Vocabulary Mastery Flashcards

This set of 100 fill-in-the-blank flashcards covers the first sections of the vocabulary lecture notes, focusing on definitions and usage examples provided in the transcript.

The term __________ is used to describe the highest level of negative things, such as sadness, loneliness, or poverty.

abject

A place where people live, including a house, a cave, an apartment, or even a van, is called an __________.

abode

Something that is not concrete or tangible, existing only as an idea or representing feelings, is described as __________.

abstract

To emphasize something important, such as "seasonings that __________ the flavors," is to use this verb.

accentuate

To recognize or notice something to make sure it knows it has been noticed is to __________ it.

acknowledge

A scolding, such as one received for what someone did, is called an __________.

admonition

Someone who is well off financially is said to come from an __________ home.

affluent

To work up or disturb something or someone, like a baby's cries may do to theatergoers, is to __________ them.

agitate

To __________ something is to make it grander or better than it truly is.

aggrandize

As a verb, __________ means to build up parts to create a whole; as a noun, it refers to the whole itself.

aggregate

Having more than one possible meaning or interpretation is called being __________.

ambiguous

A friendly and peaceful relationship is described as being __________.

amicable

When two things are comparable to clarify one of them, such as finding a phone being __________ to finding a needle in a haystack, the comparison is this.

analogous

An outlier or something strange that is out of the usual pattern of things is called an __________.

anomaly

Having negative feelings toward another person or thing is referred to as __________.

antipathy

Rooted in the word "appear," an __________ is something that suddenly appears, such as ghosts or supernatural phenomena.

apparition

Something that is random, like a candidate being __________ selected, is considered this.

arbitrary

To find out or confirm something, such as the winner of a game, is to __________ it.

ascertain

To dream big and work towards a lofty goal is to __________.

aspire

An __________ leader or government is one that holds all the power.

autocratic

To cause something to happen is to __________ it.

beget

To be __________ is to be kind.

benevolent

To give titles or other honors to someone is to __________ those honors upon them.

bestow

To adjust a machine so that it runs the way it should is to __________ it.

calibrate

The type of exercise that relies on your own body weight is called __________.

calisthenics

Something related to outer space or heaven, such as "__________ music," is described by this term.

celestial

A formal punishment, scolding, or reprimand is known as a __________.

censure

Anything moving back and forth or around in a predictable pattern is called __________.

circulation

To get others to do something by using threat or force is to __________ them.

coerce

The ability to understand something is known as __________.

cognition

Everyday informal language or slang is described as __________.

colloquial

Something related to the buying and selling of goods or an advertisement is called __________.

commercial

Something that goes well with another thing is described as __________.

complementary

Something that is free or a nice statement said about you is __________.

complimentary

To mix up or combine two separate things and assume they are the same is to __________ them.

conflate

To draw a conclusion based on limited evidence is to __________.

conjecture

To bring something up, such as scary images, is to __________ them.

conjure

A general agreement among a group of people is called a __________.

consensus

The result of an action done is referred to as the __________.

consequences

An art __________ is someone who saves or preserves something, or acts as a guardian.

conservator

The term __________ can refer to a governmental document, someone's health, or how something is put together.

constitution

To rely on one thing to become another means that the outcome is __________ upon that thing.

contingent

Something that follows traditional rules that are set up is considered __________.

conventional

To get an object or a message/idea across to someone else is to __________ it.

convey

To call a meeting is to __________ it.

convoke

A physical movement such as a seizure is called a __________.

convulsion

To bring something up or make it grow, such as farmers with crops, is to __________ it.

cultivate

To lag behind is to __________.

dawdle

To figure out a code or hidden meaning is to __________ it.

decipher

To break something down slowly over time is to __________ it.

degrade

To split an area into clear boundaries is to __________ it.

demarcate

To politely say no or avoid something is to __________.

demur

Total abandonment, emptiness, and destruction is known as __________.

desolation

Taking away anything with value, such as in "the spoils of war," is to __________.

despoil

Something that has no consistency or order, like a classroom discussion, is described as __________.

desultory

To stop or discourage someone from doing something is to __________ them.

deter

Demonstrating good judgment and being cautious in speech to avoid offense shows __________.

discretion

Inequalities or differences between two things, such as between gifts received, are called a __________.

disparity

To pass out or ensure the spread of information is to __________ it.

disseminate

When two things are not the same, they are said to be __________.

dissimilar

To move apart, which is the opposite of converge, is to __________.

diverge

A strongly held political or religious belief is known as a __________.

doctrine

A period of inactivity, stagnation, or a personal slump is described as being in the __________.

doldrum

Matters related to the home, such as hiring a maid or gardener, are considered __________ matters.

domestic

To have control or authority over someone or something is to exercise __________.

dominion

To be doubtful or uncertain about something is to be __________.

dubious

Showing sincere, serious intention and deep commitment is being __________.

earnest

Water or air moving swiftly in a circular motion is called an __________.

eddy

Achieving or being capable of producing a desired result makes a strategy __________.

effectual

The performance of something under ideal, controlled conditions is called __________.

efficacy

The performance of something under real-world conditions is known as __________.

effectiveness

Adding decorative details to make tales of the past more interesting is to __________ them.

embellish

To give off something, such as a horrid smell, is to __________ it.

emit

To understand, share, or experience the feelings and emotional states of another person is to __________ with them.

empathize

Something that creates warm feelings, affection, or liking is referred to as __________.

endearing

To make a determined and sustained effort to achieve a goal is to __________.

endeavor

To give lasting, valuable gifts or rights, such as those given by a creator, is to __________ them.

endow

A project, venture, or company that requires effort and careful planning is known as an __________.

enterprise

To convince or lure someone through a promise of reward is to __________ them.

entice

When a thought or habit is firmly established and difficult to change, it is considered __________.

entrenched

Something that is short-lived, fleeting, and quickly gone, like a rainbow, is __________.

ephemeral

To reveal feelings or display characteristics clearly is to __________ them.

evince

The spending of money or other resources, such as physical energy, is called an __________.

expenditure

Serving to explain, clarify, or make something understandable is being __________.

explanatory

Something that is widespread, far-reaching, or thorough is described as __________.

extensive

A word used to describe someone who is weak, such as an elderly couple, is __________.

feeble

To restrain or hold someone back from what they want to accomplish is to __________ them.

fetter

Having a definite beginning and ending, such as natural resources that will eventually run out, means they are __________.

finite

Matters related to money and the economy are described as __________.

fiscal

A red or flushed complexion, or excessively intricate writing and speech, is described as __________.

florid

The term __________ refers to the one before or something in the past.

former

A meeting or location where people talk about their thoughts and opinions is a __________.

forum

A desperate search with an urgency to solve a problem is described as __________.

frantic

Something that happens all the time or often is __________.

frequent

The basic components of a subject, such as reading, are called the __________.

fundamental

To take something with potential and make it start growing is to __________ it.

germinate

To firmly latch on or attach to something, such as a media trend, is to __________ on to it.

glom

An excessive oversupply of inventory in a market is called a __________.

glut

A formal complaint, often made in a workplace, is known as a __________.

grievance

Something causing public shame, disgrace, or deep humiliation is described as __________.

ignominious