Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GRE Vocabulary Workout
400 GRE Favorite Words
400
Language - English
Graduate
07/19/2009

Additional Language - English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abdicate
Definition
to give up a position, right, or power
Term
Abjure
Definition
to reject, abandon formally
Term
Ablution
Definition
act of cleansing
Term
Abnegate
Definition
to deny, renounce
Term
Abrogate
Definition
to abolish or invalidate by authority
Term
Abstemious
Definition
consuming moderately
Term
Abstruse
Definition
difficult to comprehend
Term
Abut
Definition
to touch, to be in contact with
Term
Acerbic
Definition
bitter, sharp in taste or temper
Term
Acme
Definition
highest point, summit
Term
Acquiesce
Definition
to agree or comply in silence
Term
Adroit
Definition
skillful, accomplished, highly competent
Term
Adumbrate
Definition
to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
Term
Aerie
Definition
nook or nest built high in the air
Term
Altruism
Definition
unselfish concern for others' welfare
Term
Ambulatory
Definition
itinerant; walking around
Term
Amortize
Definition
to diminish by installment payments
Term
Ancillary
Definition
accessory, subordinate; helping
Term
Antediluvian
Definition
prehistoric, ancient beyond measure; coming before the biblical flood
Term
Anthropomorphic
Definition
attributing human qualities to nonhumans; having human qualities
Term
Aplomb
Definition
poise, confidence
Term
Apostate
Definition
one who renounces a religious faith
Term
Apothegm
Definition
a short, instructive saying
Term
Apotheosis
Definition
deification; glorified ideal
Term
Arboreal
Definition
relating to trees; living in trees
Term
Assiduous
Definition
diligent, persistent, hardworking
Term
Bacchanalian
Definition
drunkenly festive
Term
Balk
Definition
to refuse, shirk; prevent
Term
Beatific
Definition
saintly, angelic
Term
Behemoth
Definition
huge creature
Term
Belie
Definition
to misrepresent; expose as false
Term
Benison
Definition
blessing
Term
Bifurcate
Definition
divide into two parts
Term
Bilious
Definition
easily irritated, relating to bile
Term
Bonhomie
Definition
good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
Term
Bulwark
Definition
defense wall; anything serving as defense
Term
Cajole
Definition
to flatter, coax, persuade
Term
Calamitous
Definition
disastrous, catastrophic
Term
Calumny
Definition
false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
Term
Canard
Definition
a lie
Term
Carom
Definition
to strike and rebound
Term
Cavalcade
Definition
a procession
Term
Chagrin
Definition
shame, embarrassment, humiliation
Term
Charlatan
Definition
quack, fake
Term
Chattel
Definition
piece of personal property
Term
Chimerical
Definition
fanciful, imaginary, visionary; impossible
Term
Choleric
Definition
easily angered, short-tempered
Term
Churlish
Definition
rude
Term
Cistern
Definition
tank for rainwater
Term
Coalesce
Definition
to grow together; cause to unite as one
Term
Coffer
Definition
strongbox, large chest for money
Term
Cognomen
Definition
family name; any name, especially a nickname
Term
Comeliness
Definition
physical grace and beauty
Term
Commodious
Definition
roomy, spacious
Term
Compunctious
Definition
feeling guilty or having misgivings
Term
Conciliatory
Definition
overcoming distrust or hostility
Term
Conflagration
Definition
big, destructive fire
Term
Congenial
Definition
similar in tastes and habits
Term
Consanguineous
Definition
of the same origin; related by blood
Term
Contentious
Definition
quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
Term
Contumacious
Definition
rebellious
Term
Corpulence
Definition
obesity, fatness, bulkiness
Term
Corrugate
Definition
to mold in a shape with parallel grooves and ridges
Term
Cosset
Definition
to pamper, treat with great care
Term
Coterie
Definition
small group of persons with a similar purpose
Term
Coven
Definition
group of witches
Term
Curmudgeon
Definition
cranky person
Term
Declivity
Definition
downward slope
Term
Deleterious
Definition
harmful, destructive, detrimental
Term
Deluge
Definition
flood
Term
Demagogue
Definition
leader or rabble-rouser who usually uses appeals to emotion or prejudice
Term
Denigrate
Definition
to slur or blacken someone's reputation
Term
Descry
Definition
to discover or reveal
Term
Diaphanous
Definition
Allowing light to show through; delicate
Term
Dictum
Definition
authoritative statement; popular saying
Term
Didactic
Definition
excessively instructive
Term
Diluvial
Definition
relating to a flood
Term
Diminutive
Definition
small
Term
Discomfit
Definition
to cause perplexity and embarrassment
Term
Distaff
Definition
the female branch of a family
Term
Dither
Definition
to move or act confusedly or without clear purpose
Term
Diurnal
Definition
daily
Term
Doctrinaire
Definition
rigidly devoted to theories
Term
Dolor
Definition
sadness
Term
Doughty
Definition
courageous
Term
Droll
Definition
amusing in a wry, subtle way
Term
Dyspeptic
Definition
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
Term
Ebullient
Definition
exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits
Term
Effluvia
Definition
outpouring of gases or vapors
Term
Effulgent
Definition
brilliantly shining
Term
Egregious
Definition
conspicuously bad
Term
Emend
Definition
to correct a text
Term
Emollient
Definition
having soothing qualities, esp. for skin
Term
Encomium
Definition
warm praise
Term
Endemic
Definition
belonging to a particular area, inherent
Term
Ennui
Definition
boredom, lack of interest and energy
Term
Epicure
Definition
person with refined taste in food and wine
Term
Epitome
Definition
representative of an entire group; summary
Term
Ersatz
Definition
fake
Term
Eschew
Definition
to abstain from, avoid
Term
Evince
Definition
to show clearly, display, signify
Term
Exorcise
Definition
to expel evil spirits
Term
Expatiate
Definition
to wander; to discuss or describe at length
Term
Expiate
Definition
to atone for, make amends for
Term
Expunge
Definition
to erase, eliminate completely
Term
Expurgate
Definition
to censor
Term
Extemporaneous
Definition
unreheared, on the spur of the moment
Term
Extol
Definition
to praise
Term
Extrapolate
Definition
to estimate
Term
Facetious
Definition
witty in an inappropriate way
Term
Fatuous
Definition
stupid; smugly foolish; unconsciously foolish
Term
Fealty
Definition
intense loyalty
Term
Fecund
Definition
fertile, fruitful, productive
Term
Fetid
Definition
foul-smelling, putrid
Term
Fey
Definition
doomed
Term
Filch
Definition
to steal
Term
Filial
Definition
appropraite for a child
Term
Flaccid
Definition
limp, flabby, weak
Term
Foliate
Definition
to grow, sprout leaves
Term
Forswear
Definition
to repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject
Term
Fracas
Definition
noisy dispute
Term
Fractious
Definition
unruly, rebellious
Term
Frenetic
Definition
wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
Term
Fulminate
Definition
to explode with anger
Term
Fulsome
Definition
excessive, overdone, sickeningly abundant
Term
Furtive
Definition
secret, stealthy
Term
Gainsay
Definition
to deny
Term
Gambol
Definition
to dance or skip around playfully
Term
Gauche
Definition
crude, socially awkward
Term
Germinate
Definition
to begin to grow (as in a seed or idea)
Term
Gibe
Definition
to make heckling, taunting remarks
Term
Glib
Definition
fluent in an insincere manner; offhand, casual
Term
Gnostic
Definition
having to do with knowledge
Term
Grandiloquence
Definition
pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language
Term
Gratuitous
Definition
free, voluntary; unnecessary and unjustified
Term
Gustatory
Definition
relating to sense of taste
Term
Hackneyed
Definition
worn out by over-use
Term
Harangue
Definition
a pompous speech
Term
Hegemony
Definition
leadership, domination, usually by a country
Term
Heretical
Definition
opposed to an established religious orthodoxy
Term
Hermetic
Definition
tightly sealed
Term
Hoary
Definition
very old; whitish or gray from age
Term
Husband
Definition
to farm; manage carefully and thriftily
Term
Idiosyncrasy
Definition
peculiarity of temperament, eccentricity
Term
Ignominious
Definition
disgraceful and dishonorable
Term
Ilk
Definition
type or kind
Term
Illusory
Definition
unreal, deceptive
Term
Imbue
Definition
to infuse; dye; wet, moisten
Term
Impecunious
Definition
poor, having no money
Term
Imperious
Definition
arrogantly self-assured, domineering, overbearing
Term
Impolitic
Definition
unwise
Term
Impromptu
Definition
spontaneous, without rehearsal
Term
Impugn
Definition
to call into question, attack verbally
Term
Incarnate
Definition
having bodily form
Term
Incendiary
Definition
combustible, flammable, burning easily
Term
Inculcate
Definition
to teach; impress in the mind
Term
Inculpate
Definition
to blame; charge with a crime
Term
Indefatigable
Definition
never tired
Term
Indigent
Definition
very poor
Term
Indolent
Definition
habitually lazy, idle
Term
Indubitable
Definition
unquestionable
Term
Inert
Definition
unable to move, tending to inactivity
Term
Infallible
Definition
incapable of making a mistake
Term
Ingenious
Definition
original, clever, inventive
Term
Ingratiate
Definition
to bring oneself purposely into another's good graces
Term
Ingress
Definition
entrance
Term
Innuendo
Definition
indirect and subtle criticism, insinuation
Term
Insidious
Definition
sly, treacherous, devious
Term
Insuperable
Definition
insurmountable, unconquerable
Term
Interdict
Definition
to forbid, prohibit
Term
Interlocutor
Definition
someone taking part in a dialogue
Term
Interloper
Definition
trespasser; meddler in others' affairs
Term
Internecine
Definition
deadly to both sides
Term
Interpolate
Definition
to insert; change by adding new words or material
Term
Interstice
Definition
a space between things
Term
Intimation
Definition
clue, suggestion
Term
Intrepid
Definition
fearless
Term
Intrinsic
Definition
inherent, internal
Term
Inure
Definition
to harden; accumstom; become used to
Term
Inveterate
Definition
confirmed, long-standing, deeply rooted
Term
Invidious
Definition
likely to provoke ill will, offensive
Term
Itinerant
Definition
wandering from place to place, unsettled
Term
Jibe
Definition
to shift suddenly from one side to the other
Term
Jingoism
Definition
belligerent support of one's country
Term
Jocular
Definition
jovial, playful, humorous
Term
Juggernaut
Definition
huge force destroying everything in its path
Term
Jurisprudence
Definition
Philosophy of Law
Term
Kismet
Definition
fate
Term
Knell
Definition
sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure
Term
Lachrymose
Definition
tearful
Term
Lambaste
Definition
disapprove angrily
Term
Lapidary
Definition
relating to precious stones
Term
Largess
Definition
generosity; gift
Term
Lassitude
Definition
lethargy, sluggishness
Term
Legerdemain
Definition
trickery
Term
Levity
Definition
humor, frivolity, gaiety
Term
Lexicon
Definition
dictionary, list of words
Term
Libidinous
Definition
lustful
Term
Licentious
Definition
immoral; unrestrained by society
Term
Limpid
Definition
clear and simple in style
Term
Liniment
Definition
medicinal liquid used externally to ease pain
Term
Lionize
Definition
to treat as a celebrity
Term
Lissome
Definition
easily flexed, limber, agile
Term
Lugubrious
Definition
sorrowful, mournful
Term
Macabre
Definition
gruesome, producing horror
Term
Machination
Definition
plot or scheme
Term
Malapropism
Definition
humorous misuse of a word
Term
Malevolent
Definition
ill-willed; causing evil or harm to others
Term
Manifold
Definition
diverse, varied; comprised of many parts
Term
Martinet
Definition
strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules
Term
Maudlin
Definition
overly sentimental
Term
Mawkish
Definition
sickeningly sentimental
Term
Megalomania
Definition
mental state with delusions of wealth and power
Term
Mendacious
Definition
dishonest
Term
Mendicant
Definition
beggar
Term
Mercurial
Definition
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
Term
Meritorious
Definition
deserving reward or praise
Term
Minatory
Definition
menacing, threatening
Term
Mnemonic
Definition
relating to memory; designed to assist memory
Term
Molt
Definition
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
Term
Mordacious
Definition
caustic, biting
Term
Mote
Definition
small particle, speck
Term
Multifarious
Definition
diverse
Term
Munificent
Definition
generous
Term
Nadir
Definition
lowest point
Term
Nascent
Definition
starting to develop, coming into existence
Term
Nebulous
Definition
vague, cloudy
Term
Necromancy
Definition
black magic
Term
Nefarious
Definition
vicious, evil
Term
Neologism
Definition
new word or expression
Term
Newphyte
Definition
novice, beginner
Term
Nihilism
Definition
belief that existence and all traditional values are meaningless
Term
Noisome
Definition
stinking, putrid
Term
Noxious
Definition
harmful, unwholesome
Term
Numismatics
Definition
coin collecting
Term
Obfuscate
Definition
to confuse, obscure
Term
Obstreperous
Definition
troublesome, boisterous, unruly
Term
Omnipotent
Definition
having unlimited power
Term
Omniscient
Definition
having infinite knowledge
Term
Oscillate
Definition
to move back and forth
Term
Ouster
Definition
expulsion, ejection
Term
Paean
Definition
a song of praise or thanksgiving
Term
Palliate
Definition
to make less serious, ease
Term
Panacea
Definition
cure-all
Term
Panegyric
Definition
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
Term
Panoply
Definition
impressive array
Term
Parley
Definition
discussion, usually between enemies
Term
Parochial
Definition
of limited scope or outlook, provincial
Term
Parsimony
Definition
stinginess
Term
Pastiche
Definition
piece of literature or music imitating other works
Term
Paucity
Definition
scarcity, lack
Term
Peccadillo
Definition
minor sin or offense
Term
Peculation
Definition
theft of money or goods
Term
Penchant
Definition
inclination
Term
Penultimate
Definition
next to last
Term
Penumbra
Definition
parial shadow
Term
Perambulate
Definition
walk about
Term
Periphrastic
Definition
using circumlocution
Term
Pernicious
Definition
very harmful
Term
Perspicacious
Definition
shrewd, astute, keen-witted
Term
Pertinacious
Definition
persistent, stubborn
Term
Phalanx
Definition
massed group of soldiers, people, or things
Term
Philistine
Definition
narrow-minded person, someone lacking appreciation for art or culture
Term
Plait
Definition
to braid
Term
Plangent
Definition
resounding; plaintive
Term
Plaudit
Definition
applause
Term
Pnewmatic
Definition
relating to air; worked by compressed air
Term
Polemic
Definition
controversy, argument; verbal attack
Term
Polyglot
Definition
speaker of many languages
Term
Posit
Definition
to put in position; to suggest an idea
Term
Precept
Definition
principle; law
Term
Precursor
Definition
forerunner, predecessor
Term
Predilection
Definition
preference, liking
Term
Prescient
Definition
having foresight
Term
Privation
Definition
lack of usual necessities or comforts
Term
Probity
Definition
honesty, high-mindedness
Term
Progenitor
Definition
originator, forefather, ancestor in a direct line
Term
Prognosticate
Definition
to predict
Term
Prolific
Definition
productive, fertile
Term
Prolix
Definition
tedious; wordy
Term
Promulgate
Definition
to make known publicly
Term
Propinquity
Definition
nearness
Term
Propitious
Definition
favorable, advantageous
Term
Proselytize
Definition
to induce someone to convert to a particular belief or religion
Term
Prostrate
Definition
lying face downward, lying flat on the ground
Term
Protagonist
Definition
main character in a play or story, hero
Term
Provident
Definition
prudent, frugal
Term
Provincial
Definition
rustic, unsophisticated, limited in scope
Term
Prurient
Definition
lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
Term
Puerile
Definition
childish, immature, silly
Term
Pulchritude
Definition
beauty
Term
Pundity
Definition
an authority or critic
Term
Pusillanimous
Definition
cowardly
Term
Querulous
Definition
inclined to complain, irritable
Term
Quotidian
Definition
occurring daily; commonplace
Term
Raconteur
Definition
a witty, skillful storyteller
Term
Raillery
Definition
lighthearted jesting
Term
Rancor
Definition
bitter hatred
Term
Rapacious
Definition
greedy; predatory
Term
Rapprochement
Definition
reestablishing a cordial relationship
Term
Raze
Definition
to tear down, demolish
Term
Recalcitrant
Definition
resisting authority or control
Term
Recidivism
Definition
tendency to repeat previous behavious
Term
Recondite
Definition
relating to obscure learning; known only to a few
Term
Recreant
Definition
disloyal; cowardly
Term
Redress
Definition
relief from wrong or injury
Term
Rejoinder
Definition
response
Term
Renege
Definition
to go back on one's word
Term
Renitent
Definition
resisting pressure, obstinate
Term
Repast
Definition
meal
Term
Reprobate
Definition
morally unprincipled person
Term
Requite
Definition
to return or repay
Term
Respite
Definition
interval of relief
Term
Restive
Definition
impatient, uneasy, restless
Term
Retinue
Definition
group of attendants with an important person
Term
Revelry
Definition
boisterous festivity
Term
Ribald
Definition
humorous in a vulgar way
Term
Riposte
Definition
a retort
Term
Rococo
Definition
very highly ornamented
Term
Rotund
Definition
round in shape; fat
Term
Ruminate
Definition
to contemplate; reflect upon
Term
Sacrosanct
Definition
extremely sacred; beyond criticism
Term
Sagacious
Definition
shrewd, wise
Term
Salacious
Definition
lustful
Term
Salubrious
Definition
healthful
Term
Sanguine
Definition
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
Term
Sapient
Definition
wise
Term
Scabbard
Definition
sheath for sword or dagger
Term
Scintilla
Definition
very small amount
Term
Scintillate
Definition
to sparkle, flash
Term
Scurrilous
Definition
vulgar, low, indecent
Term
Sedition
Definition
behavior promoting rebellion
Term
Senescent
Definition
aging, growing old
Term
Sentient
Definition
aware, conscious, able to perceive
Term
Sepulchral
Definition
typical of a place of burial
Term
Seraphic
Definition
angelic, pure, sublime
Term
Shirk
Definition
to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
Term
Simper
Definition
to smirk, smile foolishly
Term
Sinecure
Definition
well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
Term
Sinuous
Definition
winding; intricate, complex
Term
Slake
Definition
to quench or moderate
Term
Slovenly
Definition
untidy, messy
Term
Sojourn
Definition
visit, stay
Term
Solecism
Definition
grammatical mistake
Term
Solipsism
Definition
belief that the sself is the only reality
Term
Somnambulist
Definition
sleepwalker
Term
Sonorous
Definition
producing a full, rich sound
Term
Sophist
Definition
person good at arguing deviously
Term
Sportive
Definition
frolicsome, playful
Term
Squalid
Definition
filthy; morally repulsive
Term
Staid
Definition
self-restrained, strait-laced
Term
Stentorian
Definition
extremely loud
Term
Striate
Definition
striped, grooved
Term
Stringent
Definition
imposing sever, rigorous standards
Term
Stymie
Definition
to block or thwart
Term
Subterfuge
Definition
trick or tactic used to avoid something
Term
Sully
Definition
to soil, stain, tarnish; taint
Term
Supercilious
Definition
arrogant, haughty, overbearing, condescending
Term
Surly
Definition
rude and bad-tempered
Term
Surreptitious
Definition
characterized by secrecy
Term
Sybarite
Definition
person devoted to pleasure and luxury
Term
Sycophant
Definition
self-serving flatterer, yes-man
Term
Syncopation
Definition
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
Term
Tableau
Definition
vivid description, striking incident or scene
Term
Talisman
Definition
something producing a magical effect
Term
Tantamount
Definition
equivalent in value or significance; amounting to
Term
Temerity
Definition
recklessness
Term
Temporal
Definition
relating to time; chronological
Term
Tenable
Definition
defensible, reasonable
Term
Tenet
Definition
belief, doctrine
Term
Tenuous
Definition
weak, insubstantial
Term
Threnody
Definition
a sad poem or song
Term
Trammel
Definition
to impede or hamper
Term
Trenchant
Definition
acute, sharp, incisive; forceful, effective
Term
Trite
Definition
shallow, superficial
Term
Truculent
Definition
savage and cruel; fierce; ready to fight
Term
Turgid
Definition
swollen, bloated
Term
Turpitude
Definition
inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
Term
Tyro
Definition
beginner, novice
Term
Umbrage
Definition
offense, resentment
Term
Unctuous
Definition
greasy, oily; smug and falsely earnest
Term
Unfettered
Definition
free, unrestrained
Term
Unsullied
Definition
clean
Term
Untoward
Definition
not favorable; unruly
Term
Urbane
Definition
courteous, refined, suave
Term
Usury
Definition
lending money at exorbitant rates
Term
Vacuous
Definition
empty, void; lacking intelligence, purposeless
Term
Variegated
Definition
varied; marked with different colors
Term
Virile
Definition
manly, having qualities of an adult male
Term
Viscous
Definition
thick, syrupy, and sticky
Term
Vitiate
Definition
reduce in value or effectiveness
Term
Vitriolic
Definition
burning, caustic; sharp, bitter
Term
Vituperate
Definition
to abuse verbally
Term
Vociferous
Definition
loud, vocal, and noisy
Term
Voluble
Definition
speaking much and easily, talkative; glib
Term
Waspish
Definition
easily irritated
Term
Wizened
Definition
withered, shriveled, wrinkled
Term
Wraith
Definition
a ghost
Term
Xenophobia
Definition
fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
Term
Zenith
Definition
highest point, summit
Supporting users have an ad free experience!