abase lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect |
abash embarrass |
abate subside or moderate |
abbreviate shorten |
abdicate renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility) |
aberrant abnormal or deviant |
aberration deviation from the normal; mental disorder |
abet assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage |
abeyance suspended action |
abhor detest; hate |
abide dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people. |
abject (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology |
abjure renounce upon oath |
ablution washing |
abnegation renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation |
abode dwelling place; home |
abolish cancel; put an end to |
abominable detestable; extremely unpleasant |
abominate loathe; hate |
aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine |
abortive unsuccessful; fruitless |
abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down |
abridge condense or shorten |
abrogate abolish |
abscission cutting off; separation |
abscond depart secretly and hide |
absolute complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism |
absolve pardon (an offense) |
abstain refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; |
abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate |
abstinence restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote |
abstract theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentationals representational (of a style of art) showing things as they actually appear in real life |
abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand |
abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful |
abut border upon; adjoin |
abysmal bottomless |
abyss enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit |
academic related to a school; not practical or directly useful |
accede agree |
accelerate move faster |
accessible easy to approach; obtainable |
accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing |
acclaim applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise |
acclimate adjust to climate or environment; adapt |
acclivity sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity |
accolade award of merit; strong praise and approvals merit good quality deserving praise; merits: aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval; Ex. judge each plan on its own merits; V: deserve; earns demerit fault; bad qualitys earn gain for the performance of service or labor; gain (something that one deserves); deserve |
accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging |
accomplice partner in crime |
accord agreement |
accost approach and speak first to a person |
accoutre equip; N. accoutrement |
accretion growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete |
accrue come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrualacerbity bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)s bitter having a sharp biting taste; causing sharp pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tearss biting sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting wind/remarks |
acetic vinegary |
acidulous slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic |
acknowledge recognize; admit |
acme peak; pinnacle; highest point |
acne skin disease (on the face) |
acoustics science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in |
acquiesce assent; agree passively; comply without protest |
acquittal deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner |
acrid bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent |
acrimonious stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior |
acrophobia fear of heights |
actuarial calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics |
actuary someone who advises insurance companies |
actuate motivate; activate; cause to act |
acuity sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing) |
acumen mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen |
acute (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain |
adage wise saying; proverb s proverb adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially |
adamant hard; inflexible |
adapt make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel. |
addendum addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book) |
addiction compulsive habitual need |
addle make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg) |
address direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech |
adept expert at; very skilled |
adhere stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality |
adherent supporter; follower |
adjacent adjoining; neighboring; close by |
adjoin be next to |
adjourn suspend until a later time; move from one place to another |
adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior position |
adjuration solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly |
adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant |
admonish warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove |
adore love deeply and respect highly |
adorn decorate |
adroit skillful (in using mind or hand) |
adulation flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved |
adulterate make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances |
advent arrival |
adventitious accidental; casual; happening by chance |
adversary opponent; enemy |
adverse going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile |
adversity great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event |
advert refer |
advocacy support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something |
advocate speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for |
aegis shield; protection; defense |
aerie (aery,eyrie,eyry) nest of a large bird of prey |
aesthetic artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics |
affable easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly |
affected artificial; pretended |
affidavit written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law) |
affiliation joining; associating with |
affinity feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages |
affirmation positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination |
affliction state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on |
affluence abundance; wealth |
affront insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally |
afterlife life after death; later part of one's life |
agape openmouthed |
agenda items of business at a meeting |
agglomeration collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap |
aggrandize make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement |
aggregate sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars |
aghast filled with great surprise or fear; horrified |
agility nimbleness; ability to move quickly |
agitate stir up; disturb |
agnostic one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality |
agog highly excited; intensely curious |
agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform |
airy of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal |
alacrity cheerful promptness without reluctance |
alchemy medieval chemistry |
alcove nook; recess |
alias an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias |
alienate make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of |
alimentary supplying nourishment |
alimony payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce |
allay calm; pacify |
allege state without proof |
allegiance loyalty |
allegory story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable |
alleviate relieve (pain) |
alliteration repetition of beginning sound in poetry |
allocate assign; set apart for a particular purpose |
alloy mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness |
allude refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference |
allure entice; attract; tempt |
alluvial pertaining to soil deposits left by running water |
alms money or goods given to the poor |
aloft upward; high up in the air |
aloof apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV. |
altercation noisy quarrel |
altruistic unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism |
amalgam combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth |
amalgamate (of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body |
amass collect (gradually, in a very large amount) |
amazon female warrior |
ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal ease |
ambience environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature |
ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation |
ambivalence the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions |
amble walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly |
ambrosia food of the gods |
ambulatory able to walk |
ambush act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V. |
ameliorate improve |
amenable obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests |
amend correct; change ; generally for the better |
amenities convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies |
amiable agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly |
amicable peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement |
amiss wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV. |
amity friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations |
amnesia loss of memory |
amnesty pardon (allowed by government to political criminals) |
amok(amuck) in a state of rage; Ex. run amok |
amoral nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong |
amorous moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances |
amorphous formless; lacking shape or definition |
amphibian able to live both on land and in water; N. |
amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena |
ample enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space |
amplify increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph |
amputate cut off part of body; prune (a limb) |
amulet charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck |
anachronism an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic |
analgesia condition of being unable to feel pain |
analgesic causing insensitivity to pain; N. |
analogous comparable; similar |
analogy similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things |
anarchist person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority |
anarchy absence of governing body; state of disorder |
anathema solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize |
ancestry family descent; ADJ. ancestral |
anchor secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage |
ancillary serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N. |
anecdote short story of an amusing or interesting event |
anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic |
anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia |
anguish acute pain; extreme suffering |
angular sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner |
animadversion critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval |
animated lively; spirited |
animosity active enmity |
animus hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition |
annals records arranged in yearly parts; history |
anneal reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass) |
annex attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one |
annihilate destroy |
annotate comment; make explanatory notes |
annuity yearly allowance |
annul make void |
anodyne drug that relieves pain or trouble; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement |
anoint consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony) |
anomalous abnormal; irregular |
anomaly irregularity |
anonymity state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous |
antagonism hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist |
antecede precede |
antecedents preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background |
antediluvian antiquated; extremely ancient |
anthem song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem |
anthology book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus |
anthropoid manlike; resembling a human being; N. |
anthropologist student of the history and science of humankind |
anthropomorphic having human form or characteristics |
anticlimax letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting |
antidote remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles |
antipathy aversion; dislike or opposition |
antiquated obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated |
antique made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable |
antiquity quality of being very old; ancient times; antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ. |
antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical |
antler bony growth on the head of a deer |
anvil iron block used in hammering out metals |
apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic |
ape imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner) |
aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light |
apex tip; summit; climax; highest point |
aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness |
aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic |
apiarist person who keeps bees |
apiary a place where bees are kept |
apiculture bee-keeping |
apid lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture |
aplomb poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence |
apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse |
apocryphal (of a story) widely believed but untrue |
apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee |
apolitical having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs |
apologist one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia |
apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain |
apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy |
apothecary druggist; pharmacist |
apothegm (apophthegm) pithy, compact saying |
apotheosis elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something |
appall dismay; shock deeply |
apparent evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement |
apparition ghost; phantom |
appease pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement |
appellation name; title |
append attach |
application diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself |
apposite appropriate; fitting |
appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal |
appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference |
apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension |
apprehensive fearful; discerning |
apprise inform |
approbation approval |
appropriate acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate |
appurtenances subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing |
apropos with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV. |
aptitude fitness; talent |
aquiline curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose |
arable fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land |
arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware |
arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler |
arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides) |
arboreal of or living in trees |
arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited |
arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops |
arcane esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener |
arch- chief; first; Ex. archbishop |
archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind |
archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N. |
archetype prototype; primitive pattern |
archipelago group of closely located islands |
archives public records; place where public records are kept |
ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent |
arduous hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work |
argot slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people |
aria operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio |
arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive |
aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat |
armada fleet of warships |
aromatic fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell |
arraign charge in court; indict |
array marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array |
arrears being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done |
arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia |
arrogance pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people) |
arroyo gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater |
arsenal storage place for military equipment |
artery blood-vessel; CF. vein |
artful exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice |
articulate effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints |
artifacts object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced |
artifice deception; trickery |
artisan a manually skilled worker |
artless without guile; open and honest |
ascendancy controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant |
ascertain find out for certain; make certain |
ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism |
ascribe refer; attribute; assign |
aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect |
ashen ash-colored; deadly pale |
asinine stupid; Ex. asinine remarks |
askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at |
askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle |
asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter |
aspersion slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on |
aspirant seeker after position or status |
aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership |
assail assault |
assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore) |
assent agree; accept; N. assessment |
assert state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence |
assiduous diligent |
assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking) |
assuage mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger) |
assumption something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; |
assurance firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty |
asteroid small planet |
astigmatism eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism |
astral relating to the stars |
astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism |
astronomical enormously large or extensive |
astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage |
asunder into parts; apart; V. sunder |
asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political) |
asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing central line |
atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic |
atheistic denying the existence of God; N. atheism |
atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for |
atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious |
atrophy wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use) |
attentive alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration |
attenuate make thin; weaken |
attest testify; bear witness |
attire clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel |
attribute essential quality; V: ascribe; explain |
attrition rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition |
atypical not normal; not typical |
audacious daring; bold; N. audacity |
audit examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V. |
augment increase; add to |
augury omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future) |
august impressive; majestic |
aureole sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light |
auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis |
auspicious favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices |
austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity |
authenticate prove genuine |
authoritarian subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father |
authoritative having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive |
autocratic having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy |
automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself |
autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy |
autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V. |
auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant |
avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice |
avantgarde group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard |
avarice greediness for wealth |
avenge take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy. |
aver state confidently; declare as true |
averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work |
aversion firm dislike |
avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight. |
aviary enclosure for birds; large cage |
avid greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity |
avocation secondary or minor occupation |
avow declare openly; N. avowal |
avuncular of or like an uncle |
awe solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome |
awful terrible; very bad |
awl pointed tool used for piercing |
awry distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry. |
axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof |
azure sky blue |
babble chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N. |
bacchanal noisy party with a lot of drinking |
Bacchanalia the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus |
bacchanalian drunken |
backslide revert (to bad habits); N. reverter |
badger pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal |
badinage teasing conversation; banter; joking talk |
baffle frustrate; perplex |
bait harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals |
baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look |
balk stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate |
ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast |
balm something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees |
balmy soft and mild (of air); fragrant |
banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed |
bandy discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with |
bane posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous |
bank heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning |
bantering joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter |
bar railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister |
barb sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark |
bard poet |
barefaced shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie |
bargain agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power |
baroque highly ornate |
barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism |
barrister counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar |
barterer trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money |
base contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron |
bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth |
bastard illegitimate child |
bastion stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism |
bate let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate |
battalion army unit made up of four or more companies |
bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle |
bawdy indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd |
bearing deportment; connection |
beatific giving or showing bliss; blissful |
beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness |
bedizen dress with vulgar finery |
bedraggle wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled |
beeline direct quick route |
befuddle confuse thoroughly |
beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to |
begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success. |
beguile deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile |
behemoth huge creature; something of monstrous size or power |
beholden obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude |
behoove(behove) be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do. |
belabor harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically |
belated delayed |
beleaguer besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset |
belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure. |
belittle disparage; depreciate |
bellicose warlike |
belligerent quarrelsome |
bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of |
bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied |
benediction blessing |
benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose |
beneficent kindly; doing good |
beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous |
beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will |
benefit advantage; anything that brings help, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits |
benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do good |
benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor |
benison blessing |
bent determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination |
bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest |
berate scold strongly |
bereaved deprived of (someone beloved through death) |
bereavement state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft |
bereft deprived of (something valuable); lacking |
berserk mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited |
beseech beg; plead with |
beset harass or trouble from all directions; hem in |
besiege surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually |
besmirch soil; defile; make dirty |
bestial beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel |
bestow confer |
betoken signify; indicate; be a sign of |
betray be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety. |
betroth become engaged to marry |
bevy large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets |
beware be cautious (of) |
bewitch cast a spell over; captivate completely |
bicameral two-chambered as a legislative body |
bicker quarrel |
bid command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom |
biennial every two years |
bifurcated divided into two branches; forked |
bigot one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics) |
bigotry stubborn intolerance |
bilious suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated |
bilk swindle; cheat |
billow large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows |
billowing swelling out in waves; surging |
bivouac temporary encampment; camp without tents; V. |
bizarre fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional |
blackball vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote |
blanch bleach; whiten; make white or pale |
bland soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence |
blandishment flattery |
blare loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light |
blase bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored |
blasphemy irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege |
blatant extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy |
bleak cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing |
blemish mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished |
blight plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy |
blighted suffering from a disease; destroyed |
bliss complete happiness; ADJ. blissful |
blithe(blithesome) gay; joyous |
bloated (unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air |
blotch spot; blot; CF. blot+botch |
blowhard talkative boaster; braggart |
bludgeon club; heavy-headed weapon; V. |
blue gloomy; depressed |
blues state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs) |
bluff pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured |
blunder error; stupid mistake |
blunt having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt |
blurt utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement |
blush become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N. |
bluster blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale |
bode foreshadow; portend |
bog soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud |
bogus counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview |
bohemian unconventional (in an artistic way) |
boisterous violent; rough; noisy |
bolster support; reinforce |
bolt door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down |
bombardment attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard |
bombast grandiloquent, pompous speech |
bombastic pompous; using inflated language |
bookish fond of books and reading |
boon blessing; benefit; something very helpful |
boor rude, insensitive person |
boorish rude; insensitive |
boost lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase |
botch mismanage; blow |
bouillon clear beef (or meat) soup |
bound leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce, rebound |
bountiful generous; graciously generous; showing bounty |
bourgeois middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions |
bout match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu |
bovine cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm |
bowdlerize expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler |
brackish somewhat saline |
brag boast |
braggadocio boasting |
braggart boaster; bragger |
braid plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair) |
brand trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar. |
brandish wave around (a weapon); flourish |
bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery |
brave face courageously; Ex. brave the storm |
brawl noisy quarrel |
brawn human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness |
brawny muscular; having well-developed muscles |
brazen insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence |
breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V. |
breadth width; extent |
breed produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant |
brevity conciseness; shortness of duration |
bridle harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger |
brim uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim |
brindled tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals) |
brink edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon |
brisk quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor |
bristle short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly |
bristling rising like bristles; showing irritation |
brittle hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation |
broach introduce as a subject; moot; open up |
brocade rich, figured(patterned) fabric |
brochure pamphlet |
broil cook by direct heat; N. |
bromide platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement |
brooch ornamental clasp; pin |
brood sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time |
brook tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream |
browbeat bully; intimidate |
browse graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually |
bruise injure without breaking the skin; N. |
brunt main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument |
brusque blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice |
buccaneer pirate |
bucolic rustic; pastoral |
buffet strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set |
buffoon stupid person; clown |
buffoonery clowning |
bugaboo bugbear; object of baseless terror |
bulge protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude |
bulk size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size |
bullion gold and silver in the form of bars |
bully one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V. |
bulwark strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends |
bump hit or knock against with force; N. |
bungle mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior |
buoyant able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market |
bureaucracy overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic |
burgeon grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon |
burlesque give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly |
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish |
bust piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster |
buttress support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress |
buxom full-bosomed; plump; jolly |
cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests |
cache hiding place; V. |
cacophonous discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds |
cadaver corpse; dead human body |
cadaverous like a corpse; pale |
cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm |
cadet student at a military school |
cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle |
calamity disaster; misery |
calculated deliberately planned; likely |
caldron(cauldron) large kettle |
caliber ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber |
calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship |
callous hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind |
callow youthful; immature; inexperienced |
callus area of thick hard skin |
calorific heat-producing; N. calorie |
calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander |
camaraderie good-fellowship; CF. comrade |
cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film |
camp group sharing a common cause or opinion |
canard unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report |
candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid |
canine related to dogs; doglike |
canker any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer |
canny shrewd in money matters; thrifty |
cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people |
cantankerous ill-humored; irritable |
cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio) |
canter slow gallop; V. CF. trot |
canto division of a long poem |
canvass determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N. |
capacious spacious |
capacity mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president |
capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity |
capitulate surrender; give up all resistance |
caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause |
capricious unpredictable; fickle |
capsize (of a boat) turn over |
caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration |
captious faultfinding; too critical |
carafe glass water bottle; decanter |
carapace shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.) |
carat(karat) unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold |
carcinogenic causing cancer; N. carcinogen |
cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order |
cardiologist doctor specializing in ailments of the heart |
careen lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger |
career rush wildly; go at full speed |
carefree free from worries; having no problems |
caricature distortion; burlesque |
carillon a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played |
carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals |
carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body |
carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore |
carousal drunken revel; V. carouse |
carping petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble |
carrion rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture |
cartographer map-maker |
cascade small waterfall |
caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige |
castigation punishment; severe criticism or disapproval |
castrate remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person) |
casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark |
casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle |
cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change |
catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis |
catapult slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult |
cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight) |
catastrophe calamity ; disaster |
catcall shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V. |
catechism book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize |
categorical without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute |
cater provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind) |
catharsis purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art |
cathartic purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ. |
catholic (of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes |
caucus private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston |
caulk(calk) make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship) |
causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality |
caustic burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless |
cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection |
cavalcade procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry |
cavalier casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight |
cavil quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily |
cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession |
celerity speed; rapidity |
celestial heavenly |
celibate abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy |
cemetery place for burying the dead |
censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V. |
censorious severely critical |
censure blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval |
centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse |
centigrade denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius) |
centrifugal radiating; departing from the center |
centrifuge machine that separates substances by whirling them |
centripetal tending toward the center |
centurion Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers) |
cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum |
cerebration thought; working of the brain |
ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy |
certitude certainty |
cessation stoppage |
cession yielding to another; ceding |
chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N. |
chaff worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff |
chaffing bantering; joking |
chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride) |
chalice goblet; consecrated cup |
chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations |
champion support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.) |
championship position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion |
chancellor legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor |
chant tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant |
chaotic in utter disorder |
chapel small church (in a prison, college, or hospital) |
chaperon older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman |
chaplain clergyman attached to a chapel |
char make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion |
charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism |
charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine) |
charm quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch |
chary cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold |
chase ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch |
chasm abyss; very deep crack |
chassis framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached |
chaste morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere |
chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate |
chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely |
chauvinist blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin |
check stop motion; curb or restrain |
checkered(chequered) marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares |
cherubic angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order |
chicanery trickery; deception |
chide scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong) |
chimerical fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature |
chip lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp |
chisel swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting |
chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry |
choice delicate; of very fine quality |
choir group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir |
choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera |
chore daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task |
choreography art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances |
chortle huckle with delight; N. |
chorus phrase repeated throughout a song or poem |
chronic long established as a disease |
chronicle report; record (in chronological order) |
chuckle laugh quietly |
churlish boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo |
ciliated having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash |
cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V. |
circlet small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration) |
circuit closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place |
circuitous roundabout |
circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly) |
circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around |
circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought |
circumvent outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around |
cistern reservoir or water tank |
citadel fortress |
cite quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record |
civil having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic |
clairvoyant having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance |
clamber climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble |
clamor loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous |
clandestine secret |
clangor loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging |
clap strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause |
clapper striker (tongue) of a bell |
clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times |
clasp hold firmly within arms |
claustrophobia fear of being locked in |
clavicle collarbone |
cleave split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven |
cleft N: split |
clemency disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement |
clich\'e phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed |
clientele body of customers |
climactic relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic |
clime climate |
clip cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener |
clipper sailing vessel built for great speed |
clique small exclusive group of people |
cloister monastery or convent |
clot half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V. |
clout great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist |
clown act stupidly; play the fool; N. |
cloying distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess |
coagulate congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant |
coalesce combine; fuse; N. coalescence |
coalition partnership; league; union of separate political parties |
coax persuade by flattery |
coda concluding section of a musical or literary composition |
coddle treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs |
codicil supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will |
codify arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs |
coercion use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce |
coeval living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age |
cog tooth projecting from a wheel |
cogent convincing |
cogitate think over; ponder |
cognate having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N. |
cognitive having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing |
cognizance knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware |
cohabit live together |
cohere stick together |
cohesion tendency to keep together |
cohorts group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome) |
coiffure hairstyle |
coin make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented |
coincidence the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental |
colander utensil with perforated bottom used for straining |
collaborate work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy |
collage work of art put together from fragments |
collate examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound) |
collateral security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters |
collation a light meal; collating |
collected composed; calm; self-possessed |
colloquial pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression |
colloquy informal discussion; conversation |
collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude |
colossal huge |
colossus gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance |
coma deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow |
comatose in a coma; extremely sleepy |
combustible easily burned; N. CF. combustion |
comeback retort; quick clever reply; return to former status |
comely attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance |
comestible something fit to be eaten |
comeuppance deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke |
comity courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations |
commandeer take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes |
commemorate honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war |
commemorative remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp |
commensurate equal in extent; of the same size |
commiserate feel or express pity or sympathy for |
commodious spacious and comfortable |
commonplace ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark |
commonwealth nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation |
communal held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune |
commune small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature |
compact agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement |
compartment one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided |
compassion sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate |
compatible harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together |
compelling overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel |
compendium brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious |
compensatory making up for; repaying |
compilation listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling |
compile assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary |
complacency self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent |
complaisant trying to please; obliging; willing to please others |
complement complete; consummate; make perfect; N. |
complementary serving to complete something |
compliance conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply |
compliant readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements |
complicity participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime) |
component element; ingredient |
comport bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment |
compost mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost |
composure mental calmness |
compound combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex |
comprehend include; understand |
comprehensive broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive |
compress force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc. |
comprise include; consist of |
compromise adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N. |
compulsion compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse |
compulsive resulting from compulsion |
compulsory obligatory; that must be done |
compunction remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt |
compute reckon; calculate |
concatenate link as in a chain |
concave hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex |
concede admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal |
conceit vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry) |
concentric having a common center |
conception beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception |
concerted mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together |
concession an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire |
conciliatory reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger) |
concise brief and compact |
conclave private secret meeting |
conclusive decisive; ending all debate |
concoct prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction |
concomitant that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else |
concord harmony; accord |
concordat formal agreement |
concur agree; coincide; happen at the same time |
concurrent happening at the same time; in agreement |
condescend (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior |
condign adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved |
condiments seasonings; spices |
condole express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow |
condone overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse |
conducive helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards |
conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids |
confidant(confidante) trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret) |
confide tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about |
confidence self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confides nt |
confidential spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary |
confine shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement |
confiscate seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer |
conflagration great fire |
confluence flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together |
conformist person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to accepted beliefs of norn ms |
conformity harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformans ce |
confound confuse; puzzle |
congeal freeze; coagulate |
congenial pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather |
congenital existing at birth |
conglomerate corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V. |
conglomeration mass of material sticking together |
congruence correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity |
congruent in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous |
conifer pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen |
conjecture surmise; guess; V. |
conjugal pertaining to marriage |
conjure cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat. |
connivance pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire |
connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art |
connotation suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote |
connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state |
consanguineous(consanguine) having a common ancestor |
consanguinity kinship; relationship by birth |
conscientious scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker |
conscript draftee; person forced into military service; V. |
consecrate dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor |
consensus general agreement; opinion reached by a group |
consequential self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent |
conservatory(conservatoire) school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy |
consign send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee |
consistency absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous |
console lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation |
consolidation unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen |
consonance harmony; agreement |
consonant harmonious; in agreement; N. |
consort associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler) |
conspiracy treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people) |
conspire take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties. |
consternation great shock; dismay |
constituency voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents) |
constituent supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component |
constitution constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions |
constraint restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison |
construe explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue |
consummate complete; V. |
contagion infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air |
contaminate pollute |
contempt scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible |
contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly |
contention assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition |
contentious quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments |
contest dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N. |
context writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs |
contiguous adjacent to; touching upon |
continence self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent |
contingent dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency |
contortions twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist |
contraband illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ. |
contravene contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention |
contrite penitent; repentant; N. contrition |
contrivance something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme |
contrive invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention |
contrived unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived. |
controvert oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy |
contumacious stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court) |
contusion bruise |
conundrum riddle; difficult problem |
convene come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council |
convention social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement |
conventional ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons |
converge approach; tend to meet; come together |
conversant familiar with; having knowledge of |
converse opposite; ADJ. |
convert one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief |
convex curving outward |
conveyance vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance |
conviction judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief |
convivial pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial |
convoke call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation |
convoluted coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain |
convulsion violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive |
copious plentiful |
coquette flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V. |
cordial warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome |
cordon extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; |
cornice projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); |
cornucopia horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty |
corollary natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else) |
coroner public official who investigates any death thought to be of other than natural causes |
corporeal bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible |
corpulent very fat; N. corpulence |
corpus collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse |
corpuscle red or white cell in the blood |
correlate either of the correlated things; V. |
correlation mutual relationship |
corroborate confirm; support; strengthen |
corrode destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period) |
corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce |
corrugated wrinkled; ridged |
cosmic pertaining to the universe; vast |
coterie group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests |
countenance approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance |
countermand cancel; revoke (an order) |
counterpart thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system |
coup highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills |
couple join; unite; OP. uncouple |
courier messenger |
court attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster |
covenant binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise |
covert secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt |
covetous avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions) |
cow terrorize; intimidate |
cower shrink quivering as from fear; cringe |
coy shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer? ??? ? |
cozen cheat; hoodwink; swindle |
crabbed sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting |
craft skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning |
crass very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior |
crave desire; want intensely |
craven cowardly |
credence belief |
credential evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court. |
credo creed |
credulity belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous |
creed system of religious or ethical belief |
creep move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N. |
cremate incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium |
crescendo increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent |
crest top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird |
crestfallen dejected; dispirited |
crevice crack; fissure |
cringe shrink back as if in fear; cower |
crinkle wrinkle |
criteria standards used in judging; CF. criterion |
crochet make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet |
crone hag; ugly old woman |
cross bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry |
crossbreed hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed |
crotchety (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion |
crust hard outer covering (as of earth or snow) |
crux essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance |
crypt secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church) |
cryptic mysterious; hidden; secret |
cubicle small chamber used for sleeping or work |
cue word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to |
cuisine style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine |
culinary relating to cooking or kitchen |
cull pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N. |
culmination highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war |
culpable deserving blame; blameworthy |
culprit one guilty of a crime |
culvert artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road |
cumbersome heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform |
cumulative growing by addition; accumulative |
cunning clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit |
cupidity greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid |
curator superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library) |
curb chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain |
curfew regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew |
curmudgeon churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person |
cursive (of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined |
cursory casual; hastily done with little attention to detail |
curtail shorten; reduce |
cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness |
cynosure object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor |
d\'eb\^acle sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster |
d\'ebris rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed |
d\'ecollet\'e (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress) |
d\'enouement final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained |
dabble work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid |
dainty delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress |
dais raised platform for speakers or other important people |
dally trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time |
damn condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation |
dank damp; unpleasantly wet |
dapper neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry |
dappled spotted |
dart move or throw suddenly and quickly |
daub smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint |
daunt intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten |
dauntless bold; fearless |
dawdle loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing |
daze stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N. |
dazzle make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder |
deadlock standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate |
deadpan wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face |
dearth scarcity |
debar bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services |
debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement |
debauch corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol) |
debilitate weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble |
debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition |
debunk expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule |
debut d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society |
debutante young woman making formal entrance into society |
decadence decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent |
decant pour off gently (wine or liquid) |
decapitate behead |
decelerate slow down |
deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth |
decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of |
decipher decode; CF. indecipherable |
declivity downward slope |
decomposition decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts |
decorous proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance) |
decorum propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct |
decoy lure or bait; V. |
decree authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree |
decrepit weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man |
decrepitude state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age |
deducible derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning |
deface mar; disfigure |
defalcate embezzle |
defame harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory |
default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V. |
defeatist resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism |
defect shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one) |
defection desertion |
defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous |
deference courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery |
defiance refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant |
defile pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains |
definitive most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court |
deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course |
defoliate destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant |
defray provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay |
defrock strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock |
deft neat; skillful |
defunct dead; no longer in use or existence |
degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person |
degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank |
deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity |
deign condescend; stoop |
delete erase; strike out |
deleterious harmful |
deliberate consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow |
delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation |
delirium mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious |
delta flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river |
delude deceive |
deluge flood; rush; V. |
delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that |
delusive deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises |
delve dig; search deeply; investigate |
demagogue person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery |
demean disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave |
demeanor behavior; bearing |
demented insane |
demise death |
demographic related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population |
demolition destruction; V. demolish |
demoniac(demoniacal) fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil |
demotic of or pertaining to the people |
demur object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday |
demure (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure |
denigrate blacken; defame |
denizen (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor |
denomination religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic |
denotation meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation |
denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation |
depict portray |
deplete reduce; exhaust |
deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition |
deploy spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically |
deport send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment |
depose dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify |
deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning |
depravity extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave |
deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory |
depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value |
depredation plundering; destruction |
deputize work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away |
deranged insane |
derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person |
dereliction neglect of duty; abandonment |
deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect |
derision ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory |
derivation deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word |
derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N. |
dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases |
derogatory expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage |
descry catch sight of (something distant) |
desecrate profane; violate the sanctity of |
deserts what someone deserves |
desiccate dry up |
desolate (of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless |
desolate make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert |
desperado reckless, desperate outlaw |
desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort |
despise look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible |
despoil plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village |
despondent without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection |
despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism |
destitute extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience |
desultory aimless; haphazard; digressing at random |
detached emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment |
detain keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention |
determinate having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final |
determination resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision |
deterrent something that discourages or deters |
detonation explosion |
detraction slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor |
detrimental harmful; damaging; N. detriment |
deviate turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism |
devious roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route |
devise think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest |
devoid empty; lacking |
devolve deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to |
devotee enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach |
devout pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope |
dexterous skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity |
diabolical diabolic; devilish; fiendish |
diadem crown |
dialectical relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments |
diaphanous sheer; transparent |
diatribe bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse |
dichotomy division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones) |
dictum authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing) |
didactic (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism |
die metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice |
diffidence shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident |
diffuse wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse |
dignitary person of high rank or position |
digression wandering away from the subject; V. digress |
dilapidated falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation |
dilate expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject) |
dilatory delaying; tending to delay |
dilemma situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives |
dilettante aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight |
diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work |
dilute make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president |
diminution lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish |
din continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition |
dinghy small boat (often ship's boat) |
dingy (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain |
dint means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work |
diorama life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background |
dire warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food |
dirge funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person) |
disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief |
disaffected disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty |
disapprobation disapproval; condemnation |
disarray state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray |
disavowal denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim |
disband dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded. |
disbar make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession |
disburse pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse |
discernible distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement |
discerning mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive |
disclaim disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer |
disclose reveal; N. disclosure |
discombobulated discomposed; confused |
discomfit frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb |
discompose disturb the composure of; confuse |
disconcert confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb |
disconsolate hopelessly sad (at the loss of something) |
discord conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played) |
discorda nt not harmonious; conflicting |
discount disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost |
discourse serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V. |
discredit defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful |
discrepancy lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions |
discrete separate; unconnected |
discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary |
discriminate distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference |
discriminating able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination |
discursive (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan) |
disdain treat with scorn or contempt |
disembark debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark |
disenfranchise disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise |
disengage uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage |
disfigure mar the appearance of; spoil |
disgorge surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge |
disgruntle make discontented |
dishearten discourage |
disheveled untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel |
dishonor disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable |
disinclination unwillingness |
disingenuous not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous |
disinter dig up; unearth; OP. inter |
disinterested unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective |
disjointed disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin |
disjunction act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive |
dislodge remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge |
dismantle take apart; disassemble |
dismember cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb |
dismiss eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal |
disparage belittle |
disparate basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated |
disparity difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity |
dispassionate calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings |
dispatch speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill |
dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish |
dispense distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule |
disperse scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd |
dispirited lacking in spirit |
disport amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert |
disproportion lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate |
disputatious argumentative; fond of argument |
disquietude uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious |
disquisition formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report |
dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine |
dissemble disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend |
disseminate distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds) |
dissension disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group |
dissent disagree |
dissertation formal essay; treatise |
dissident dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N. |
dissimulate pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble |
dissipate squander; waste foolishly; scatter |
dissolution disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life |
dissonance discord |
dissuade persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion |
distant reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly |
distend expand; swell out |
distill refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew |
distinct clearly different; clearly noticed |
distinction honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction |
distinctive clearly different from others of the same kind |
distort twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion |
distract take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted |
distrait absentminded; distracted |
distraught upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry |
diurnal daily; occurring during the daytime |
diva operatic singer; prima donna |
diverge vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating |
diverse differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance |
diversion act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse |
divest strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment) |
divine perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination |
divulge reveal |
docile obedient; easily managed; submissive |
docket program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket |
doctrinaire unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties |
doctrine teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal |
document provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N. |
doddering shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder |
doff take off; OP. don |
dogged determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean |
doggerel poor verse |
dogmatic opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal |
doldrums blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums |
dolorous sorrowful; N. dolor |
dolt slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull |
domicile home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain. |
dominant exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive |
dominate control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; |
domineer rule over tyrannically |
don put on; OP. doff |
doom condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V. |
dormant sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent |
dormer window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room |
dorsal relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin |
dossier file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back |
dotage senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage |
dote be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline |
dour sullen; gloomy; stubborn |
douse plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse |
dowdy untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman |
downcast disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward |
dowry money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage |
dowse use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals |
doze sleep lightly; nap |
drab dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life |
draconian extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician |
draft first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript |
drama prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation |
drastic strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures |
draught current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time |
draw choosing of a lot or card |
dregs sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue |
dribble flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N. |
drip fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops |
drivel nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense |
droll queer and amusing |
drone idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee |
drone talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N. |
droop bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N. |
dross waste matter; worthless impurities |
drudge do drudgery; N: person who drudges |
drudgery hard unpleasant work; menial work |
dubious questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety |
ductile malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled |
dulcet sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious |
dull (of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V. |
dumbfound(dumfound) astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck |
dummy imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy |
dupe someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive |
duplicity double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous |
duration length of time something lasts |
duress forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress |
dutiful(duteous) (of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty) |
dwindle shrink; reduce gradually |
dynamic energetic; vigorously active |
dynamo generator for producing electricity; energetic person |
dys- abnormal; impaired |
dysentery inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract |
dyslexia word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read |
dyspeptic suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food |
earmark set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose |
earthly of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason |
earthy unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal |
ebb (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide |
ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling |
eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric |
eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy |
ecclesiastic ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman |
eclectic selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism |
eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse |
ecliptic path of the sun and the planets |
ecologist person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology |
economy efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources |
ecosystem ecological community together with its environment |
ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy |
eddy swirling current of water, air, etc.; V. |
edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command |
edifice building (of imposing size) |
edify instruct; correct morally |
eerie weird; causing fear because strange |
efface rub out; remove the surface of |
effective effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph |
effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid |
effectuate effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation |
effeminate having womanly traits |
effervescence inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce |
effete having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted |
efficacy power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual |
effigy dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President |
effluvium noxious(harmful) smell |
effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek |
effulgent shining brightly; brilliant |
effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing |
ego one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem |
egoism excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical |
egotism tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance |
egotistical egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited |
egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking |
egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress |
ejaculation exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate |
elaborate work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ. |
elaboration addition of details; intricacy |
elastic able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material |
elated filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation |
elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac |
elevation elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house |
elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone) |
elixir cure-all; panacea; something invigorating |
ellipsis omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses |
elliptical elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out |
elope run away secretly with the intention of getting married |
eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced |
elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid |
elusive evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me. |
elysian relating to paradise; blissful |
Elysium place or condition of bliss |
emaciated thin and wasted (from hunger or illness) |
emanate issue forth; come out |
emancipate set free; liberate |
emasculate weaken; castrate |
embargo ban on commerce or other activity |
embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey |
embed(imbed) enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass |
embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details) |
embezzlement taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care) |
embitter make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments. |
emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment |
embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include |
emboss produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design |
embrace hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet |
embroider decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish |
embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio |
embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development |
emend correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement |
emetic substance causing vomiting; ADJ. |
eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position |
emissary agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger |
emollient soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ. |
emolument salary; payment for an office; compensation |
empathy ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy |
empirical based on experience |
emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation) |
enact make (a bill) into law |
enamored in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love |
encipher encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher |
encircle surround |
enclave territory enclosed within an alien land |
encomiastic praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy |
encompass surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers. |
encroachment gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon |
encumber burden; N. encumbrance |
endear make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced |
endearment fond word or act; expression of affection |
endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic |
endorse approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal |
endue provide with some quality; endow |
enduring lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive |
energize invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active |
enervate weaken; take away energy from |
enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise |
engage attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle |
engaged employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict |
engaging charming; attractive |
engender cause; produce; give rise to |
engross occupy fully; absorb |
engulf surround and swallow up |
enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve |
enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling |
enjoin command; order; forbid |
enlist (cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support) |
enliven make lively or spirited; animate |
enmity ill will; hatred; hostility |
ennui boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy |
enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous |
enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight |
ensconce settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place) |
ensue follow (as a result) |
entail make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B |
enterprise willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat |
enterprising full of initiative; showing enterprise |
enthrall capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound |
entice lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt |
entity real being |
entomology study of insects |
entourage group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround |
entrance put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight |
entreat plead; ask earnestly |
entree(entr\'ee) entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle |
entrepreneur businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial |
enumerate list; mention one by one |
enunciate announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him. |
environ enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city) |
eon(aeon) long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras |
epaulet(epaulette) ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.) |
ephemeral short-lived; fleeting |
epic long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand |
epicure connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus |
Epicurean believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N. |
epigram witty thought or saying, usually short |
epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work |
episodic (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience |
epistemologist philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology |
epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone) |
epithet word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous) |
epitome perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody |
epoch period of time |
equable tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform |
equanimity calmness of temperament; composure |
equestrian rider on horseback; ADJ. |
equilibrium balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity |
equine resembling a horse; Ex. equine face |
equinox period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial |
equipoise balance; balancing force; equilibrium |
equitable fair; impartial; OP. inequitable |
equity fairness; justice; OP. inequity |
equivocal (of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal |
equivocate use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation |
erode eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks. |
erotic pertaining to passionate love or sexual love |
errant wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant |
erratic odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable |
erroneous mistaken; wrong; incorrect |
erudite (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition |
escapade prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules |
eschew avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks |
esoteric hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica |
espionage spying |
espouse adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal |
esteem respect; value; judge; N. |
estimable (of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable; deserving esteem; possible to estimate |
estranged separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement |
ethereal like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air |
ethnic relating to races |
ethnology study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology |
ethos underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos |
etymology study of word parts; study of the origins of words |
eugenic pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race |
eulogistic praising; full of eulogy |
eulogy expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize |
euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic |
euphony sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious |
euphoria feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric |
euthanasia mercy killing |
evanescent fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce |
evasive not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit |
evenhanded impartial; fair |
eventual happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory |
evince show clearly |
evocative tending to call up (emotions, memories) |
evoke call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation |
ewe female sheep |
exacerbate worsen; aggravate; embitter |
exact demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction |
exacting extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety |
exalt raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation |
exasperate vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience) |
except exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality |
exceptionable objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable |
excerpt selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V. |
exchequer treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer |
excise cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision |
exclaim cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory |
excoriate scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off |
exculpate clear from blame or guilt |
execrable very bad; detestable |
execrate curse; express abhorrence for; detest |
execute put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution |
executioner person administering capital punishment |
executive person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing |
executor person designated to execute the terms of a will; |
exegesis explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages |
exemplary serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model |
exemplify show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting. |
exempt not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V. |
exertion effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort |
exhale breathe out; OP. inhale |
exhilarating invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car |
exhort urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation |
exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave |
exigency urgent situation; ADJ. exigent |
exiguous small in amount; minute |
existential pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism |
exodus departure (of a large number of people) |
exonerate acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt |
exorbitant (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds |
exorcise drive out evil spirits |
exotic not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress |
expansive (of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size |
expatiate talk at length; speak or write in detail |
expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country |
expedient suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient |
expedite hasten; make go faster |
expeditious done with speed; quick; N. expedition |
expenditure payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy |
expertise specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill |
expiate make amends for (a sin) |
expletive meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word |
explicate explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable |
explicit totally clear; definite; outspoken |
exploit brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean |
exploit make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation |
expos\'e public revelation of something discreditable |
expository explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition |
expostulation protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate |
exposure risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption |
expound explain |
expropriate take possession of (often for public use and without payment) |
expunge cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase |
expurgate clean; remove offensive parts of a book |
exquisite delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry |
extant (of something written or painted) still in existence |
extemporaneous not planned; impromptu; extempore |
extenuate weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior) |
extirpate root up; uproot; destroy completely |
extol praise very highly; glorify |
extort wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant |
extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite |
extraneous not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject |
extrapolation projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information |
extricate free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle |
extrinsic external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic |
extrovert person interested mostly in external objects and actions |
extrude force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die |
exuberance overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly |
exude flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation |
exult rejoice |
fabricate build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society |
facade(fa\c{c}ade) front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance |
facet small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side |
facetious joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous |
facile easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility |
facilitate help bring about; make less difficult |
facsimile copy |
faction party; clique (within a large group); dissension |
factious inclined to form factions; causing dissension |
factitious artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears |
factotum handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything |
faculty mental or bodily powers; teaching staff |
fake not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature |
fallacious false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument |
fallible liable to err |
fallow (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated |
falsify make (something written) false by changing |
falter hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N. |
fanaticism excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic |
fancied imagined; unreal |
fancier breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal |
fanciful whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme |
fancy imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate |
fanfare call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display |
farce broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical |
far-fetched too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story |
fashion give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay |
fastidious difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky |
fatalism belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death |
fathom comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water |
fathomless too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable |
fatuous smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness |
fauna animals of a period or region; CF. flora |
favoritism display of partiality toward a favored person |
fawning courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness |
faze disconcert; dismay; embarrass |
feasible practical; able to be carried out; practicable |
feature distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent |
febrile feverish |
fecundity fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young |
feebleminded deficient in intelligence; very stupid |
feign pretend |
feint trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V. |
felicitous (of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen |
felicity happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous |
feline of a member of the cat family; N. |
fell cruel; (of a disease) deadly |
fell cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile) |
felon person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime |
feral (of an animal) not domestic; wild |
ferment agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble) |
fermentation chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation |
ferocious fierce; violent; N. ferocity |
ferret drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes |
fertile producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize |
fervent ardent; zealous; hot |
fervid ardent; zealous; hot |
fervor glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat |
fester rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days. |
festive joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival |
fete(f\^ete) honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast |
fetid(foetid) malodorous; foul |
fetish(fetich) object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism |
fetter shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot |
feud bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism |
fiasco total failure; CF. bottle |
fiat command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done |
fickle changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless |
fictitious imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional |
fidelity loyalty; accuracy |
fiend evil spirit; devil |
figment invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination |
figurative not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech |
figure written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. My name did not figure in the list. |
figurine small ornamental statuette(very small statue) |
filch steal (things of small value) |
filial pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect |
filibuster block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter |
filigree delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork |
filing particle removed by a file |
filth dirty matter; ADJ. filthy |
finale conclusion; concluding part |
finery beautiful clothes for a special occasion |
finesse delicate skill; V: handle with finesse |
finicky too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food |
finish surface texture; completeness of execution |
finished properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance |
finite limited |
firebrand piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble |
fissure crevice; crack |
fit sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy |
fitful spasmodic; intermittent; irregular |
flaccid flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles |
flag droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging |
flagrant conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous |
flail beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle |
flair talent |
flamboyant ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame |
flashy showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance |
flaunt display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !'' |
flay strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly |
fleck spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot |
fledgling(fledgeling) inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person |
fleece wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder |
fleet fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral |
flick light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Ex. flick the switch |
flicker burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement |
flighty (esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive |
flinch hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger. |
flip send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over |
flippant lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy |
flirt behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious |
flit fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower |
floe flat mass of floating ice |
flora plants of a region or era |
florescence condition or period of flowering |
florid ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose |
flotsam drifting wreckage |
flounder struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion |
flourish grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting) |
flout reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules |
flowery full of flowers; full of ornate expressions |
fluctuate waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly |
fluency smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent |
fluke unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky |
flush redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing |
fluster confuse; make nervous and confused; N. |
fluted having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column |
flutter (of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N. |
flux flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux |
fodder coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food |
foible small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble |
foil contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another |
foil defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail |
foist insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist |
foliage masses of leaves; CF. defoliate |
foment stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant) |
foolhardy rash; reckless; foolishly daring |
foppish vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance |
foray raid; sudden raid or military advance; V. |
forbearance patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison |
ford place where a river can be crossed on foot; V. |
forebears(forbears) ancestors |
foreboding premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant) |
forensic suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine |
forerunner predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another |
foreshadow give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure |
foresight ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future |
forestall prevent by taking action in advance |
forfeit something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture |
forge counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated |
forgo(forego) give up; do without |
forlorn sad and lonely; wretched; desolate |
formality ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality |
formidable menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question |
forsake desert; abandon; renounce |
forswear renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure |
forte strong point or special talent in a person's character |
forthcoming happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming. |
forthright straightforward; direct; frank |
fortitude bravery; courage; strength of mind |
fortuitous accidental; by chance; N. fortuity |
forum public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law |
forward presumptuous or bold |
foster rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents |
foul very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul |
founder fail completely; sink; CF. flounder |
founder person who establishes (an organization or business) |
fracas brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee |
fractious unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse |
frail weak; N. frailty |
franchise right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory |
frantic wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear |
fraudulent cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle |
fraught filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight |
fray brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a person's temper or nerves); CF. rub |
freebooter pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich |
frenetic(phrenetic) frenzied; frantic |
frenzied madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement |
fresco painting on wet plaster (usually fresh) |
fret be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful |
friction clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against |
frieze ornamental horizontal band on a wall |
frigid intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone |
fringe decorative edge of hanging threads; edge |
frisk move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful |
fritter waste (time or money on unimportant things) |
frivolous lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial |
frock long loose garment (worn by monks) |
frolic play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs |
frolicsome prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky |
frond fern leaf; palm or banana leaf |
fructify bear fruit; produce fruit |
frugality thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive |
fruitful producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance |
fruition bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition |
frustrate thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose |
fuddle make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused |
fugitive fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large |
fulcrum support on which a lever rests or pivots |
fulminate thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation |
fulsome disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire |
fumble move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N. |
functional made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism |
functionary official (who performs a particular function) |
fundamental basic; primary; essential |
funereal sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral |
furor frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury |
furrow long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V. |
furtive stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance |
fusillade simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.) |
fusion union; coalition; V. fuse |
fuss: trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby |
fussy fastidious; finicky; easily upset |
futile seless; hopeless; ineffectual |
gadfly animal-biting fly; irritating person |
gaffe social blunder |
gainsay deny |
gait manner of walking or running; speed |
galaxy large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities |
gale windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter |
gall annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation |
gall bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ??(bile); CF. gall bladder |
galleon large three-masted sailing ship |
galley low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves) |
gallows framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging) |
galvanic of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani |
galvanize stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity |
gambit opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage |
gambol romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N. |
gamely in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game |
gamut entire range |
gangrene decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous |
gape open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape |
garbled mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible |
gargantuan huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel |
gargoyle waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building |
garish overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy |
garner gather; store up; amass |
garnish decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N. |
garrulous loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity |
gastronomy art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome |
gauche clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth |
gaudy flashy; showy |
gaunt lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren |
gavel hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V. |
gawk stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe |
gazette official periodical publication; newspaper |
genealogy record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry |
generality vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people |
generate cause; produce; create |
generic characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus |
genesis beginning; origin |
geniality cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered |
genre particular variety of art or literature |
genteel well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty |
gentility those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel |
gentle kindly; soft; mild; of good family |
gentry people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility |
genuflect bend the knee as in worship |
genus division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species |
geriatrics medical treatment and care of old age |
germ earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe |
germane pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate |
germinal pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea |
germinate cause to sprout; sprout |
gerontocracy government ruled by old people |
gerontology study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age |
gerrymander change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander |
gestate evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth |
gesticulation motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking) |
ghastly horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast |
gibberish nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling |
gibe mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks |
giddy light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height |
gild cover with a thin layer of gold |
gingerly very carefully; ADJ. |
girth distance around something; circumference |
gist essence; main point; substance |
glacial like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg |
glamor compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous |
glare shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N. |
glaring (of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly |
glaze cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery |
gleam brief flash of light; glow; V. |
glean gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty |
glib fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick |
glimmer shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope |
glitter shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves |
gloat express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels. |
gloss brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V. |
gloss_over explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults |
glossary brief explanation of words used in the text |
glossy smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners |
glow shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color |
glower scowl; glare; look or stare angrily |
glut overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply |
glutinous sticky; viscous; gluey |
glutton someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much |
gnarl protruding knot on a tree; V. |
gnarled twisted |
gnome dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards |
goad urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually |
gobble eat very quickly |
gorge narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it) |
gorge stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful |
gory bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound) |
gossamer sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb |
gouge overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury |
gouge tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood |
gourmand epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink |
gourmet connoisseur of food and drink; epicure |
gracious kind in a generous way (to someone less important) |
gradation series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression |
graduate arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler |
graduated arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.) |
granary storehouse for grain |
grandeur impressiveness; stateliness; majesty |
grandiloquent (of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic |
grandiose affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas |
granulate form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle |
graphic pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described |
graphite black form of carbon used in lead pencils |
grapple wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar |
grate make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace |
gratify please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire |
gratis free; without charge; ADJ. |
gratuitous given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment |
gratuity tip |
gravity seriousness; ADJ. grave |
graze (of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till summer; N: surface wound |
gregarious sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group |
grievance cause of complaint; complaint |
grill question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars |
grim causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile |
grimace facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V. |
grisly ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies |
groom man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal) |
groove long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record |
gross total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens |
grotesque fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement) |
grotto small cavern |
grouch bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; V: complain; grumble |
grouse complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird |
grovel crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner |
growl low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog) |
grudge deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V. |
grudging unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly) |
gruel thin liquid porridge |
grueling exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race |
gruesome grisly; horrible |
gruff rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse |
grumble complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N. |
grunt utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N. |
guffaw boisterous laughter; V. |
guile deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile |
guileless without deceit |
guise outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise |
gull trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe |
gullible easily deceived |
gush (of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound. |
gust strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster |
gustatory affecting or relating to the sense of taste |
gusto eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm |
gusty windy |
guy cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide |
gyroscope apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc. |
habitat natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation |
habituate accustom or familiarize; addict |
hackles hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise |
hackneyed commonplace; trite |
haggard wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners |
haggle argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain) |
hail frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail |
halcyon calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days |
hale healthy |
halfhearted exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm |
hallowed blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy |
hallucination delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory |
halting hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop |
hamper obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ????? ?? ?? ?? ??? |
handsome large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward |
hap chance; luck |
haphazard random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town |
hapless unfortunate; luckless |
harangue long, passionate, and vehement speech; V. |
harass annoy by repeated attacks |
harbinger forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come) |
harbor give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge |
hardy (of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather |
harping tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously |
harrowing agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth |
harry harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid |
hatch deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg |
haughtiness pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty |
haunt (of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented |
haven place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven |
havoc widespread damage; disorder; chaos |
hazard venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger |
hazardous dangerous |
hazy slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind |
headfirst moving with the head leading; headlong |
headlong hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV. |
headstrong willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive' |
healthful conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air |
healthy possessing good health; healthful |
heckler person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech) |
hedonist one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure |
heed pay attention to; N: close attention |
heedless not noticing; disregarding |
hegemony dominance especially of one nation over others |
heinous atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime |
helm steering wheel of a ship; position of control |
hem surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N. |
herald messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher |
herbivorous grain-eating; CF. herbivore |
herd group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a herd; Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex. herdsman; V: come together in a herd; look after a herd; Ex. herd cattle |
hereafter life after death |
heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic |
hermetic concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult |
hermetic sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight |
hermitage home of a hermit |
herpetologist one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians |
heterodox (of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional |
heterogeneous dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants |
hew cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N. |
heyday time of greatest success or power; prime |
hiatus gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break |
hibernal wintry; wintery; of or like winter |
hibernate sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation |
hide skin of an animal |
hideous repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream |
hierarchy arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority |
hieroglyphic picture writing; ADJ. |
high-flown highly pretentious or inflated |
hilarity boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter |
hindmost furthest behind; farthest to the rear |
hindrance block; obstacle; V. hinder |
hindsight understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened |
hinterlands back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland |
hireling one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician |
hirsute hairy; having a lot of hair |
historic important in history; Ex. historic battle |
historical connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not) |
histrionic theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior |
hive box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive |
hoard stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use |
hoary white with age |
hoax trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V. |
holocaust destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust |
holster leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist) |
homage honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to |
homely not good-looking; unattractive |
homeostasis tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm |
homespun domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy |
homily sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic |
homogeneous of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout |
hone sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool |
hoodwink deceive; delude |
horde crowd; swarm |
horoscope diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers |
hortatory encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort |
horticultural pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops |
hostage person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands |
hostility unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile |
hothead person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded |
hovel shack; small wretched house |
hover hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state |
hubbub confused uproar; loud noise; din |
hubris arrogance; excessive self-conceit |
hue color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue |
hue_and_cry outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule |
hull husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship |
humane marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian |
humanitarian one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism |
humble of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others |
humdrum dull; monotonous |
humid damp; N. humidity |
humility humbleness of spirit |
hummock small hill; hillock |
humor indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor |
humus substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil |
hurl throw forcefully; shout out violently |
hurtle crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train |
husband use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder |
husbandry frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman |
hut crude dwelling; shack |
hybrid mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize |
hydrophobia fear of water; rabies |
hygiene science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition |
hyperbole exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola |
hypercritical excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities) |
hypnosis induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize |
hypochondriac person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen |
hypocritical pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite |
hypothetical based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis |
hysteria excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria |
ichthyology study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish |
icon(ikon) religious image; idol; image or representation |
iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images |
ideology system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture |
idiom expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic |
idiosyncrasy individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic |
idle not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V. |
idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous |
idyll(idyl) short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers |
idyllic charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene |
igneous produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite |
ignite kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to |
ignoble unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed |
ignominy deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat |
illicit illegal |
illimitable infinite; limitless |
illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks |
illusion misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion |
illusive deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive |
illusory illusive; deceptive; not real |
imbalance lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion |
imbecility weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool |
imbibe drink in |
imbroglio complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil |
imbue saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings |
immaculate spotless; flawless; absolutely clean |
imminent impending; near at hand |
immobility state of being immovable |
immolate offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire) |
immune resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity |
immure imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall |
immutable unchangeable |
impair injure; hurt; damage |
impale pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear |
impalpable imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible |
impart grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart |
impartial not biased; fair; N. impartiality |
impassable not able to be traveled or crossed |
impasse predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress |
impassioned (of speech) filled with passion; fervent |
impassive without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face |
impeach charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility |
impeccable faultless |
impecunious without money |
impede hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block |
impediment hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment |
impel drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action |
impending nearing; approaching; about to happen |
impenetrable not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery |
impenitent not repentant |
imperative absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done |
imperceptible unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable |
imperial like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism |
imperil put in danger |
imperious domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor |
impermeable impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate |
impersonal not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization |
impertinent insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence |
imperturbable unshakably calm; placid |
impervious impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism |
impetuous violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision |
impetus moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse |
impiety irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety |
impinge infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives. |
impious irreverent |
implacable incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy |
implausible unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi |
implement put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument |
implicate incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime |
implication something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating |
implicit understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust |
implode burst inward; CF. vaccum tube |
implore beg |
imply suggest a meaning not expressed; signify |
impolitic not wise; not expedient; not politic |
imponderable weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound |
import significance; importance; meaning |
importunate urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent |
importune beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way) |
imposture assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor |
impotent weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power |
impoverish make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil |
imprecation curse; swearword |
impregnable invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take |
impregnate make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate |
impromptu without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment |
impropriety improperness; unsuitableness |
improvident thriftless; not providing for the future |
improvise compose on the spur of the moment |
imprudent lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious |
impudence impertinence; insolence |
impugn dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight |
impuissance powerlessness; feebleness |
impunity freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish |
impute attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation |
inadvertently unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly |
inalienable not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights |
inamorata woman whom a man loves |
inane silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity |
inanimate lifeless; not animate |
inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly |
inasmuch_as since; owing to the fact that |
inaugurate begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural |
incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle |
incantation singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant |
incapacitate disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity |
incarcerate imprison |
incarnate endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody |
incarnation act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation |
incendiary arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb |
incense enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor |
incentive spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity |
inception start; beginning |
incessant uninterrupted; unceasing |
inchoate (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass |
incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality |
incident event; event that causes a crisis |
incidental not essential; minor; N: something incidental |
incinerate burn to ashes |
incipient beginning; in an early stage |
incisive (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into |
incite arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion |
inclement stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement |
incline slope; slant; Ex. steep incline |
inclined tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend |
inclusive tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge |
incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ. |
incoherent unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent |
incommodious not spacious; inconvenient |
incompatible inharmonious; N. incompatibility |
incongruity lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate |
inconsequential insignificant; unimportant |
inconsistency state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible |
incontinent lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious |
incontrovertible indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable |
incorporate introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ. |
incorporeal without a material body; insubstantial |
incorrigible uncorrectable |
incredulity tendency to disbelief |
incredulous withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief |
increment increase |
incriminate accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence |
incrustation hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust |
incubate hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease |
incubus burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus |
inculcate teach (ideas or principles); instill |
incumbent obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office |
incur bring upon oneself |
incursion temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey |
indecision irresolution; inability to make up one's mind |
indecisive marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle |
indefatigable tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired |
indelible not able to be erased |
indemnify make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured |
indentation notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth |
indenture bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master) |
indeterminate uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite |
indicative suggestive; implying; serving to indicate |
indices signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index |
indict charge; N. indictment |
indifferent unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad |
indigence poverty |
indigenous native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World |
indigent poor; destitute |
indignation anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant |
indignity treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them. |
indiscriminate choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions |
indisputable too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt |
indissoluble permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate |
indite write; compose |
indoctrinate cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism |
indolent lazy |
indomitable unconquerable; unyielding |
indubitable unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable |
induce persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement |
induct place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts |
inductive pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general |
indulge yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence |
indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence |
industrious diligent; hard-working; N. industry |
inebriate make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person |
inebriated habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety |
ineffable unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy |
ineffectual not effective; not having a desired effect; weak |
ineluctable irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable |
inept unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate |
inequity unfairness; ADJ. inequitable |
inerrancy infallibility |
inert inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state |
inestimable impossible to estimate; (apprec) invaluable; of immeasurable worth |
inevitable unavoidable |
inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises |
inextricable from which it is impossible to get free; that cannot be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextricable two histories |
infallible unerring; never making mistakes |
infamous notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation |
infantile childish; infantlike |
infer deduce; conclude; N. inference |
infernal pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction |
infest inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters |
infidel unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion) |
infiltrate pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator |
infinitesimal very small |
infirmity weakness |
inflated exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas) |
influx flowing into |
infraction violation (of a rule or regulation); breach |
infringe violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person) |
ingenious marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity |
ingenue ing\'enue; young innocent girl |
ingenuous naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid |
ingrained deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice |
ingrate ungrateful person (not expressing thanks) |
ingratiate become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss |
inherent firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic |
inhibit restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition |
inhibited (of a person) unable to express what one really feels |
inimical (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy |
inimitable matchless; not able to be imitated |
iniquitous wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity |
initiate begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated |
injurious harmful; causing injury |
inkling hint; slight indication |
innate inborn |
innocuous harmless |
innovation change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative |
innuendo indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo |
inopportune untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen |
inordinate beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands |
inquisitive eager for knowledge; unduly curious |
inquisitor questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition |
inroad hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quantity or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid |
insalubrious unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place |
insatiable not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite |
inscrutable difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious |
insensate without feeling; lacking sense; foolish |
insensible unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible |
insidious treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot |
insightful discerning; perceptive |
insinuate hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate |
insipid lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character |
insolence impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude |
insolvent bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency |
insomnia wakefulness; inability to sleep |
insouciant without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent |
instigate start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel |
institute organization for a special purpose; V: establish |
institution instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage |
institutionalize make into an institution; put or confine in an institution |
insubordination disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate |
insubstantial lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial |
insularity narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula |
insuperable insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties |
insurgent rebellious; N. |
insurmountable overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable |
insurrection rebellion; uprising |
intangible not able to be perceived by touch; vague |
integral complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part |
integrate make whole; combine; make into one unit |
integrity honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness |
intellect higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability |
intelligentsia intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily) |
inter bury; N. interment |
interdict prohibit; forbid; N. |
interim meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper |
interjection exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch'' |
interloper intruder; one who interferes |
intermediary intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between |
interminable endless |
intermittent periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals |
internecine mutually destructive |
interpolate insert between |
interregnum period between two successive reigns or governments |
interrogate question closely; cross-examine; cross-question |
interstice narrow space between things |
intervene come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention |
intimate hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy |
intimidate frighten; N. intimidation |
intolerant not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate |
intoxicate make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win |
intractable unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child |
intransigence refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising |
intrepid fearless |
intrigue make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair |
intrinsic essential; inherent; built-in |
introspective looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination |
introvert one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted |
intrude put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in |
intuition immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition |
inundate flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work |
inured accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling |
invalid one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health |
invalidate weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify |
invective abuse |
inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink |
inveigle deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly |
inverse opposite |
invert turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of |
inveterate deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old |
invidious designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison |
invincible unconquerable |
inviolable secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability |
invocation prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking |
invoke call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God |
invulnerable incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure |
iota very small quantity |
irascible irritable; easily angered |
irate angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath |
iridescent exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence |
irksome annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy |
ironic expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner |
irony hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning |
irreconcilable impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved |
irrefutable indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable |
irrelevant not applicable; unrelated |
irremediable incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy |
irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair |
irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back |
irreproachable beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct |
irresolute uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution |
irretrievable impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve |
irreverence lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent |
irrevocable unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke |
isotope varying from of an element |
isthmus narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land |
itinerant wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher |
itinerary plan of a trip; record of a trip |
jab poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows |
jabber chatter rapidly or unintelligibly |
jaded tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite |
jargon language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk |
jaundice medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias |
jaundiced yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye |
jaunt trip; short journey |
jaunty cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat |
jeopardize endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger |
jest playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully |
jetsam things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship) |
jettison throw overboard (from a ship or plane) |
jibe agree; be in harmony with; gibe |
jingoist extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism |
jocose given to(having a tendency of) joking |
jocular said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking |
jocund merry |
jollity gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay |
jostle shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds |
jovial good-natured; merry; cheerful |
jubilation rejoicing; great joy |
judiciary judicial branch of government |
judicious sound on judgment; wise |
jug pitcher; container for holding liquids |
juggernaut irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path |
jumble mix in a confused way |
juncture crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining |
junket trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense |
juridical of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary |
jurisdiction right and power to apply the law; authority |
jurisprudence science of law |
juxtapose place side by side; CF. next |
kaleidoscope tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful |
ken range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken |
kernel central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn) |
killjoy grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others |
kindle start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse |
kindred related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship |
kinetic producing motion; of motion |
kismet fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate. |
kleptomaniac person who has a compulsive desire to steal |
knack special talent; art |
knave untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery |
knead mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough |
kneel go down on one's knee(s) |
knell tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V. |
knit contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks. |
knoll little round hill; hillock |
knotty intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot |
kudos honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement |
labile likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability |
laborious demanding much work or care; tedious |
labyrinth maze |
lace cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace |
laceration torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound |
lachrymose producing tears; tearful |
lackadaisical lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid |
lackluster lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull |
laconic brief and to the point; using few words; terse |
lag move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N. |
laggard slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler |
lagoon shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs |
laity laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy |
lament grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation |
lampoon ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution |
lance pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon |
lancet small surgical tool for making incisions |
languid lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless |
languish lose animation or strength |
languor lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression |
lank long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln |
lap take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person |
larceny theft; Ex. petit larceny |
larder pantry; place where food is kept |
largess generous gift (given to people who do not have enough) |
lascivious lustful |
lassitude languor; weariness; listlessness |
latch fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch |
latent present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential |
lateral of or coming from the side |
latitude freedom from narrow limitations |
laud praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise |
lavish liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance |
lax careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service |
layman man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional |
leash restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash |
leaven add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens |
leave-taking farewell or departure |
lechery gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man |
lectern reading desk or stand for a public speaker |
leery (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious |
leeway room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline |
legacy gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor |
legato (of music) played smoothly |
legend explanatory list of symbols on a map |
legerdemain sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand |
legislature legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws |
leniency mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment |
leonine like a lion |
lethal deadly |
lethargic drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity |
levee earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise |
levitate rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light |
levity lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner |
levy impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco |
lewd lustful |
lexicographer compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary |
lexicon dictionary |
liability drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying) |
liaison contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection |
libel defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous |
libertine debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free |
libidinous lustful |
libido psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire |
libretto text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book |
license official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V. |
licentious amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained |
lien legal claim or right on a property |
ligneous like wood |
lilliputian extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels |
limber flexible; supple; pliable; V. |
limbo region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo |
limn draw; outline; describe; CF. line ? |
limp walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak |
limpid crystal clear |
lineage descent; ancestry |
lineaments features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line |
linger loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days. |
linguistic pertaining to language |
lionize treat (a person) as a celebrity |
liquidate settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish |
list tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side) |
listless lacking in spirit or energy; languid |
litany supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words |
lithe flexible; supple; CF. limber |
litigation lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate |
litotes understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)'' |
litter waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter |
livid lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry |
loath reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go. |
loathe detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell |
lode metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore) |
loft room or space under the roof; attic |
lofty very high |
log record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V. |
loiter hang about/around; stand idly about; linger |
loll lounge about |
longevity long life; long duration |
lookout act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch |
loom appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth |
lope gallop slowly |
lopsided heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking |
loquacious talkative; N. loquacity |
lot object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land |
lottery contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots |
lounge stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way |
lout clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ? |
low moo; make the sound of a cow |
lubricate apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction |
lucid easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity |
lucrative profitable; producing wealth |
lucre money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre |
ludicrous laughable; ridiculous; trifling |
lugubrious mournful; sorrowful |
lull moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby |
lumber move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber |
lumen unit of light energy (one candle's worth) |
luminary celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body) |
luminous shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs |
lunar pertaining to the moon |
lunatic insane; Ex. lunatic asylum |
lurid wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder |
lurk stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived |
luscious pleasing to taste or smell; delicious |
lush (of a plant or grass) growing very well |
lust intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V. |
luster shine; gloss (of a polished surface) |
lustrous shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair |
luxuriant abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate |
luxuriate take pleasure in great comfort |
macabre gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death |
mace ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon |
macerate soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper |
Machiavellian crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power |
machinations evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate |
maculated spotted; stained; CF. immaculate |
madrigal pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments |
maelstrom violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream |
magisterial authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner |
magistrate official with power to administer the law |
magnanimity generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous |
magnate person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate |
magniloquent boastful; pompous |
magnitude greatness (in size or extent); extent |
maim mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life |
makeshift temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter |
maladroit clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling |
malady illness |
malaise uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease) |
malapropism comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop |
malapropos inappropriate; ADV. |
malcontent person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented |
malediction curse |
malefactor evildoer; criminal |
maleficient doing evil; N. maleficience |
malevolent wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence |
malfeasance wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official) |
malicious hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite |
malign speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence |
malignant tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor |
malingerer one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work |
malleable (of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable |
malodorous foul-smelling |
mammal vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young |
mammoth gigantic; enormous |
manacle restrain; handcuff; N. |
mandate order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory |
mandatory obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate |
maneuver(manoeuver) strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end |
mange skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair |
mangle tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies |
mangy shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance |
maniacal raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm |
manifest evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly |
manifestation outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent |
manifesto public declaration of principles; statement of policy |
manifold many in number or kind; numerous; varied |
manipulate operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative |
mannered affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech |
mannerism distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles) |
mantle loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core |
manumit emancipate; free from slavery or bondage |
mar spoil the appearance of |
maraud move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army |
margin border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety |
marginal of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability |
marital pertaining to marriage |
maritime bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces |
marked noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man |
maroon leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown |
marred damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure |
marrow soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells |
marshal put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official |
marsupial one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat |
martial warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law |
martinet strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet |
martyr one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism |
mash crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl |
masochist person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism |
mason one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork |
masquerade wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise |
mass Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist |
masticate chew |
mat not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V. |
materialism preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters) |
maternal motherly; N. maternity: motherhood |
matin\'ee(matinee) dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon |
matriarch woman who rules a family or larger social group |
matriculate enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix |
matrimony state of being married |
matrix point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization |
maudlin effusively sentimental |
maul handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer |
mausoleum monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos |
mauve pale purple |
maverick rebel; nonconformist (in a group) |
mawkish mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental |
maxim proverb; truth pithily stated |
mayhem injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim |
meager scanty; inadequate |
mealymouthed indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive |
meander wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly |
meddlesome interfering; V. meddle: interfere |
mediate settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire |
mediocre ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad |
meditation reflection; thought; V. meditate |
medium element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted |
medley mixture |
meek submissive; patient and long-suffering |
megalomania mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance |
melancholy gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia |
melee fight |
mellifluous (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune |
memento token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit |
memoir memoirs; autobiography; biography |
memorial something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative |
memorialize commemorate |
menace threat; V: threaten |
menagerie collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo |
mendacious lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity |
mendicant beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar |
menial suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house) |
mentor counselor; teacher |
mercantile concerning trade or merchants |
mercenary motivated solely by money or gain; N. |
mercurial capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood |
meretricious flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute |
merger combination (of two business corporations); act of merging |
merit deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise |
mesmerize hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer |
metallurgical pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores |
metamorphosis change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis |
metaphor implied comparison; CF. simile |
metaphysical pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality |
mete measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment |
meteoric like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor |
meter arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm) |
methodical systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure |
meticulous excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous |
metrical metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer |
metropolis large city |
mettle courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome |
miasma swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence |
microcosm small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society |
migrant changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates |
migratory wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another |
milieu social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor. |
militant combative; bellicose; N. |
militate work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier |
militia army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers |
millennium thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity |
mime pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime |
mimicry imitation |
minatory menacing; threatening |
mincing affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer |
mingle mix together in close association |
minion servile dependent; obsequious follower |
minuscule(miniscule) extremely small |
minute extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting |
minutiae petty or trivial details; CF. minutia |
mirage unreal reflection; optical illusion |
mire entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire |
mirth merriment; laughter |
misadventure mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure |
misanthrope one who hates mankind; misanthropist |
misapprehension error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend |
miscellaneous made up of a variety of parts |
miscellany mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items |
mischance ill luck |
mischief behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome |
misconduct immoral behavior; bad management; V. |
misconstrue interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge |
miscreant wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe |
misdemeanor minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing |
miserly stingy; mean |
misgivings doubts |
mishap unfortunate accident |
misnomer wrong or improper name; incorrect designation |
misogamy hatred of marriage |
misogynist hater of woman; CF. misogyny |
missile object to be thrown or projected |
missive letter; written statement; CF. sent |
mite very small object or insect-like creature; small coin |
mitigate appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity |
mnemonic pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid |
mobile movable; not fixed; N. mobility |
mock ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision |
mode prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life |
modicum limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate |
modish fashionable; conforming to the current fashion |
modulate tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G |
mogul powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian |
molecule the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance |
mollify soothe an angry person |
mollycoddle pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively |
molt(moult) periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth) |
molten melted; Ex. molten lava |
momentous very important; N. moment; CF. momentary |
momentum quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force |
monarchy government under a single ruler |
monastic related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns |
monetary pertaining to money |
mongrel plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ. |
monochromatic having only one color |
monochrome painting in only one color; ADJ. |
monogram design composed of one or more initials of a name; V. |
monograph scholarly article |
monolithic solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone |
monotheism belief in one God |
monotony sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone |
monumental massive; impressively large; built as a monument |
moodiness fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion |
moratorium legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses |
morbid given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease |
mordant biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit |
mores conventions; moral standards; moral customs |
morgue mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation |
moribund dying; at the point of death; CF. death |
morose ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy |
mortar vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle |
mortician undertaker; CF. death |
mortify humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die |
mosaic picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ. |
mote small speck (esp. of dust) |
motif theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure |
motility ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously |
motley multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts) |
mottled blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors |
motto brief statement used to express a principle |
mountebank charlatan; boastful pretender |
muddle confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion |
muggy (of weather) warm and damp |
mulct defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy |
multifarious varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities |
multiform having many forms |
multilingual having many languages; fluent in several languages |
multiplicity state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element |
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world |
munificent very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience |
mural wall painting |
murky dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom |
murmur low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble |
muse ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet) |
musky having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer |
muster gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N. |
musty stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist |
mutablility ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant |
mute silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of |
muted silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise |
mutilate maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part |
mutinous unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer |
mutter utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones |
myopic nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia |
myriad very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand |
mystic of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism |
n decry express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films |
n dehydrate remove water from; dry out |
n ovation enthusiastic applause |
nadir lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith |
naivet\'e(naivety) quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous |
narcissist conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus |
narrative related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration |
nascent incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music |
natal connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal |
natation swimming |
natty neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser |
nausea feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness |
nauseate cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea |
nauseous causing nausea; feeling nausea |
nautical pertaining to ships or navigation |
navigable (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered |
nebula diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy |
nebulous vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal |
necromancy black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis |
nectar drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees |
nefarious very wicked |
negate cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation |
negligence neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care |
negligible so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded |
nemesis someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis |
neologism new or newly coined word or phrase |
neophyte recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant |
nepotism favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew |
nether lower; Ex. nether garments/regions |
nettle irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome |
nexus connection |
nib beak(bill); pen point |
nicety precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties |
niggardly meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person |
niggle spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling |
nihilist one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement |
nimble quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind |
nip snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill |
nirvana in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude |
nocturnal done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne |
noisome foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome |
nomadic wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place |
nomenclature terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things |
nominal in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint |
nonchalance indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts |
noncommittal neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided |
nondescript undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd |
nonentity person of no importance; nonexistence |
nonplus put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more |
nonsense speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail |
noose loop formed in a rope |
nostalgia homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic |
nostrum questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy) |
notable conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted |
notch V-shaped cut in a surface; V. |
notoriety disrepute; ill fame |
nourish provide with food necessary for life and growth |
nourishment something that nourishes; food |
nova star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness |
novelty something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original |
novice beginner |
noxious harmful; CF. obnoxious |
nuance shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction |
nubile marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial |
nugatory worthless; futile |
nullify make invalid; make null; invalidate |
numismatist person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals |
nuptial of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony |
nuptial related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony |
nurse suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone |
nurture nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing |
nutrient nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment |
nutrition process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition |
nutritious providing nourishment |
oaf stupid awkward person; CF. elf |
oath solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake'' |
oatmeal crushed oats used for making porridge |
obdurate stubborn; refusing to change one's belief |
obeisance bow (to show respect and obedience) |
obelisk tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid |
obese excessively fat; N. obesity |
obfuscate confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand |
obituary death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ. |
objective not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim |
obligatory binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate |
oblique indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference |
obliterate destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village |
oblivion obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness |
oblivious inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting) |
obloquy slander; disgrace; infamy |
obnoxious offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell |
obscure dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning |
obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic |
obsequy funeral ceremony |
obsessive related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively |
obsidian black volcanic rock |
obsolete outmoded; no longer used |
obstetrician physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife |
obstinate stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy |
obstreperous boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable |
obtrude push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive |
obtuse blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding |
obviate make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need |
Occident the West |
occlude shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery. |
occult mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare |
oculist physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes |
odds chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with |
odious arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile |
odium detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct) |
odoriferous giving off an odor |
odorous having an odor |
odyssey long, eventful, adventurous journey |
offensive attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense |
offhand casual; done without prior thought or preparation |
officious meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy |
ogle look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls |
olfactory concerning the sense of smell |
oligarchy government by a privileged few |
ominous threatening; of an evil omen |
omnipotent all-powerful; having unlimited power |
omnipresent universally present; ubiquitous |
omniscient all-knowing |
omnivorous eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything |
onerous burdensome |
onomatopoeia words formed in imitation of natural sounds |
onslaught vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy |
onus burden; responsibility |
ooze (of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river |
opalescent iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence |
opaque dark; not transparent; N. opacity |
opiate medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium |
opportune timely; well-chosen |
opportunist individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism |
opprobrium infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous |
optician maker and seller of eyeglasses |
optimist person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism |
optimum most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition |
optional not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options |
optometrist one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects |
opulence extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant |
opus work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera |
oracular of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle |
orator public speaker |
oratorio dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata |
ordain decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination |
ordeal severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction |
ordinance decree; authoritative order |
ordination ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest |
orgy wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping |
orient get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate |
orientation act of finding oneself in society; orienting |
orifice mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth |
ornate excessively or elaborately decorated |
ornithologist scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds |
orous full of pores; like a sieve |
orthodox traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine |
orthography correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics |
oscillate vibrate pendulumlike; waver |
osseous made of bone; bony |
ossify change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas |
ostensible apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition |
ostentatious showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display |
ostracize banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism |
oust expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting |
outcast one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ. |
outfit clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit |
outgoing sociable; eager to mix socially with others |
outlandish bizzare; peculiar; unconventional |
outlaw fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed. |
outlook point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook |
outmoded no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned |
outrage act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive |
outskirts fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston |
outspoken candid; blunt |
outstrip outrun; surpass; outdo |
outwit outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly |
overbearing bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate |
overblown inflated; exaggerated |
oversee watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision |
overt open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert |
overthrow topple; N. |
overture musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace |
overturn turn over; capsize; topple |
overweening arrogant; presumptuous |
overwhelm (of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief |
overwrought nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done |
ovoid egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate |
pachyderm thick-skinned animal |
pacifist one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes |
pacify soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to |
padre chaplain (in the armed forces) |
paean song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory |
painstaking taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through |
palatable agreeable; pleasing to the taste |
palate roof of the mouth; sense of the taste |
palatial of or suitable for a palace; magnificent |
paleontology study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents |
palette board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters) |
palimpsest parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased |
pall become boring; grow tiresome |
pallet small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet |
palliate ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness) |
pallid pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion |
palm conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir |
palpable tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder |
palpitate throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate. |
paltry insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash |
pan criticize harshly |
panacea cure-all; remedy for all diseases |
panache flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ? ??? ?? ??? ?? |
pandemic widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people |
pandemonium wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost |
pander cater to (the low desires of others) |
panegyric formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics. |
pang sudden sharp feeling of pain |
panoramic denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area |
pantomime acting without dialogue; V. |
papyrus ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant |
parable short simple story teaching a moral |
paradigm model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word |
paradox something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct |
paragon model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue |
parallel similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled |
parallelism state of being parallel; similarity; analogy |
parameter limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget |
paramount foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal |
paramour illicit lover |
paranoia psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac |
paraphernalia equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry |
paraphrase restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words |
parasite animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside |
parched extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat) |
parchment writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat |
pare cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses |
pariah social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah |
parish area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church |
parity equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate |
parlance language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance |
parley conference (between opponents); CF. speak |
parochial narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes |
parody humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V. |
paroxysm fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst |
parquet floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece |
parry ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ???? ??? ?? |
parsimony stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious |
partial incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something |
partiality state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference |
partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla |
partition divide into parts |
parvenu upstart; newly rich person |
pass_off present falsely; represent falsely to be |
pass\'e old-fashioned; past the prime |
passive not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance |
paste smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste |
pastiche imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists |
pastoral rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor |
pastry paste of flour and water (eaten when baked) |
patent obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N. |
pathetic causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching |
pathological pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease |
pathos tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel |
patina green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting |
patois local or provincial dialect |
patriarch father and ruler of a family or tribe |
patrician noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian |
patrimony property inherited from a father |
patronize support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott |
paucity scarcity; dearth |
pauper very poor person |
peccadillo slight offense or fault; CF. sin |
pecuniary pertaining to money |
pedagogue teacher; CF. child leader |
pedagogy teaching; art of education |
pedant scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities |
pedantic bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry |
peddle travel about selling (wares); CF. foot |
pedestal support or base as for a pillar or statue |
pedestrian ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N. |
pediatrician physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics |
pedigree ancestry; lineage |
pedigree line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot |
peer one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress |
peerless having no equal; incomparable |
peevish bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry |
pejorative (of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them. |
pell-mell in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell |
pellucid transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand |
pen fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose |
penance self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent |
penchant strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars |
pendant(pendent) hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.) |
pending not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return |
pendulous hanging; suspended |
penetrate enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand |
penitent repentant; N. |
penology study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation |
pensive dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over |
penumbra partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow |
penury extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy |
peon landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage |
perceptive insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception |
percussion striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion |
perdition damnation; complete ruin; hell |
peregrination journey; V. peregrinate |
peremptory demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock |
perennial something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring |
perfidious treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery |
perforate pierce; put a hole through |
perfunctory done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss |
perigee point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee |
perimeter outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference |
peripatetic walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy |
peripheral of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest |
periphery outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town |
perjury false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath |
permeable that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge |
permissive allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society |
pernicious very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia |
peroration conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length |
perpetrate commit an offense; do (something wrong) |
perpetual everlasting |
perpetuate make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity |
perquisite(perk) any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car |
persevere continue steadily in spite of difficulties |
persist continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent |
personable attractive (in personality or appearance) |
personify represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification |
perspicacious (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute |
perspicuity clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity |
perspicuous (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments |
pert (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat |
pertinacious holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent |
pertinent suitable; to the point; relevant |
perturb disturb greatly |
peruse read through with care; N. perusal |
pervasive spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate |
perverse purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity |
perversion corruption; turning from right to wrong |
pervert corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural |
pessimism belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic |
pestilential(pestilent) causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague) |
pestle tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar |
petrify turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze |
petty trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded |
petulant touchy; peevish; ill-tempered |
phalanx formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense) |
pharisaical pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical |
pharisee Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person |
phenomena observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength |
philanderer faithless lover; flirt |
philanthropist lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy |
philatelist stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting |
philistine narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete |
philology study of language or words |
phlegmatic calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract |
phobia morbid fear |
phoenix symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes |
phylum major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division |
physiognomy face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features |
physiological pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology |
piebald of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald |
piecemeal one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal |
pied piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored |
piety devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious |
pigment coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil) |
pilfer steal things of small value; filch; snitch |
pillage plunder |
pillory punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N. |
pinch squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger |
pine long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline |
pinion restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing |
pinnace small boat |
pinnacle peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame |
pious devout; religious; N. piety |
piquant pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help |
pique irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity |
piscatorial pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces |
pitfall hidden danger; concealed trap |
pith core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance |
pithy concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty |
pittance small amount (of money); small allowance or wage |
pivotal of a pivot; central; critical; crucial |
placate pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease |
placebo harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill |
placid peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake |
plagiarize steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap |
plaintive expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song |
plait braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail |
plane carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat |
plaster paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V. |
plasticity ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay |
platitude trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous |
platonic purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire |
plaudit praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud |
plausible conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious |
plebeian common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician |
plebiscite direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue) |
plenary (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power |
plenitude abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty |
plethora excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses |
pliable flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable |
pliant flexible; easily influenced |
plight difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament |
ploy strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy |
pluck courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave |
plumage feathers of a bird; |
plumb exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of |
plumber one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes) |
plume feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume of smoke: ?? ?? |
plummet fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted. |
plump pleasantly fat; nicely rounded |
plutocracy society ruled by the wealthy |
podiatrist doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics |
podium pedestal; raised platform |
poignancy quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick |
poise good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position |
polar of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites |
polarity state of having two opposite qualities |
polarize split into opposite extremes or camps |
polemic attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy |
polemical(polemic) aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions) |
politic prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised |
polity (particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity |
polygamist one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry |
polyglot speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N. |
pomposity self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important |
ponderous having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing |
pontifical pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop |
pore study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N. |
porridge soft food made by boiling oatmeal |
portend foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning |
portly stout; corpulent |
pose assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N. |
poseur person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose |
posterity descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior |
posthumous after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel |
postmortem autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem |
postulate self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument) |
posture assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude |
potable suitable for drinking; drinkable |
potent powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential |
potentate monarch; sovereign |
potential expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth |
potion dose (of liquids); liquid dose |
potpourri heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room) |
poultice soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body |
pr\'ecis abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text |
practicable feasible |
practical based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man |
pragmatic practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill |
pragmatist practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things |
prance move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently) |
prank mischievous trick |
prate talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly |
prattle talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate |
preamble introductory statement |
precarious unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living |
precedent preceding (in time, rank, etc.) |
precedent something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented |
precept practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept |
precinct division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college |
precipice cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice |
precipitant something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; ???; OP. solvent |
precipitate hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden |
precipitous steep; overhasty; precipitate |
precise exact |
preclude make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate |
precocious advanced in development; N. precocity |
precursor forerunner; predecessor |
predator predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation |
predecessor former occupant of a post |
predetermine determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly |
predicament difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma |
predilection preference; partiality |
predispose give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition |
preeminent outstanding; superior |
preempt prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive |
preen make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune |
prefatory introductory; of a preface |
prefigure be a sign of; foreshadow |
prehensile capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails |
prelate church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop) |
prelude introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner |
premeditate plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder |
premise assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based |
premonition forewarning; presentiment; foreboding |
premonitory serving to warn |
preponderance superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant |
prepossessing attractive; CF. preoccupying ? |
preposterous absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous |
prerogative privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before |
presage foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen |
prescience ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient |
presentiment premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear |
prestige respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige |
presume take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption |
presumptuous going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties |
pretend feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense |
pretension pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist. |
pretentious ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art |
preternatural beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces |
pretext excuse |
prevail be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something |
prevalent widespread; generally accepted |
prevaricate lie; hide the truth (by equivocating) |
prey target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice. |
prim proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper |
primal first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence |
primary first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first |
primate group of mammals including humans |
prime period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare |
primogeniture seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents) |
primordial existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary |
primp groom oneself with care; adorn oneself |
pristine unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition |
privation lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive |
privy secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private |
prize pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship) |
probe explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe |
probity uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility |
problematic causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic. |
proclivity inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad) |
procrastinate postpone; delay or put off |
procurement obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another |
prod poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding |
prodigal wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality |
prodigious enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory |
prodigy highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder |
profane violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things |
profligate wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy |
profound deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity |
profusion great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant |
progenitor ancestor |
progeny children; offspring; descendants |
prognosis forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic |
prognosticate predict (according to present indications) |
prohibitive so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax |
projectile missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet) |
proletarian member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages) |
proliferate grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation |
prolific producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer |
prolixity tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse |
prologue introduction (to a poem or play) |
prolong lengthen; extend; draw out |
prominent protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent |
promiscuous mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity |
promontory headland |
promote advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product |
prompt cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue |
promulgate announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication |
prone inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone |
prong pointed projecting part |
pronounced distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp |
prop support placed under or against something; V. |
propagate increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas |
propellant(propellent) substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel) |
propensity natural inclination |
prophetic of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet |
prophylactic used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease |
propinquity nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship |
propitiate appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory |
propitious favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign |
proponent supporter; backer; opposite of opponent |
propound put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory |
propriety fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary |
propulsive driving forward; N. propulsion |
prosaic lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose |
proscenium part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage |
proscribe prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw |
proselytize (induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion |
prosody art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse |
prosper become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care |
prosperity good fortune and financial success; physical well-being |
prosperous successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off |
prostrate stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength |
prot\'eg\'e person receiving protection and support from a patron |
protagonist leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story |
protean able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will |
protocol diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport. |
prototype original work used as a model by others |
protract prolong; lengthen in time; draw out |
protrude stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth |
protuberance protrusion; swelling; bulge |
provenance place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come |
provender dry food for livestock; fodder |
providence quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate |
provident providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident |
provincial pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated |
provision act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement |
provisional tentative; temporary |
proviso stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision |
provocative arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation |
prowess extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle |
proximity nearness; ADJ. proximate |
proxy authorized agent; authority to act for another |
prude excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety |
prudent cautious; careful; prudential |
prune cut away; trim |
prurient having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire |
pry inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying |
pseudonym pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous |
psyche soul; mind |
psychiatrist doctor who treats mental diseases |
psychic of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers |
psychopathic pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder |
psychosis mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic |
psychosomatic of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease) |
pterodactyl extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger |
pucker gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold |
pudding hot sweet dish |
puerile childish; immature; CF. puer: boy |
pugilist boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing |
pugnacity combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature |
puissant powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power |
pulchritude beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous |
pulmonary pertaining to the lungs |
pulpit raised platform used in preaching (in a church) |
pulsate throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly |
pulse rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate |
pulverize crush or grind into very small particles |
pummel pommel; beat or pound with fists |
punctilious minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail |
pundit authority on a subject; expert; learned person |
pungent stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency |
punitive punishing; Ex. punitive measures |
puny tiny; weak; insignificant |
purchase secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing |
purgatory place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins |
purge remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N. |
purport intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general |
purported alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists |
purse pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet |
purveyor furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide |
pushy disagreeably aggressive |
pusillanimous cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted |
putative supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child |
putrefy make or become putrid; N. putrefaction |
putrescent becoming putrid; putrefying |
putrid decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity |
puzzle baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N. |
pyromaniac person with an insane desire to set things on fire |
quack charlatan; impostor |
quadruped four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped |
quaff drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ???? ???; CF. sip |
quagmire bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself |
quail cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart |
quaint odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque |
qualified limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify |
qualify reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated |
qualms uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen. |
quandary dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go. |
quarantine isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine |
quarry dig into (to get stone); N: mine; ??? |
quarry person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey |
quash crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court |
quay dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats) |
queasy experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy |
queer strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal |
quell suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill |
quench assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress |
querulous given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining |
query inquiry; question; V. |
queue line (of waiting people or vehicles) |
quibble minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil |
quicksilver mercury |
quiescent dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence |
quietude tranquillity; calmness |
quintessence purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence |
quip taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V. |
quirk sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate |
quisling traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling |
quiver case for arrows |
quiver tremble; shake; N. |
quixotic idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote |
quizzical curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance |
quorum minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting |
quotidian daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine |
rabble mob; noisy crowd |
rabid of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia |
rabies disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death) |
raconteur story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill |
raffle lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car |
rag scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance |
ragamuffin dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes |
rail complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices |
raiment clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear. |
rake angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular |
rake immoral or dissolute person |
rakish jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle. |
rally come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering |
ram male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact |
ramble wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress |
ramification branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision |
ramify branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions |
ramp slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels) |
rampant growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed |
rampart defensive mound of earth |
ramshackle (of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart |
rancid having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank |
rancor long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous |
random without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random |
rank offensive in odor or flavor |
rankle irritate; fester; annoy |
ransack search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town. |
rant speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil. |
rapacious voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds |
rapport close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony |
rapt engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener |
rapture great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous |
rare (of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains |
rarefied made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction |
rasp (of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand. |
raspy making a harsh noise; grating; harsh |
ratify approve formally; confirm; verify |
ratiocination reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically |
ration fixed portion; V: distribute as rations |
rational (of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical |
rationale fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action |
rationalize make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization |
raucous (of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts |
ravage devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms |
rave overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic |
ravel fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist |
ravenous extremely hungry; voracious |
ravine narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon |
raze destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground |
reactionary strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical |
realm kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility |
reaper one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop |
rebate return of part of a payment; discount; V. |
rebuff reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N. |
rebuke scold harshly; criticize severely |
rebus representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''. |
rebuttal refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove |
recalcitrant disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child |
recant disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement |
recapitulate summarize |
recast reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again |
receptive quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal |
recess pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive |
recession withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity |
recidivism habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist |
recipient receiver |
reciprocal mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement |
reciprocate do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights |
recital act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer) |
recite repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation |
reckon count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose |
recline lie down |
recluse hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive |
reconcile make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs |
recondite abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret |
reconnaissance survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information) |
recount narrate or tell (a story); count over again |
recourse resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to |
recreant disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person |
recrimination countercharges; V. recriminate |
rectify set right; correct; CF. rect-: right |
rectitude moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment |
recumbent reclining; lying down completely or in part |
recuperate recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses |
recurrent occurring again and again |
redolent odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery |
redoubtable formidable; causing fear |
redress remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for |
reduce diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction |
redundant superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious |
reek emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench |
refectory dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school) |
referendum direct vote by all the people |
refraction bending of a ray of light |
refractory unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse |
refrain abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus |
refulgent effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon |
refurbish renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish |
refuse anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash |
refute disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation |
regal royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner |
regale entertain |
regatta boat or yacht race |
regeneration spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually |
regicide murder of a king or queen |
regime method of system or government |
regimen prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer |
regiment military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society |
rehabilitate restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of |
reimburse repay; pay back |
reinstate restore to a previous condition or position |
reiterate repeat |
rejoinder reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply |
rejuvenate make young again |
relapse return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N. |
relegate put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division |
relent become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe |
relevant having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy |
relic surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X. |
religious of religion; (of a person) pious; having reverence for a deity |
relinquish give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm |
relish enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest |
remediable reparable |
reminiscence recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past |
reminiscent suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence |
remiss negligent; careless about a duty |
remission temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins. |
remit transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment |
remittance remitting of money; amount of money remitted |
remnant remainder |
remonstrate protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest |
remorse deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach |
remote distant in manner; aloof |
remunerative (of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble |
rend split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow |
render give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully |
rendezvous meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V. |
rendition rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc |
renegade deserter; traitor; ADJ. |
renege break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt |
renounce abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation |
renovate restore to good condition; renew |
renown fame; ADJ. renowned |
rent tear made by rending; rip; split |
reparable capable of being repaired |
reparation compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair |
repartee quick clever reply |
repast meal; feast; banquet |
repeal revoke; annul |
repel drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion |
repellent driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N. |
repercussion rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion |
repertoire list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory |
repine fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work |
replenish fill up again |
replete fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors |
replica copy |
replicate reproduce; duplicate |
repose resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man |
repository storehouse |
reprehensible deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame |
repress hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion |
reprieve postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of |
reprimand reprove severely; rebuke; N. |
reprisal retaliation |
reprise musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises |
reproach blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful |
reprobate morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ? |
reprobation severe disapproval; CF. approbation |
reprove censure; rebuke; N. reproof |
repudiate disown; disavow; deny |
repugnance disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive |
repulse reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion |
repulsion distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse') |
reputable respectable; having a good reputation |
reputed supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem |
requiem mass for the dead; dirge |
requisite necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary |
requisition formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V. |
requite make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal |
rescind repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement) |
resentment indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about |
reserve self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative |
residual remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue |
residue remainder; balance |
resign give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively |
resignation patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent |
resilient elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune) |
resolution determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose |
resolve decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution |
resolve determination; resolution; firmness of purpose |
resonant (of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance |
resort turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N. |
resound (of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter |
resourceful clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness |
respiration breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory |
respite time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve |
resplendent brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious |
responsiveness state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment |
restitution returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury |
restive impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless' |
restraint moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction |
resumption taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats. |
resurge rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again |
resurrect revive |
resuscitate revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child |
retain keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor |
retaliate repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate |
retard delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development |
retentive holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory |
reticent inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence |
retinue following; attendants |
retiring shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality |
retort quick sharp reply; V. |
retract withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile |
retrench cut down; cut down expenses; economize |
retribution deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back |
retrieve recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation |
retroactive taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future |
retrograde go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ. |
retrospective looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect |
revelry boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration |
reverberate echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley. |
reverend deserving reverence; N: priest |
reverent respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect |
reverie daydream; abstracted musing |
revert relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion |
revile attack with abusive language; vilify(slander) |
revoke cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable |
revulsion sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture |
rhapsodize speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery |
rhapsody excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it) |
rhetoric art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?'' |
ribald marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke |
rickety (of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D |
riddle pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone) |
rider amendment or clause added to a legislative bill |
rife (of something bad) widespread; abundant; current |
rift narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation |
rig arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails |
rig fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election |
righteous morally upright; just |
rightful legally correct; Ex. rightful owner |
rigid hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule |
rigor severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter |
rile irritate; vex; muddy |
rip tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N. |
rivet metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross |
riveting holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing |
rivulet small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river |
robust strong; vigorous |
rococo ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century |
roil make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb |
rolling (of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments |
romp play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N. |
rooster cock; adult male chicken |
roseate rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views |
roster list (of names) |
rostrum raised platform for speech-making; pulpit |
rote repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote |
rotund (of a person) fat and round |
rotunda circular building or hall covered with a dome |
rotundity roundness; sonorousness of speech |
rou\'e lecherous man |
rousing lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up |
rout put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat |
rubble fragments (esp. from a destroyed building) |
rubric title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol |
ruddy reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking |
rudimentary elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language |
rue regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful |
ruffian violent scoundrel; bully |
rumble make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach) |
ruminant animal that ruminates; ADJ. |
ruminate chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder) |
rummage ransack; thoroughly search |
run-down (of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted |
runic mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm |
ruse trick to deceive; stratagem |
rustic pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person |
rusticate banish to the country; dwell in the country |
rustle make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together |
ruthless pitiless; merciless; cruel |
s miniature small model; small painting; ADJ: small |
saboteur one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly) |
saccharine cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin |
sacrilegious desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred |
sacrosanct invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable |
sadistic inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty |
saga Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative |
sagacious wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity |
sage person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise |
salacious lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk |
salient prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features |
saline salty |
sallow (of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice |
salubrious healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health |
salutary tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health |
salvage rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved |
sanctimonious displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety |
sanction approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance |
sanctuary place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church. |
sanguinary bloody; with much bloodshed |
sanguine optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red |
sap diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength. |
sarcasm cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic |
sardonic scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile |
sartorial pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor |
sate satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy |
satellite small body revolving around a larger one |
satiate satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated |
satire form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly |
satirical using satire; mocking |
saturate soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity |
saturnine morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance. |
satyr half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man |
saunter stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N. |
savant scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know |
savor enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality |
savory pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation |
scabbard case for a sword blade; sheath |
scad a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes |
scaffold temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution |
scale climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones |
scanty meager; insufficient |
scapegoat someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat |
scavenge hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion |
scenario plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events |
schematic of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline |
scheme systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme |
schism division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split |
scholarly full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex. scholarly journal |
scintilla trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark |
scintillate sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation |
scion detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant |
scoff laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats |
scorch sear; N. |
score number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold |
scotch stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. ??? ??? ?? |
scourge lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict |
scowl frown angrily; N: angry frown |
scrap small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel |
scrappy quarrelsome |
scraps leftover food |
screech unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V. |
scrimmage disorderly fight between two or more people |
scruple hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience |
scrupulous conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker |
scrutinize examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny |
scuffle struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ? |
scurrilous abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark |
scurry move hastily; hurry; move briskly |
scurvy contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C |
scuttle sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull |
seamy sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life |
sear burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither |
season enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning |
seasonable occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute |
seasonal of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment |
seasoned experienced |
secession withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership |
seclusion isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate |
secrete conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive |
sect separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group |
sectarian of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person |
secular worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal |
sedate composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative |
sedentary requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population |
sedition conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious |
seduce lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive |
sedulous diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity |
seedy run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel |
seemly (of behavior) proper; appropriate |
seep pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage |
seethe be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent. |
seine seine net; net for catching fish |
seismic pertaining to earthquakes |
selective careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer |
self-indulgence excessive indulgence of one's own desire |
self-righteous sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic |
semblance outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city. |
seminal related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field |
seminary school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women |
senility old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia |
sensitization process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive |
sensual devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips |
sensuous giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin |
sententious pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic |
sentient capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience |
sentimental swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments |
sentinel sentry; lookout |
septic of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus) |
sepulcher tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral |
sequester isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life |
sere sear; parched; dry |
serendipity gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip |
serenity calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene |
serpentine winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake |
serrated having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf |
servile slavish; cringing; N. servility |
servitude slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment |
sever separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position |
severity harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense |
sextant navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars) |
shack crude cabin |
shackle chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N. |
shade slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey |
sham pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham. |
shambles (place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles. |
Shangri-la imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon |
shard fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup) |
shaving very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade) |
sheaf bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together |
shear remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors |
sheathe place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade |
shed small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves |
sheer pure; thin and transparent; very steep |
sherbet flavored dessert ice |
shift change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group |
shimmer shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N. |
shirk avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger |
shoddy made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick |
shoot new growth from a plant |
shove push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N. |
shrew scolding woman; very small mouselike animal |
shrewd clever; astute |
shrivel make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying) |
shudder shake uncontrollably; tremble; V. |
shuffle mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N. |
shun keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors. |
shunt move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N. |
shyster lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner |
sibling brother or sister |
sibylline prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world) |
sidereal relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day |
sidetrack switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track |
sift put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; sort or examine carefully |
significant expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant |
silt sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river) |
simian monkeylike; N: ape or monkey |
simile comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as |
simper smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly |
simplistic oversimplified |
simulate feign; imitate |
sinecure well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif |
sinewy (of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone |
singular being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior |
sinister evil; ominous |
sinuous twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest |
siren apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature |
skeptic sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism |
skiff small light sailboat or rowboat |
skim read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid |
skimp provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly |
skinflint miser; stingy person |
skirmish minor fight; minor battle in war; V. |
skittish inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit |
skulduggery(skullduggery) dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election |
skulk move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city. |
slack moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V. |
slacken slow up; loosen; make or become slack |
slag glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter |
slake satisfy (thirst); quench; sate |
slander defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous |
slap hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack |
slapdash hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done) |
slaughter killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers |
slavish of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original |
sleazy shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric |
sledge large sled drawn by work animals |
sleek smooth and shining (as from good health); V. |
sleeper one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable |
sleigh large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice |
sleight dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks |
slew large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left |
slick make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib |
slight insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance |
slink move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush) |
slipshod slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work |
slither slip or slide |
sloth slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent |
slough (of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed |
slovenly untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless |
sluggard lazy person |
sluggish lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell |
sluice artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow) |
slur pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble |
slur slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V. |
sly clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions |
smart intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain |
smattering slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German |
smear spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing |
smelt melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition |
smirk conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V. |
smolder smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger |
smother kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers |
smudge dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V. |
smug self-satisfied; complacent |
sneak move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky |
snicker half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V. |
snip short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors |
snivel complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me. |
snub ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N. |
snuffle sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose) |
soar rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky. |
sober serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober |
sobriety moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness |
sodden thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink |
sojourn temporary stay; V: stay for a time |
solace comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble |
solder repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts |
solecism nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette |
solemnity seriousness; gravity |
solicit entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer |
solicitor lawyer in the lower court of law |
solicitous anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude |
soliloquy talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation) |
solitude state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof |
solstice point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator |
soluble able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved |
solvent able to pay all depths; N. solvency |
solvent substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance |
somatic pertaining to the body; bodily; physical |
somber dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow |
somnambulist sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism |
somnolent half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence |
sonic of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic |
sonnet 14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern |
sonorous resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound |
soothsayer one who foretells the future |
sophist teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument |
sophisticated worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate |
sophistry seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism |
sophomoric immature; half-baked; like a sophomore |
soporific sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy |
sordid filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story |
sound in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training |
sour having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V. |
sovereign ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent |
sovereignty complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern |
sow plant or scatter seed |
spangle small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation |
spare give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time |
sparse not thick; thinly scattered; scanty |
spartan without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life |
spasmodic fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion |
spat squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel |
spate sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents |
spatial relating to space |
spatula broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing |
spawn lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals |
specious seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally) |
speck small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye |
spectral ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom |
spectrum colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts |
speechless unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger |
spendthrift someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth |
sphinx-like enigmatic; mysterious |
spin rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N. |
splice join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N. |
spoilsport one who spoils the pleasure of others |
spontaneity lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned |
spoof parody |
spoonerism accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner |
sporadic occurring irregularly; intermittent |
sportive playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike |
sprightly lively |
sprout begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot |
spruce neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V. |
spry (esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble |
spurious false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments |
spurn reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help. |
squabble minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children |
squalor condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story |
squander waste; spend foolishly |
squash crush; quash; suppress |
squat short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N. |
squeamish easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish. |
squelch produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF. ??? ??? ?? ? |
staccato played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause |
stagnant (of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output |
staid serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony |
stalemate deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked |
stalwart physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower |
stamina power of endurance; strength; staying power |
stammer speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions |
stamp step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth. |
stampede sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises |
stanch stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound |
standstill condition of no movement or activity; stop |
stanza division of a poem (composed of two or more lines) |
start move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight of a snake |
stately formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic |
static having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state |
statute law enacted by the legislature |
statutory created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit |
steadfast steadily loyal; unswerving; steady |
stealth action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy |
steep soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous |
stellar pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance |
stem stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk |
stem_from arise from; originate from |
stench strong foul odor; reek; stink |
stentorian (of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad |
stereotype one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer |
sterile incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize |
stickler perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right |
stifle suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate |
stigma token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful |
stilted bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal |
stink stench; V: emit a strong foul odor |
stint set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings |
stint supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint |
stipend pay for services |
stipple paint or draw with dots or short strokes |
stipulate state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance |
stock standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique |
stockade wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier |
stodgy dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book |
stoic stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism |
stoke stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully |
stolid dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected |
stoop bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying |
stout rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter |
straggle stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch |
strangle kill by choking or suffocating; suppress |
stratagem deceptive scheme; clever trick |
stratified divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify |
stratum layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata |
strew spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals |
striated marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line |
stricture severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction |
strident loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency |
stringent (of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions |
strut pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner |
strut supporting bar; |
studied carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark |
studious given to diligent study |
stultify make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression |
stumble trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N. |
stump base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle |
stun make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound |
stupefy stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze |
stupor state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness |
sturdy strong and firm (in the body) |
stygian unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead |
stymie thwart; present an obstacle; stump |
suavity urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous |
subaltern subordinate |
subdue less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger |
subjective influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence |
subjugate conquer; bring under control |
sublimate refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state |
sublime causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter |
subliminal below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement |
submerge place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work |
submissive willing to obey orders; yielding; timid |
subordinate occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class |
suborn persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation |
subpoena writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena |
subsequent following in time or order; later |
subservient behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience |
subside sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate |
subsidiary serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N. |
subsidy direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy |
subsistence existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level) |
substantial of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy |
substantiate support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify |
substantive substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues |
subsume include (as a member of a group); encompass |
subterfuge stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge |
subtlety perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning |
subversive tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ? |
succor assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N. |
succulent juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus |
succumb yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness |
suckle give or take milk at the breast or udder |
suffocate die or kill from lack of air; suppress |
suffragist advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage |
suffuse spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks. |
suitor man who is courting a woman |
sullen silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy |
sully defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor |
sultry (of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous |
summation act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial) |
sumptuous grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast |
sunder separate; part; CF. asunder |
sundry miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items |
superannuated retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete |
supercilious haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium |
supererogatory superfluous; more than needed or demanded |
superficial of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge |
superfluous excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity |
superimpose place over something else |
supernumerary person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number |
supersede replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession |
supine lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision |
supplant take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace |
supple flexible; limber; pliant |
suppliant entreating; beseeching; N. |
supplicant one who supplicates; ADJ. |
supplicate petition humbly; pray to grant a favor |
supposition assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose |
supposititious assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical |
suppress put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth |
surfeit satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food |
surge powerful movement of or like a wave; V. |
surly bad-tempered; rude; cross |
surmise guess; N. |
surmount overcome |
surpass exceed |
surreptitious done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden |
surrogate substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ. |
surveillance close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding |
susceptible impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility |
suspend cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension |
suspense state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty |
sustain suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners |
sustenance sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food |
suture stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound |
swagger walk or behave with an over-confident manner |
swamp wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid |
swarm large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass |
swarthy (of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ? |
swathe swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages |
sway swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N. |
swear vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words |
swear-word word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody'' |
swell long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V. |
swelter (of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat |
swerve deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right. |
swill drink greedily |
swindler cheater |
swipe hit with a sweeping motion; N. |
sybarite lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy |
sycophant servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic |
syllogism logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument |
sylvan pertaining to the woods or the country |
symbiosis interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life |
symmetry arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical |
synchronous similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize |
synoptic providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis |
synthesis combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize |
synthetic not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N. |
tablet small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall |
tacit understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement |
taciturn habitually silent; talking little |
tact skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence |
tactful careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless |
tactile pertaining to the organs or sense of touch |
taint contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch |
takeoff burlesque; act of leaving the ground |
talisman charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer |
talon claw of bird |
tan convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun |
tangential only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent |
tangible able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof |
tanner person who turns animal hides into leather |
tantalize tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure |
tantamount equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount |
tantrum fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums. |
taper very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end |
tarantula venomous spider |
tardy slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival |
tarnish make or become dull or discolored; N. |
tarry linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle |
tart sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply |
tatter torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes |
taunt deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N. |
taut tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack |
tautological needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true |
tawdry cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry |
tawny brownish yellow |
taxonomist specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification |
tedium boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious |
teetotalism practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; |
temerity boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work |
temper moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling |
temperament characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress |
temperate moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society |
tempestuous stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm |
tempo speed of music |
temporal of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly |
temporize gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself |
tenacious holding fast (as to a belief); persistent |
tenacity firmness; persistence |
tenancy possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy |
tenant one that pays rent to use property owned by another |
tend have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend |
tendentious promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction |
tender offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound |
tenet doctrine; dogma |
tensile capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber |
tension stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people |
tentative not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply |
tenuous thin; slim; rare |
tenure holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held |
tepid lukewarm; slightly warm; ????; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter |
terminal part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer |
termination end; V. terminate |
terminology terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature |
terminus last stop of railroad; end |
terrestrial on or relating to the earth |
terse concise; abrupt; pithy |
tertiary third in order or rank |
tessellated mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern |
testator maker of a will; CF. testatrix |
testy irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness |
tether tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether |
thematic of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea |
theocracy government run by religious leaders |
theoretical based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical |
therapeutic curative; N. therapy |
thermal pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air |
thesis opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments |
thespian pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress |
thrall slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall |
thrash beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net. |
threadbare worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses |
threat sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain. |
thresh beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw |
thrifty careful about money; economical; N. thrift |
thrive prosper; flourish |
throb (of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart |
throes violent anguish |
throng crowd (of people or things); V. |
throttle strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ? |
thwart block or hinder; baffle; frustrate |
tickle touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please |
tightwad miser; excessively frugal person |
tiller handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer) |
timbre quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch) |
timidity lack of self-confidence or courage |
timorous fearful; timid; demonstrating fear |
tinge give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy |
tint slight degree of color; V: give a tint to |
tipple drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink |
tirade long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation |
titanic gigantic; N. titan |
tithe tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe |
titillate tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it |
title name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate |
titter nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V. |
titular of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company |
toady servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn |
toga Roman outer robe |
token outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude |
toll sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge |
tome large volume; book |
tonsure shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V. |
topography physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place |
topple become unsteady and fall down |
torpedo underwater explosive apparatus; V. |
torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating |
torque twisting force; force producing rotation |
torrent rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents. |
torrid (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs |
torso trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk |
tortuous winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road |
toss throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something |
totem animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole |
totter shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall |
touching causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched |
touchstone stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard |
touchy oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation |
tout promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise |
toxic poisonous; N. toxicity |
tract propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract |
tractable docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability |
traduce expose to slander |
trajectory path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet |
tramp walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking |
trample step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet |
trance hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition |
tranquillity calmness; peace |
transcendent exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy |
transcendental going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism |
transcribe copy; write a copy of; N. transcription |
transgression violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong |
transient staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient |
transition going from one state of action to another |
transitory transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness |
translucent partly transparent |
transmute transform; change; convert to something different |
transparent permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie |
transpire (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores |
transport strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture |
transpose reverse the order or position of |
trappings outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank) |
traumatic (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage |
travail strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth |
traverse go through or across |
travesty copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon |
tread walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step |
treasure keep as precious; cherish |
treatise article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly |
trek travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey |
tremor trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation) |
tremulous trembling; wavering |
trenchant cutting; incisive; keen |
trepidation fear; nervous apprehension |
tribulation suffering; ordeal; distress; trial |
tribunal court of justice |
tribune official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people |
tribute tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to |
trickle flow in drops or in a thin stream; N. |
trickster person who cheats people |
trident three-pronged spear |
trifle something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt |
trifling trivial; unimportant |
trigger set off; start |
trilogy group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself) |
trim make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order |
trinket knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry |
trite hackneyed; commonplace |
trivia trifles; unimportant matters |
troth pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth |
trough long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves |
truculence aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce |
truism self-evident truth |
truncate cut the top off; shorten |
trunk main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant |
tryst meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet |
tumid (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous |
tumult commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly |
tundra rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America |
turbid (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick |
turbulence state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed |
tureen deep dish for serving soup |
turgid swollen; distended (as from liquid) |
turmoil extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil |
turncoat traitor |
turpitude depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude |
tutelage guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction |
tutelary protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities |
tycoon wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon |
typhoon tropical hurricane or cyclone |
tyranny oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress |
tyro beginner; novice |
ubiquitous being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity |
ulcer sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate |
ulterior intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive |
ultimate final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy. |
ultimatum last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum. |
umbrage resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness |
unaccountable unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious |
unanimity complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous |
unassailable not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question |
unassuaged unsatisfied; not soothed |
unassuming modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner |
unbridled violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed |
uncanny strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack |
unceremonious not done politely without due formalities |
unconscionable unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand |
uncouth boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish |
unction the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction |
unctuous oily; bland; insincerely suave |
underhand(underhanded) done slyly and secretly (being dishonest) |
underlying lying below; fundamental |
undermine weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath |
underscore underline; emphasize |
understate state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate |
undertaker funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials |
undulating moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave |
unearth dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal |
unearthly not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly |
unequivocal plain; clear; obvious |
unerringly infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes |
unexceptionable entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism |
unfaltering steadfast; firm; not changing |
unfeigned genuine; real |
unfetter liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter |
unfledged immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling |
unfrock defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority |
ungainly (of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument |
unguent ointment |
uniformity sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over |
unilateral one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration |
unimpeachable that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary |
uninhibited having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings |
uninhibited unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings |
unintimating unfrightening |
unique without an equal; single in kind |
unison unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison. |
universal characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest |
unkempt disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb |
unmitigated (of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster |
unobtrusive inconspicuous; not blatant |
unprecedented having no previous example; novel; unparalleled |
unprepossessing unattractive |
unravel disentangle; solve |
unregenerate making no attempt to change one's bad practices |
unrequited not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love |
unruly disobedient; lawless; difficult to control |
unsavory distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation |
unscathed unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed |
unseemly unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste |
unsightly ugly; unpleasant to look at |
unsullied untarnished; CF. sully |
unta group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force) |
untenable (of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained |
untoward unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter |
unwarranted unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved |
unwieldy awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable |
unwitting not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know |
unwonted unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality. |
upbraid reprimand; severely scold |
upright (sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral |
uproar noisy confusion |
uproarious marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny |
upshot outcome; final result |
urbane suave; refined in manner; elegant |
urchin mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ; CF. sea urchin |
urge drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action |
urgent compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands |
ursine bearlike; pertaining to a bear |
usage act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used |
usurp seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use |
usury lending money at illegal high rates of interest |
utopia ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian |
uxorious excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife |
vacillate waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation |
vacuous empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity |
vagabond wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp |
vagary capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander |
vagrant homeless wanderer |
vagrant wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy |
vain full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity |
vainglorious boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity |
valediction saying farewell; expression of leave-taking |
valedictory pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises) |
valid logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport |
validate make valid; confirm; ratify |
valor bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave |
vampire ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living |
vanguard forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard |
vantage position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint |
vaporize turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.) |
variegate change the appearance of (by marking with different colors) |
variegated (esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored |
varnish paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V. |
vassal in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent |
vaunted boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag |
veer change in direction; swerve |
vegetate live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan |
vehement forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence |
velocity speed |
venal capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal |
vendetta blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams |
vendor seller |
veneer thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V. |
venerable deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get |
venerate revere; treat with great respect |
venial (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial |
venison meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb |
venom poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous |
vent release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family. |
vent small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair. |
ventilate admit fresh air into to replace stale air |
ventral abdominal |
ventriloquist someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy |
venture risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N. |
venturesome (of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky |
venue location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come |
veracious (of a person) truthful |
veracity truthfulness; adherence to the truth |
verbalize put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb |
verbatim word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly |
verbiage pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness |
verbose wordy; N. verbosity |
verdant green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows |
verdigris green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather |
verge border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on |
verisimilar having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible |
verisimilitude appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth |
veritable being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary |
verity quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities |
vernacular living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular |
vernal pertaining to spring |
versatile having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility |
vertebrate having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column |
vertex summit; highest point; PL. vertices |
vertigo severe dizziness; giddiness |
verve enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor |
vestige trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion |
veto vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto |
vex annoy; distress |
viable capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme |
viand food; CF. live |
vibrant full of vigor or energy; vibrating |
vicar parish priest; representative |
vicarious experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ |
vicissitude change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China |
victuals food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food |
vie contend; compete |
vigil keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil |
vigilant watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance |
vigilante one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers |
vignette small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene |
vigor active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous |
vile despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander |
vilify slander; speak evil of; N. vilification |
vindicate clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator |
vindictive disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak |
vintner wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine |
violate break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves |
viper poisonous snake |
virile manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength |
virtual in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space |
virtue goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity |
virtuoso highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso |
virulent (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom |
virus disease communicator |
visage face; appearance |
visceral felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate |
viscid adhesive; gluey |
viscous (of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency |
vise vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device |
vision eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural |
visionary produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas |
vital full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize |
vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally |
vitreous of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify |
vitriolic causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass |
vituperative abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively |
vivacious lively or animated; sprightly |
vivid (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description |
vivisection act of dissecting living animals |
vixen female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew |
vociferous clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining) |
vogue popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue. |
volatile changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street |
volition act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition. |
volley simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V. |
voluble fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility |
voluminous having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large |
voluptuous sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person |
voodoo religion practiced chiefly in Haiti |
voracious ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader |
vortex whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged |
vouch give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher |
vouchsafe grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment |
voyeur Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others |
vulgar of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout |
vulnerable susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability |
vulpine like a fox; crafty |
vulture carrion-eating birds |
vying contending; CF. vie |
wade walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement |
waffle speak equivocally about an issue; N. |
waft move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window |
wag shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit |
wage begin and continue (a war) |
waggish humorous; mischievous; tricky |
waif homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays |
waive give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim |
wake trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war |
wallow roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury |
wan having a pale or sickly color; pallid |
wanderlust strong longing to travel |
wane decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N. |
wangle achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party. |
wanton unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause |
warble (of a bird) sing; babble; N. |
ward administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert |
warp twist out of shape; N. |
warrant justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee |
warranted justified; authorized |
warranty guarantee; assurance by seller |
warren tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live |
wary very cautious; watchful |
wastrel waster; profligate |
waver move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing |
wax increase gradually (as the moon); grow |
waylay ambush; lie in wait for and attack |
wean accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes |
weary tired after long work; V. |
weather pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces |
weird eerie; strange; unnatural |
well-bred of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined |
welt raised mark from a beating or whipping |
welter confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data |
welter wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood. |
wheedle deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her |
whelp young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc. |
whet sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite |
whiff puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal |
whim sudden capricious idea; fancy |
whimsical capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange |
whimsy whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy |
whine complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication) |
whinny neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make |
whit small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of |
whittle pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim |
wholesome conducive to mental or physical health; healthful |
whorl ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers |
wiggle wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions |
willful wilful; intentional; headstrong |
willowy flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow |
wilt loose freshness; droop |
wily crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem |
wince move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body. |
windfall fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event |
winnow sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind |
winsome charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging |
wisp small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke) |
wispy thin; slight; barely discernible |
wistful sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing |
withdrawn introverted; retiring; remote |
wither (of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay |
withhold refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax |
withstand stand up against; resist successfully |
witless lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic |
witticism witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark) |
wizardry sorcery; magic |
wizened shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old lady |
woe great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes |
woeful sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad; Ex. woeful housing conditions |
wont (the stated person's) habit or custom; habitual procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary |
worldly engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world |
wrangle quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N. |
wrath anger; fury |
wreak inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on |
wrench twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands. |
wrest obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp |
wretch miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile |
wring twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands) |
wrinkle small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V. |
writ written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something) |
writhe twist in coils; contort in pain |
wrongheaded stubbornly wrong |
wry (esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure) |
xenophobia fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe |
yen strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel |
yeoman man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer |
yield amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in; surrender |
yoke join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining two draft animals |
yokel rustic; country bumpkin; |
yore time long past; Ex. in the days of yore |
zany comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish behavior) |
zeal eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous |
zealot one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal |
zenith point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point |
zephyr gentle breeze; west wind |
zest outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life |