Vocabulary List with Definitions

abash

cause to be embarrassed

accolade

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

acme

the highest point of something

affable

diffusing warmth and friendliness

alacrity

liveliness and eagerness

anathema

something that is detested or that inspires dislike

ancillary

furnishing added support

attenuate

become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude

blase

nonchalantly unconcerned

chasm

a deep opening in the earth's surface

cogent

powerfully persuasive

contrite

feeling or expressing pain or sorrow

convivial

occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

corrosive

capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

dearth

an insufficient quantity or number

discerning

having or revealing keen insight and good judgment

disparate

fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind

efface

remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing

effervescent

giving off bubbles

enigma

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

ephemeral

anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day

epicure

a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment

equanimity

steadiness of mind under stress

equitable

fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience

euphemism

an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one

explicate

elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses

fallacious

containing or based on incorrect reasoning

fetter

a shackle for the ankles or feet

harangue

a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion

holistic

emphasizing the organic relation between parts and the whole

idiosyncratic

peculiar to the individual

impregnable

incapable of being attacked or tampered with

incendiary

capable of causing fires or catching fire spontaneously

incisive

demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

intrepid

invulnerable to fear or intimidation

jocular

characterized by jokes and good humor

lethargy

inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy

litigious

of or relating to legal proceedings

malapropism

misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar

malinger

avoid responsibilities and duties, often by faking illness

mellifluous

pleasing to the ear

munificent

very generous

muse

reflect deeply on a subject

negligible

so small as to be meaningless; insignificant

nonchalant

marked by casual unconcern or indifference

nondescript

lacking distinct or individual characteristics

panacea

hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases

paradigm

a standard or typical example

paucity

an insufficient quantity or number

pecuniary

relating to or involving money

penury

a state of extreme poverty or destitution

perfidy

an act of deliberate betrayal

peruse

examine or consider with attention and in detail

philanthropy

the act of donating money or time to promote human welfare

plaintive

expressing sorrow

plethora

extreme excess

portent

a sign of something about to happen

probity

complete and confirmed integrity

prodigious

great in size, force, extent, or degree

ravage

cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly

redolent

having a strong pleasant odor

salutary

tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

sanguine

confidently optimistic and cheerful

strident

unpleasantly loud and harsh

superfluous

more than is needed, desired, or required

tendentious

having a strong bias, especially a controversial one

torpor

a state of motor and mental inactivity

torrid

characterized by intense emotion

untenable

incapable of being defended or justified

urbane

showing a high degree of refinement

venial

warranting only temporal punishment

voracious

devouring or craving food in great quantities