The Words You Should Know To Sound Smart - 1200 Essential Words Every Sophisticated Person Should be Able to Use

abatement (ah-BAIT-ment), noun

The reduction or elimination of a tax, claim, fine, or debt. By having her daddy pull strings in the mayor's office, Sylvia received a quick _ of her traffic ticket.

abjure (ab-JOOR), transitive verb

To renounce or turn your back on a belief or position you once held near and dear. Once Jodi tasted my mouth-watering, medium-rare filet mignon, she _ the vegetarian lifestyle forever.

abominate (uh-BOM-in-ate), verb

When you abominate something, you really, really hate and dislike it - and view it with considerable loathing. "For my part, I _ all honorable respectable toils, trials, and tribulations of every kind whatsoever." - Herman Melville, American author

abstemious (ab-STEE-me-us), adjective

To eat plain and simple food in moderation, avoiding over-indulgence in drink and gluttony at the table. Gandhi led an _ life.

abstruse (ab-STROOS), adjective

Arcane, complex, difficult to understand and learn. Bob began to wish there was, in fact, a Santa Claus because he found the "simple instructions" to his son's bicycle far too _.

acculturation (ah-kul-cherr-AYE-shin), noun

The process of adapting to a different culture. Just because sushi makes me queasy, doesn't mean I'm opposed to _.

acrimonious (ah-kri-MOAN-ee-us), adjective

Angry; bitter; disputed. As my daughters pummeled each other while screaming at top volume, I tried desperately to _ their quarrel.

ad nauseam (ad-NAW-zee-um), adverb

Something that goes on and on, or is done over and over again, to a ridiculous, even sickening degree. At first we were all impressed that Steve could recite the entire Gettysburg Address, but we all got kind of sickened when he repeated the feat _ _.

adroit (ah-DROYT), adjective

Skilled or clever in a particular pursuit. "It's kind of sad," Betty said to Barbara, "that Will thinks his _ opera-singing abilities will impress women."

adulatory (ad-JYOO-lah-tore-ee), adjective

Complimentary; giving of effusive praise. "He includes in his final chapter a passage of _ prose from Henry James." - Joyce Carol Oates, American author

aegis (AYE-jis), noun

The protection, support, and help rendered by a guardian, supporter, backer, or mentor. Jill thinks she's above reproach because she's under the _ of that marketing vice-president with a penchant for younger women.

affectation (ah-fek-TAY-shun), noun

Behaviors or mannerisms that are exaggerated, extreme, eccentric, and deliberately showy, often an effort to attract attention. "_ is awkward and forces imitation of what should be genuine and easy." - John

afflatus (uh-FLAY-tuss), noun

Inspiration that seems to come from divine origin. The Nobel Prize-winning novelist attributed her abilities to _, rather than to her own abilities.

aficionado (uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doe), noun

A devotee, someone who is enthralled with and supports a particular activity. Dwight often refers to himself as an _ of American-made microbrews.

aggrandize (ah-GRAND-ize), verb

To exaggerate, put on a false front, and make something look greater and grander than it really is. Phil tries to _ his reputation by stating that he is a charter member of the Bill O'Reilly fan club, but everybody just thinks this "feat" makes him pathetic.

akimbo (ah-KIM-bo), adverb

With hands on hips and elbows turned outward. When my father gets really mad, he stands stock-still, arms _, and slowly turns red in the face.

alacrity (ah-LAK-rih-tee), noun

Cheerful cooperation rendered with enthusiasm, promptness, and politeness. The _ with which Steve responded to Helen's invitation is nothing short of astonishing.

albeit (al-BEE-it), conjunction

Though. Vickie thought Charles was dim-witted, _ cute, in a childlike way.

aleatory (AIL-ee-ah-tore-ee), adjective

An action that is unplanned, spontaneous, or spur of the moment rather than deliberately thought out and carefully considered; an outcome that is anything but certain and depends on luck, randomness, or chance. "Of course you lost the election!" Miranda yelled. "An _, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants campaign is never going to be a recipe for success!"

allegory (AL-eh-gor-ee), noun

A story told to communicate a hidden meaning or deeper theme. Many of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales are clear _ of the consequences of children's rotten behavior.

alliteration (ah-lit-ter-AYE-shun), noun

The repetition of similar sounds, especially at the beginnings of words, in written speech or the spoken word. I'd forgotten how much Alicia likes to use _ in her insults, but was quickly reminded when she called me a cruel, callous cretin.

amatory (AM-uh-tore-ee), adjective

Having to do with sexual love. Pete hasn't stopped sulking since Alice spurned his _ advances at the office Christmas party.

ambiguity (am-bih-GYOO-ih-tee), noun

Uncertainty; lacking clear definition. Poets who revel in _ are one of the reasons many people hate poetry.

ameliorate (ah-MEAL-your-ate), verb

To correct a deficiency or defect; to make right a wrong; to take actions that make up, at least in part, for negative actions or failure to take action previously. After you insulted her mother, I don't think even the most expensive piece of jewelry will be enough to _ your relationship with Marcia.

amenable (ah-MEE-nah-bull), adjective

One who readily and agreeably gives in to the wishes and desires of others. Mark considers himself _, but the rest of us just think he's a pushover.

amorphous (ah-MORE-fis), adjective

Without definite shape, substance, or form; lacking definition and boundaries. "Of course the illusion of art is to make one believe that great literature is very close to life, but exactly the opposite is true. Life is _, literature is formal." - Françoise Sagan,

anachronism (ah-NAK-ruh-niz-em), noun

A person, place, thing, or idea whose time is past, and that seems to belong to an earlier age. His three record players—and the fact that he doesn't even know what an mp3 is—make Jim something of an _.

analogous (an-AL-a-gus), adjective

Similar or comparable in some respects. Nikki tried to argue that attending public school in Manhattan was _ to attending the prestigious boarding school in the country, but her argument was weak and her grandmother wasn't buying it.

anathema (ah-NA-theh-MA), noun

Something so distasteful to you, so alien and foreign to your understanding, that you find it sickening and repellant—as if you were allergic to it. Religious services were an _ to Russ, what with him being a dedicated atheist and all.

androcentrism (an-druh-SEN-tri-zum), noun

An outlook that emphasizes a masculine point of view. "Larry," Joan warned, "that _ may be all the rage in the locker room, but you'd better leave it out of our bedroom if you know what's good for you."

androgynous (ann-DRAH-gen-us), adjective

Something or someone who is neuter—sexless; of indeterminate sex; or hermaphrodite (having characteristics of both a male and a female). The models at fashion week were so _ that Katherine couldn't tell if the clothes were designed for men or women.

Something or someone who is neuter—sexless

of indeterminate sex; or hermaphrodite (having characteristics of both a male and a female).; The models at fashion week were so _ that Katherine couldn't tell if the clothes were designed for men or women. anfractuous (an-FRACK-chuh-wuss), adjective

anfractuous (an-FRACK-chuh-wuss), adjective

Full of windings and intricacies, like a good mystery novel. The novel's _ plot worked on paper, but it became stupefyingly confusing— actually, just plain stupid—onscreen.

animadversion (an-uh-mad-VER-zhun), noun

Very harsh criticism that suggests disapproval of what is being criticized. My boss's frequent _ have led to high staff turnover.

anomaly (an-AHM-ah-lee), noun

An exception to the norm; something different and unexpected that logically should not exist. "After a thousand meters of this broken-field walking, Mitsuno came upon an _: a patch of sand perhaps ten meters square." - Fred Pohl and Thomas Thomas, American science fiction authors

antecedent (an-tih-SEE-dent), noun

The ancestor of an existing product, idea, etc. IBM's electronic typewriter with storage was the _ of the modern PC.

antidisestablishmentarianism (ant-eye-dis-es-STAB-lish-men-tarry-an-izm), noun

A movement or protest against an established institution or authority. No, Walter, bringing your own coffee to Starbuck's is not an example of _. It's just foolish.

antithesis (an-TIH-thess-iss), noun

The exact opposite; a thing that is completely different from another thing. He tries so hard to be smooth, but Charles is the _ of cool.

apartheid (ah-PAR-thide), noun

South Africa's government-sanctioned policy of segregation and racial discrimination. Since _ ended in 1994, South Africa has elected three native African presidents.

aphorism (AH-for-iz-ihm), noun

A proverb, often-repeated statement, or cliché. Danny, you say "I'm right. You're wrong." so much that it's become an _.

apocryphal (ah-POCK-rih-full), adjective

An event, story, legend, or rumor that has been told so often, and so long after the fact, that one has good reason to doubt its authenticity, nor can it be verified through research. John Henry may have been based on a real man, but in the story he has grown to _ proportions.

apoplectic (ap-up-PLECK-tic), adjective

An extremely agitated state of rage. Emily's careless event planning makes me so _ that I just want to step in and plan the luncheon myself.

apostasy (a-PA-stah-see), noun

The act of abandoning, ignoring, or openly flaunting an accepted principle or belief. "It was his idea of grand _ to drive to the reform synagogue on the high holidays and park his pink-eye nag among the luxurious, whirl-wired touring cars of the rich." - Saul Bellow,

apotheosis (ah-pa-thee-OH-sis), noun

The culmination or highest point. Winning the Silver Gutter Award at his local bowling alley was the _ 's less-than-stellar sports legacy.

appeasement (ah-PEEZ-meant), noun

The act of making others happy by agreeing to their demands. Charlene realized too late that her policy of _ would not cause Warren to treat her with more respect.

appelation (ah-pull-AYE-shun), noun

A formal name, label, or title. Even though he has only an honorary degree, he insists on being called by the _ of "doctor" everywhere he goes.

approbation (ap-ruh-BAY-shun), noun

Official approval or commendation. "In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the _ of our fellow citizens. My great pain is, lest my poor endeavours should fall short of the kind expectations of my country." - Thomas Jefferson

apropos (ah-pro-POE), adverb

Appropriate, or at an opportune time. Charlie began screaming the words "Too late! Too late!" _ of nothing.

arcane (are-CAYNE), adjective

Strange and mysterious; understood by only a few. Bill's _ knowledge of all Lexus models and their accessories is just a waste of gray matter.

archetype (ARE-ke-type), noun

A prototypical example; a recurrent theme or pattern; an original model that is widely imitated. Boys never played with dolls until G.I. Joe became the _ of the "action figure."

argosy (are-guh-SEE), noun

A rich, seemingly endless, supply. The deceased hermit's home turned out to be an _ of Cuban cigars, Swiss timepieces, and historical erotica.

artifice (ARE-ti-fis), noun

The use of clever strategies and cunning methods to fool or best others and tip an outcome in your favor. ascetic (uh-SET-ik), noun

ascetic (uh-SET-ik), noun

A person who deliberately chooses to live a plain and simple life; characterized by lack of material possessions and strong self-discipline in all matters of behavior. When Steve Jobs started Apple, a magazine profile portrayed him as an _, noting that he had no furniture in his apartment.

asperity (a-SPARE-ih-tee), noun

Something hard to endure. Sorry, I can't handle the _ of a ballet. Could we watch football instead?

assiduously (ah-SID-you-us-lee), adverb

Diligent and persistent, especially in an effort to help others, achieve a goal, or deliver on one's promises. David worked _ to complete his first novel, writing for three hours a night after work and dinner.

assuage (ah-SWAYJ), verb

To put someone at ease; to comfort or soothe; to erase doubts and fears. "But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to _ and lend an azure tint to them." - Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist

asunder (ah-SUN-derr), adjective

A whole that has been split into parts; a union that has been eliminated, leaving the people or things once joined now separate. His marriage torn _, Mike decided to quit his job, move to Tangiers, and become a year- round beach bum.

asynchronous (aye-SINK-crow-nuss), adjective

Acting or functioning with no regularity or discernible time schedule. Maggie's _ habits drive her friends crazy because they can never make advance plans with her.

augur (AW-ger), verb

To predict or foretell the future. The three witches of Shakespeare's Macbeth _ the cataclysmic fate of the play's titular character.

auspicious (awe-SPIH-shus), adjective

A good beginning giving rise to the belief that the venture, journey, or activity will end in success. The blind date did not have an _ start because Max kept calling his friend's cousin "Mallory" instead of "Mary."

austere (aw-STEER), adjective

Stern; grim and lacking humor or warmth; clean and unornamented; severe or strict in manner. In the movie Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams clashes with an _ headmaster at a private boy's school.

autodidact (AW-toe-dih-dakt), noun

A self-educated person. In the twentieth century, the library was the university of the _; in the twenty-first century, it is the Internet.

autonomy (aw-THAN-ah-mee), noun

Maintaining independent thought and action; free; self-governing; without dependence on, or under control of, a higher authority. Herb claims he wants _, but he goes absolutely nuts whenever his boss gives him unstructured assignments.

avant-garde (AH-vant-GARD), noun, adjective

New and experimental; especially referring to art, writing, architecture, and music. "_ art jousts with propriety, but takes care never to unseat." - Mason Cooley,

avarice (AH-ver-iss), noun

The insatiable desire to have a lot of money, greed. "What you call _," Mary said, "I just call getting my share."

aver (uh-VER), verb

To assert the truthfulness of a statement. avuncular (a-VUN-cue-lar), adjective

avuncular (a-VUN-cue-lar), adjective

Kind, genial, benevolent, like an uncle. Myron's AVUNCULAR personality makes women think of him as a friend, not as a lover.

axiom (AKS-e-um), noun

A truth or fact that is seen as self-evident, leaving no room for question or debate. Much to the chagrin of his creditors, Max adopted the AXIOM of those who have amassed great wealth: "Pay yourself first."

bacchanal (bah-kan-AL), noun

A wild celebration; a party at which the partygoers are loud and out of control, often fueled by excess alcohol consumption. The initiation ceremony at the fraternity turned into a full-blown BACCHANAL requiring the intervention of the campus police to restore order.

badinage (BAH-dih-nadge), noun

Light, good-natured, even playful banter. "If you don't care for me, you can move out now. I'm frankly not up to BADINAGE." - Harlan Ellison, American author

bailiwick (BALE-ee-wick), noun

A person's specific area of expertise, experience, skill, knowledge, education, or authority. Foreign language is not my BAILIWICK, I soon realized after failing out of Hebrew School.

basilisk (BAH-sill-isk), noun

A mythical reptile with a lethal stare or breath. With poisonous saliva that can kill a man with one bite, the Komodo Dragon is truly a modern- day BASILISK.

bastion (BAS-tee-uhn), noun

An institution, individual, or something else protecting or preserving a particular way of life, society, set of beliefs, or moral code. Cliff, a Yale BASTION, continuously quibbles with Irene, who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard.

bathos (BAY-thoss), noun

A sudden change in mood from the solemn and serious to a more light-hearted, relaxed, and humorous outlook. When the clock ticked at midnight on December 31, 1999, and we moved into the new century without the computers shutting down, the grim look and worried faces disappeared, and the IT department was suddenly enveloped in a feeling of BATHOS.

beatitude (bee-AT-it-tood), noun

Being in the highest possible state of happiness, good humor, and contentment. "Kindness is a virtue neither modern nor urban. One almost unlearns it in a city. Towns have their own BEATITUDE; they are not unfriendly; they offer a vast and solacing anonymity or an equally vast and solacing gregariousness." - Phyllis McGinley, American author and poet

beguiling (bee-GUY-ling), adjective

Charming; bewitching; enchanting. The BEGUILING charm Monica learned at finishing school more than makes up for her vapid personality.

beleaguer (beh-LEE-gir), verb

To persistently surround, harass, or pester until you get what you want. To the embarrassment of her friends, Kristen BELEAGUERED the sommelier until he brought her a satisfactory Bordeaux.

belie (bee-LYE), verb

To contradict or misrepresent. Luther's

belles lettres (BELL-LET-truh), noun

Novels, short stories, poems, and other writings read for their grace and literary style and not necessarily their content. bellicose (BELL-ih-kose), adjective

bellicose (BELL-ih-kose), adjective

Belligerent, surly, ready to argue or fight at the slightest provocation. Doug is so touchy about his new Jaguar that he'll instantly grow BELLICOSE if you so much as brush against it.

bellwether (BELL-weather), noun

A leading indicator or factor in determining a course of action or outcome. The fact that Robert got thrown out of Groton and Exeter was a BELLWETHER for his lackadaisical years at Dartmouth.

beneficent (be-NE-fih-sent), adjective

Kindly in action, purpose, or speech. In a BENEFICENT gesture, the neighborhood raised $10,000 to help pay for the young boy's leukemia treatments.

benighted (bee-NYE-ted), adjective

To be lost, ignorant, or unenlightened. The Medieval period was a BENIGHTED era of superstition.

benign (beh-NINE), adjective

Kindly, gentle, generous of spirit, not harmful. We thought Amanda BENIGN until she began to inflate her family pedigree.

bereaved (beh-REEVD), adjective

To be in a state of grief as the result of the death of someone you love or care deeply about. bereft (Beh-REFT), adjective

bereft (Beh-REFT), adjective

Lacking a certain characteristic, possession, or trait; isolated and lonely. "A woman moved is like a fountain troubled. / Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, BEREFT of beauty, / And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty / Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it." - William Shakespeare

besotted (bih-SOTT-ed), adjective

Made foolish, stupid, or dull due to an infatuation with love, money, the pursuit of power, etc. Aline thinks Jake is BESOTTED with her, but he's really BESOTTED with her father's stock portfolio.

bespoke (bih-SPOHK), adjective

Clothes, shoes, and other goods custom-made for a particular client. Taylor's big secret is that though he wears BESPOKE clothing, he's only leasing his new Lexus.

bête noire (Bett-NWAR), noun

A thing for which one has an intense dislike or great fear; a dreaded enemy or foe. Sunlight was Dracula's greatest BÊTE NOIRE.

betoken (bee-TOE-ken), verb

To serve as a warning. For Mary and Paul, the breakdown of their new Porsche while they were still two hours away from their summer home BETOKENED a disastrous vacation.

bibelot (BIB-low), noun

A small object of beauty or rarity. The Rossington's collection of BIBELOTS contains numerous Faberge eggs.

bibliomania (bib-lee-oh-MAY-nee-uh), noun

A preoccupation with the acquisition and ownership of books. Lauren's BIBLIOMANIA extends only to her stockpile of catalogues for exclusive shops.

bibulous (BIB-yuh-luss), adjective

Related to drinking or to drunkenness. Arthur thinks he's "fine," but his BIBULOUS activities are causing the club to consider permanent expulsion.

bicameral (by-KAM-er-el), adjective

A government or parliament with two chambers or houses. With a Senate and a House of Representatives, the United States has a BICAMERAL legislature.

bifurcate (BYE-fur-kate), verb

To divide something into two branches or forks. "François Truffaut defined a great movie as a perfect blend of truth and spectacle. Now it's become BIFURCATED. Studio films are all spectacle and no truth, and independent films are all truth and no spectacle." - Howard Franklin, American screenwriter and director

bilateral (by-LAT-ur-ul), adjective

Touching, existing on, or having or being agreed to by two sides. The president signed a BILATERAL disarmament agreement with the nation bordering to the north.

bildungsroman (BILL-dungs-roh-man), noun

A coming-of-age novel, such as The Catcher in the Rye or A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Alex has started writing a BILDUNGSROMAN about his experiences in prep school.

bilious (BILL-yuss), adjective

Having a nasty temperament or disagreeable disposition; to be "full of bile" and hatred. The polo team's BILIOUS captain made his team miserable as he proceeded to criticize their every move.

billet (BILL-uht), noun

A job, position, or appointment. With his wealthy father's influence, Miles was able to secure a lucrative BILLET in a major brokerage house.

blandishments (BLAN-dish-ments), noun

Compliments rendered primarily to influence and gain favor with the person you are praising. The BLANDISHMENTS heaped upon the consultant by his client were not sufficient to persuade him to take a staff position with them.