GRE 1000 Most Important Words - Parts 1 & 2

A collection of vocabulary terms from the GRE 1000 Most Important Words transcript, focusing on Parts 1 and 2, including definitions and nuances provided by Sandeep Gupta.

Abashed

Indicates a state of embarrassment; feeling disconcerted and, to a certain degree, put to shame.

Abate

To lessen or diminish, such as enthusiasm falling, a storm blowing over, or the government reducing a burdensome tax.

Abdicate

To step down, as from a throne, or to give something up, such as power, authority, or a claim; originally associated with Edward VIII in $1936$.

Aberrant

Straying from the normal, usual, or customary way; uncharacteristic conduct or behavior.

Abominate

To loathe, hate, abhor, and detest something or somebody.

Abrasive

A substance used for polishing or grinding (literally) or a person who is irritatingly harsh and grating (figuratively).

Abrogate

To repeal a law, annul a contract, or discontinue prevailing customs; implies repeal, annulment, or cancellation.

Abstemious

Eating and drinking sparingly; the opposite of a glutton.

Abstinent

Self-denying and self-restraining, commonly implying control in the intake of alcohol; the noun form is abstinence.

Abstruse

Theories or explanations that are unintelligible or incomprehensible to the receiver, often applied to the formulas of atomic physicists.

Accolade

Great praise or enthusiastic approval; technically the ceremonial tap on the shoulder conferring knighthood.

Acerbic

Sour, bitter, and harsh, describing an expression, speech, or humor.

Acme

Classical Greek for 'highest point'; the summit or utmost limit of something.

Acolyte

Originally a priest’s attendant at church; now means any follower or attendant of an important personage.

Acquiesce

To agree with, consent to, or comply with; the noun acquiescence implies silent agreement or passive submission.

Acrimonious

Bitter and cutting remarks, often the result of a hot temper.

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of a group of words, such as $WAC$, $radar$, $laser$, or $OPEC$.

Adage

A proverb or traditional saying, also known as a maxim, aphorism, or old saw.

Admonitory

Providing a warning; derived from the verb admonish which means to caution.

Adroit

Skillful, resourceful, and quick to seize upon the right move in a tricky situation; the opposite of gauche.

Adulation

Fawning adoration, devotion, or excessive admiration; a state of idolization.

Adversity

A condition marked by bad luck, troubles, woes, and hard times; the opposite of prosperity.

Aegis

From the shield of Zeus in Greek mythology, it means sponsorship, patronage, or protection.

Affable

Pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to.

Aficionado

A devotee, ardent follower, or fan of a particular activity or team.

Affinity

A natural liking and attraction for someone or something.

Aggrandize

To magnify, inflate, or increase something; sometimes implies trying to make things or people appear greater than they are.

Alacrity

Cheerful or eager readiness; the opposite of reluctance.

Allay

To calm, quiet, relieve, or pacify something like suspicion, pain, or anxiety.

Allegory

A symbolic narrative or tale told to present a moral lesson or universal truth; a short animal-based one is a fable.

Alleviate

To relieve or lessen, making something like pain, fever, or sorrow easier to bear.

Alliteration

The repetition of a sound or letter in two or more words in a sequence.

Amanuensis

A secretary or one who takes dictation or copies a manuscript.

Ambience

The mood, character, or atmosphere of an environment or milieu.

Ambiguous

Capable of more than one meaning and therefore unclear; the enemy of clarity.

Ambivalent

Indecisive and unable to make up one's mind; wavering between two opposing opinions.

Ambulatory

Able to walk as opposed to being bedridden; in law, it refers to a document like a will that can be changed.

Ameliorate

To improve or make something better, often used in the expression 'ameliorate the situation.'

Amenable

Agreeable and willing to be persuaded; also means liable or answerable for a debt or offense.

Amenity

Pleasantness or agreeableness; in plural, it refers to gracious manners or conveniences like hot and cold running water.

Amorous

Affectionate, showing love, or having a tendency to love; can imply being smitten or obsessed by sexuality.

Amorphous

Without definite shape or form; formless like a shifting crowd or clouds.

Anachronism

Any person, institution, custom, or concept that belongs to another age.

Anagram

A word formed from the rearrangement of the letters of another word.

Analogy

A resemblance based on the similarity between certain features of two things, such as the heart and a mechanical pump.

Anathema

A detestable or loathsome thing or person; literally a curse laid on by the Church following excommunication.

Ancillary

Auxiliary or serving as an accessory; describes supplemental requirements or materials.

Animus

Hostility and antagonism; unexpressed ill will that is deep seated.

Annals

Historical records, often referred to as 'the annals of history.'

Anomaly

A deviation from the general rule or type; anything out of keeping with accepted ideas.

Antecedents

Can refer to ancestors or the events of one’s earlier life; as an adjective, means preceding or previous.

Anthropology

The study of mankind, its origins, development, customs, and racial characteristics; Margaret Mead ($1901-1978$) was a famous practitioner.

Anthropomorphic

Ascribing human characteristics to gods, animals, or objects.

Antic

Odd or eccentric behavior, amusing gestures, pranks, and capers; usually used in the plural.

Antipathy

A strong dislike, aversion, or settled feeling of abhorrence.

Antiquity

Ancient times, the quality of ancientness, or relics of ancient times (antiquities).

Antithesis

The direct opposite of something; for example, fascism is the antithesis of democracy.

Aphorism

A concise statement of a general truth, such as 'Nice guys finish last' or 'Art is long, and life is short.'

Aplomb

Self-assurance, poise, and imperturbability; the state of not being fazed under trying circumstances.

Apocalypse

A cataclysmic event describing disaster, the end of the world, or Armageddon.

Apocryphal

Of questionable authenticity, dubious, or spurious; often refers to stories presented as true that are likely false.

Apogee

In astronomy, the point in an orbit farthest from the earth; figuratively, the high point, climax, or summit of anything.

Apostate

A person who renounces his faith or party; a renegade or defector.

Apotheosis

Deification (raising to divine rank) or the supreme example and glorification of someone.

Appellation

A name or designation applied to somebody or something.

Charlatan

A quack; anyone who claims more skill than he actually possesses.

Chary

Cautious and wary; can also mean sparing.

Chasm

A deep gap, ravine, or gorge; figuratively, a deep difference of opinion or attitude.

Chicanery

Deception by sophistry, subterfuge, and artful quibbling; trickery used to obtain an advantage.

Chide

To scold someone, usually in a mild or gentle manner.