Professional Documents
Culture Documents
B
banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite adjective
belie contradict; give a false impression verb
benevolent generous; charitable adj.
benign kindly; favorable; not malignant adj.
benignity state of being kind, benign, gracious noun
bequeath leave to someone by a will; hand down verb
blasphemy cursing; irreverence; sacrilege noun
blighted suffering for a disease; destroyed adj.
blithe gay; joyous adj.
bolster support; prop up verb
bombastic pompous; using inflated language adjective
boorish rude; clownish adjective
burgeon grow forth; send out buds verb
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish verb
buttress support; prop up verb
C
cacophony discord noun
cajole coax; wheedle verb
candor frankness noun
capricious unpredictable; fickle; incalculable adjective
censorious critical adjective
censure blame; criticize verb
chicanery trickery noun
clemency disposition to be lenient; mildness, as of the weather noun
coagulate thicken; congeal; clot verb
coda concluding section of a musical or literary composition noun
coercion use of force to get someone's compliance noun
cogent convincing adjective
commensurate equal in extent adj
compendium brief; comprehensive summary verb
complaisant tryng to please; obliging adj
compliant yielding; confirming to requirements adj
conciliatory reconciling; soothing. adj
condone overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse verb
confound confuse; puzzle verb
connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art; lover of art. noun
contention claim; thesis noun
contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly verb
contentious quarrelsome adjective
contrite penitent adjective
conundrum riddle noun
convoluted coiled around adjective
cordial gracious; heartfelt adjective
corroborate confirm verb
craven cowardly adjective
credulity belief on slight evidence noun
criterion standard used in judging noun
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
D
daunt intimidate verb
debilitate weaken; enfeeble verb
deference courteous regard for another's wish noun
delineate portray noun
denigrate blacken verb
denounce condemn; criticize verb
deplore regret; disapprove of verb
depravity corruption; wickedness noun
depreciate express disapproval of; protest against; belittle verb
deride scoff at verb
derivative unoriginal; derived from another source adjective
derogatory expressing a low opinion adjective
desiccate dry up verb
despondent depressed; gloomy adjective
despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler noun
desultory aimless; jumping around adjective
detached emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent adjective
deterrent something that discourages; hindrance noun
devious going astray; erratic; cunning adjective
diatribe bitter scolding; invective noun
dichotomy branching into two parts noun
didactic teaching; instructional adjective
diffidence shyness noun
digression wandering away from the subject noun
dilemma problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives noun
diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work noun
diminution lessening; reduction in size noun
dirge lament with music noun
disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive verb
discernible distinguishable; perceivable adjective
discerning mentally quick and observant; having insight adjective
discordant inharmonious; conflicting adjective
discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances noun
discursive digressing; rambling adjective
disdain treat with scorn or contempt verb
disinclination unwillingness noun
disingenuous not naive; sophisticated adjective
disparage belittle verb
disparity difference; condition of inequality noun
dispassionate calm; impartial adjective
disputatious argumentative; fond of argument adjective
disseminate scatter (like seeds) verb
dissent disagree verb
dissolute loose in morals adjective
dissonance discord noun
distend expand; swell out verb
diverge vary; go in different directions from the same point verb
divergent differing; deviating adjective
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
E
ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm adjective
eccentric odd; whimsical; irregular adjective
ecclesiastic pertaining to the church adjective
eclectic selective in choosing from a variety of sources adjective
effervescent exuberant; bubbly and excited adjective
efficacy power to produce desired effect noun
effigy dummy noun
effrontery shameless boldness noun
elated overjoyed; in high spirits adjective
elegiacal like in elegy; mournful adjective
elicit draw out by discussion verb
eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech noun
elusive evasive; baffling; hard to gasp adjective
emaciated thin and wasted adjective
embellish adorn verb
embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary adjective
empirical based on experience adjective
emulate rival; imitate verb
endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; adjective
endorse approve; support verb
enervate weaken verb
enfranchise to admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote) verb
engender cause; produce verb
enhance advance; improve verb
enigma puzzle noun
enmity ill will; hatred noun
enumerate list; mention one by one verb
enunciate speak distinctly verb
ephemeral short-lived; fleeting adjective
epic long heroic poem or similar work of art noun
equanimity calmness of temperament noun
equilibrium balance noun
equivocal doubtful; ambiguous adjective
equivocate lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth verb
erratic odd; unpredictable adjective
erroneous mistaken; wrong adjective
erudite learned; scholarly adjective
esoteric known only to a chosen few adjective
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
F
facetious humorous; jocular adjective
facile easy; expert adjective
facilitate make less difficult verb
fallacious misleading adjective
fanaticism excessive zeal noun
fastidious difficult to please; squeamish adjective
fatuous foolish; inane adjective
fawning courting behavior by cringing and flattering adjective
felicitous apt; suitably expressed; well chosen adjective
fervor glowing ardor noun
flagrant conspicuously wicked adjective
fledgling inexperienced adjective
flinch hesitate; shrink verb
flout reject; mock verb
foment stir up; instigate verb
foresight ability to foresee future happenings; prudence noun
forestall prevent by taking action in advance verb
frugality thrift; economy noun
furtive stealthy; sneaky adjective
futile ineffective; fruitless adjective
G
gainsay deny verb
garrulity talkativeness noun
garrulous loquacious; wordy adjective
glutton someone who eats too much noun
goad urge on verb
gouge tear out verb
grandiloquent pompous; bombastic; using high-sounded language adjective
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
H
hackneyed commonplace; trite adjective
hamper obstruct verb
haphazard random; by chance adjective
harangue noisy speech noun
haughtiness pride; arrogance noun
hedonism belief that pleasure is the sole aim of life noun
heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion noun
homogeneous of the same kind adjective
hyperbole exaggeration; overstatement noun
hypercritical excessively exacting adjective
hypocritical pertaining to be virtuous; deceiving adjective
hypothetical based on assumptions or hypothesis adjective
I
iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions adjective
idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration noun
immaculate pure; spotless adjective
immutable unchangeable adjective
impair worsen; diminish in value verb
impassive without feeling; not affected by pain adjective
impede hinder; block; delay verb
impermeable impervious; not permitting passage through its substance adjective
impertinent insolent adjective
imperturbable calm; placid adjective
impetuous violent; hasty; rash adjective
impetus moving force noun
implacable incapable of being pacified adjective
implement put into effect; supply with tools verb
implication that is hinted at or suggested noun
implicit understood but not stated adjective
inadvertently carelessly; unintentionally adjective
inane silly; senseless adjective
inaugurate start; initiate; install at office verb
incessant uninterrupted adjective
inchoate recently begun; rudimentary; elementary adjective
incidental not essential; minor adjective
incisive cutting; sharp adjective
incite arouse to action verb
incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed name adjective
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
L
laconic brief and to the point adjective
lament grieve; express sorrow verb
languish lose animation; lose strength verb
lassitude languor; weariness noun
laud praise verb
lavish liberal; wasteful adjective
legacy gift made by a will noun
lethargic drowsy; dull adjective
levity lightness noun
lexicographer compiler of a dictionary noun
lexicon dictionary noun
listless lacking in spirit or energy adjective
lofty very high adjective
loquacious talkative adjective
lucid easily understood adjective
lucrative profitable adjective
M
magnanimous generous adjective
magniloquent boastful; pompous adjective
malign speak evil of; defame verb
malingerer one who feigns illness to escape duty noun
malleable capable of being shaped by pounding adjective
marred damaged; disfigured adjective
maverick rebel; nonconformist noun
mendacious lying; false adjective
metamorphosis change of form noun
metaphor implied comparison noun
methodological systematic adjective
meticulous excessively careful adjective
misconstrue interpret incorrectly; misjudge verb
miserly stingy; mean adjective
mitigate appease verb
mollify soothe verb
moribund at the point of death adjective
morose ill-humored; sullen adjective
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual adjective
N
niggle spend too much time on minor points; carp verb
nihilism denial of traditional values; absolute skepticism noun
notoriety disrepute; ill fame noun
novelty something new; newness noun
nullify to make invalid noun
nurture bring up; feed; educate verb
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
O
obdurate stubborn adjective
obliterate destroy completely verb
oblivion forgetfulness noun
obnoxious offensive adjective
obscure dark; vague; unclear adjective
obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic adjective
obstinate stubborn adjective
obviate make unnecessary; get rid of verb
occident the West noun
occlude shut; close verb
officious meddlesome; excessively trying to please adjective
ominous threatening adjective
onerous burdensome adjective
opportunist individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of the
circumstances noun
opprobrium infamy; vilification noun
optometrist one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects noun
ordinance decree noun
ostentatious showy; pretentious adjective
P
pacifist one opposed to force; antimilitarist noun
paragon model of reflection noun
parody humorous imitation; travesty noun
partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party noun
pathological pertaining to disease adjective
paucity scarcity noun
pedantic showing off learning; bookish adjective
penchant strong inclination; liking noun
penury extreme poverty noun
perennial something that is continuing or recent noun
perfidious basely false adjective
perfunctory superficial; not thorough adjective
perturbation agitation noun
pervasive spread throughout; permeating adjective
petrify turn to stone verb
philander make love lightly; flirt verb
phlegmatic calm; not easily disturbed adjective
piety religious devotion; godliness noun
placate pacify; conciliate verb
plagiarize steal another's ideas and pass them off as one's own verb
platitude trite remark; commonplace statement noun
plethora excess; overabundance noun
plummet fall sharply verb
poignancy quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion noun
potent powerful; persuasive; greatly influential adjective
pragmatic practical; concerned with practical values adjective
preamble introductory statement noun
precarious uncertain; risky adjective
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
Q
qualified limited; restricted adjective
quandary dilemma noun
quibble equivocate; play on words; minor objection or complaint verb
quiescent at rest; dormant; temporarily inactive adjective
R
rarefied made less dense (of gas) adj
ratify approve formally; verify verb
rebuff snub; beat back verb
rebuttal refutation; response with contrary evidence noun
recalcitrant obstinately stubborn adjective
recant repudiate; withdraw previous statement verb
recluse hermit; loner noun
recondite abstruse; profound; secret adjective
redundant superfluous; excessively wordy; repetitious adjective
refractory stubborn; unmanageable adjective
refute disprove verb
relegate banish; consign to inferior position verb
relevancy pertinence; reference to the case in hand noun
remorse guilt; self-reproach noun
renounce abandon; discontinue; disown; repudiate verb
reprimand reprove severely verb
reproach blame; censure noun
reprobate person hardened in sin; devoid of a sense of decency noun
reprove censure; rebuke verb
repudiate disown; disavow verb
rescind cancel verb
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
S
sagacious keen; shrewd; having insight adjective
salubrious healthful adjective
sanction approve; ratify verb
satiate surfeit; satisfy fully verb
satirical mocking adjective
saturate soak verb
savor enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, equality verb
savory tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable adjective
scrupulous conscientious; extremely thorough adjective
scrutinize examine closely and critically verb
seclusion isolation; solitude noun
secrete hide away; produce and release a substance into an organism verb
sectarian relating to a religious fraction or subgroup; narrow-minded; limited adjective
servile slavish; cringing adjective
shard fragment, generally of pottery noun
skeptic doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence. noun
supporting a point of view noun
solemnity seriousness; gravity noun
solicit request earnestly; seek verb
solicitous worried; concerned adjective
somber gloomy; depressing adjective
soporific sleep producer; sleep causing adjective
specious seemingly reasonable but incorrect adjective
spendthrift someone who wastes money noun
sporadic occurring irregularly adjective
squander waste verb
stagnant motionless; stale; dull adjective
stanza division of a poem noun
static unchanging; lacking development adjective
steadfast loyal adjective
stigma token of disgrace; brand noun
stint supply; allotted demand; assigned portion of work noun
stipulate make express conditions; specify verb
stoic person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain noun
stolid dull; impassive adjective
striated marked with parallel bands; grooved adjective
strut pompous walk noun
strut supporting bar noun
stupefy make numb; stun; amaze verb
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
T
tacit understood; not put into words adjective
taciturn habitually silent; talking little adjective
tangential peripheral; only slightly connected; digressing adjective
tangible able to be touched; real; palpable adjective
tedious boring; tiring adjective
tentative provisional; experimental adjective
tenuous thin; rare; slim adjective
terse concise; abrupt; pithy adjective
tirade extended scolding; denunciation noun
torpid dormant; dull; lethargic adjective
torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy noun
tortuous winding; full of curves adjective
tractable docile adjective
transgression violation of law; sin noun
trepidation fear; trembling agitation noun
trite hackneyed; commonplace adjective
trivia trifles; unimportant matters noun
V
Vacillate waver; fluctuate verb
venerate revere verb
veracious truthful adjective
verbose wordy adjective
viable practical or workable; capable of maintaining life adjective
vilify slander verb
virtuoso highly skilled artist noun
virulent extremely poisonous adjective
vituperative abusive; scolding adjective
vogue popular fashion noun
volatile evaporating rapidly; lighthearted; mercurial adjective
W
warrant justify; authorize verb
warranty guarantee; assurance by seller noun
wary very cautious adjective
welt mark from a beating or whipping noun
WORD MEANING Part of Speech
Z
zealot fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal noun