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2 Chapter PDF
VOCABULARY
Every student at some time or the other faces the question ''How anything, so that an incomprehensible word can be looked
do I increase my vocabulary? '' This is because, people who might up immediately. Procrastination invariably leads to the words
otherwise be very fluent in spoken English do not really take care remaining incomprehensible due to forgetfulness in looking
to use new words, since, for the purpose of communication, the up the word in the dictionary.
current register of words is deemed enough. An unfortunate fallout (c) Self-help books - Quite a few self-help books claiming to
of this nonchalant complacency is that when these people actually improve Verbal Ability are to be found in the open market,
face questions examining their vocabulary and its extent, they are and one or two are actually helpful in this regard. Students
all at sea. An easy example will bear this out. Everyone knows that are welcome to consult these books but are advised to do so
when we are asked to name the tip of a mountain or the highest after consulting discriminating people who have experience
point of something, we use the word ‘peak’. But not everyone in this regard e.g. experienced English teachers or the English
would know that words like zenith, apogee, crest and summit may faculty, since they have better idea of the relative efficacy of
be replacements for the same word. So the same meaning used in these books.
the form of another word might leave the student totally flummoxed. (d) Thesaurus-the viable alternative - If using a dictionary seems
Therefore, it is important to start working on one’s vocabulary as to be too boring to be considered for any length of time,
soon as possible for success in any competitive exam. using a thesaurus may be a more interesting alternative. In
Given below are a few tips on the accepted methods and practices theory, it is the reverse of a dictionary, and basically gives
used to improve one’s vocabulary: the various synonyms and the types of usage of a word e.g.
(a) The practice of reading - This is, sadly, lacking in most as a verb, adjective, noun etc.. So it gives a lot of information
aspirants. With the advent of Television, reading has almost about each word. If the student can remember even some of
become passe. Reading is important not just because it it, it will be a great advantage. The most commonly available
increases general knowledge. That it definitely does; in thesaurus in the market is the Roget’s Thesaurus, usually
addition what it does is help a student get into the habit of now used as a generic name by most publishers.
reading. It is also important to read a variety of subjects, (e) The Word List - The Word List is a comprehensive
because each subject has its own register of language and compendium of the words most commonly asked or used in
words are used with differing connotations in each register. the Management Examination question papers. Studying the
So, for success in competitive exams, perusal of a few different Word List will also give the student a lot of information about
sources of reading material is mandatory. The sources are: the origin of various words, their roots etc. This is a
1) A general magazine e.g. India Today, Frontline, Outlook, particularly useful method of studying because knowledge
Reader’s Digest, Time, etc. of etymology helps the student gauge the meaning and usage
2) A business magazine e.g. Business Today, Business of other words having the same roots, regardless of whether
India, Business World, etc. the student has come across the word earlier or not.
3) The daily newspaper e.g. The Times of India, The Hindu, (f) Flip-Cards - We strongly advocate this technique which is
The Indian Express, etc. another tool to memorize words from the list. These are blank
(b) Using a dictionary-the almost-extinct habit - Even though cards approximately double the size of your standard visiting
the idea of using a dictionary does nothing to enthuse the card. After isolation of the exceptionally difficult words from
common student, every one owns a dictionary but treats it the Word List, the student should write approximately five
like a sacred cow, not to be touched and defiled; of course, words on one side of the card and the corresponding
not that they are to be blamed too much for it; it is almost a meanings on the other. The advantages of using this type of
habit now; but should be considered a necessary evil. A tool are that (1) Cards are portable and the student can carry
dictionary should be kept with the student while reading a card around with him/her any where and glance at it anytime.
B
· Dearth : Scarcity, lack, want
· ase : Mean, low, ignoble · Debase : Degrade, defame, disparage,
humiliate
· Beg : Implore, ask, beseech, solicit · Decay : Decompose, rot, decline in power,
· Behaviour : Conduct, deportment, way, demeanour wealth, waste, wither, fade
· Brave : Courageous, intrepid, bold, daring, · Decease : Death, demise, end
valiant · Deceit : Fraud, cheating, forgery
· Brisk : Active, fast, quick, busy, alert · Decipher : Translate, interpret, solve, explain
· Brittle : Frail, fragile · Decorum : Decency, etiquette, propriety, gravity
· Brutal : Animal, savage, beastly, cruel · Decree : Law, edict, ordinance, mandate,
· Burglar : Thief, bandit, brigand, stealer judgement
· Bystander : Spectator, onlooker, beholder · Defamation : Calumny, disparagement, debasement
F
· Frisk : Skip, dance, caper, frolic
· able : Story, legend, myth, fiction · Frivolous : Vain, foolish, trivial
· Frugal : Economical, thrifty
· Fabricate : Construct, forge, invent · Futile : Useless, hopeless, in vain
· Fabulous : Fictitious, mythical, exaggerated
· Facile : Fluent, ready, glib (of writing), pliable,
docile, tractable
· G aiety : Hilarity, jollity, festivity
· Faction : Clique, cabal, discord, section · Gainsay : Contradict, dispute, controvert, deny
· Fallacy : Deception, illusion, mistake · Gallantry : Courage, bravery, heroism
· Falter : Waver, hesitate, delay, flounder · Garbage : Filth, waste, useless, throwaway, trash
· Famine : Hunger, starvation, scarcity of food · Garner : Accumulate, collect, gather
· Fanatical : Bigoted, enthusiastic · Garrulous : Prattling, chattering
· Fancy : Liking, conception, craving, whim · Gawky : Awkward, clumsy
· Farcical : Droll, comic, extravagant · Gay : Happy, merry, joyous
· Fascinate : Charm, bewitch, attract · Generous : Noble, magnanimous, kind, liberal
· Fastidious : Particular, over-nice, squeamish · Genteel : Well-bred, well-cultured, polite, refined
· Fatal : Deadly, lethal, mortal · Genuine : True, authentic, real
· Fatigue : Weakness, exhaustion, tiredness · Ghastly : Horrible, horrifying, horrific
· Feeble : Weak, frail, dim · Ghost : Phantom, spirit, spectre
· Felicitate : Congratulate, compliment · Glimmer : Shine, flash, gleam
· Felicity : Joy, happiness, good luck · Glimpse : Glance, (quick) look, (brief) view
· Felon : Criminal, sinner, guilty, bandit · Glisten : Shine, beam, glow
· Ferment : Excite, agitate · Gloom : Depression, melancholy, loneliness
· Ferocity : Fierceness, vehemence, fanaticism · Glutinous : Sticky, viscous
· Fervent : Glowing, heated, impassioned · Gluttonous : Greedy, gorging, voracious
· Fervour : Warmth, glow, vehemence · Grandeur : Splendour, magnificence, glory
· Festivity : Gaiety, merry-making · Grapple : Grasp, clutch, seize
· Fetter : Shackle, bind, imprison · Gratification : Satisfaction, enjoyment
· Feud : Dispute, broil, strife · Gravity : Seriousness, importance, calmness
· Fickle : Changeable, vacillating, varying · Greed : Avarice, ravenous, envious, covetous
· Fiendish : Devilish, diabolical, malignant · Grievance : Hardship, complaint, trouble
· Figurative : Typical, imaginative, emblematic, · Grotesque : Horrifying, contorted, bizzare, whimsical
metaphorical · Grudge : Grievance, begrudge, resent
· Filthy : Dirty, foul, nasty · Gullible : Simple, easy, pliable, credulous
· Fissure : Crevice, rift, narrow opening
H
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· allucination : Delusion, illusion, nightmare
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· Hamper : Impede, block, fetter, bind wanton
· Hapless : Unfortunate, unlucky · Indolence : Apathy, inactivity, laziness,
· Harangue : a lengthy speech, oration sluggishness, lethargy
· Hardship : Trouble, adversity, difficulty · Industrious : Busy, active, tireless
· Haughty : Arrogant, overbearing, imperious · Inevitable : Unavoidable, certain, sure
· Havoc : Devastation, destruction, ruin · Inexorable : Relentless, indefatigable
· Hearty : Sincere, warm, ardent
· Infallible : Unfailing, unerring, certain
· Heave : Raise, lift
· Infectious : Catching, contaminating, corrupting,
· Hedge : Fence, hem
· Heed : Advise, note, consider, mind transmittable
· Heinous : Atrocious, odious, wicked · Infer : Gather, conclude, deduce
· Hem : Border, edge, fringe, outskirt · Influence : Authority, effect, power
· Herculean : Colossal, laborious, excessive · Infringe : Break, violate, transgress, encroach
· Heterogeneous : Dissimilar, unlike, different, diverse, · Ingredient : Constituent, component, element
varied · Inherent : Inborn, innate, built-in
· Hideous : Terrific, horrible, filthy · Inhibition : Restraint, check
· Hilarious : Exceedingly, funny, boisterously merry, · Iniquitous : Unjust, wrong, unfair
amusing, joyous · Initiate : Start, begin, inchoate
· Hindrance : Impediment, hampering, obstruction, · Innocuous : Harmless, mild, innocent
obstacle · Insanity : Madness, lunacy, mania
· Histrionic : Theatrical, dramatic · Insidious : Deceitful, treacherous
· Hoax or
· Instantaneous : Immediate, Sudden, quick
Humbug : Dupe, cheat, befool
· Instigate : Arouse, misguide, provoke
· Homage : Deference, salute, worshipping
· Horizon : Verge, limit, skyline · Intact : Untouched, unscathed, whole,
· Hostile : Adverse, opposing, inimical unbroken, undamaged, unimpaired,
· Hover : remain in one place in the air, remain entire
suspended, linger · Integrity : Oneness, entirety, completeness,
· Humane : Compassionate, caring, bvenevolent honesty, wholeness, soundness
· Humiliate : Abase, insult, mock, defy · Intellectual : Intelligent, rational, learned
· Humorous : Amusing, laughable, comical · Intentional : Deliberate, intended,
· Hypocrisy : Pretence, imposture, deceit · Intercourse : Intimacy, association, communication
·
Intermission
Intervene
:
:
Suspension, stoppage, pause,
cessation, interval
Interpose, mediate
· Illegal or Illicit : Unlawful, prohibited
· Illogical : Inconsequent, irrational · Intimate : Close, tender, friendly or informal,
· Imitate : Copy, follow, mimic, emulate advertise, inform
· Immaculate : Spotless, stainless, perfect · Intolerable : Unendurable, unbearable
· Immature : Crude, childish, unseasoned · Intransigent : Uncompromising, inflexible
· Imminent : Impending, near, due, threatening · Intrepid : Brave, fearless
· Immodest : Indecent, indelicate, unchaste · Intricate : Complex, difficult, complicated
· Immortal : Everlasting, undying, endless · Intuition : Insight, premonition, instinct
· Impassioned : Fervent, frenzied, fanatical · Inveterate : Habitual, deep-rooted
· Impeachment : Imputation, accusation · Involuntary : Compulsory, unwilled, reflex
· Implicit : Implied, assumed, inferred · Irksome : Annoying, disagreeable, tedious
· Impostor : Cheat, conman, charlatan · Irresolute : Wavering, confused, vacillating
· Impracticable : Impossible, (merely) theoretical · Itinerant : Travelling (on a circuit), wandering,
· Impressive : Striking, affecting, extraordinary
nomadic
· Impunity : Exemption (from punishment)
·
·
·
Inane
Inarticulate
Incense
:
:
:
Empty, silly, idiotic
Voiceless, indistinct, inexpressive
Infuriate, enrage, anger
· J aded : Tired, weary
· Jargon : cant, technical language, gibberish
· Incessant : Unceasing, continual
· Incognito : (Identity) Concealed, secretly, stealthily · Jocose : Jocular, humorous
· Inculcate : Instil, enforce, pass on, generate · Jocular : Inclined to joke.
· Inculpate : Blame, incriminate · Jovial : Merry.
· Incumbent : Compulsory, obligatory, binding · Judicious : Prudent.
· Incursion : Inroad, foray, venture · Juxtaposition : Closeness, nearness
·
·
·
Indefatigable
Indict
Indiscriminate
:
:
:
Tireless, assiduous
Accuse, charge
Mixed, undistinguished, confused,
· K iosk : Stand (open on one side), booth
· Knead : Work up (into dough), press, squeeze
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14
·
L
Obfuscate : To darken; to obscure.
· acerate : Tear (tissue toughly), mangle · Oblique : Slanting; said of lines.
· Obstreperous : Boisterous.
· Lachrymose : Given to shedding tears. · Odious : Hateful.
· Lackadaisical : Listless. · Odium : A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of
· Laconic : (Briskly) Short, concise, pithy dislike and disgust.
· Languid : Listless, spiritless · Ominous : Portentous.
· Languish : Die (with hunger or desire), weaken, · Onerous : Burdensome or oppressive.
droop · Onus : A burden or responsibility.
·
·
Lascivious
Lassitude
:
:
Lustful.
Weariness, tiredness · P alate : The roof of the mouth.
· Latent : Hidden, concealed · Palatial : Magnificent.
· Laudable : Praiseworthy. · Palliate : To cause to appear less guilty.
· Legacy : A bequest. · Palpable : Perceptible by feeling or touch.
· Legitimate : Genuine, lawful · Panoply : A full set of armor.
· Levity : Frivolity. · Paragon : A model of excellence.
· Libel : Defamation. · Pariah : A member of a degraded class; a social
· Licentious : Wanton. outcast.
· Lithe : Supple. · Paroxysm : A sudden outburst (of any kind of
· Loquacious : Talkative. activity).
· Lustrous : Shining. · Paucity : Fewness.
· Pellucid : Translucent.
· M alaise : A condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
·
·
Penchant
Penurious
:
:
A bias in favor of something.
Excessively sparing in the use of
· Malevolence : Ill will. money.
· Malleable : Pliant. · Penury : Indigence.
· Mawkish : Sickening or insipid. · Peremptory : Precluding question or appeal.
· Perfidy : Treachery.
· Mellifluous : Sweetly or smoothly flowing.
· Perfunctory : Half-hearted.
· Mendacious : Untrue.
· Peripatetic : Walking about.
· Mendicant : A beggar.
· Perjury : A solemn assertion of a falsity.
· Mesmerize : To hypnotize. · Permeate : To pervade.
· Meticulous : Over-cautious. · Pernicious : Tending to kill or hurt.
· Mettle : Courage. · Persiflage : Banter.
· Mien : The external appearance or manner of a · Perspicacity : Acuteness or discernment.
person. · Perturbation : Mental excitement or confusion.
· Moderation : Temperance. · Petulant : Displaying impatience.
· Modicum : A small or token amount. · Phlegmatic : Not easily roused to feeling or action.
· Mollify : To soothe. · Pique : To excite a slight degree of anger in.
· Mordant : Biting. · Plea : An argument (to obtain some desired
· Moribund : On the point of dying. action).
· Morose : Gloomy. · Plenary : Entire.
· Multifarious : Having great diversity or variety. · Plethora : Excess; superabundance.
· Mundane : Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or · Poignant : Severely painful or acute to the spirit.
celestial. · Polyglot : Speaking several tongues.
· Ponderous : Unusually weighty or forcible.
· Munificent : Extraordinarily generous.
· Portent : Anything that indicates what is to
· Myriad : A vast indefinite number.
happen.
U
· Stingy : Cheap, unwilling to spend money.
· Stolid : Expressing no power of feeling or · biquitous : Being present everywhere.
perceiving.
· Submerge : To place or plunge under water. · Umbrage : A sense of injury.
· Subterfuge : Evasion. · Unctuous : Oily.
· Succinct : Concise. · Undulate : To move like a wave or in waves.
· Sumptuous : Rich and costly. · Untoward : Causing annoyance or hindrance.
· Supercilious : Exhibiting haughty and careless · Upbraid : To reproach as deserving blame.
V
contempt.
· Superfluous : Being more than is needed. · agary : A sudden desire or action
· Supernumerary : Superfluous.
· Supersede : To displace. · Vainglory : Excessive, pretentious, and
· Supine : Lying on the back. demonstrative vanity.
· Supplicate : To beg. · Valorous : Courageous.
· Suppress : To prevent from being disclosed or · Vapid : Having lost sparkling quality and
punished. flavor.
· Surcharge : An additional amount charged. · Variegated : Having marks or patches of different
· Surfeit : To feed to fullness or to satiety. colors; also, varied.
· Susceptibility : A specific capability of feeling or · Vehement : Very eager or urgent.
emotion. · Venal : Mercenary, corrupt.