GB-Top-level-vocab

GCSE Vocab to use in language papers

Aberration

Definition: Something that differs from the norm.

Example: Poland's 1974 World Cup win was an aberration since they haven't won since.

Abhor

Definition: To hate, detest.

Example: Marcin began to abhor cricket after always getting hit.

Acquiesce

Definition: To agree without protesting.

Example: Mr. Pospieszny acquiesced when his wife insisted on dinner.

Alacrity

Definition: Eagerness, speed.

Example: Simon helped set the table with alacrity.

Amiable

Definition: Friendly.

Example: Neil, an amiable fellow, got along with everyone.

Appease

Definition: To calm, satisfy.

Example: Jerry's mother appeased him with chocolate when he cried.

Arcane

Definition: Obscure, secret.

Example: The professor specializes in arcane Scottish literature.

Avarice

Definition: Excessive greed.

Example: The banker's avarice resulted in a large personal fortune.

Brazen

Definition: Bold, brash, obvious.

Example: The writer's brazen plagiarism drew criticism.

Brusque

Definition: Short, abrupt, dismissive

. Example: Simon's brusque manner sometimes offends colleagues.

Cajole

Definition: To urge, coax.

Example: Magda's friends cajoled her into drinking excessively.

Callous

Definition: Harsh, cold, unfeeling.

Example: The murderer's callous demeanor shocked the jury.

Candour

Definition: Honesty, frankness.

Example: Politician's candor surprised listeners.

Chide

Definition: To voice disapproval.

Example: Hania chided Gregory for his habits.

Circumspect

Definition: Cautious.

Example: It was circumspect not to promise a return time.

Clandestine

Definition: Secret.

Example: Maria's clandestine meeting was hidden under a library visit.

Coerce

Definition: To force someone to do something.

Example: Beckham was denied contract honor due to coercion.

Coherent

Definition: Logically consistent.

Example: Harold failed to deliver a coherent statement due to distress.

Complacency

Definition: Self-satisfied ignorance.

Example: Simon painted a dire picture to shock complacent friends.

Confidant

Definition: A person entrusted with secrets.

Example: He quickly became my chief confidant.

Connive

Definition: To plot, scheme.

Example: She connived to thwart my business plans.

Cumulative

Definition: Increasing over time.

Example: Hours on the site showed a cumulative vocabulary improvement.

Cynical

Definition: Believing the worst of others.

Example: She was cynical about politicians' good deeds.

Debase

Definition: To lower quality or esteem.

Example: His raise debased his charity motives.

Decry

Definition: To criticize openly.

Example: Lepper decried the state of Polish roads.

Deferential

Definition: Respectful to authority.

Example: Donata is excessively deferential to authority figures.

Demure

Definition: Quiet, modest.

Example: She remained demure at the party.

Deride

Definition: To mock, scorn.

Example: The native speaker derided the teacher’s accent.

Despot

Definition: Total power with brutality.

Example: The despot ruled with fear.

Diligent

Definition: Careful in work.

Example: The researcher double-checked measurements diligently.

Elated

Definition: Overjoyed, thrilled.

Example: He was elated after winning the lottery.

Eloquent

Definition: Expressive, articulate.

Example: The best man’s speech was eloquent and moving.

Embezzle

Definition: To steal money through falsification.

Example: The accountant embezzled €10,000.

Empathy

Definition: Sensitivity to another’s feelings.

Example: I feel empathy for my upset dog.

Enmity

Definition: Ill will, hostility.

Example: The enmity between John and Scott is visible.

Erudite

Definition: Learned, scholarly.

Example: My teacher’s erudition includes Old English translations.

Extol

Definition: To praise, revere

. Example: Kamila extolled vegetarianism to her meat-loving boyfriend.

Fabricate

Definition: To invent or make up

. Example: I fabricated an excuse for arriving late.

Feral

Definition: Wild, savage.

Example: The feral beast instilled fear.

Forsake

Definition: To give up or renounce.

Example: I won’t forsake my principles.

Fractious

Definition: Irritable or troublesome.

Example: The child’s fractious behavior suggested it was bedtime.

Furtive

Definition: Secretive, sly

. Example: Her furtive drug placement was not well hidden.

Gluttony

Definition: Overindulgence in food or drink.

Example: Helen’s chicken promotes gluttony.

Gratuitous

Definition: Uncalled for, unwarranted.

Example: The fish and chip shop’s gratuitous vinegar is excessive.

Haughty

Definition: Disdainfully proud.

Example: The superstar’s haughty dismissal of co-stars will backfire.

Hypocrisy

Definition: Pretending to believe what one does not.

Example: The politician’s hypocrisy was glaring.

Impeccable

Definition: Exemplary, flawless.

Example: His impeccable grades earned a car.

Impertinent

Definition: Rude, insolent.

Example: Your impertinent comments don’t deserve a response.

Implacable

Definition: Incapable of being pleased. Example: She is implacable once you offend her cooking.

Implicit

Definition: Implied without directly stated. Example: Her loyalty showed implicit trust in him.

Impudent

Definition: Casually rude, insolent.

Example: The impudent woman insulted her teacher openly.

Incisive

Definition: Clear, sharp.

Example: Her incisive comment clarified the discussion.

Indolent

Definition: Lazy.

Example: Indolent children should not be rewarded.

Inept

Definition: Unqualified.

Example: Her ineptitude was evident during her mistakes.

Infamy

Definition: Notoriety, extreme ill repute.

Example: His crime’s infamy won’t fade.

Inhibit

Definition: To prevent, restrain

. Example: I didn’t mean to inhibit your plans.

Innate

Definition: Inborn, inherent.

Example: His athletic talent is innate.

Insatiable

Definition: Incapable of being satisfied.

Example: Insatiable appetites can complicate vacations.

Insular

Definition: Closed off, narrow-minded.

Example: MI5 workers must remain insular.

Intrepid

Definition: Brave in danger.

Example: The explorer was praised for his intrepid nature.

Inveterate

Definition: Established by habit.

Example: I’m an inveterate cider drinker.

Jubilant

Definition: Extremely joyful.

Example: Firefighters were jubilant after saving a life.

Lithe

Definition: Graceful, flexible.

Example: Joanna’s lithe dance impressed everyone.

Lurid

Definition: Ghastly, sensational.

Example: Barry's story was too lurid for publication.

Maverick

Definition: An independent thinker/nonconformist

. Example: John is a maverick in his attitudes.

Maxim

Definition: A principle saying.

Example: Ms. Stone's maxims are instructive.

Meticulous

Definition: Careful with details.

Example: Her gown showed meticulous needlework.

Modicum

Definition: A small amount.

Example: Magda showed no modicum of sensitivity.

Morose

Definition: Gloomy or sullen.

Example: David’s morose attitude made conversations difficult.

Myriad

Definition: Very many.

Example: The city offers myriad options for fun.

Nadir

Definition: The lowest point.

Example: His day hit nadir when his car was stolen.

Nominal

Definition: Trifling

Example: Kim sold his furniture for a nominal price.

Novice

Definition: A beginner.

Example: Our novice status led to a basics review in archery.

Nuance

Definition: A slight variation in meaning.

Example: The nuances in the poem required careful analysis.

Oblivious

Definition: Lacking awareness.

Example: Oblivious to the smell, my father burned the rolls.

Obsequious

Definition: Excessively compliant. Example: Donald acted obsequiously towards Susan.

Obtuse

Definition: Slow to understand.

Example: Political warnings pointed at the Prime Minister's obtuse policies.

Panacea

Definition: A remedy for all.

Example: Doctors wish for a panacea for diseases.

Parody

Definition: A satirical imitation. Example: Magdalena's parody of the teacher’s style was humorous.

Penchant

Definition: A preference. Example: Fiona's dinner parties show her penchant for Indian dishes.

Perusal

Definition: A careful examination.

Example: A three-month perusal of the script preceded the actor’s acceptance of the role.

Plethora

Definition: An abundance.

Example: The wedding banquet had a plethora of oysters.

Predilection

Definition: A preference for something

. Example: James has a predilection for toad-in-the-hole with ketchup.

Quaint

Definition: Charming old-fashioned

Example: Mary loved the quaint bonnets in Romania.

Rash

Definition: Hasty, incautious.

Example: Rash decisions can lead to regret.

Refurbish

Definition: To restore

Example: The refurbished motorcycle was worth $6000.

Repudiate

Definition: To reject.

Example: Tom’s request for a curfew extension was repudiated.

Rife

Definition: Abundant.

Example: The teacher’s writing was rife with errors.

Salient

Definition: Significant.

Example: The salient differences are easy to notice.

Serendipity

Definition: Luck in finding good outcomes.

Example: Mark found a $50 bill in an incredible bit of serendipity.

Staid

Definition: Sedate, self-restrained.

Example: The staid butler never showed emotion.

Superfluous

Definition: Exceeding necessity.

Example: Her flattery became superfluous after winning.

Sycophant

Definition: One who flatters for self-gain.

Example: Some view cabinet members as sycophants, not advisors.

Taciturn

Definition: Not talkative.

Example: Her taciturn brother contrasts with her talkative nature.

Truculent

Definition: Ready to fight.

Example: The bouncer's truculent demeanor was unwarranted.

Umbrage

Definition: Resentment.

Example: I took umbrage at the insult.

Venerable

Definition: Deserving respect due to age/achievement.

Example: The venerable judge has a long history of rulings.

Vociferous

Definition: Loud, boisterous.

Example: His vociferous complaints strained my patience.

Wanton

Definition: Undisciplined.

Example: Joanna’s wanton demeanor attracted attention.

Zenith

Definition: The highest point.

Example: She reached the zenith of her fame with the hit.