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SAT WORDS
Major words you may see on the SAT
281
English
12th Grade
05/27/2006
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Term
abate
 Definition
v. subside; decrease, lessen.
Term
abridge
 Definition
v. condense or shorten.
Term
abstemious
 Definition
adj. sparing in eating and drinking; temperate.
Term
abstruse
 Definition
adj. obscure; profound; difficult to understand.
Term
acclaim
 Definition
v. applaud; announce with great approval.
Term
accolade
 Definition
n. award of merit.
Term
acquiece
 Definition
v. assent; agree without protesting.
Term
acrid
 Definition
adj. sharp; bitterly pungent.
Term
acrimonious
 Definition
adj. bitter in words or manner.
Term
adulation
 Definition
n. flattery; admiration.
Term
adversity
 Definition
n. poverty; misfortune
Term
advocate
 Definition
v. urge; plead for.
Term
aesthetic
 Definition
adj. artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciation of the beautiful.
Term
affable
 Definition
adj. easily approachable; warmly friendly.
Term
aggregate
 Definition
v. gather; accumulate
Term
altruistic
 Definition
adj. unselfishly generous; concerned for others
Term
ambiguous
 Definition
adj. unclear or doubtful in meaning.
Term
ambivalence
 Definition
n. the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes.
Term
amorphous
 Definition
adj. formless; lacking shape or definition.
Term
anachronistic
 Definition
adj. having an error involving time in a story.
Term
analogous
 Definition
adj. comparable.
Term
animosity
 Definition
n. active enmity; feelings of anger.
Term
anomaly
 Definition
n. irregularity.
Term
antagonism
 Definition
n. hostility; active resistance.
Term
antediluvian
 Definition
adj. antiquated; extremely ancient.
Term
antipathy
 Definition
n. aversion; dislike
Term
antiquated
 Definition
adj. old-fashiooned; obsolete
Term
apathy
 Definition
n. lack of caring; indifference
Term
apocryphal
 Definition
adj. untrue; made up.
Term
arable
 Definition
adj. fit for growing crops
Term
arbitrary
 Definition
adj. capricious; randomly chosen; tyrannical.
Term
archaic
 Definition
adj. antiquated
Term
ardent
 Definition
adj. intense; passionate; zealous
Term
ascendancy
 Definition
n. controlling influence; domination
Term
ascetic
 Definition
adj. practicing self-denial; austere
Term
assiduous
 Definition
adj. diligent
Term
assuage
 Definition
v. ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
Term
astute
 Definition
adj. wise; shrewd; keen
Term
atrophy
 Definition
v. waste away.
Term
audacious
 Definition
adj. daring; bold
Term
augment
 Definition
v. increase; add to.
Term
austere
 Definition
adj. forbiddingly stern; severely simple and unornamented.
Term
autonomous
 Definition
adj. self-governing.
Term
avarice
 Definition
n. greediness for wealth
Term
aversion
 Definition
n. firm dislike
Term
beguile
 Definition
v. mislead or delude; pass time
Term
belie
 Definition
v. contradict; give a false impression
Term
benevolent
 Definition
adj. generous; charitable
Term
bequeath
 Definition
v. leave to someone by a will; hand down
Term
braggart
 Definition
n. boaster
Term
buttress
 Definition
v. support; prop us
Term
cache
 Definition
n. hiding place
Term
cacophonous
 Definition
adj. discordant; inharmonious
Term
cajole
 Definition
v. coax; wheedle
Term
candor
 Definition
n. frankness; open honesty
Term
capricious
 Definition
adj. unpredictable; fickle
Term
carping
 Definition
adj. finding fault
Term
censorious
 Definition
adj. critical
Term
censure
 Definition
v. blame; criticize
Term
certitude
 Definition
n. certanity
Term
charlatan
 Definition
n. quack; pretender to knowledge
Term
circumlocution
 Definition
n. indirect or roundabout expression.
Term
coalesce
 Definition
v. combine; fuse
Term
complacency
 Definition
n. self-satisfaction; smugness
Term
conciliatory
 Definition
adj. reconciling; soothing
Term
conflagration
 Definition
n. great fire.
Term
confluence
 Definition
n. flowing together; crowd
Term
contend
 Definition
v. struggle; compete; assert earnestly/
Term
contentious
 Definition
adj. quarrelsome
Term
cordial
 Definition
adj. gracious; heartfelt.
Term
corroborate
 Definition
v. confirm; support.
Term
corrode
 Definition
v. destroy by chemical action.
Term
corrugated
 Definition
adj. wrinkled; ridged
Term
credulity
 Definition
n. belief on slight evidence; gulliblily; naivete
Term
culpable
 Definition
adj. deserving blame.
Term
cursory
 Definition
adj. casual; hastily done
Term
debilitate
 Definition
v. weaken; enfeeble
Term
debunk
 Definition
v. expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, ect; ridicule
Term
decorum
 Definition
n. propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners.
Term
deference
 Definition
n. courteous regard for another's wish.
Term
deleterious
 Definition
adj. harmful
Term
delineate
 Definition
v. portray; depict; sketch
Term
deplore
 Definition
v. regret; disapprove of
Term
depravity
 Definition
n. extreme corrupiton; wickedness
Term
deprecate
 Definition
v. express disapproval of; protest against; belittle.
Term
deride
 Definition
v. ridicule; make fun of.
Term
derivative
 Definition
adj. unoriginal; dervied from another source
Term
desiccate
 Definition
v. dry up.
Term
despondent
 Definition
adj. depressed; gloomy.
Term
deterrent
 Definition
n. something that discourages; hindrance
Term
detrimental
 Definition
adj. harmful; damaging
Term
devious
 Definition
adj. roundabout; erratic; not straightforward.
Term
diffidence
 Definition
n. shyness
Term
diffuse
 Definition
adj. wordy; rambling; spread out (like gas)
Term
digression
 Definition
n. wandering away from the subject.
Term
dilatory
 Definition
adj. delaying
Term
diminution
 Definition
n. lessening; reduction in size.
Term
discerning
 Definition
adj. mentally quick and observant; having insight
Term
discordant
 Definition
adj. not harmonious; conflicting.
Term
discourse
 Definition
n. formal discussion; conversation.
Term
discrepancy
 Definition
n. lack of consistnecy; difference.
Term
disparage
 Definition
v. belittle
Term
disparity
 Definition
n. difference; condition fo inequality
Term
disputatious
 Definition
adj. argumentative; fond of arguing.
Term
disseminate
 Definition
v. distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds).
Term
dissent
 Definition
v. disagree
Term
distend
 Definition
v. expand; swell out.
Term
dogmatic
 Definition
adj. opinionated; arbitray; doctrinal
Term
dubious
 Definition
adj. questionable; filled with doubt.
Term
duplicity
 Definition
n. double-dealing; hypocrisy.
Term
ebullient
 Definition
adj. showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm.
Term
eclectic
 Definition
adj. composed of elements drawn from disparate sources.
Term
edify
 Definition
v. instruct; correct morally.
Term
effervescence
 Definition
n. inner excitement or exuberance; bubblingg from fermentation or carbonation.
Term
elegy
 Definition
n. poem or song expressing lamentation.
Term
elicit
 Definition
v. draw out by discussion.
Term
elucidate
 Definition
v. explain; enlighten.
Term
emaciated
 Definition
adj. thin and wasted.
Term
emend
 Definition
v. correct; correct by a critic.
Term
emulate
 Definition
v. imitate; rival
Term
enmity
 Definition
n. ill will; hatred.
Term
ephemeral
 Definition
adj. short-lived; fleeting.
Term
equanimity
 Definition
n. calmness of temperament; composure.
Term
equitable
 Definition
adj. fair; impartial.
Term
equivocal
 Definition
adj. ambiguous; intentionally misleading.
Term
erroneous
 Definition
adj. mistaken; wrong
Term
erudite
 Definition
adj. learned; scholarly.
Term
esoteric
 Definition
adj. hard to understand.
Term
evanescent
 Definition
adj. fleeting; vanishing.
Term
exacerbate
 Definition
v. worsen; embitter.
Term
exonerate
 Definition
v. acquit; exculpate; clear from blame
Term
expedient
 Definition
adj. suitable; practical; politic
Term
expedite
 Definition
v. hasten
Term
extol
 Definition
v. praise; glorify.
Term
extricate
 Definition
v. free; disentangle.
Term
fallacious
 Definition
adj. false; misleading
Term
fallow
 Definition
adj. plowed but not sowed; uncultivated.
Term
fastidious
 Definition
adj. difficult to please; squeamish.
Term
flagrant
 Definition
adj. conspicuously wicked; blatant; outrageous.
Term
florid
 Definition
adj. ruddy; reddish; flowery.
Term
frivolous
 Definition
adj. lacking in seriousness; self-indulgently carefree; relatively unimportant
Term
frugality
 Definition
n. thrift; economy.
Term
furtive
 Definition
adj. stealthy; sneaky
Term
gratify
 Definition
v. please.
Term
gratuitous
 Definition
adj. given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for.
Term
guile
 Definition
n. deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning.
Term
hackneyed
 Definition
adj. commonplace; trite.
Term
hedonist
 Definition
n. one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life.
Term
idiosyncrasy
 Definition
n. individual trait, usually odd in nature; eccentricity.
Term
ignominy
 Definition
n. deep disgrace; shame or dishonor
Term
illicit
 Definition
adj. illegal.
Term
immutable
 Definition
adj. unchangeable.
Term
impeccable
 Definition
adj. faultless.
Term
impecunious
 Definition
adj. without money.
Term
impregnable
 Definition
adj. invulnerable
Term
impudence
 Definition
n. impertinenece; insolence; disrespectfullness.
Term
inane
 Definition
adj. silly; senselss.
Term
incidental
 Definition
adj. not essential; minor
Term
incisive
 Definition
adj. cutting; sharp.
Term
incongruous
 Definition
adj. not fitting; absurd
Term
inconsequential
 Definition
adj. insignificant; unimportant.
Term
incontrovertible
 Definition
adj. indisputable; not open to question.
Term
incorrigible
 Definition
adj. not correctable.
Term
indolent
 Definition
adj. lazy
Term
ineffable
 Definition
adj. unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech.
Term
inert
 Definition
adj. inactive; lacking power to move.
Term
inexorable
 Definition
adj. relentless; unyielding; implacable
Term
innocuous
 Definition
adj. harmless.
Term
insipid
 Definition
adj. lacking in flavor; dull.
Term
insolvent
 Definition
adj. bankrupt; unable to repay one's debts.
Term
insularity
 Definition
n. narrow-mindedness; isolation.
Term
insuperable
 Definition
adj. insurmountable; unbeatable
Term
intractable
 Definition
adj. unruly; stubborn; unyielding.
Term
intrepid
 Definition
adj. fearless.
Term
inundate
 Definition
v. overwhelm; flood; submerge.
Term
irreproachable
 Definition
adj. blameless; impeccable.
Term
jocular
 Definition
adj. said or done in jest.
Term
laconic
 Definition
adj. brief and to the point.
Term
laggard
 Definition
adj. slow; sluggish.
Term
lampoon
 Definition
v. ridicule.
Term
lassitude
 Definition
n. languor; weariness.
Term
laud
 Definition
v. praise.
Term
lethargic
 Definition
adj. drowsy; dull.
Term
levity
 Definition
n. lack of seriousness; lightness.
Term
listless
 Definition
adj. lacking in spirit or energy.
Term
lurid
 Definition
adj. wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome
Term
meander
 Definition
v. wind or turn in its course.
Term
mercenary
 Definition
adj. interested in money or gain.
Term
mercurial
 Definition
adj. capricious; changing; fickle
Term
methodical
 Definition
adj. systematic.
Term
misanthrope
 Definition
n. one who hates mankind.
Term
miserly
 Definition
adj. stingy; mean.
Term
mitigate
 Definition
v. appease; moderate.
Term
mollify
 Definition
v. soothe.
Term
mundane
 Definition
adj. worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday.
Term
munificent
 Definition
adj. very generous
Term
novelty
 Definition
n. something new; newness.
Term
nuance
 Definition
n. shade of difference in meaning or color; subtle distintion.
Term
obdurate
 Definition
adj. stubborn.
Term
obstinate
 Definition
adj. stubborn; hard to control or treat.
Term
odious
 Definition
adj. hateful; vile
Term
opaque
 Definition
adj. dark; not transparent.
Term
ostentatious
 Definition
adj. showy; pretentious; trying to attract attention
Term
pariah
 Definition
n. social outcast
Term
parsimony
 Definition
n. stinginess; excessive frugality.
Term
partisan
 Definition
adj. one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party
Term
paucity
 Definition
n. scarcity
Term
penury
 Definition
n. severe povery; stinginess
Term
perfunctory
 Definition
adj. superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care or enthusiasm.
Term
pernicious
 Definition
adj. very destructive.
Term
pervasive
 Definition
adj. pervading; spread throughout every part.
Term
phenomena
 Definition
n. observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation
Term
philanthropist
 Definition
n. lover of mankind; doer of good.
Term
pithy
 Definition
adj. concise; meaningful; substantial; meaty.
Term
polemical
 Definition
adj. aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious.
Term
pragmatic
 Definition
adj. practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with the practical worth or impact of something.
Term
prattle
 Definition
v. babble
Term
precarious
 Definition
adj. uncertain; risky
Term
preclude
 Definition
v. make impossible; eliminate.
Term
precocious
 Definition
adj. advanced in development
Term
profane
 Definition
v. violate; desecreate; treat unworthily.
Term
profligate
 Definition
adj. dissipated; wasteful; wildly immoral.
Term
profusion
 Definition
n. overabundance; lavish expenditure; excess.
Term
progenitor
 Definition
n. ancestor.
Term
progeny
 Definition
n. children; offspring
Term
proliferation
 Definition
n. rapid growth; spread; multiplication
Term
prolific
 Definition
adj. abundantly fruitful.
Term
prudent
 Definition
adj. cautious; careful
Term
quagmire
 Definition
n. soft, wet, boggy land; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself.
Term
quandary
 Definition
n. dilemma
Term
querulous
 Definition
adj. fretful; whining.
Term
quiescent
 Definition
adj. at rest; dormant; temporarily inactive.
Term
rancor
 Definition
n. bitterness; hatred.
Term
ratify
 Definition
v. approve formally; confirm; verify.
Term
raucous
 Definition
adj. harsh and shrill; disorderly and boisterous.
Term
recluse
 Definition
n. hermit; loner.
Term
rectify
 Definition
v. set right; correct.
Term
refute
 Definition
v. disprove
Term
relegate
 Definition
v. banish to an inferior position; delegate; assaign
Term
remission
 Definition
n. temporary moderation of disease symptoms; cancellation of a debt; forgiveness or pardon.
Term
replete
 Definition
adj. filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied.
Term
reprehensible
 Definition
adj. deserving blame
Term
reprimand
 Definition
v. reprove severely; rebuke.
Term
reprove
 Definition
v. censure; rebuke
Term
repudiate
 Definition
v. disown; disavow.
Term
repugnant
 Definition
adj. loathsome; hateful.
Term
rescind
 Definition
v. cancel
Term
resplendent
 Definition
adj. dazzling; glorious; brilliant.
Term
reticence
 Definition
n. reserve; uncomunicativeness; inclination to silence
Term
sanction
 Definition
v. approve; ratify
Term
scrupulous
 Definition
adj. conscientious; extremely thorough.
Term
sedentary
 Definition
adj. requiring sitting
Term
servile
 Definition
adj. slavish; cringing
Term
soporific
 Definition
adj. sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness.
Term
spurious
 Definition
adj. false; counterfeit; forged; illogical
Term
spurn
 Definition
v. regject; scorn
Term
static
 Definition
adj. unchanging; lacking development
Term
stolid
 Definition
adj. unruffled; impassive; dull
Term
superfluous
 Definition
adj. unnecessary; excessive; overabundant
Term
supplant
 Definition
v. replace; usurp
Term
surfeit
 Definition
v. satiate; stuff; indulge to excess in anything
Term
surreptitious
 Definition
adj. secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
Term
sycophant
 Definition
n. servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man
Term
taciturn
 Definition
adj. habitually silent; talking little
Term
tantamount
 Definition
adj. equivalent in effect or value
Term
tenacity
 Definition
n. firmness; persistence
Term
tirade
 Definition
n. extended scolding; denunciation; harangue
Term
torpor
 Definition
n. lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy
Term
transient
 Definition
adj. momentary; temporary; staying for a short time
Term
trifling
 Definition
adj. trivial; unimportant
Term
trite
 Definition
adj. hackneyed; commonplace
Term
truncate
 Definition
v. cut the top off.
Term
usurp
 Definition
v. seize another's power or rank
Term
vacillate
 Definition
v. waver; fluctuate
Term
venerate
 Definition
v. revere
Term
vilify
 Definition
v. slander
Term
virtuoso
 Definition
n. highly skilled artist
Term
virulent
 Definition
adj. extremely poisonous; hostile; bitter
Term
volatile
 Definition
adj. changeable; explosive; evaporating rapidly
Term
voluble
 Definition
adj. fluent; glib; talkative
Term
witticism
 Definition
n. witty saying; wisecrack.
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