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abaft
(adv.)onortowardtherearofaship
Thepassengersmovedabaftoftheshipsoastoescapethefireinthefrontofthe
ship.
abandon
(v.;n)toleavebehind;togivesomethingup;freedom;enthusiasm;impetuosity
Afterfailingforseveralyears,heabandonedhisdreamofstartingagrocery
business.
Lucyembarkedonhernewadventurewithabandon.
abase
(v.)todegrade;humiliate;disgrace
Themotherspublicreprimandabasedthegirl. Theinsecurefather,afterfailingto
achievehisownlifelonggoals,abasedhischildrenwhenevertheyfailed.
abbreviate
(v.)to
shorten;
compress;
diminish
HisvacationtoJapanwasabbreviatedwhenheacquiredanillnesstreatableonly
intheUnitedStates.
abdicate
(v.)toreject,renounce,orabandon
Duetohispoorpaymentrecord,itmaybenecessarytoabdicateourrelationship
withthe
client.
aberrant
(adj.)
abnormal;
straying
from
the
normal
or
usual
path
Theaberrantflightpatternoftheairplanealarmedtheairtrafficcontrollers.
Hisaberrantbehaviorledhisfriendstoworrythedivorcehadtakenitstoll.
abeyance(n.)astateoftemporarysuspensionorinactivitySincethepower
failure,thetownhasbeeninabeyance.
abhor
(v.)tohate
Bythewayherjawtensedwhenhewalkedin,itiseasytoseethatsheabhorshim.
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Thedogabhorredcats,chasingandgrowlingatthemwheneverhehadthe
opportunity.
abject
(adj.)oftheworstorlowestdegree
TheHaldemanslivedinabjectpoverty,withbarelyaroofovertheirheads.
abjure
(v.)togiveup
Thelosingteammayabjuretotheteamthatiswinning.
abnegation
(n.)adenial
Thewomansabnegationofherlosswasapparentwhenshebegantolaugh.
abominate
(v.)toloathe;tohate
Randallabominatedallthetrafficheencounteredoneverymorningcommute.
Pleasedonotabominatetheguiltypersonuntilyouhearthecompleteexplanation.
abridge
(v.)toshorten;tolimit
Theeditorabridgedthestorytomakethebookeasiertodigest.
abrogate
(v.)tocancelbyauthority
Thejudgewouldnotabrogatethelaw.
abrupt
(adj.)happeningorendingunexpectedly
Theabruptendtotheirmarriagewasashocktoeveryone.
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abscond
(v.)togoawayhastilyorsecretly;tohide
Thenewly
wed
couple
will
abscond
from
the
reception
to
leave
on
the
honeymoon.
absolve
(v.)toforgive;toacquit
Thejudgewillabsolvethepersonofallcharges. Afterfeudingformanyyears,the
brothersabsolvedeachotherforthemanyargumentstheyhad.
abstemious
(adj.)sparinginuseoffoodordrinks
Ifwebecomestrandedinthesnowstorm,wewillhavetobeabstemiouswithour
foodsupply.
Inmanyabstemiousculturesthepeoplearesothinduetothebeliefthattoomuch
takenintothebodyleadstocontaminationofthesoul. abstinence(n.)theactor
processofvoluntarilyrefrainingfromanyactionorpractice;selfcontrol;chastityIn
preparationfortheOlympicgames,theathletespracticedabstinencefromred
meatand
junk
food,
adhering
instead
to
amenu
of
pasta
and
produce.
abstruse
(adj.)hardtounderstand;deep;recondite
Thetopicwassoabstrusethestudentwasforcedtostopreading.
Theconceptwastooabstrusefortheaveragestudenttograsp.
abysmal
(adj.)verydeep
Theabysmalwaterscontainedlittleplantlife.
accede
(v.)tocomplywith;toconsentto
Withdefeat
imminent,
the
rebel
army
acceded
to
hash
out
apeace
treaty.
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acclaim
(n.)loudapproval;applause
EdwardAlbeesbrilliantlywrittenBroadwayrevivalofADelicateBalancereceived
wideacclaim.
accolade
(n.)
approving
or
praising
mention;
asign
of
approval
or
respectRichaccoladeswerebestowedonthereturninghero. Accoladesflowed
intoherdressingroomfollowingtheopeningnighttriumph. accomplice(n.)co
conspirator;partner;partnerincrimeThebankrobbersaccomplicedrovetheget
awaycar. accretion(n.)growthbyaddition;agrowingtogetherbypartsWiththe
accretionofthenewmembers,theclubdoubleditsoriginalsize. Theadditionof
thenewdepartmentsaccountsfortheaccretionofthecompany.
accrue
(v.)anatural
growth;
aperiodic
increase
Overthecourseofhercollegecareer,shemanagedtoaccrueagreatdealof
knowledge.
Thesavingswereabletoaccrueasizableamountofinteresteachyear. During
hismanyyearsofcollectingstamps,hewasabletoaccruealargecollectionof
valuableitems. acerbic(adj.)tastingsour;harshinlanguageortemperToomuch
BayLeafwillmaketheeggplantacerbic. Thebabysmouthpuckeredwhenshe
wasgiventheacerbicmedicine. ThecolumnistsacerbiccommentsabouttheFirst
Ladydrew
astrong
denunciation
from
the
President.
acquiesce
(v.)toagreewithoutprotest
Thegroupacquiescedtothenewregulationseventhoughtheywereopposedto
them.
Afterahardfoughtbattle,theretailersfinallyacquiescedtothedraftregulations.
acrid
(adj.)sharp;bitter;foulsmelling
Althoughthesoupisahealthyfoodchoice,itissoacridnotmanypeoplechoose
toeatit.
Thefireattheplasticsfactorycausedanacridodortobeemittedthroughoutthe
surroundingneighborhood. acrimony(n.)sharpnessorbitternessinlanguageor
manner.The
acrimony
of
her
response
was
shocking.
adage
(n.)
an
old
saying
nowacceptedasbeingtruthfulTheadagedountoothersasyouwishthemtodo
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untoyouisstillwidelypracticed.
adamant
(adj.)notyielding,firm
Aftertakinganadamantstandtosellthehouse,themancalledtherealestate
agency.
Thegirlsparentswereadamantaboutnotallowinghertogoonadangerous
backpackingtrip.
addled
(adj.)rotten
Theeggwillbecomeaddledifitisleftunrefrigerated.
adept
(adj.)skilled;practiced
Theskilledcraftsmanwasquiteadeptatcreatingbeautifulvasesand
candleholders.
adjure
(v.)solemnlyordered
Thejurorswereadjuredbythejudgetomakeafairdecision.
adroit
(adj.)expertorskillful
Therepair
was
not
difficult
for
the
adroit
craftsman.
Thedriversadroitdrivingavoidedaseriousaccident.
adulation
(n.)praiseinexcess
Theadulationwasinresponsetotheheroicfeat.
Theadulation
given
to
the
movie
star
was
sickening.
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adulterate
(v.)tocorrupt,debase,ormakeimpure
Thedumpingofchemicalswilladulteratethepurenessofthelake.
adversary
(n.)anenemy;foe
Thepeacetreatyunitedtwocountriesthatwerehistoricallygreatadversaries.
adverse(adj.)negative;hostile;antagonistic;inimicalContrarytotheskiresorts
expectations,thewarmweathergeneratedadverseconditionsforaprofitable
weekend. advocate(v.;n.)topleadinfavorof;supporter;defenderAmnesty
Internationaladvocatesthecauseforhumanrights. MartinLutherKing,Jr.wasa
greatadvocate
of
civil
rights.
aesthetic
(adj.)
of
beauty;
pertaining
to
taste
in
art
andbeautyShefoundthatheraestheticsenseandthatoftheartistwereatodds.
Hisreviewmadeonewonderwhatkindofaesthetictastethecritichad.
affable
(adj.)friendly;amiable;goodnatured
Heraffablepuppylovedtoplaywithchildren. affiliate(v.)toconnectorassociate
with;toacceptasamemberThehikingclubaffiliatedwiththebirdwatchingclub.
affinity
(n.)aconnection;similarityofstructure
Thereisastrongemotionalaffinitybetweenthetwosiblings.
Itturnsoutthattheelementsbearastrongaffinitytoeachother.
aggrandize
(v.)tomakemorepowerful
Thekingwantedtoaggrandizehimselfandhiskingdom. aghast(adj.)astonished;
amazed;horrified;terrified;appalledStockholderswereaghastatthecompanys
revelation. Thelandlordwasaghastathiswaterbill.
agrarian
(adj.)oftheland
Manyagrarianpeoplearepoor.
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alacrity
(n.)eagerreadinessorspeed
Themanager
was
so
impressed
by
the
workers
alacrity;
he
suggested
a
promotion.
Onthefirstdayofhernewjob,therecentcollegegraduatewasabletoleaveearly
aftercompletingallofhertaskswithalacrity.
alchemist
(n.)apersonwhostudieschemistry
Thealchemists
laboratory
was
full
of
bottles
and
tubes
of
strange
lookingliquids.
alchemy
(n.)anymysteriouschangeofsubstanceornature
Themagicianusedalchemytochangethepowderintoaliquid
allegory
(n.)asymbolicdescription
ThebookcontainedmanyallegoriesonRussianhistory.
alleviate
(v.)tolessenormakeeasier
Theairports
monorail
alleviates
vehicular
traffic.
allocate
(v.)setaside;designate;assign
Therehavebeenfrontrowseatsallocatedtotheperformersfamily.
Thefarmerallocatedthreeacresofhisfieldstocorn.
allude
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(v.)toreferindirectlytosomething
Thestoryalludestopartoftheauthorslife.
Withoutstatingthatthedefendantwasanexconvict,theprosecutoralludedtothe
factby
mentioning
his
length
of
unemployment.
allure
(v.;
n.)
to
attract;
entice;
attraction;temptation;glamourTheromanticyoungmanalluredthebeautiful
womanbypreparingawonderfuldinner.
Singaporesallureisitsbustlingeconomy. allusion(n.)anindirectreference
(oftenliterary);ahintThementionofthepetsnakewasanallusiontothemans
sneakyways. Inmodernplaysallusionsareoftenmadetoancientdrama.
aloof
(adj.)distant
in
interest;
reserved;
cool
Eventhoughthenewcoworkerwasaloof,weattemptedtobefriendly. Thecalm
defendantremainedaloofwhenhewaswronglyaccusedoffabricatinghisstory.
altercation
(n.)controversy;dispute
Aseriousaltercationcausedthemarriagetoendinabitterdivorce. altruism(n.)
unselfishdevotion
to
the
welfare
of
others
After
the
organization
aided
the
catastrophevictims,itwasgivenanawardforaltruism.
Shedisplayedsuchaltruismbygivingupallofherbelongingsandjoiningapeace
corpsinAfrica.
altruistic
(adj.)unselfish
Thealtruistic
volunteer
donated
much
time
and
energy
in
an
effort
to
raise
funds
forthechildrenshospital. amalgam(n.)amixtureorcombination(oftenofmetals)
Theartdisplaywasanamalgamofmodernandtraditionalpieces. Thatringis
madefromanamalgamofminerals;ifitwerepuregolditwouldneverholdits
shape.
amalgamate
(v.)tomix,merge,combine
Ifthe
economy
does
not
grow,
the
business
may
need
to
amalgamate
with
arival
company.
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Thethreepresidentsdecidedtoamalgamatetheirbusinessestobuildonestrong
company.
amass
(v.)tocollecttogether;accumulate
Overtheyearsthesailorhasamassedmanyreplicasofboats.
Thewomenamassedahugecollectionofpricelessdiamondsandpearls.
ambiguous
(adj.)notclear;uncertain;vague
Theambiguouslawdidnotmakeacleardistinctionbetweenthenewandoldland
boundary.
ambivalent
(adj.)undecided
Theambivalentjurycouldnotreachaunanimousverdict.
ameliorate
(v.)toimproveormakebetter
Aconsistentroutineofexercisehasshowntoamelioratehealth.
Wecanamelioratethefloodingproblembychangingthegrading.
amendment
(n.)apositive
change
Theamendmentinhiswaysshowedtherewasstillreasonforhope.
amiable
(adj.)friendly
Thenewcomerpickedthemostamiablepersontositnexttoduringthemeeting.
amiss(adj.;adv.)wrong;awry;wrongly;inadefectivemannerSeeingthathis
anorakwas
gone,
he
knew
something
was
amiss
.Its
new
muffler
aside,
the
car
wasbehavingamiss.
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amity
(n.)friendlyrelations
Theamity
between
the
two
bordering
nations
put
the
populations
at
ease.
amorphous(adj.)withnoshape;unorganized;havingnodeterminateformThe
amorphousgelseepedthroughthecracks. Theamorphousgroupquicklygotlost.
Thescientistcouldnotdeterminethesexoftheamorphousorganism. amortize
(v.)toputmoneyintoafundatfixedintervalsThecouplewasabletoamortize
theirmortgagesoonerthantheythought. anachronism(n.)somethingoutofplace
intime(e.g.,anairplanein1492)Theeditorrecognizedananachronisminthe
manuscriptwherethecharacterfromthe1500sboardedanairplane. Herealized
thatthefilmaboutcavemencontainedananachronismwhenhesawajetcut
acrossthe
horizon
during
ahunting
scene.
analogy
(n.)similarity;correlation;parallelism
Theteacherusedananalogytodescribethesimilaritiesbetweenthetwobooks.
Comparingthenewlydiscoveredviruswithonefoundlongago,thescientistmade
ananalogybetweenthetwoorganisms.
anaphylaxis
(n.)anallergicreaction
Theboyssevereanaphylaxistoaseriesofmedicationsmadewritingprescriptions
atrickyproposition. anarchist(n.)onewhobelievesthataformalgovernmentis
unnecessaryTheyellfromthecrowdcamefromtheanarchistprotestingthe
government.
Theanarchist
attempted
to
overthrow
the
established
democratic
government
of
thenewnationandreinstatechaosanddisarray.
anchorage
(n.)somethingthatcanbereliedon
Knowingtheneighborswererightnextdoorwasananchoragefortheelderly
woman.
anecdote
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(n.)ashortaccountofhappenings
Thespeakertoldananecdoteabouthowhelosthisshoeswhenhewasyoung.
animosity
(n.)afeelingofhatredorillwill
Animositygrewbetweenthetwofeudingfamilies.
anoint
(v.)tocrown;ordain;
Amemberofthemonarchywasanointedbytheking. anomaly(n.)anoddity,
inconsistency;adeviation
from
the
norm
An
anomaly
existed
when
the
report
listed
onestatistic,andthespokeswomanreportedanother.
InaparkinglotfullofBuicks,Chevys,andPlymouths,theJaguarwasananomaly.
anonymous
(adj.)nameless;unidentified
Notwishingtobeidentifiedbythepolice,heremainedanonymousbyreturningthe
moneyhe
had
stolen
by
sending
it
through
the
mail.
antagonism
(n.)hostility;opposition
Theantagonismwascreatedbyamisunderstanding. Therebelliousclancaptured
ahostagetodisplayantagonismtothenewpeacetreaty.
antipathy
(n.)astrongdislikeorrepugnance
Herantipathyforlargecrowdsconvincedhertodeclinetheinvitationtothecity.
Thevegetarianhadanantipathytowardmeat.
apathy
(n.)lackofemotionorinterest
Heshowedapathywhenhisrelativewasinjured. Thedisheartenedpeasants
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expressedapathytowardthenewlawwhichpromisednewhopeandprosperityfor
all. apocalyptic(adj.)pertainingtoadiscoveryornewrevelationSciencefiction
moviesseemtorelishapocalypticvisions. apocryphal(adj.)counterfeit;of
doubtfulauthorshiporauthenticityThemanwhosaidhewasadoctorwastruly
apocryphal.
appease
(v.)tosatisfy;tocalm
Amilkbottleusuallyappeasesacryingbaby.
apposite
(adj.)suitable;apt;relevant
Discussionofpovertywasappositetothecurriculum,sotheprofessorallowedit.
Withoutreenactingtheentirescenario,thesituationcanbeunderstoodifapposite
informationisgiven.
apprehensive
(adj.)fearful;aware;conscious
Thenervous
child
was
apprehensive
about
beginning
anew
school
year.
approbatory
(adj.)approvingorsanctioning
Thejudgeshowedhisacceptanceinhisapprobatoryremark.
arable
(adj.)suitable
(as
land)
for
plowing
Whenthelandwasdeemedarablethefarmerdecidedtoplow. arbiter(n.)one
whoisauthorizedtojudgeordecideThedecisionofwhowouldrepresentthe
peoplewasmadebythearbiter. arbitrary(adj.)basedononespreferenceor
judgmentRickadmittedhisdecisionhadbeenarbitrary,asheclaimedno
expertiseonthematter.
arcane
(adj.)obscure;
secret;
mysterious
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Withanarcaneexpression,theyoungboyleftthefamilywonderingwhatsortof
mischiefhehadcommitted.
Thewizardsdescriptionofhismagicwaspurposefullyarcanesothatotherswould
beunabletocopyit.
archetype
(n.)originalpatternormodel;prototype
Thismanwasthearchetypeforscoresoffictionalcharacters. Thescientistwas
carefulwiththearchetypeofherinventionsothatoncemanufacturingbegan,it
wouldbeeasytoreproduceit.
ardent
(adj.)withpassionateorintensefeelings
Thefansardentloveofthegamekeptthemreturningtowatchtheterribleteam.
arduous
(adj.)laborious,difficult;strenuous
Completingtheplansforthenewbuildingprovedtobeanarduousaffair. Building
ahouse
is
arduous
work,
but
the
result
is
well
worth
the
labor.
arid
(adj.)
extremely
dry,parched;barren,unimaginativeTheterrainwassoaridthatnotonespecies
ofplantcouldsurvive. Theirthirstbecameworseduetothearidconditionofthe
desert. aromatic(adj.)havingasmellwhichissweetorspicyThearomaticsmell
comingfromtheovenmadethemansmouthwater.
arrogant
(adj.)actingsuperiortoothers;conceited
Afterpurchasing
his
new,
expensive
sports
car,
the
arrogant
doctor
refused
to
allowanyonetoridewithhimtothecountryclub.
arrogate
(v.)toclaimordemandunduly
Theteenagerarrogatedthatheshouldbeabletousehisparentscarwhenever
hedesired. articulate(v.;adj.)toutterclearlyanddistinctly;clear,distinct;
expressedwithclarity;skillfulwithwordsItsevenmoreimportanttoarticulateyour
wordswhen
youre
on
the
phone.
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YoudidnthavetovoteforhimtoagreethatAdlaiStevensonwasarticulate.
Asalespersonmustbearticulatewhenspeakingtoacustomer.
artifice
(n.)skillinacraft
Theartificeofglassmakingtakesmanyyearsofpractice. ascetic(n.;adj.)one
wholeadsasimplelifeofselfdenial;rigorouslyabstinentThemonasteryisfilled
withasceticswhohavedevotedtheirlivestoreligion.
ThenunsleadanasceticlifedevotedtotheLord.
aseptic
(adj.)germfree
Itisnecessaryforanoperatingroomtobeaseptic.
askance
(adv.)asidewaysglanceofdisapproval
Thelookaskanceprovedtheguardsuspectedsomewrongdoing.
asperity
(n.)harshness
Themanusedasperitytofrightenthegirloutofgoing. Theasperityofthewinter
hadmosteverybodyyearningforspring. aspersion(n.)slanderousstatement;a
damagingorderogatorycriticismTheaspersiondamagedthecredibilityofthe
organization. Heblamedthelossofhisjobonanaspersionstatedbyhisco
workertohissuperior.
aspirant
(n.)apersonwhogoesafterhighgoals
Theaspirantwouldnotsettleforassistantdirectoronlythetopjobwasgood
enough. assay(n.)todeterminethequalityofasubstance. Havethesoil
assayed.
assess
(v.)toestimatethevalueof
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Sheassessedthepossiblerewardstoseeiftheprojectwasworthhertimeand
effort.
assiduous
(adj.)carefullyattentive;industrious
Itisnecessarytobeassiduousifapersonwishestomakethemostofhistimeat
work.
Heenjoyshavingassiduousemployeesbecausehecanexplainaprocedureonce
andhaveitperformedcorrectlyeverytime.
assuage
(v.)torelieve;ease;makelesssevere
Medicationshouldassuagethepain.
Themedicationhelpedassuagethepainofthewound. astringent(n.;adj.)a
substancethatcontractsbodilytissues;causingcontraction;tightening;stern,
austereAftertheoperationanastringentwasusedonhisskinsothatthe
stretchedareawouldreturntonormal.
Thedownturn
in
sales
caused
the
CEO
to
impose
astringent
measures.
Herastringentremarksatthepodiumwouldnotsoonbeforgotten.
astute
(adj.)cunning;sly;crafty
Theastutelawyersquestioningconvincedthejuryofthedefendantsguilt.
atrophy(v.;n.)towasteaway,asfromlackofuse;towither;failuretogrowAfew
monthsafter
he
lost
his
ability
to
walk,
his
legs
began
to
atrophy.
The
atrophy
of
themuscleswasduetotheinjury.
attenuate
(v.)tothinout;toweaken
Wateriscommonlyusedtoattenuatestrongchemicals.
Thechemistattenuatedthesolutionbyaddingwater.
atypical
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(adj.)somethingthatisabnormal
Theatypicalbehaviorofthewildanimalalarmedthehunters.
audacious
(adj.)fearless;bold
Theaudacioussoldierwentintobattlewithoutashield.
augment
(v.)toincreaseoraddto;tomakelarger
Theyneeded
more
soup
so
they
augmented
the
recipe.
Theywereabletoaugmenttheirsavingsoveraperiodoftime.
august
(adj.)tobeimposingormagnificent
Thepalacewasaugustingoldandcrystal.
auspicious
(adj.)beingofagoodomen;successful
Itwasauspiciousthatthesunshoneonthefirstdayofthetrip. Thecampaignhad
anauspiciousstart,foreshadowingthefuture. austere(adj.)havingasternlook;
havingstrictselfdisciplineTheoldwomanalwayshasanausterelookabouther.
Theaustereteacherassignedfivepagesofhomeworkeachday.
authentic
(adj.)real;genuine;trustworthy
Anauthenticdiamondwillcutglass.
authoritarian
(n.;adj.)actingasadictator;demandingobedienceTheauthoritarianmadeallof
therulesbutdidnoneofthework. FidelCastroisreluctanttogiveuphis
authoritarianrule. autocracy(n.)anabsolutemonarchy;governmentwhereone
personholds
power
The
autocracy
was
headed
by
ademanding
man.
She
was
extremelypowerhungryandthereforewantedhergovernmenttobeanautocracy.
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autocrat
(n.)anabsoluteruler
Theautocrat
in
charge
of
the
government
was
aman
of
power
and
prestige.
Theautocratmadeeverydecisionanddividedthetasksamonghissubordinates.
avarice(n.)inordinatedesireforgainingandpossessingwealthThemansavarice
formoneykepthimatworkthroughtheeveningsandweekends.
Theavariceofthepresidentledtohisdownfall.
aver
(v.)to
affirm
as
true
Thewitnesswasabletoavertheidentityofthedefendant. awry(adj;adv.)
crooked(ly);uneven(ly);wrong;askewHearingtheexplosioninthelaboratory,the
scientistrealizedtheexperimenthadgoneawry.
azure
(adj.)theclearbluecolorofthesky
Theazure
sky
made
the
picnic
day
perfect.
baleful
(adj.)harmful,malign,detrimental
Aftershewasfired,sherealizeditwasabalefulmovetopointtheblameather
superior.
Thestrangeliquidcouldbebalefulifingested.
banal
(adj.)trite;withoutfreshnessororiginality
Attendingpartiesbecametriteafterafewweeks. Itwasabanalsuggestionto
havetheannualpicnicinthepark,sincethatwaswhereithadbeenforthepast
fiveyears.
baneful
(adj.)deadlyorcausingdistress,death
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Notwearingaseatbeltcouldbebaneful.
baroque
(adj.)extravagant;
ornate;
embellished
Thebaroqueartworkwasmadeupofintricatedetailswhichkeptthemuseum
goersenthralled.
Thebaroquefurnishingsdidnotfitintheplain,modesthome.
bastion
(n.)afortifiedplaceorstrongdefense
Thestrengthofthebastionsavedthesoldiersinsideofit.
batten
(v.)togain
Theteamcouldonlybattenbydraftingthetopplayer.
bauble
(n.)ashowyyetuselessthing
Thewomanhadmanybaublesonherbookshelf.
beget
(v.)tobringintobeing
Thekingwishedtobegetanewheir.
beholden
(adj.)indebtedto
Thechildrenwerebeholdentotheirparentsforthecarloan.
behoove
(v.)tobeadvantageous;tobenecessary
Itwillbehoovethestudentstobuytheirtextbooksearly.
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belittle
(v.)tomakesmall;tothinklightlyof
Theunsympathetic
friend
belittled
her
friends
problems
and
spoke
of
her
own
as
themostimportant.
bellicose
(adj.)quarrelsome;warlike
Thebellicoseguestwouldnotbeinvitedbackagain.
bemuse
(v.)topreoccupyinthought
Thegirlwasbemusedbyhertroubles.
benefactor
(n.)onewhohelpsothers;adonor
Ananonymousbenefactordonated$10,000tothechildrenshospital. beneficent
(adj.)conferring
benefits;
kindly;
doing
good
He
is
abeneficent
person,
always
takinginstrayanimalsandtalkingtopeoplewhoneedsomeonetolisten.
Abeneficentdonationhelpedtheorganizationmeetitsgoal.
benevolent
(adj.)kind;generous
Theprofessorprovedatoughquestioner,butabenevolentgrader.
Thebenevolentgentlemanvolunteeredhisservices.
benign
(adj.)mild;harmless
Alambisabenignanimal,especiallywhencomparedwithalion.
berate
(v.)scold;reprove;reproach;criticize
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Thechildwasberatedbyherparentsforbreakingthechina. bereft(v.;adj.)tobe
deprivedof;tobeinasadmanner;hurtbysomeonesdeathThelossofhisjob
willleavethemanbereftofmanyluxuries. Thewidowerwasbereftformanyyears
afterhiswifesdeath.
beseech
(v.)toaskearnestly
Thesoldiersbeseechedtheciviliansforhelp.
besmirch
(v.)todirtyordiscolor
Thesootfromthechimneywillbesmirchcleancurtains.
bestial
(adj.)havingthequalitiesofabeast;brutal
Thebestialemployermadehisemployeesworkinanunheatedroom.
betroth
(v.)topromiseorpledgeinmarriage
Themanbetrothedhisdaughtertotheprince.
biased
(adj.)prejudiced;influenced;notneutral
Thevegetarianhadabiasedopinionregardingwhatshouldbeorderedfor
dinner.biennial
(adj.;
n.)
happening
every
two
years;
aplant
which
blooms
every
twoyearsThebiennialjournalsinfluenceseemedonlymagnifiedbyitsinfrequent
publication.
Shehaslivedhereforfouryearsandhasseenthebiennialsbloomtwice. bilateral
(adj.)pertainingtooraffectingbothsidesortwosides;havingtwosidesAbilateral
decisionwasmadesothatbothpartnersreapedequalbenefitsfromthesame
amountofwork.
Thebrainisabilateralorgan,consistingofaleftandrighthemisphere.
blasphemous(adj.)
irreligious;
away
from
acceptable
standards;
speaking
ill
of
usingprofanelanguageTheupperclassparentsthoughtthatitwasblasphemous
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fortheirsontomarryawaitress.
Hisblasphemousoutburstwasheardthroughouttheroom.
blatant
(adj.)obvious;unmistakable;crude;vulgar
Theblatantfoulwasreasonforejection.
Thedefendantwasblatantinhistestimony.
blighted
(adj.)causingfrustrationordestruction
Theblightedtornadoleftonlyonebuildingstandinginitswake. blithe(adj.)
happy;cheery;merry;acheerfuldispositionTheweddingwasablithecelebration.
Theblithechildwasapleasantsurprise.
bode
(v.)toforetellsomething
Thestorm
bode
that
we
would
not
reach
our
destination.
bombast
(n.)pompousspeech;pretentiouswords
Afterhedeliveredhisbombastatthepodium,hearrogantlyleftthemeeting.
Thepresenterendedhisbombastwithapredictionofhisfuturesuccess.
bombastic
(adj.)pompous;wordy;turgid
Thebombasticwomantalksalotaboutherself.
boor
(n.)arudeperson
Theboor
was
not
invited
to
the
party,
but
he
came
anyway.
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breadth
(n.)thedistancefromonesidetoanother
Thetableclothwastoosmalltocoverthebreadthofthetable.
brevity
(n.)briefness;shortness
OnTop40AMradio,brevitywasthecoinoftherealm.
brindled
(adj.)mixedwithadarkercolor
Inordertogetmatchingpaintwemadeabrindledmixture.
broach
(v.)tointroduceintoconversation
Broachingthetouchysubjectwasdifficult.
brusque
(adj.)abruptinmannerorspeech
Hisbrusqueanswerwasneitheracceptablenorpolite. bucolic(adj.)havingtodo
withshepherdsorthecountryThebucolicsettinginspiredtheartist.
bumptious
(adj.)arrogant
Hewas
bumptious
in
manner
as
he
approached
the
podium
to
accept
his
anticipatedaward.
bungler
(n.)aclumsyperson
Theonewhobrokethecrystalvasewasatruebungler.
burgeon
(v.)togrowordevelopquickly
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Thetumorappearedtoburgeonmorequicklythannormal. Afterthefirstpunch
wasthrown,thedisputeburgeonedintoabrawl. burlesque(v.;n.)toimitateina
nonseriousmanner;acomicalimitationHisstumpspeechesweresohackneyed,
heseemedtobeburlesquingofhisroleasacongressman.
GeorgeBurnswasconsideredoneofthegreatpractitionersofburlesque.
burly
(adj.)strong;bulky;stocky
Thelumberjackwasaburlyman.
burnish
(v.)topolishbyrubbing
Thevaseneededtobeburnishedtorestoreitsbeauty.
cabal
(n.)agroupofpersonsjoinedbyasecret
Theveryideathattherecouldbeacabalcastsuspiciononthewholeoperation.
cache(n.)
stockpile;
store;
heap;
hiding
place
for
goods
The
town
kept
acache
of
saltonhandtomeltwinterssnowofftheroads.
Extrafoodiskeptinthecacheunderthepantry.
Thecacheforhisjewelrywashiddenunderthebed.
cacophonous
(adj.)soundingjarring
Thecacophonoussoundfromthebendingmetalsentshiversupourspines.
cacophony(n.)aharsh,inharmoniouscollectionofsounds;dissonanceThe
beautifulharmonyofthesymphonywaswellenjoyedafterthecacophonycoming
fromthestageastheorchestrawarmedup. Theamateurbandcreatedmore
cacophonythanbeautifulsound.
cajole
(v.)tocoaxwithinsinceretalk
Tocajolethedisgruntledemployee,themanagercoaxedhimwithliesandsweet
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talk.
Thesalesmanwillcajolethecoupleintobuyingthestereo.
calamity
(n.)disaster
Thefireintheapartmentbuildingwasagreatcalamity.
caliber
(n.)quality
Thecaliberoftalentattheshowwasexcellent.
callow
(adj.)beingyoungorimmature
Withthecallowremarktheyoungmandemonstratedhisage. Althoughthegirl
couldbeconsideredanadult,theactionwasverycallow.
calumny
(n.)slander
Ifeltitnecessarytospeakagainstthecalumnyofthemansgoodreputation.
canard
(n.)afalsestatementorrumor
Thecanardwasreportedinascandaloustabloid.
candid
(adj.)honest;truthful;sincere
Peopletrustherbecauseshessocandid.
cant
(n.)insincereorhypocriticalstatementsofhighideals;thejargonofaparticular
grouporoccupationsThetheatermajorshaddifficultyunderstandingthecantof
thecomputer
scientists.
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Theremarksbythedoctorwerecantandmeantonlyforhisassociates. caprice
(n.)asudden,unpredictableorwhimsicalchangeThecapricewithwhichthe
coupleapproachedthechangeofplanswasevidencetotheiryoungage.
Thekingruledbycapriceasmuchaslaw.
capricious
(adj.)changeable;fickle
Thecapriciousbridetobehasadifferentchurchinmindforherweddingevery
fewdays.
captious
(adj.)disposed
to
find
fault
Acaptiousattitudeoftencausesdifficultiesinarelationship.
carteblanche
(n.)unlimitedauthority
Thedesignerwasgivencarteblanchetocreateanewlineforthefall.
cascade
(n;v.)waterfall;pour;rush;fall
Thehikersstoppedalongthepathtotakeinthebeautyoftherushingcascade.
Thewatercascadeddowntherocksintothepool.
Hetookaphotographofthelovelycascade.
Thedrapes
formed
acascade
down
the
window.
castigate
(v.)topunishthroughpubliccriticism
Themayorcastigatedthepolicechieffortherashofrobberies.
cataclysm
(n.)an
extreme
natural
force
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Theearthquakehasbeenthefirstcataclysminfiveyears. catalyst(n.)anything
whichcreatesasituationinwhichchangecanoccurThelowpressuresystemwas
thecatalystforthenoreaster. catharsis(n.)apurgingorrelievingofthebodyor
soulHeexperiencedatotalcatharsisafterthepriestabsolvedhissins. Admitting
hisguiltservedasacatharsisfortheman.
caustic
(adj.)eatingawayat;sarcasticwords
Thecausticchemicalsaredangerous.
Thegirlharmedhermotherwithhercausticremarks. Hiscausticsenseofhumor
doesntgooversowellwhenpeopledontknowwhattheyreinfor.
cavil
(v.)tobicker
Thechildrenareconstantlycaviling.
censor
(v.)toexamineanddeleteobjectionablematerial
Thechildren
were
allowed
to
watch
the
adult
movie
only
after
it
had
been
censored. censure(n.;v.)adisapproval;anexpressionofdisapproval;tocriticize
ordisapproveofHisremarksdrewthecensureofhisemployers. Acensureofthe
newshowupsetthedirectors.
Herparentscensuredherideaofdroppingoutofschool.
ceremonious
(adj.)veryformalorproper
Theblacktiedinnerwashighlyceremonious.
cessation
(n.)ceasing;astopping
Thecessationofabadhabitisoftendifficulttosustain. chafe(v.)toannoy,to
irritate;towearawayormakesorebyrubbingHisconstantteasingchafedher.
Hedoesnt
wear
pure
wool
sweaters
because
they
usually
chafe
his
skin.
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chaffing
(n.)banter;teasing
Thekingwasusedtohisjestersgoodnaturedchaffing. chagrin(n.)afeelingof
embarrassmentdue
to
failure
or
disappointment
To
the
chagrin
of
the
inventor,
the
machinedidnotwork. Sheturnedredfacedwithchagrinwhenshelearnedthat
hersonhadbeencaughtshoplifting.
charisma
(n.)appeal;magnetism;presence
Shehassuchcharismathateveryonelikesherthefirsttimetheymeether.
charlatan(n.)apersonwhopretendstohaveknowledge;animpostor;fakeThe
charlatandeceived
the
townspeople.
Itwasfinallydiscoveredthatthecharlatansittingonthethronewasnotthereal
king.
chary
(adj.)cautious;beingsparingingiving
Becharywhendrivingatnight.
Thecharymanhadfewfriends.
chaste
(adj.)virtuous;freeofobscenity
Becausethewomanbelievedinbeingchaste,shewouldnotletherdateintothe
house.
chastise
(v.)topunish;discipline;admonish
Thedeanchastisedthefirstyearstudentforcheatingontheexam.
cherish
(v.)tofeellovefor
Thebride
vowed
to
cherish
the
groom
for
life.
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chicanery
(n.)trickeryordeception
Theswindlerwastrainedinchicanery.
Anewsbroadcastisnoplaceforchicanery.
chimera
(n.)animpossiblefancy
Perhapshesawaflyingsaucer,butperhapsitwasonlyachimera. choleric(adj.)
cranky;cantankerous;easilymovedtofeelingdispleasureThecholericmanwas
continuallyupsetbyhisneighbors. Rollybecomescholericwhenhisviewsare
challenged.
chortle
(v.)tomakeagleeful,chucklingsound
Thechortlesemanatingfromtheaudienceindicateditwouldntbeastougha
crowdasthestandupcomichadexpected. churlishness(n.)crudeorsurly
behavior;behaviorofapeasantThefraternityschurlishnessranafoulofthedean
soffice. Thechurlishnessoftheteenagercausedhisemployertolosefaithin
him.circumlocution
(n.)
aroundabout
or
indirect
way
of
speaking;
not
to
the
point
ThemansspeechcontainedsomuchcircumlocutionthatIwasunsureofthepoint
hewastryingtomake.
Thechildmadealongspeechusingcircumlocutiontoavoidstatingthatitwasshe
whohadknockedoverthelamp. circumlocutory(adj.)beingtoolong,asina
descriptionorexpression;aroundabout,indirect,orungainlywayofexpressing
somethingItwasacircumlocutorydocumentarythatcouldhavebeencuttohalfits
runningtimetosaytwiceasmuch.
circumspect
(adj.)consideringallcircumstances
Acircumspectdecisionmustbemadewhensomanypeopleareinvolved.
citadel
(n.)afortresssetuphightodefendacity
Acitadel
sat
on
the
hill
to
protect
the
city
below.
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clandestine
(adj.)secret
Theclandestineplanmustbekeptbetweenthetwoofus!
clemency
(n.)mercytowardanoffender;mildness
Thegovernorgrantedtheprisonerclemency. Theweathersclemencymadefora
perfectpicnic. cloture(n.)aparliamentaryproceduretoenddebateandbeginto
voteCloturewasdeclaredastheparliamentariansreadiedtoregistertheirvotes.
cloying(adj.)toosugary;toosentimentalorflatteringAfteryearsofmarriagethe
husbandstillgavecloyinggiftstohiswife. Complimentingheronherweightloss,
clothingand
hairstyle
was
acloying
way
to
begin
asking
for
araise.
coagulate
(v.)
tobecomeasemisolid,softmass;toclotTheliquidwillcoagulateandclosethe
tubeifleftstanding.
coalesce
(v.)togrowtogether
Thebrideandgroomcoalescedtheirfundstoincreasetheircollateral.
Atthe
end
of
the
conference
the
five
groups
coalesced
in
one
room.
coda
(n.)inmusic,aconcludingpassage
Bytheendofthecoda,Iwasreadytoburstwithexcitementoverthethrilling
performance.
Theaudienceknewthattheconcertowasabouttoendwhentheyheardthe
orchestrabegin
playing
the
coda.
coddle
(v.)totreatwithtenderness
Ababyneedstobecoddled.
codify
(v.)to
organize
laws
or
rules
into
asystematic
collection
The
laws
were
codified
by
thosewhomtheyaffected. Theinterncodifiedallthecityslawsintoa
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computerizedfilingsystem. coffer(n.)achestwheremoneyorvaluablesarekept
Thecofferthatcontainedthejewelswasstolen. cogent(adj.)tothepoint;clear;
convincinginitsclarityandpresentationThelawyermakescompellingandcogent
presentations,whichevidentlyhelphimwin96percentofhiscases.
Hemade
ashort,
cogent
speech
which
his
audience
easily
understood.
cogitate
(v.)tothinkhard;ponder;meditate
Itisnecessarytocogitateondecisionswhichaffectlifegoals. Theroomwasquiet
whileeverystudentcogitatedduringthecalculusexam. cognate(adj.;n.)having
thesamefamily;apersonrelatedthroughancestryEnglishandGermanare
cognatelanguages. Thewomanwasacognatetotheroyalfamily. cognitive(adj.)
possessingthe
power
to
think
or
meditate;
meditative;
capable
of
perception
Cognitivethoughtmakeshumansadaptabletoaquicklychangingenvironment.
Oncethetoddlerwasabletosolvepuzzles,itwasobviousthathercognitive
abilitiesweredeveloping.
cognizant
(adj.)awareof;perceptive
Shebecame
alarmed
when
she
was
cognizant
of
the
man
following
her.
It
was
criticaltoestablishwhetherthedefendantwascognizantofhisrights. coherent
(adj.)stickingtogether;connected;logical;consistentThecoursewasasuccess
duetoitscoherentinformation. Ifhecouldntmakeacoherentspeech,howcould
herunforoffice?
cohesion
(n.)theactofholdingtogether
Thecohesion
of
the
group
increased
as
friendships
were
formed.
Thecohesionofdifferentmoleculesformsdifferentsubstances.
cohort
(n.)agroup;band
Thecohortofteensgatheredattheathleticfield.
collaborate
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(v.)toworktogether;cooperate
Thetwobuilderscollaboratedtogetthehousefinished. colloquial(adj.)havingto
dowithconversation;informalspeechThecolloquialreferenceindicatedthefree
spiritofthegroup. Whenyoulistentothedifferencebetweenspokencolloquial
conversationand
written
work,
you
realize
how
good
an
ear
anovelist
must
have
towriteauthenticdialogue.
collusion
(n.)secretagreementforanillegalpurpose
Theauthoritydiscoveredacollusionbetweenthedirectorandtreasurer.
comeliness(n.)beauty;attractivenessinappearanceorbehaviorThecomeliness
ofthewomanattractedeveryonesattention.
commiserate
(v.)toshowsympathyfor
Thehurricanevictimscommiseratedaboutthelossoftheirhomes.
commodious
(adj.)spaciousandconvenient;roomy
Thenewhomewassocommodiousthatmanynewpiecesoffurnitureneededto
bepurchased.
communal
(adj.)sharedorcommonownership
Thecommunalnatureoftheprojectmadeeveryonepitchintohelp.
compatible
(adj.)inagreementwith;harmonious
Whenrepairinganautomobile,itisnecessarytousepartscompatiblewiththat
makeandmodel.
complacent
(adj.)content;selfsatisfied;smug
TheCEOworriesregularlythathisfirmswinningwayswillmakeitcomplacent.
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Thecandidatewassocomplacentwithhispollnumbersthathevirtuallystopped
campaigning. complaisance(n.)thequalityofbeingagreeableoreagertoplease
Thecomplaisanceofthenewassistantmadeiteasyforthemanagerstogivehim
alotofworkwithoutworryingthathemaycomplain.
compliant
(adj.)complying;obeying;yielding
Compliantactionsshouldbereinforced.
Theslavewascompliantwitheveryordertoavoidbeingwhipped.
comport
(v.)fittingin
Itwaseasytocomporttothenewgroupofemployees.
comprehensive
(adj.)allinclusive;complete;thorough
Itstheonlyhealthfacilityaroundtooffercomprehensivecare.
compromise
(v.)tosettlebymutualadjustment
Laborleadersandtheautomakerscompromisedbyagreeingtoastartingwageof
$16anhourinexchangeforconcessionsonhealthcarepremiums. concede(v.)
toacknowledge;admit;tosurrender;toabandononespositionAftermuch
wrangling,theconcededthattheministerhadapoint. Satisfiedwiththerecount,
themayorconcededgraciously.
conceit
(n.)anexaggeratedpersonalopinion
Themansbeliefthathewasthebestplayerontheteamwaspureconceit.
conciliation
(n.)anattempttomakefriendlyorplacate
Theattemptatconciliation
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conciliatory
(adj.)toreconcile
Thediplomat
sought
to
take
aconciliatory
approach
to
keep
the
talks
going.
concise
(adj.)infewwords;brief;condensed
Theconciseinstructionswereprintedontwopagesratherthanthecustomary
five. conclave(n.)anyprivatemeetingorclosedassemblyTheconclavewasto
meetintheexecutivesuite. condescend(v.)tocomedownfromonespositionor
dignityThearrogant,richmanwasusuallycondescendingtowardshisservants.
condone
(v.)tooverlook;toforgive
ThelovingandforgivingmothercondonedhersonslifeofcrimeIwillcondone
youractionsofnegligence.
confluence
(n.)athing
which
is
joined
together
Greatcitiesoftenlieattheconfluenceofgreatrivers. confound(v.)tolump
together,causingconfusion;todamnTheproblemconfoundedourabilitytosolve
it. Confoundyou,youscoundrel!
conglomeration
(n.)acollectionormixtureofvariousthings
Theconglomeration
is
made
up
of
four
different
interest
groups.
Thesoupwasaconglomerationofmeatsandvegetables.
conjoin
(v.)tocombine
Theclasseswillconjointodotheplay.
conjure
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(v.)tocalluponorappealto;tocausetobe,appear,comeThesmellofthedinner
conjuredimagesofchildhood. Themagicianconjuredarabbitoutofahat.
connivance
(n.)secret
cooperation
in
wrongdoing
Withtheguardsconnivance,theconvictwasabletomakehisescape.
connoisseur(n.)expert;authority(usuallyreferstoawineorfoodexpert)They
allowedhertochoosethewinefordinnersinceshewastheconnoisseur.
connotative(adj.)containingassociatedmeaningsinadditiontotheprimaryone
Alongwiththeprimarymeaningoftheword,thereweretwoconnotativemeanings.
Theconnotativemeaningoftheirmusicwasspelledoutinthevideo.
consecrate
(v.)todeclaresacred;todedicate
Wewillconsecratethepactduringtheceremony.
Theparkwasconsecratedtothememoryofthemissingsoldier.
consequential
(adj.)following
as
an
effect;
important
Hislongillnessandconsequentialabsencesethimbehindinhishomework.
Thedecisiontomovethecompanywillbeconsequentialtoitssuccess.
consort
(n.;v.)acompanion,spouse;toassociate
Anelderly
woman
was
seeking
aconsort.
Theywaiteduntildarktoconsortunderthemoonlight.
conspicuous
(adj.)easytosee;noticeable
Thediligentandhardworkingeditorthoughttheobviousmistakewas
conspicuous. consternation(n.)amazementorterrorthatcausesconfusionThe
lookof
consternation
on
the
childs
face
caused
her
father
to
panic.
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constrain
(v.)toforce,compel;torestrain
Itmaybenecessarytoconstrainthewildanimalifitapproachesthetown.
Thestudentwasconstrainedtoremaininherseatuntiltheteachergaveher
permissiontoleave.
consummation
(n.)thecompletion;finish
Followingtheconsummationoffinalexams,mostofthestudentsgraduated.
contemporary(adj.)livingorhappeningatthesametime;modernContemporary
furniturewill
clash
with
your
traditional
sectional.
contempt
(n.)scorn;disrespect
Thegreedy,selfishbankerwasoftendiscussedwithgreatcontempt.
contentious
(adj.)quarrelsome
Thecontentiousstudentwasaskedtoleavetheclassroom. Theyhatehis
contentiousbehaviorbecauseeverysuggestiontheygiveendsinafight.
contest
(v.)toattempttodisproveorinvalidate
Iwillattempttocontestthecriminalchargesagainstme. contiguous(adj.)
touching;or
adjoining
and
close,
but
not
touching
There
are
many
contiguous
buildingsinthecitybecausethereisnoexcesslandtoallowspacebetweenthem.
contravene(v.)toactcontraryto;toopposeorcontradictThestoryofthe
accusedcontravenedthestoryofthewitness. TheUnitedNationsheldthatthe
EasternEuropeannationhadcontravenedthetreaty. contrite(adj.)regretful;
sorrowful;havingrepentanceRegrettinghisdecisionnottoattendcollege,the
contritemandidnotleadaveryhappylife.
Acontritehearthasfixeditswrongs.
contumacious
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(adj.)resistingauthority
Themanwasputinjailforcontumaciousactions. contusion(n.)abruise;aninjury
wheretheskinisnotbrokenThemanwasfortunatetoreceiveonlycontusions
fromthecrash.
conundrum
(n.)apuzzleorriddle
Ispenttwohourstryingtofigureouttheconundrum. Thelegendsaysthatto
enterthesecretpassageway,onemustanswertheancientconundrum.
conventional
(adj.)traditional;
common;
routine
Thebridewantedaconventionalweddingceremony,completewithwhitedresses,
manyflowers,andagrandreceptionparty. Conventionaltelephonesaregiving
waytovideophones. converge(v.)tomovetowardonepoint(opposite:diverge)It
wasobviousthatanaccidentwasgoingtooccurastheonlookerswatchedthetwo
carsconverge.
Thetworoadsconvergeatthecorner.
conviviality
(n.)afondnessforfestivenessorjoviality
Hisconvivialitymakeshimawelcomeguestatanysocialgathering.
convoke
(v.)acalltoassemble
Theteacher
convoked
her
students
in
the
auditorium
to
help
prepare
them
for
the
play.
copious
(adj.)abundant;ingreatquantities
Hercopiousnotestouchedoneverysubjectpresentedinthelecture.
corpulence
(n.)obesity
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Thecorpulenceofthemankepthimfromfittingintotheseat.
correlate
(v.)to
bring
into
mutual
relation
Theservicemanwasaskedtocorrelatethetwocomputerdemonstration
pamphlets.
corroborate
(v.)toconfirmthevalidity
Thewitnessmustcorroboratetheprisonersstoryifsheistobesetfree. coterie
(n.)aclique;
agroup
who
meet
frequently,
usually
socially
A
special
aspect
of
campuslifeisjoiningacoterie. Everydayafterschoolshejoinshercoterieonthe
playgroundandtheygooutforasoda.
covenant
(n.)abindingandsolemnagreement
Withtheexchangeofvows,thecovenantwascomplete.
covetous
(adj.)greedy;verydesirous
Lonnie,covetousofeducation,wenttoalmosteverylectureattheuniversity.
Covetousofherneighborspool,shedideverythingshecouldtomakethings
unpleasant..
cower
(v.)tohuddleandtremble
Thelostdogcowerednearthetree.
Thetellerscoweredinthecornerasthebanditransackedthebank. coy(adj.)
modest;bashful;pretendingshynesstoattractHercoymannersattractedtheman.
Hesnotreallythatshy,hesjustbeingcoy. crass(adj.)stupidordull;insensitive;
materialisticTomakelightofsomeonesweaknessiscrass. Theymadetheir
moneythe
old
fashioned
way,
but
still
they
were
accused
of
being
crass.
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Myrespectforthemanwasloweredwhenhemadethecrassremark.
craven
(n.;adj.)coward;abjectperson;cowardly
Whilemanyfoughtfortheirrights,thecravensatshaking,offinacorner
somewhere.
Cravenmenwillnotstandupforwhattheybelievein.
culpable
(adj.)deservingblame;guilty
Theconvicted
criminal
still
denies
that
he
is
culpable
for
the
robbery.
curb
(n.)arestraintorframework
Acurbwasputupalongthestreettohelpdrainage.
curmudgeon
(n.)an
ill
tempered
person
Thecurmudgeonaskedthechildrennottoplaynearthehouse.
cursory
(adj.)hasty;slight
Thedetectivescursoryexaminationofthecrimescenecausedhimtooverlookthe
lesserclues.
cynic
(n.)onewhobelievesthatothersaremotivatedentirelybyselfishness.
Thecynicfeltthattheherosavedthemantobecomefamous
dais
(n.)araisedplatformatoneendofaroom
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Thedaiswasloweredtomakethespeakerlooktaller.
dally
(v.)to
loiter;
to
waste
time
Pleasedonotdallyorwewillmissourappointment.
dank
(adj.)dampandchilly
Thecellarbecameverydankduringthewintertime.
dauntless
(adj.)fearless;notdiscouraged
Thedauntlessrangerscaledthemountaintocompletetherescue.
dearth
(n.)scarcity;shortage
Aseries
of
coincidental
resignations
left
the
firm
with
adearth
of
talent.
Thedearthofthecoverageforcedhimtolookforanewinsuranceagent.
debacle
(n.)disaster;collapse;arout
TheSecuritiesandExchangeCommissionandthestockexchangesimplemented
numeroussafeguardstoheadoffanotherdebacleonWallStreet.
debase
(v.)tomakelowerinquality
TheFrenchareconcernedthatFranglais,ablendingofEnglishandFrench,will
debasetheirlanguage.
debauchery
(n.)indulgence
in
ones
appetites
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Thepreacherdecrieddebaucheryandurgedcharity.
debilitate
(v.)toenfeeble;towearout
Thephlebitisdebilitatedhimtothepointwherehewasunableeventowalk.
Theillnesswilldebilitatethemusclesinhislegs. debonair(adj.)havinganaffable
manner;carefree;genialOpeningthedoorforanotherisadebonairaction.
decadence
(n.)adeclineinmoralsorart
Somebelieve
the
decadence
of
Neros
rule
led
to
the
fall
of
the
empire.
deciduous
(adj.)shedding;temporary
Whentheleavesbegantofallfromthetreewelearnedthatitwasdeciduous.
decisiveness
(n.)an
act
of
being
firm
or
determined
Decisivenessisoneofthekeyqualitiesofasuccessfulexecutive. decorous(adj.)
showingdecorum;propriety,goodtasteThismovieprovidesdecorousrefugefrom
theviolenceandmayhemthatpermeatesthelatestcropofHollywoodfilms. The
decoroussuitwasmadeoffinematerial.
decry
(v.)todenounceorcondemnopenly
Thepastordecriedallformsofdiscriminationagainstanyminoritygroup. defamation
(n.)toharmanameorreputation;toslanderThecarpenterfeltthatthe
notoriousnessofhisformerpartnerbroughtdefamationtohisconstructionbusiness.
deference(n.)ayieldingofopinion;courteousrespectforToavoidaconfrontation,
themanshoweddeferencetohisfriend. Thedeferenceshowntotheelderlywoman
sopinionwasheartwarming.
deferential
(adj.)yielding
to
the
opinion
of
another
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AfterdebatingstudentslivingintheSixthWardformonths,themayorsdeferential
statementsindicatedthathehadcometosomeunderstandingwiththem.
defunct
(adj.)no
longer
living
or
existing
Themanlostalargesumofmoneywhenthecompanywentdefunct.
deign
(v.)condescend;stoop
Hesaidhewouldntdeigntodignifyherstatementwitharesponse. Firedfromhis
jobasaprogrammeranalyst,Joevowedhewouldneverdeigntomopfloorsevenif
hewere
down
to
his
last
penny.
deleterious
(adj.)harmful;hurtful;noxious
Deleteriousfumesescapedfromtheoverturnedtruck. deliberate(v.;adj.)to
considercarefully;weighinthemind;intentionalThejurydeliberatedforthreedays
beforereachingaverdict. Thebrothersdeliberateattempttogethissiblingblamed
forhismistakewasobvioustoall.
delineate
(v.)tooutline;todescribe
Shedelineatedherplansothateveryonewouldhaveabasicunderstandingofit.
deliquesce
(v.)todissolve
Thesnowdeliquescedwhenthetemperaturerose.
delusion
(n.)afalsebelieforopinion
ThehistoriansufferedfromthedelusionthathewasNapoleon.
demise
(n.)ceasingtoexistasindeath
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ThedemiseofGimbelsfollowedyearsofdecline.
demur
(v.;n.)
to
object;
objection;
misgiving
Shehatedanimals,sowhenthesubjectofbuyingacatcameup,shedemurred.
Shesaidyes,buthedetectedademurinhervoice.
Shewasnominatedtositonthecommittee,butshedemurred. Thecouncil
presidentcalledforavote,andhearingnodemur,askedforacountbytheclerk.
denigrate(v.)todefame,toblackenorsully;tobelittleAfterfindingoutherevil
secret,heannouncedittothecouncilanddenigratedherinpublic.
Herattempttodenigratethemansnamewasnotsuccessful.
denounce
(v.)tospeakoutagainst;condemn
Astudentrallywascalledtodenouncetheuseofdrugsoncampus.
depict
(v.)toportray;describe
Themuraldepictsthelifeofatypicalurbandweller.
deplete
(v.)toreduce;toempty,exhaust
Havingtopaytheentirebillwilldepletethefamilyssavings. deposition(n.)a
removalfrom
office
or
power;
atestimony
Failing
to
act
lawfully
could
result
in
his
deposition. Shemetwithherlawyerthismorningtoreviewherdeposition.
depravity
(n.)moralcorruption;badness
Drugsandmoneycauseddepravitythroughouttheoncedecorouscommunity.
Thedepravityoftheoldmanwasboundtolandhiminjailoneday. deprecate(v.)to
expressdisapproval
of;
to
protest
against
The
environmentalists
deprecated
the
papercompaniesforcuttingdownancientforests.
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Theorganizationwilldeprecatetheopeningofthesewageplant.
depredation
(n.)aplundering
or
laying
waste
Thepharaohsoncerichtombwasemptyaftercenturiesofdepredationfromgrave
robbers.
deride
(v.)tolaughatwithcontempt;tomock
Nomatterwhathesaid,hewasderided.
Itisimpolitetoderidesomeoneevenifyoudislikehim.
derision
(n.)theactofmocking;ridicule,mockery
Adayofderisionfromthebosslefttheemployeefeelingdepressed.
Constantderisionfromclassmatesmadehimquitschool.
derisive
(adj.)showingdisrespectorscornfor
Thederisivecommentwasaimedatthemanslifelongenemy.
derogatory
(adj.)belittling;uncomplimentary
Hewasupsetbecausehisannualreviewwasfullofderogatorycomments.
descant
(v.)lengthytalkingorwriting
Themanwilldescantonthesubjectifyougivehimtoomuchspeakingtime.
desecrate
(v.)toprofane;violatethesanctityof
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Theteenagersattempttodesecratethechurchdisturbedthecommunity.
desist
(v.)to
stop
or
cease
Thejudgeorderedthemantodesistfromcallinghisexwifeinthemiddleofthenight.
desolate
(adj.)tobeleftaloneormadelonely
DrivingdownthedesolateroadhadKelvinworriedthathewouldntreachagas
stationintime.
despoil
(v.)totakeeverything;plunder
TheHunsdespoiledvillageaftervillage.
despotism
(n.)tyranny;absolutepowerorinfluence
Therulersdespotismwentuncontestedfor30years.
destitute
(adj.)poor;povertystricken
OneBangladeshibankmakesloanstodestitutecitizenssothattheymayovercome
theirpoverty.
Manyof
the
citys
sections
are
destitute.
desultory
(adj.)
moving
in
arandom,
directionlessmannerThetheftswereoccurringinadesultorymannermakingthem
difficulttotrack. detached(adj.)separated;notinterested;standingaloneDetached
frommodernconveniences,theislandersliveasimple,unhurriedlife.
deter
(v.)toprevent;todiscourage;hinder
Hedeterredtherabbitsbyputtingdowngarlicaroundthegarden.
determinate
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(adj.)distinctlimits
Thenewlawswereverydeterminateasfaraswhatwasallowedandwhatwasnot
allowed.
devoid
(adj.)lacking;empty
Theinterplanetaryprobeindicatedthattheplanetwasdevoidofanyatmosphere.
dexterous
(adj.)skillful,quickmentallyorphysically
Thedexterousgymnastwastheepitomeofgraceonthebalancebeam.
diatribe
(n.)abitterorabusivespeech
Duringthedivorcehearingsshedeliveredadiatribefulloftheemotionpushingher
awayfromherhusband.
Thediatribe
was
directed
towards
adisrespectful
supervisor.
dichotomy
(n.)adivisionintotwopartsorkinds
Thedichotomywithinthepartythreatenstosplitit. Thedichotomybetweenchurch
andstaterendersschoolprayerunconstitutional. dictum(n.)aformalstatementof
eitherfactoropinionComputerprogrammershaveadictum:garbagein,garbage
out.
didactic
(adj.)instructive;dogmatic;preachy
Ourteachersdidactictechniqueboostedourscores.
Thedidacticactivistwasnotonetobeswayed.
diffidence
(n.)ahesitationinassertingoneself
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Ashypersonmayhavegreatdiffidencewhenforcedwithaproblem.
diffident
(adj.)timid;
lacking
self
confidence
Thedirectorislookingforaselfassuredactor,notadiffidentone. Herdiffident
sistercouldntworkupthecouragetoaskforthesale. diffuse(adj.)spreadout;
verbose(wordy);notfocusedThetoyswerediscoveredinadiffusemannerafterthe
birthdayparty. Hismonologuewassodiffusethatallhispointswerelost. digress
(v.)strayfromthesubject;wanderfromtopicItisimportanttonotdigressfromthe
planofaction.
dilettante
(n.)anadmirerofthefinearts;adabbler
Thoughsheplayedthepianooccasionally,shewasmoreofadilettante.
diligence
(n.)hardwork
Anythingcanbeaccomplishedwithdiligenceandcommitment. diminutive(adj.;n.)
smallerthan
average;
asmall
person;
aword,
expressing
smallness,
formed
when
a
suffixisaddedTheylivedinadiminutivehouse.
Thediminutivewomancouldnotseeoverthecounter.
din
(n.)anoisewhichisloudandcontinuous
Thedinofthejackhammersreverberatedthroughouttheconcretecanyon.
dint
(n.)strength
Thedintofthebridgecouldholdtrucksweighingmanytons. dirge(n.)ahymnfora
funeral;asongorpoemexpressinglamentThemournerssangatraditionalIrish
dirge.
disapprobation
(n.)disapproval
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HerdisapprobationofherdaughtersfiancZdividedthefamily.
disarray
(n.)(state
of)
disorder
Thethiefleftthehouseindisarray.
disavow
(v.)todeny;torefusetoacknowledge
Theactorhasdisavowedtherumor.
discerning
(adj.)distinguishingonethingfromanother;havinggoodjudgmentHehasa
discerningeyeforknowingtheoriginalfromthecopy. Beingdiscerningabouta
customerscharacterisakeyqualificationforaloanofficer.
discomfit
(v.)tofrustratetheexpectationsof
Theclose
game
discomfited
the
number
one
player.
discord
(n.)disagreement;lackofharmony
Therewasdiscordamidstthejury,andthereforeadecisioncouldnotbemade.
discourse(v.)toconverse;tocommunicateinanorderlyfashionThescientists
discoursedonaconferencecallforjustfiveminutesbutwereabletosolvethree
majorproblems.
Theintervieweediscoursedsofluently,shewashiredonthespot. discreet(adj.)
showinggoodjudgmentinconduct;prudentWeconfidedoursecretinMarybecause
weknewshedbediscreet. discrete(adj.)separate;individuallydistinct;composed
ofdistinctpartsTherewerefourdiscreteaspectstothearchitectureofthehome.
Thecitizenscommitteemaintainedthatroadwideninganddrainagewerehardly
discreteissues.
discriminate
(v.)distinguish;
demonstrate
bias
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Beingachef,hediscriminatedcarefullyamongingredients. Reelingfromthefact
thatseniormanagershadbeencaughtontapemakingoffensiveremarks,theCEO
saidhewouldnottolerateanyofhisfirmsemployeesdiscriminatingagainstanyone
foranyreason. disdain(n.;v.)intensedislike;lookdownupon;scornSheshowed
greatdisdaintowardanyonewhodidnotagreewithher. Shedisdainsthevery
groundyou
walk
upon.
disentangle
(v.)tofreefromconfusion
Weneedtodisentangleourselvesfromthedizzyingvarietyofchoices.
disheartened
(adj.)discouraged;
depressed
Afterfailingtheexam,thestudentbecamedisheartenedandwonderedifhewould
evergraduate. disingenuous(adj.)notfrankorcandid;deceivinglysimple(opposite:
ingenious)Thedirectorusedadisingenuousremarktomakehispointtothestudent.
Healwaysgivesaquick,disingenuousresponse;younevergetastraightanswer.
disinterested(adj.)neutral;unbiased(alternatemeaning;uninterested)A
disinterestedpersonwasneededtoserveasarbitratoroftheargument.
Henever
takes
sides;
hes
always
disinterested.
disparage
(v.)tobelittle;undervalue;todiscredit
Aftershefiredhimsherealizedthatshehaddisparagedthevalueofhisassistance.
Thelawyerwillattempttodisparagethetestimonyofthewitness.
disparate
(adj.)unequal;dissimilar;different
Theycamefromdisparatebackgrounds,onearealestatemagnate,theothera
custodian.
Thedisparatenumbersofplayersmadethegameasureblowout.
disparity
(n.)differenceinform,character,ordegree
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Thereisagreatdisparitybetweenalightsnackandagreatfeast.
dispassionate
(adj.)lack
of
feeling;
impartial
Shewasaveryemotionalpersonandcouldnotworkwithsuchadispassionate
employer.
disperse
(v.)toscatter;separate
Thepilotsdispersedthefooddropsoverawideareaofdevastation.
Teargaswasusedtodispersethecrowd.
disputatious
(adj.)argumentative;inclinedtodisputes
Hisdisputatiousstreakeventuallyworedownhisfellowparliamentmembers.
Thechildwassodisputatiousheneededtoberemovedfromtheroom. dissemble
(v.)to
pretend;
to
feign;
to
conceal
by
pretense
The
man
dissembled
his
assets
shamelesslytoavoidpayingalimony. Agent007hasamarvelousabilityto
dissemblehisrealintentions.
disseminate
(v.)tocirculate;scatter
Hewashiredtodisseminatenewspaperstoeveryoneinthetown.
Thepreacher
traveled
across
the
country
to
disseminate
his
message.
dissent
(v.)todisagree;differinopinion
Theyagreedthatsomethinghadtobedone,butdissentedonhowtodoit.
dissonance(n.)musicaldiscord;aminglingofinharmonioussounds;nonmusical;
disagreement;lackofharmonyMuchtwentiethcenturymusicisnotlikedbyclassical
musicloversbecauseofthedissonanceitholdsandtheharmoniesitlacks. The
dissonanceof
his
composition
makes
for
some
rough
listening.
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dissonant
Despiteseveralintenserehearsals,thevoicesofthechoirmemberscontinuedtobe
dissonant.
Thedissonantnatureofthemanstemperamentmadethewomanfearfulto
approachhimwiththenewidea.
distant
(adj.)havingseparationsorbeingreserved
Rolondasfriendshavebecomemoredistantinrecentyears.
distention
(n.)inflationorextension
Thebulgeinthecarpetwascausedbythedistentionofthewoodunderneath. dither
(v.;n.)toactindecisively;aconfusedconditionSheditheredeverytimeshehadto
makeadecision. Havingtotaketwotestsinonedayleftthestudentinadither.
diverge
(v.)separate,
split
Thepathdivergesattheoldbarn,oneforkleadingtothehouse,andtheother
leadingtothepond.
Thewide,longriverdivergedintotwodistinctseparaterivers,neveragaintojoin.
diverse
(adj.)different;varied
ThecourseofferingsweresodiverseIhadatoughtimechoosing.
divestiture
(n.)beingstripped
Whenitwasfoundtheteamcheated,therewasadivestitureoftheircrown.
docile
(adj.)manageable;obedient;gentle
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Weneededtochooseadocilepetbecausewehadntthepatienceforalotof
training. document(n.;v.)officialpapercontaininginformation;tosupport;
substantiate;verifyTheyneededawrittendocumenttoprovethatthetransaction
occurred. Facinganaudit,shehadtodocumentallherclientcontacts. doggerel
(n.)verse
characterized
by
forced
rhyme
and
meter
Contrary
to
its
appearance,
doggerelcancontainsomeweightymessages.
dogma
(n.)acollectionofbeliefs
Thedogmaofthevillagewasbasedonsuperstition.
dogmatic
(adj.)stubborn;biased;opinionated
Theirdogmaticdeclarationclarifiedtheirposition.
Thedogmaticstatementhadnotyetbeenprovenbyscience. Thestudents
dogmaticpresentationannoyedhisclassmatesaswellashisinstructor.
dormant
(adj.)as
ifasleep
Theanimalslaydormantuntilthespringthaw.
doting
(adj.)excessivelyfondof
Withgreatjoy,thedotingfatherheldthetoddler.
doughty
(adj.)braveandstrong
Thedoughtyfiremansavedthewomanslife.
dowdy
(adj.)shabbyinappearance
Thedowdy
girl
had
no
buttons
on
her
coat
and
the
threads
were
falling
apart.
dubious(adj.)doubtful;uncertain;skeptical;suspiciousManypeoplearedubious
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aboutthepossibilityofintelligentlifeonotherplanets.
Thenewinformationwasdubiousenoughtoreopenthecase.
duplicity
(n.)deception
Sheforgavehisduplicitybutdivorcedhimanyway.
duress
(n.)imprisonment;theuseofthreats
Hisduresswassupposedtolast1015years.
Thepolicewomanputthemanunderduressinordertogetaconfession. TheLabor
Departmentinspectorneededtoestablishwhethertheplantworkershadbeenheld
underduress.
earthy
(adj.)unrefined
Theearthylookingtablewasbare.
ebullience
(n.)anoverflowingofhighspirits;effervescence
Sheemanatedebullienceassheskippedandsangdownthehallwayafterlearning
ofherpromotion.
eccentric
(adj.)odd;
peculiar;
strange
Peopleliketotalkwiththeeccentricartistsincehehassuchdifferentviewson
everydaysubjects.
Wearingpolkadotpantsandanecklacemadeofrecycledbottletopsisconsidered
eccentric.
ecclesiastic
(adj.)pertaining
or
relating
to
achurch
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Ecclesiasticobligationsincludeattendingmass. eclectic(adj.)pickingfromvarious
possibilities;madeupofmaterialfromvarioussourcesYouhaveeclectictaste.
Theeclecticcollectionoffurnituredidnotmatch.
economical
(adj.)notwasteful;thrifty
Withhereconomicalsenseshewasabletosavethecompanythousandsofdollars.
edifice
(n.)alargebuilding
Theedifice
rose
20
stories
and
spanned
two
blocks.
edify
(v.)
to
build
or
establish;
toinstructandimprovethemindAccordingtotheirschedule,theconstruction
companywilledifythefoundationofthebuildinginoneweek.
Theteachersworkedtoedifytheirstudentsthroughlessonsanddiscussion.
educe
(v.)todrawout;toinferfrominformation
Becauseshe
is
so
dour,
Iwas
forced
to
educe
aresponse.
Ieducefromthereportthattheexperimentwasasuccess.
efface
(v.)toerase;tomakeinconspicuous
Hidinginthewoods,thesoldierwaseffacedbyhiscamouflageuniform. effeminate
(adj.)havingqualitiesattributedtoawoman;delicateAhighpitchedlaughmadethe
manseem
effeminate.
effervescence
(n.)
liveliness;
spirit;
enthusiasm;
bubbliness
Hereffervescencewascontagious;shemadeeveryonearoundherhappy.
Theeffervescenceofchampagneiswhatmakesitdifferentfromwine.
effigy
(n.)theimageorlikenessofaperson
Demonstratorscarriedeffigiesofthedictatortheywantedoverthrown. effluvium(n.)
anoutflow
of
vapor
of
invisible
particles;
anoxious
odor
The
effluvium
from
the
exhausthadabadsmell. Itwasdifficulttodeterminefromwheretheeffluviumissued.
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effrontery
(n.)arrogance
Theeffrontery
of
the
young
man
was
offensive.
effusive
(adj.)pouringoutorforth;overflowing
Theeffusivecurrentsrushthroughthebrokendam. egocentric(adj.)selfcentered,
viewingeverythinginrelationtooneselfTheegocentricprofessorcouldnotaccept
thestudentsopinionsasvalid.
egress
(n.)awayout;exit
Thedoorwayprovidedanegressfromthechamber.
elaboration
(n.)actofclarifying;addingdetails
Themayor
called
for
an
elaboration
on
the
ordinances
first
draft.
elegy
(n.)
apoem
oflamentandpraiseforthedeadUponconclusionoftheelegy,thecasketwas
closed. ellipsis(n.)omissionofwordsthatwouldmakethemeaningclearThe
accidentalellipsisconfusedallthosewhoheardthespeech.
eloquence
(n.)theabilitytospeakwell
Thespeakerseloquencewasattributedtohisarticulatemannerofspeaking.
elucidate
(v.)tomakeclear;toexplain
Inthepapersconclusion,itspurposewaselucidatedinonesentence.
elusive
(adj.)hardtocatch
Eventheexperienced,oldfishermanadmittedthatthetroutintheriverwerequite
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elusive.
emanate
(v.)toemit
Happinessemanatesfromthelovinghome.
embarkation
(v.)toengageorinvestin
Theembarkationintoselfemploymentwasanewstartforthewoman.
embellish
(v.)toimprovebyaddingdetails
Addingbeadstoagarmentwillembellishit.
eminence
(n.)aloftyplace;superiority
Aftertoilingintheshadowsforyears,atlastsheachievedeminence. Theeminence
ofthe
institution
can
be
seen
in
the
impact
of
its
research.
emollient
(adj.)
softening
orsoothingtotheskin;havingpowertosoftenorrelaxlivingtissuesWhenhands
becomedry,itmaybenecessarytosoothethemwithanemollientlotion.
emulate
(v.)totrytoequalorexcel
Theneophyteteacherwashopingtoemulatehermentor.
enamored
(adj.)filledwithloveanddesire
Theyoungcoupleareenamoredwitheachother.
encomium
(n.)formalexpressionofhighpraise
Thesitcom
actress
gave
her
co
stars
along
encomium
as
she
accepted
her
Emmy.
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encroach
(v.)totrespassorintrude
Itisunlawfultoencroachonanothersprivateproperty. encumber(v.)toholdback;
tohinder;
to
burden,
load
down
The
review
of
the
ethics
committee
encumbered
the
dealfrombeingfinalized.
Abracewillencumberthegirlsmovement. endemic(adj.)nativetoaparticulararea;
constantlypresentinaparticularcountryorlocalityTheendemicfaunawasofgreat
interesttotheanthropologist. AfastpacedstyleisendemictothosewholiveinNew
YorkCity.
endorse
(v.)support;
to
approve
of;
recommend
Theentirecommunityendorsedthepoliticianwhopromisedlowertaxesandabetter
schoolsystem. enervate(v.)toweaken;todepriveofnerveorstrengthThe
sicknessenervatesitsvictimsuntiltheycannolongergetoutofbed.
enfeeble
(v.)tomakeweak
Theillness
will
enfeeble
anyone
who
catches
it.
enfranchised
(v.)
to
free
from
obligation;toadmittocitizenshipTheplayerwasenfranchisedwhenthedealwas
calledoff. Therecentimmigrantswereenfranchisedwhentheytooktheiroathto
theirnewcountry.
engender
(v.)tobringabout;beget;tobringforth
Thegroupattemptedtoengenderchangestothelaw. enhance(v.)toimprove;
compliment;make
more
attractive
The
new
fuel
enhanced
the
performance
of
the
rocketsengines.
enigma
(n.)mystery;secret;perplexity
Toallofthesearchers,themissingchildslocationremainedagreatenigma.
enigmatic
(adj.)baffling
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Theenigmaticmurderplaguedthedetective.
ennui
(n.)boredom;
apathy
Ennuisetinwhenthechildrenrealizedtheyhadalreadyplayedwithallthetoys.
eon
(n.)anindefinitelylongperiodoftime
Thestarmayhaveexistedforeons.
ephemeral
(adj.)veryshortlived;lastingonlyashorttime
Livingalonegavehimanephemeralhappiness,soontobereplacedwithutter
loneliness. epicure(n.)apersonwhohasgoodtasteinfoodanddrinkAsan
epicure,Lanceischoosyabouttherestaurantshevisits.
epigram
(n.)awitty
or
satirical
poem
or
statement
Thepoetwroteanepigramabouttheupcomingelection. epilogue(n.)closing
sectionofaplayornovelprovidingfurthercomment. Theepiloguetoldusthe
destinyofthecharacters.
epiphany
(n.)anappearanceofasupernaturalbeing
Theman
bowed
to
the
epiphany.
epitaph
(n.)aninscriptiononamonument;inhonorormemoryofadeadpersonTheepitaph
describedtheactionsofabraveman.
epitome
(n.)model;typification;representation
Thewomanchosentoleadthedancerswastheepitomeoftruegrace. equanimity
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(n.)thequalityofremainingcalmandundisturbedEquanimitycanbereachedwhen
stressisremovedfromlife. equinox(n.)precisetimewhendayandnightisofequal
lengthOntheequinoxwehadtwelvehoursofnightandday.
equivocal
(adj.)doubtful;uncertain
Scientificevidencewasneededbeforetheequivocalhypothesiswasacceptedbythe
doubtingresearchers.
equivocations
(n.)apurposelymisleadingstatement
Theequivocations
by
the
man
sent
the
search
team
looking
in
the
wrong
direction.
eradication(n.)theactofannihilating,destroying,orerasingSomehavetheorized
thattheeradicationofthedinosaurswasduetoaradicalchangeinclimate.
errant
(adj.)rovinginsearchofadventure
Theyoungmansetoutacrosscountryonanerrantexpedition.
erratic
(adj.)unpredictable;irregular
Hiserraticbehaviorwasattributedtotheshockingnewshehadreceived.
Thekittenserraticbehaviorwasattributedtotheownerscruelmethodofdisciplining
hispet.
erroneous
(adj.)untrue;inaccurate;notcorrect
Thereporterserroneousstorywascorrectedbyanewarticlethatstatedthetruth.
erudite(adj.)havingawideknowledgeacquiredthroughreadingThewomanwasso
erudite,shecouldrecitepointsonmostanysubject.
eschew
(v.)toshun;toavoid
Eschewthetrafficandyoumayarriveontime. esoteric(adj.)understoodbyonlya
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chosenfew;confidentialTheesotericlanguagewasonlyknownbytheselectgroup.
Wehavehadanumberofesotericconversations.
estimable
(adj.)deserving
respect
Theestimableherowasgivenaparade.
ethereal
(adj.)verylight;airy;heavenly;notearthly
Theetherealqualityofthemusichadahypnoticeffect. Thedancerworean
etherealoutfitwhichmadeherlooklikeanangel. ethnic(adj.)pertainingtoracesor
peoplesand
their
origin
classification,
or
characteristics
Ethnic
foods
from
five
continentsweresetuponthetable.
eulogy
(n.)wordsofpraise,especiallyforthedead
Theeulogywasaremembranceofthegoodthingsthemanaccomplishedinhis
lifetime. euphemism(n.)theuseofawordorphraseinplaceofonethatis
distastefulTheannouncerusedaeuphemismwhenhewantedtocomplain.
euphony
(n.)pleasantcombinationofsounds
Thegentlysingingbirdscreatedabeautifuleuphony. Theeuphonycreatedbythe
orchestrawasduetoyearsofpractice. evanescent(adj.)vanishingquickly;
dissipatinglikeavaporTheevanescentmiragecouldonlybeseenatacertainangle.
evasion
(n.)theavoidingofaduty
Thecompanywaschargedwithtaxevasion,astheydidnotpayallthattheyowed.
evoke
(v.)tocallforth;provoke
Seeingheronlydaughtergetmarriedevokedtearsofhappinessfromthemother.
Announcementoftheresultsevokedacheerfromthecrowd.
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exculpate
(v.)tofreefromguilt
Thetherapy
session
will
exculpate
the
man
from
his
guilty
feelings.
execute
(v.)toputtodeath;kill;tocarryout;fulfill
Theevil,murderousmanwasexecutedforkillingseveralinnocentchildren.
Iexpectedhimtoexecutemyordersimmediately.
exemplary
(adj.)servingasanexample;outstanding
Thehonorstudentsexemplarybehaviormadehimarolemodeltotheyounger
children.
Employeesofthemontharechosenfortheirexemplaryservicetothefirm.
exhaustive
(adj.)thorough;complete
Ittookanexhaustiveeffort,usingmanyconstructionworkers,tocompletethenew
homebythedeadline.
exhume
(v.)tounearth;toreveal
Thescientists
exhumed
the
body
from
the
grave
to
test
the
bodys
DNA.
The
next
episodewillexhumetherealbetrayer. exigent(adj.)asituationcallingforimmediate
attention;needingmorethanisreasonableTheexigentrequestformoreassistance
wasansweredquickly. Thebankseemedtofeelthatanotherextensionontheirloan
paymentwastooexigentarequesttohonor.
exonerate
(v.)todeclareorproveblameless
Hopefully,the
judge
will
exonerate
you
of
any
wrongdoing.
exorbitant
(adj.)
going
beyondwhatisreasonable;excessivePayinghundredsofdollarsforthedressisan
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exorbitantamount.
exotic
(adj.)unusual;striking;foreign
Manypeopleaskedthenameofherexoticperfume. ThemenuofauthenticTurkish
cuisineseemedexotictothem,consideringtheywereonlyaccustomedtoAmerican
food. expedient(adj.)convenientinobtainingaresult;guidedbyselfinterestThe
mayorchosethemoreexpedientpathratherthanthemorecorrectone.
Thereisnoexpedientmethodateenagerwillnotresorttoinordertogetthekeysto
acaroftheirown.
expedite
(v.)tohastentheactionof
Wecanexpeditethebanktransactionifwetellthemitisanemergency.
explicit
(adj.)specific;definite
Theexplicitrecipegavedirectionsformakingaverycomplicateddessert.
exposition
(n.)settingforthfacts
Theexpositionbythewitnesssubstantiatedthestorygivenbytheprisoner.
expunge
(v.)toblotout;todelete
Bleachmaybeusedtoexpungethestain.
extant
(adj.)existing;refersespeciallytobooksordocumentsSomeofmyancestorsletters
remainextant. extemporize(v.)toimprovise;tomakeitupasyougoalongItwas
necessaryforthemusiciantoextemporizewhenhismusicfelloffthestand.
extol
(v.)togivegreatpraise
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Thefatherwillextolthesuccessofhissontoeveryonehemeets.
extraneous
(adj.)irrelevant;
not
related;
not
essential
Duringthelong,boringlecture,mostpeopleagreedthatmuchoftheinformationwas
extraneous.
extricable
(adj.)capableofbeingdisentangled
Theknotswerecomplicated,butextricable.
exultation
(n.)theactofrejoicing
Exultationwasevidentbythepartyingandrevelry. facetious(adj.)jokinginan
awkwardorimpropermannerHisfacetioussarcasmwasinappropriateduringhisfirst
staffmeeting.
facilitate
(v.)makeeasier;simplify
Thenewrampbythedoorsentrancefacilitatedaccesstothebuildingforthosein
wheelchairs.
facsimile
(n.)copy;reproduction;replica
Thefacsimile
of
the
elaborate
painting
was
indistinguishable
from
the
original.
faction(n.)anumberofpeopleinanorganizationworkingforacommoncause
againstthemainbodyAfactionofthestudentbodysupportedthepresidentsview.
fallacious
(adj.)misleading
Ausedcarsalesmanprovidedfallaciousinformationthatcausedthenaivemanto
purchasetheold,brokencar.
fallible
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(adj.)liabletobemistakenorerroneous
Bynotdifferentiatingthemselvesfromthepopularband,thegroupwasespecially
fallible.
fanatic
(n.)enthusiast;extremist
Theterroristgroupwascomprisedoffanaticswhowantedtodestroythosewho
disagreedwiththem.
fastidious
(adj.)difficult
to
please;
dainty
Thefastidiousgirlwouldnotacceptanyoffersassuitable. Thewomanwas
extremelyfastidious,asevidentinheroccasionalfaintingspells. fathom(v.;n.)to
understand;anauticalunitofdepthItwasdifficulttofathomthereasonforclosing
theinstitution. Thesubmarinecruisedat17fathomsbelowthesurface.
fatuous
(adj.)lackinginseriousness;vainandsilly
Thefatuousprankwasmeanttoaddcomedytothesituation.
Hisfatuouspersonalitydemandsthathestopinfrontofeverymirror.
fealty
(n.)loyalty
Thebaronwasgivenlandinexchangeforhisfealtytotheking.
feasible
(adj.)reasonable;practical
Increasedexerciseisafeasiblemeansofweightloss.
fecund
(adj.)productive
Theconstructioncrewhadafecunddayandwereabletoleaveearly.
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feign
(v.)pretend
Itis
not
uncommon
for
achild
to
feign
illness
in
order
to
stay
home
from
school.
feint
(v.;n.)topretendtothrowapunch,asinboxing;afakeshowintendedtodeceive
Thefighterfeintedalefthookjustbeforehewentfortheknockout.
ferment
(v.)toexciteoragitate
Therallycrywasmeanttofermentandconfusetheopponent. ferret(v.;n.)toforce
outofhiding;tosearchfor;asmall,weasellikemammalThepolicewillferretthe
fugitiveout
of
his
hiding
place.
Ispentthemorningferretingformykeys
Ihaveapetferret.
fervent
(adj.)passionate;intense
Theyhave
afervent
relationship
that
keeps
them
together
every
minute
of
every
day.
fervid
(adj.)intenselyhot;fervent;impassioned
Herfervidskinalertedthedoctortoherfever.
Thefervidsermonofthepreacherswayedhiscongregation.
fervor
(n.)passion;intensityoffeeling
Thecrowdwasfulloffervorasthecandidateenteredthehall. fester(v.)tobecome
moreandmorevirulentandfixedHisangerfestereduntilnoonecouldchangehis
mind.
fetid
(adj.)having
asmell
of
decay
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Thefetidsmellledustobelievesomethingwasdecayinginthebasement. fetish(n.)
anythingtowhichonegivesexcessivedevotionTheclayfigureofafertilitygoddess
wasafetishfromanancientcivilization.
fetter
(n.)achaintobindthefeet
Afetterkeptthedogchainedtothefence.
fickle
(adj.)changeable;unpredictable
Heisquitefickle;justbecausehewantssomethingtodaydoesnotmeanhewillwant
ittomorrow.
Becausethemanwasficklehecouldnotbetrustedtomakeacompetentdecision.
fidelity
(n.)faithfulness;honesty
Hisfidelitywasprovenwhenheturnedinthelostmoney.
figment
(n.)somethingmadeupinthemind
Theunicornonthehillwasafigmentofhisimagination. finesse(n.)theabilityto
handlesituationswithskillanddiplomacyTheexecutorwiththemostfinessewas
chosentomeetwiththediplomats.
finite
(adj.)measurable;
limited;
not
everlasting
Itwasdiscovereddecadesagothattheuniverseisnotfinit
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