Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WORDS FREQUENTLY APPEARING ON THE GMAT
In your preparation for the GMAT, it is important that you become familiar with the meanings of
as many words as possible. This is especially true for success on the Verbal Ability section of
the test, but it is also necessary for better comprehension of Reading Comprehension, Reading
recall, and Practical Judgment passage, where a few key words may hold the meaning of an
entire paragraph.
The vocabulary list presented here contains words that frequently appear on the GMAT and
many terms that you may encounter in the course of the exam. Study it carefully to familiarize
yourself with these words. Refer to it to check the meaning of any difficult words you may
encounter in other parts of this Guide.
Abase – to humiliate, degrade Accord – to grant, allow
Abash – to bewilder, confound
Accost – to greet aggressively
Abate – to remove, lessen
Accretion – adhesion, concretion
Abdicate to forsake, give up
Accrue – to accumulate
Aberration – deviation
Acerbity – sharpness, bitterness
Abeyance – inactivity
Acme – summit, peak
Abhor – to detest, hate
Acolyte – attendant, helper
Abject – degraded, miserable
Acrimonious – sharp, acrid
Abjure – to recant, revoke
Actuate – to put into action
Abnegate – to deny, denounce
Adamant – immovable
Abominate – to dislike
Adduce – to give as proof
Abort – to be unsuccessful, fail to develop
Adjudicate – to decide (a case)
Abrade – to scrape out
Adjunct – auxiliary, appendage
Abrogate – to abolish
Adjure – to state on oath
Abscond – to bolt, decamp, flee
Admonish – to caution, warn
Absolve – to pardon
Adroit – skillful, clever
Abstemious – eating or drinking sparingly
Adulation – flattery
Abstract – summary
Adulterate – to corrupt, contaminate
Abstruse – profound, hidden, hard to under
Advent – coming
stand
Adventitious – accidental
Accede to consent
Advocate – counsel, defender
Accessory – accomplice
Aegis – protection
Acclivity – incline rising slope
Aesthetic – pertaining to beauty
Accolade – honor, award
GMAT
Affability – politeness, courtesy Annals – historical accounts
Affinity – relation, alliance Anneal – to heat glass, metal, etc.
Affluence – wealth Annotator – commentator
Aggrandize – to increase in power Anomaly – abnormality, deviation
Agnostic – one who doubts the existence of Antagonist – opponent
God Antecede – to come before (in time or
Agrarian – relating to farming place)
Alacrity – willingness, agility Antedate – to assign a date earlier than the
Albeit – although actual one
Alchemy – chemistry of the middle ages Anterior front
Alimentary – supplying food Antimacassar – cover used to protect
Allay – to soothe, calm furniture
Allegory – parable, fable Antipathy – aversion, dislike
Allocate – to distribute Antithesis – contrast, direct opposite
Allude – to insinuate, refer Aperture – opening
Altercation – quarrel Apex – highest point
Alternation recurrence, succession Aphorism – saying, adage
Altruism – unselfish devotion Apiary – place where bees are kept
Amalgamate – to combine, unite Aplomb – selfconfidence
Ambidextrous – using both hands equally Apochryphal – of questionable authenticity
well Apogee – farthest orbit point from the earth
Ameliorate to amend, improve Apoplexy – sudden loss of consciousness
Amenable – responsible, liable Apostasy – abandoning of faith
Amenity – pleasantness Apothecary – druggist
Amiable – pleasing, loving Apothegm – short, pithy statement
Amorphous – shapeless Appall – to terrify, shock
Anachronism – something misplaced in Appellation – name, title
time Apposite – suitable, appropriate
Analogy – similarity, affinity Apprise – to inform
Anarchy – absence of government Approbation – approval, consent
Anathema – ban, curse Arbiter – arbitrator, judge
Anchorite – hermit Archaic – no longer used
Ancillary – subordinate Archipelago – chain of island
Anecdote – tale, story Archives – place where records are kept
Animate – to inspire, encourage Arduous – difficult
Animosity – enmity, hatred Argot – slang
GMAT
Array – rank, order, finery Avow – declare
Arrears – in debt Awry – crooked, bent
Articulate – to speak or write clearly Axiomatic – principle accepted as self
Artifice – mastery, trickery evident
Asperity – acrimony, harshness
Aspersion – slander, false accusation Badger – to harass, nag
Badinage – banter
Assay – to analyze chemically
Baleful – harmful, evil
Asseverate to state positively
Balm – something that soothes
Assiduity – care, diligence
Banal – meaningless, commonplace
Assimilate to absorb
Bandy – to exchange (word)
Assuage – to pacify, calm
Band – cause of harm
Astral – starry
Barrister – court lawyer
Astringent – contracting (tissues), severe
Bedizen – to dress in a gaudy, vulgar
Astute – shrewd
manner
Atheist – one who denies the existence of
Beguile – to deceive
God
Belabor – to attack verbally, drag out
Atrophy – to waste away, deteriorate
Bellicose – warlike
Attenuate – to weaken
Beneficient – liberal, kind
Attrition – a wearing away, weakening
Benign – gentle, mild
Audacious – bold
Berate – to scold
Augment – to increase
Bereft – bereaved, deprived of
Augur – to predict
Bestial – savage
August – majestic, noble
Bestride – to mount
Auspice – protection
Bicameral – having two legislative
Auspicious – fortunate, favorable
chambers
Austere – rigid, severe
Biennial every two years
Authoritative – powerful, commanding
Bilious – badtempered
Autocratic – arrogant, dictatorial
Biped – twofooted animal
Autonomy – selfgovernment
Bivouac – encampment
Auxiliary – assistant, helping
Bland – mild
Avarice – greed, cupidity
Blasé – indifferent
Aver – assert
Blasphemy – profane abuse of anything
Averse – unwilling
sacred
Aviary – place where birds are kept
Blatant – noisy, vociferous
Avidity – eagerness
Blazon – to adorn, proclaim
Avoirdupois – weight
Bluster – to swagger, boast
GMAT
Bogus – counterfeit Cantilever – supporting bracket
Boisterous – violent, furious Canvass – to make a survey, solicit
Bombast – pompous speech Capacious – roomy, ample
Botch – to ruin Caper – frolic, mischievous act
Bounty – generosity Capitulate – to surrender
Bourgeois – middle class Caprice – whim, fancy
Bovine – ox or cow Captious – touchy, cross
Brandish – to wave menacingly Captivate – to charm, fascinate
Bravado – pretense of bravery Carnage – slaughter, massacre
Breech – lower part of the body Carnivorous – flesheating
Brigand – robber, bandit Carom – rebound
Broach – to start a discussion Carp – to complain constantly
Browbeat – to intimidate Carrion – decaying flesh
Brusque – abrupt in manner Castigate – to punish
Bucolic – rustic Casuistry – false reasoning
Buffoon – clown Cataclysm – violent change or upheaval
Buoyancy – lightness, animation Catalyst – agent of change
Bureaucracy – government of specialized Cathartic – purifying
functions and hierarchy of officials Catholic – universal
Burgeon – bud, sprout Caustic – sarcastic, corrosive
Burnish – to polish Cavil – to quibble
Butte – hill Celerity – rapidity, velocity
Buttress – prop, protuberance Censorious – faultfinding
Censure – to criticize sharply
Cabal – intrigue, faction Centrifugal – moving away from center
Cache – hiding place
Cephalic – of the head
Cacophony – harsh sound
Cerebration – thought process
Cadence – measured movement
Chafe – fret, irritate
Cajole – to coax, flatter
Chaff – worthless material
Caldron – kettle
Chagrin – embarrassment
Calligraphy – penmanship
Charlatan – faker
Callous – hard, obdurate
Charnel – place where corpses are
Callow – unfledged
deposited
Calumny – slander, defamation
Chary – discreetly cautious
Canard – hoax
Chastise – to castigate, correct
Canker – ulcer
Chattel – slave
Cant – tilt, whining speech
GMAT
Chauvinism – fanatical patriotism Commodious – spacious
Chicanery – deception Commute – alter, exchange
Chimerical – imaginary Compatible – consistent
Choleric – irascible, easily angered Compendious – spacious
Chronic – always present Compendium – abridgment, abstract
Churlish – illbred Compunction – uneasiness, remorse
Circuitous – roundabout, tortuous Conclave – secret meeting
Circumlocution – evasion in speech Concomitant – accompanying
Circumspect – watchful, cautious Concupiscence – strong desire
Circumvent – to avoid Condign – appropriate
Citadel – fortress Condone – to overlook as unimportant
Civility – politeness, affability Conduce – to lead toward a desired end
Clairvoyant – able to perceive something Configuration – shape, arrangement
not readily apparent Confiscatory – seized by authority
Clandestine – secret, hidden Conflagration – destructive fire
Cloy – to overindulge with an initially Confute – to disprove, refute
pleasing thing Congeal – to change to a solid state
Coagulate – to thicken, clot Congenital – existing from birth
Coalesce – to unite, join forces Congruous – appropriate, in agreement
Coda – ending section distinct from the Coniferous – conebearing
main body of a work Conjecture – guess, conclusion
Coerce – to force Conjure – to summon solemnly
Cogent – forcible, convincing Connive – cooperate secretly
Cogitate – to think seriously Connoisseur – expert, critic
Cognate – related Connote –suggest, imply
Cognizant – aware Conscript – to force into service, draft
Cohesion – a sticking together Consecrate – to sanctify, dedicate
Collate to put together in proper order Consonance – harmony
Colligate – to group together Consort – associate, companion
Collocate – to arrange in position Constellation – group of stars
Colloquy – conversation, dialogue Consternation – sudden confusion, panic
Collusion – secret agreement to defraud Constituency – voters in a district
Colophon – inscription in a book Constrain – to restrict movement, limit
Colorable – plausible, ostensible Constrict – to shrink
Comestible – edible Consummate – to complete
Commensurate proportionate Contemn – to despise, scorn
GMAT
Contemptuous – scornful, insolent Credible – believable
Contentious – argumentative Credulity – simplicity, gullibility
Contiguous – adjacent, touching Crimp – to bend into shape, pinch together
Contingency – casualty, occurrence Cruciate – crossshaped
Contravene – to contradict Crux – vital point
Contrition – remorse, repentance Cryptic – mysterious
Contrivance – plan, scheme Cudgel – club
Controvert – to debate, dispute Culmination – highest point, climax
Contumely – rudeness Culpable – deserving blame
Contusion bruise Cumbrous – unwieldy
Conundrum – riddle Cupidity – avarice, greed
Conversant – familiar with Curry – to seek favor by flattery
Convivial – joyous, festal Cursory – hasty, superficial
Convoke – to assemble Cynical – sarcastic, sneering
Convulse – to shake violently, agitate Cynosure – center of attraction
Copious – abundant
Corollary – inference, result Dalliance – dawdling
Dank – chilly and wet
Corona – crown, luminous circle
Dastard – coward
Corporeal – pertaining to the body
Dauntless – valiant, intrepid
Corpulent – fat, stout
Dearth – scarcity
Correlate – to be in mutual relation
Debacle – complete failure, fiasco
Corrigible – amenable, tractable
Debase – to degrade, lower
Corroborate – to strengthen, confirm
Debauch – to corrupt
Coterie – group
Debility – weakness
Countenance – facial expression,
Debonair – affable, jaunty
composure
Decamp – to break camp, depart suddenly
Countermand – to cancel with a contrary
Decant – to pour
order
Deciduous – shedding (leaves) annually
Covenant – contract
Declaim – speak, debate
Covert – clandestine, secret
Declaration – announcement
Covet – to desire, aspire to
Declivity – descent, slop
Cower – to cringe in feat
Decorous – proper in good taste
Cozen – to trick
Decrepit – rundown, wornout
Crag – steep projecting rock
Decry – to censure
Crass – grossly stupid
Deference – honor, respect
Credence – belief, faith
Definitive – explicit, conclusive
GMAT
Defunct – no longer existing Dilatory – tardy, lagging
Deign – to condescend Dilettante – one who dabbles superficially
Deleterious – harmful Diligent – industrious, assiduous
Delineate – to describe Diluvial – pertaining to feeds
Demean – to behave properly Discern – to observe, perceive
Denigrate – to describe Discompose – to upset the order of
Demean – to behave properly Disconcert – to confound, disturb
Denigrate – to define, belittle Disconsolate – sad, forlorn
Denizen – inhabitant Discord – disagreement
Denote – to standard for, mean Discountenance – disapproval
Denude – to strip, divest Discursive – rambling
Deposition – removal (from office), Disdain – to scorn
testimony Disingenuous – without candor
Depraved – sinful Disparage – to belittle
Deprecate – to disapprove of Disparate – distinct in quality
Depreciate – to lessen the value of Disputation – debase
Depute – to appoint, entrust Disseminate – to spread widely
Derogatory – disparaging Dissident – disagreeing
Descry – to discover, make known Dissimulate – to put on a false appearance
Desecrate – to profane, abuse Dissipate – to scatter or use wastefully
Desiccate – to dry up Dissolute – morally loose
Desist – to cease, stop Dissonant – lacking harmony
Despicable – contemptible Dissuade – to advise against
Desultory – loose, rambling Distend – to stretch out
Deterrent – constraint, preventative Distrait – absentminded, distracted
Detritus – product of disintegration Distraught – mentally upset
Devious – rambling, errant, tricky Diverge – to branch off, deviate
Diametric – opposite Divers – various
Diaphanous – extremely delicate, Divest – to deprive, strip off
insubstantial Doctrinate – impractical theorist
Dichotomy – division into two parts Dogmatic – arrogant stating of opinion
Dictum – positive statement Doldrums – low spirits
Didactic – instructive Dole – something given sparingly
Diffident – lacking confidence, reserved Doleful – dismal
Diffuse – to spread without restraint Dolorous – mournful
Dilate – to stretch, widen Dolt – stupid person
GMAT
Dotage – senility Electorate – voting body
Dour – stern, gloomy Elicit – to cause a response
Dowdy – shabby, styleless Elision – omission
Dreg – undesirable leftovers Eloquent – pleasingly expressive
Drivel – silly talk Elucidate – to make clear
Droll – funny, amusing Elusive – hard to grasp
Dross – refuse, waste Emaciate – to make thin
Dubious – uncertain Emanate – to come out from
Dubitable – open to doubt Embellish – to ornament
Dupe – to deceive Embody – to make perceptible, personify
Duplicity – deception Embroil – to involve in an argument
Duress – restraint, force Emend – to correct or alter (as in a literary
work)
Ebony – hard durable wood, black Emissary – messenger
Ebullient – enthusiastic
Emollient – soothing substance
Ecclesiastical – pertaining to the church
Emolument – salary, compensation
Echelon – formation of units or troops
Emulate – to rival or try to equal
Eclectic – made up of elements from a
Enclave – distinct unit surrounded by
variety of source
foreign territory
Ecology – study of the relationships in an
Encomium – glowing praise
environment
Encroach – trespass
Ecumenical – general, worldwide
Encyclopedia – compendium of knowledge
Edict – public announcement, decree
Endemic – restricted to a given locality
Edifice – large building
Endogenous – originating from within
Edify – to enlighten
Enervate – to lessen the vitality of
Educe – to bring forth
Enfranchise – to give the right to vote
Effable – capable of being expressed
Engender – to bring into being
Efface – to wipe out, erase
Engross – to take the entire attention of
Efficacious – effective
Engulf – to swallow up
Effigy – image, crud likeness
Enigmatic – hard to understand, puzzling
Effluence – flowing out
Enjoin – to impose by order, prohibit
Effrontery – impudence
Enmesh – to entangle
Effulgent – illuminated
Enmity – hostility
Effusive – highly emotional
Enormity – outrageous act
Egocentric – selfcentered
Ensconce – to conceal, settle snugly
Egregious – flagrant
Entity – something that exists
Egression – emergence
GMAT
independently Estival – pertaining to summer
Entomology – study of insects Ethereal – airy
Entreat – to implore Etude – musical composition used for
Enunciate – to announce, pronounce practice
clearly Eulogy – speech in praise of a dead person
Ephemeral – shortlived Euphemism – substitution of a less
Epic – long, narrative poem offensive word
Epicure – one who has discriminating Euphony – agreeable sounds
tastes for foods and liquors Euphoria – feeling of wellbeing
Epigram – terse, witty saying Evanescent – fading from sight
Epilogue – closed section of a literary work Evasion – avoidance
Epistle – letter Evince – to show plainly
Epitaph – inscription Evoke – to call force, produce
Epithet – word or phrase characterizing a Evolve – to develop gradually
person or thing Exacerbate – to aggravate
Epitome – ideal example, embodiment Exacting – making severe demands
Epoch – event or time that marks the start Exclude – to bar
of a new period Excoriate – to strip the skin off
Equable – uniform, even Exculpate – to free from blame
Equanimity – composure Execrable – detestable
Equivocal – purposely deceive Execrate – to curse
Era – period of time marked by certain Exemplary – serving as a model
events Exempt – to excuse from responsibility
Ergo – therefore others are subject to
Ersatz – artificial, substitute Exhort – to entreat, appeal urgently
Erudite – learned Exhume – to dig up
Escapement – notched device regulating Exigency – situation making extremely
movement in a mechanism urgent demands
Escarpment – steep slope between level Exigent – urgent
areas Exiguous – scanty, meager
Eschew – to shun Exogenous – originating from outside
Esculent – edible Exonerate – to clear from blame
Escutcheon – shield containing a coat of Exorcise – to expel (an evil spirit)
arms Expatiate – to speak or write at length,
Esoteric – limited to a chosen few wander
Esthetic – beautiful Expedite – speed up
GMAT
Expeditious – prompt Feculent – impure
Expiate – to make amends Fecund – fertile
Expound – to state in detail Fein – to simulate, pretend
Expunge – to erase Felicitous – appropriate, pleasant
Expurgate – to remove passages (from a Fell – dangerous, cruel
book) Ferret – to search out
Exquisite – very beautiful, perfected Fervid – ardent
Extant – still existing Fervor – ardor, zeal
Extemporary – impromptu Festoon – decorative chain
Extemporize – to improvise Fetid – stinking
Extenuate – to lessen the seriousness of Fetish – an object believe to have magical
Extirpate – to destroy completely powers
Extol – to laud Fettle – condition, state of fitness
Extraneous – not pertinent to the whole Fiasco – complete failure
Extricate – to set free Fickle – capricious
Extrinsic – to force out Figment – fine thread
Exude – to discharge Filch – to pilfer
Exult – to rejoice Finesse – skill
Fissure – cleft or crack
Fabricate – to manufacture, invent Flaccid – soft and limp
Fabulous – fictitious
Flagitious – wicked
Façade – front or main face of a building
Flagrant – outrageous
Facetious – lightly joking
Flail – implement for threshing grain
Facile – easily done
Flair – aptitude, attractive quality
Facilitate – to make easier
Flamboyant – showy
Facsimile – reproduction
Flaunt – to show off
Factious – producing dissension
Flex – to bend
Factitious – artificially produced
Flinch – to draw back
Factotum – general worker
Flippant – lacking proper respect
Fallacious – tending to mislead
Florescence – flowering
Fallible – capable of erring
Floriculture – care of ornamental plants
Fallow – cultivated land not in use
Flout – to mock or scoff
Fastidious – hard to please, meticulous
Fluctuate – to vary
Fatuous – foolish
Foible – minor weakness
Fawn – to court favor, grovel
Foment – to stir up
Fealty – intense faithfulness
Foray – to plunder
Feasible – possible
GMAT
Forensic – relating to court or public debate Glib – superficial, unconvincing
Forerunner – predecessor, sign warning of Glut – to oversupply
something to follow Glutton – one who overindulges
Forlorn – miserable Goad – spur
Formidable – dreadful, awesome Gourmet – expert on good food and drink
Fortitude – courage Gradient – slope
Fortnight – two weeks Grandeur – splendor
Fortuitous – by chance Gratuitous – free of charge
Fractious – unruly Gratuity – tip
Fraught – laden Gregarious – sociable
Fray – fight Grimace – expression of pain
Frenetic – wildly excited Grommet – metal ring
Frugal – thrifty Grueling – very tiring
Fruition – accomplishment Guild – organization of persons with
Fulminate – to explode, denounce common interests
Fulsome – disgusting Guile – deceitful behavior
Furtive – stealthy Guise – false pretense
Gyrate – to move in a circular fashion
Gainsay – to contradict
Gambol – to frolic
Hackneyed – overused, trite
Gamut – entire range Haphazard – not planned, random
Garble – to distort Harangue – long speech
Garish – showy, gaudy Harass – to torment
Garrulous – talkative Harbinger – forerunner
Gastronomy – art of good eating Haughty – extremely proud
Gauntlet – glove (medieval), ordeal Hauteur – disdainful pride
Gelid – frozen Havoc – great destruction
Genial – cordial Hawser – strong rope
Genre – sort or type, category Heady – impetuous
Genus – class, group with similar Hearth – fireplace floor
characteristics Hegemony – dominance of authority
Germane – fitting Heinous – hateful, evil
Germinate – to develop, sprout Heptagon – sevensided polygon
Gestation – development, pregnancy Heresy – antireligious thought
Gibber – to speak rapidly, chatter Hermetic – airtight
Gibe – to scoff, deride Heterodox – differing from the accepted
Gird – to encircle standard
GMAT
Inconsiderable – trivial, small Innuendo – hint, allusion
Inconspicuous – not readily apparent Inscrutable – enigmatic, mysterious
Incorrigible – not able to be corrected, Insidious – treacherous
delinquent Insinuate – to suggest, hint at artfully
Incredulous – not readily apparent Insipid – dull, tasteless
Incorrigible – not able to be corrected, Insolvent – bankrupt
delinquent Instigator – one who incites action
Incredulous – skeptical Insular – narrowminded, limited
Increment – increase, addition Insurgent – one who revolts against
Inculpate – to incriminate established authority
Incumbent – officeholder, obligatory Intangible – incorporeal, vague
Indefatigable – tireless Intemperance – excessive indulgence
Indigenous – native to Interdict – to prohibit
Indigent – poor Interment – burial
Indolent – lazy Interminable – endless
Indurate – hardened Internment – confinement (of enemies)
Ineffable – unspeakable, indescribable Interpolate – to change by inserting new
Inert – without power to move or resist material
Inexorable – unrelenting Interstice – space, interval
Infamy – unrelenting Intractable – unruly, stubborn
Infamy – bad reputation Intransigent – refusing to compromise
Inference – conclusion Intrepid – fearless
Infernal – hellish, fiendish Intrinsic – inherent
Infinitesimal – immeasurable small Introvert – to turn inward
Infrastructure – basic framework of an Intuition – insight
organization Inundate – to overflow overwhelm
Infringe – to encroach upon Inure – habituate
Ingenious – resourceful, inventive Invective – denunciation
Ingenuous – frank, naïve Inveigh – to complain bitterly
Ingratiate – to seek someone’s favor Inveigle – to trick, entice
Inherent – belonging by nature Investiture – installation in office
Inimical – hostile Inveterate – firmly established
Iniquitous – unjust Invidious – offensive
Injunction – court order, command Invincible – unconquerable
Innate – natural, existing from birth Inviolate – sacred
Innocuous – harmless Irascible – contrary to what was expected,
GMAT
sarcastic Lethal – deadly
Isthmus – narrow strip of land Lethargic – sluggish
Iterate – to repeat over and over Levity – lightness, frivolity
Itinerant – traveling from place to place Lexicon – dictionary
Libation – ceremonial drinking
Jaundice – yellow pigmentation of the skin Licentious – morally unrestrained
Jaunty – lively
Limpid – cleat, transparent
Jettison – to throw overboard, discard as
Lineament – a distinctive feature
superfluous
Lissome – nimble
Jocose – humorous
Litany – prayer, chant
Jocund – cheerful
Lithe – flexible
Jocular – playful, jolly
Litigation – lawsuit
Jostle to elbow, agitate
Livid – discolored by a bruise, enraged
Judicious – showing sound judgment
Location – style of speech
Juggernaut – massive destructive force
Loquacious – talkative
Juridical – pertaining to law
Lucid – shining, readily understood
Juxtapose – to put side by side
Ludicrous – absurd
Kaleidoscopic – changing Lugubrious – affectedly mournful
Kindred – family relationship Luminary – outstanding person
Kinetic – active Lurid – sensational
Kismet – fate
Kith – friends Macabre – gruesome
Machination – evil plot
Knave – credit for an achievement, praise
Macrocosm – entity representing on a
Labyrinth – maze
Lacerate – to mangle, tear larger scale, one of its smaller units
Laconic – concise Madrigal – song, ballad
Lambaste – to scold, censure Magistrate – official who administers laws
Lampoon – satirical attack Magnanimous – generous
Languid – weak, dull Maladroit – awkward
Languish – to become weak Malefactor – evildoer
Languor – lack of vitality Malevolent – arising from an evil will
Larcenous – thievish Malfeasance – wrongdoing
Largess – generous giving Malign – to slander
Lascivious – lustful Malinger – to feign illness
Lassitude – fatigue Malleable – flexible, adaptable
Latent – hidden Martinet – very strict disciplinarian
Laudatory – expressing praise Masticate – to chew up
GMAT
Maudlin – foolishly sentimental Mordant – sarcastic
Megalomania – illusions of grandeur Mores – customs
Meliorate – to make or become better Moribund – dying
Mellifluous – flowing sweetly, smoothly Morose – gloomy
Ménage – household Motley – composed of many elements
Mendacious – untruthful Multifarious – diverse
Mendicant – beggar Mundane – worldly
Menial – servile Munificent – generous, lavish
Mercurial – changeable, fickle Myopia – nearsightedness
Meretricious – falsely alluring, gaudy Myriad – very large number
Meritorious – deserving honor
Mesmerize – hypnotize Nadir – lowest point
Nape – back of the neck
Metamorphosis – change of form
Narcissism – selflove
Metaphor – figure of speech using one idea
Narrative – story, account
in place of another to denote
Nascent – coming into being
a likeness between the two
Nebulous – vague
Mete – to allot
Nefarious – very wicked
Meticulous – careful with details
Nemesis – formidable rival, one who inflicts
Mettle – spirit, courage
just punishment
Miasma – pervading corruptive atmosphere
Neology – use of an established word in a
Microcosm – a small unit that is the epitome
new way
of a larger entity
Neophyte – beginner, convert
Mien – manner, appearance
Nepotism – favoritism shown relatives
Militate – to work (for or against)
Nettle – irritate
Millennium – 1000 years
Nexus – link, connection
Minion – favored person
Niggardly – stingy
Miscreant – villain
Nocturnal – pertaining to night
Misgiving – doubt
Noisome – offensive, harmful to health
Misnomer – name wrongly applied
Nomenclature – system of names
Missive – letter
Nonpareil – unequaled
Mitigate – to ease
Nonplussed – perplexed
Mnemonic – memory aid
Nostalgia – sentimental yearning for the
Modicum – small portion
past
Modulate – to regulate
Notorious – widely known
Mollify – to appease
Noxious – harmful
Moot – debatable
Numismatic – monetary
GMAT
Nuptial – pertaining to marriage Ordure – excrement
Nurture – train, rear Ornate – showy
Ornery – obstinate
Obdurate – stubborn Ornithology – study of birds
Obeisance gesture of respect
Oscillate – to fluctuate between two points
Obesity – stoutness, fatness
Ossify – to change to bone
Obfuscate – to obscure
Ostensible – apparent
Objurgate – to denounce
Ostentatious – showy
Oblation – solemn offering
Ostracize – to banish
Oblique – evasive
Overt – done openly
Obloquy – widespread censure
Overweening – arrogant
Obsequious – servile
Obsolescent – falling into disuse
Palatable – agreeable to the senses
Obstreperous – noisy, unruly Pall – to lose effectiveness
Obstruct – to stop, close Palliate – to reduce the intensity of
Obtrude – to push out Pallid – pale
Obtuse – stupid, blunt Palpable – obvious, easily perceived
Obviate – to prevent Paltry – pretty
Occidental – Western Panacea – remedy for all maladies
Odious – disgusting Pandemic – widely spread
Odoriferous – giving off a smell Parable – short story showing a moral
Officious – meddlesome Paradigm – model, example
Olfactory – pertaining to smell Paradox – statement that seems
Oligarchy – government by a small group contradictory but may be true in fact
often for corrupt purposes Paragon – model of excellence
Ominous – threatening Paramount – highest in rank
Omnipotent – having unlimited power Paraphernalia – personal belongings
Omnivorous – eating all sorts of food Pariah – outcast
Onerous – burdensome Parity – equality in value
Onus – burden Parody – farcical imitation
Opaque – not translucent Paroxysm – sudden outburst
Opprobrious – disgraceful, infamous Parsimony – stinginess, thrift
Opulent – wealthy Parsonage – pastor’s dwelling
Opus – work, composition Pastoral – of shepherds, rural
Orbit – revolving path Patent – evident
Ordinance – statute Pathos – something which arouses pity
Ordnance – artillery Patrimony – property inherited from
GMAT
ancestors Perspicuous – easily understood
Paucity – scarcity Pert – bold, cocky
Peculate – to embezzle Pertinent – relevant
Pecuniary – involving money Perturb – to upset, agitate
Pedant – one who emphasizes trivial points Peruse – to read carefully
of learning Pervade – to spread throughout
Pejorative – worsening Perverse – deviating from what is
Penchant – strong liking considered normal
Pendant – ganging object Petulance – impatience
Penitence – sorrow for sins Phalanx – massed group of individuals
Penology – study of prisons and prison Philander – to court with no intention of
reform marriage
Pensile – hanging Philistine –one governed by material rather
Penurious – stingy than intellectual values
Perambulate – to walk Philology – study of linguistics
Perdition – damnation Phlegmatic – sluggish
Perennial – enduring Phobia – persistent irrational fear
Perfidy – treachery Picayune – of little value, petty
Perforce – of necessity Piebald – marked with splotches of color,
Perfunctory – routine, superficial heterogeneous
Perigee – point of an orbit nearest the earth Pillory – to scorn publicly
Peripatetic – itinerant Piquant – agreeably stimulating, pungent
Periphery – outside boundary Pique – to offend, provoke
Periphrasis – using long phrasing instead of Piscatorial – pertaining to fish
shorter expressions Pithy – terse
Permeable – passable, penetrable Pixilated – amusingly eccentric
Permutation – change, alteration Placate – to appease
Pernicious – destructive, fatal Placid – calm
Peroration – end of a speech Plaintive – melancholy
Perpetrate – carry out, commit Plait – to braid, pleat
Perpetuate – cause to continue Platitude – trite remark
Perquisite – something in addition to Plaudit – expression of approval
regular pay, tip, bonus Plausible – seemingly reasonable
Personage – important person Plebiscite – poplar vote
Perspective – sense of proportion Plenary – full, complete
Perspicacity – keen judgment Plethora – overabundance
GMAT
Proponent – one in favor of
Propound – to present foe discussion Raillery – playful teasing
Raiment – clothing
Prorate – to divided proportionately
Rambunctious – boisterous
Prosaic – commonplace, dull
Ramification – offshoot, consequence
Proscribe – to outlaw, prohibit
Rampant – widespread, without restraint
Proselytize – to convert from one belief to
Ramshackle – loosely made, dilapidated
another
Rancor – ill will
Protagonist – main character in novel
Rankle – to cause resentment
Prototype – standard example
Rapacious – greedy
Provincial – having a limited outlook
Rapine – plunder
Prurient – lustful, lewd
Ratification – formal approval
Puerile – childish, silly
Raucous – rough sounding, boisterous
Pulchritude – beauty
Ravenous – extremely eager foe
Punctilious – very exact
gratification
Pundit – learned person
Recalcitrant – disobedient
Pungent – sharp sensation of taste and
Recant – to renounce
smell
Recidivist – confirmed criminal
Pugnacious – belligerent
Reciprocal – complementary, mutually
Purloin – to steal
responsive
Purport – to give an appearance of, intend
Recluse – hermit
Pusillanimous – lacking courage and
Recondite – beyond ordinary understanding,
resolve
concealed
Putative – assumed to exit
Reconnoiter – to survey
Putrefy – to rot
Recreant – cowardly
Pythonic – monstrous
Recrimination – countercharge
Rectitude – integrity
Quadrant – onequarter of a plane
Quaint – unusual, oldfashioned Recumbent – lying down
Qualm – misgiving Redact – to edit
Quandary – perplexed state Redolent – fragrant
Querulous – complaining Redoubt – temporary fortification
Query – inquiry Redress – to remedy, compensate
Quiescent – quite, still Redundant – superfluous, wordy
Quintessence – perfect form Refectory – dining hall
Quivering – shaking, trembling slightly Referendum – popular vote on a measure
Quixotic – having high romantic or submitted by a legislative body
chivalrous ideals Refractory – obstinate, unresponsive
GMAT
Refute – to prove wrong Restive – impatient
Refurbish – to renovate Resurgent – rising again
Regale – to entertain Resuscitate – to revive
Regent – one who rules Retaliate – to get even
Regicide – killing of a king Reticence – silence, reserve
Regimen – system of diet, ruling system Retort – to get even
Regressive – going backward Retribution – just reward
Relegate – to exile, to assign to a lower Retroactive – extending to previous
position conditions
Reliquary – container for sacred objects Retrograde – to go backward
Remission – pardon, forgiveness, Reverberate – to throw back, echo
abatement Revile – to abuse verbally
Remonstrate – to protest Ribald – offensive, vulgar
Remunerate – to pay for work done, Rife – widespread, abounding
compensate Rift – opening, breach
Renascent – reborn Rigor – strictness
Renegade – deserter, outcast Risibility – laughter
Renege – to go back on a promise Robust – healthly, strong
Renunciation – repudiation Rote – mechanical repetition or action
Repast – meal Rotund – rounded
Repine – to long for Ruckus – noisy confusion
Replete – well field Rudiment – first principle, beginning of
Reprehend – to criticize something
Repression – stopping by force Ruminant – meditative
Reprisal – act if retaliation Ruminate – to meditate, ponder
Reproach – disgrace, cause of blame
Reprobate – depraved, unprincipled Saccharine – overly sweet, affectedly
agreeable
Reproof – rebuke, criticism Sacrilege – desecration
Repudiate – to refuse, reject, disown Sagacious – shrewdly discerning
Repugnant – distasteful, disliked Salacious – lustful
Requisite – requirement Salient – conspicuous
Requital – suitable repayment Saline – salty
Rescind – to repeal, take back Sallow – dull greenishyellow
Resilient – able to spring back into shape Salubrious – wholesome
Resplendent – dazzling Salutary – curative
Restitution – restoration, refund Salutatory – welcoming address
GMAT
Subjoin – to append Tacit – silent
Taciturn – tending toward silence
Subjugate – to force to submit
Tactic – means of accomplishing a purpose
Sublimate – to direct actions into more
Tactile – perceived by the sense of touch
socially acceptable forms
Tantamount – equal in value
Subservient – inferior, submissive
Tautology – needless repetition of an idea
Subterfuge – deception used to evade
Tawdry – gaudy, cheap
something difficult or unpleasant
Taxonomy – classification (of plants and
Subversive – destructive
animals)
Succor – to help
Temerity – foolish boldness
Succulent – juicy
Temperate – moderate
Suffuse – to overspread
Temporize – to compromise
Sully – to soil, stain
Tenacious – persistent, tough
Sumptuous – lavish
Tenet – doctrine
Supercilious – haughty, contemptuous
Tenuous – unsubstantial, flimsy
Supernal – exalted celestial
Termagant – nagging woman
Supersede – to replace
Terminus – end point
Supervene – to happen additionally or
Terse – brief, to the point
unexpectedly
Tertiary – third in order
Supine – indolent, prone
Thespian – actor
Supple – flexible
Thrall – slave
Supplicate – to ask for humbly
Timorous – timid
Suppress – to keep from public knowledge
Tirade – long, vehement speech or
Surfeit – overindulgence
denunciation
Surreptitious – acting in a secret and
Tithe – tenth part of something paid as a tax
stealthy way
to a church
Surrogate – deputy, substitute
Titular – having a title without performing
Sustenance – nourishment
the functions involved
Sycophant – selfserving flatterer
Tome – large book
Syllogism – conclusion based on two
Torpid – inactive, sluggish
premises
Torrid – very hot
Synchronous – occurring simultaneously
Toxic – pertaining to poison
Synopsis – summary
Tractable – easily managed
Synthesis – combining of elements to make
Traduce – to slander
a whole
Tranquility – calmness, serenity
Synthetic – manmade
Transfuse – to transmit, imbue
Transgression – violation
GMAT
Transitory – temporary defended
Translucent – permitting the passage of Untoward – unfavorable
light Upbraid – to scold, reproach
Transpire – to become known, happen Uproarious – boisterous
Transverse – placed crosswise Urbane – refined
Travail – hard work Usurp – to take by force
Travesty – ridiculous representation Uxorial – pertaining to a wife
Treble – to increase threefold
Tremulous – trembling Vacillate – to show indecision
Vacuous – empty, stupid
Trenchant – sharp, clearcut
Vagary – eccentric idea or action
Trepidation – fear
Valorous – courageous
Tribulation misery, distress
Vanguard – front part of a movement
Truculent – cruel, belligerent
Vapid – tasteless, flat
Truncated – shortened, curtailed
Variegated – marked with different colors
Truncheon – club
Vaunt – display boastfully
Tumid – swollen, inflated
Vegetate – to lead an inactive life
Tumultuous – violently turbulent
Vehement – impassioned
Turbid – muddy
Venal – open to corruption
Turgid – swollen
Vendetta – extended bitter feud
Turpitude – vileness
Venerate – to show deep respect
Tutelage – guardianship
Venial – excusable
Twit – to taunt
Veracious – honest
Verbosity – wordiness
Ubiquitous – present everywhere
simultaneously Verdant – green in color
Ulterior – lying beyond what is openly Verisimilitude – truth
expressed
Verity – truth
Umbrage – offense
Vermillion – bright red pigment
Unctuous – oily, suave
Vernacular – native language of a region
Undaunted – determined in spite of adverse
Versatile – able to change easily
conditions
Versification – metrical structure
Undulate – to move in waves
Vertex – highest point
Unerring – without fault
Vestige – trace
Ungainly – awkward, clumsy
Viable – capable of living or functioning
Unmitigated – not lessened, absolute
Vicarious – experienced through the activity
Unobtrusive – not aggressive
of another person
Untenable – Unable to be occupied or
Vicissitude – changeability
GMAT
Vilify – to defame Zany – fool, clown
Zealot – fanatic
Vindicate – to clear from blame
Zephyr – mild breeze
Vindictive – wanting revenge
Virago – domineering woman
Viridity – greenness, naiveness
Virility – masculinity
Virulent – deadly, hateful
Viscous – sticky, lacking easy movement
Vitiate – to debase
Vitreous – pertaining to glass
Vituperate – to berate
Vivacious – spirited, lively
Vivid – vigorous, clear
Vixen – female fox
Vociferous – noisy
Volatile – quickly evaporating, explosive
Volition – act of determining
Voluble – talkative
Voracious – greedy
Votary – zealous follower
Votive – expressing a wish or vow
Vouchsafe – to grant
Waft – odor or sound carried through the air
Wan – pale
Wanton – reckless, immoral
Weal – wellbeing
Welter – confusion, turmoil
Wheedle – to coax
Whet – to arouse, stimulate
Windfall – unexpected gain
Wizened – dried up, withered
Wraith – ghost, apparition
Wragle – to quarrel
Wroth – angry
Wry – twisted