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GRE Vocabulary Workout
400 GRE Favorite Words
400
Language - English
Graduate
07/19/2009
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Term
Abdicate
 Definition
to give up a position, right, or power
Term
Abjure
 Definition
to reject, abandon formally
Term
Ablution
 Definition
act of cleansing
Term
Abnegate
 Definition
to deny, renounce
Term
Abrogate
 Definition
to abolish or invalidate by authority
Term
Abstemious
 Definition
consuming moderately
Term
Abstruse
 Definition
difficult to comprehend
Term
Abut
 Definition
to touch, to be in contact with
Term
Acerbic
 Definition
bitter, sharp in taste or temper
Term
Acme
 Definition
highest point, summit
Term
Acquiesce
 Definition
to agree or comply in silence
Term
Adroit
 Definition
skillful, accomplished, highly competent
Term
Adumbrate
 Definition
to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
Term
Aerie
 Definition
nook or nest built high in the air
Term
Altruism
 Definition
unselfish concern for others' welfare
Term
Ambulatory
 Definition
itinerant; walking around
Term
Amortize
 Definition
to diminish by installment payments
Term
Ancillary
 Definition
accessory, subordinate; helping
Term
Antediluvian
 Definition
prehistoric, ancient beyond measure; coming before the biblical flood
Term
Anthropomorphic
 Definition
attributing human qualities to nonhumans; having human qualities
Term
Aplomb
 Definition
poise, confidence
Term
Apostate
 Definition
one who renounces a religious faith
Term
Apothegm
 Definition
a short, instructive saying
Term
Apotheosis
 Definition
deification; glorified ideal
Term
Arboreal
 Definition
relating to trees; living in trees
Term
Assiduous
 Definition
diligent, persistent, hardworking
Term
Bacchanalian
 Definition
drunkenly festive
Term
Balk
 Definition
to refuse, shirk; prevent
Term
Beatific
 Definition
saintly, angelic
Term
Behemoth
 Definition
huge creature
Term
Belie
 Definition
to misrepresent; expose as false
Term
Benison
 Definition
blessing
Term
Bifurcate
 Definition
divide into two parts
Term
Bilious
 Definition
easily irritated, relating to bile
Term
Bonhomie
 Definition
good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
Term
Bulwark
 Definition
defense wall; anything serving as defense
Term
Cajole
 Definition
to flatter, coax, persuade
Term
Calamitous
 Definition
disastrous, catastrophic
Term
Calumny
 Definition
false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
Term
Canard
 Definition
a lie
Term
Carom
 Definition
to strike and rebound
Term
Cavalcade
 Definition
a procession
Term
Chagrin
 Definition
shame, embarrassment, humiliation
Term
Charlatan
 Definition
quack, fake
Term
Chattel
 Definition
piece of personal property
Term
Chimerical
 Definition
fanciful, imaginary, visionary; impossible
Term
Choleric
 Definition
easily angered, short-tempered
Term
Churlish
 Definition
rude
Term
Cistern
 Definition
tank for rainwater
Term
Coalesce
 Definition
to grow together; cause to unite as one
Term
Coffer
 Definition
strongbox, large chest for money
Term
Cognomen
 Definition
family name; any name, especially a nickname
Term
Comeliness
 Definition
physical grace and beauty
Term
Commodious
 Definition
roomy, spacious
Term
Compunctious
 Definition
feeling guilty or having misgivings
Term
Conciliatory
 Definition
overcoming distrust or hostility
Term
Conflagration
 Definition
big, destructive fire
Term
Congenial
 Definition
similar in tastes and habits
Term
Consanguineous
 Definition
of the same origin; related by blood
Term
Contentious
 Definition
quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
Term
Contumacious
 Definition
rebellious
Term
Corpulence
 Definition
obesity, fatness, bulkiness
Term
Corrugate
 Definition
to mold in a shape with parallel grooves and ridges
Term
Cosset
 Definition
to pamper, treat with great care
Term
Coterie
 Definition
small group of persons with a similar purpose
Term
Coven
 Definition
group of witches
Term
Curmudgeon
 Definition
cranky person
Term
Declivity
 Definition
downward slope
Term
Deleterious
 Definition
harmful, destructive, detrimental
Term
Deluge
 Definition
flood
Term
Demagogue
 Definition
leader or rabble-rouser who usually uses appeals to emotion or prejudice
Term
Denigrate
 Definition
to slur or blacken someone's reputation
Term
Descry
 Definition
to discover or reveal
Term
Diaphanous
 Definition
Allowing light to show through; delicate
Term
Dictum
 Definition
authoritative statement; popular saying
Term
Didactic
 Definition
excessively instructive
Term
Diluvial
 Definition
relating to a flood
Term
Diminutive
 Definition
small
Term
Discomfit
 Definition
to cause perplexity and embarrassment
Term
Distaff
 Definition
the female branch of a family
Term
Dither
 Definition
to move or act confusedly or without clear purpose
Term
Diurnal
 Definition
daily
Term
Doctrinaire
 Definition
rigidly devoted to theories
Term
Dolor
 Definition
sadness
Term
Doughty
 Definition
courageous
Term
Droll
 Definition
amusing in a wry, subtle way
Term
Dyspeptic
 Definition
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
Term
Ebullient
 Definition
exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits
Term
Effluvia
 Definition
outpouring of gases or vapors
Term
Effulgent
 Definition
brilliantly shining
Term
Egregious
 Definition
conspicuously bad
Term
Emend
 Definition
to correct a text
Term
Emollient
 Definition
having soothing qualities, esp. for skin
Term
Encomium
 Definition
warm praise
Term
Endemic
 Definition
belonging to a particular area, inherent
Term
Ennui
 Definition
boredom, lack of interest and energy
Term
Epicure
 Definition
person with refined taste in food and wine
Term
Epitome
 Definition
representative of an entire group; summary
Term
Ersatz
 Definition
fake
Term
Eschew
 Definition
to abstain from, avoid
Term
Evince
 Definition
to show clearly, display, signify
Term
Exorcise
 Definition
to expel evil spirits
Term
Expatiate
 Definition
to wander; to discuss or describe at length
Term
Expiate
 Definition
to atone for, make amends for
Term
Expunge
 Definition
to erase, eliminate completely
Term
Expurgate
 Definition
to censor
Term
Extemporaneous
 Definition
unreheared, on the spur of the moment
Term
Extol
 Definition
to praise
Term
Extrapolate
 Definition
to estimate
Term
Facetious
 Definition
witty in an inappropriate way
Term
Fatuous
 Definition
stupid; smugly foolish; unconsciously foolish
Term
Fealty
 Definition
intense loyalty
Term
Fecund
 Definition
fertile, fruitful, productive
Term
Fetid
 Definition
foul-smelling, putrid
Term
Fey
 Definition
doomed
Term
Filch
 Definition
to steal
Term
Filial
 Definition
appropraite for a child
Term
Flaccid
 Definition
limp, flabby, weak
Term
Foliate
 Definition
to grow, sprout leaves
Term
Forswear
 Definition
to repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject
Term
Fracas
 Definition
noisy dispute
Term
Fractious
 Definition
unruly, rebellious
Term
Frenetic
 Definition
wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
Term
Fulminate
 Definition
to explode with anger
Term
Fulsome
 Definition
excessive, overdone, sickeningly abundant
Term
Furtive
 Definition
secret, stealthy
Term
Gainsay
 Definition
to deny
Term
Gambol
 Definition
to dance or skip around playfully
Term
Gauche
 Definition
crude, socially awkward
Term
Germinate
 Definition
to begin to grow (as in a seed or idea)
Term
Gibe
 Definition
to make heckling, taunting remarks
Term
Glib
 Definition
fluent in an insincere manner; offhand, casual
Term
Gnostic
 Definition
having to do with knowledge
Term
Grandiloquence
 Definition
pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language
Term
Gratuitous
 Definition
free, voluntary; unnecessary and unjustified
Term
Gustatory
 Definition
relating to sense of taste
Term
Hackneyed
 Definition
worn out by over-use
Term
Harangue
 Definition
a pompous speech
Term
Hegemony
 Definition
leadership, domination, usually by a country
Term
Heretical
 Definition
opposed to an established religious orthodoxy
Term
Hermetic
 Definition
tightly sealed
Term
Hoary
 Definition
very old; whitish or gray from age
Term
Husband
 Definition
to farm; manage carefully and thriftily
Term
Idiosyncrasy
 Definition
peculiarity of temperament, eccentricity
Term
Ignominious
 Definition
disgraceful and dishonorable
Term
Ilk
 Definition
type or kind
Term
Illusory
 Definition
unreal, deceptive
Term
Imbue
 Definition
to infuse; dye; wet, moisten
Term
Impecunious
 Definition
poor, having no money
Term
Imperious
 Definition
arrogantly self-assured, domineering, overbearing
Term
Impolitic
 Definition
unwise
Term
Impromptu
 Definition
spontaneous, without rehearsal
Term
Impugn
 Definition
to call into question, attack verbally
Term
Incarnate
 Definition
having bodily form
Term
Incendiary
 Definition
combustible, flammable, burning easily
Term
Inculcate
 Definition
to teach; impress in the mind
Term
Inculpate
 Definition
to blame; charge with a crime
Term
Indefatigable
 Definition
never tired
Term
Indigent
 Definition
very poor
Term
Indolent
 Definition
habitually lazy, idle
Term
Indubitable
 Definition
unquestionable
Term
Inert
 Definition
unable to move, tending to inactivity
Term
Infallible
 Definition
incapable of making a mistake
Term
Ingenious
 Definition
original, clever, inventive
Term
Ingratiate
 Definition
to bring oneself purposely into another's good graces
Term
Ingress
 Definition
entrance
Term
Innuendo
 Definition
indirect and subtle criticism, insinuation
Term
Insidious
 Definition
sly, treacherous, devious
Term
Insuperable
 Definition
insurmountable, unconquerable
Term
Interdict
 Definition
to forbid, prohibit
Term
Interlocutor
 Definition
someone taking part in a dialogue
Term
Interloper
 Definition
trespasser; meddler in others' affairs
Term
Internecine
 Definition
deadly to both sides
Term
Interpolate
 Definition
to insert; change by adding new words or material
Term
Interstice
 Definition
a space between things
Term
Intimation
 Definition
clue, suggestion
Term
Intrepid
 Definition
fearless
Term
Intrinsic
 Definition
inherent, internal
Term
Inure
 Definition
to harden; accumstom; become used to
Term
Inveterate
 Definition
confirmed, long-standing, deeply rooted
Term
Invidious
 Definition
likely to provoke ill will, offensive
Term
Itinerant
 Definition
wandering from place to place, unsettled
Term
Jibe
 Definition
to shift suddenly from one side to the other
Term
Jingoism
 Definition
belligerent support of one's country
Term
Jocular
 Definition
jovial, playful, humorous
Term
Juggernaut
 Definition
huge force destroying everything in its path
Term
Jurisprudence
 Definition
Philosophy of Law
Term
Kismet
 Definition
fate
Term
Knell
 Definition
sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure
Term
Lachrymose
 Definition
tearful
Term
Lambaste
 Definition
disapprove angrily
Term
Lapidary
 Definition
relating to precious stones
Term
Largess
 Definition
generosity; gift
Term
Lassitude
 Definition
lethargy, sluggishness
Term
Legerdemain
 Definition
trickery
Term
Levity
 Definition
humor, frivolity, gaiety
Term
Lexicon
 Definition
dictionary, list of words
Term
Libidinous
 Definition
lustful
Term
Licentious
 Definition
immoral; unrestrained by society
Term
Limpid
 Definition
clear and simple in style
Term
Liniment
 Definition
medicinal liquid used externally to ease pain
Term
Lionize
 Definition
to treat as a celebrity
Term
Lissome
 Definition
easily flexed, limber, agile
Term
Lugubrious
 Definition
sorrowful, mournful
Term
Macabre
 Definition
gruesome, producing horror
Term
Machination
 Definition
plot or scheme
Term
Malapropism
 Definition
humorous misuse of a word
Term
Malevolent
 Definition
ill-willed; causing evil or harm to others
Term
Manifold
 Definition
diverse, varied; comprised of many parts
Term
Martinet
 Definition
strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules
Term
Maudlin
 Definition
overly sentimental
Term
Mawkish
 Definition
sickeningly sentimental
Term
Megalomania
 Definition
mental state with delusions of wealth and power
Term
Mendacious
 Definition
dishonest
Term
Mendicant
 Definition
beggar
Term
Mercurial
 Definition
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
Term
Meritorious
 Definition
deserving reward or praise
Term
Minatory
 Definition
menacing, threatening
Term
Mnemonic
 Definition
relating to memory; designed to assist memory
Term
Molt
 Definition
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
Term
Mordacious
 Definition
caustic, biting
Term
Mote
 Definition
small particle, speck
Term
Multifarious
 Definition
diverse
Term
Munificent
 Definition
generous
Term
Nadir
 Definition
lowest point
Term
Nascent
 Definition
starting to develop, coming into existence
Term
Nebulous
 Definition
vague, cloudy
Term
Necromancy
 Definition
black magic
Term
Nefarious
 Definition
vicious, evil
Term
Neologism
 Definition
new word or expression
Term
Newphyte
 Definition
novice, beginner
Term
Nihilism
 Definition
belief that existence and all traditional values are meaningless
Term
Noisome
 Definition
stinking, putrid
Term
Noxious
 Definition
harmful, unwholesome
Term
Numismatics
 Definition
coin collecting
Term
Obfuscate
 Definition
to confuse, obscure
Term
Obstreperous
 Definition
troublesome, boisterous, unruly
Term
Omnipotent
 Definition
having unlimited power
Term
Omniscient
 Definition
having infinite knowledge
Term
Oscillate
 Definition
to move back and forth
Term
Ouster
 Definition
expulsion, ejection
Term
Paean
 Definition
a song of praise or thanksgiving
Term
Palliate
 Definition
to make less serious, ease
Term
Panacea
 Definition
cure-all
Term
Panegyric
 Definition
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
Term
Panoply
 Definition
impressive array
Term
Parley
 Definition
discussion, usually between enemies
Term
Parochial
 Definition
of limited scope or outlook, provincial
Term
Parsimony
 Definition
stinginess
Term
Pastiche
 Definition
piece of literature or music imitating other works
Term
Paucity
 Definition
scarcity, lack
Term
Peccadillo
 Definition
minor sin or offense
Term
Peculation
 Definition
theft of money or goods
Term
Penchant
 Definition
inclination
Term
Penultimate
 Definition
next to last
Term
Penumbra
 Definition
parial shadow
Term
Perambulate
 Definition
walk about
Term
Periphrastic
 Definition
using circumlocution
Term
Pernicious
 Definition
very harmful
Term
Perspicacious
 Definition
shrewd, astute, keen-witted
Term
Pertinacious
 Definition
persistent, stubborn
Term
Phalanx
 Definition
massed group of soldiers, people, or things
Term
Philistine
 Definition
narrow-minded person, someone lacking appreciation for art or culture
Term
Plait
 Definition
to braid
Term
Plangent
 Definition
resounding; plaintive
Term
Plaudit
 Definition
applause
Term
Pnewmatic
 Definition
relating to air; worked by compressed air
Term
Polemic
 Definition
controversy, argument; verbal attack
Term
Polyglot
 Definition
speaker of many languages
Term
Posit
 Definition
to put in position; to suggest an idea
Term
Precept
 Definition
principle; law
Term
Precursor
 Definition
forerunner, predecessor
Term
Predilection
 Definition
preference, liking
Term
Prescient
 Definition
having foresight
Term
Privation
 Definition
lack of usual necessities or comforts
Term
Probity
 Definition
honesty, high-mindedness
Term
Progenitor
 Definition
originator, forefather, ancestor in a direct line
Term
Prognosticate
 Definition
to predict
Term
Prolific
 Definition
productive, fertile
Term
Prolix
 Definition
tedious; wordy
Term
Promulgate
 Definition
to make known publicly
Term
Propinquity
 Definition
nearness
Term
Propitious
 Definition
favorable, advantageous
Term
Proselytize
 Definition
to induce someone to convert to a particular belief or religion
Term
Prostrate
 Definition
lying face downward, lying flat on the ground
Term
Protagonist
 Definition
main character in a play or story, hero
Term
Provident
 Definition
prudent, frugal
Term
Provincial
 Definition
rustic, unsophisticated, limited in scope
Term
Prurient
 Definition
lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
Term
Puerile
 Definition
childish, immature, silly
Term
Pulchritude
 Definition
beauty
Term
Pundity
 Definition
an authority or critic
Term
Pusillanimous
 Definition
cowardly
Term
Querulous
 Definition
inclined to complain, irritable
Term
Quotidian
 Definition
occurring daily; commonplace
Term
Raconteur
 Definition
a witty, skillful storyteller
Term
Raillery
 Definition
lighthearted jesting
Term
Rancor
 Definition
bitter hatred
Term
Rapacious
 Definition
greedy; predatory
Term
Rapprochement
 Definition
reestablishing a cordial relationship
Term
Raze
 Definition
to tear down, demolish
Term
Recalcitrant
 Definition
resisting authority or control
Term
Recidivism
 Definition
tendency to repeat previous behavious
Term
Recondite
 Definition
relating to obscure learning; known only to a few
Term
Recreant
 Definition
disloyal; cowardly
Term
Redress
 Definition
relief from wrong or injury
Term
Rejoinder
 Definition
response
Term
Renege
 Definition
to go back on one's word
Term
Renitent
 Definition
resisting pressure, obstinate
Term
Repast
 Definition
meal
Term
Reprobate
 Definition
morally unprincipled person
Term
Requite
 Definition
to return or repay
Term
Respite
 Definition
interval of relief
Term
Restive
 Definition
impatient, uneasy, restless
Term
Retinue
 Definition
group of attendants with an important person
Term
Revelry
 Definition
boisterous festivity
Term
Ribald
 Definition
humorous in a vulgar way
Term
Riposte
 Definition
a retort
Term
Rococo
 Definition
very highly ornamented
Term
Rotund
 Definition
round in shape; fat
Term
Ruminate
 Definition
to contemplate; reflect upon
Term
Sacrosanct
 Definition
extremely sacred; beyond criticism
Term
Sagacious
 Definition
shrewd, wise
Term
Salacious
 Definition
lustful
Term
Salubrious
 Definition
healthful
Term
Sanguine
 Definition
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
Term
Sapient
 Definition
wise
Term
Scabbard
 Definition
sheath for sword or dagger
Term
Scintilla
 Definition
very small amount
Term
Scintillate
 Definition
to sparkle, flash
Term
Scurrilous
 Definition
vulgar, low, indecent
Term
Sedition
 Definition
behavior promoting rebellion
Term
Senescent
 Definition
aging, growing old
Term
Sentient
 Definition
aware, conscious, able to perceive
Term
Sepulchral
 Definition
typical of a place of burial
Term
Seraphic
 Definition
angelic, pure, sublime
Term
Shirk
 Definition
to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
Term
Simper
 Definition
to smirk, smile foolishly
Term
Sinecure
 Definition
well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
Term
Sinuous
 Definition
winding; intricate, complex
Term
Slake
 Definition
to quench or moderate
Term
Slovenly
 Definition
untidy, messy
Term
Sojourn
 Definition
visit, stay
Term
Solecism
 Definition
grammatical mistake
Term
Solipsism
 Definition
belief that the sself is the only reality
Term
Somnambulist
 Definition
sleepwalker
Term
Sonorous
 Definition
producing a full, rich sound
Term
Sophist
 Definition
person good at arguing deviously
Term
Sportive
 Definition
frolicsome, playful
Term
Squalid
 Definition
filthy; morally repulsive
Term
Staid
 Definition
self-restrained, strait-laced
Term
Stentorian
 Definition
extremely loud
Term
Striate
 Definition
striped, grooved
Term
Stringent
 Definition
imposing sever, rigorous standards
Term
Stymie
 Definition
to block or thwart
Term
Subterfuge
 Definition
trick or tactic used to avoid something
Term
Sully
 Definition
to soil, stain, tarnish; taint
Term
Supercilious
 Definition
arrogant, haughty, overbearing, condescending
Term
Surly
 Definition
rude and bad-tempered
Term
Surreptitious
 Definition
characterized by secrecy
Term
Sybarite
 Definition
person devoted to pleasure and luxury
Term
Sycophant
 Definition
self-serving flatterer, yes-man
Term
Syncopation
 Definition
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
Term
Tableau
 Definition
vivid description, striking incident or scene
Term
Talisman
 Definition
something producing a magical effect
Term
Tantamount
 Definition
equivalent in value or significance; amounting to
Term
Temerity
 Definition
recklessness
Term
Temporal
 Definition
relating to time; chronological
Term
Tenable
 Definition
defensible, reasonable
Term
Tenet
 Definition
belief, doctrine
Term
Tenuous
 Definition
weak, insubstantial
Term
Threnody
 Definition
a sad poem or song
Term
Trammel
 Definition
to impede or hamper
Term
Trenchant
 Definition
acute, sharp, incisive; forceful, effective
Term
Trite
 Definition
shallow, superficial
Term
Truculent
 Definition
savage and cruel; fierce; ready to fight
Term
Turgid
 Definition
swollen, bloated
Term
Turpitude
 Definition
inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
Term
Tyro
 Definition
beginner, novice
Term
Umbrage
 Definition
offense, resentment
Term
Unctuous
 Definition
greasy, oily; smug and falsely earnest
Term
Unfettered
 Definition
free, unrestrained
Term
Unsullied
 Definition
clean
Term
Untoward
 Definition
not favorable; unruly
Term
Urbane
 Definition
courteous, refined, suave
Term
Usury
 Definition
lending money at exorbitant rates
Term
Vacuous
 Definition
empty, void; lacking intelligence, purposeless
Term
Variegated
 Definition
varied; marked with different colors
Term
Virile
 Definition
manly, having qualities of an adult male
Term
Viscous
 Definition
thick, syrupy, and sticky
Term
Vitiate
 Definition
reduce in value or effectiveness
Term
Vitriolic
 Definition
burning, caustic; sharp, bitter
Term
Vituperate
 Definition
to abuse verbally
Term
Vociferous
 Definition
loud, vocal, and noisy
Term
Voluble
 Definition
speaking much and easily, talkative; glib
Term
Waspish
 Definition
easily irritated
Term
Wizened
 Definition
withered, shriveled, wrinkled
Term
Wraith
 Definition
a ghost
Term
Xenophobia
 Definition
fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
Term
Zenith
 Definition
highest point, summit
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