A
abase (v.) - to lower, demean, degrade

abate (v.) - to lessen, to reduce in severity

abbreviate (v.) - to shorten, reduce

abduct (v.) - to kidnap

aberration (n.) - a deviation from the expected course

abhor (v.) - to hate, loathe

abide (v.) - to put up with, tolerate

abject (adj.) - of the most miserable or contemptible kind

abort (v.) - to give up unfinished

abridge (v.) - to shorten, cut down

abrogate (v.) - to abolish, often by authority

abscond (v.) - to sneak away and hide

abundant (adj.) - in great numbers

accede (v.) - to agree

accentuate (v.) - to emphasize, to highlight

accommodating (adj.) - obliging, helpful

accost (v.) - to approach or confront aggressively

acumen (n.) - keen insight

acute (adj.) - sharp, severe

affable (adj.) - friendly, amiable

affluent (adj.) - rich, wealthy

aggrandize (v.) - to increase or make greater

aggregate (v.) - to gather, amass

aghast (adj.) - struck by amazement or terror

agoraphobia (n.) - an abnormal fear of open or public places

akimbo (adj.) - with hands on hips and elbows extending outward

alacrity (n.) - speed, readiness

algid (adj.) - frigid, cold

allay (v.) - to sooth, assuage

alleviate (v.) - to relieve

aloof (adj.) - reserved, distant

altercation (n.) - an argument, dispute

amalgamation (n.) - a union, a merger

ambivalent (adj.) - having contradictory feelings

amble (v.) - to stroll, walk

ameliorate (v.) - to improve, to make better

amend (v.) - to change for the better, improve

amiable (adj.) - friendly, affable

amorous (adj.) - relating to or showing love

amorphous (adj.) - without shape or borders

anomaly (n.) - something that does not fit into the normal order

antechamber (n.) - a waiting room

anxiety (n.) - uneasiness

aphorism (n.) - a short saying

apocalypse (n.) - total devastation, the end of the world

apparitional (adj.) - ghostly, spectral arbitrator (n.) - one who settles controversy between two sides

ascetic (n.) - one who practices restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious

assuage (v.) - to ease, pacify

atone (v.) - to apologize, make amends

audacious (adj.) - excessively bold

augment (v.) - to increase or make larger

austere (adj.) - very bare, bleak, simple

B
baleful (adj.) - harmful, threatening

bard (n.) - a poet, often a singer as well

battery (n.) - an assault or an array of similar things intended for use together

belligerent (adj.) - contentious, ready to fight

benevolent (adj.) - kind, good, caring

benign (adj.) - non-threatening, innocuous

berate (v.) - to scold severely

bereft (adj.) - without, devoid of

bide (v.) - to wait, or remain in a condition

bilk (v.) - to cheat, to swindle

blandish (v.) - to coax through flattery

bloated (adj.) - swollen, bigger than desired

boisterous (adj.) - loud, energetic

bourgeois (adj.) - middle class

brash (adj.) - hasty or lacking in sensitivity

brazen (adj.) - excessively bold, brash

brumal (adj.) - wintry, relating to winter

brusque (adj.) - short, abrupt, dismissive

buffet (n.) - a spread of food involving choices

buffet (v.) - to hit or strike

burgeon (v.) - to come forth, blossom

C
cacophony (n.) - noise, discordant sound

cadence (n.) - rhythm

cajole (v.) - to urge, coax

callous (adj.) - harsh, cold, unfeeling

calumny (n.) - an attempt to defame another’s reputation

camaraderie (n.) - cheerful unity among a group

canvas (n.) - a piece of cloth on which an artist paints

capricious (adj.) - impulsive, unpredictable, subject to whim

captivate (v.) - to hold the interest of, to gain the attention of

carouse (v.) - to revel, to party

cavity (n.) - a hole

cavort (v.) - to frolic, leap, prance

celestial (adj.) - relating to the sky or the heavens

chastise (v.) - to criticize, to scold

choreographed (adj.) - arranged, as in dance <

circumlocution (n.) - indirect language

circumspect (adj.) - cautious

clairvoyant (adj.) - able to see things that others cannot

claustrophobia (n.) - an abnormal fear of closed or crowded spaces

cliché (n.) - a trite, overused expression

coalesce (v.) - to combine into one

cogent (adj.) - intelligent, viable

collusion (n.) - a conspiracy, a secret agreement

colossus (n.) - an enormous structure

comatose (adj.) - lethargic

commendable (adj.) - worthy of praise

commodious (adj.) - spacious, roomy <

compel (v.) - to force

complicit (adj.) - being an accomplice in a wrongful act

compliment (n.) - an expression of esteem or approval

concede (v.) - to give in, to accept

conciliatory (adj.) - agreeable, friendly

concoct (v.) - to make up or invent

concord (n.) - agreement

conduit (n.) - a pipe, passage, channel

confluence (n.) - a convergence, a coming together

confound (v.) - to frustrate

connotation (n.) - a meaning or association suggested by a word beyond its definition

contusion (n.) - bruise, injury

convalescence (n.) - the gradual return to health after illness

copious (adj.) - abundant, plentiful

corpulent (adj.) - very fat

cosmopolitan (adj.) - worldly, sophisticated

credulity (n.) - readiness to believe

cursory (adj.) - brief to the point of being superficial

D
daft (adj.) - insane, foolish

daunting (adj.) - intimidating

dearth (n.) - a lack, scarcity

defame (v.) - to destroy the reputation of

deft (adj.) - skilled, adept

defunct (adj.) - no longer used or existing

deleterious (adj.) - harmful

delude (v.) - to deceive, to mislead

deluge (n.) - a great flood or something that overwhelms like a flood

derelict (adj.) - run-down, abandoned

desolate (adj.) - deserted, lifeless

despondent (adj.) - discouraged, hopeless, depressed

destitute (adj.) - impoverished

diaphanous (adj.) - transparent, light, airy

dictate (v.) - to pronounce, command, prescribe

differentiate (v.) - to distinguish, to make different

dilapidated (adj.) - in a state of disrepair

diligent (adj.) - careful, showing care

diminish (v.) - to decrease or make smaller

diminutive (adj.) - miniature, small

discreet (adj.) - prudent or inconspicuous

discrete (adj.) - separate, distinct, individual

disparage (v.) - to criticize, degrade, belittle

dissonance (n.) - lack of harmony or agreement

divergent (adj.) - different, deviating, contrary

diverse (adj.) - varied

divisive (adj.) - causing conflict, opposition

domicile (n.) - a residence, a home

doppelganger (n.) - a ghostly double of a living person

douse (v.) - to drench, saturate

dutiful (adj.) - careful to fulfill obligations

dynamic (adj.) - characterized by continuous change or activity

E
elocution (n.) - the art of public speaking

elucidate (v.) - to clarify

empathetic (adj.) - feeling another’s pain as one’s own

empathy (n.) - the experience of another’s feelings as one’s own

enervate (v.) - to weaken, make weary

enervated (adj.) - lacking energy, weakened, exhausted

entity (n.) - something that exists as a discrete unit

entomology (n.) - the study of insects

envious (adj.) - jealous

erect (v.) - to construct, to raise

erroneous (adj.) - mistaken, incorrect

espouse (v.) - to support, or to marry

espy (v.)– - catch sight of, glimpse

ethereal (adj.) - heavenly, exceptionally delicate or refined

euphoric (adj.) - elated, overjoyed

exacerbate (v.) - to make more violent, intense

excursion (n.) - a trip, an outing

exemplary (adj.) - serving as an example

exigent (adj.) - critical, urgent

existential (adj.) - relating to existence

exorbitant (adj.) - excessive

extol (v.) - to praise

extravagant (adj.) - excessive, over-the-top

F
fabricate (v.) - to invent, make-up, concoct

fabulist (n.) - a teller of fables; a liar

facile (adj.) - easy

fallacious (adj.) - incorrect, misleading

familial (adj.) - relating to family

fatuous (adj.) - silly, foolish

fecund (adj.) - fertile, fruitful

feign (v.) - to fake or pretend to

feral (adj.) - savage, wild, untamed

fetter (v.) - to restrain, chain, tie

fey (adj.) - magical

fickle (adj.) - characterized by changeableness, whimsical

figurative (adj.) - symbolic

firmament (n.) - the sky, the heavens

flabbergasted (adj.) - astounded, stupefied

flaccid (adj.) - limp

flattery (n.) - compliments, sycophancy

flout (v.) - to scorn, ignore, show contempt for

fluctuate (v.) - to vary irregularly

flux (n.) - a state of constant change or a flow

forage (v.) - to rummage, scavenge, graze for food

forestall (v.) - to delay, impede

forlorn (adj.) - lonely, hopeless

formidable (adj.) - arousing fear or alarm

forsake (v.) - to abandon, forget

fortify (v.) - to strengthen

fortitude (n.) - strength, bravery

fortuitous (adj.) - lucky, occurring by chance

foster (v.) - to stimulate, promote, encourage

frenetic (adj.) - frenzied, hectic, frantic

G
gape (v.) - to open the mouth and stare stupidly

gay (adj.) - happy, cheery, or homosexual

gluttonous (adj.) - insatiable in appetite

goad (v.) - to urge, to provoke into action

gourmand (n.) - one who likes eating and drinking

grandiose (adj.) - extraordinary, grand in scope

gregarious (adj.) - sociable, outgoing

grotto (n.) - a small cave or cavern

guile (n.) - deceitful actions or behavior

H
hail (v.) - to come from

hapless (adj.) - unlucky

harmony (n.) - agreement, often of sound

harrowing (adj.) - agonizing, distressing

hedonist (n.) - one whose primary pursuit is pleasure

henchman (n.) - a trusted follower, goon

hiatus (n.) - an interruption in continuity, a break

hiemal (adj.) - wintry, relating to winter

hierarchy (n.) - a ranking system of groups or individuals

histrionic (adj.) - excessively dramatic or emotional

I
idolatrous (adj.) - worshiping excessively an object or person

illusory (adj.) - deceptive, produced by an illusion

immaculate (adj.) - impeccably clean, spotless, pure

immutable (adj.) - not susceptible to change

impecunious (adj.) - excessively poor

impervious (adj.) - unable to be penetrated, unaffected

impudent (adj.) - rude, improper

incessant (adj.) - without interruption

incisive (adj.) - clear, sharp, direct

inclement (adj.) - stormy, bad, severe

inclination (n.) - a tendency, propensity

indictment (n.) - accusation of wrongdoing

indignation (n.) - anger due to an unfair situation

inextricable (adj.) - hopelessly confused or tangled

infuse (v.) - to inject

ingenious (adj.) - marked by special intelligence

inimical (adj.) - hostile, threatening

iniquity (n.) - a wicked act, a sin

innate (adj.) - inborn, native, inherent

innocuous (adj.) - harmless

inquisitor (n.) - someone who asks questions or makes an inquiry

inundate (v.) - to flood

invariable (adj.) - not susceptible to change

invective (n.) - a verbal attack

inveterate (adj.) - habitual, natural <

irascible (adj.) - easily angered

J
jubilant (adj.) - joyful, happy

judicious (adj.) - of sound judgment

juvenile (adj.) - young or immature

juxtapose (v.) - to put next to each other

L
labyrinthine (adj.) - intricate, maze-like

laceration (n.) - a cut, a rip

lachrymose (adj.) - tearful

latent (adj.) - present but hidden

laud (v.) - to applaud or praise

laudatory (adj.) - admiring, praising

lavish (adj.) - extravagant

lethargic (adj.) - sluggish, weary, apathetic

lewd (adj.) - vulgar, offensive, rude

libel (n.) - a statement that gives an unjust or unfavorable representation of a person or thing

licentious (adj.) - amoral, lawless, lewd

llimber (adj.) - bending or flexing readily, pliable

limpid (adj.) - clear, easily understood

linchpin (n.) - something that holds separate things together

lithe (adj.) - graceful, flexible, supple

loquacious (adj.) - talkative

lull (n.) - a relatively calm interval, as in a storm

luminescence (n.) - light from non-thermal sources

M
magnanimous (adj.) - generous, noble

malaise (n.) - vague feeling of discomfort

malevolent (adj.) - having intent to harm others

malicious (adj.) - malevolent, harmful

malign (v.) - to slander, to smear, to libel, to defame, to speak evil of

malleable (adj.) - easily shaped or formed

mandatory (adj.) - required, not optional

manifest (v.) - to show clearly

manifold (adj.) - many

masticate (v.) - to chew

matrimony (n.) - marriage

maudlin (adj.) - sentimental

maxim (n.) - a common saying of advice or virtue

meager (adj.) - lacking in quality stature

mediate (v.) - to intervene, to arbitrate, to sort out <

melodramatic (adj.) - exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental; histrionic

mendacious (adj.) - inclined to lie or mislead

mercurial (adj.) - quick and changeable in temperament

meritorious (adj.) - deserving of praise or merit

metamorphosis (n.) - a change of form, shape, substance

mimic (v.) - to imitate, to copy

misogyny (n.) - hatred of women

modicum (n.) - a small amount of something

mollify (v.) - to soften in temper

monogamy (n.) - having only one spouse at a time

mores (n.) - moral attitudes

morose (adj.) - gloomy or sullen

munificent (adj.) - generous, benevolent

mutability (n.) - capability of change

myopic (adj.) - short-sighted

myriad (adj.) - consisting of a very great number

N
narrate (v.) - to tell a story

nebulous (adj.) - indistinct, hazy

nefarious (adj.) - horribly villainous

neologism (n.) - the creation of new words, or a new word

neonate (n.) - a newborn baby

noisome (adj.) - foul, offensive, particularly to the sense of smell

notoriety (n.) - infamy, known in bad regard

novel (adj.) - strikingly new, unusual, or different

noxious (adj.) - harmful, toxic

O
obdurate (adj.) - unyielding to persuasion or moral influences

obfuscate (v.) - to render incomprehensible

obsequious (adj.) - excessively compliant or submissive

odious (adj.) - meriting strong displeasure

officious (adj.) - offering unwanted help or service

olfactory (adj.) - relating to the sense of smell

ominous (adj.) - foreboding or foreshadowing evil, portentous

oration (n.) - a dignified and formal speech

ostracize (v.) - to exclude from a community

P
pacify (v.) - to sooth, ease

paragon (n.) - model of perfection

pariah (n.) - an outcast

parody (n.) - a satirical imitation

patent (adj.) - clear, apparent

pedagogue (n.) - a schoolteacher

pellucid (adj.) - clear

penchant (n.) - a tendency, partiality, preference

peregrinate (v.) - to travel from place to place on foot

perfunctory (adj.) - showing little enthusiasm, done as duty <

permeate (v.) - to spread out, to pervade

persevere (v.) - to persist, remain constant

pertinacious (adj.) - stubbornly persistent, holding to a belief or position

peruse (v.) - to examine carefully

pervasive (adj.) - to spread throughout

petulance (n.) - irritability, impoliteness

physiognomy (n.) - the art of judging human character from facial features

pique (v.) - to provoke or to cause indignation

pithy (adj.) - succinctly meaningful

pittance (n.)– - very small amount

placate (v.) - to soothe, appease

placid (adj.) - calm, tranquil

plethora (n.) - a great number, an abundance

pliable (adj.) - flexible, bendable

poach (v.) - to hunt or fish illegally

poised (adj.) - balanced, readied

polygamy (n.) - having more than one spouse at a time

portentous (adj.) - foreboding or foreshadowing evil, ominous

portly (adj.) - fat, chubby, round

precarious (adj.) - dangerously lacking in security or stability

predestination (n.) - the concept of destiny or fate

premonition (n.) - a presentiment of the future

preponderance (n.) - a great amount or frequency

presage (n.) - an omen

prestidigitation (n.) - a sleight of hand

presumptuous (adj.) - disrespectfully bold

profane (adj.) - indecent, blasphemous

profuse (adj.) - abundant, lavish, prolific

propensity (n.) - an inclination, preference

propriety (n.) - decency, state of being proper

protean (adj.) - readily taking on various shapes or forms

prudent (adj.) - cautious, careful

puerile (adj.) - immature

pugnacious (adj.) - belligerent

pulchritude (n.) - physical beauty

punctilious (adj.) - eager to follow rules

pungent (adj.) - having a sharp, strong quality especially related to smell

purport (v.) - to present an intention that is often FALSE

putrid (adj.) - rotten, rancid, foul

Q
quaint (adj.) - old-fashioned

quid pro - (n., latin) – a mutually beneficial exchange

quotidian (adj.) - daily, everyday

R
radiant (adj.) - bright, beaming

rancid (adj.) - rotten, spoiled, disgusting in smell or taste

ratiocinate (v.) - to think, contemplate

raze (v.) - to demolish

recalcitrant (adj.) - defiant

recapitulate (v.) - to repeat, reiterate

rectify (v.) - to set right, correct

redact (v.) - to revise, edit

redoubtable (adj.) - formidable, commanding respect

redress (v.) - to set right or remedy

reel (v.) - to be thrown off balance or feel dizzy

refrain (v.) - to hold oneself back, forbear

reiterate (v.) - to repeat

relish (v.) - to take zestful pleasure in, enjoy the flavor of

remiss (adj.) - negligent, exhibiting carelessness

render (v.) - to say, or to make

renovate (v.) - to restore, return to original state

repose (n.) - rest, sleep

reprehensible (adj.) - deserving criticism

repudiate (v.) - to reject, turn down

repulse (v.) - to cause disgust or distaste, or to drive back, repel

requisition (n.) - a demand for goods, often by an authority

restitution (n.) - compensation, reimbursement

retaliation (n.) - revenge, punishment

retract (v.) - withdraw

retribution (n.) - vengeance, revenge, payback

revel (v.) - to enjoy

rife (adj.) - abundant

ruddy (adj.) - having a healthy, reddish color

ruse (n.) - a trick

rustic (adj.) - relating to country life

S
saccharine (adj.) - overly sweet

sacrosanct (adj.) - sacred, holy

sagacious (adj.) - shrewd, showing sound judgment

salient (adj.) - significant, conspicuous

salutation (n.) - a greeting

sanguine (adj.) - cheery, optimistic, hopeful

sate (v.) - to satisfy (an appetite) fully.

satiate (v.) - to satisfy excessively

savor (v.) - to appreciate fully, enjoy

scathing (adj.) - hurtful, critical

scourge (n.) - a plague

scurrilous (adj.) - crude, vulgar

sedate (v.) - to calm, soothe

sedentary (adj.) - sitting

seer (n.) - a fortune teller

seminal (adj.) - original, ground-breaking

serendipity (n.) - the act of finding things not sought, luck

slander (n.) - a FALSE statement to damage the reputation of another

sobriety (n.) - moderation from excess, calm, tranquility

somnolent (adj.) - sleepy

soothsayer (n.) - a fortune teller

sordid (adj.) - dirty

spectral (adj.) - ghostly

spurious (adj.) - FALSE but intended to seem believable or possible

stagnant (adj.) - still, not flowing

stagnate (v.) - to be idle, to be still

static (adj.) - not moving, being at rest

steadfast (adj.) - fixed or unchanging

strenuous (adj.) - requiring tremendous strength or energy

strife (n.) - conflict

stupefy (v.) - to astound

submissive (adj.) - easily yielding to authority

subsist (v.) - to live, exist

succinct (adj.) - marked by compact precision

suffice (v.) - to meet needs

supplant (v.) - to displace and substitute for another

surfeit (n.) - an excess, a surplus, an overabundance

surmise (v.) - to guess, infer, suppose

surreptitious (adj.) - done in a secret, or stealthy way

swarthy (adj.) - of dark color or complexion

sybarite (n.) - someone devoted to pleasure and luxury, a voluptuary

sycophant (n.) - a self-serving flatterer

sympathetic (adj.) - compassionate

sympathy (n.) - an expression of pity for another, compassion

synopsis (n.) - a summary

T
taciturn (adj.) - not inclined to talk

tantamount (adj.) - equivalent in value or significance

tedious (adj.) - boring, dull

telepathic (adj.) - capable of reading minds

tenuous (adj.) - having little substance or strength

terrestrial (adj.) - relating to the land

terse (adj.) - abrupt, short, brief

timorous (adj.) - fearful, timid

tome (n.) - a large book

toothsome (adj.) - delicious, luscious

torpid (adj.) - lazy, lethargic, moving slowly

torrid (adj.) - giving off intense heat, passionate

tortuous (adj.) - winding, twisted

tragedy (n.) - a disastrous event, or a work of art in which the hero meets a terrible fate

tranquil (adj.) - calm, serene, peaceful

travesty (n.) - a grossly inferior imitation

trek (v.) - to walk, travel by foot

trite (adj.) - overused, hackneyed

truculent (adj.) - eager to fight, violent

U
ubiquitous (adj.) - existing everywhere, widespread

ultimate (n.) - the last part, or a fundamental element

umbrage (n.) - anger, offense, resentment

uncanny (adj.) - of supernatural character or origin

undulate (v.) - to move in a smooth wavelike motion

uniform (adj.) - unvarying, conforming to one principle

unilateral (adj.) - having only one side

upbraid (v.) - to criticize, scold, reproach

V
vacillate (v.) - to sway from one side to another

variance (n.) - a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs

variegate (v.) - to diversify

vast (adj.) - enormous, immense

veneer (n.) - a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, façade

veracious (adj.) - honest, truthful

verbose (adj.) - wordy

vicarious (adj.) - experienced through another’s actions

vicissitudes (n.) - the unexpected changes and shifts often encountered in one’s life

vigor (n.) - vitality and energy, vim.

vim (n.) - and energy, vigor.

vivacious (adj.) - lively, spirited, full of life

vocation (n.) - one’s work or professional calling

volition (n.) - a conscious choice or decision

voluminous (adj.) - large, ample voluptuary (n.) - someone devoted to sensory pleasure and luxury, a sybarite

W
wane (v.) - to decrease gradually in size or degree

wax (v.) - to increase gradually in size or degree

weather (v.) - to withstand or survive a situation

whet (v.) - to make more keen, stimulate

winsome (adj.) - charming, attractive

Z
Zeitgeist (n.) - the spirit of the time