definition
Worship of idols; excessive admiration
Term
Immutable
Definition
Unchangeable
Term
Impair
Definition
Injure; hurt
Term
Impassive
Definition
W/o feeling; imperturbable; stoical
Term
Impede
Definition
hinder; block
Term
Imperturbable
Definition
Calm; placid
Term
Impermeable
Definition
impervious; not permitting passage through its substance
Term
Impervious
Definition
Impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed
Term
Implacable
Definition
Incapable of being pacified
Term
Implicit
Definition
Understood, but not stated
Term
Implode
Definition
Burst inward
Term
Inadvertently
Definition
Unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
Term
Inchoate
Definition
Recently begun; rudimentary; elementary
Term
Incongruity
Definition
lack of harmony; absurdity
Term
Inconsequential
Definition
Insignificant; unimportant
Term
Incorporate
Definition
Introduce something into a larger whole
Term
Indeterminate
Definition
Uncertain; indefinite
Term
Indigence
Definition
Poverty
Term
Indolent
Definition
Habitually lazy
Term
Inert
Definition
Inactive; lacking power to move
Term
Ingenuous
Definition
Naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
Term
Inherent
Definition
Firmly established by nature or habit
Term
Innocuous
Definition
Harmless
Term
Insensible
Definition
Unconscious; unresponsive
Term
Insinuate
Definition
Hint; imply; creep in
Term
Insipid
Definition
Lacking in flavor; dull
Term
Insularity
Definition
Narrow-mindedness; isolation
Term
Intractable
Definition
Unruly; stubborn; unyielding
Term
Intransigence
Definition
Refusal of any compromise; stubbornness
Term
Inundate
Definition
Overwhelm; flood
Term
Inured
Definition
Accustomed; hardened
Term
Invective
Definition
Abusive, insulting, or highly critical language
Term
Irascible
Definition
Irritable; easily angered
Term
Irresolute
Definition
Uncertain how to act; weak
Term
Itinerary
Definition
Plan of a trip
Term
Laconic
Definition
Brief and to the point
Term
Lassitude
Definition
Languor; weariness
Term
Latent
Definition
Dormant; hidden; delayed
Term
Laud
Definition
Praise
Term
Lethargic
Definition
Drowsy; dull
Term
Levee
Definition
Earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding
Term
Levity
Definition
Lack of seriousness; frivolity
Term
Log
Definition
Record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities
Term
Loquacious
Definition
Talkative
Term
Lucid
Definition
Easily understood; clear; intelligible
Term
Luminous
Definition
Shining; issuing light
Term
Magnanimity
Definition
Generosity
Term
Malingerer
Definition
One who feigns illness to escape duty
Term
Malleable
Definition
Capable of being shaped by pounding; impressionable
Term
Maverick
Definition
Rebel; nonconformist
Term
Mendacious
Definition
Lying; habitually dishonest
Term
Metamorphosis
Definition
Change in form
Term
Meticulous
Definition
Excessively careful; painstaking; scrupulous
Term
Misanthrope
Definition
One who hates mankind
Term
Mitigate
Definition
Lessen in intensity; moderate; appease
Term
Mollify
Definition
Soothe
Term
Morose
Definition
Ill-humored; sullen; melancholy
Term
Mundane
Definition
Wordly as opposed to spiritual; everyday
Term
Negate
Definition
Cancel out; nullify; deny
Term
Neophyte
Definition
Recent convert; beginner
Term
Obdurate
Definition
Stubborn
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