Word Definition

abacus frame with balls for calculating

abate to lessen/to subside
abdication giving up control/authority
abdomen stomach and bowels
aberration straying away from what is normal
abeyance suspended action
abhor to hate/to detest
abide be faithful to/endure
abjure promise or swear to give up
abraded rubbed off/worn away by friction
abrasion rubbing/scraping/wearing off
abrogate repeal or annul by authority
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse difficult to comprehend/obscure
abundant plentiful
abut border on
abysmal bottomless/extreme
acarpous effete/no longer fertile/worn out
accentuate give more force or attention to
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade praise/approval
accretion the growing of separate things into one
acquiesce in agree (without protest)
acquisition smth acquired/acquiring
adamant kind of stone/inflexible
adhere remain faithful/stick fast to
adhesion adhering/support
adjacent lying near/next
admonitory containing warning
adorn add beauty/decorate
adulteration making unpure/poorer in quality
affinity close connection/relationship
aggravate make worse/irritate
agile active/quick-moving
ail trouble/be ill
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness
alienate estrange
allegiance duty/support/loyalty
alleviate make (pain) easier to bear
alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof reserved/indifferent
amalgamate mix/combine/unite societies
ambidexterous able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous doubtful/uncertain
ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate improve/make better
amendment improving
amicable friendly
amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money
amplify make large or fuller/increase the strength
animosity strong dislike
annul put an end to
anticlimax sudden fall
antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical direct oppposing
apartheid brutal racial discrimination
apathetic indifference
apathy a lack of caring/an indifference
aplomb self-confidence
apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis deification/glorification to godliness
appease make quiet or calm
apprehensive grasping/understanding/fear/unhappy feeling about future
apprise give notice to/inform
approbation approval
appropriate take for one's own use/acquire/set aside
apropos appropriate to the situation/apt
apt well-suited/quick-witted
arabesque a complex/ornate design
arabesque whimcical
arbitrate decide by arbitration
arboreal of connected with trees
ardently with full of ardour
ardour enthusiasm
arduous steep/difficult ascent/laborious
argot jargon/slang
arrant in the highest degree
arrogance proud/superior manner of behaviour
articulate speak distinctly/connect by joints
ascend go or come up
ascendancy a controlling influence/a domination
ascent the act of ascending
ascertain get to know
ascetic practicing self-denial/austere/stark
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to
asperity roughness/harshness/ill temper/irritability
aspersion slander
assail with attack violently
asset valuable quality/smth that has money value
assiduous diligent/hard-working/sedulous
assuage make pain/desire less
assumption smth supposed but not proved
asterisk the mark * (omitted letters)
astringent substance that shrinks
astute clever/quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement repayment/death of Jesus
attenuate make thin/weaken/enervate
audacious daring/foolishly bold/impudent
augury omen/sign
august majestic/venerable
auspice protection or support/patronage
auspicious favorable/successful/prosperous
austere severely moral and strict/simple and plain
auxillary helping/supporting
aver affirm/assert/prove/justify
aversion strong dislike
avid eager/greedy
avow admit/declare openly
baleful harmful/ominous/causing evil
balk obstacle/purposely to get on the way of
balloon swell out like balloon
balm sweet-smelling oil/smth giving peace of mind/consolation
banal uninteresting
band flat/thin strip of material/group/range of frequences
bane cause of injury/poison/source of harm
baneful causing harm or ruin/pernicious/destructive
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river
barren not good enough/unable to have young ones/without value
bask in enjoy warmth and light
bazaar market
be irreconcilable cannot be brought into harmony
beatify to bless/make happy or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen to adorn/especially in a cheap/showy manner
belie contradict/give a false impression
belittle cause to seem unimportant
bellicose belligerent/pugnacious/warlike
belligerent (person or nation) waging war
belligerently waging war
bend cause smth to be out of a straight line
benefactor person who has given help
benevolence wish or activity in doing good
benevolent generous/charitable
benign kind and gentle/mild (climate)
benign kindly/favorable/not malignant
bequest arrangement to give smth at death
berate scold sharply
bereft rop or dispossess of smth (material)
bewilder puzzle/confuse
biased prejudice
bigot stubborn/narrow-minded person
bilge bulge/the protuberance of a cask
blandishment flattery/coaxing
blandness polite manner/comforting/uninteresting
blatant noisy and rough
blithe cheerful/casual/carefree
blithe gay and joyous
blueprint plan/scheme/photographic print
blunt plain/not troubling to be polite
boggle be alarmed/hesitate/amazed
bogus sham/counterfeit/not genuine
boisterous loud/noisy/rough/lacking restraint
bolster give greatly needed support
boorish crude/offensive/rude
braid strands of hair woven together/smth edging sloth or garments
brash hasty/rush/cheeky/saucy
brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen made of brass
breach opening/broken place/breaking
brisk active/lively
brisket breast of an animal
brittle easily broken
broach bring up/announce/begin to talk about
brook to tolerate/endure
buoyant able to float/light-hearted
burgeon grow forth/send out buds
burnish to polish/rub to a shine
bust run out of money
cabal a scheme or plot/a group of plotters
cadge to beg/to get by begging
calipers metal supports attached to the legs/measuring instrument
calumniate to slander/present false accusal
calumny slander/aspersion
candid frank/straight-forward
canvass discuss thotoughly/sort of touting
capricious fickle/incalculable
capricious fickle/whimsical/given to change/unpredictable
castigate to chastise/correct by punishing
castigation severe punishment
casual happening by chance/careless
catalyst substance that causes speeding up
caustic biting/sarcastic
censure expression of blame or disapproval/a rebuke
census official counting of the population
centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary cautious/wary
chastened corrected/punished
chastisement punishment
chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot
chisel steel tool for shaping materials
churl bad-tempered person
cite give as an example
clamor shout/complain with a lot of noise
cleanse make pure/thoroughly clean
cling to resist separation
clot half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture closing/device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance
coax get smb to do smth by kindness
coddle treat with care and tenderness
codicil a supplement to the body of a will
coerce compel/to force to make obedient
coeval of the same period/coexisting
cogent strong/convincing
cogitate think deeply/mediate
cognition knowing/awareness (emotionless)
cognizant being fully aware of
coherent sticking together
colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water
collaborate work in partnership
collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion process of burning
commemorate keep the memory of
commend praise
commendable worthy of praise
commingle mingle together
commuter person who travels regularly
complacently with self-satisfaction
complaisance tending to comply/obliging/willingness to please
comply act in accordance
compound mix or combine
comprise be composed of
compunction feeling of regret for one's action
conceal hide/keep secret
conceit over-high opinion of/too much pride
conciliatory reconciling/soothing
conciliatory reconciling/soothing/comforting/mollifying
concise brief and compact
concord agreement or harmony
concur agree in opinion/happen together
condense increase in density/strength/make laconic
condone forgive
congeal make or become stiff and solid
conjoin to join together
connoisseur a person with good judgement (in art)
connotation suggestion in addition to
consent give agreement or permission
consequential pompous/self important
consolation consoling or being consoled
console give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous easily seen/remarkable
consternation surprise and fear/dismay
constrict make tight or smaller
consume get to the end of
contemn to scorn or despise
contentious argumentative/pugnacious/combative/quarrelsome
contiguous touching/neighboring/near
contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious insubordinate/rebellious
conundrum a riddle/dilemma/enigma
conviction convincing/firm belief
convoke call together/summon
convoluted complicated/coiled/twisted
cord twisted strands
cordial warm and sincere
cordon line (of police acting as a guard)
corporeal physical/of or for the body
correlate have a mutual relation
corroboration additional/strengthening evidence
countenance to favor or approve of
counterfeit forgery
countervail counterbalance
covert disguised
covetous eagerly desirous
cower crouch/shrink back
craven cowardly
crease line made by crushing/white line on the ground in criket
credulity too great a readiness to believe things
credulous ready to believe things
crush press/lose shape/subdue/overwhelm
cryptic secret/with a hidden meaning
cumbersome burdensome/heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon bad-tempered person
curriculum course of study
cursory quick/hurried
curtail make shorter then was planned
cynic person who see no good in anything
dart quick movement/missile in darts
daunt intimidate/make fearful
dawdler person who is slow/waste of time
dearth shortage
debacle a breakup/overthrow/sudden disaster
decorous polite/decent
decorum propriety/properness
decree order given by authority
decry disapprove of
defer postpone/give way (to show respect)
deference respect
deferential showing respect
defiance open disobedience or resistance
deflect turn aside
defy resist openly
degrade reduce in rank or status
delineate to portray/depict/sketch out
deluge great flood/heavy rush of water
demagogue person appealing not to reasons
demur to hesitate/raise objections
denigrate blacken/belittle/sully/defame
denouement an outcome or solution/the unraveling of a plot
denounce give information against
dent hollow/depression mad by a blow
deplete use until none remains
deplore to regret/to disapprove of
deposition dethronoment/depositing
deprave make morally bad/corrupt
deprecate protest against
dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision ridicule/mockery/deriding
derivative derived/not original or primitive
derogatory insulting; tending to damage
descry catch sight of/see smth in the distance
desiccant substance used to absorb moisture
desiccate to dry up/dehydrate
desuetude cessation of use/disuse
desultory aimless/haphazard/digressing at random
detach separate
deter discourage/hinder
deterrent something that discourages/a hindrance
detraction slandering/verbal attack/aspersion
detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance being different in moral standarts (from normal)
dexterity skill (in handling)
dexterous clever/skillful with hands
diaphanous transparent/gauzy
diatribe bitter and violent attack in words
dictate order
diffidence shyness
diffident lacking in self-confidence
dilate speak comprehensively/become wider/large
dilatory causing delay/procrastinating
disabuse to undeceive/correct a false impression
disallow refuse to allow or accept as a corret
discern see with an effort but clearly
discomfit confuse/embarrass
discomfit to defeat/put down
disconcert upset the self-possession of
discordant inharmonious/conflicting
discountenance refuse to approve of
discourse speech/lecture/swearing
discredit refuse to believe
disdain look on with contempt
disencumber free from encumbrance
dishevelled untidy
disingenuous sophisticated/artful/trying to deceive/cunning
disinter dig up from the earth
dislodge move/force from the place occupied
dismal sad/gloomy/miserable
disparate essentially different
disparity a difference
dispassionate free from passion
dissemble speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)
disseminate distribute (ideas)
dissent have a different opinion/refuse to assent
dissipation going away/dispersing
dissolution disintegration/looseness in morals
distend to expand/to swell out
distinct easily heard/seen/understood/clearly marked
distorted pulled out of the usual shape/give a false account of
distraught distracted/violently upset in mind
distress great pain/cause discomfort
divergerence getting farther apart from a point
diverse of different kinds
divestiture taking off/getting rid of/giving up
divulge make known smth secret
doggerel trivial/poorly constructed verse
dogmatic positive/certain/arbitrary/without room for discussion
dogmatism being dogmatic
dolt stupid fellow
dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote show much fondness/center one's attention
drone male bee/person who isn't self-employed
dross waste product/sludge/something worthless/common or trivial
drowsiness feeling sleepy/half asleep
dubious feeling doubt
dud no use person/smth that fails
dulcet melodious/harmonious
dupe cheat/make a fool of
duplicity delibirate deception
duplicity a hypocrisy/a double-dealing
duress threats to compel smb
dwarf person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo something that produces electric current/an energetic person
earthenware dishes made of baked clay
ebullience exuberance/outburst of feeling
ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm/showing excitement
eclectic selective in choosing from a variety of sources
ecumenical representing the whole Christian world
edacious voracious/devouring
eddy circular or spiral movement (of wind)
effete infertile/worn out/weak
efficacy production of a desired result
effluvia outflow in a stream of particles
effrontery boldness/impudence/arrogance
egress way out/exit
elaborate worked out with much care in great detail
elate stimulate
elation high-spirits
electorate all the electors
elegy a lament/a melancholy composition
elicit draw out
eloquence fluent speaking/skillful use of language
emaciate make thin and weak
embellish make beautiful
embezzle use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emergence emerging
emote stir up/excite
empirical relying on experiment
encapsulate enclose in capsule
encomium warm or glowing praise/eulogy
encumbrance burden/things that get on the way of
endearing making dear or liked
endemic epidemic
endemic prevailing in a specific area
endorse write one's name on the back of
enduring lasting
enervate weaken/deprive of strength/attenuate
engender cause/produce/give rise to
engrave impress deeply
engrossing taken up all the time or attention
engulf swallow up
enigma smth that is puzzling
enmity hatred/being an enemy
enormity excessive wickedness
enormousness great size
entangle put into difficulties
entreat ask earnestly
enzyme catalyst
epicure food lover/a connoisseur of food
epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle letter
epithet adjective
epitome brief summary/representative example/a typical model
equable steady/regular
equanimity calmness of temperament
equilibrium state of being balanced
equipoise equal distribution of weight/equilibrium
equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning/suspicious
equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate get rid of/pull up by the roots
erasure erasing/removing all traces
erode wear away/eat into
erratic irregular in behaviour or opinion
erudite learned/scholarly
escalate increase/develop
esoteric abstruse/intended only for a small circle of
esoteric known only to the chosen few
espouse marry/give one's support to
eulogy formal praise/panegyric
euphoria elation/state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia easy and painless death
evaluating finding out the value
evaporate change into vapour/disappear/die
evince to show clearly/to indicate
evoke call up/bring out
evolve unfold/develop naturally and gradually
excoriate to flay/stip off the skin/to denounce sharply
excoriation severe criticism
exculpate free from blame
exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt
exemplary serving as a model/outstanding
exert but forth/bring into use
exertion instance of exerting
exhaustive complete/thorough
exigency emergency/an urgent situation
exonerate free/clear
exoneration set smb clear/free (from blame)
exorbitant much too high or great
expatiate to roam/wander freely
expedient likely to be useful for a purpose
expedient suitable/practical/politic
expiation ending/expiring
exploit brilliant achievement/develop/use selfishly
expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade/correct or protest
expurgate to remove obscenity/purify/censor
exscind to cut out/cut away
exsert thrust out/push forth
extant still in existence
extensive far-reaching
extenuate reduce the strength of/lessen seriousness/partially excuse
extinct no longer active
extirpate to destroy/exterminate/cut out/exscind
extol praise highly
extort obtain by threats/violence
extralegal outside the law
extricable that can be freed
extrovert cheerful person
exuberance state of growing vigorously/being full of life
facetious humorous/funny/jocular
facile easily done
facilitate make easy (a process of smth)
fallacious based on error
fallacy false or mistaken belief
fatuous without sense/foolish self-satisfaction
faucet device for controlling the outflow of a liquid
fawn young deer/try to win smb's favour by servile behaviour
feckless futile/irresponsible/inefficient
feckless lacking purpose or vitality/ineffective/careless
fecund fertile
feint pretend
felicitous apt/suitably expressed/well chosen/apropos
felon person guilty of murder
ferment substance/become excited
ferocity savage cruelty
ferret discover by searching/search
fertile producing much/full of ideas
fertilize make fertile or productive
fervid intense/zealous
fervid showing earnest feeling
fervor warmth of feelings/earnestness
fervor a glowing ardor
fetter to shackle/put in chains
feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity loyalty/accuracy
fidget move restlessly/make nervous
figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical too fussy about food
finicky finical
finite limited/having bounds
fission splitting or division (of cells)
fixate stare at
flagrant conspicuously wicked
flamboyant brightly colored/florid
flammable having tendency to burst into flames
flaunting show off complacently
flaw crack/lessen value
flax pale yellow (hair)/a plant
fledged able to fly/trained/experienced
fleet number of ships/quick-moving
fleeting passing quaickly
flexibility easily bent without braking
flinch drow/move back/wince
florid very much ornamented/naturally red (of face)
floridness ruddiness/heavily decorated/ornateness
flout reject/mock/to go against (as in going against tradition or conventions)
fluster make nervous or confused
foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil prevent from carrying out/contrast
foment put smth warm (to lessen the pain)
foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forbear refrain from/be patient/ancestor
forbearance patience/willingness to wait
ford shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall prevent by taking action in advance/preempt
forfeit suffer the loss of smth
forge workshop for the shaping of metal/to shape metal/lead
forgery counterfeit
forswear renounce/disallow/repudiate
fortify strengthen
fortuitous happening by chance
foster nurture/care for
fragile easily injured/broken or destroyed
fragrant sweet-smelling
franchise special right given by authority
frantic wildly excited with joy/pain/anxiety
frenetic frantic/fenzied
fret worry/irritation/wear away
friction the rubbing of one thing against another/difference of opinion
fringe edge/ornamental border/part of hair over the forehead
frivolity a lack of seriousness
froward intractable/not willing to yield or comply/stubborn
frugal careful/economical
fulminate berate/vituperate/to thunder out/to explode
fulmination bitter protest
fulsome disgusting/offensive due to excessiveness
gainsay to deny/declare false/to oppose
gambol quick/playful jumping
garment article of clothing
garner to gather and save/to store up
garrulity talkativeness
garrulous too talkative
gaucherie socially awkward/tactless bahaviour
germane relevant/pertinent to
gist the point/general sense
glean gather facts in small quantities
glib ready and smooth but not sincere
gloat over look at with selfish delight
glut supply to much/fill to excess
gnaw waste away/bite steadily
goad smth urging a person to action
gossamer soft/light/delicate material
gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood
grace favor
grave serious/requiring consideration
gregarious living in societies/liking the company
grievance cause for complaint or protest
grievous causing grief or pain/serious/dire/grave
grimace twisted expression of a face
grind crush/polish
grooves long channel in the surface/habital way of living
grovel crawl/humble oneself
guile deceit/cunning
guileless straight-forward/candid
gull cheat/decieve
gullible easily gulled
gust outburst of feeling/sudden rain/wind/fire
hack cut roughly/hired horse
hallow to make holy/consecrate
hamper basket with a lid/prevent free movement or activity
hamper to obstruct
hapless unlucky/unfortunate
harangue a long/passionate speech
harbinger smth or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow to distress/create stress or torment
harsh rough/cruel/stern
haughty arrogant/conceited
haven harbour/safety place
heed pay attention/notice
heinous odious (of crime)
heresy belief contrary to what is generally acceted
hermetic sealed by fusion
heterogeneous made up of different kinds
hew make by hard work/cut (by striking)
hirsute hairy/shaggy
hoax mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi polloi the masses/the rabble
hollow not soled/with a hole
holster leather case for a pistol
homogeneous of the same kind
hone stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink trick/mislead
hospitable liking to give hospitality
hubris arrogant pride
hurdle light frame/fence to be jumped over
husk worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good
iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs
iconoclastic attacking cherished beliefs
idiosyncracy personal mannerism
idolatrous worshipping idols
idolatry excessive admiration of
idyll a carefree episode or experience
ignoble dishonorable/common/undignified
ignominious shameful/dishonorable/undignified/disgraceful
illicit unlawful/forbidden
illusory deceptive/an illusion
imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate pure/faultless
immerse absorb/put under the surface of
imminent likely to come or happen soon
immutable that cannot be changed
impair worsen/diminish in value
impaired damaged/weakened
impassive unmoved/feeling no sign of passion
impecunious having little or no money
impede hinder/get in the way of
impediment smth that hinders (stammer)
impending imminent/being about to happen/expected
imperative urgent/essential
imperious commanding/haughty/arrogant
imperiousness haughty/arrogant/commandin
impermeable that cannot be permeated
imperturbable calm/not capable of being excited
impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness arrogance/commanding presence/overbearingness
impetuous having sudden energy/impulsive/thrusting ahead
impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable incapable of being placated/unpleasable
implausibility incredibility
implicate show that smb has a share
implication that which is hinted at or suggested
implicit implied though not plainly expressed
implosion collapse/bursting inward
imply make a suggestion
importune beg urgently/solicit (of a prostitute)
impostor someone who assumes a false identity
imprecation an invocation of evil/a curse
impromptu without preparation
impudence being rash/indisreet
impudent rash/indiscreet
impugned challenged/to be doubted
impute to attribute to a cause or source/ascribe
inadvertent not paying proper attention
inane silly/senseless
inasmuch since/because
inaugurate to start
incence make angry
incessant often repeated/continual
inchoate not yet fully formed/rudimentary/elementary
incise engrave/make a cut in
incite stir up/rouse
inclined directing the mind in a certain direction
incoherently not consistently/unclearly
incongruous out of place/not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous skeptical/unwilling to believe
inculcate fix firmly by repetition
incumbents official duties
incursion a raid/a sudden attack
indefatigability not easily exhaustible/tirelessness
indelible that cannot be rubbed out
indelicate immodest/lacking in refinement
indigence poverty
indigenous native
indistinct not easily heard/seen/clearly marked
indolence laziness
indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge gratify/give way to/satisfy/allow oneself
indulgent inclined to indulge
indulgent humoring/yielding/lenient
ineffable to great to be described in words
ineluctable certain/inevitable
inept unskillful/said or done at the wrong time
infertile not fertile/barren
infiltrate to pass into or through/to penetrate sneakily
inflame become red/angry
inflammatory tending to inflame
infuriate fill with fury or rage
infuse put/pour/fill
ingenuous naive/young/artless/frank/honest/sincere
ingest take in by swallowing
inherent existing as a natural part
inhibit hinder/restrain
inimical harmful or friendly
inimitable defying imitation/unmatchable
innocuous causing no harm
inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible unconscious/unresponsive/unaffected
insinuate suggest unpleasantly/make a way for smth gently
insipid without taste or flavour
insouciant unconcerned/carefree
insularity narrow-mindedness/isolated
insurrection rising of people to open resistance to
interdict prohibit/forbid
interim as an instalment
intermittent periodic/on and off
intersperse place here and there
intervene come between/interfere to change the result
intractable unruly/refractory/stubborn
intransigence unwillingness to compromise/stubbornness/intractability
intransigent uncompromising
intrepid fearless/brave/undaunted
introspection examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate flood/cover by overflowing
inured accustomed to/adapted
invective abusive language/curses
inveigh to attack verbally/denounce/deprecate
inveterate deep-rooted/long-established
involute complex
irascible irritable/easily angered
irate angry
ire anger
irksome tiresome
irrelevant not relevant/not connected
irresolute hesitating/undecided
irreverence a lack of proper respect
irrevocable final and unalterable
itinerary plan for a journey/details or records of a route
itinerate to travel from place to place/to peregrinate
jabber talk excitedly/utter rapidly
jeopardize put in danger
jibe gibe/make fun of
jocular meant as a joke
judicious sound in judgment/wise
knit draw together/unite firmly
labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose causing tears/tearful
lackluster (of eyes) dull
laconic brief/to the point/terse
lag go too slow
lament show/feel great sorrow
lassitude weariness/tiredness
latent present but not yet active/developed or visible
laudatory expressing or giving praise
lavish giving or producing freely/liberally or generously
leakage the process of leaking
legacy smth handed down drom ancestors
libel statement that damages reputation
liberality free giving/gererosity
libertine immoral person
lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn paint/portray
limp lacking strength/walking unevenly
lithe bending/twisting
loll rest/to sit or stand in a lazy way/hang (dog's tongue)
loquacious talkative/garrulous
lubricant substance that makes work easier
lubricate put oil to make work easily
lubricious lewd/wanton/greasy/slippery
lucubrate write in scholarly fashion
luculent easily understood/lucid/clear
lugubrious mournful/excessively sad
lull become quiet or less active
luminary star/light-giving body
lustrous being bright/polished
macabre gruesome/suggesting death
machination plot/scheme (evil)
magnanimous generous
maladroit tactless/clumpsy
malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence wishing to do evil
malign injurious/speak ill of smb/tell lie
malinger to fake illness or injury/in order to shirk a duty
malleable yielding/easily shaped/moldable/adapting
martial brave/of associated with war
massacre cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation be admitted/enter a university as a student
mature come to full development/to a state ready for use
maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maverick rebel/nonconformist
mellifluous sweetly flowing
mendacious FALSE
mendacity dishonesty
mendicant a beggar
mercurial quick/changeable in character/fleeting
meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize hypnotize
meticulous giving great attention to details
mettle quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome courageous/high-spirited
middling fairly good but not very good
minatory menacing/threatening
mince pronounce or speak affectedly/euphemize/speak too carefully
misanthrope person who hates mankind
mischievous harmful/causing mischief
miser person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist one who hates women/females
missile smth that is thrown or shot
mitigate make less severe or painful
moderation quality of being limited/not extreme
mollify make calmer or quiter
molt moult/lose hair/feathers before new growing
morbid iseased/unhealthy (about ideas)
morose ill-tempered/unsocial
mortuary place where dead bodies are taken to be kept until burial
multifarious varied/motley/greatly diversified
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual/commonplace/everyday
myriad very great number
nadir lowest/weakest point
nascent coming into existance/emerging
nebulous cloud-like/hazy/vague/indistinct
negligent taking too little care
neophyte person who has been converted to a belief
nexus a connection/tie or link
nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer)
nice precise/sensitive to subtleness
noisome offensive/disgusting (smell)
nonchalant not having interest
nonplussed greatly surprised
nostrum a quack remedy/an untested cure
notion nominal/token
noxious harmful
nullify make void and null
numb without ability to feel or move
numbness without ability to move a finger
obdurate hardened and unrepenting/stubborn/inflexible
obfuscate to darken/make obscure/muddle
oblivious unaware/having no memory
obloquy abusively detractive language/sharp criticism/vituperation
obsequious too eager to obey or serve
obsolete no longer used
obstreperous noisy/loud
obtain to be established/accepted or customary
obtrusive projecting/prominent/undesirably noticeable
obviate to make unnecessary/get rid of
occluded blocked up
occult hidden/concealed/beyond comprehension
odious repulsive/hateful
odium contempt/dislike/aversion
odor smell/favor/reputation
officious too eager or ready to help/offer advice
onerous needing effort/burdensome
opprobrious showing scorn or reproach
opulence a wealth
ossify to turn to bone/to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible seeming/appearing as such/professed
ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy
ostentatious fond of showing ostentation
ostracism shut out from society/refuse to meet/talk
ostrich fast-running bird unable to fly
outset start
overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening presumptuously arrogant/overbearing/immoderate/being a jerk
overwhelm weigh down/submerge
pacifist one opposed to force/an antimilitarist
paean song of praise or triumph
palate roof of the mouth/sense of taste
palatial magnificent
palliate lessen the severity of
palliate to make something appear less serious/to alleviate
palpability can be felt/touched/understood
palpitate tremble/beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric formal praise/eulogy
paradigm a model/example or pattern
parenthesis sentense within another one/smth separated
pariah an outcast/a rejected and despised person
parsimonious too economical/miserly
partisan one-sided/committed to a party/biased or prejudiced
patron regular customer/person who gives support
paucity scarcity/a lacking of
peccadillo small sin/small weakness in one's character
pedantic bookish/showing off learning
pedestrian commonplace/trite/unremarkable
pellucid transparent/easy to understand
penchant strong inclination/a liking
penitent feeling or showing regret
penury extreme poverty
peregrination traveling about/wandering
peremptory urgent/imperative/unchallengeable/ending debate
perennial lasting for a long time (a year)
perfidious treacheres/faithless
perfidy treachery/breaking of faith
perfunctory done as a duty withour care
perilous dangerous
peripatetic wandering
perish be destroyed/decay
perjury wilful fasle statement/unlawful act
permeate spread into every part of
pernicious harmful/injurious
perpetrate be guilty/commit (a crime)
persevere keep on steadily/continue
personable pleasing in appearance/attractive
perspicacity quick judging and understanding
pertain belong as a part/have reference
pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified taken away power (to think/feel/act)
petrify to make hard/rocklike
petrous like a rock/hard/stony
petulant unreasonably impatient
philistine a smug ignorant person/one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic calm
picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied of mixed colors
pinch be too tight/take between the thumb and finger
pious dutifull to parents/devoted to religion
piquant agreeably pungent/stimulating
pique hirt the pride or self-respect/stir (curiosity)
pitfall covered hole as a trap/unsuspected danger
pith essential part/force/soft liquid substance
pivotal of great importance (others depend on it)
placate soothe/pacify/calm
placate to pacify/to conciliate
plaintive mournful/melancholy/sorrowful
plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude a trite or banal statement/unoriginality
plea request
plead address a court of law as an advocate
plethora glut
pliant pliable/easile bent/shaped or twisted
plod continue doing smth without resting
pluck pull the feathers off/pick (flowers)
plumb get to the root of
plummet fall
plunge move quickly/suddenly and with force
poignant deeply moving/keen
poise be ready/be balanced/self-possession
polemical controversial/argued
ponderous heavy/bulky/dull
portent omen/mervellous/threatening
poseur someone taking on airs to impress others/a phony
posture state/attitude/adopt a vain
poverty state of being poor
pragmatic practical/favoring utility
precarious uncertain/risky/dangerous
precept moral instruction
precepts rules establishing standards of conduct
precipitate throw smth violently down from a height
preclude prevent/make impossible
precursory preliminary/anticipating
predilection special liking/mental preference
predominate have more power than others
preempt obtain by preemption or in advance
premature doing or happening smth before the right time
preponderance greatness in number/strength/weight
presage warning sign
preternatural not normal or usual
prevalent common
prevalent widespread/generally accepted
prevaricate to equivocate/to stray from the truth
prim neat/formal
pristine primitive/unspoiled/pure/as in earlier times/unadulterated
probity uprightness/incorruptibility/principle
proclivity inclination
procrastination keeping on putting off
prodigal wasteful/reckless with money
prodigious enormous/wonderful
profane wordly/having contempt for God
profligate wasteful/prodigal/licentious/extravagant
profundity depth
profusion a lavish expenditure/an overabundant condition
proliferate grow/reproduce by rapid multification
prolix tiring because too long
prone prostrate/inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation increasing the number/spreading/extending
propinquity nearness in time or place/affinity of nature
propitiate do smth to take away the anger of
propitiatory conciliatory/appeasing/mitigating
propitious auspicious/presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic everyday/mundane/commonplace/trite/pedestrian
proscribe denounce as dangerous
protracted prolonged
provident frugal/looking to the future
provisional of the present time only
provoke make angry/vax
prudence careful forethought
prudish easily shocked/excessively modest
prune dried plum/silly person
pry get smth/inquire too curiosly
pugnacious fond of/in the habit of fighting
punch strike with the fist/tool for cutting holes/alc. drink
punctilious precise/paying attention to trivialities
pundit pedant/authority on a subject
pungency sharpness/stinging quality
purvey provide/supply
pusillanimous cowardly/craven
pyre large pile of wood for burning
quack person dishonestly claiming to smth
quaff drink deeply
quail lose courage/turn frightened
qualm feeling of doubt/temporary feeling of sickness in the stomach
quell suppress/subdue
quibble try to avoid by sophistication
quiescent at rest/dormant/torpid
quirk habit or action peculiar to smb or smth
quixotic generous/unselfish
quotidian banal/everyday
rabble mob/crowd/the lower classes of populace
raconter person who tells anecdotes
radiant bright/shining
raffish low/vulgar/base/tawdry
rail atfind fault/utter reproaches
ramify to be divided or subdivided/to branch out
rancorous feeling bitterness/spitefulness
rant use extravagant language
rapacious greedy (esp for money)
rarefy to make thin/to make less dense/to purify or refine
reactionary opposing progress
rebuff snub
recalcitrant disobedient
recant take back as being false/give up
recast cast or fashoin anew
recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similiar
recitals a number of/performance of music
recluse person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense make payment to/reward/punish
reconcile settle a quarrel/restore peace
recondite little known/abstruse
recourse smth turned to for help
recreancy cowardice/a cowardly giving up
recuperate become strong after illness/loss/exhaustion
redeem get back by payment/compensate
redemptive serving to redeem
redoubtable formidable/causing fear
redundant superfluous/excessively wordy/repetitious
refine make or become pure/cultural
refractory stubborn/unmanageable/untractable
refulgent shining/brilliant
refute to disprove
regale to delight or entertain/to feast
regicide crime of killing a king
reiterate say or do again several times
rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearence
relapse fall back again
relegate to banish/to consign to inferior position
relinquish give up
reluctant unwilling or disinclined
remonstrate to protest/object
render deliver/provide/represent
renovate restore smth to better condition
renowned celebrated/famous
rent regular payment for the use of smth/division or split
repast meal
repine at be discontented with
reproach scold/upbraid
reprobate person hardened in sin/one devoid of decency
repudiate disown/refuse to accept or pay
repulsive causing a feeling of disgust
requite repay/give in return
resigned unresisting/submissive
resilience quality of quickly recovering the proginal shape
resolve determine
resort to frequently visit
restive refusing to move/reluctant to be controlled
resurrect bring back into use
resuscitation coming back to consciousness
retard check/hinder
reticent reserved/untalkative/silent/taciturn
revere have deep respect for
rift split/crack/dissension
rivet fix/take up/secure/matel pin
roll call calling of names
rope thick strong cord made by twisting
rotund rich and deep/plump and round
rubric heading/title/or category
ruffian violent/cruel man
sagacious having sound judgment/perceptive/wise/like a sage
sagacious keen/shrewd/having insight
salacious obscene
salient prominent/protruding/conspicuous/highly relevant
salubrious healthful
salutary remedial/wholesome/causing improvement
sanctimony self-righteousness/hypocritical/with false piety
sanction approval (by authority)/penalty
sanguine cheerful/confident/optimistic
sanity health of mind/soundness of judgement
sap weaken
sate satiate
satiate satisfy fully
saturnine gloomy/dark/sullen/morose
savant person of great learning
savor taste/flavour smth
sawdust tiny bits of wood
scabbard sheath for the blade
scent smell (pleasant)
scribble write hastily
scurvy mean/contemptible
seal piece of wax/lead
secular material (not spiritual)/living outside monasteries
sedulous persevering
seminal like a seed/constituting a source/originative
sententious short and pithy/full of maxims/proverbs
sequence succession/connected line of
serrated having a toothed edge
serration having a toothed edge
servile like a slave/lacking independence
servile slavish/cringing
severance severing
shaft arrow or spear/smth long and narrow
shallow little depth/not earnest
shard piece of broken earthenware
sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shove push
shrewd astute/showing sound judgement
shrill sparp/piercing
shun keep away from/avoid
shunt send from one track to another/lay aside/evade discussion
sidestep step to one side
sinuous winding/undulating/serpentine
skiff small boat
skit short piece of humorous writing
slack sluggish/dull/not tight
slake to assuage/to satisfy/allay
slate king of blue-grey stone/propose/critisize
sluggard lazy/slow-moving person
soar rise/fly high
sober self-controlled
sobriety quality or condition of being sober
sodden soaked/saturated
soggy heavy with water
solemnity a seriousness/a gravity
solvent of the power of forming a solution
somatic of the body
soot black powder in smoke
sophisticated complex/subtle/refined
sophistry fallacious reasoning/faulty logic
sophomoric self-assured though immature/affected/bombastic/overblown
sordid wretched/comfortless/contemptible
spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious illogical/of questionable truth or merit
splenetic bad-tempered/irritable
splice join (two ends)
sponge porous rubber for washing/live at once expense
spurious false/counterfeit
spurn have nothing to do/reject or refuse
squalid foul/filthy
squander spend wastefully
stanch to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply rising or falling sharply
stentorian extremely loud and powerful
stickler person who insists on importance of smth
stigma mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize describe smb scornfully
sting smth sharp
stingy spending/using unwillingly
stint to be thrifty/to set limits
stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition
stoic a person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain
stolid showing no emotion/impassive
strands smth twisted together into a rope/line of development
stray wander/lose one's way
streak long/thin/move very fast
striated striped/grooved or banded
stride walk with long steps
strut a supporting bar
stygian hence/dark/gloomy
stymie to hinder/obstruct or block
subdue overcome/bring under control
sublime extreme/astounding
submerge put under water/liquid/sink out of sight
suborn indice by bribery or smth to commit perjury
subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a low court
subsume include under a rule
succor assistance/relief in time of distress
suffice be enough
sullied to be stained or discredited
summarily briefly/without delay
sumptuous magnificent
sundry various/miscellaneous/separate
supercilious disdainful/characterized by haughty scorn
superfluous more then is needed or wanted
superimpose put smth on the top
supersede take the place of
supine lying on the back/slow to act/passive
suppliant asking humbly/beseeching
supplicate make a humble petition to
suppress prevent from being known/put an end to
surfeit satiate/feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility sensitiveness
sustain keep from falling/maintain/suffer/give a decision
sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful
sycophant a servile flatterer
synopsis summary or outline
taciturn untalkative/silent
talon claw of a bird of prey
tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper interfere with
tangential suddenly changable
tarnished lost brightness
taunt contemptuous reproach/hurtful remark
taut tightly stretched
tautology a repetition/a redundancy
tawdry cheap/gaudy/showy/tacky
tease annoy/puzzling question
tedious tiresome
teetotal oppose to alcohol
temerity boldness/brashness/intrepidness
temperance abstinence from alcohol/self-control/moderation
temperate showing self-control
tenacity firmness/persistency/adhesiveness/tending to hang on
tenuous unsubstantial/flimsy/weak
terse brief and to the point
terse concise/abrupt/pithy
thrift care/economy/thriving/prosperous
timid shy/easily frightened
timorous fearful/timid/afraid
tolerable fairly good
tonic smth giving strength or energy
topple be unsteady and overturn
torment severe pain or suffering
torpid sleeping/sluggish/lethargic/dormant
tortuous full of twists and bends
tout person who worries others to buy smth/to use his service
touting act as tout
toy think not seriously/handle absent-mindedly
tractable easily controlled or guided
transgress break/go beyond (a limit)
transient temporary/fleeting
transitory brief
trenchant forceful/effective/vigorous/extremely perceptive/incisive
trend tendency/general direction
trepidation alarm/excited state of mind
trepidation a fear/a trembling agitation
trifling unimportant
trite not new
truculence aggressiveness/ferocity
trudge walk heavily
turbid muddy/having the sediment stirred up
turbulence being uncontrolled/violent
turbulence a state of violent agitation
turgid excessively ornate/swollen or bloated
turmoil trouble/disturbance
turpitude wickedness/shamefulness
tyro tiro/beginner
ulterior situated beyond
unbrage offense/resentment
uncouth rough/awkward
underbid make a lower bid then smb else
undermine weaken gradually/at the base/make smth under
undulate to move in wavelike fashion/fluctuate
unencumbered easy-going/trifle
unfeigned not pretended/sincere
unscathed unharmed/unhurt
untoward unfortunate/inconvenient
upbraid scold/reproach
urbane elegant/refined in manners
vacillation being uncertain/hesitating
vagary strange act or idea
vain without use/result/conceited
valiant brave
valorous brave
vanquish conquer
vapor stim/mist
veer change direction
venal ready to do smth dishonest
veneer surface appearence covering the true nature
venerate to revere
veneration regard with deep respect
veracity truth
verisimilitude appearing true or real
veritable real/rightly named
verve spirit/vigour/enthusiasm
vex annoy/distress/trouble
viable capable of maintaining life
vigilance watchfulness/self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant member of a vigilance committee
vigorous strong/energetic
vilify slander/say evil things
vindictive having a desire to revenge
virago a loud/domineering woman/a scold or nag
virulent extremely poisonous
visceral of the internal organs of the body
vitiate lower the quality/weaken the strength
vituperate curse/abuse in words
vivacious lively/high-spirited
volatile changeable/inconstant/fickle/unstable/explosive
volubility fluency/verbosity/easy use of spoken language
voluble fluent
voluminous occupying much space
waft scent/waving movement/carry lightly through
word definition part of speech
abate to lessen; to subside verb
abet to help; to aid verb
abhor to hate; to detest verb
abject miserable; wretched adjective
abruptly suddenly; unexpectedly adverb
absorbed interested; engrossed adjective
abundant plentiful adjective
accessory something added noun
accommodations a room and meals noun
accomplice one who aids and abets a criminal noun
accost to meet someone and to speak first verb
accumulate to pile up; to collect verb
accurate correct adjective
acrid sharp; bitter adjective
adjacent next to; adjoining adjective
admonish to warn about; to advise against doing something verb
adore to love greatly verb
adroit clever; skillful adjective
affluent rich adjective
aggravate to make worse verb
agile lively adjective
agitate to disturb verb
aglow shining brightly adjective
ailment a mild illness noun
ajar slightly open adjective
akin similar; related adjective
albino a person or animal without normal pigmentation, characterizednoun
by pale skin, hair, and eyes
alert perceptive; quick adjective
alleviate to lessen; to relieve verb
alluring tempting; enticing adjective
aloof reserved; indifferent adjective
amateur not professional; untrained adjective
ambiguous doubtful; uncertain adjective
amicable friendly adjective
amnesia a lapse of memory noun
ample adequate; enough adjective
amplify to make larger, more powerful verb
anguish great sorrow; pain noun
ankle the joint between the foot and the leg noun
annual yearly adjective
anomalous unusual adjective
antique a very old and valuable object noun
applaud to clap verb
appraisal an estimate of the value noun
appropriate suitable adjective
arduous demanding great effort; strenuous adjective
arouse to spur; to incite verb
arraign to charge; to accuse verb
arrogance haughtiness noun
aspire to strive toward; to seek eagerly verb
assert to affirm an opinion verb
asset a useful or valuable quality; finances noun
assuage to ease; to lessen verb
astound to surprise greatly; to astonish verb
astray away from the correct path or direction adverb
audacious bold; daring adjective
audible able to be heard adjective
augment to increase verb
autonomous free; independent adjective
avarice greed noun
aversion intense dislike noun
baffle to confuse verb
bald without hair adjective
ban to declare that something must not be done; to prohibit verb
bar a court of law noun
barricade a barrier; an obstruction noun
beckon to signal with one's hand verb
behavior one's actions noun
bellow to shout loudly verb
beneficiary a person who receives money or property from an insurance policy
noun or from a will
beverage a kind of drink noun
bewilder to confuse verb
bicker to quarrel verb
bitter a sharp, acrid taste adjective
blame responsibility noun
blandishment coaxing; persuasion by flattery noun
bleak cold and bare; cheerless adjective
blend a mixture noun
blithe carefree and gay; lighthearted adjective
blizzard a severe snowstorm noun
blunder an error; a mistake noun
blush to flush verb
boulder a large rock noun
boundary border; limit noun
boundless without limits adjective
brandish to shake or wave a weapon menacingly verb
brawl a noisy fight; a quarrel noun
bribe money or gift used to influence someone to do something that noun
he should not
brim the upper edge of anything hollow noun
brink the edge of a high place noun
brittle easily broken adjective
broom an object used to sweep the floor noun
brutal savage; cruel adjective
bully to be cruel to weaker people or animals verb
bump a light blow; a jolt noun
cabal a group of people united in a scheme to promote their views bynoun
intrigue; a group of conspirators
callous insensitive; unfeeling adjective
captive a person who is not permitted to leave noun
carve to slice meat verb
cast to throw out or down verb
castigate to reprove verb
cataclysm a great flood; a terrible event noun
chaos without organization; confusion noun
chasm a deep crack in the earth noun
chaste pure adjective
chilly cool adjective
chore a task; a job noun
chum an intimate friend noun
cider juice from apples noun
clamorous noisy adjective
clap to applaud verb
clemency kindness, mercy noun
cluttered confused; disorganized; littered adjective
coerce to compel by pressure or threat verb
cogent convincing adjective
colleague a fellow worker; a co-worker, usually in a profession noun
colloquy a formal conversation; a conference noun
commence to begin verb
commend to praise verb
compassion symphony; pity noun
complex complicated adjective
complexion the natural color and appearance of the skin noun
compliment an expression of praise or admiration noun
compulsory required adjective
conceal to hide verb
concoct to devise; to invent verb
concord an agreement noun
concurrence an agreement, usually by equals noun
condone to overlook; to excuse verb
confide to entrust a secret verb
confident sure of oneself adjective
confine to limit verb
confiscate to seize by authority verb
congeal to become hard; to solidify verb
congenial pleasing in nature of character; agreeable adjective
congenital existing at birth, but not hereditary adjective
congestion crowding noun
conjecture a supposition; a guess noun
conscientious careful; honest adjective
constantly all the time adverb
contaminated polluted adjective
contract to reduce verb
conventional usual; ordinary adjective
conversion a change noun
core a center noun
coward one who lacks courage; a person who is not brave noun
crave to desire greatly verb
credulous inclined to believe too readily; gullible adjective
creed a belief; a faith noun
crude not finished; rough adjective
cruise to drive slowly verb
crumb a small piece of bread or cake noun
crutch a support used as an aid in walking, often used in pairs noun
cryptic secret; hidden adjective
culpable deserving blame adjective
curt rudely brief in speech or manner adjective
curtail to shorten; to suspend verb
dagger a knife noun
dangle to hang loosely; to swing verb
debtor one who owes noun
decade a period of ten years noun
decency modest behavior; propriety noun
deck the floor of a ship noun
decline a downward slope; a declivity noun
decrepit weakened by illness or age; badly used adjective
dedicate to honor someone by placing his or her name in the beginningverb
of a literary book or an artistic performance
defect an imperfection noun
deformed disfigured adjective
deliberately in a planned way adverb
demolish to tear down completely verb
dent to depress a surface by pressure or a blow verb
depict to describe verb
depreciate to express disapproval verb
deprive to take away verb
deride to make fun of; to jeer verb
designate to name; to specify verb
detect to discover verb
deterioration lower value; depreciation noun
detest to hate verb
deviate to depart from; to differ verb
diffidence lack of confidence in oneself noun
digress to stray from the main subject verb
dilate to become wider; larger verb
diligent industrious; busy adjective
diminutive a small amount; something small adjective
dingy dirty; shabby adjective
disband to dissolve; to discontinue verb
discard to throw out verb
discern to recognize; to perceive verb
dispatch to send verb
dissect to examine; to criticize verb
disseminate to spread; to distribute verb
divert to entertain; to amuse verb
divulge to make known; to reveal verb
doze to sleep for a short time; to take a nap verb
drench to make very wet verb
drought a long period of dry weather noun
drowsy very sleepy adjective
dubious doubtful adjective
dungeon a dark cell; a prison noun
durable sturdy; lasting adjective
duration the length of time from beginning to end noun
dusk evening, just before dark noun
earthquake a shaking of the earth's surface caused by disturbances underground
noun
eccentric strange; odd adjective
eloquence persuasive, graceful language noun
elucidate to make understandable verb
elusive tending to escape notice adjective
emit to give off verb
emphasis special attention; importance noun
emulate to try to equal or excel verb
endeavor to make an effort; to try very hard verb
energy vigor; strength noun
enervate to debilitate; to weaken verb
enhance to make greater, better verb
entice to attract; to lure verb
envious discontent or resentful because of another's possessions or qualities
adjective
equitably fairly; justly adverb
equivocal ambiguous; evasive adjective
eradicate to remove all traces verb
erosion wearing away noun
erudite learned adjective
escort to accompany verb
essential important; necessary adjective
esteem a favorable opinion; respect noun
eulogy high praise; laudation noun
evolve to develop gradually verb
exacting detailed; meticulous adjective
exasperate to make angry or impatient verb
exceed to be greater than verb
exhausted very tired; enervated adjective
exorbitant extravagant; excessive adjective
expand to make larger verb
expanse a large area noun
expire to cease to be effective, to terminate verb
explicit very clear; definite adjective
exploit to use for selfish advantage or profit verb
expound to explain in detail verb
extempore without preparation; impromptu adjective
extensive far-reaching adjective
extinct no longer active; having died out adjective
extol to praise highly verb
extravagance excess spending noun
exultant very happy; full of joy adjective
facile easy adjective
falter to move hesitatingly; unsteadily verb
famine starvation noun
fascinate to attract powerfully; to charm verb
feat an act requiring great strength or courage noun
feeble lacking strength, power adjective
ferry to cross a river or a narrow body of water verb
feud to engage in a long, bitter hostility verb
flatter to praise too much verb
flee to escape swiftly verb
flicker to shine unsteadily verb
flimsy lacking solidarity, strength adjective
flip to overturn verb
flounder to move awkwardly verb
fluffy soft; airy adjective
foolish silly adjective
forbearance self-restraint noun
ford a shallow place in a river which can be crossed by walking or driving
noun
foresee to anticipate verb
fowl a bird which can be eaten noun
fraction a part of something noun
fracture a break noun
fraud a fault; a deception noun
fret to worry verb
frigid very cold adjective
furtive secret adjective
futile useless adjective
garb clothing noun
garrison a fortified place occupied by soldiers noun
garrulous talkative adjective
gash a deep cut noun
gauche impolite; clumsy adjective
gem a precious stone; a jewel noun
genial kindly; friendly adjective
genuine TRUE adjective
germinate to begin to grow verb
gist the main idea noun
glamorous fascinating; alluring adjective
glib spoken easily but with little thought; fluent adjective
glitter to shine with a sparkling light verb
glossary an explanation of special words at the end of the book noun
glow to shine verb
goal an objective; an aim noun
greedy excessively desirous of acquiring possessions; avaricious adjective
grievance a complaint noun
grope to search blindly, uncertainly verb
grouchy irritable adjective
grudge hard feelings; resentment noun
grumble to complain verb
gust a sudden, brief rush of wind noun
hamlet a small village noun
handy easily reached adjective
haphazard without a fixed or regular course; indifferent; disorganized adjective
harsh cruel adjective
hasty done too quickly to be accurate or wise adjective
hazy not clear; vague adjective
heavy a great amount adjective
heretic very busy; active adjective
heed to pay attention to verb
henceforth from now on adverb
hilarious very funny; merry; laughable adjective
hinge a joint on which a door or gate is attached noun
hint a suggestion; a clue noun
hoarse a rough, husky sound, especially a rough voice adjective
hoax a trick noun
hoe a garden tool with a long handle and a flat blade used for digging
noun
holocaust widespread destruction, usually by fire noun
homage allegiance; respect noun
hubbub noise; confusion noun
humid damp; hot adjective
hypothesis a tentative theory noun
identical exactly the same adjective
ignorant without knowledge; unaware; uninformed adjective
ignore to refuse to notice or recognize; to discard verb
imminent about to occur; impending adjective
impartial not favoring one more than the other; just adjective
impartible indivisible adjective
imply to suggest verb
impromptu without preparation; unrehearsed; extempore adjective
incessant without interruption; continuous adjective
incidental of lesser importance; secondary adjective
incisive crisp; trenchant adjective
incredible hard to believe adjective
indictment an accusation noun
induce to lead or move by influence or persuasion verb
inert lacking independent power to move; not active adjective
infested inhabited in large numbers by something harmful adjective
ingredients parts of a mixture, especially a recipe noun
inhabit to live in a place verb
initiate to start; to begin verb
innovation a change noun
inquisitive asking many questions; curious adjective
inseparable not able to be separated adjective
inspect to examine closely verb
integrate to coordinate; to unite verb
intersect to meet verb
interval the time between two events noun
intrepid fearless adjective
intricate complicated adjective
intrude to be in the way; to be an obstacle verb
invalid a sick person noun
invariable always the same adjective
irritate to excite to anger; to bother verb
jeopardy danger noun
jerk a sudden movement noun
jungle land covered with a growth of trees and vegetation noun
keen eager adjective
lament to express sorrow verb
lanky tall and slim adjective
laud to praise verb
leisure free; unoccupied adjective
lid a cover noun
lift to raise verb
light having little substance; not heavy adjective
limb a large branch of a tree noun
limp to favor one leg; to cripple verb
limpid lucid adjective
litter to strew with scattered articles verb
lively fill of energy; agile adjective
loafer an idle, lazy person noun
loathe to hate; to detest verb
loot stolen goods; plunder noun
lullaby a song to lull a baby to sleep noun
luminous bright adjective
lustrous bright; shining adjective
malign to slander verb
mansion a large, imposing house; a residence noun
mare a female horse noun
margin the blank space bordering the written or printed area of a pagenoun
marshal a law officer noun
massive huge; heavy adjective
meddle to interfere; to intrude verb
menace to threaten verb
mend to repair verb
merger a legal combination of two or more businesses noun
meteor a celestial body smaller than one mile in diameter noun
meticulous to be careful about detail adjective
mingle to mix; to combine verb
modify to change something a little verb
molest to annoy; to bother verb
monstrous horrible; shocking adjective
moron a foolish, silly person noun
morsel a small amount of food noun
mumble to speak indistinctly verb
munch to chew verb
mutual having the same relationship one to the other; shared adjective
nadir the lowest point noun
nasty mean adjective
negligent extremely careless adjective
numb without sensation; paralyzed adjective
oasis fertile place with water located in the desert noun
oblivion the condition of being completely forgotten noun
obvious forgetful; unaware adjective
obscure not easily seen adjective
obsequious obedient; servile adjective
obsolete no longer useful; outdated adjective
obstinate stubborn; unyielding adjective
obstruct to get in the way; to block verb
ominous threatening adjective
omit to leave out verb
oration a formal speech noun
orchard a group of nut or fruit trees noun
ordeal difficult or painful experience noun
output production; yield noun
outrageous very offensive; shocking adjective
overall general; comprehensive adjective
pact a treaty; an agreement noun
palatable savory adjective
pauper a very poor person noun
peek to take a brief look verb
penetrate to pass through; to enter verb
pensive thoughtful adjective
perforated small lines or holes in something adjective
perilous full of danger adjective
permanently constantly adverb
permissible allowed adjective
perpetual continuing forever; constant adjective
persuade to convince verb
pessimist one who always takes a gloomy view of things noun
petition a formal request noun
phlegmatic sluggish; apathetic adjective
pilfer to steal verb
pillar a column noun
pinch to press between one's fingers or another object verb
pity compassion noun
placate to appease verb
plateau a broad pain noun
plausible believable, but doubtful adjective
plea an appeal noun
plump a full, round shape adjective
pollute to contaminate; to dirty verb
ponder to consider carefully verb
posterity future generations noun
postpone to delay verb
prank a trick; a joke noun
precaution action taken to avoid future accident or problem noun
precede to go before verb
precept a rule; a command noun
precisely exactly adverb
predict to tell what will happen in the future; to foretell verb
prelude a preliminary event preceding a more important one noun
prestigious admired adjective
prevail to continue in use or fashion; to succeed verb
prevalent widespread adjective
primary most important; final adjective
prior before in time, order or importance adverb
probe a thorough examination noun
profound deep adjective
prolific productive adjective
promulgate to make known; to declare officially verb
prop a support noun
proprietor one who owns a shop noun
prosper to succeed; to thrive verb
protrude to punish outward; to project verb
provoke to cause; to incite verb
proximity nearness noun
prudent careful; wise; complete adjective
purify to cleanse verb
quell to make quiet; to subdue verb
quest a search noun
ramble to wander idly, without purpose verb
rancor spiteful hatred noun
random chance adjective
rash with little care adjective
ratify to approve; to confirm verb
raze to destroy verb
rebut to contradict verb
recite to repeat from memory verb
reckless not cautious; not careful adjective
recluse a person who chooses to live apart from society noun
recollection a memory noun
reconcile to settle on friendly terms verb
refined noble; attractive adjective
rehearse to practice verb
reiterate to say again; to repeat verb
relapse the return of an illness noun
reliable dependable adjective
reluctant unwilling; hesitant adjective
remnant something left over noun
renowned famous adjective
repel to drive back verb
reproach to blame verb
resemble to have a similar appearance verb
reside to live in a certain place verb
resolute firm; determined adjective
respond to answer verb
restrain to check; to limit verb
retain to keep in one's possession; to hold verb
retard to delay; to hold back verb
retort a quick, sharp reply noun
revenue money earned; income noun
reverse to go in the opposite direction; to turn around verb
risky dangerous adjective
rivalry a contest; a competition noun
roam to wander verb
role a character played by an actor in a drama noun
rotate to circle verb
roughly approximately adverb
routine the usual way of doing things noun
rustic typical of country life; simple adjective
rusty oxidized adjective
sagacity good judgment; keenness; wisdom noun
scandal a rumor as a result of disgraceful actions noun
scant meager adjective
scatter to throw about verb
schedule to make a timetable of arrivals and departures; to list verb
scoop to dip into a spoon or a cupped hand verb
scope the range or extent of something noun
scornful disdainful; aloof adjective
scrape to abrade verb
scrub to wash vigorously by scrubbing verb
scrutiny close, careful examination noun
segment a division; a part of something noun
seize to grab verb
sentry a guard noun
sever to cut into two parts verb
shabby worn-out; faded adjective
shatter to break into many pieces verb
shawl a covering for a woman's head and shoulders noun
shift to change a position or direction verb
shrewd able in particular affairs; clever adjective
shrug to raise the shoulders in a gesture of doubt or indifference verb
shutter a hinged cover attached to a window to keep out light and rainnoun
simulate to imitate; to copy verb
simultaneously at the same time adverb
sinuous winding; curving adjective
sip to drink a little at a time verb
skeptical not easily convinced; doubting adjective
skim to read quickly and superficially verb
slap to hit with an open hand verb
slay to kill verb
sleazy sheer; gauzy; cheap adjective
sleet a mixture of snow, hail and rain noun
slit to cut verb
sluggish not easily aroused by activity; slow to respond adjective
smolder to burn with little smoke and no flame verb
snatch to grab abruptly and hastily verb
sneak to move quietly, secretly verb
soar to fly high verb
soothe to calm verb
sorrowful sorry for a sin or mistake adjective
span to extend from one side to another verb
species a group with a common appearance noun
specific defined adjective
speck a very small spot or piece of something noun
spill to allow a liquid to run out of the container verb
sporadic happening from time to time adjective
sprawl to stretch out verb
squash to flatten; to crush verb
stack to put several things on top of each other verb
stale not fresh; old adjective
static not moving adjective
storm a natural disturbance of wind noun
straddle to sit with one leg on one side and the other leg on the other side
verbof something
strain tension; stress noun
strive to make great efforts; to struggle verb
stunt to retard normal growth verb
subsequent following adjective
substitute to use something in place of another; to replace verb
sue to bring to court verb
sultry hot, moist weather adjective
supersede to replace verb
surfeit to eat an excessive amount verb
surly rude; arrogant adjective
surmise to guess verb
swarm a large number of moving insects noun
swerve to turn aside; to veer verb
synchronize to cause to coincide verb
synopsis an outline noun
taciturn unspoken; silent adjective
tack to fasten with a small nail verb
tact diplomacy noun
tally an account; a score noun
tamper to interfere in a harmful manner; to meddle verb
tapered smaller at one end adjective
tentative uncertain; probable adjective
tepid slightly warm adjective
terminate to bring to an end. verb
testify to give evidence verb
thicken to coagulate verb
thrifty careful; frugal adjective
throng a crowd noun
thump the dull sound of a blow made by a heavy object noun
tilted not straight adjective
tiptoe to walk stealthily; quietly verb
tolerant inclined to tolerate others; having a fair attitude toward those who
adjective
hold different views
torture to inflict extreme pain on someone verb
touchy sensitive; irritable adjective
tranquil peaceful; quiet adjective
transact to conduct, perform or carry out business verb
transcend to raise above; to surpass verb
transform to change in appearance verb
traverse to move along verb
treacherous not to be trusted; perfidious adjective
trend a course; a tendency noun
tributary a river that flows into a larger one noun
trivial of a little importance adjective
troupe a group of singers or actors noun
tug to pull something with effort verb
tumble to fall in a rolling manner verb
tumult noisy commotion noun
tutor to teach verb
twofold a double amount noun
tyro a beginner noun
ultimate final adjective
unanimous in a full accord; by common consent adjective
uncouth rude in one's behavior adjective
undercut to sell at a lesser price than a competitor verb
unsophisticated na∩ve adjective
vacant empty adjective
vagabond one who moves from place to place without a fixed abode; a wandered
noun
vanish to disappear verb
vanity a foolish pride noun
variation a different form of something; a change noun
variety a collection of many different things noun
vehemence forcefulness; intensity; conviction noun
vendor one who sells something noun
verify to make certain of the truth; to confirm verb
versatile having varied uses; flexible adjective
vestige a small, remaining sign; a trace noun
vibrate to move back and forth rapidly verb
vicarious a feeling of identification with another; a substitute adjective
vigilance watchfulness noun
vulnerable weak adjective
warily cautiously adverb
warrant a written authorization noun
waxy pliable adjective
wayward nonconforming; irregular adjective
wile a trick noun
wither to lose freshness; to dry up; to fade verb
wrath a great anger noun
wrinkle a crease noun
yelp to cry out sharply, usually in reference to dogs verb
zealot an eager, enthusiastic person; a fanatic noun
word definition part of speech
abase lower; humiliate verb
abash embarrass verb
abate subside; decrease, lessen verb
abbreviate shorten verb
abdicate renounce; give up verb
aberrant abnormal or deviant noun
abettor encourager noun
abeyance suspended action noun
abhor detest; hate verb
abject wretched; lacking pride adjective
abjure renounce upon oath verb
ablution washing noun
abnegation repudiation; self-sacrifice noun
abolish cancel; put an end to verb
abominate loathe; hate verb
aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native adjective
abortive unsuccessful; fruitless adjective
abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down adjective
abridge condense or shorten verb
abrogate abolish verb
abscond depart secretly and hide verb
absolute complete; totally unlimited; certain adjective
absolve pardon(an offense) verb
abstain refrain; hold oneself voluntary form an action or practice verb
abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate adjective
abstinence restrain from eating or drinking noun
abstract theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational adjective
abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand adjective
abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful adjective
abut border upon; adjoin verb
abysmal bottomless adjective
accede agree verb
accelerate move faster verb
accessible easy to approach; obtainable adjective
accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing noun
acclaim applaud; announce with great approval verb
acclimate adjust to climate verb
acclivity sharp upslope of a hill noun
accolade award of merit noun
accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony, adapt verb
accomplice partner in crime noun
accord agreement noun
accost approach and speak first to a person verb
accoutre to equip verb
accretion growth, increase noun
accrue come about by addition verb
acerbity bitterness of speech and temper noun
acetic vinegary adjective
acidulous slightly sour; sharp, caustic adjective
acknowledge recognize, admit verb
acme top; pinnacle noun
acoustics science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to nounhear in
acquiesce assent; agree passively verb
acquittal deliverance from a charge noun
acrid sharp, bitterly pungent adjective
acrimonious stinging, caustic adjective
actuarial calculating, pertaining to insurance statistics adjective
actuate motivate verb
acuity sharpness noun
acumen mental keenness noun
acute quickly perceptive; keen; brief and severe adjective
adage wise saying; proverb noun
adamant hard; inflexible adjective
adapt alter; modify verb
addiction compulsive, habitual need noun
addle to muddle; drive crazy; become rotten verb
address to direct speech to; deal with or discuss verb
adduce to present as evidence verb
adept expert at adjective
adhere stick last verb
adherent supporter, follower noun
adjunct something attached to but holding and inferior position noun
adjuration solemn urging noun
admonish warn; reprove verb
admonition warning noun
adorn decorate verb
adroit skillful adjective
adulation flattery; admiration noun
adulterate make impure by mixing with baser substances verb
adulterated made impure or spoiled by the addition of inferior materials adjective
advent arrival noun
adventitious accidental; casual adjective
adversary opponent noun
adverse unfavorable; hostile adjective
adversity poverty; misfortune noun
advert refer to verb
advocate urge; plead for verb
aegis shield; defense noun
aesthetic artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciation of the beautiful
adjective
affable courteous adjective
affected artificial; pretended adjective
affidavit written statement made under oath noun
affiliation joining; associating with noun
affinity kinship noun
affirmation positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses
noun to take an oath
affluence abundance; wealth noun
affray public brawl noun
agape openmouthed adjective
agenda items of business at a meeting noun
agglomeration collection; heap noun
aggrandize increase or intensify verb
aggregate sum; total adjective
aghast horrified adjective
agility nimbleness noun
agitate stir up; disturb verb
agnostic one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god noun
or any ultimate reality
agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation adjective
alacrity cheerful promptness noun
alchemy medieval chemistry noun
alcove nook; small, recessed section of a room noun
alias an assumed name noun
alienate make hostile; separate verb
alimentary supplying nourishment adjective
alimony payment by a husband to his divorced wife noun
allay calm; pacify verb
allege state without proof verb
allegory story in which characters are used as symbols noun
alleviate relieve verb
alliteration repetition of beginning sound in poetry noun
allocate assign verb
alloy a mixture as of metals noun
allude relief indirectly verb
allure entice; attract verb
allusion indirect reference noun
aloof apart; reserved adjective
aloft upward adjective
altercation wordy quarrel noun
altruistic unselfishly generous, concerned for others adjective
amalgamate combine, unite in one body verb
amass collect verb
amazon female warrior noun
ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal ease adjective
ambience environment; atmosphere noun
ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning adjective
ambivalence the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes
noun
amble moving at an easy pace noun
ambrosia food of the gods noun
ambulatory able to walk adjective
ameliorate improve verb
amenable readily managed; willing to be led adjective
amend correct; change, generally for the better verb
amenities convenient features; courtesies noun
amiable agreeable; lovable adjective
amicable friendly adjective
amiss wrong; faulty adjective
amity friendship noun
amnesia loss of memory noun
amnesty pardon noun
amoral nonmoral adjective
amorous moved by sexual love; loving adjective
amorphous shapeless adjective
amphibian able to live both on land and in water adjective
amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats noun
ample abundant adjective
amplify enlarge verb
amputate cut off part of body; prune verb
amuck in a state of rage adjective
amulet charm; talisman noun
anachronism an error involving time in a story noun
analgesic causing insensitivity to pain adjective
analogous comparable adjective
analogy similarity; parallelism noun
anarchist person who rebels against the established order noun
anarchy absence of governing body, state of disorder noun
anathema solemn curse noun
anchor secure or fasten firmly verb
ancillary serving as an aid or accessory, auxiliary adjective
anecdote short discount of an amusing or interesting event noun
anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles noun
anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness
noun
anguish acute pain; extreme suffering noun
angular sharp-cornered; stuff in manner adjective
animated lively adjective
animosity active enmity; hatred noun
animus hostile feeling or intent noun
annals records; history noun
annihilate destroy verb
annotate comment; make explanatory notes verb
annuity yearly allowance noun
annul make void verb
anomalous abnormal; irregular adjective
anomaly irregularity noun
anonymity state of being nameless; anonimousness noun
anonymous having no name adjective
antagonistic hostile; opposed; actively resisting adjective
antecede precede verb
antecedents preceding events or circumstances that influence what comes noun
later; early life; ancestors
antediluvian antiquated; ancient adjective
anthropoid manlike adjective
anthropologist a student of the history and science of mankind noun
anthropomorphichaving human form or characteristics adjective
anticlimax letdown of thought or emotion noun
antipathy aversion; dislike noun
antiquated old-fashioned; obsolete adjective
antiseptic substance that prevents infection noun
antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to noun
apathy lack of caring; indifference noun
ape intimate or mimic verb
aperture opening; hole noun
apex tip; summit; climax noun
aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness noun
aphorism pithy maxim noun
apiary a place where bees are kept noun
aplomb poise verb
apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations adjective
apocryphal untrue; made up adjective
apogee highest point noun
apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness followed by paralysis noun
apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs noun
apothegm pithy, compact saying noun
apotheosis deification; glorification noun
appall dismay; shock verb
apparition ghost; phantom noun
appease pacify; soothe verb
appellation name; title noun
append attach verb
application diligent attention noun
apposite appropriate; fitting adjective
appraise estimate value of verb
appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious for
verb
apprehend arrest(a criminal); dread; perceive verb
apprehension fear noun
apprise inform verb
approbation approval noun
appropriate acquire; take position of for one's own use verb
apropos with reference to; regarding preposition
aptitude fitness; talent noun
aquiline curved; hooked adjective
arable fit for plowing adjective
arbiter a person with power to decide a dispute; judge noun
arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; imperious; tyrannical; despotic adjective
arbitrate act as judge verb
arboretum place where different tree varieties are exhibited noun
arcade a covered passageway, usually lined with shops noun
arcane secret; mysterious adjective
archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind noun
archaic antiquated adjective
archetype prototype; primitive pattern noun
archipelago group of closely located islands noun
archives public records; place where public records are kept noun
ardor heat; passion; zeal noun
arduous hard; strenuous adjective
argot slang noun
aria operatic solo noun
arid dry; barren adjective
aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class noun
armada fleet of warships noun
aromatic fragrant adjective
arraign charge in court; indict verb
array marshal; draw up in order verb
array clothe; adorn verb
arrears being in debt noun
arrogance pride; haughtiness noun
arroyo gully noun
articulate effective; distinct adjective
artifacts products of primitive culture noun
artifice deception; trickery noun
artisan a manually skilled worker noun
artless without guile, open and honest adjective
ascendancy controlling influence; domination noun
ascertain find out for certain verb
ascetic practicing self-denial, austere adjective
ascribe refer; attribute, assign verb
aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect adjective
ashen ash-colored adjective
asinine stupid adjective
askance with a sideways or indirect look adjective
askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle adjective
asperity sharpness(of temper) noun
aspersion slanderous remark noun
aspirant seeker after position or status noun
aspiration noble ambition noun
assail assault verb
assay analyze; evaluate verb
assent agree; accept verb
assessment estimation noun
assiduous diligent adjective
assimilate absorb; cause to become homogeneous verb
assuage ease; lessen (pain) verb
asteroid small planet noun
astigmatism eye defect that prevents proper focus noun
astral relating to stars adjective
astringent binding; causing contraction adjective
astronomical enormously large or extensive adjective
astute wise; shrewd adjective
asunder into parts, apart adjective
asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection noun
asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing central line adjective
atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; deformity
noun returning after passage of two or more ge
atheistic denying the existence of God adjective
atone make amends for; pay for verb
atrocity brutal deed noun
atrophy wasting away noun
attentive considerate; thoughtful adjective
attenuate make thin; weaken verb
attest testify; bear witness verb
attribute essential quality noun
attribute ascribe; explain verb
attrition gradual wearing down noun
atypical not normal adjective
audacious daring; bold adjective
audit examination of accounts noun
augment increase verb
augury omen; prophecy verb
august impressive; majestic adjective
aureole sun's corona; halo noun
auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis adjective
auspicious favoring success adjective
austere strict; stern adjective
austerity sternness; severity; lack of luxuries noun
authenticate prove genuine verb
authoritarian favoring or exercising total control; non-democratic adjective
authoritative having the weight of authority; dictatorial adjective
autocrat monarch with supreme power noun
automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans noun
autonomous self-governing adjective
autopsy examination of a dead body; post-mortem noun
auxiliary helper; additional or subsidiary adjective
avarice greediness for wealth noun
aver state confidently verb
averse reluctant adjective
aversion firm dislike noun
avert prevent; turn away verb
aviary enclosure for birds noun
avid greedy; eager for adjective
avocation secondary or minor occupation noun
avow declare openly verb
avuncular like an uncle adjective
awe solemn wonder noun
awry distorted; crooked adverb
axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof noun
azure sky blue adjective
babble chatter ugly verb
bacchanalian drunken adjective
badger pester; annoy verb
badinage teasing conversation noun
baffle frustrate; perplex verb
bait harass; tease verb
baleful deadly; destructive adjective
balk foil verb
ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight noun
balm something that relieves pain noun
balmy mild; fragrant adjective
banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite adjective
bandy discuss lightly; exchange blows or words verb
bane cause of ruin noun
baneful ruinous; poisonous adjective
bantering good-natured ridiculing adjective
barb sharp projection from fishhook, etc. noun
bard poet noun
baroque highly ornate adj.
barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire noun
barrister counselor-at-law noun
barter trader noun
bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth verb
bassoon reed instrument of the woodwind family noun
bastion fortress; defense noun
bate let down; restrain verb
bauble trinket; trifle noun
bawdy indecent; obscene adj.
beatific giving bliss; blissful adj.
beatitude blessedness; state of bliss noun
bedizen dress with vulgar finery verb
bedraggle wet thoroughly verb
befuddle confuse thoroughly verb
beget father, produce; give raise to verb
begrudge resent verb
beguile amuse; delude, cheat verb
behemoth huge creature; monstrous animal noun
beholden obligated; indebted adj.
behoove be suited to, be incumbent upon verb
belabor explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; attach
verb
verbally
belated delayed adj.
beleaguer besiege verb
belie contradict; give a false impression verb
belittle disparage; depreciate verb
bellicose warlike adj.
belligerent quarrelsome adj.
bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied adj.
benediction blessing noun
benefactor gift giver; patron noun
beneficent kindly; doing good adj.
beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policynoun
or will
benevolent generous; charitable adj.
benign kindly; favorable; not malignant adj.
benignity state of being kind, benign, gracious noun
benison blessing noun
bent determined adj.
bent natural talent or inclination noun
bequeath leave to someone by a will; hand down verb
berate scold strongly verb
bereavement state of being valuable or loved noun
bereft deprived of; lacking adj.
berserk frenzied adj.
beset harass; trouble verb
besmirch soil; defile verb
bestial beastlike; brutal adj.
bestow give verb
betroth become engaged to marry verb
bevy large group noun
biased slanted; prejudiced adj.
bicameral two-chambered, as a legislative body adj.
bicker quarrel verb
biennial every two years adj.
bigotry stubborn intolerance noun
bilious suffering from ingestion; irritable adj.
bilk swindle; cheat verb
billowing rising or swelling like waves adj.
bivouac temporary encampment noun
bizarre fantastic; violently contrasting adj.
blanch bleach; whiten verb
bland soothing; mild, dull adj.
blandishment flattery noun
blase bored with pleasure or dissipation adj.
blasphemy cursing; irreverence; sacrilege noun
blatant flagrant; consciously obvious; loudly offensive adj.
bleak cold; cheerless adj.
blighted suffering for a disease; destroyed adj.
blithe gay; joyous adj.
bloated swollen or puffed as with water or air adj.
bludgeon club; heavy-headed weapon noun
bluff pretense(of strength); deception; high cliff noun
blunder error noun
blurt utter impulsively verb
bode foreshadow; portend verb
bogus counterfeit; not authentic adjective
boisterous violent; rough; noisy adjective
bolster support; prop up verb
bombastic pompous; using inflated language adjective
boorish rude; clownish adjective
bouillon clear beef soup noun
bountiful generous; showing bounty adjective
bourgeois middle class noun
bovine cowlike; placid and dull adjective
bowdlerize expurgate verb
brackish somewhat saline adjective
braggart boaster noun
bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance noun
brawn muscular strength; sturdiness noun
brazen insolent adjective
breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure; gap noun
breadth width; extent noun
brevity consciousness noun
brindled tawny or grayish with steaks or spots adjective
bristling rising like bristles; showing irritation adjective
brittle easy broken; difficult adjective
broach open up verb
brocade rich, figured fabric noun
brochure pamphlet noun
brooch ornamental clasp noun
browbeat bully; intimidate adjective
brusque blunt; abrupt adjective
bucolic rustic; pastoral adjective
buffoonery clowning noun
bugaboo bugbear; object of baseless terror noun
bullion gold and silver in the form of bars noun
bulwark earthwork or other strong defense noun
bumptious self-assertive adjective
bungle spoil by clumsy behavior verb
bureaucracy government by bureaus noun
burgeon grow forth; send out buds verb
burlesque give an imitation that ridicules verb
burly husky; muscular adjective
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish verb
buttress support; prop up verb
buxom plump; vigorous; jolly adjective
cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
noun
cache hiding place noun
cacophony discord noun
cadaver corpse noun
cadaverous like a corpse; pale adjective
cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words and sounds); beat noun
cajole coax; wheedle verb
calamity disaster; misery noun
caliber ability; capacity noun
calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship noun
callous hardened; unfeeling adjective
callow youthful; immature adjective
calorific heat-producing adjective
calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander noun
camaraderie good-fellowship noun
cameo shell or jewel carved in relief noun
candor frankness noun
canine related to dogs; dog-like adjective
canker any ulcerous sore; any evil noun
canny shrewd; thrifty adjective
cant jargon of thieves; pious phraseology noun
cantankerous ill humored; irritable adjective
cantata story set in music, to be sung by a chorus noun
canter slow gallop noun
canto division of a long poem noun
canvass determine votes, etc. verb
capacious spacious adjective
capitulate surrender verb
caprice whim noun
capricious fickle; incalculable adjective
caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration noun
captious faultfinding adjective
carafe glass water bottle; decanter noun
carat unit of weight of precious stones; measure of fineness of goldnoun
carcinogenic causing cancer adjective
cardinal chief adjective
careen lurch; sway from side to side verb
caricature distortion; burlesque noun
carnage destruction of life noun
carnal fleshy adjective
carnivorous meat-eating adjective
carousal drunken relief noun
carping finding fault adjective
carrion rotting flesh of a dead body noun
carte blanche unlimited authority or freedom noun
cartographer map-maker noun
cascade small waterfall noun
caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society noun
castigate punish verb
casualty serious or fatal accident noun
cataclysm deluge; upheaval noun
catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change while it remainsnoununaffected and unchanged
catapult slingshot; a hurling machine noun
cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality noun
catastrophe calamity noun
catechism book of religious instruction; instruction by question and answer
noun
categorical without exceptions; unqualified; absolute adjective
catharsis purging or cleansing away any passage of the body noun
cathartic purgative noun
catholic broadly sympathetic; liberal adjective
caucus private meeting of members of a party to select officers or determine
noun policy
causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship adjective
caustic burning; sarcastically biting adjective
cauterize burn with hot iron or caustic verb
cavalcade procession; parade noun
cavil make frivolous objections verb
cede transfer; yield title to verb
celerity speed; rapidity noun
celestial heavenly adjective
celibate unmarried; abstaining from sexual intercourse adjective
censor overseer of morals; person who reads to eliminate inappropriate nounremarks
censorious critical adjective
censure blame; criticize verb
centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse noun
centigrade measure of temperature used widely in Europe adjective
centrifugal radiating, departing from the center adjective
centripetal tending toward the center adjective
centurion Roman army officer noun
cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect adjective
cerebration thought noun
ceremonious marked by formality adjective
cessation stopping noun
cession yielding to another, ceding noun
chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing verb
chaff worthless products of an endeavor noun
chaffing bantering; joking adjective
chagrin vexation; disappointment noun
chalice goblet; consecrated cup noun
chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations noun
champion support militantly verb
chaotic in utter disorder adjective
charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal of a political leadernoun
charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge noun
chary cautiously watchful adjective
chasm abyss noun
chassis framework and working parts of an automobile noun
chaste pure adjective
chasten discipline; punish in order to correct verb
chastise punish verb
chattel personal property noun
chauvinist blindly devoted patriot noun
checkered marked by changes in fortune adjective
cherubic angelic; innocent looking adjective
chicanery trickery noun
chide scold verb
chimerical fantastic; highly imaginative adjective
chiropodist one who treats disorders of the feet noun
chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave adjective
choleric hot-tempered adjective
choreography art of dancing noun
chronic long established as a disease adjective
chronicle report; record (in chronological order) verb
churlish boorish; rude adjective
ciliated having minute hairs adjective
circlet small ring; band noun
circuitous roundabout adjective
circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression noun
circumscribe limit; confine verb
circumspect prudent; cautious adjective
circumvent outwit; baffle verb
citadel fortress noun
cite quote; command verb
civil having to do with citizens or the state; courteous and polite adjective
clairvoyant having foresight adjective
clairvoyant fortuneteller noun
clamber climb by crawling verb
clamor noise noun
clandestine secret adjective
clangor loud, resounding noise noun
clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound noun
claustrophobia fear of being locked in noun
clavicle collarbone noun
cleave split asunder verb
cleft split noun
clemency disposition to be lenient; mildness, as of the weather noun
clichΘ phrase dulled in meaning by repetition noun
clientele body of customers noun
climactic relating to the highest point adjective
clime region; climate noun
clique small excessive group noun
cloister monastery or convent noun
cloven split adjective
coagulate thicken; congeal; clot verb
coalesce combine; fuse verb
coddle to treat gently verb
codicil supplement to the body of a will noun
codify to arrange (laws, rules) as a code; classify verb
coercion use of force to get someone's compliance noun
coeval living as the same time as; contemporary adjective
cog tooth protecting from a wheel noun
cogent convincing adjective
cogitate think over verb
cognate allied by blood; of the same or kindred nature adjective
cognitive having to do with knowing or perceiving adjective
cognizance knowledge noun
cognomen family name noun
cohere stick together verb
cohesion force keeps parts together noun
coiffure hairstyle noun
coincident occurring at the same time adjective
colander utensil with perforated bottom used for straining noun
collaborate work together verb
collage work of art put together from fragments noun
collate examine in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order verb
collateral security given for loan noun
colloquial pertaining to conversational or common speech adjective
colloquy informal discussion noun
collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme noun
colossal huge adjective
comatose in a coma; extremely sleepy adjective
combustible easily burned adjective
comely attractive; agreeable adjective
comestible something fit to be eaten noun
comeuppance rebuke; deserts noun
comity courtesy; civility noun
commandeer to draft form military purposes; to take for a public use verb
commemorative remembering; honoring adjective
commensurate equal in extent adjective
commiserate to feel or express pity or symphony for verb
commodious spacious and comfortable adjective
communal held in common; of a group of people adjective
compact agreement; contract noun
compact tightly packed; firm, brief adjective
compatible harmonious; in harmony with adjective
compelling overpowering, irresistible in effect adjective
compendium brief, comprehensive summary noun
compensatory making up for; repaying adjective
compilation listing of statistical information in tabular or book form noun
complacent self-satisfied adjective
complaisant trying to please; obliging adjective
complement that which completes noun
compliance conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield noun
compliant yielding adjective
complicity participation; involvement noun
component element; ingredient noun
comport bear one's self; behave verb
composure mental calmness noun
comprehensive thorough; inclusive adjective
compress close; squeeze; contract verb
comprise include; consist of verb
compromise adjust; endanger the interests or reputation of verb
compunction remorse noun
compute reckon; calculate verb
concave hollow adjective
concede admit; yield verb
conceit whimsical idea; extravagant metaphor noun
concentric having a common center adjective
conception beginning; forming of an idea noun
concession act of yielding noun
conciliatory reconciling; soothing adjective
concise brief and compact adjective
conclusive decisive; ending all debate adjective
concoct prepare by combining; make up in concert verb
concomitant that which accompanies noun
concord harmony; agreement` between people or things noun
concur agree verb
concurrent happening at the same time adjective
condescend bestow courtesies with a superior air verb
condiments seasonings; spices noun
condole express sympathetic sorrow verb
condone overlook; forgive verb
conductive contributive; tending to adjective
conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids noun
confidant trusted friend noun
confirm corroborate; verify; support verb
confiscate seize; commandeer verb
conflagration great fire noun
confluence flowing together; crowd noun
conformity harmony; agreement noun
confound confuse; puzzle verb
congeal freeze; coagulate verb
congenial pleasant; friendly adjective
congenital existing at birth adjective
conglomeration mass of material sticking together noun
congruence correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship noun
conifer pine tree; cone-bearing tree noun
conjecture surmise; guess noun
conjugal pertaining to marriage adjective
conjure summon a devil; practice magic; imagine; invent verb
connivance pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission
noun to offend
connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art, etc.; a lover of an art
noun
connotation suggested or implied meaning of an expression noun
connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state adjective
consanguinity kinship noun
conscientious scrupulous; careful adjective
consecrate dedicate; sanctify verb
consequential pompous; important; self-important adjective
consign deliver officially; entrust; set apart verb
consistency absence of contradictions; dependability; uniformity noun
console lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort verb
consonance harmony; agreement noun
consort associate with verb
consort husband or wife noun
conspicuous easily seen; noticeable; striking adjective
conspiracy treacherous plot noun
constituent supporter noun
constraint compulsion; repression of feelings noun
construe explain; interpret verb
consummate compete adjective
contagion infection noun
contaminate pollute verb
contemporary person belonging to the same period noun
contempt scorn; disdain noun
contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly verb
contentious quarrelsome adjective
contest dispute verb
context writings preceding and following the passage quoted noun
contiguous adjacent to; touching upon adjective
continence self-restraint; sexual chastity noun
contingent conditional adjective
contortions twistings ; distortions noun
contraband illegal trade; smuggling noun
contract compress or shrink; make a pledge; catch a disease verb
contravene contradict; infringe on verb
contrite penitent adjective
contrived forced; artificial; not spontaneous adjective
controvert oppose with arguments; contradict verb
confusion bruise noun
conundrum riddle noun
convene assemble verb
converge come together verb
conversant familiar with adjective
converse opposite noun
convex curving outward adjective
conveyance vehicle; transfer noun
conviction strongly held belief noun
convivial festive; gay; characterized by joviality adjective
convoke call together verb
convoluted coiled around adjective
copious plentiful adjective
coquette flirt noun
cordial gracious; heartfelt adjective
cordon extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress
noun
cornice protecting molding on building (usually above columns) noun
corollary consequence; accompaniment noun
corporeal bodily; material adjective
corpulent very fat adjective
correlation mutual relationship noun
corroborate confirm verb
corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease adjective
corrugated wrinkled, ridged adjective
cosmic pertaining to outer space adjective
coterie group that meets socially; select circle noun
countenance approve; tolerate verb
countermand cancel; revoke verb
counterpart a thing that completes another; things very much alike noun
coup highly successful action or sudden attack noun
couple join; unite verb
courier messenger noun
convenant agreement noun
covert secret; hidden; implied adjective
covetous avaricious; eagerly desirous of adjective
cower shrink quivering, as from fear verb
coy shy; modest; coquettish adjective
cozen cheat; hoodwink; swindle verb
crabbed sour; peevish adjective
crass very unrefined; grossly insensible adjective
craven cowardly adjective
credence belief noun
credibility believability noun
credo creed noun
credulity belief on slight evidence noun
creed system of religious or ethical belief noun
crescendo increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax
noun
crestfallen dejected; dispirited adjective
crevice crack; fissure noun
cringe shrink back, as if in fear verb
criterion standard used in judging noun
crone hag noun
crotchety eccentric; whimsical adjective
crux critical point noun
crypt secret recess or vault, usually used for burial noun
cryptic mysterious; puzzling; secret adjective
cubicle small chamber used for sleeping noun
cuisine style of cooking noun
culinary pertaining to cooking adjective
cull pick out; reject verb
culmination attainment of highest point noun
culpable deserving blame adjective
culvert artificial channel for water noun
cumbersome heavy; hard to manage adjective
cupidity greed noun
curator superintendent; manager noun
curmudgeon churlish, miserly individual noun
cursive flowing, running adjective
cursory casual; hastily done adjective
curtail shorten; reduce verb
cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives adjective
cynosure object of general attention noun
dais raised platform for guests of honor noun
dally trifle with; procrastinate verb
dank damp adjective
dappled spotted adjective
dastard coward noun
daub smear (as with paint) verb
daunt intimidate verb
dauntless bold adjective
dawdle loiter; waste time verb
deadlock standstill; stalemate noun
deadpan wooden; impersonal adjective
dearth scarcity noun
debacle breaking up; downfall noun
debase reduce to lower state verb
debauch corrupt; make intemperate verb
debilitate weaken; enfeeble verb
debonair friendly; aiming to please adjective
debris rubble noun
debutante young woman making formal entrance in society noun
decadence decay noun
decant pour off gently verb
decapitate behead verb
decelerate slow down verb
deciduous falling off as of leaves adjective
decimate kill, usually one out of ten verb
decipher interpret secret code verb
declivity downward slope noun
dΘcolletΘ having a low-necked dress adjective
decomposition decay noun
decorous proper adjective
decoy lure or bail noun
decrepit worn out of age adjective
decrepitude state of collapse caused by illness or old age noun
decry disparage verb
deducible derived by reasoning adjective
defame harm someone's reputation; malign verb
default failure to do noun
defeatist attitude of one who is ready to accept defeat as a natural outcome
adjective
defection desertion noun
deference courteous regard for another's wish noun
defile pollute; profane verb
definitive final; compete adjective
deflect turn aside verb
defoliate destroy leaves verb
defray pay costs for verb
deft neat; skillful adjective
defunct dead; no longer in use or existence adjective
degenerate become worse; deteriorate verb
degraded lowered in rank; debased adjective
deify turn into god; idolize verb
deign condescend verb
delectable delightful; delicious adjective
delete erase; strike out verb
deleterious harmful adjective
deliberate consider; ponder verb
deleterious harmful adjective
delineate portray noun
delirium mental disorder marked by confusion noun
delude deceive verb
delude flood; rush noun
delusion false belief; hallucination noun
delusive deceptive; raising vain hopes adjective
delve dig; investigate verb
demagogue person who appeals to people's prejudice noun
demean degrade; humiliate verb
demeanor behavior; bearing noun
demented insane adjective
demise death noun
demolition destruction noun
demoniac fiendish adjective
demotic pertaining to the people adjective
demur delay; object verb
demure grave; serious; coy adjective
denigrate blacken verb
denizen inhabitant of noun
denotation meaning; distinguishing by name noun
denouement outcome; final development of the plot of a play noun
denounce condemn; criticize verb
depict portray verb
deplete reduce; exhaust verb
deplore regret; disapprove of verb
deploy move troops so that the battle line is extended at the expense
verb
of depth
depose dethrone; remove from office verb
deposition testimony under oath noun
depravity corruption; wickedness noun
depreciate express disapproval of; protest against; belittle verb
depreciate lessen in value verb
depredation plundering noun
deranged insane adjective
derelict abandoned; adjective
deride scoff at verb
derision ridicule noun
derivative unoriginal; derived from another source adjective
dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases noun
derogatory expressing a low opinion adjective
descant discuss fully verb
descry catch sight of verb
desecrate profane; violate the sanctity of verb
desiccate dry up verb
desolate rob of joy; lay waste to; forsake verb
despicable contemptible adjective
despise scorn verb
despoil plunder verb
despondent depressed; gloomy adjective
despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler noun
destitute extremely poor adjective
desultory aimless; jumping around adjective
detached emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent adjective
detergent cleansing agent noun
deterrent something that discourages; hindrance noun
detonation explosion noun
detraction slandering; aspersion noun
detrimental harmful; damaging adjective
deviate turn away from verb
devious going astray; erratic; cunning adjective
devoid lacking adjective
devolve deputize; pass to others verb
devotee enthusiastic follower noun
devout pious adjective
dexterous skillful adjective
diabolical devilish adjective
diadem crown noun
dialectic art of debate noun
diaphanous sneer; transparent adjective
diatribe bitter scolding; invective noun
dichotomy branching into two parts noun
dictum authoritative and weighty statement noun
didactic teaching; instructional adjective
diffidence shyness noun
diffusion wordiness; spreading in all directions like a gas noun
digression wandering away from the subject noun
dilapidated ruined because of neglect adjective
dilate expand verb
dilatory delaying adjective
dilemma problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives noun
dilettante aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler noun
diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work noun
dilute make less concentrated; reduce in strength verb
diminution lessening; reduction in size noun
din continued loud noise noun
dint means; effort noun
dire disastrous adjective
dirge lament with music noun
disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive verb
disapprobation disapproval; condemnation noun
disarray disorderly or untidy state noun
disavowal denial; disclaiming noun
disband dissolve; disperse verb
disburse pay out verb
discernible distinguishable; perceivable adjective
discerning mentally quick and observant; having insight adjective
disclaim disown; renounce claim to verb
disclose reveal verb
discomfit put to rout; defeat; disconcert verb
disconcert confuse; upset; embarrass verb
disconsolate sad adjective
discordant inharmonious; conflicting adjective
discount disregard verb
discourse formal discussion; conversation noun
discredit defame; destroy confidence in; disbelieve verb
discrepancy lack of consistency; difference noun
discrete separate; unconnected adjective
discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances noun
discriminating able to see differences; prejudiced adjective
discursive digressing; rambling adjective
disdain treat with scorn or contempt verb
disfigure mar in beauty; spoil verb
disgruntle make discontented verb
dishearten discourage; cause to lose courage or hope verb
disheveled untidy adjective
disinclination unwillingness noun
disingenuous not native; sophisticated adjective
disinter dig up; unearth verb
disinterested unprejudiced adjective
disjointed disconnected adjective
dismantle take apart verb
dismember cut into small parts verb
dismiss put away from consideration; reject verb
disparage belittle verb
disparate basically different; unrelated adjective
disparity difference; condition of inequality noun
dispassionate calm; impartial adjective
dispatch speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed noun
dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish verb
disperse scatter verb
dispirited lacking in spirit adjective
disputatious argumentative; fond of argument adjective
disquisition formal systematic inquiry; an explanation of the results of a formal
noun inquiry
dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine noun
dissemble disguise; pretend verb
disseminate scatter (like seeds) verb
dissent disagree verb
dissertation formal essay noun
dissimulate pretend; conceal by feigning verb
dissipate squander verb
dissolute loose in morals adjective
dissonance discord noun
dissuade advise against verb
distant reserved or aloof; cold in manner adjective
distend expand; swell out verb
distill extract the essence; purify; refine verb
distortion twisting out of shape noun
distrait absentminded adjective
distraught upset; distracted by anxiety adjective
diurnal daily adjective
diva operatic singer; prima donna noun
diverge vary; go in different directions from the same point verb
divergent differing; deviating adjective
divers several; differing adjective
diverse differing in some characteristics; various adjective
diversion act of turning aside; pastime noun
diversity variety; dissimilitude noun
divest strip; deprive verb
divulge reveal verb
docile obedient; easily managed adjective
docket program as for trial; book where such entries are made noun
doctrinaire unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
adjective
document provide written evidence verb
doddering shaky; infirm from old age adjective
doff take off verb
dogged determined; stubborn adjective
doggerel poor verse noun
dogmatic positive; arbitrary adjective
doldrums blues; listlessness; slack period noun
dolorous sorrowful adjective
dolt stupid person noun
domicile home noun
domineer rule over tyrannically verb
dormant sleeping; lethargic; torpid adjective
dorsal relating to the back of an animal adjective
dour sullen; stubborn adjective
douse plunge into water; drench; extinguish verb
dowdy slovenly; untidy adjective
dregs sediment; worthless residue noun
droll queer and amusing adjective
drone idle person; male bee noun
drone talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee verb
dross waste matter; worthless impurities noun
drudgery menial work noun
dubious doubtful adjective
duenna attendant or young female; chaperone noun
duplicity double dealing; hypocrisy noun
duress forcible restraint noun
dutiful respectful; obedient adjective
dwindle shrink; reduce verb
dynamic active; efficient adjective
dyspeptic suffering from indigestion adjective
earthy unrefined; coarse adjective
ebb recede; lessen verb
ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm adjective
eccentric odd; whimsical; irregular adjective
eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy noun
ecclesiastic pertaining to the church adjective
Θclat brilliance; glory noun
eclectic selective in choosing from a variety of sources adjective
eclipse darken; extinguish; surpass verb
ecologist a person concerned with the interrelationship between living noun
organisms and their environment
ecstasy rapture; joy; any overflowing emotion noun
eddy swirling current of water, air, etc. noun
edify instruct; correct morally verb
eerie weird adjective
efface rub out verb
effectual efficient adjective
effeminate having womanly traits adjective
effervescent exuberant; bubbly and excited adjective
effete worn out; exhausted; barren adjective
efficacy power to produce desired effect noun
effigy dummy noun
efflorescent flowering adjective
effluvium noxious smell noun
effrontery shameless boldness noun
effusive pouring forth; gushing adjective
egoism excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested
noun in one's self rather than in others
egotism conceit; vanity noun
egregious gross; shocking adjective
egress exit noun
ejaculation exclamation noun
elaboration addition of details; intricacy noun
elated overjoyed; in high spirits adjective
elegiacal like in elegy; mournful adjective
elicit draw out by discussion verb
elixir cure-all; something invigorating noun
ellipsis omission of words from a text noun
elliptical oval; ambiguous, either purposely or because key words have adjective
been left out
eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech noun
elucidate explain; enlighten verb
elusive evasive; baffling; hard to gasp adjective
elysian relating to paradise; blissful adjective
emaciated thin and wasted adjective
emanate issue forth verb
emancipate set free verb
embargo ban on commerce or other activity noun
embark commence; go on board a boat or airplane; begin a journey verb
embed enclose; place in something verb
embellish adorn verb
embezzlement stealing noun
embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife; entangle verb
embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary adjective
emend correct; correct by a critic verb
emendation correction of errors; improvement noun
emetic substance causing vomiting noun
eminent high; lofty adjective
emissary agent; messenger noun
emollient soothing or softening remedy noun
empirical based on experience adjective
emulate rival; imitate verb
enamored in love adjective
enclave territory enclosed within an alien land noun
encomium high praise; eulogy noun
encompass surround verb
encroachment gradual intrusion noun
encumber burden verb
endearment fond statement noun
endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area adjective
or country
endorse approve; support verb
endue provide with some quality; endow verb
enduring lasting; surviving adjective
energize invigorate; make forceful and active verb
enervate weaken verb
enfranchise to admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote)
verb
engaging charming; attractive adjective
engender cause; produce verb
engross occupy fully verb
enhance advance; improve verb
enigma puzzle noun
enigmatic obscure; puzzling adjective
enmity ill will; hatred noun
ennui boredom noun
enormity hugeness (in a bad sense) noun
enrapture please intensely verb
ensconce settle comfortably verb
ensue follow verb
enthrall capture; enslave verb
entice lure; attract; tempt verb
entity real being noun
entomology study of insects noun
entrance put under a spell; carry away with emotion verb
entreat plead; ask earnestly verb
entree entrance; a way in noun
entrepreneur businessman; contractor noun
enumerate list; mention one by one verb
enunciate speak distinctly verb
environ enclose; surround verb
eon long period of time; an age noun
ephemeral short-lived; fleeting adjective
epic long heroic poem or similar work of art noun
epicure connoisseur of food and drink noun
epigram witty thought or saying, usually short noun
epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work noun
episodic loosely connected adjective
epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person noun
epithet a word or phrase characteristically used to describe a personnoun
or thing
epitome summary; concise abstract noun
epoch period of time noun
equable tranquil; steady; uniform adjective
equanimity calmness of temperament noun
equestrian rider on horseback noun
equilibrium balance noun
equine resembling a horse adjective
equinox period of equal days and nights noun
equitable fair; impartial adjective
equity fairness; justice noun
equivocal doubtful; ambiguous adjective
equivocate lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth verb
erode eat away verb
erotic pertaining to passionate love adjective
errant wandering adjective
erratic odd; unpredictable adjective
erroneous mistaken; wrong adjective
erudite learned; scholarly adjective
escapade prank; flighty conduct noun
eschew avoid verb
esoteric known only to a chosen few adjective
espionage spying noun
espouse adopt; support verb
esteem respect; value; judge verb
estranged separated; alienated adjective
ethereal light; heavenly; fine adjective
ethnic relating to races adjective
ethnology study of man noun
etymology study of word parts noun
eulogy praise noun
euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant one noun
euphonious pleasing in sound adjective
euphoria feeling of great happiness and well-being (sometimes exaggerated)
noun
euthanasia mercy killing noun
evanescent fleeting; vanishing adjective
evasive not frank; eluding adjective
evince show clearly verb
evoke call forth verb
exacerbate worsen; embitter verb
exacting extremely demanding adjective
exalt raise in rank or dignity; praise verb
exasperate vex verb
exchequer treasury noun
excise cut away; cut out verb
exculpate clear from blame verb
execrable very bad adjective
execrate curse; express abhorrence for verb
execute put into effect; carry out verb
exegesis explanation, especially of Biblical passages noun
exemplary serving as a model; outstanding adjective
exemplify serve as an example of; embody verb
exertion effort; expenditure of much physical work noun
exhaustive thorough; comprehensive adjective
exhort urge verb
exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave verb
exigency urgent situation noun
exodus departure noun
exonerate acquit; exculpate verb
exorbitant excessive adjective
exorcise drive out evil spirits verb
exotic not native; strange adjective
expatiate talk at length verb
expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land noun
expedient suitable; practical; politic adjective
expedite hasten verb
expeditiously rapidly and efficiently adverb
expertise specialized knowledge; expert skill noun
expiate make amends for (a sin) verb
expletive interjection; profane oath noun
explicit definite; open adjective
exploit deed or action, particularly a brave deed noun
expository explanatory; serving to explain adjective
expunge cancel; remove verb
expurgate clean; remove offensive parts of a book verb
extant still in existence adjective
extemporaneous not planned; impromptu adjective
extenuate weaken; mitigate verb
extol praise; glorify verb
extort wring from; get money by threats, etc. verb
extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to another noun
extraneous not essential; external adjective
extricate free; disentangle verb
extrinsic not inherent; foreign adjective
extrovert person interested mostly in external objects and actions noun
extrude force or push out verb
exuberance abundance; effusiveness; lavishness noun
exude discharge; give forth verb
exult rejoice verb
fabricate build; lie verb
facade front of the building noun
facet small plane surface (of a gem); a side noun
facetious humorous; jocular adjective
facile easy; expert adjective
facilitate make less difficult verb
facsimile copy noun
faction party; clique; dissension noun
faculty mental or bodily powers; teaching staff noun
fallacious misleading adjective
fallible liable to err adjective
fallow plowed but not sowed; uncultivated adjective
falter hesitate verb
fanaticism excessive zeal noun
fancied imagined; unreal adjective
fencier breeder or deal of animals noun
fanciful whimsical; visionary adjective
fanfare call by bugles or trumpets noun
fantastic unreal; grotesque; whimsical adjective
farce broad comedy; mockery noun
fastidious difficult to please; squeamish adjective
fatalism belief that events are determined by forces beyond one's control
noun
fathom comprehend; investigate verb
fatuous foolish; inane adjective
fauna animals of period or region noun
fawning courting behavior by cringing and flattering adjective
faze disconcert; dismay verb
feasible practical adjective
fecundity fertility; fruitfulness noun
feign pretend verb
feint trick; shift; sham blow noun
felicitous apt; suitably expressed; well chosen adjective
fell cruel; deadly adjective
felon person convicted of grave crime noun
ferment agitation; commotion noun
ferret drive or hunt out of hiding verb
fervent ardent; hot adjective
fervid ardent adjective
fervor glowing ardor noun
fester generate pus verb
festive joyous; celebratory adjective
fete honor at a festival verb
fetid malodorous adjective
fetter shackle verb
fiasco total failure noun
fiat command noun
fickle changeable; faithless adjective
fictitious imaginary adjective
fidelity loyalty noun
figment invention; imaginary thing noun
figurative not literal but metaphorical; using a figure of speech adjective
figurine small ornamental statuette noun
filch steal verb
filial pertaining to a son or daughter adjective
finale conclusion noun
finesse delicate skill noun
finicky too particular; fussy adjective
finite limited adjective
firebrand hothead; troublemaker noun
fissure crevice noun
fitful spasmodic; intermittent adjective
flaccid flabby adjective
flagging weak; drooping adjective
flagrant conspicuously wicked adjective
flail thresh grain by hand; strike or slap verb
flair talent noun
flamboyant ornate adjective
flaunt display ostentatiously verb
flay strip off skin; plunder verb
fleck spot verb
fledgling inexperienced adjective
fleece wool coat of a sheep noun
fleece rob; plunder verb
flick light stroke as with a whip noun
flinch hesitate; shrink verb
flippancy trifling gaiety noun
flit fly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by verb
floe mass of floating ice noun
flora plants of a region or era noun
florid flowery; ruddy adjective
flotsam drifting wreckage noun
flourish grow well; prosper; decorate with ornaments verb
flout reject; mock verb
fluctuate weaver verb
fluency smoothness of speech noun
fluke unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune noun
fluster confuse verb
fluted having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar) adjective
flux flowing; series of changes noun
fodder coarse food for cattle, horses, etc. noun
foible weakness; slight fault noun
foil contrast noun
foil defeat; frustrate verb
foist insert improperly; palm off verb
foment stir up; instigate verb
foolhardy rash adjective
foppish vain about dress and appearance adjective
foray raid noun
forbearance patience noun
ford place where a river can be crossed on foot noun
foreboding premonition of evil noun
forensic suitable to debate or courts of law adjective
foresight ability to foresee future happenings; prudence noun
forestall prevent by taking action in advance verb
forgo give up; do without verb
formality adherence to established rules or procedures noun
formidable menacing; threatening adjective
forsake desert; abandon; renounce verb
forswear renounce; abandon verb
forte strong point or special talent noun
fortitude bravery; courage noun
fortuitous accidental; by chance adjective
foster rear; encourage verb
founder fail completely; sink verb
founder person who establishes (an organization, business) noun
fracas brawl; melee noun
fractious unruly verb
frailty weakness noun
franchise right granted by authority noun
frantic wild adjective
fraudulent cheating; deceitful adjective
fraught filled adjective
fray brawl noun
frenetic frenzied; frantic adjective
frenzied madly excited adjective
fresco painting on plaster (usually fresh) noun
fret to be annoyed or vexed verb
friction clash in opinion; rubbing against noun
frigid intensely cold adjective
fritter waste verb
frivolity lack of seriousness noun
frolicsome prankish; gay adjective
frond fern leaf; palm or banana leaf noun
frugality thrift; economy noun
fruition bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization noun
frustrate thwart; defeat verb
fulcrum support on which a lever rests noun
fulsome disgustingly excessive adjective
fundamental basic; primary; essential verb
funeral sad; solemn adjective
furor frenzy; great excitement noun
furtive stealthy; sneaky adjective
fusion union; coalition noun
futile ineffective; fruitless adjective
gadfly animal-biting fly; an irritating person noun
gaffe social blunder noun
gainsay deny verb
gait manner of walking or running; speed noun
galaxy the Milky Way; any collection of brilliant personalities noun
gall bitterness; nerve noun
gall annoy; chafe verb
galleon large sailing ship noun
galvanize stimulate by shock; stir up verb
gambit opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed noun
gambol skip; leap playfully verb
gamely bravely; with spirit adverb
gamut entire range noun
gape open widely verb
garbled mixed up; based on false or unfair selection adjective
gargantuan huge; enormous adjective
gargoyle waterspout carved in grotesque figures on building verb
garish gaudy adjective
garner gather; store up verb
garnish decorate verb
garrulity talkativeness noun
garrulous loquacious; wordy adjective
gastronomy science of preparing and serving good food noun
gauche clumsy; boorish adjective
gaudy flashy; showy adjective
gaunt lean and angular; barren adjective
gazette official periodical publication noun
genealogy record of descent; lineage noun
generality vague statement noun
generic characteristic of a class or species adjective
genesis beginning; origin noun
geniality cheerfulness; kindness; sympathy noun
genre particular variety of art and culture noun
genteel well-bred; elegant adjective
gentility those of gentle birth; refinement noun
gentry people of standing; class of people just below nobility noun
genuflect bend the knee as in worship verb
germane pertinent; bearing upon the case at hand adjective
germinal pertaining to germ; creative adjective
germinate cause to sprout; sprout verb
gestate evolve, as in prenatal growth verb
gesticulation motion; desire noun
ghastly horrible adjective
gibber speak foolishly verb
gibe mock verb
giddy light-hearted; dizzy adjective
gingerly very carefully adjective
girth distance around something; circumference noun
gist essence noun
glacial like a glacier; extremely cold adjective
glaze cover with a thin and shiny surface verb
glib fluent adjective
gloat express evil satisfaction; view malevolently verb
glossary brief explanation of words used in the text noun
glossy smooth and shining adjective
glower scowl verb
glut overstock; fill to excess verb
glutinous sticky; viscous adjective
glutton someone who eats too much noun
gnarled twisted adjective
gnome dwarf; underground spirit noun
goad urge on verb
gorge small, steep-walled canyon noun
gorge stuff oneself verb
gory bloody adjective
gossamer sneer; like cobwebs adjective
gouge tear out verb
gourmand epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink noun
gourmet connoisseur of food and drink noun
graduated arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.) adjective
grandiloquent pompous; bombastic; using high-sounded language adjective
grandiose imposing; impressive adjective
granulate form into grains verb
graphic pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described adjective
grapple wrestle; come to grips with verb
grate make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect verb
gratify please verb
gratis free adjective
gratuitous given freely; unwarranted adjective
gratuity tip noun
gravity seriousness noun
gregarious sociable adjective
grievance cause of complaint noun
grill question severely verb
grimace a facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc. noun
gristly ghastly adjective
grouse complain; fuss verb
grotesque fantastic; comically hideous adjective
grotto small cavern noun
grovel crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate verb
grudging unwilling; reluctant; stingy adjective
gruel liquid food made by boiling oatmeal, etc. in milk or water verb
grueling exhausting adjective
gruesome grisly adjective
gruff rough-mannered adjective
guffaw boisterous laughter noun
guile deceit; duplicity noun
guileless without deceit adjective
guise appearance; costume noun
gullible easily deceived adjective
gustatory affecting the sense of taste adjective
gusto enjoyment; enthusiasm noun
gusty windy adjective
hackneyed commonplace; trite adjective
haggard wasted away; gaunt adjective
haggle argue about prices verb
halcyon calm; peaceful adjective
hale healthy adjective
hallowed blessed; consecrated adjective
hallucination delusion noun
hamper obstruct verb
hap chance; luck noun
haphazard random; by chance adjective
hapless unfortunate adjective
harangue noisy speech noun
harass to annoy by repeated attacks verb
harbinger forerunner noun
harbor provide a refuge for; hide verb
hardy sturdy; robust; able to stand inclement water adjective
harping tiresome dwelling on a subject noun
harrow break up ground after plowing; torture verb
harry raid verb
haughtiness pride; arrogance noun
hazardous dangerous adjective
hazy slightly obscure adjective
heckler person who harasses others noun
hedonism belief that pleasure is the sole aim of life noun
heed pay attention to; consider verb
heedless not noticing; disregarding adjective
heinous atrocious; hatefully bad adjective
herbivorous grain eating adjective
heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted
noun
religion
heretic person who maintains opinions contrary to the doctrines of thenoun
church
hermetically sealed by fusion so as to be airtight adjective
hermitage home of a hermit noun
herpetologist one who studies reptiles noun
heterodox unorthodox; unconventional adjective
heterogeneous dissimilar adjective
hew cut to pieces with ax or sword verb
heyday time of greatest success; prime noun
hiatus gap; pause noun
hibernal wintry adjective
hibernate sleep throughout the winter verb
hierarchy body divided into ranks noun
hieroglyphic picture writing noun
hilarity boisterous mirth noun
hindmost furthest behind adjective
hindrance block; obstacle noun
hireling one who serves for hire [usually used contemptuously] noun
hirsute hairy adjective
histrionic theatrical adjective
hoard stockpile; accumulate for future use verb
hoary white with age adjective
hoax trick; practical joke noun
holocaust destruction by fire noun
holster pistol case noun
homage honor; tribute noun
homespun domestic; made at home adjective
homogeneous of the same kind adjective
hone sharpen verb
hoodwink deceive; delude verb
horde crowd noun
horticultural pertaining to cultivation of gardens adjective
hovel shack; small, wretched house noun
hover hang about; wait nearby verb
hubbub confused uproar noun
hue color; aspect noun
humane kind adjective
humdrum dull; monotonous adjective
humid damp adjective
humility humbleness of spirit noun
humus substance formed by decaying vegetable matter noun
hurtle crash; rush verb
husbandry frugality; thrift; agriculture noun
hybrid mongrel; mixed breed noun
hydrophobia rabies; fear of water noun
hyperbole exaggeration; overstatement noun
hypercritical excessively exacting adjective
hypochondriac person unduly worried about his health; worrier without causenoun
about illness
hypocritical pertaining to be virtuous; deceiving adjective
hypothetical based on assumptions or hypothesis adjective
ichthyology study of fish noun
icon religious image; idol noun
iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions adjective
ideology ideas of a group of people noun
idiom special usage in language noun
idiosyncrasy peculiarity; eccentricity noun
idiosyncratic private; peculiar to an individual adjective
idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration noun
idyllic charmingly carefree; simple adjective
igneous produced by fire; volcanic adjective
ignoble of lowly origin; unworthy adjective
ignominious disgraceful adjective
illicit illegal adjective
illimitable infinite adjective
illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable verb
illusion misleading vision noun
illusive deceiving adjective
illusory deceptive; not real adjective
imbalance lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion noun
imbecility weakness of mind noun
imbibe drink in verb
immaculate pure; spotless adjective
imminent impeding; near at hand adjective
immobility state of being immovable noun
immune exempt adjective
immutable unchangeable adjective
impair worsen; diminish in value verb
impale pierce verb
impalpable imperceptible; intangible adjective
impartial not biased; fair adjective
impasse predicament from which there is no escape noun
impassive without feeling; not affected by pain adjective
impeach charge with crime in office; indict verb
impeccable faultless adjective
impecunious without money adjective
impede hinder; block; delay verb
impediment hindrance; stumbling block noun
impenetrable not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding adjective
impending nearing; approaching adjective
impenitent not repentant adjective
imperial like an emperor; related to an empire adjective
imperious domineering adjective
impermeable impervious; not permitting passage through its substance adjective
impertinent insolent adjective
imperturbable calm; placid adjective
impervious not penetrable; not permitting passage through adjective
impetuous violent; hasty; rash adjective
impetus moving force noun
impiety irreverence; wickedness noun
impinge infringe; touch; collide with verb
impious irreverent adjective
implacable incapable of being pacified adjective
implausible unlikely; unbelievable adjective
implement put into effect; supply with tools verb
implication that is hinted at or suggested noun
implicit understood but not stated adjective
implore beg verb
imply suggest a meaning not expressed; signify verb
impolitic not wise adjective
imponderable weightless adjective
import significance noun
importunate urging; demanding adjective
importune beg earnestly verb
impostor someone who assumes false identity noun
impotent weak; ineffective adjective
impoverished poor adjective
impregnable invulnerable adjective
impromptu without previous preparation adjective
impropriety state of being inappropriate noun
improvident thriftless adjective
improvise compose on the spur of the moment verb
imprudent lacking caution; injudicious adjective
impugn doubt; challenge; gainsay verb
impunity freedom from punishment noun
impute attribute; ascribe verb
inadvertently carelessly; unintentionally adjective
inalienable not to be taken away; nontransferable adjective
inane silly; senseless adjective
inanimate lifeless adjective
inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech adjective
inaugurate start; initiate; install at office verb
incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense heat adjective
incantation singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula noun
incapacitate disable verb
incarcerate imprison verb
incarnate endowed with flesh; personified adjective
incarnation act of assuming a human body and human nature noun
incendiary arsonist noun
incense enrage; infuriate verb
incentive spur; motive noun
inception start; beginning noun
incessant uninterrupted adjective
inchoate recently begun; rudimentary; elementary adjective
incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence noun
incidental not essential; minor adjective
incipient beginning; in an early stage adjective
incisive cutting; sharp adjective
incite arouse to action verb
inclement stormy; unkind adjective
incline slope; slant noun
inclined tending or leaning toward; bent adjective
inclusive tending to include all adjective
incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed name adjective
incoherent unintelligible; muddled; illogical adjective
incommodious not spacious adjective
incompatible inharmonious adjective
incongruous not fitting; absurd adjective
inconsequential of trifling significance adjective
incontinent lacking self-restraint; licentious adjective
incontrovertible indisputable adjective
incorporeal immaterial; without a material body adjective
incorrigible uncorrectable adjective
incredulity tendency to disbelief noun
incredulous withholding belief; skeptical adjective
increment increase noun
incriminate accuse verb
incubate hatch; scheme verb
incumbent officeholder noun
incur bring upon oneself verb
incursion temporary invasion noun
indefatigable tireless adjective
indemnify make secure against loss; compensate loss verb
indenture bind as a servant or apprentice to master verb
indicative suggestive; implying adjective
indict charge verb
indifferent unmoved; lacking concern adjective
indigenous native adjective
indigent poor adjective
indignation anger at an injustice noun
indignity offensive or insulting treatment noun
indiscriminate choosing at random; confused adjective
indisputable too certain to be disputed adjective
indissoluble permanent adjective
indolent lazy adjective
indomitable unconquerable adjective
indubitably beyond a doubt adverb
induce persuade; bring about verb
inductive pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the adjective
general
indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient adjective
inebriety habitual intoxication verb
ineffable unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech adjective
ineffectual not effective; weak adjective
inept unsuited; absurd; incompetent adjective
inequity unfairness noun
inert inactive; lacking power to move adjective
inertia state of being inert or indisposed to move noun
inevitable unavoidable adjective
inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable adjective
infallible unerring adjective
infamous notoriously bad adjective
infantile childish; infantile adjective
infer deduce; conclude verb
inference conclusion drawn from data noun
infernal pertaining to hell; devilish adjective
informal lacking ceremony; casual adjective
infidel unbeliever noun
infiltrate pass into or through; penetrate (an organization) sneakily verb
infinitesimal very small adjective
infirmity weakness noun
inflated exaggerated adjective
influx flowing into noun
infraction violation noun
infringe violate; encroach verb
ingenious clever adjective
ingenue an artless girl; an actress who plays such parts noun
ingenious na∩ve; young; unsophisticated adjective
ingrate ungrateful person noun
ingratiate become poplar with verb
inherent firmly established by nature or habit adjective
inhibit prohibit; restrain verb
inimical unfriendly; hostile adjective
inimitable matchless; not able to be imitated adjective
iniquitous unjust; wrong adjective
initiate begin; originate; receive into a group verb
injurious harmful adjective
inkling hint noun
innate inborn adjective
innocuous harmless adjective
innovation change; introduction of something new noun
innuendo hint; inspiration noun
inopportune untimely; poorly chosen adjective
inordinate unrestrained; excessive adjective
insatiable not easily satisfied; greedy adjective
inscrutable incomprehensive; not to be discovered adjective
insensate without feeling adjective
insensible unconscious; unreasonable adjective
insidious treacherous; stealthy; sly adjective
insinuate hint; imply verb
insipid tasteless; dull adjective
insolent haughty and contemptuous adjective
insolvent bankrupt; lacking money to pay adjective
insomnia wakefulness; inability to sleep noun
instigate urge; start; provoke verb
insubordinate disobedient adjective
insularity narrow-mindedness; isolation noun
insuperable insurmountable; invincible adjective
insurgent rebellious adjective
insurrection rebellion; uprising noun
intangible not material; not able to be perceived by touch adjective
integral complete; necessary for completeness adjective
integrate make whole; combine; make into one unit verb
integrity wholeness; purify; uprightness noun
intellect higher mental powers noun
intelligentsia the intelligent and educated classes [often used derogatory] noun
inter bury verb
interdict prohibit; forbid verb
interim meantime noun
interloper intruder noun
interment burial noun
interminable endless adjective
intermittent periodic; on and off adjective
internecine mutually destructive adjective
interpolate insert between verb
intervene come between verb
intimate hint verb
intimidation fear noun
intractable unruly; refractory adjective
intransigent refusing any compromise; stubborn adjective
intrepid fearless adjective
intricate complex; knotty; tangled adjective
intrinsically essentially; inherently; naturally adjective
introspective locking within oneself adjective
introvert one who is introspective; inclined to think more about oneselfnoun
intrude trespass; enter as uninvited person verb
intuition power of knowing without reasoning noun
inundate overflow; flood verb
inured accustomed; hardened adjective
invalidate weaken; destroy verb
invective abuse noun
inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective verb
inveigle lead astray; wheedle verb
inverse opposite adjective
invert turn upside down or inside out verb
inveterate deep-rooted; habitual adjective
invidious designed to create ill will or envy adjective
invincible unconquerable adjective
inviolability security from being destroyed; corrupted or profaned noun
invoke call upon; ask for verb
invulnerable incapable of injury adjective
iota very small quantity noun
irascible irritable; easily angered adjective
irate angry adjective
iridescent exhibiting rainbowlike colors adjective
irksome annoying; tedious adjective
ironic resulting in unexpected and contrary manner adjective
irony hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that convey a meaning noun
opposite to the literal meaning
irrational illogical; lacking reason; insane adjective
irreconcilable incompatible; not able to be resolved adjective
irrelevant not applicable; unrelated adjective
irremediable incurable; uncorrectable adjective
irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired adjective
irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back adjective
irresolute uncertain how to act; weak adjective
irreverence lack of proper aspect noun
irrevocable unalterable adjective
isotope varying form of an element noun
itinerant wandering; traveling adjective
itinerary plan of a trip noun
jaded fatigued; surfeited adjective
jargon language used by special group; gibberish noun
jaundiced yellowed; prejudiced; envious adjective
jaunt trip; short journey noun
jaunty stylish; perky; carefree adjective
jeopardy exposure to death or danger noun
jettison throw overboard verb
jingoism extremely aggressive and militant patriotism noun
jocose given to joking adjective
jocular said or done in jest adjective
jocund merry adjective
jollity gaiety; cheerfulness noun
jostle shove; bump verb
jovial good-natured; merry adjective
jubilation rejoicing noun
judicious sound in judgment; wise adjective
juggernaut irresistible crashing force noun
juncture crisis; joining point noun
junket marry feast or picnic noun
junta group of men joined by political intrigue; cabal noun
jurisprudence science of law noun
juxtapose place side by side verb
kaleidoscope tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored
noun pieces of glass
ken range of knowledge noun
kindle start a fire; inspire verb
kindred related; belonging to the same family adjective
kinetic producing motion adjective
kismet fate noun
kith familiar friends noun
kleptomaniac person who has a convulsive desire to steal noun
knavery rascality noun
knead mix; work dough verb
knell tolling of a bell at a funeral; sound of the funeral bell noun
knoll little round hill noun
labyrinth maze noun
lacerate mangle; tear verb
lachrymose producing tears adjective
lackadaisical affectedly languid adjective
lackey footman; toady noun
lackluster dull adjective
laconic brief and to the point adjective
laggard slow; sluggish adjective
lagoon shallow body of water near a sea; lake noun
laity laymen; persons not connected with the clergy noun
lament grieve; express sorrow verb
lampoon ridicule verb
languid weary; sluggish; listless adjective
languish lose animation; lose strength verb
languor lassitude; depression noun
lank long and thin adjective
larceny theft noun
largess generous gift noun
lascivious lustful adjective
lassitude languor; weariness noun
latent dormant; hidden adjective
lateral coming from the side adjective
latitude freedom from narrow limitations noun
laud praise verb
lavish liberal; wasteful adjective
lax careless adjective
leaven cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven verb
lechery lustfulness; impurity in thought and deed noun
lectern reading desk noun
leeway room to move; margin noun
legacy gift made by a will noun
legend explanatory list of symbols on a map noun
legerdemain sleight of hand noun
leniency mildness; permissiveness noun
leonine like a lion noun
lethal deadly adjective
lethargic drowsy; dull adjective
levity lightness noun
levy impose (a fine); collect (a payment) verb
lewd lustful adjective
lexicographer compiler of a dictionary noun
lexicon dictionary noun
liability drawback; debts noun
liaison officer who acts as go-between for two armies noun
libelous defamatory; injurious to the good name of a person adjective
libidinous lust full adjective
libido emotional urges behind human activity noun
libretto text of an opera noun
licentious wanton; lewd; dissolute adjective
lieu instead of noun
Lilliputian extremely small adjective
limber flexible adjective
limbo region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; a prison
noun[slang]
limpid clear adjective
lineage descent; ancestry noun
lineaments features of the face noun
linguistic pertaining to language adjective
lionize treat as celebrity verb
liquidate settle accounts; clear up verb
list tilt; lean over verb
listless lacking in spirit or energy adjective
litany supplicatory prayer noun
lithe flexible; supple adjective
litigation lawsuit noun
livid lead-colored; black and blue; enraged adjective
loath averse; reluctant adjective
loathe detest verb
lode metal-bearing vein noun
lofty very high adjective
loiter hang around; linger verb
loll lounge about verb
longevity long life noun
lope gallop softly verb
loquacious talkative adjective
lout clumsy person noun
lucid easily understood adjective
lucrative profitable adjective
lucre money noun
ludicrous laughable; trifling adjective
lugubrious mournful adjective
lull moment of calm noun
lumber move heavily or clumsily verb
luminary celebrity; dignitary noun
luminous shining; issuing light adjective
lunar pertaining to the moon adjective
lurid wild; sensational adjective
luscious pleasing to taste or smell adjective
luster shine; gloss noun
lustrous shining adjective
luxuriant fertile; abundant; ornate adjective
macabre gruesome; grisly adjective
Machiavellian crafty; double-dealing adjective
machinations schemes noun
madrigal pastoral song noun
maelstrom whirlpool noun
magnanimous generous adjective
magnate person of prominence or influence noun
magniloquent boastful; pompous adjective
magnitude greatness; extent noun
maim mutilate; injure verb
maladroit clumsy; bungling adjective
malaise uneasiness; distress noun
malapropism comic misuse of a word noun
malcontent person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs noun
malediction curse noun
malefactor criminal noun
malevolent wishing evil adjective
malicious dictated by hatred or spite adjective
malign speak evil of; defame verb
malignant having an evil influence; virulent adjective
malingerer one who feigns illness to escape duty noun
mall public walk noun
malleable capable of being shaped by pounding adjective
malodorous foul-smelling adjective
mammal a vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young noun
mammoth gigantic adjective
manacle restrain; handcuff verb
mandate order; charge noun
mandatory obligatory adjective
mangy shabby; wretched adjective
maniacal raving mad adjective
manifest understandable; clear adjective
manifesto declaration; statement of policy noun
manifold numerous; varied adjective
manipulate operate with hands verb
manumit emancipate; free from bondage verb
marital pertaining to marriage adjective
maritime bordering on the sea; nautical adjective
marred damaged; disfigured adjective
marrow soft tissue filling the bones noun
marshal put in order verb
marsupial one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch
noun
martial warlike adjective
martinet strict disciplinarian noun
masochist person who enjoys his own pain noun
masticate chew verb
materialism preoccupation with physical comforts and things noun
maternal motherly adjective
matriarch woman who rules a family or larger social group noun
matricide murder of a mother by a child noun
matrix mold or die noun
maudlin effusively sentimental adjective
maul handle roughly verb
mausoleum monumental tomb noun
mauve pale purple adjective
maverick rebel; nonconformist noun
mawkish sickening; insipid adjective
maxim proverb; a truth pithily stated noun
mayhem an injury to body noun
meager scantly; inadequate adjective
meander to wind or turn in its course verb
meddlesome interfering adjective
mediate settle a dispute through the services of an outsider verb
mediocre ordinary; commonplace adjective
meditation reflection; thought noun
medley mixture noun
megalomania mania for doing grandiose things noun
melange medley; miscellany noun
melee fight noun
mellifluous flowing smoothly; smooth adjective
memento token reminder noun
memorialize commemorate verb
mendacious lying; false adjective
mendicant beggar noun
menial suitable for servants; low adjective
mentor teacher noun
mercantile concerning trade adjective
mercenary interested in money or gain adjective
mercurial fickle; changing adjective
meretricious flashy; tawdry adjective
merger combination (of two business corporations) noun
mesa high, flat-topped hill noun
mesmerize hypnotize verb
metallurgical pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores adjective
metamorphosis change of form noun
metaphor implied comparison noun
metaphysical pertaining to speculative philosophy adjective
mete measure; distribute verb
methodological systematic adjective
meticulous excessively careful adjective
metropolis large city noun
mettle courage; spirit noun
miasma swamp gas; odor of decaying matter noun
microcosm small world noun
mien demeanor; bearing noun
migrant changing its habitat; wandering adjective
migratory wandering adjective
milieu environment; means of expression noun
militant combative; bellicose adjective
militate work against verb
millennium thousand-year period noun
mimicry imitation noun
minaret slender tower attached to a mosque noun
mincing affectedly dainty adjective
mignon a servile dependent noun
minuscule extremely small adjective
minute extremely small adjective
minutiae petty details noun
mirage unreal reflection; optical illusion noun
mire entangle; stick in swampy ground verb
mirth merriment; laughter noun
misadventure mischance; ill luck noun
misanthrope one who hates mankind noun
misapprehenisonerror; misunderstanding noun
miscegenation intermarriage between races noun
miscellany mixture of writings on various subjects noun
mischance ill luck noun
misconstrue interpret incorrectly; misjudge verb
miscreant wretch; villain noun
misdemeanor minor crime noun
miserly stingy; mean adjective
misgivings doubts noun
mishap accident noun
misnomer wrong name; incorrect designation noun
misogamy hatred of marriage noun
misogynist hater of women noun
missile object to be thrown or projected noun
missive letter noun
mite very small object or creature; small coin noun
mitigate appease verb
mnemonic pertaining to memory adjective
mobile movable; not fixed adjective
mode prevailing style noun
modicum limited quantity noun
modish fashionable adjective
modulation toning down; changing from one key to another noun
mogul powerful person noun
molecule the smallest part of a homogeneous substance in chemistry noun
mollify soothe verb
molt shed or cast off hair of feathers verb
molten melted adjective
momentous very important adjective
momentum quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus noun
monarchy government under a single ruler noun
monastic related to monks adjective
monetary pertaining to money adjective
monolithic solidly uniform; unyielding adjective
monotheism belief in one God noun
monotony sameness leading to boredom noun
monumental massive adjective
moodiness fits of depression or gloom noun
moor marshy wasteland noun
moot debatable adjective
moratorium legal delay of payment noun
morbid given to unwholesome thought; gloomy adjective
mordant biting; sarcastic; stinging adjective
mores customs noun
moribund at the point of death adjective
morose ill-humored; sullen adjective
mortician undertaken noun
mortify humiliate; punish to the flesh verb
mote small speck noun
motif theme noun
motley parti-colored; mixed adjective
mottled spotted adjective
mountebank charlatan; boastful pretender noun
muddle confuse; mix up verb
muggy warm and damp adjective
mulct defraud a person of something verb
multifarious varied; greatly diversified adjective
multiform having many forms adjective
multilingual having many languages adjective
multiplicity state of being numerous noun
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual adjective
munificent very generous adjective
murkiness darkness; gloom noun
muse ponder verb
musky having the odor of a musk adjective
muster gather; assemble verb
musty stale; spoiled by age adjective
mutable changing in form; fickle adjective
muted silent; muffled; toned down adjective
mutilate maim verb
mutinous unruly; rebellious adjective
myopic nearsighted adjective
myriad very large number noun
nadir lowest point noun
naivetΘ quality of being unsophisticated noun
narcissist conceited person noun
nascent incipient; coming into being adjective
natal pertaining to birth adjective
nauseate cause to become sick; fill with disgust verb
nautical pertaining to ships or navigation adjective
nave main body of a church noun
nebulous vague; hazy; cloudy adjective
necromancy black magic; dealings with the dead noun
nefarious very wicked adjective
negation denial noun
negligence carelessness noun
nemesis revenging agent noun
neologism new or newly coined word or phrase noun
neophyte recent convert; beginner noun
nepotism favoritism (to a relative) noun
nether lower adjective
nettle annoy; vex verb
neutral impartial; not supporting one side over another adjective
nexus connection noun
nib beak; pen point noun
nicety precision; minute distinction noun
niggardly meanly stingy; parsimonious adjective
niggle spend too much time on minor points; carp verb
nihilism denial of traditional values; absolute skepticism noun
nirvana in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses
noun himself in the attainment of impersonal be
nocturnal done at night adjective
noisome foul smelling; unwholesome adjective
nomadic wandering adjective
nomenclature terminology; system of names noun
nominal in name only; trifling adjective
nonchalance indifference; lack of interest noun
noncommittal neutral; unpledged; undecided adjective
nonentity person of no importance; nonexistence noun
nonplus bring to a halt confusion verb
nostalgia homesickness; longing for the past noun
nostrum questionable medicine noun
notoriety disrepute; ill fame noun
novelty something new; newness noun
novice beginner noun
noxious harmful adjective
nuance shade of difference in meaning or color noun
nubile marriageable adjective
nullify to make invalid noun
numismatist person who collects coins noun
nuptial related to marriage adjective
nurture bring up; feed; educate verb
nutrient providing nourishment adjective
oaf stupid; awkward person noun
obdurate stubborn adjective
obelisk tall column tapering and ending a pyramid noun
obese fat adjective
obfuscate confuse; muddle verb
obituary death notice adjective
objective not influenced by emotions; fair adjective
objective goal; aim noun
obligatory binding; required adjective
oblique slanting; deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line
adjective
obliterate destroy completely verb
oblivion forgetfulness noun
obnoxious offensive adjective
obscure dark; vague; unclear adjective
obscure darken; make unclear verb
obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic adjective
obsession fixed idea; continued brooding noun
obsolete outmoded adjective
obstetrician physician specializing in delivery of babies noun
obstinate stubborn adjective
obstreperous boisterous; noisy adjective
obtrusive pushed forward adjective
obtuse blunt; stupid adjective
obviate make unnecessary; get rid of verb
Occident the West noun
occult mysterious; secret; supernatural adjective
oculist physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes noun
odious hateful adjective
odium repugnance; dislike noun
odoriferous giving off an odor adjective
odorous having an odor adjective
odyssey long, eventful journey noun
officious meddlesome; excessively trying to please adjective
ogle glance coquettishly at; make eyes at verb
olfactory concerning the sense of smell adjective
oligarchy government by a few noun
ominous threatening adjective
omnipotent all-powerful adjective
omnipresent universally present; ubiquitous adjective
omniscient all-knowing adjective
omnivorous eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything adjective
onerous burdensome adjective
onomatopoeia words formed in imitation of natural sounds noun
onslaught viscous assault noun
onus burden; responsibility noun
opalescent iridescent adjective
opaque dark; not transparent adjective
opiate sleep producer; deadener of pain noun
opportune timely; well chosen adjective
opportunist individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage
noun of the circumstances
opprobrium infamy; vilification noun
optician maker and seller of eyeglasses noun
optimist person who looks on the good side noun
optimum most favorable adjective
optional not compulsory; left to one's choice adjective
optometrist one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects noun
opulence wealth noun
opus work noun
oracular foretelling; mysterious adjective
oratorio dramatic poem set to music noun
ordain command; arrange; consecrate verb
ordinance decree noun
orient get one's bearings; adjust verb
orientation act of finding oneself in society noun
orifice mouthlike opening; small opening noun
ornate excessively decorated adjective
ornithologist scientific student of birds noun
ornithology study of birds noun
orthodox traditional; conservative in belief adjective
orthography correct spelling noun
oscillate vibrate pendulumlike; weaver verb
ossify change or harden into bone verb
ostensible apparent; professed; pretended adjective
ostentatious showy; pretentious adjective
ostracize exclude from public favor; ban verb
oust expel; drive out verb
overt open to view adjective
overweening presumptuous; arrogant adjective
ovoid egg-shaped adjective
pachyderm thick-skinned animal noun
pacifist one opposed to force; antimilitarist noun
paean song of praise or joy noun
painstaking showing hard work; taking great care adjective
palatable agreeable; pleasing to the taste adjective
palatial magnificent adjective
paleontology study of prehistoric life noun
palette board on which painter mixes pigments noun
pall grow tiresome verb
pallet small, poor bed noun
palliate ease pain; make less severe or offensive verb
pallid pale; wan adjective
palpable tangible; easily perceptible adjective
palpitate throb; flutter verb
paltry insignificant; petty adjective
panacea cure-all; remedy for all diseases noun
panache flair; flamboyance noun
pandemic widespread; affecting the majority of people adjective
pandemonium wild tumult noun
pander cater to the low desires of others verb
panegyric formal praise noun
panorama comprehensive view; unobstructed view in all directions noun
pantomime acting without dialogue noun
papyrus ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant noun
parable short, simple story teaching a moral noun
paradigm model; example; pattern noun
paradox statement that looks false but is actually correct noun
paragon model of reflection noun
parallelism state of being parallel; similarity noun
parameter limits; independent variable noun
paranoia chronic form of insanity marked by delusions noun
paranoiac mentally unsound person suffering from delusions noun
paraphernalia equipment; odds and ends noun
paraphrase restate a passage in one's own words while retaining the thought verb of the author
parasite animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant noun
parched extremely dry; very thirsty adjective
pariah social outcast noun
parity equality; close resemblance noun
parley conference noun
parochial narrow in outlook; provincial; related to parishes adjective
parody humorous imitation; travesty noun
paroxysm fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage noun
parry ward off a blow verb
parsimonious stingy; excessively frugal adjective
partial incomplete; biased; having a liking for something adjective
partiality inclination; bias noun
partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party noun
parvenu upstart; newly rich person noun
passΘ old-fashioned; past the prime adjective
passive not active; acted upon adjective
pastiche imitation of another's style in musical composition or writing noun
pastoral rural adjective
patent open for the public to read; obvious adjective
pathetic causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching adjective
pathological pertaining to disease adjective
pathos tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these
nounfeelings
patina green crust on old bronze works; tone slowly by varnished paintingnoun
patriarch father and ruler of a family or tribe noun
patrician noble; aristocratic adjective
patronize support; act superior toward verb
paucity scarcity noun
peccadillo slight offense noun
pecuniary pertaining to money adjective
pedagogue teacher; dull and formal teacher noun
pedagogy teaching; art of education noun
pedant scholar who overemphasizes book learning and technicalitiesnoun
pedantic showing off learning; bookish adjective
pedestrian ordinary, unimaginative adjective
pediatrician expert in children's diseases noun
pediment triangular part above columns in Greek buildings noun
pejorative having a deteriorating or depreciating effect on the meaning of
adjective
a word
pell-mell in confusion; disorderly adverb
pellucid transparent; limpid; easy to understand adjective
penance self-imposed punishment for sin noun
penchant strong inclination; liking noun
pendant hanging down from something adjective
penitent repentant adjective
pensive dreamily thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness adjective
penurious stingy; parsimonious adjective
penury extreme poverty noun
peon unskilled laborer; drudge noun
perceptive insightful; aware; wise adjective
percussion striking one object against another sharply adjective
perdition damnation; complete ruin noun
peregrination journey noun
peremptory demanding and leaving no choice adjective
perennial something that is continuing or recent noun
perfidious basely false adjective
perfidy violation of a thrust noun
perforate pierce; put a hole through verb
perfunctory superficial; not thorough adjective
perimeter outer boundary noun
peripatetic walking about; moving adjective
peripheral marginal; outer adjective
periphery edge, especially of a round surface noun
perjury false testimony while under oath noun
permeable porous; allowing passage through adjective
permeate pass through; spread verb
pernicious very destructive adjective
perpetrate commit an offense verb
perpetual everlasting adjective
perquisite any gain above stipulate salary noun
personable attractive adjective
perspicacious having insight; penetrating; astute adjective
perspicuity clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity noun
perspicuous plainly expressed adjective
pert impertinent; forward adjective
pertinacious stubborn; persistent adjective
pertinent suitable; to the point adjective
perturb disturb greatly verb
perturbation agitation noun
perusal reading noun
pervasive spread throughout; permeating adjective
perverse stubborn; intractable adjective
perversion corruption; turning from right to wrong noun
perversity stubborn maintenance of a wrong cause noun
pessimism belief that life is basically bad and evil; gloominess noun
pestilential causing plague; baneful adjective
petrify turn to stone verb
petty trivial; unimportant; very small adjective
petulant touchy, peevish adjective
pharisaical pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention toadjective
the tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
phenomena observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation noun
philander make love lightly; flirt verb
philanthropist lover of mankind; doer of good noun
philistine narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interestednoun in material gain
philology study of language noun
phlegmatic calm; not easily disturbed adjective
phobia morbid fear noun
physiognomy face noun
physiological pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms adjective
picaresque pertaining to rogues in literature adjective
piebald molted; spotted adjective
pied variegated; multicolored adjective
piety religious devotion; godliness noun
pillage plunder verb
pillory punish by placing in a wooden frame and subjecting to ridicule verb
pinion restrain verb
pinnacle peak noun
piquant pleasantly tart-tasting; stimulating adjective
pique irritation; resentment noun
pithy concise; meaty adjective
pittance small allowance or wage noun
pivotal crucial; key; vital adjective
placate pacify; conciliate verb
placebo harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill noun
placid peaceful; calm adjective
plagiarism theft of another's ideas or writing passed off as original noun
plagiarize steal another's ideas and pass them off as one's own verb
plaintive mournful adjective
platitude trite remark; commonplace statement noun
platonic purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire adjective
plauditory approving; applauding adjective
plausible having a show of truth but open to doubt adjective
plebeian common; pertaining to the common people adjective
plebiscite expression of the will of a people by direct election noun
plenary complete; full adjective
plenipotentiary fully empowered adjective
plenitude abundance; completeness noun
plethora excess; overabundance noun
plight condition, state (especially a bad state or condition); predicament
noun
plumb checking perpendicularly; vertical adjective
podiatrist doctor who treats ailments of the feet noun
podium pedestal; raised platform noun
poignancy quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion noun
polarize split into opposite extremes or camps verb
polemic controversy; argument in support of point of view noun
politic expedient; prudent; well devised adjective
polity form of government of nation or state noun
polygamist one who has more than one spouse at a time noun
polyglot speaking several languages adjective
pomposity self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt noun
ponderous weighty; unwieldy adjective
porous full of pores; like a sieve adjective
portend foretell; presage verb
portent sign; omen; forewarning noun
portly stately; stout adjective
posterity descendants; future generations noun
posthumous after death (as of a child born after father's death or book published
adjective
after author's death)
postprandial after dinner adjective
postulate self-evident truth noun
potable suitable for drinking adjective
potent powerful; persuasive; greatly influential adjective
potentate monarch; sovereign noun
potential expressing possibility; latent adjective
potion dose (of liquid) noun
potpourri heterogeneous mixture; medley noun
poultice soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of noun
the body
practicable feasible adjective
practical based on experience; useful adjective
pragmatic practical; concerned with practical values adjective
pragmatist practical person noun
prate speak foolishly; boast idly verb
prattle babble verb
preamble introductory statement noun
precarious uncertain; risky adjective
precedent something preceding in time which may be used as an authority nounor guide for future decision
precedent preceding in time, rank, etc. adjective
precept practical rule guiding conduct noun
precipice cliff; dangerous position noun
precipitate headlong; rash adjective
precipitous steep adjective
precise exact adjective
preclude make impossible; eliminate verb
precocious advanced in development adjective
precursor forerunner noun
predatory plundering adjective
predecessor former occupant of a post noun
predilection partiality; preference noun
preeminent outstanding; superior adjective
preempt appropriate beforehand verb
prefatory introductory adjective
prehensile capable of gasping or holding adjective
prelude introduction; forerunner noun
premeditate plan in advance verb
premise assumption; postulate noun
premonition forewarning noun
premonitory serving to warn adjective
preponderance superiority of power, quantity, etc. noun
preposterous absurd; ridiculous adjective
prerogative privilege; unquestionable right noun
presage foretell verb
presentiment premonition; foreboding noun
prestige impression produced by achievements or reputation noun
presumptuous arrogant; taking liberties adjective
pretentious ostentatious; ambitious adjective
preternatural beyond that which is normal to nature adjective
pretext excuse noun
prevail induce; triumph over verb
prevalent widespread; generally accepted adjective
prevaricate lie verb
prim very precise and formal; exceedingly proper adjective
primogeniture seniority by birth noun
primordial existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary adjective
primp dress up verb
pristine characteristic of earlier times; primitive; unspoiled adjective
privation hardship; want noun
privy secret; hidden; not public adjective
probe explore with tools verb
probity uprightness; incorruptibility noun
problematic perplexing; unsettled; questionable adjective
proboscis long snout; nose noun
proclivity inclination; natural tendency noun
procrastinate postpone; delay verb
prod poke; stir up; urge verb
prodigal wasteful; reckless in money adjective
prodigious marvelous; enormous adjective
prodigy marvel; highly gifted child noun
profane violate; desecrate verb
profligate dissipated; wasteful; licentious adjective
profound deep; not superficial; complete adjective
profusion lavish expenditure; overabundant condition noun
progenitor ancestor noun
progeny children; offspring noun
prognosis forecasted course of a disease; prediction noun
prognosticate predict verb
projectile missile noun
proletarian member of the working class noun
proliferation rapid growth; spread; multiplication noun
prolific abundantly fruitful adjective
prolix verbose; drawn out adjective
promiscuous mixed indiscriminately; haphazard; irregular; particularly sexually
adjective
promontory headland noun
promulgate make known by official proclamation or publication verb
prone inclined to; prostrate adjective
propagate multiply; spread verb
propellants substances which propel or drive forward noun
propensity natural inclination noun
prophylactic used to prevent disease adjective
propinquity nearness; kinship noun
propitiate appease verb
propitious favorable; kindly adjective
proponent person who supports or proposes (an idea) noun
propound put forth for analysis verb
propriety fitness; correct conduct noun
propulsive driving forward adjective
prosaic commonplace; dull adjective
proscribe ostracize; banish; outlaw verb
proselytize convert to a religion or belief verb
prosody the art of versification noun
prostrate stretch out fill on ground verb
protean versatile; able to take many shapes adjective
protΘgΘ person under protection and support of a patron noun
protocol diplomatic etiquette noun
prototype original work used as a model by others noun
protract prolong verb
protrude stick out verb
provenance origin or source of something noun
provender dry food; fodder noun
provident displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies adjective
provincial pertaining to a province; limited adjective
provisional tentative adjective
proviso stipulation noun
provoke stir to anger; cause retaliation verb
proximity nearness noun
proxy authorized agent noun
prude excessively modest person noun
prudent cautious; careful adjective
prune cut away; trim verb
prurient based on lascivious thoughts adjective
pseudonym pen-name noun
psyche soul; mind noun
psychiatrist a doctor who treats mental diseases noun
psychopathic pertaining to mental derangement adjective
psychosis mental disorder noun
pterodactyl extinct flying reptile noun
puerile childish adjective
pugilist boxer noun
pugnacious combative; disposed to fight adjective
puissant powerful; strong; potent adjective
pulchritude beauty; comeliness noun
pulmonary pertaining to the lungs adjective
pulsate throb verb
pummel beat verb
punctilious laying stress on niceties of conduct, form; precise adjective
pundit learned Hindu; any learned man; authority on a subject noun
pungent stinging; caustic adjective
punitive punishing adjective
puny insignificant; tiny; weak adjective
purchase firm grasp or footing noun
purgatory place for spiritual expiation noun
purge clean by removing impurities; clear of charges verb
purloin steal verb
purport intention; meaning noun
purveyor furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer noun
purview scope noun
pusillanimous cowardly; fainthearted adjective
putative supposed; reputed adjective
putrid foul; rotten; decayed adjective
pyromaniac person with an insane desire to set things on fire noun
quack charlatan; impostor noun
quadrupled four-footed animal noun
quaff drink with relish verb
quagmire bog; marsh noun
quail cower; lose heart verb
quaint odd; old-fashioned; picturesque adjective
qualified limited; restricted adjective
qualms misgivings noun
quandary dilemma noun
quarantine isolation of person or ship to prevent spread of infection noun
quarry victim; object of a hunt noun
quarry dig into verb
quay dock; landing place noun
queasy easily nauseated; squeamish adjective
quell put down; quiet verb
querulous fretful; whining adjective
queue line noun
quibble equivocate; play on words verb
quiescent at rest; dormant adjective
quietude tranquillity noun
quintessence purest and highest embodiment noun
quip taunt noun
quirk startling twist; caprice noun
quixotic idealistic but impractical adjective
quizzical bantering; comical; humorously serious adjective
quorum number of members necessary to conduct a meeting noun
rabid like a fanatic; furious adjective
raconteur story-teller noun
ragamuffin person wearing tattered clothes noun
rail scold; rant verb
raiment clothing noun
rakish stylish; sporty adjective
ramble wonder aimlessly (physically or mentally) verb
ramification branching out; subdivision noun
ramify divide into branches or subdivisions verb
ramp slope; inclined plane noun
rampant rearing up on hind legs; unrestrained adjective
rampart defensive mound of earth noun
ramshackle rickety; falling apart adjective
rancid having the odor of stale fat adjective
rancor bitterness; hatred noun
rankle irritate; fester verb
rant rave; speak bombastically verb
rapacious excessively gasping; plundering adjective
rapprochement reconciliation noun
rarefied made less dense (of a gas) adjective
raspy grating; harsh adjective
ratify approve formally; verify verb
ratiocination reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises noun
rationalization bringing into conformity with reason noun
rationalize reason; justify an improper act verb
raucous harsh and shrill adjective
ravage plunder; despoil verb
ravenous extremely hungry adjective
raze destroy completely verb
reactionary recoiling from progress; retrograde adjective
realm kingdom; sphere noun
rebate discount noun
rebuff snub; beat back verb
rebuttal refutation; response with contrary evidence noun
recalcitrant obstinately stubborn adjective
recant repudiate; withdraw previous statement verb
recapitulate summarize verb
receptive quick or willing to receive ideas, suggestions, etc. adjective
recession withdrawal; retreat noun
recidivism habitual return to crime noun
recipient receiver noun
reciprocal mutual; exchangeable; interacting adjective
reciprocate repay in kind verb
recluse hermit noun
reconcile make friendly after quarrel; correct inconsistencies verb
recondite abstruse; profound; secret adjective
reconnaissance survey of enemy by soldiers; noun
recount narrate or tell; count over again verb
recourse resorting to help when in trouble noun
recreant coward; betrayed of faith noun
recrimination countercharges noun
rectify correct verb
rectitude uprightedness noun
recumbent reclining; lying down completely or in part adjective
recuperate recover verb
recurrent occurring again and again adjective
redolent fragrant; odorous; suggestive of an odor adjective
redoubtable formidable; causing fear adjective
redress remedy; comprehension noun
redundant superfluous; excessively wordy; repetitious adjective
reek emit (odor) verb
refectory dining hall noun
refraction bending of a ray of light noun
refractory stubborn; unmanageable adjective
refurbish renovate verb
refutation disproof of opponents' arguments noun
refute disprove verb
regal royal adjective
regale entertain verb
regatta boat or yacht race noun
regeneration spiritual rebirth noun
regicide murder of a king or queen noun
regime method or system of government noun
regimen prescribed diet and habits noun
rehabilitate restore to proper condition verb
reimburse repay verb
reiterate repeat verb
rejuvenate make young again verb
relegate banish; consign to inferior position verb
relevancy pertinence; reference to the case in hand noun
relinquish abandon verb
relish savor; enjoy verb
remediable reparable adjective
remedial curative; corrective adjective
reminiscence recollection noun
remiss negligent adjective
remnant remainder noun
remonstrate protest verb
remorse guilt; self-reproach noun
remunerative compensating; rewarding adjective
rend split; tear apart verb
render deliver; provide; represent verb
rendezvous meeting place noun
rendition translation; artistic interpretation of a song noun
renegade deserter; apostate noun
renege deny; go back on verb
renounce abandon; discontinue; disown; repudiate verb
renovate restore to good condition; renew verb
renunciation giving up; renouncing verb
reparable capable of being repaired adjective
reparation amends; compensation noun
repartee clever reply noun
repellent driving away; unattractive adjective
repercussion rebound; reverberation; reaction noun
repertoire list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared tonoun
present
repine fret; complain verb
replenish fill up again verb
replete filled to capacity; abundantly supplied adjective
replica copy noun
replicate reproduce; duplicate verb
repository storehouse noun
reprehensible deserving blame adjective
repress restrain; crush; oppress verb
reprieve temporary stay noun
reprimand reprove severely verb
reprisal retaliation noun
reproach blame; censure noun
reprobation severe disapproval noun
reprove censure; rebuke verb
repudiate disown; disavow verb
repugnance loathing noun
repulsion act of driving back; distaste noun
reputed supposed adjective
requiem mass for the dead; dirge noun
requisite necessary requirement noun
requite repay; revenge verb
rescind cancel verb
reserve self-control; formal but distant manner noun
residue remainder; balance noun
resigned unresisting; patiently submissive adjective
resilient elastic; having the power of springing back adjective
resolution determination noun
resolve determination noun
resonant echoing; resounding; possessing resonance adjective
respite delay in punishment; interval of relief; rest noun
resplendent brilliant; lustrous adjective
responsiveness state of reacting readily to appeals noun
restitution reparation; indemnification noun
restive unmanageable; fretting under control adjective
restraint controlling force noun
resurgent rising again after defeat, etc. adjective
resuscitate revive verb
retaliation repayment in kind (usually for bad treatment) noun
retentive holding; having a good memory adjective
reticence reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to be silent noun
retinue following; attendants noun
retiring modest; shy adjective
retort quick, sharp reply noun
retract withdraw; take back verb
retrench cut down; economize verb
retribution vengeance; compensation; punishment for offenses noun
retrieve recover; find and bring in verb
retroactive of a law which dates back to a period before its enactment adjective
retrograde go backwards; degenerate, instead of advancing verb
retrospective looking back on the past adjective
revelry boisterous merrymaking noun
reverberate echo; resound verb
reverent respectful; worshipful adjective
reverie daydream; musing noun
revile slander; vilify verb
revulsion sudden violent change of feeling; reaction noun
rhapsodize to speak or write in an exaggerately enthusiastic matter verb
rhetoric art of effective communication; insincere language noun
rhetorical pertaining to effective communication; insincere language adjective
ribald wanton; profane adjective
rider amendment or clause added to a legislative bill noun
rife abundant; current adjective
rift opening; break noun
rigor severity noun
risible inclined to laugh; ludicrous adjective
risquΘ verging upon the improper; offcolor adjective
roan brown mixed with gray or white adjective
robust vigorous; strong adjective
rococo ornate; highly decorated adjective
roil to make liquids murky by stirring up sediment verb
roseate rosy; optimistic adjective
roster list noun
rostrum platform for speech-making; pulpit noun
rote repetition noun
rotunda circular building or hall covered with a dome noun
rotundity roundness; sonorousness of speech noun
rout stampede; drive out verb
rubble broken fragments noun
ruddy reddish; healthy-looking adjective
rudimentary not developed; elementary adjective
rueful regretful; sorrowful; dejected adjective
ruffian bully; scoundrel noun
ruminate chew the cud; ponder verb
rummage ransack; thoroughly search verb
ruse trick; stratagem noun
rustic pertaining to country people; uncouth adjective
rusticate banish to the country; dwell in the country verb
ruthless pitiless adjective
saccharine cloyingly sweet adjective
sacrilegious desecrating; profane adjective
sacrosanct most sacred; inviolable adjective
sadistic inclined to cruelty adjective
saga Scandinavian myth; any legend noun
sagacious keen; shrewd; having insight adjective
salient prominent adjective
saline salty adjective
sallow yellowish; sickly in color adjective
salubrious healthful adjective
salutary tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome adjective
salvage rescue from loss verb
sanctimonious displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness adjective
sanction approve; ratify verb
sangfroid coolness in a trying situation noun
sanguinary bloody adjective
sanguine cheerful; hopeful adjective
sarcasm scornful remarks; stinging rebuke noun
sarcophagus stone coffin, often highly decorated noun
sardonic disdainful; sarcastic; cynical adjective
sartorial pertaining to tailors adjective
sate satisfy to the full; cloy verb
satellite small body revolving around a larger one noun
satiate surfeit; satisfy fully verb
satiety condition of being crammed full; glutted state; repletion noun
satire form of literature in which irony; sarcasm, and ridicule are employed
noun to attack vice and folly
satirical mocking adjective
saturate soak verb
saturnine gloomy adjective
satyr half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus, portrayed
nounas wanton and cunning
saunter stroll slowly verb
savant scholar noun
savoir faire tact; poise; sophistication noun
savory tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable adjective
scanty meager; insufficient adjective
scapegoat someone who bears the blame for others noun
scavenger collector and disposer of refuse; animal that devours refuse and
nouncarrion
schism division; split noun
scintilla shred; least bit noun
scintillate sparkle; flash verb
scion offspring noun
scoff mock; ridicule verb
scourge lash; whip; severe punishment noun
scrupulous conscientious; extremely thorough adjective
scrutinize examine closely and critically verb
scullion menial kitchen worker noun
scurrilous obscene; indecent adjective
scurry move briskly verb
scuttle scurry; run with short; rapid steps verb
scuttle sink verb
sebaceous oily; fatty adjective
secession withdrawal noun
seclusion isolation; solitude noun
secrete hide away; produce and release a substance into an organism verb
sectarian relating to a religious fraction or subgroup; narrow-minded; limited
adjective
secular worldly; not pertaining to church matters; temporal adjective
sedate composed; grave adjective
sedentary requiring sitting adjective
sedition resistance to authority; insubordination noun
sedulous diligent adjective
seethe be disturbed; boil verb
seine net for catching fish noun
seismic pertaining to earthquakes adjective
semblance outward appearance; guise noun
senility old age; feeble mindedness of old age noun
sensual devoted to the pleasures of the senses; carnal; voluptuous adjective
sensuous pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the sensesadjective
sententious terse; concise; aphoristic adjective
septic putrid; producing putrefaction adjective
sepulcher tomb noun
sequester retire from public life; segregate; seclude verb
seraph high-ranking, six-winged angel noun
serendipity gift for finding valuable things not searched for noun
serenity calmness; placidity noun
serpentine winding; twisting adjective
serrated having a sawtoothed edge adjective
servile slavish; cringing adjective
severance division; partition; separation noun
severity harshness; plainness noun
shackle chain; fetter verb
sham pretend verb
shambles slaughterhouse; science of carnage noun
sheaf bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together noun
sheathe place into a case verb
sherbet flavored dessert ice noun
shimmer glimmer intermittently verb
shoddy sham; not genuine; inferior adjective
shrew scolding woman noun
shrewd clever; astute adjective
sibling brother or sister noun
silt sediment deposited by running water noun
simian monkeylike adjective
simile comparison of one thing with another, using the word "like" ornoun "as"
similitude similarity; using comparisons such as similes noun
simpering smirking adjective
simulate feign verb
sinecure well-paid position with little responsibility noun
sinewy tough; strong and firm adjective
singular unique; extraordinary; odd adjective
sinister evil adjective
sinuous winding; bending in and out; not morally honest adjective
sirocco warm, sultry wind blown from Africa to southern Europe noun
skeptic doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined nounthe evidence supporting a point of view
skimp provide scantily; live very economically verb
skinflint miser noun
skirmish minor fight noun
skittish lively; frisky adjective
skullduggery dishonest behavior noun
skulk move furtively and secretly verb
slacken slow up; loosen verb
slake quench; sate verb
slander defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements noun
sleazy flimsy; unsubstantial adjective
sleeper something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes
noun very valuable
sleight dexterity noun
slither slip or slide verb
sloth laziness noun
slough cast off verb
slovenly untidy; careless in work habits adjective
sluggard lazy person noun
sluggish slow; lazy; lethargic adjective
sluice artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water noun
smattering slight knowledge noun
smirk conceited smile noun
smolder burn without flame; be liable to break out in any moment verb
snicker half-stiffed laugh noun
snivel run at the nose; snuffle; whine verb
sobriety soberness noun
sobriquet nickname noun
sodden soaked; dull, as if from drink adjective
sojourn temporary stay noun
solace comfort in trouble noun
solecism construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically noun
solemnity seriousness; gravity noun
solicit request earnestly; seek verb
solicitous worried; concerned adjective
soliloquy talking to oneself noun
solstice point at which the sun is farthest from the equator noun
solvent able to pay all debts adjective
somber gloomy; depressing adjective
somnambulist sleepwalker noun
somnolent half asleep adjective
sonorous resonant adjective
sophist teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning
noun
sophistication artificiality; unnaturalness; act of employing sophistry in reasoning
noun
sophistry seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning noun
sophomoric immature; shallow adjective
soporific sleep producer adjective
sordid filthy; base; vile adjective
soupτon suggestion; hint; taste noun
spangle small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation noun
sparse not thick; thinly scattered; scanty adjective
spasmodic fitful; periodic adjective
spate sudden flood or strong outburst; a large number or amount noun
spatial relating to space adjective
spatula broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing noun
spawn lay eggs verb
specious seemingly reasonable but incorrect adjective
spectral ghostly adjective
spectrum colored band produced when beam of light passes through anoun prism
spendthrift someone who wastes money noun
sphinx-like enigmatic; mysterious adjective
splenetic spiteful; irritable; peevish adjective
spontaneity lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint noun
spoonerism accidental transposition of sounds in successive words noun
sporadic occurring irregularly adjective
sportive playful adjective
spry vigorously active; nimble adjective
spume froth; foam noun
spurious false; counterfeit adjective
spurn reject; scorn verb
squalid dirty; neglected; poor adjective
squander waste verb
staccato played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound adjective
stagnant motionless; stale; dull adjective
staid sober; sedate adjective
stalemate deadlock noun
stalwart strong; brawny; steadfast adjective
stamina strength; staying power noun
stanch check flow of blood verb
stanza division of a poem noun
static unchanging; lacking development adjective
statue law noun
statutory created by statute or legislative action adjective
steadfast loyal adjective
stein beer mug noun
stellar pertaining to the stars adjective
stern check the flow verb
stem from arise from verb
stentorian extremely loud adjective
stereotyped fixed and unvarying representation adjective
stigma token of disgrace; brand noun
stigmatize brand; mark as wicked verb
stilted bombastic; inflated adjective
stint supply; allotted demand; assigned portion of work noun
stipend pay for services noun
stipulate make express conditions; specify verb
stoic person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain noun
stoke to feed plentifully verb
stolid dull; impassive adjective
stratagem deceptive scheme noun
stratum layer of earth's surface; layer of society noun
striated marked with parallel bands; grooved adjective
stricture critical comments; severe and adverse criticism noun
strident loud and harsh adjective
stringent blinding; rigid adjective
strut pompous walk noun
strut supporting bar noun
stultify cause to appear foolish or inconsistent verb
stupefy make numb; stun; amaze verb
stupor state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness noun
stygian gloomy; hellish; deathly adjective
stymie present an obstacle; stump verb
suavity urbanity; polish noun
subaltern subordinate noun
subjective occurring or taking place within the subject; unreal adjective
subjugate conquer; bring under control verb
sublimate refine; purify verb
sublime exalted; noble; uplifting adjective
subliminal below the threshold adjective
submissive yielding; timid adjective
subsequent following; later adjective
subservient behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious adjective
subside settle down; descend; grow quiet verb
subsidiary subordinate; secondary adjective
subsidy direct financial aid by government, etc. noun
subsistence existence; means of support; livelihood noun
substantiate verify; support verb
substantive essential; pertaining to the substance adjective
subterfuge pretense; evasion noun
subtlety nicety; cunning; guile; delicacy noun
subversive tending to overthrow or ruin adjective
succinct brief; terse; compact adjective
succor aid; assistance; relief noun
succulent juicy; full of richness adjective
succumb yield; give in; die verb
suffuse spread over verb
sully tarnish; soil verb
sultry sweltering adjective
summation act of finding the total; summary noun
sumptuous lavish; rich; adjective
sunder separate; part verb
sundry various; several adjective
superannuated retired on pension because of age adjective
supercilious contemptuous; haughty adjective
superficial trivial; shallow adjective
superfluous excessive; overabundant; unnecessary adjective
superimpose place over something else verb
supernal heavenly; celestial adjective
supernumerary person or thing in excess of what is necessary; extra noun
supersede cause to be set aside; replace verb
supine lying on back adjective
supplant replace; usurp verb
supple flexible; pliant adjective
suppliant entreating; beseeching adjective
supplicate petition humbly; pray to grant a favor verb
supposition hypothesis; the act of supposing noun
suppress crush; subdue; inhibit verb
surcease cessation noun
surfeit cloy; overfeed verb
surly rude; cross adjective
surmise guess verb
surmount overcome verb
surpass exceed verb
surreptitious secret adjective
surrogate substitute noun
surveillance watching; guarding noun
susceptible impressionable; easily influenced; having little resistance, asadjective
to a disease
sustain experience; support; nourish verb
sustenance means of support, food, nourishment noun
suture stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material
noun used in sewing
swarthy dark; dusky adjective
swathe wrap around; bandage verb
swelter be oppressed by heat verb
swerve deviate; turn aside sharply verb
swindler cheat noun
sybarite lover of luxury noun
sycophant servile flatterer noun
syllogism logical formula utilizing a major premise, a minor premise andnoun
a conclusion
sylvan pertaining to the woods; rustic adjective
symmetry arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity noun
synchronous similarly timed; simultaneous with adjective
synoptic providing a general overview; summary adjective
synthesis combining parts into a whole noun
synthetic artificial; resulting from synthesis adjective
tacit understood; not put into words adjective
taciturn habitually silent; talking little adjective
tactile pertaining to the organs or sense of touch adjective
tainted contaminated; corrupt adjective
talisman charm noun
talon claw of bird noun
tangential peripheral; only slightly connected; digressing adjective
tangible able to be touched; real; palpable adjective
tantalize tease; torture with disappointment verb
tantamount equal adjective
tantrum fit of petulance; caprice noun
taper candle noun
tarantula venomous spider noun
tarn small mountain lake noun
tarry delay; dawdle verb
tatterdemalion ragged fellow noun
taurine like a bull adjective
taut tight; ready adjective
tautological needlessly repetitious adjective
tautology unnecessary repetitions; pleonasm noun
tawdry cheap and gaudy adjective
tedious boring; tiring adjective
temerity boldness; rashness noun
temper moderate; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) verb
temperate restrained; self-controlled adjective
tempo speed of music noun
temporal not lasting forever; limited by time; secular adjective
temporize avoid committing oneself; gain time verb
tenacious holding fast adjective
tenacity firmness; persistency; adhesiveness noun
tendentious having and aim; biased; designed to further a cause adjective
tenet doctrine; dogma noun
tensile capable of being stretched adjective
tentative provisional; experimental adjective
tenuous thin; rare; slim adjective
tenure holding of an office; time during which such and office is heldnoun
tepid lukewarm adjective
termagant shrew, scolding, brawling woman noun
terminate bring to an end verb
terminology terms used in a science or art noun
terminus last stop of railroad noun
terrapin American marsh tortoise noun
terrestrial on the earth adjective
terse concise; abrupt; pithy adjective
tertiary third adjective
tessellated inlaid; mosaic adjective
testator maker of a will noun
testy irritable; short-tempered ad.
tether tie with a rope verb
thaumaturgist miracle worker; magician noun
thematic relating to a unifying motif or idea adjective
theocracy government of a community by religious leaders noun
therapeutic curative adjective
thermal pertaining to heat adjective
thespian pertaining to drama adjective
thrall slave; bondage noun
threnody song of lamentation; dirge noun
thrifty careful about money; economical adjective
thrive prosper; flourish verb
throes violent anguish noun
throng crowd noun
throttle strange verb
thwart baffle; frustrate verb
thyme aromatic plant used for seasoning noun
timbre quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument noun
timidity lack of self-confidence or courage noun
timorous fearful; demonstrating fear adjective
tipple drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently verb
tirade extended scolding; denunciation noun
titanic gigantic adjective
tithe tax of one-tenth noun
titillate tickle verb
titter nervous laugh noun
titular nominal holding of title without obligations adjective
toady flatter of favors verb
toga Roman outer robe noun
tome large volume noun
topography physical features of a region noun
torpid dormant; dull; lethargic adjective
torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy noun
torso trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk noun
tortilla flat cake made of cornmeal, etc. noun
tortuous winding; full of curves adjective
touchstone stone used to test the fitness of gold alloys; criterion noun
touchy sensitive; irascible adjective
toxic poisonous adjective
tract pamphlet; a region of indefinite size noun
tractable docile adjective
traduce expose to slander verb
trajectory path taken by a projectile noun
tranquillity calmness; peace noun
transcend exceed; surpass verb
transcribe copy verb
transgression violation of law; sin noun
transient fleeting; quickly passing away; staying for a short time adjective
transition going from one state of action to another noun
transitory impermanent; fleeting adjective
translucent partly transparent adjective
transmute change; convert to something different verb
transparent permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected adjective
transpire exhale; become known; happen verb
trappings outward decorations; ornaments noun
traumatic pertaining to an injury caused by violence adjective
travail painful labor noun
traverse go through or across verb
travesty comical parody; treatment aimed at making something appear noun
ridiculous
treatise article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly noun
trek travel; journey noun
tremor trembling; slight quiver noun
tremulous trembling; wavering adjective
trenchant cutting; keen adjective
trepidation fear; trembling agitation noun
tribulation distress; suffering noun
tribunal court of justice noun
tribute tax levied by a ruler; mark of respect noun
trident three-pronged spear noun
trilogy group of three works noun
trite hackneyed; commonplace adjective
trivia trifles; unimportant matters noun
troth pledge of good faith especially in betrothal noun
truckle curry favor; act in an obsequious way verb
truculent aggressive; savage adjective
truism self-evident truth noun
trumpery objects that are showy, valueless, deceptive noun
truncate cut the top off verb
tryst meeting noun
tumult commotion; riot; noise noun
tundra rolling, treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America noun
turbid muddy; having the sediment disturbed adjective
turbulence state of violent agitation noun
tureen deep table dish for holding soup noun
turgid swollen; distended adjective
turmoil confusion; strife noun
turpitude depravity noun
tutelage guardianship; training noun
tutelary protective; pertaining to a guardianship adjective
tycoon wealthy leader noun
tyranny oppression; cruel government noun
tyro beginner; novice noun
ubiquitous being everywhere; omnipresent adjective
ulterior situated beyond; unstated adjective
ultimate final; not susceptible to further analysis adjective
ultimatum last demand; warning noun
umbrage resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult noun
unanimity complete agreement noun
unassuaged unsatisfied; not soothed adjective
unassuming modest adjective
unbridled violent adjective
uncanny strange; mysterious adjective
unconscionable unscrupulous; excessive adjective
uncouth outlandish; clumsy; boorish adjective
unctuous oily; bland; insincerely suave adjective
undermine weaken; sap verb
undulate move with a wavelike motion verb
unearth dig up verb
unearthly not earthy; weird adjective
unequivocal plain; obvious; unmistakable adjective
unerringly infallibly adjective
unfaltering steadfast adjective
unfeigned genuine; real adjective
unfledged immature adjective
unfrock strip a priest or minister of church authority verb
ungainly awkward adjective
unguent ointment noun
uniformity sameness; monotony noun
unilateral one-sided adjective
unimpeachable blameless and exemplary adjective
uninhibited unrepressed adjective
unique without an equal; single in kind adjective
unison unity of pitch; complete accord noun
unkempt disheveled; with uncared-for appearance adjective
unmitigated harsh; severe; not lightened adjective
universal characterizing or affecting all; present everywhere adjective
unobtrusive inconspicuous; not blatant adjective
unprecedented novel; unparalleled adjective
unruly disobedient; lawless adjective
unsavory distasteful; morally offensive adjective
unscathed unharmed adjective
unseemly unbecoming; indecent adjective
unsullied untarnished adjective
untenable insupportable adjective
untoward unfortunate; annoying adjective
unwarranted unjustified; groundless; undeserved adjective
unwitting unintentional; not knowing adjective
unwonted unaccustomed adjective
upbraid scold; reproach verb
upshot outcome noun
urbane suave; refined; elegant adjective
urchin mischievous child (usually a boy) noun
ursine bearlike; pertaining to a bear adjective
usurpation act of seizing power and rank of another noun
usury lending money at illegal rates of interest noun
utopia imaginary land with perfect social and political system noun
vacillation fluctuation; wavering noun
vacuous empty; inane adjective
vagabond wanderer; tramp noun
vagrant a homeless wanderer noun
vainglorious boastful; excessively conceited adjective
valedictory pertaining to farewell adjective
valid logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable adjective
validate confirm; ratify verb
valor bravery noun
vampire ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living noun
vanguard forerunners; advance forces noun
vantage position giving an advantage noun
vapid insipid; insane adjective
vassal in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord noun
vaunted boasted; bragged; highly publicized adjective
veer change in direction verb
vegetate live in a monotonous way verb
vehement impetuous; with marked vigor adjective
vellum parchment noun
velocity speed noun
venal capable of being bribed adjective
vendetta blood feud noun
vendor seller noun
veneer thin layer; cover noun
venerable deserving high respect adjective
venerate revere verb
venial forgivable; trivial adjective
venison the meat of a deer noun
vent small opening; outlet noun
vent express; utter verb
ventral abdominal adjective
ventriloquist someone who can make his or her voice seem to come fromnoun
another person or thing
venturesome bold adjective
venturous daring adjective
venue location noun
veracious truthful adjective
verbalize to put into words verb
verbatim word for word adverb
verbiage pompous array of words noun
verbose wordy adjective
verdant green; fresh adjective
verge border; edge noun
verisimilitude appearance of truth; likelihood noun
verity truth; reality noun
vernacular living language; natural style noun
vernal pertaining to spring adjective
versatile having many talents; capable of working in many fields adjective
vertex summit noun
vertigo dizziness noun
verve enthusiasm; liveliness noun
vestige trace; remains noun
vex annoy; distress noun
viable capable of maintaining life adjective
viand food noun
vicarious acting as a substitute; done by a deputy adjective
vicissitude change of fortune noun
victuals food noun
vie contend; compete verb
vigilance watchfulness noun
vignette picture; short literary sketch noun
vigor active strength noun
vilify slander verb
vindicate clear of charges verb
vindictive revengeful adjective
viper poisonous snake noun
virile manly adjective
virtual in essence; for particular purposes adjective
virtue goodness; moral excellence; good quality noun
virtuoso highly skilled artist noun
virulent extremely poisonous adjective
virus disease communicator noun
visage face; appearance noun
visceral felt in one's inner organs adjective
viscous sticky; gluey adjective
visionary produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical adjective
vital vibrant and lively; critical; living, breathing adjective
vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative verb
vitreous pertaining to or resembling glass adjective
vitriolic corrosive; sarcastic adjective
vituperative abusive; scolding adjective
vivacious animated; gay adjective
vivisection act of dissecting living animals noun
vixen female fox; ill-tempered woman noun
vociferous clamorous; noisy adjective
vogue popular fashion noun
volatile evaporating rapidly; lighthearted; mercurial adjective
volition act of making a conscious choice noun
voluble fluent; glib adjective
voluminous bulky; large adjective
voluptuous gratifying the senses adjective
voracious ravenous adjective
vouchsafe grant condescendingly; guarantee verb
vulnerable susceptible to wounds adjective
vulpine like a fox; crafty adjective
vying contending verb
waft moved gently by wind or waves verb
waggish mischievous; humorous; tricky adjective
waif homeless child or animal noun
waive give up temporarily; yield verb
wallow roll in; indulge in; become helpless verb
wan having a pale or sickly color; pallid adjective
wane grow gradually smaller verb
wangle wiggle out; fake verb
wanton unruly; unchaste; excessive adjective
warble sing; babble verb
warrant justify; authorize verb
warranty guarantee; assurance by seller noun
warren tunnels in which rabbits live; crowded conditions in which people
nounlive
wary very cautious adjective
wastrel profligate noun
wax increase; grow verb
waylay ambush; lie in want verb
wean accustom a baby not to nurse; give up a cherished activity verb
weather endure the effect of weather or other forces verb
welt mark from a beating or whipping noun
wheedle cajole; coax; deceive by flattery verb
whelp young wolf, dog, tiger, etc. noun
whet sharpen; stimulate verb
whimsical capricious; fanciful; quaint adjective
whinny neigh like a horse verb
whit smallest speck noun
whorl ring of leaves around stem; ring noun
willful intentional; headstrong adjective
wily cunning; artful adjective
wince shrink back; flinch verb
windfall unexpected lucky event noun
winnow sift; separate good parts from bad verb
winsome agreeable; gracious; engaging adjective
wispy thin; slight; barely discernible adjective
wistful vaguely longing; sadly thoughtful adjective
wither shrivel; decay verb
witless foolish; idiotic adjective
witticism witty saying; facetious remark noun
wizardry sorcery; magic noun
wizened withered; shriveled adjective
wont custom, habitual procedure noun
worldly engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual adjective
wraith ghost; phantom of a living person noun
wrangle quarrel; obtain through arguing verb
wrath anger; fury noun
wreak inflict verb
wrench pull; strain; twist verb
wrest pull away; take by violence verb
writhe squirm; twist verb
wry twisted; with a humorous twist adjective
xenophobia fear or hatred of foreigners noun
yen longing; urge noun
yeoman man owning small estate; middle-class farmer noun
yield give in; surrender verb
yield amount produced; crop; income on investment noun
yoke join together; unite verb
yokel country bumpkin noun
yore time-past noun
zany crazy; comic adjective
zealot fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal noun
zenith point directly overhead in the sky; summit noun
zephyr gentle breeze; west wind noun
high-frequency

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 WORD DEFINITION
abacus frame with balls for calculating
abate to lessen to subside
abdication giving up control authority
aberration straying away from what is normal
abet help/encourage smb (in doing wrong)
abeyance suspended action
abhor to hate to detest
abide be faithful to endure
abjure promise or swear to give up
abraded rubbed off worn away by friction
abrogate repeal or annul by authority
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse difficult to comprehend obscure
abut border on
abysmal bottomless extreme
acarpous effete no longer fertile worn out
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade praise approval
accretion the growing of separate things into one
adamant kind of stone inflexible
admonitory containing warning
adorn add beauty decorate
adulteration making unpure poorer in quality
affable polite and friendly
affinity close connection relationship
aggravate make worse irritate
agile active quick-moving
agog eager/excited
ail trouble be ill
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness
alcove recess/partially enclosed place
allegiance duty support loyalty
alleviate make (pain) easier to bear
alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof reserved indifferent
amalgamate mix combine unite societies
ambidextrous able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous doubtful uncertain
ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate improve make better
amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money
anguish severe suffering
animosity strong dislike
antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical direct opposing
apartheid brutal racial discrimination
aplomb self-confidence
apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis deification glorification to godliness
appease make quiet or calm
apprehensive grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about future
apprise give notice to inform
approbation approval
apropos appropriate to the situation apt
apt well-suited quick-witted
arabesque a complex ornate design
arboreal of connected with trees
ardor enthusiasm
arduous steep difficult ascent laborious
argot jargon slang
arrant in the highest degree
arrogance proud superior manner of behaviour
articulate speak distinctly connect by joints
ascend go or come up
ascertain get to know
ascetic practicing self-denial austere stark
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to
aseptic surgically clean
asperity roughness harshness ill temper irritability
aspersion slander
assail with attack violently
assiduous diligent hard-working sedulous
assuage make smth (pain desire) less
asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)
astringent substance that shrinks
astute clever quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement repayment death of Jesus
attenuate make thin. weaken enervate
attune bring into harmony
audacious daring foolishly bold impudent
augury omen sign
august majestic venerable
auspicious favorable successful prosperous
austere severely moral and strict simple and plain
auxiliary helping supporting
aver affirm assert prove justify
aversion strong dislike
avid eager greedy
avow admit. Declare openly
baleful harmful ominous causing evil
balk obstacle purposely to get on the way of
baneful causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river
barren not good enough unable to have young ones without value
bask in enjoy warmth and light
beatify to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner
belabor beat hard
bellicose belligerent pugnacious warlike
belligerent (person nation) waging war
benefactor person who has given help
benevolence wish or activity in doing good
benign kind and gentle mild (climate)
bequest arrangement to give smth at death
berate scold sharply
bereft rob or dispossess of smth (material)
bewilder puzzle confuse
bigot stubborn narrow-minded person
bilge bulge the protuberance of a cask
blandishment flattery coaxing
blandness polite manner comforting uninteresting
blatant noisy and rough
blithe cheerful casual carefree
bogus sham counterfeit not genuine
boisterous loud noisy rough lacking restraint
bolster give greatly needed support
boorish crude offensive rude
brash hasty rush cheeky saucy
brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen made of brass
breach opening broken place breaking
brittle easily broken
broach bring up announce begin to talk about
brook to tolerate endure
buoyant able to float light-hearted
burgeon grow forth send out buds
burnish to polish rub to a shine
cabal a scheme or plot a group of plotters
cadge to beg to get by begging
cajole use flattery or deceit to persuade
calipers metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument
calumny slander aspersion
candid frank straight-forward
cant insincere talk/jargon
cantankerous bad-tempered/quarrelsome
canvass discuss thoroughly sort of touting
castigate to chastise correct by punishing
castigation severe punishment
catalyst substance that causes speeding up
caustic biting sarcastic
censure expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke
centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary cautious wary
chastened corrected punished
chastisement punishment
chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot
chicanery legal trickery/false argument
chisel steel tool for shaping materials
churl bad-tempered person
clamor shout complain with a lot of noise
clientele customers
clinch come to grips/settle conclusively
cling to resist separation
clot half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coagulation change to a thick and solid state
coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance
coax get smb to do smth by kindness
coda passage that completes a piece of music
coddle treat with care and tenderness
coerce compel to force to make obedient
coeval of the same period coexisting
cogent strong convincing
cogitate think deeply mediate
cognizant being fully aware of
colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water
collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion process of burning
commemorate keep the memory of
commodious having plenty of space for what is needed
commuter person who travels regularly
complaisance tending to comply obliging willingness to please
compunction feeling of regret for one's action
conceal hide keep secret
conceit over-high opinion of too much pride
conciliatory reconciling soothing comforting mollifying
concord agreement or harmony
concur agree in opinion happen together
condense increase in density strength make laconic
condone forgive
congeal make or become stiff and solid
conjoin to join together
connoisseur a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art)
connotation suggestion in addition to
consequential pompous self important
console give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous easily seen remarkable
consternation surprise and fear dismay
constrain compel
constrict make tight or smaller
consume get to the end of
consummate perfect/make perfect/complete
contemn to scorn or despise
contentious argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome
contiguous touching neighboring near
contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious insubordinate rebellious
conundrum a riddle dilemma enigma
conviction convincing firm belief
convoke call together summon
convoluted complicated coiled twisted
cordial warm and sincere
cordon line (of police acting as a guard)
cornucopia abundant supply
corporeal physical of or for the body
correlate have a mutual relation
corroboration additional strengthening evidence
countenance to favor or approve of
counterfeit forgery
countervail counterbalance
covert disguised
covetous eagerly desirous
cower crouch shrink back
coy shy/modest (esp of a girl)
crass very great (es. stupidity)
cravat piece of linen worn as a necktie
craven cowardly
crease line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket
credulity too great a readiness to believe things
credulous ready to believe things
crush press lose shape subdue overwhelm
cryptic secret with a hidden meaning
cumbersome burdensome heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon bad-tempered person
curriculum course of study
cursory quick hurried
curtail make shorter then was planned
dainty pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please
daunt intimidate make fearful
dawdler person who is slow waste of time
dearth shortage
debacle a breakup overthrow sudden disaster
decorum propriety properness
decree order given by authority
decry disapprove of
defer postpone give way (to show respect)
deferential showing respect
defiance open disobedience or resistance
delineate to portray depict sketch out
deluge great flood heavy rush of water
demagogue person appealing not to reasons
demur to hesitate raise objections
denigrate blacken belittle sully defame
denouement an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot
deplete use until none remains
deposition dethronement depositing
deprave make morally bad corrupt
deprecate protest against express disapproval of
dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision ridicule mockery deriding
derivative unoriginal obtained from another source
derogatory insulting tending to damage
descry catch sight of see smth in the distance
desiccant substance used to absorb moisture
desuetude cessation of use disuse
desultory aimless haphazard digressing at random
deter discourage hinder
detraction slandering verbal attack aspersion
detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance being different in moral standards (from normal)
dexterity skill (esp. in handling)
diaphanous transparent gauzy
diatribe bitter and violent attack in words
diffidence shyness
dilate speak comprehensively become wider large
disallow refuse to allow or accept as a correct
discern see with an effort but clearly
discomfit confuse embarrass
disconcert upset the self-possession of
discountenance refuse to approve of
discourse speech lecture
discredit refuse to believe
discreet careful/prudent
discrete individually distinct
disdain look on with contempt
disencumber free from encumbrance
disheveled untidy
disingenuous sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning
disinter dig up from the earth
dislodge move force from the place occupied
dismal sad gloomy miserable
disparate essentially different
disproof proof to the contrary
dissemble speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)
disseminate distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent have a different opinion refuse to assent
dissolution disintegration looseness in morals
distraught distracted violently upset in mind
divergence getting farther apart from a point
divestiture taking off getting rid of giving up
divulge make known smth secret
doggerel trivial poorly constructed verse
dogmatic positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion
dolt stupid fellow
dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote show much fondness center one's attention
drawl slow way of speaking
droll jesting
drone male bee person who isn't self-employed
drowsiness feeling sleepy half asleep
dubious feeling doubt
dud no use person smth that fails
dulcet melodious harmonious
dupe cheat make a fool of
duplicity deliberate deception
duress threats to compel smb
dwarf person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo a generator something that produces electric current
earthenware dishes made of baked clay
ebullience exuberance outburst of feeling
ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement
ecumenical representing the whole Christian world
edacious voracious devouring
eddy circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)
edible fit to be eaten/not poisonous
effete infertile worn out weak
efficacy production of a desired result
effluvia outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor
effrontery boldness impudence arrogance
egress way out exit
elaborate worked out with much care in great detail
elegy a lament a melancholy composition
elicit draw out
eloquence fluent speaking skillful use of language
emaciate make thin and weak
embellish make beautiful
embezzle use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emote stir up excite
empirical relying on experiment
encapsulate enclose in capsule
encomium warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric
encumbrance burden things that get on the way of
endearing making dear or liked
endemic epidemic
endorse write one's name on the back of
enduring lasting
enervate weaken deprive of strength attenuate
engender cause produce give rise to
engrave impress deeply
engrossing taken up all the time or attention writing in large or formal
engulf swallow up
enigma smth that is puzzling
enmity hatred being an enemy
ensign flag/badge
entangle put into difficulties
enthral please greatly/enslave (fig)
entice tempt or persuade
entreat ask earnestly
enunciate pronounce (words)/express a theory
enzyme catalyst
epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle letter
epithet adjective
epitome brief summary representative example a typical model
equable steady regular
equanimity calmness of temperament
equilibrium state of being balanced
equipoise equal distribution of weight equilibrium
equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious
equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate get rid of pull up by the roots
erratic irregular in behaviour or opinion
erudite learned scholarly
eschew avoid
esoteric abstruse intended only for a small circle of
espouse marry give one's support to
eulogy formal praise panegyric
euphoria elation state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia easy and painless death
evasive tending to evade
evince to show clearly to indicate
evoke call up bring out
excoriation severe criticism
exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt
exhaustive complete thorough
exigency emergency an urgent situation
exoneration set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame)
exorbitant much too high or great
expatiate to roam wander freely
expedient likely to be useful for a purpose
expiation ending expiring
exploit brilliant achievement develop use selfishly
expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest
expurgate to remove obscenity purify censor
exscind to cut out cut away
extant still in existence
extempore without previous thought or preparation
extenuate reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse
extinct no longer active
extinguish end the existence of/wipe or put out
extirpate to destroy exterminate cut out exscind
extol praise highly
extort obtain by threats violence
extralegal outside the law
extricable that can be freed
extrovert cheerful person
exuberance state of growing vigorously being full of life
facetious humorous funny jocular
facile easily done
fallacious based on error
falter waver/move in an uncertain manner
fatuous without sense foolish self-satisfaction
fawn young deer try to win smb's favor
feckless lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless
fecund fertile
feint pretend
felicitous apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos
felon person guilty of murder
ferment substance become excited
ferocity savage cruelty
ferret discover by searching search
fervid showing earnest feeling
fervor warmth of feelings earnestness
fetid stinking
fetter to shackle put in chains
feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity loyalty accuracy
fidget move restlessly make nervous
figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical too fussy about food clothing etc.
finicky finical
fission splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate stare at
flak criticism/anti-aircraft guns
flamboyant brightly colored florid
flaunting show off complacently
flax pale yellow (hair) a plant
fledged able to fly trained experienced
fleet number of ships quick-moving
flinch draw move back wince
flop fail/move/fall clumsily
florid very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face)
flout reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition)
fluke lucky stroke
fluster make nervous or confused
foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil prevent from carrying out contrast
foment put smth warm (to lessen the pain)
foolproof incapable of failure or error
foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forage food for horses and cattle
forbear refrain from be patient ancestor
forbearance patience willingness to wait
ford shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall prevent by taking action in advance preempt
forfeit suffer the loss of smth
forge workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead
forgery counterfeit
forswear renounce disallow repudiate
foster nurture care for
fracas noisy quarrel
fragile easily injured broken or destroyed
fragrant sweet-smelling
frantic wildly excited with joy pain anxiety
frenetic frantic frenzied
fret worry irritation wear away
fringe edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead
froward intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn
frugal careful economical
fulmination bitter protest
fulsome disgusting offensive due to excessiveness
gainsay to deny to oppose
garble make unfair selection from facts
garment article of clothing
garner to gather and save to store up
garrulity talkativeness
garrulous too talkative
gaucherie socially awkward tactless behavior
germane relevant pertinent to
gist the point general sense
glean gather facts in small quantities
glib ready and smooth but not sincere
glimmer weak/unsteady light
gloat over look at with selfish delight
glut supply to much fill to excess
gnaw waste away bite steadily
goad smth urging a person to action
gorge eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream
gossamer soft light delicate material
gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood
grandiloquent using pompous words
grave serious requiring consideration
graze touch or scrape lightly in passing
gregarious living in societies liking the company
grievous causing grief or pain serious dire grave
grovel crawl humble oneself
guile deceit cunning
gullible easily gulled
gush burst out suddenly/talk ardently
gust outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc.
hack cut roughly hired horse
halcyon calm and peaceful
hallow to make holy consecrate
harangue a long passionate speech
harbinger smth or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow to distress create stress or torment
haughty arrogant conceited
heed attention/give notice to
heinous odious (of crime)
heresy belief contrary to what is generally accepted
hermetic sealed by fusion
heterogeneous made up of different kinds
hew make by hard work cut (by striking)
highbrow (person) with superior tastes
hirsute hairy shaggy
hoax mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi polloi the masses the rabble
hollow not soled with hole
holster leather case for a pistol
homiletics act of preaching
hone stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink trick mislead
hospitable liking to give hospitality
hubris arrogant pride
hush make or become silent
husk worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good
iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs
idiosyncrasy personal mannerism
idolatry excessive admiration of
idyll a carefree episode or experience
ignoble dishonorable common undignified
ignominious shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful
illicit unlawful forbidden
imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate pure faultless
imminent likely to come or happen soon
immutable that cannot be changed
impair worsen diminish in value
impassive unmoved feeling no sign of passion
impecunious having little or no money
impede hinder get in the way of
impediment smth that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending imminent being about to happen expected
imperative urgent essential
imperious commanding haughty arrogant
impermeable that cannot be permeated
imperturbable calm not capable of being excited
impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness haughty arrogant commanding
impetuous having sudden energy impulsive thrusting ahead forceful
impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable incapable of being placated unpleasable
implicate show that smb has a share
implicit implied though not plainly expressed
implosion collapse bursting inward
importune beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation an invocation of evil a curse
impromptu without preparation
impudent rash indiscreet
impugned challenged to be doubted
impute to attribute to a cause or source ascribe
inadvertent not paying proper attention
inane silly senseless
inasmuch since because
incense make angry
incessant often repeated continual
inchoate not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary
incipient beginning
incise engrave make a cut in
incite stir up rouse
inclined directing the mind in a certain direction
incongruous out of place not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous skeptical unwilling to believe
inculcate fix firmly by repetition
incumbents official duties
incursion a raid a sudden attack
indefatigability not easily exhaustible tirelessness
indelible that cannot be rubbed out
indigence poverty
indigenous native
indistinct not easily heard seen clearly marked
indolence laziness
indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself
indulgent inclined to indulge
ineffable to great to be described in words
ineluctable certain inevitable
inept unskillful said or done at the wrong time
ineptitude quality of being unskillful
inferno hell
infuriate fill with fury or rage
infuse put pour fill
ingenuous naive young artless frank honest sincere
ingest take in by swallowing
inimical harmful or friendly
inimitable defying imitation unmatchable
innocuous causing no harm
inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible unconscious unresponsive unaffected
insinuate suggest unpleasantly make a way for smth gently
insipid without taste or flavor
insouciant unconcerned carefree
insularity narrow-mindedness isolated
insurrection rising of people to open resistance to
interdict prohibit forbid
interim as an installment
intersperse place here and there
intransigence unwillingness to compromise stubbornness intractability
intransigent uncompromising
intrepid fearless brave undaunted
introspection examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate flood cover by overflowing
inured accustomed to adapted
invective abusive language curses
inveigh to attack verbally denounce deprecate
inveterate deep-rooted. long-established
invincible too strong to be defeated
involute complex
irascible irritable easily angered
irate angry
ire anger
irksome tiresome
irresolute hesitating undecided
irrevocable final and unalterable
itinerate to travel from place to place to peregrinate
jabber talk excitedly utter rapidly
jibe gibe make fun of
jocular meant as a joke
judicious sound in judgment wise
knit draw together unite firmly
labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose causing tears tearful
lackluster (of eyes) dull
lament show feel great sorrow
lassitude weariness tiredness
latent present but not yet active developed or visible
laudatory expressing or giving praise
lavish giving or producing freely liberally or generously
legacy smth handed down from ancestors
levee formal reception/embankment
levity lack of seriousness
libel statement that damages reputation
liberality free giving generosity
libertine immoral person
lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn paint portray
limp lacking strength walking unevenly
lionize treat as a famous person
lithe bending twisting
loll rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog's tongue)
lope move along with long strides
loquacious talkative garrulous
lucubrate write in scholarly fashion
luculent easily understood lucid clear
lugubrious mournful excessively sad
lull become quiet or less active
lumber move in a clumsy/noisy way
luminary star light-giving body
lurk be out of view ready to attack
lustrous being bright polished
macabre gruesome suggesting death
macerate make or become soft by soaking in water
machination plot scheme (esp. evil)
maladroit tactless clumsy
malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence wishing to do evil
malign injurious speak ill of smb tell lie
malinger to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty
malleable yielding easily shaped moldable adapting
manacle chains for the hands or feet
massacre cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation be admitted enter a university as a student
maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maul hurt by rough handling
maverick rebel nonconformist
mellifluous sweetly flowing
mendacity dishonesty
mendicant a beggar
mercurial quick changeable in character fleeting
meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize hypnotize
meticulous giving great attention to details
mettle quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome courageous high-spirited
middling fairly good but not very good
minatory menacing threatening
mince pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize
misanthrope person who hates mankind
mischievous harmful causing mischief
miser person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist one who hates women/females
moderation quality of being limited not extreme
mollify make calmer or quieter
molt moult lose hair feathers before new growing
morbid diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)
morose ill-tempered unsocial
muffler cloth worn round the neck/silencer
multifarious varied motley greatly diversified
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday
myriad very great number
nadir lowest weakest point
nascent coming into existence emerging
nebulous cloud-like hazy vague indistinct
negligent taking too little care
neophyte person who has been converted to a belief
nexus a connection tie or link
nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer)
noisome offensive disgusting (smell)
nonchalant not having interest
nonplused greatly surprised
nostrum a quack remedy an untested cure
noxious harmful
nugatory trifling/worthless
obdurate hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible
obfuscate to darken make obscure muddle
oblivious unaware having no memory
obloquy abusively detractive language sharp criticism vituperation
obsequious too eager to obey or serve
obstreperous noisy loud
obtain to be established accepted or customary
obtrusive projecting prominent undesirably noticeable
obtuse blunt/stupid
obviate to make unnecessary get rid of
occluded blocked up
odious repulsive hateful
odium contempt dislike aversion
odor smell favor reputation
officious too eager or ready to help offer advice
ominous threatening
onerous needing effort burdensome
opaqueness dullness/not allowing light to pass through
opprobrious showing scorn or reproach
ossify to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible seeming appearing as such professed
ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy
ostracism shut out from society refuse to meet talk
overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate being a jerk
paean song of praise or triumph
palate roof of the mouth sense of taste
palatial magnificent
palliate lessen the severity of
palpability can be felt touched understood
palpitate tremble beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric formal praise eulogy
paradigm a model example or pattern
parenthesis sentence within another one smth separated
pariah an outcast a rejected and despised person
parsimonious too economical miserly
partisan one-sided committed to a party biased or prejudiced
patron regular customer person who gives support
paucity scarcity a lacking of
peccadillo small sin small weakness in one's character
pedantic bookish showing off learning
pedestrian commonplace trite unremarkable
pellucid transparent easy to understand
penchant strong inclination a liking
penitent feeling or showing regret
penurious poor/stingy
penury extreme poverty
peregrination traveling about wandering
peremptory urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate
perfidious treacherous faithless
perfidy treachery breaking of faith
perfunctory done as a duty without care
perilous dangerous
peripatetic wandering
perish be destroyed decay
perjury willful FALSE statement unlawful act
permeate spread into every part of
pernicious harmful injurious
perpetrate be guilty commit (a crime)
personable pleasing in appearance attractive
perspicacity quick judging and understanding
pertain belong as a part have reference
pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified taken away power (to think feel act)
petrify to make hard rocklike
petrous like a rock hard stony
petulant unreasonably impatient
philistine a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic calm sluggish temperament unemotional
picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied of mixed colors
pinch be too tight take between the thumb and finger
pine waste away through sorrow or illness
pious dutiful to parents devoted to religion
piquant agreeably pungent stimulating
pique hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity)
pitfall covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger
pith essential part force soft liquid substance
pivotal of great importance (others depend on it)
placate soothe pacify calm
plaintive mournful melancholy sorrowful
plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude a trite or banal statement unoriginality
plea request
plead address a court of law as an advocate
plethora glut
pliant pliable easily bent shaped or twisted
plod continue doing smth without resting
pluck pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers)
plumb get to the root of
plummet fall plunge steeply
plunge move quickly suddenly and with force
poignant deeply moving keen
poncho large piece of cloth
ponderous heavy bulky dull
portent omen marvelous threatening
precarious uncertain risky dangerous
precepts rules establishing standards of conduct
preclude prevent make impossible
precursory preliminary anticipating
predilection special liking mental preference
predominate have more power than others
preen tidy/show self-satisfaction
premature doing or happening smth before the right time
preponderance greatness in number strength weight
presage warning sign
presumption arrogance
preternatural not normal or usual
prevalent common
prevaricate to equivocate to stray from the truth
prim neat formal
pristine primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated
probity uprightness incorruptibility principle
proclivity inclination
procrastination keeping on putting off
prodigal wasteful reckless with money
prodigious enormous wonderful
profane worldly having contempt for God
profligacy shameless immorality
profligate wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant
profundity depth
profuse abundant/lavish
proliferate grow reproduce by rapid multification
prolix tiring because too long
prone prostrate inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation increasing the number spreading extending
propinquity nearness in time or place affinity of nature
propitiatory conciliatory appeasing mitigating
propitious auspicious presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian
proscribe denounce as dangerous
protracted prolonged
provident frugal looking to the future
provisional of the present time only
provoke make angry vax
prudence careful forethought
prudish easily shocked excessively modest
prune dried plum silly person
pry get smth inquire too curiously
pucker wrinkle
pugnacious fond of in the habit of fighting
puissance strength
punctilious precise paying attention to trivialities
pundit pedant authority on a subject
pungency sharpness stinging quality
purvey provide supply
pusillanimous cowardly craven
putrefaction becoming rotten
pyre large pile of wood for burning
quack person dishonestly claiming to smth
quaff drink deeply
quail lose courage turn frightened
qualm feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness
quandary state of doubt or perplexity
quell suppress subdue
quibble try to avoid by sophistication
quiescence state of being passive/motionless
quiescent at rest dormant torpid
quirk habit or action peculiar to smb or smth
quixotic generous unselfish
quotidian banal everyday
rabble mob crowd the lower classes of populace
raconteur person who tells anecdotes
raffish low vulgar base tawdry
ramify to be divided or subdivided to branch out
rancorous feeling bitterness spitefulness
rant use extravagant language
rapacious greedy (esp for money)
rarefy to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine
rave act with excessive enthusiasm
reactionary opposing progress
rebuff snub
recalcitrant disobedient
recant take back as being FALSE give up
recast cast or fashion anew
recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similar
recitals a number of performance of music
recluse person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense make payment to reward punish
reconcile settle a quarrel restore peace
recondite little known abstruse
recreancy cowardice a cowardly giving up
recuperate become strong after illness loss exhaustion
redeem get back by payment compensate
redoubtable formidable causing fear
refine make or become pure cultural
refractory stubborn unmanageable untractable
refulgent shining brilliant
regale to delight or entertain to feast
regicide crime of killing a king
reiterate say or do again several times
rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearance
relapse fall back again
remonstrate to protest object
render deliver provide represent
renovate restore smth to better condition
renowned celebrated famous
repast meal
repel refuse to accept/cause dislike
repine at be discontented with
reproach scold upbraid
reprobate person hardened in sin one devoid of decency
repudiate disown refuse to accept or pay
repulsive causing a feeling of disgust
requite repay give in return
rescind repeal/annul/cancel
resigned unresisting submissive
resilience quality of quickly recovering the original shape
resort to frequently visit
restive refusing to move reluctant to be controlled
resuscitation coming back to consciousness
retard check hinder
reticent reserved untalkative silent taciturn
revere have deep respect for
reverent feeling or showing deep respect
riddle puzzling person or thing
rift split crack dissension
rivet fix take up secure metal pin
roll call calling of names
rotund rich and deep plump and round
ruffian violent cruel man
rumple make rough
sagacious having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage
salacious obscene
salubrious healthful
salutary remedial wholesome causing improvement
sanctimony self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety
sanction approval (by authority) penalty
sanguine cheerful confident optimistic
sanity health of mind soundness of judgement
sash long strip worn round the waist
satiate satisfy fully
saturnine gloomy dark sullen morose
savant person of great learning
savor taste flavor smth
sawdust tiny bits of wood
scabbard sheath for the blade
scent smell (esp pleasant)
scorch become discolored/dry up/go at high speed
scribble write hastily
scurvy mean contemptible
secular material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries
sedulous persevering
seminal like a seed constituting a source originative
sententious short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs
sequence succession connected line of
sere make hard and without feeling
sermon reproving a person for his faults
serrated having a toothed edge
serration having a toothed edge
servile like a slave lacking independence
sever break off
severance severing
shallow little depth not earnest
shard piece of broken earthenware
sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shrewd astute showing sound judgement
shrill sharp piercing
shun keep away from avoid
shunt send from one track to another lay aside evade discussion
sidestep step to one side
simper (give a) silly/self-conscious smile
sinuous winding undulating serpentine
skiff small boat
skit short piece of humorous writing
slack sluggish dull not tight
slake to assuage to satisfy allay
slate king of blue-grey stone propose criticize
sluggard lazy slow-moving person
slur join sounds/words (indistinct)
smolder burn slowly without flame
snare trap
snub treat with contempt
soar rise fly high
sober self-controlled
sobriety quality or condition of being sober
sodden soaked saturated
soggy heavy with water
solvent of the power of forming a solution
somatic of the body
soot black powder in smoke
sophisticated complex subtle refined
sophistry fallacious reasoning faulty logic
sophomoric self-assured though immature affected bombastic overblown
soporific producing sleep
sordid wretched comfortless contemptible
spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious illogical of questionable truth or merit
splenetic bad-tempered irritable
splice join (two ends)
sponge porous rubber for washing live at once expense
spurious FALSE counterfeit
spurn have nothing to do reject or refuse
squalid foul filthy
squander spend wastefully
squat crouch/settle without permission
stanch to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply rising or falling sharply
stentorian extremely loud and powerful
stickler person who insists on importance of smth
stigma mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize describe smb scornfully
sting smth sharp
stingy spending using unwillingly
stint to be thrifty to set limits
stipple paint with dots
stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition
stolid showing no emotion impassive
stray wander lose one's way
streak long thin move very fast
striated striped grooved or banded
stride walk with long steps
strut a supporting bar
stygian hence dark gloomy
stymie to hinder obstruct or block
subdue overcome bring under control
sublime extreme astounding
submerge put under water liquid sink out of sight
suborn induce by bribery or smth to commit perjury
subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a low court
substantiation giving facts to support (statement)
subsume include under a rule
succor assistance relief in time of distress
suffice be enough
suffocate cause or have difficulty in breathing
sullied to be stained or discredited
summarily briefly without delay
sumptuous magnificent
sundry various miscellaneous separate
supercilious disdainful characterized by haughty scorn
superfluous more then is needed or wanted
superimpose put smth on the top
supersede take the place of
supine lying on the back slow to act passive
suppliant asking humbly beseeching
supplicate make a humble petition to
suppress prevent from being known put an end to
surcharge additional load/charge
surfeit satiate feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility sensitiveness
swerve change direction suddenly
sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful
synopsis summary or outline
taciturn untalkative silent
tadpole form of a frog when it leaves the egg
talon claw of a bird of prey
tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper interfere with
tangential suddenly changeable
tarnished lost brightness
tassel bunch of threads
taunt contemptuous reproach hurtful remark
taut tightly stretched
tautology a repetition a redundancy
tawdry cheap gaudy showy tacky
teetotal oppose to alcohol
temerity boldness brashness intrepidness
temperance abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation
temperate showing self-control
tenacity firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on
tenuous insubstantial flimsy weak
tepid lukewarm
terse brief and to the point
testiness witness/evidence
thrift care economy thriving prosperous
thwart obstruct/frustrate
timid shy easily frightened
timorous fearful timid afraid
toady obsequious flatterer
tonic smth giving strength or energy
topple be unsteady and overturn
torment severe pain or suffering
torpid sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant
torque twisting force causing rotation
tortuous devious/not straightforward
tout person who worries others to buy smth to use his service
tractable easily controlled or guided
transgress break go beyond (a limit)
transient temporary fleeting
transitory brief
travesty parody/imitation
trenchant forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive incisive
trepidation alarm excited state of mind
trickle flow in drops
trifling unimportant
trite not new
truce (agreement) stop of fighting for a time
truculence aggressiveness ferocity
trudge walk heavily
turbid muddy having the sediment stirred up
turbulence being uncontrolled violent
turgid excessively ornate swollen or bloated
turmoil trouble disturbance
turpitude wickedness shamefulness
turquoise greenish-blue precious stone
tyro tiro beginner
ubiquitous present everywhere
ulterior situated beyond
umbrage offense resentment
uncouth rough awkward
underbid make a lower bid then smb else
undermine weaken gradually at the base make smth under
undulate to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate
unearth discover and bring to light
unencumbered easy-going trifle
unfeigned not pretended sincere
unscathed unharmed unhurt
untoward unfortunate inconvenient
upbraid scold reproach
urbane elegant refined in manners
vacillation being uncertain hesitating
vagary strange act or idea
vain without use result conceited
valiant brave
valorous brave
vanquish conquer
veer change direction
venal ready to do smth dishonest
veneer surface appearance covering the TRUE nature
veneration regard with deep respect
veracity truth
verdant fresh and green
verisimilitude appearing TRUE or real
veritable real rightly named
verve spirit vigor enthusiasm
vestige trace or sign
vex annoy distress trouble
vigilance watchfulness self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant member of a vigilance committee
vigorous strong energetic
vilify slander say evil things
vindictive having a desire to revenge
virago a loud domineering woman a scold or nag
visceral of the internal organs of the body
viscous sticky/semi-fluid
vitiate lower the quality weaken the strength
vituperate curse abuse in words
vivacious lively high-spirited
volatile changeable inconstant fickle unstable explosive
volubility fluency verbosity easy use of spoken language
voluble fluent
waffle talk vaguely and without much result
waft scent waving movement carry lightly through
wag merry person
warmonger person who stirs up war
warrant authority written order guarantee
wean to turn away (from a habit)
weigh measure hoe heavy smth is
welter turmoil a bewildering jumble
wend to go proceed
whimsical full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince show bodily or mental pain
woo try to win
writ written order
yarn tale story fibers for knitting