GRE Vocabulary ( N - Z )


N

Nadir: lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith 
naiveté: (naivety) quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility 
narcissist: conceited person 
narrative: related to telling a story 
nascent :incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music 
natal: connected with birth 
natation :swimming 
natty :neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser 
nausea: feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust 
nauseate: cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea 
nauseous: causing nausea; feeling nausea 
nautical: pertaining to ships or navigation 
navigable: (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through 
nebula :diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy 
nebulous: vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal 
necromancy: black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead 
nectar :drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees 
nefarious :very wicked 
negate :cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny 
negligence: neglect; failure to take reasonable care 
negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care 
negligible: so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded 
nemesis: someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin 
neologism :new or newly coined word or phrase 
neophyte: recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner 
nepotism: favoritism (to a relative) 
nether :lower; Ex. nether garments/regions 
nettle :irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome 
nexus :connection 
nib: beak(bill); pen point 
nicety: precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference 
niggardly: meanly stingy; parsimonious 
niggle :spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault 
nihilist:one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless 
nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institution 
nimble :quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding 

nip :snip off; stop something’s growth or development; bite; make numb with cold 
nirvana: in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself 
nocturnal :done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids 
noisome :foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome 
nomadic: wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place 
nomenclature :terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things 
nominal: in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small 
nonchalance :indifference; lack of concern; composure 
noncommittal: neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided 
nondescript :indistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd 
nonentity: person of no importance; nonexistence 
nonplus: put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex 
nonsense: speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language 
noose: loop formed in a rope 
nostalgia:homesickness; longing for the past 
nostrum :questionable medicine; quack medicine 
notable :conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted 
notch :V-shaped cut in a surface 
notoriety :disrepute; ill fame 
nourish :provide with food necessary for life and growth 
nourishment: something that nourishes; food 
nova :star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness 
novelty: something new; newness 
novice :beginner 
noxious :harmful 
nuance: shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction 
nubile :marriageable; of marriageable age 
nugatory :worthless; futile 
nullify: make invalid; make null; invalidate 
numismatist :person who collects coins 
nuptial :related to marriage or the wedding ceremony 
nurse: suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind 
nurture :nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate 
nutrient: nourishing substance 
nutrition :process of nourishing or being nourished 
nutritious: providing nourishment 

O


oaf: stupid awkward person 
oath :solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word 
oatmeal :crushed oats used for making porridge 
obdurate :stubborn; refusing to change one’s belief 
obeisance: bow (to show respect and obedience) 
obelisk :tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid 
obese :excessively fat 
obfuscate: confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand 
obituary :death notice (esp. in a newspaper) 
objective: not influenced by emotions; fair 
obligatory :binding; required; compulsory 
oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate 
oblique: indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line) 
obliterate :destroy completely; wipe out 
oblivion: obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness 
oblivious: inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting) 
obloquy :slander; disgrace; infamy 
obnoxious :offensive; disagreeable 
obscure: dark; vague; unclear; not well known 
obsequious: slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic 
obsequy: funeral ceremony 
obsessive :related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying 
Obsession : compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea 
obsess : preoccupy the mind of excessively 
obsidian :black volcanic rock 
obsolete: outmoded; no longer used 
obstetrician :physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies 
obstinate: stubborn; hard to control or treat 
obstreperous: boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable 
obtrude :push (oneself or one’s ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one’s ideas) on others; butt in 
obtuse: blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding 
obviate: make unnecessary; get rid of 
Occident: the West 
occlude: shut; close; obstruct 
Occult :mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension 
oculist :physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes 
odds :chances; probability; disagreement 
odious: arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile 
odium: detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct) 
odoriferous: giving off an odor 
odorous: having an odor 
odyssey: long, eventful, adventurous journey 
offensive: attacking; insulting; distasteful 
offend: violate; hurt the feelings of 
offense : offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack 
offhand :casual; done without prior thought or preparation 
officious: meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one’s services; overly eager in offering unwanted services 
ogle: look at amorously; make eyes at 
olfactory: concerning the sense of smell 
oligarchy: government by a privileged few 
ominous :threatening; of an evil omen 
omnipotent :all-powerful; having unlimited power 
omnipresent: universally present; ubiquitous 
omniscient: all-knowing 
omnivorous :eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything 
onerous :burdensome onomatopoeia: words formed in imitation of natural sounds 
onslaught :vicious assault; fierce attack 
onus: burden; responsibility 
ooze: (of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly 
opalescent: iridescent; lustrous; like an opal 
opaque :dark; not transparent 
opiate :medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium 
opportune: timely; well-chosen 
opportunist: individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances 
opprobrium :infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt 
Opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous 
optician: maker and seller of eyeglasses 
optimist : person who looks on the bright side 
optimum : most favorable; optimal 
optional: not compulsory; left to one’s choice 
Option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose 
optometrist :one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects 
opulence: extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance 
opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant 
opus :work (esp. musical composition) 
oracular :of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand 
orator :public speaker 
oratorio :dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting 
ordain :decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi 
ordeal :severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction 
ordinance :decree; authoritative order 
ordination :ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest 
orgy :wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity 
orient :get one’s bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate 
orientation :act of finding oneself in society; orienting 
orifice :mouth like opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body) 
ornate :excessively or elaborately decorated 
ornithologist :scientific student of birds 
ornithology: scientific study of birds 
orthodox :traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine 
orthography: correct spelling 
oscillate :vibrate pendulum like; waver 
osseous :made of bone; bony 
ossify :change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one’s ideas 
ostensible :apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended 
ostentatious :showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious 
ostracize :banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban 
oust expel :drive out; force out 
outcast :one that has been excluded from a society 
outfit :clothing or equipment for a special purpose 
outgoing :sociable; eager to mix socially with others 
outlandish :bizarre; peculiar; unconventional 
outlaw :fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection) 
outlook: point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect
outmoded: no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned 
outrage :act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger 
outrageous: offensive 
outskirts: fringes; outer borders (as of a city) 
outspoken :candid; blunt 
outstrip :outrun; surpass; outdo 
outwit: outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly 
ovation :enthusiastic applause 
overbearing :bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important 
overbear: dominate 
overblown: inflated; exaggerated 
oversee :watch over and direct; supervise 
overt :open to view; public; not secret 
overthrow :topple 
overture: musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement) 
overturn :turn over; capsize; topple 
overweening :arrogant; presumptuous 
overwhelm : (of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force 
overwrought :nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up 
ovoid :egg-shaped 


P


Pachyderm: thick-skinned animal 
pacifist: one opposed to force; antimilitarist 
pacifism : opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes 
pacify: soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to 
padre: chaplain (in the armed forces) 
paean: song of praise or joy 
painstaking: taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through 
palatable :agreeable; pleasing to the taste 
palate :roof of the mouth; sense of the taste 
palatial :of or suitable for a palace; magnificent 
paleontology: study of prehistoric life or fossils 
palette:board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters) 
palimpsest :parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased 
pall :become boring; grow tiresome 
pallet: small poor bed 
palliate: ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness) 
pallid :pale; wan 
palm :conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off 
palpable: tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious 
palpitate :throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble 
paltry :insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible 
pan :criticize harshly 
panacea :cure-all; remedy for all diseases 
panache: flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet) 
pandemic: widespread; affecting the majority of people 
Pandemonium :wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder 
pander: cater to (the low desires of others) 
panegyric: formal praise; encomium 
Pang: sudden sharp feeling of pain 
panoramic: denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view 
panorama : unbroken view of a wide area 
pantomime: acting without dialogue 
papyrus :ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant 
parable: short simple story teaching a moral 
paradigm: model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word 
paradox: something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct 
paragon: model of perfection 
parallel: similar; analogous; corresponding 
parallelism :state of being parallel; similarity; analogy 
parameter: limit; independent variable 
paramount :foremost in importance; supreme 
paramour :illicit lover 
paranoia: psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution 
paranoid: paranoiac 
paraphernalia : equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings 
paraphrase: restate a passage in one’s own words while retaining thought of author 
parasite : animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant 
parched: extremely dry; very thirsty 
parch : make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat) 
parchment: writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat 
pare :cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim 
pariah :social outcast 
parish :area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church 
parity: equality; close resemblance 
parlance: language; manner of speaking; idiom 
parley: conference (between opponents) 
parochial: narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes 
parody: humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty 
paroxysm :fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst 
parquet :floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter 
parry :ward off a blow; deflect 
parsimony :stinginess; excessive frugality 
partial :incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something 
partiality :state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
partisan: one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others) 
partition :divide into parts 
parvenu :upstart; newly rich person 
passé :old-fashioned; past the prime 
pass :off present falsely; represent falsely to be 
passive: not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance 
paste: smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive) 
pastiche: imitation of another’s style in musical composition or in writing 
pastoral rural: of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor 
pastry :paste of flour and water (eaten when baked) 
patent :obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent 
pathetic: causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching 
pathological :pertaining to disease 
pathos :tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings 
patina :green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting 
patois: local or provincial dialect 
patriarch :father and ruler of a family or tribe 
patrician :noble; aristocratic 
patrimony: property inherited from a father 
patronize :support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of 
patron: one that supports; regular customer
paucity : scarcity; dearth 
pauper: very poor person
peccadillo :slight offense or fault
pecuniary :pertaining to money
pedagogue :teacher
pedagogy :teaching; art of education
pedant :scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
pedantic :bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning
peddle :travel about selling (wares)
pedestal :support or base as for a pillar or statue
pedestrian :ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot
pediatrician: physician specializing in children’s diseases
pedigree: ancestry; lineage
peer :one who has equal standing
with another; nobleman
peerless :having no equal; incomparable
peevish: bad-tempered; irritable
peeve: make angry
pejorative : (of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect
pell-mell :in confusion; disorderly
pellucid :transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
pen :fenced enclosure for animals; confining space
penance :self-imposed punishment for sin
penchant :strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people)
pendant: (pendent) hanging down from something; pending
Pending: not yet decided or settled; impending
pendulous: hanging; suspended
penetrate: enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
penitent :repentant
penology :study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
pensive :dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative
penumbra :partial shadow (in an eclipse)
penury: extreme poverty; stinginess
penurious: very poor; stingy
peon :landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker
perceptive :insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
percussion :striking one object against another sharply
perdition :damnation; complete ruin; hell
peregrination :journey
peremptory : demanding and leaving no choice; imperative
perennial : something long-lasting; perennial plant
perfidious : treacherous; disloyal
perfidy: treachery
perforate :pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory :done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care
perigee: point of moon’s orbit when it is nearest the earth
perimeter :outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
peripatetic :walking about from place to place (to work); moving
peripheral :of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central
periphery :outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter
perjury :false testimony while under oath
perjure : oneself: testify falsely under oath
permeable : that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through
Permeate : spread or flow throughout; charge
permissive : allowing much freedom; lenient
pernicious : very harmful; deadly; very destructive
peroration : conclusion of an oration; perorating
perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
perpetrate :commit an offense; do (something wrong)
perpetual :everlasting
perpetuate: make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction
perquisite: (perk) any gain above stipulated salary
persevere: continue steadily in spite of difficulties
persist :continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition
personable :attractive (in personality or appearance)
personify :represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of
perspicacious : (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity :clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous : (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand
pert: (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty
pertinacious :holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent :suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb :disturb greatly
peruse :read through with care
pervasive: spread throughout
pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
perverse :purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted
perversion: corruption; turning from right to wrong
pervert :corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse
pessimism: belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation
pestilential : (pestilent) causing plague; tending to cause death
pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
pestle: tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
petrify:turn to stone; cause to become stone like; stun or paralyze
petty: trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
petulant :touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
phalanx: formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together
pharisaical: pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
phenomena :observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation
Phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder
Phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon
philanderer: faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist: lover of mankind; doer of good
philatelist : stamp-collector
Philately: stamp collecting
Philistine :narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine
philology : study of language or words
phlegmatic: calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed
phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
phobia: morbid fear
phoenix :symbol of immortality or rebirth
phylum :major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
physiognomy: face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
physiological :pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms
piebald :of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white)
piecemeal: one part at a time; gradually; in stages
pied :piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
piety :devoutness; reverence for God
pigment: coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
pilfer: steal things of small value; filch; snitch
pillage: plunder
pillory :punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule
pinch :squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges
pine :long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
pinion :restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs
pinnace :small boat
pinnacle: peak; highest point; acme
pious: devout; religious
piquant :pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating
pique :irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest)
piscatorial: pertaining to fishing
pitfall :hidden danger; concealed trap
pith :core or marrow; sponge like substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
pithy :concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
pittance :small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
pivotal :of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate :pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
placebo: harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
placid :peaceful; calm
plagiarize: steal another’s ideas or writings and pass them off as one’s own
plaintive :expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
plait: braid; intertwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together
plane :carpenter’s tool for smoothing and leveling wood
plaster :paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls
plasticity :ability to be molded
plastic: capable of being shaped or molded
platitude: trite remark; commonplace statement
platonic: purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
plaudit: praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause
plausible: conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
plebeian: common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people
plebiscite: direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
plenary: (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members
plenitude :abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness
plethora: excess; overabundance
pliable :flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant: flexible; easily influenced
plight :difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
ploy: stratagem to gain an advantage; tactic
pluck: courage
plucky: courageous; brave
plumage :feathers of a bird
plumb :exactly vertical
plumber :one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
plume: feather, esp. large or showy one; something that rises into the air (like the shape of a feather)
plummet :fall sharply; fall straight down
plump :pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
plutocracy:society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist :doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist
podium :pedestal; raised platform
poignancy: quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion
poignant : touching; deeply moving
poise :good judgment with composure; balance
polar :of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes
polarity:state of having two opposite qualities
polarize: split into opposite extremes or camps
polemic :attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view
polemics: art of debate or controversy
polemical(polemic) :aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
politic :prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity: (particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state
polygamist: one who has more than one spouse at a time
polyglot: speaking several languages; multilingual
pomposity: self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person)
Pompous: self-important
ponderous: having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull
pontifical: pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious
Pontiff: pope; bishop
pore : study industriously; ponder; scrutinize
porous: full of pores; like a sieve
porridge: soft food made by boiling oatmeal
portend: foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of
portent: sign; omen; forewarning
portly :stout; corpulent
pose :assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others)
poseur :person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses
posterity :descendants; future generations
posthumous :after death (as of child born after father’s death or book published after author’s death); coming or occurring after one’s death
postmortem :autopsy
postulate :self-evident truth; something assumed without proof
posture: assume an affected pose; act artificially
potable: suitable for drinking; drinkable
potent :powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
potentate :monarch; sovereign
potential :expressing possibility; latent
potion :dose (of liquids); liquid dose
potpourri :heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
poultice: soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
précis: abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
practicable: feasible
practical :based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory)
pragmatic: practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something
pragmatist: practical person
pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
prance: move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
prank: mischievous trick
prate: talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
prattle: talk idly; babble
preamble: introductory statement
precarious :unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky
precedent :preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
precept :practical rule guiding conduct
precinct :division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building
precipice :cliff; dangerous position
precipitant: something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form
precipitate: hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution
precipitous: steep; overhasty; precipitate
precise :exact
preclude: make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious :advanced in development
precursor: forerunner; predecessor
predator: predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal
predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering
predecessor: former occupant of a post
predetermine: determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament :difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
predilection :preference; partiality
predispose: give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to
preeminent :outstanding; superior
preempt :prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others
preen: make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak
prefatory: introductory; of a preface
prefigure: be a sign of; foreshadow
prehensile :capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around)
prelate: church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
prelude: introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate: plan in advance
premise: assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition: forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory: serving to warn
preponderance: superiority of power, quantity
Preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance
prepossessing: attractive
Preposterous : absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative : privilege; unquestionable right
presage: foretell; be a warning or sign of
presentiment: foreboding; omen
prescience : ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur
presentiment : premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige : respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation
prestigious: having prestige
presume: take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon
presumptuous: going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
pretend:feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to
pretension :pretentiousness; claim (without foundation)
pretentious :ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious
preternatural: beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural
pretext :excuse
prevail: be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce
prevalent: widespread; generally accepted
prevaricate: lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
prey: target of a hunt; victim
prim: proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
primal: first in rank or importance; being first in time; original
primary: first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time
primate :group of mammals including humans
prime :period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage
primogeniture: seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
primordial: existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
primp: groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
pristine: unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive
privation: lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want
privy :secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret
prize: pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem
probe: explore with a probe or tools; investigate
probity :uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
problematic: causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable
Proclivity: inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate: postpone; delay or put off
procurement :obtaining
procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
prod :poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action
prodigal: wasteful; reckless with money; profuse
prodigious: enormous; marvelous; extraordinary
prodigy: highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane: violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for
profligate :wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute
profound:deep; not superficial; complete
profusion :great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure
profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor:ancestor
progeny: children; offspring; descendants
prognosis :forecasted course of a disease; prediction
prognosticate: predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive :so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting
projectile: missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian: member of the working class; blue collar guy
Proletariat: working class (who has to work for wages)
proliferate: grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply
prolific: producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works
prolixity: tedious wordiness; verbosity
prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
prologue: introduction (to a poem or play)
prolong :lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent: protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
promiscuous: mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners
promontory :headland
promote :advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize
prompt :cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue
promulgate :announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
prone: inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward
prong: pointed projecting part
pronounced :distinct; very noticeable
prop :support placed under or against something
propagate: increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread
propellant : (propellant) substance which propels or drives forward
propensity: natural inclination
prophetic :of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future
prophylactic :used to prevent disease
prophylaxis: prevention of disease
propinquity :nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
propitiate :appease; conciliate; make peaceful
propitious: favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate
proponent: supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound :put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth
propriety: fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages
propulsive :driving forward
prosaic :lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings)
proscenium :part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
proscribe :prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
proselytize: (induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief
proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
prosody: art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
prosper: become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well
prosperity: good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
prosperous: successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
prostrate :stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate
protégé :person receiving protection and support from a patron
protagonist: leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story
protean: able to take on many forms; versatile
protocol :diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification
prototype: original work used as a model by others
protract :prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude: stick out; jut; project
protuberance: protrusion; swelling; bulge
provenance: place of origin; origin or source of something
provender: dry food for livestock; fodder
proverb: adage; someone or something well known for notoriety
Proverbial: of a proverb
providence: quality of being provident; divine care; god’s care
Providence: god
providential: of divine providence; fortunate
provident: providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies
provincial :pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provision :act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food)
provisional: tentative; temporary
proviso: stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
provocative: arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying
Provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling)
prowess: extraordinary ability; military bravery
proximity: nearness
proxy: authorized agent; authority to act for another
prude: excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature)
prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
prudent: cautious; careful; prudential
prune: cut away; trim
prurient: having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
pry inquire :impertinently (someone else’s private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize
pseudonym: pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author
psyche: soul; mind
psychiatrist:doctor who treats mental diseases
psychic:of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
psychopathic: pertaining to mental derangement
Psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
psychosis: mental disorder
psychosomatic :of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
pterodactyl: extinct flying reptile
pucker: gather into wrinkles or folds
pudding :hot sweet dish
puerile: childish; immature
pugilist: boxer
Pugilism: boxing
pugnacity: combativeness; disposition to fight
pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
puissant: powerful; strong; potent
pulchritude: beauty; comeliness
pulmonary: pertaining to the lungs
pulpit: raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
pulsate:throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
pulse: rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity
pulverize: crush or grind into very small particles
pummel: pommel; beat or pound with fists
punctilious: minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form
punctiliousness: careful attention paid to every small exact detail
pundit: authority on a subject; expert; learned person
pungent: stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic
punitive: punishing
puny: tiny; weak; insignificant
purchase: secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
purgatory: place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
purge: remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt
purport: intention; purpose; meaning
purported: alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored
purse: pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles
purveyor: furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer
purvey: supply (e.g. food); furnish
pushy: disagreeably aggressive
pusillanimous: cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
putative: supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such
putrefy: make or become putrid
putrescent: becoming putrid; putrefying
putrid: decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed
puzzle: baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve
pyromaniac: person with an insane desire to set things on fire

Q

quack : charlatan; impostor 
quadruped: four-footed animal 
quaff: drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment) 
quagmire: bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation 
quail :cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart 
quaint :odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque 
qualified :limited; restricted 
qualify: reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated 
qualms :uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience 
Quandary :dilemma; state of uncertainty 
quarantine: isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection 
quarry :dig into (to get stone) 
quash :crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul 
quay :dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats) 
queasy:experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish 
queer :strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal 
quell: suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet 
quench :assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress 
querulous :given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining 
query: inquiry; question 
queue: line (of waiting people or vehicles) 
quibble :minor objection or complaint 
quicksilver :mercury 
quiescent :dormant; temporarily inactive 
quietude: tranquility; calmness 
quintessence: purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element 
quip :taunt; clever sarcastic remark 
quirk :sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior 
quisling :traitor who aids invaders 
quiver: tremble; shake 
quixotic :idealistic but impractical 
quizzical :curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering 
quorum: minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting 
quotidian: daily; commonplace; customary 

R

rabble: mob; noisy crowd 
rabid :of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious 
rabies: disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)
raconteur: story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill 
raffle: lottery 
rag :scrap of cloth 
ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect 
ragamuffin :dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes 
rail :complain bitterly; scold; rant 
raiment :clothing; garments 
rake: immoral or dissolute person 
rakish: jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute 
rally: come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate 
ram: male sheep 
ramble: wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress 
ramification: branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action 
ramify: branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions 
ramp: slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels) 
rampant: growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained 
rampart: defensive mound of earth 
ramshackle: (of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart 
rancid: having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank 
rancor: long-lasting hatred; bitterness 
random: without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard 
rank: offensive in odor or flavor 
rankle: irritate; fester; annoy 
ransack: search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place) 
Rant: speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech 
rapacious: voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering 
rapport :close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony 
rapt: engrossed; absorbed; enchanted 
rapture: great joy and delight; ecstasy 
rare: (of air) thin in density; rarefied 
rarefied: made less dense (of a gas) 
rarefy: make less dense 
rasp : (of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough 
raspy : making a harsh noise; grating; harsh 
ratify: approve formally; confirm; verify 
ratiocination : reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises 
ratiocinate: reason logically 
ration :fixed portion 
rational : (of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical 
rationale :fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action 
rationalize: make rational; devise false reasons for (one’s behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true 
raucous : (of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous 
ravage :devastate; plunder; despoil 
rave: overwhelmingly favorable review 
ravel :fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist 
ravenous: extremely hungry; voracious 
ravine: narrow valley with steep sides; gorge 
raze :destroy completely 
reactionary: strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative 
realm: kingdom; field or sphere 
reaper :one who harvests grain 
reap:cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop 
rebate: return of part of a payment; discount 
rebuff :reject bluntly; snub; beat back 
rebuke :scold harshly; criticize severely 
rebus: representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. R U 18 is a rebus for Are you 18 
rebuttal: refutation; response with contrary evidence 
rebut: refute; disprove 
recalcitrant :disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn 
recant :disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error 
recapitulate :summarize 
recast :reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again 
receptive :quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.) 
recess :pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place 
recession :withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity 
recidivism :habitual return to crime (even after being punished) 
recipient :receiver 
reciprocal :mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting 
reciprocate :do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move 
recital :act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer) 
recite: repeat aloud (something learned); describe 
reckon :count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose 
recline: lie down 
recluse :hermit; loner 
reconcile :make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies 
recondite :abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret 
reconnaissance: survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering 
reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information) 
recount :narrate or tell (a story); count over again 
recourse: resorting to help when in trouble 
recreant: disloyal; cowardly 
recrimination :countercharges 
rectify :set right; correct 
rectitude :moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment 
recumbent :reclining; lying down completely or in part 
recuperate :recover; return to health; regain 
recurrent :occurring again and again 
redolent :odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor) 
redoubtable: formidable; causing fear 
redress: remedy; compensation 
reduce :diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank 
redundant :superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious 
reek :emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke 
refectory: dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school) 
referendum: direct vote by all the people 
refraction: bending of a ray of light 
refractory: unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn 
refrain :abstain from; resist; forbear 
refulgent :effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming 
refurbish :renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing 
refuse: anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash 
refute: disprove; prove to be false 
regal :royal; of a monarch 
regale :entertain 
regatta :boat or yacht race 
regeneration :spiritual rebirth 
regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually 
regent :a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child 
regicide :murder of a king or queen 
regime: method of system or government 
regimen :prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits 
regiment :military unit 
rehabilitate: restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of 
reimburse :repay; pay back 
reinstate: restore to a previous condition or position 
reiterate: repeat 
rejoinder :reply; retort; comeback 
Rejoin: say in reply 
rejuvenate : make young again 
relapse : return to a former state (esp. after improvement) 
relegate: put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign 
relent :become less severe; give in(surrender) 
relentless : unyielding; continuously severe 
relevant: having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand 
relic: surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse 
religious: of religion; (of a person) pious; having reverence for a deity 
relinquish: give up something (with reluctance); yield; release 
relish:enjoy; savor 
remediable: reparable 
reminiscence: recollection 
reminisce: recollect the past 
reminiscent:suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence 
remiss :negligent; careless about a duty 
remission :temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancellation of a debt; pardon 
remit: transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment 
remittance: remitting of money; amount of money remitted 
remnant :remainder 
remonstrate: protest; objection 
remorse: deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach 
remunerative : (of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid 
rend :split; tear apart 
render :give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate 
rendezvous: meeting place; meeting at a set time or place 
rendition: rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc 
renegade: deserter; traitor 
renege :break a promise; deny; go back on 
renounce: abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate 
renovate :restore to good condition; renew 
renown: fame 
rent: tear made by rending; rip; split 
reparable: capable of being repaired 
reparation: compensation (for loss or wrong); amends 
repartee: quick clever reply 
repast: meal; feast; banquet 
repeal: revoke; annul 
repel :drive away; disgust 
repellent: driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive 
repercussion: rebound; reaction; reverberation 
repertoire: list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present 
repine fret: complain; be annoyed 
replenish :fill up again 
replete: fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied 
replica :copy 
replicate: reproduce; duplicate 
repose: resting; state of being at rest; calmness 
repository: storehouse 
reprehensible :deserving blame; blameworthy 
reprehend: blame 
representational : (of a style of art) showing things as they actually appear in real life 
repress: hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress 
reprieve: postponement or cancellation of a punishment; temporary stay 
reprimand :reprove severely; rebuke 
reprisal: retaliation 
reprise :musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action 
reproach: blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment 
reprobate :morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency 
reprobation :severe disapproval 
reprove: censure; rebuke 
repudiate :disown; disavow; deny 
repugnance :disgust; strong dislike; loathing 
repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive 
repulse : reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack) 
repulsion: distaste; disgust; act of driving back 
repulsive : causing disgust; tending to drive away 
reputable : respectable; having a good reputation 
reputed : supposed 
repute: consider 
repute: reputation; esteem 
requiem: mass for the dead; dirge 
requisite: necessary requirement; something required 
required: necessary 
requisition: formal demand or request 
requite : make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge 
rescind : repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement) 
resentment :indignation; bitterness; displeasure 
resent: feel anger about 
reserve self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence 
reserved :shy and uncommunicative 
residual :remaining; left over; of a residue 
residue: remainder; balance 
resign: give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively 
resignation: patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job 
resilient :elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune) 
resolution :determination; resoluteness 
resolute :firm or determined in purpose 
resolve: decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision 
resonant : (of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance 
resort :turn to for help 
resound : (of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo 
resourceful :clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations) 
respiration :breathing; exhalation 
respite :time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve 
resplendent :brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious 
responsiveness :state of reacting readily to appeals, orders 
responsive: readily reacting 
restitution: returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss 
restive : impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control 
restraint : moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction 
resumption : taking up again; recommencement 
resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again 
resurge : rise again; flow to and fro 
resurgent : (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again 
resurrect :revive 
resuscitate: revive; bring back to life or consciousness 
retain: keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor) 
retaliate: repay in kind (usually for bad treatment) 
retard: delay (in development) 
retarded : (as of a child) slower in development 
retentive: holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory 
reticent :inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved 
retinue: following; attendants 
retiring :shy and reserved (of a person); modest 
retort: quick sharp reply 
retract :withdraw; take back; draw back 
retrench: cut down; cut down expenses; economize 
retribution: deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance 
retrieve: recover; put right; find and bring in; regain 
retroactive: taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax) 
retrograde: go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate 
retrospective: looking back on the past 
revelry: boisterous merrymaking 
Revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly 
reverberate : echo repeatedly; resound 
reverend : deserving reverence 
reverent: respectful; worshipful 
revere: regard with reverence 
reverence: profound respect 
reverie :daydream; abstracted musing 
revert :relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner 
revile :attack with abusive language; vilify(slander) 
revoke: cancel; retract 
revulsion :sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction 
rhapsodize :speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner 
rhapsody: excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form 
rhetoric :art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing 
ribald :marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane 
rickety : (of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets 
riddle: pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout 
rider :amendment or clause added to a legislative bill 
rife: (of something bad) widespread; abundant; current 
rift: narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation 
rig arrangement :of masts and sails 
righteous: morally upright; just 
rightful :legally correct 
rigid: hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous 
rigor: severity 
rile :irritate; vex; muddy 
rip: tear or be torn quickly and violently 
rivet: metal pin used for fastening metal plates together 
riveting: holding one’s attention; absorbing; engrossing 
rivulet: small stream 
robust: strong; vigorous 
rococo: ornate; highly decorated 
roil :make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb 
rolling :(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages 
romp: play or frolic boisterously; gambol 
rooster :cock; adult male chicken 
roseate :rosy; optimistic 
roster: list (of names) 
rostrum: raised platform for speech-making; pulpit 
rote: repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding 
rotund : (of a person) fat and round 
rotunda: circular building or hall covered with a dome 
rotundity: roundness; sonorousness of speech 
rousing: lively; inducing excitement; stirring 
rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up 
rout :put to rout; stampede; drive out 
rubble :fragments (esp. from a destroyed building) 
rubric: title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol 
ruddy :reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking 
rudimentary: elementary; not developed; crude 
rudiment: fundamental element or principle 
rue :regret; lament; mourn 
ruffian:violent scoundrel; bully 
rumble: make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach) 
ruminant :animal that ruminates 
ruminate: chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder) 
rummage: ransack; thoroughly search 
run-down : (of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
runic: mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet 
rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm 
ruse: trick to deceive; stratagem 
rustic :pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth 
rusticate :banish to the country; dwell in the country 
rustle: make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together 
ruthless: pitiless; merciless; cruel 

S

saboteur: one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property 
Sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly) 
saccharine: cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin 
sacrilegious :desecrating; profane 
sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred 
sacrosanct: inviolably sacred; most sacred; inviolable 
sadistic :inclined to cruelty 
saga :Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative 
sagacious: wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight 
sage :person celebrated for wisdom; wise person 
salacious: lascivious; lustful 
salient :prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous 
saline: salty 
sallow : (of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color 
salubrious :healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable 
salutary :tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome 
salvage: rescue (goods or property) from loss 
sanctimonious: displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness 
sanction: approve; ratify 
sanctuary: place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place 
sanguinary :bloody; with much bloodshed 
sanguine :optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red 
sap :diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification) 
sarcasm :cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke 
sardonic:scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical 
sartorial: pertaining to tailors or tailoring 
sate :satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy 
satellite: small body revolving around a larger one 
satiate: satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate 
satiety: condition of being satiated 
satire: form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly 
satirical: using satire; mocking 
saturate: soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity 
saturnine: morose; gloomy 
satyr :half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher 
saunter: stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly 
savant : scholar; learned person 
savor: enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality 
savory: pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable 
scabbard :case for a sword blade; sheath 
scad :a great quantity 
scaffold :temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground) 
scale : climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales 
scanty :meager; insufficient 
scapegoat: someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy 
scavenge: hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food 
scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion 
scenario: plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events 
schematic: of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols 
scheme :systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements 
schism :division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split 
scholarly :full of learning; erudite; like a scholar 
scintilla: trace; minute amount; shred; least bit 
scintillate: sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life 
scion: detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant 
scoff :laugh (at); mock; ridicule 
scorch: sear 
score: number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision 
scotch :stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder 
scourge :lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment 
scowl :frown angrily 
scrap: small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight 
scrappy :quarrelsome 
scraps: leftover food 
screech: unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek 
scrimmage: disorderly fight between two or more people 
scruple: hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about 
scrupulous: conscientious; extremely thorough 
scrutinize: examine closely and critically 
scuffle: struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry 
scurrilous :abusive; obscene; indecent 
scurry :move hastily; hurry; move briskly 
scurvy :contemptible; despicable 
scuttle: sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard 
seamy :sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome 
sear :burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither 
season: enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden 
seasonable: occurring at the proper time or season; opportune 
seasonal: of a particular season 
seasoned :experienced 
secession: withdrawal 
secede: withdraw formally from membership 
seclusion: isolation; solitude 
seclude: set apart from others; isolate 
secrete: conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism 
sect: separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group 
sectarian: of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial 
secular: worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal 
sedate :composed (with no excitement); grave 
sedentary: requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled 
sedition :conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination 
seduce :lead away from proper conduct; entice 
sedulous :diligent; assiduous; paying attention 
seedy: run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds 
seemly: (of behavior) proper; appropriate 
seep: pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle 
seethe: be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling 
seine: seine net; net for catching fish 
seismic :pertaining to earthquakes 
selective: careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain things; not general 
self-indulgence: excessive indulgence of one’s own desire 
self-righteous: sure of one’s own righteousness; moralistic 
semblance :outward appearance; guise 
seminal :related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development 
seminary: school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women 
senility: old age; feeblemindedness of old age 
senile : resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age 
sensitization: process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance 
sensitize: make or become sensitive 
sensual :devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous 
sensuous: giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses 
sententious: pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic 
sentient :capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive 
sentimental: swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments 
sentinel :sentry; lookout 
septic: of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction 
sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus) 
sepulcher: tomb 
sequester: isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life 
sere sear: parched; dry 
serendipity: gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck 
serenity: calmness; placidity 
serpentine: winding; twisting; of or like a serpent 
serrated :having a saw-toothed edge 
servile: slavish; cringing 
servitude :slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment 
sever :separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship)
severity :harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity 
severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense 
sextant :navigation tool used to determine a ship’s latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars) 
shack :crude cabin 
shackle: chain; fetter; confine with shackles 
shade: slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color 
sham :pretend; feign 
Shambles: (place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess 
Shangri-la: imaginary remote paradise on earth 
shard: fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup) 
shaving: very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade) 
sheaf: bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together 
shear :remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears 
sheathe: place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath 
shed :small roofed structure for storage and shelter 
sheer: pure; thin and transparent; very steep 
sherbet: flavored dessert ice 
shift: change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position 
shimmer: shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently 
shirk :avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger 
shoddy :made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest 
shoot: new growth from a plant 
shove: push forward; push roughly 
shrew: scolding woman; very small mouse like animal 
shrewd :clever; astute 
shrivel: make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying) 
shudder: shake uncontrollably; tremble 
shuffle :mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another 
shun: keep away from; avoid deliberately 
shunt: move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack 
shyster: lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner 
sibling: brother or sister 
sibylline: prophetic; oracular 
sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world) 
sidereal: relating to stars 
sidetrack: switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue 
sift: put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles; sort or examine carefully 
significant : expressing a meaning; important 
significance: importance; meaning 
signify: denote 
silt: sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river) 
simian: monkeylike 
simile: comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as 
simper: smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly 
simplistic: oversimplified 
simulate: feign; imitate 
sinecure: well-paid position with little responsibility 
sinewy : (of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular 
sinew : tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone 
singular: being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd 
sinister: evil; ominous 
sinuous: twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest 
siren :apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature 
skeptic: sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view 
skiff :small light sailboat or rowboat 
skim: read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid 
skimp: provide or use scantily; live very economically 
skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty 
stingy: niggardly 
skinflint :miser; stingy person 
skirmish :minor fight; minor battle in war 
skittish :inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious 
skullduggery: dishonest behavior or action 
skulk: move furtively and secretly 
slack: moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax 
slacken: slow up; loosen; make or become slack 
slag :glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter 
slake: satisfy (thirst); quench; sate 
slander :defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements 
slap: hit quickly with the flat part of the hand 
slapdash :hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done) 
slaughter: killing of animals for food; massacre 
slavish: of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely 
sleazy :shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial 
sledge: large sled drawn by work animals 
sleek: smooth and shining (as from good health) 
sleeper: one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance 
sleigh :large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice 
sleight: dexterity 
sleight: of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks 
slew : large quantity or number 
slick: make smooth or glossy 
slight: insult to one’s dignity; snub 
slink: move furtively 
slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush) 
slipshod : slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby 
slither: slip or slide 
sloth: slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness 
slothful: lazy; indolent 

slough: (of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin) 
slovenly: untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod 
sloven :one who is habitually untidy or careless 
sluggard: lazy person 
sluggish: lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic 
sluice :artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow) 
slur :pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble 
sly :clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one’s intentions 
smart: intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable 
smattering: slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount 
smear: spread or cover with a sticky substance 
smelt: melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition 
smirk: conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else’s misfortune) 
smolder: burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state 
smother: kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly 
smudge: dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing 
smug: self-satisfied; complacent 
sneak: move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way 
snicker: half-stifled(suppressed) laugh 
snip: short quick cut with scissors 
snivel: complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle 
snub: ignore or behave coldly toward 
snuffle :sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose) 
soar: rise or fly high in the air 
sober: serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate 
sobriety: moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness 
sodden: thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink 
sojourn: temporary stay 
solace :comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation 
solder: repair or make whole by using a metal alloy 
solecism: nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically 
solemnity: seriousness; gravity 
solicit :entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain 
solicitor: lawyer in the lower court of law 
solicitous: anxious; worried; concerned; eager 
soliloquy: talking to oneself (esp. in a play) 
soliloquy: long speech by one person 
solitude :state of being alone; seclusion 
solitary: existing or living alone 
solstice: point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator 
soluble :able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved
solvent :substance that dissolves another 
somatic: pertaining to the body; bodily; physical 
somber :dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing 
somnambulist:sleepwalker 
somnolent: half asleep; drowsy 
sonic: of sound or its speed in air 
sonnet :14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern 
sonorous: resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound 
soothsayer: one who foretells the future 
sophist: teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning 
sophism : plausible but fallacious argument 
sophisticated: worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex 
sophistry :seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism 
sophomoric: immature; half-baked; like a sophomore 
soporific: sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy 
sordid: filthy; foul; base; vile 
sound: in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete 
sour: having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered 
sovereign :ruler in a monarchy 
sovereignty :complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern 
sow: plant or scatter seed 
spangle: small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation 
spare :give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt 
sparse :not thick; thinly scattered; scanty 
Spartan :without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined 
spasmodic: fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm 
spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction 
spat :squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel 
spate :sudden flood or rush 
spatial :relating to space 
spatula: broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing 
spawn: lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers) 
specious :seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally) 
speck :small piece or mark 
spectral: ghostly 
specter: ghost; phantom 
spectrum :colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism 
speechless: unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling) 
spendthrift :someone who wastes money 
sphinx-like: enigmatic; mysterious 
spin: rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.) 
splice: join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite 
spoilsport: one who spoils the pleasure of others 
spontaneity: lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint 
spoof: parody 
spoonerism: accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. Let me sew you to your sheet for Let me show you to your seat.
sporadic :occurring irregularly; intermittent 
sportive: playful; frolicsome; merry 
sprout :begin to grow; give off shoots or buds 
spruce :neat and trim in appearance; smart 
spry : (esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble 
spurious: false; counterfeit; forged; illogical 
spurn :reject disdainfully; scorn 
Squabble :minor quarrel; bickering 
squalor :condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state 
squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive 
squander: waste; spend foolishly 
squash: crush; quash; suppress 
squat: short and thick; stocky 
squeamish :easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious 
squelch :produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash 
staccato :played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound 
stagnant : (of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive 
staid :serious and sedate; sober 
stalemate: deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked 
stalwart :physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination 
stamina :power of endurance; strength; staying power 
stammer :speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions 
stamp: step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design 
stampede: sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people) 
stanch :stop or check flow of blood 
standstill :condition of no movement or activity; stop 
stanza :division of a poem (composed of two or more lines) 
start: move suddenly or involuntarily

stately : formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic 
static: having no motion; unchanging; lacking development 
statute :law enacted by the legislature 
statutory :created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute 
steadfast: steadily loyal; unswerving; steady 
stealth: action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness 
steep :soak; saturate 
stellar: pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding 
stem :stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery 
stench: strong foul odor; reek; stink 
stentorian : (of the voice) extremely loud 
Stentor:a loud herald in the Iliad 
stereotype: one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice 
sterile: incapable of producing young; free from microorganism 
stickler: perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right 
stifle: suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate 
stigma :token of disgrace; brand 
stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful 
stilted :bombastic; stiffly pompous 
stink: stench 
stint: supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation 
stipend: pay for services 
stipple :paint or draw with dots or short strokes 
stipulate: state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify 
stock :standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common 
stockade :wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier 
stodgy: dull; stuffy; boringly conservative 
stoic :stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief 
stoke :stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully 
stolid :dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected 
stoop :bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something 
stout: rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination 
straggle :stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group 
strangle: kill by choking or suffocating; suppress 
stratagem :deceptive scheme; clever trick 
stratified: divided into classes; arranged into strata 
stratum :layer of earth’s surface; layer of society 
strew :spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter 
striated :marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved 
stricture :severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction 
strident: loud and harsh; insistent 
stringent: (of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money 
strut :supporting bar 
studied :carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful 
studious :given to diligent study 
stultify :make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress 
stumble :trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly 
stump :base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down 
stun :make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound 
stupefy: stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze 
stupor: state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness 
sturdy :strong and firm (in the body) 
stygian :unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly 
Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead 
stymie: thwart; present an obstacle; stump 
suavity : urbanity; polish 
suave: smooth and courteous 
subaltern: subordinate 
subdue: less intense; quieter 
subjective: influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal 
subjugate: conquer; bring under control 
sublimate: refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state 
sublime :causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter 
subliminal: below the threshold of conscious perception 
submerge :place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water) 
submissive: willing to obey orders; yielding; timid 
subordinate: occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive 
suborn :persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury) 
subpoena: writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court 
subsequent: following in time or order; later 
subservient: behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate 
subside: sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet 
subsidiary: serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy 
subsidy :direct financial aid by government 
subsidize: assist with a subsidy 
subsistence: existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood 
subsist :exist; maintain life (at a meager level) 
substantial :of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable 
substantiate: support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify 
substantive: substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable 
subsume :include (as a member of a group); encompass 
subterfuge :stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion 
subtlety: perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy 
subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever 
subversive: tending to overthrow or ruin 
subvert :overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely 
succor: assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort 
succulent :juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness 
succumb: yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die 
suckle: give or take milk at the breast or udder 
suffocate:die or kill from lack of air; suppress 
suffragist :advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women) 
suffuse: spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge 
suitor: man who is courting a woman 
sullen :silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy 
sully: defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one’s hands in menial labor 
sultry: (of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous 
summation: act of finding the total; summing-up; summary 
sumptuous: grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich 
sunder: separate; part 
sundry : miscellaneous; various; several 
sundries: small miscellaneous items 
superannuated: retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete 
supercilious: haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing 
supererogatory: superfluous; more than needed or demanded 
superficial :of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial 
superfluous: excessive; overabundant; unnecessary 
superimpose :place over something else 
supernumerary :person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra 
supersede: replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete 
supine: lying on back; passive; inactive 
supplant: take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace 
supple :flexible; limber; pliant 
suppliant :entreating; beseeching 
supplicant :one who supplicates 
supplicate :petition humbly; pray to grant a favor 
supposition: assumption; hypothesis; surmise 
supposititious: assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical 
suppress: put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check 
surfeit :satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything 
surge :powerful movement of or like a wave 
surly: bad-tempered; rude; cross 
surmise: guess 
surmount :overcome 
surpass: exceed 
surreptitious: done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden 
surrogate: substitute; person or thing used in place of another 
surveillance: close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding 
susceptible: impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to 
suspend: cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above 
suspense :state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty 
sustain :suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence 
sustenance :sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; food 
suture :stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision 
swagger :walk or behave with an over-confident manner 
swamp :wetland; marsh 
swarm: large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals 
swarthy : (of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky 
swathe: swath; wrap around; bandage 
sway: swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one’s opinion 
swear: vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words 
swear-word :word considered offensive 
swell: long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking 
swelter : (of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat 
swerve: deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course 
swill: drink greedily 
swindler :cheater 
swipe: hit with a sweeping motion 
sybarite :lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury 
Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy 
sycophant: servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man 
syllogism: logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument 
sylvan :pertaining to the woods or the country 
symbiosis: interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial 
symmetry: arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity 
synchronous: similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time 
synoptic: providing a general overview; summary 
synthesis: combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed 
synthetic: not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis 

T

tablet :small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription 
tacit: understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words 
taciturn: habitually silent; talking little 
tact: skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence 
tactful :careful no to cause offence 
tactile: pertaining to the organs or sense of touch 
taint: contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad 
takeoff :burlesque; act of leaving the ground 
talisman: charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer 
talon :claw of bird 
tan: convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun 
tangential: only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence 
tangible : able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand 
tanner: person who turns animal hides into leather 
tantalize : tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment 
tantamount: equivalent in effect or value 
tantrum: fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice 
taper: very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object 
tarantula: venomous spider 
tardy: slow; sluggish; not on time; late 
tarnish: make or become dull or discolored 
tarry: linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle 
tart: sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic 
tatter: torn piece of cloth 
tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes 
taunt: deride or provoke; challenge in derision 
taut: tight strained; tense; ready 
tautological: needlessly repetitious 
tautology: needless repetition of the same sense 
tawdry : cheap and gaudy 
tawny : brownish yellow 
taxonomist: specialist in classifying (animals, etc.) 
tedium : boredom; weariness 
teetotalism : practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks 
temerity: boldness; nerve; rashness 
temper : moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling 
temperament: characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess 
temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper 
temperate: moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature 
temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks 
tempestuous: stormy; violent; impassioned 
tempest: violent storm 
tempo :speed of music 
temporal: of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly 
temporize: gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself 
tenacious: holding fast (as to a belief); persistent 
tenacity: firmness; persistence 
tenancy: possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant’s occupancy 
tenant :one that pays rent to use property owned by another 
tend: have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one’s attention; attend 
tendentious: promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause 
tender: offer formally; extend 
tender :young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate 
tenet :doctrine; dogma 
tensile: capable of being stretched; of tension 
tension :stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups 
tentative: not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental 
tenuous: thin; slim; rare 
tenure: holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held 
tepid :lukewarm; slightly warm; half-hearted; not eager 
terminal: part that forms the end; railroad or bus station 
termination: end 
terminology: terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature 
terminus :last stop of railroad; end 
terrestrial: on or relating to the earth 
terse :concise; abrupt; pithy 
tertiary :third in order or rank 
tessellated :mosaic; inlaid 
testator :maker of a will 
testy :irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered 
tether: tie (an animal) with a rope or tether 
thematic :of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea 
theocracy :government run by religious leaders 
theoretical :based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical 
therapeutic: curative 

thermal: pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm 
thesis: opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments 
thespian :pertaining to drama 
thrall: slave; bondage; slavery 
thrash :beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer 
Threadbare: worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed 
threat :sign or warning (of coming danger) 
thresh: beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
thrifty :careful about money; economical 
thrive: prosper; flourish 
throb: (of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently 
throes: violent anguish 
throng: crowd (of people or things) 
throttle: strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle 
thwart :block or hinder; baffle; frustrate 
tickle: touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please 
tightwad :miser; excessively frugal person 
tiller: handle used to move boat’s rudder (to steer) 
timbre: quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument 
timidity: lack of self-confidence or courage 
timorous: fearful; timid; demonstrating fear 
tinge: give a slight degree of a color or quality to 
tint :slight degree of color 
tipple: drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently 
tirade: long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation 
titanic: gigantic 
tithe :tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church) 
titillate: tickle; excite pleasantly 
title: name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office 
titter: nervous giggle; nervous laugh 
titular :of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations 
toady :servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant 
toga :Roman outer robe 
token :outward sign 
toll: sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals 
tome :large volume; book 
tonsure: shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders 
topography :physical features of a region (such as the shape and height) 
topple: become unsteady and fall down 
torpedo: underwater explosive apparatus 
torpor: lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy 
torpid : lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating 
torque :twisting force; force producing rotation 
torrent :rushing stream; flood 
torrid: (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate 
torso: trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk 
tortuous: winding; full of curves 
toss: throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something 
totem: animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this 
totter: shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall 
touching: causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic 
touch : cause to feel pity or sympathy 
touchstone: stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard 
touchy :oversensitive; easily offended; irascible; delicate 
tout: promote or publicize (one’s goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement) 
toxic: poisonous 
tract propaganda: pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land 
tractable: docile; easily managed 
traduce: expose to slander 
trajectory :path taken by a projectile 
tramp :walk with a heavy step; travel on foot 
trample :step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet 
trance :hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one’s physical surrounding 
tranquility :calmness; peace 
transcendent: exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing 
transcend : go beyond; exceed; surpass 
transcendental: going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences 
transcribe: copy; write a copy of 
transgression: violation of a law; sin 
transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong 
transient: staying for a short time; momentary; temporary 
transition :going from one state of action to another 
transitory: transient; impermanent; fleeting 
translucent: partly transparent 
transmute :transform; change; convert to something different 
transparent :permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear 
transpire: (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen 
transport :strong emotion; rapture 
transpose: reverse the order or position of 
trappings: outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank) 
traumatic: (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence 
travail :strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth 
traverse :go through or across 
travesty :copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing 
tread :walk; trample 
treasure: keep as precious; cherish 
treatise :article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly 
trek: travel; journey 
tremor: trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation) 
tremulous: trembling; wavering 
trenchant :cutting; incisive; keen 
trepidation: fear; nervous apprehension 
tribulation: suffering; ordeal; distress; trial 
tribunal :court of justice 
tribune :official of ancient Rome elected by the plebian to protect their rights 
tribute: tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission 
trickle: flow in drops or in a thin stream 
trickster: person who cheats people 
trident :three-pronged spear 
trifle :something of little importance or value; small amount 
trifling :trivial; unimportant 
trigger: set off; start 
trilogy: group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself) 
trim: make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary 
tidy: in good order 
trinket: knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry 
trite: hackneyed; commonplace 
trivia: trifles; unimportant matters 
troth : pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal 
trough: long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.) 
truculence: aggressiveness; ferocity 
truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce 
truism: self-evident truth 
truncate: cut the top off; shorten 
trunk :main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso 
tryst :meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet 
tumid : (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous 
tumult :commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar 
tumultuous: noisy and disorderly 
tundra: rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America 
turbid: (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick 
turbulence: state of violent agitation 
turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed 
tureen :deep dish for serving soup 
turgid :swollen; distended (as from liquid) 
turmoil :extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion 
turncoat:traitor 
turpitude:depravity; baseness 
tutelage: guardianship; training; function of a tutor 
tutelary :protective; pertaining to a guardianship 
tycoon :wealthy and powerful businessperson 
typhoon: tropical hurricane or cyclone 
tyranny :oppression; cruel government 
tyrannical : despotic 
tyrannize : treat tyrannically; oppress 
tyro : beginner; novice 

U

ubiquitous: being everywhere; omnipresent 
ulcer: sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body 
ulterior: intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable 
ultimate :final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental 
Ultimatum :last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met 
umbrage: resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult 
unaccountable: inexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious 
unanimity: complete agreement 
unassailable: not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question 
unassuaged:unsatisfied; not soothed 
unassuming :modest 
unbridled :violent; uncontrolled 
uncanny: strange; mysterious 
unceremonious: not done politely without due formalities 
unconscionable :unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason 
uncouth: boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish 
unction: the act of anointing with oil 
unctuous :oily; bland; insincerely suave 
underhand(underhanded) :done slyly and secretly (being dishonest) 
underlying :lying below; fundamental 
undermine :weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath 
underscore :underline; emphasize 
understate :state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts 
understatement: statement which is below the truth 
undertaker :funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials 
undulating:moving with a wavelike motion 
unearth: dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching 
unearthly :not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly 
unequivocal: plain; clear; obvious 
unerringly: infallibly 
unexceptionable: entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism 
unfaltering :steadfast; firm; not changing 
unfeigned: genuine; real 
unfetter: liberate; free from chains unfledged:immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly 
unfrock :defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority 
ungainly (of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy 
unguent ointment 
uniformity sameness; monotony 
unilateral one-sided; involving or affecting only one side 
unimpeachable that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary 
uninhibited unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings 
unintimating unfrightening 
unique without an equal; single in kind 
unison unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord 
universal characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic 
unkempt disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed 
unmitigated (of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute 
unobtrusive inconspicuous; not blatant 
unprecedented having no previous example; novel; unparalleled 
unprepossessing unattractive 
unravel disentangle; solve 
unregenerate making no attempt to change one’s bad practices 
unrequited not requited; not reciprocated 
unruly disobedient; lawless; difficult to control 
unsavory distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive 
unscathed unharmed 
unseemly unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent 
unsightly ugly; unpleasant to look at 
unsullied untarnished 
untenable (of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained 
untoward unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky 
unwarranted unjustified; having no justification; groundless 
unwieldy awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable 
unwitting not knowing; unaware; unintentional 
unwonted unaccustomed; unusual 
upbraid reprimand; severely scold 
upright (sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral 
uproar noisy confusion 
uproariousmarked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious 
upshot outcome; final result 
urbane suave; refined in manner; elegant 
urchin mischievous child (usually a boy) 
urge drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly 
urgent compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate 
ursine bear like; pertaining to a bear 
usage act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used 
usurp seize another’s power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate 
usury lending money at illegal high rates of interest 
utopia ideal place, state, or society 
uxorious excessively submissive or devoted to one’s wife 

V

vacillate: waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro 
vacuous: empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression 
vagabond :wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp 
vagary: capricious happening; caprice; whim 
vagrant: homeless wanderer 
vain :full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful 
vainglorious: boastful; excessively conceited 
valediction: saying farewell; expression of leave-taking 
valedictory: pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises) 
valid :logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective 
validate: make valid; confirm; ratify 
valor: bravery 
valiant: possessing valor; brave 
vampire: ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living 
vanguard: forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces 
vantage :position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point) 
vapid: lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless 
vaporize: turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.) 
variegate: change the appearance of (by marking with different colors) 
variegated: (esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored 
varnish: paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film 
vassal :in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord 
vaunted: boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag 
veer :change in direction; swerve 
vegetate:live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity) 
vehement: forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong 
velocity :speed 
venal: capable of being bribed; corrupt 
vendetta: blood feud (esp. between two families) 
vendor: seller 
veneer :thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material) 
venerable: deserving high respect; commanding respect 
venerate :revere; treat with great respect 
venial : (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial 
venison :meat of a deer 
venom: poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom 
vent :release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family. 
ventilate: admit fresh air into to replace stale air 
ventral :abdominal 
ventriloquist :someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing 
venture: risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk 
venturesome: (of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky 
venue :location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering) 

veracious : (of a person) truthful 
veracity: truthfulness; adherence to the truth 
verbalize: put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb 
verbatim: word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly 
verbiage: pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness 
verbose: wordy; N. verbosity 
verdant :green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows 
verdigris: green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather 
verge:border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on 
verisimilar: having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible 
verisimilitude: appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood 
veritable :being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary 
verity: quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony 
vernacular :living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region 
vernal:pertaining to spring 
versatile: having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility 
vertebrate: having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column 
vertex :summit; highest point; PL. vertices 
vertigo :severe dizziness; giddiness 
verve: enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor 
vestige: trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion 
veto: vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto 
vex :annoy; distress 
viable :capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme 
viand :food 
vibrant: full of vigor or energy; vibrating 
vicar :parish priest; representative 
vicarious:experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people 
vicissitude :change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune 
victuals :food; provisions 
vie :contend; compete 
vigil :keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours) 
vigilant: watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance 
vigilante :one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers 
vignette: small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch 
vigor: active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous 
vile: despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander 
vilify :slander; speak evil of; N. vilification 
vindicate: clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof) 
vindictive: disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious 
vintner :wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine 
violate: break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves 
viper :poisonous snake 
virile: manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength 
virtual: in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes 
virtue: goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage 
virtuoso: highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso 
virulent : (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter 
virus: disease communicator 
visage: face; appearance 
visceral: felt in one’s inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs 
viscid: adhesive; gluey 
viscous: (of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid 
vise vice: tool for holding work in place; clamping device 
vision: eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural 
visionary :produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight 
vital :full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life 
vitiate :spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally 
vitreous: of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass 
vitriolic :causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol 
vituperative : abusive; scolding 
vivacious: lively or animated; sprightly, lively 
vivid: (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images 
vivisection: act of dissecting living animals 
vixen: female fox; ill-tempered woman 
vociferous: clamorous; noisy 
vogue: popular fashion 
volatile: changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence 
volition: act of using one’s will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition. 
volley: simultaneous discharge of a number of shots 
voluble: fluent; talkative; glib 
voluminous: having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large 
voluptuous: sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures 
voodoo: religion practiced chiefly in Haiti 
voracious: ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable 
vortex: whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged 
vouch: give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher 
vouchsafe: grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment 
voyeur: Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others 
vulgar: of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse vulgarity; crudely indecent word 
vulnerable: susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability 
vulpine :like a fox; crafty 
vulture :carrion-eating birds 
vying :contending; CF. vie 

W

wade : walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement 
waffle: speak equivocally about an issue 
waft: move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window 
wag : shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit 
wage :begin and continue (a war) 
waggish :humorous; mischievous; tricky 
waif :homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays 
waive: give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim 
wake :trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before
wallow :roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless 
wan :having a pale or sickly color; pallid 
wanderlust :strong longing to travel 
wane :decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end 
wangle :achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party. 
wanton :unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous 
warble : (of a bird) sing; babble 
ward :administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person 
warp: twist out of shape 
warrant: justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ) 
warranted: justified; authorized 
warranty: guarantee; assurance by seller 
warren: tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live 
wary: very cautious; watchful 
wastrel :waster; profligate 
waver: move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement
wax: increase gradually (as the moon); grow 
waylay: ambush; lie in wait for and attack 
wean :accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling 
weary: tired after long work 
weather: pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces 
weird: eerie; strange; unnatural 
well-bred: of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined 
welt: raised mark from a beating or whipping 
welter: wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood) 
wheedle: deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax 
whelp :young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family); young wolf, dog, tiger, etc. 
whet :sharpen; stimulate 
whiff :puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; hint 
whim: sudden capricious idea; fancy 
whimsical: capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange 
whimsy:whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely 
whine :complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication) 
whinny: neigh like a horse 
whit :small amount; smallest speck 
whittle: pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim 
wholesome: conducive to mental or physical health; healthful 
whorl :ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular arrangement 
wiggle: wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions 
willful : intentional; headstrong 
willowy: flexible; pliant; slender 
wilt :loose freshness; droop 
wily :crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem 
wince: move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body. 
windfall :fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event 
winnow: sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad 
winsome: charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging 
wisp: small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke) 
wispy :thin; slight; barely discernible 
wistful :sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories); sadly pensive; vaguely longing 
withdrawn: introverted; retiring; remote remote/distant in manner; aloof 
wither: (of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay 
withhold: refuse to give; hold back 
withstand :stand up against; resist successfully 
witless: lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic 
witticism: witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark) 
wizardry: sorcery; magic 
wizened: shriveled; withered 
woe: great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering 
woeful :sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably bad 
wont: (the stated person’s) habit or custom; habitual procedure 
worldly: engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual; of the material world 
wrangle: quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle 
wrath :anger; fury 
wreak: inflict; Ex. wreak one’s vengeance on 
wrench :twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands. 
wrest :obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence 
wretch: miserable person; bad or despicable person 
wring: twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands) 
wrinkle: small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth) 
writ :written command issued by a court (telling someone to do or not to do something) 
writhe: twist in coils; contort in pain 
wrongheaded: stubbornly wrong 
wry: (esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure) 

X

Xanadu= an imaginary exotic, beautiful, idyllic place first mentioned in Saint Coleridge’s Kuba Khan
Xanthous= relating to, designating races with yellowish hair in a light complexion
Xenophobe= a person who hates and distrusts stranger or foreigners
Xenophobia= fear of stranger or foreigners
Xerography= a photocopying process in which an electrostatic image is formed on a selenium plate or cylinder
Xerostomia= abnormal lack of saliva, dryness of mouth
X-rated= excessive brutality or horrificness
Xylem= plant tissue that conducts water and mineral salts from the roots to all other parts
Xyloid =woody
Xylophagous= eating or destroying wood
Xylophone= A musical instrument consisting of wooden bars that are sounded by being struck with millets
Xylotomous= (of certain insects) cutting or boring into woods 

Y

yearling n. A young animal past its first year and not yet two years old. 

yen: strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel 

yeoman: man or farmer owning small estate; middle-class farmer 

yield :amount produced; crop; income on investment; profit obtained from an investment

yoke: join together; unite 

yokel :rustic; country bumpkin 

yore: time long past; Ex. in the days of yore 

Z

zany: comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to outlandish behavior) 

zeal :eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal) 

zealot: one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal 

zenith: point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point 

zephyr: gentle breeze; west wind 

zest: outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor 

zest: to the affair; Ex. zest for life 

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