Vocabulary List of Advanced English Words

What does 'sordid' mean?

Involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste.

What is the meaning of 'archaic'?

Very old or old-fashioned; no longer in everyday use.

Define 'interminable'.

Endless or seemingly endless; often used to describe something tedious.

What does 'dissemble' refer to?

To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

What does it mean to be 'disdainful'?

Showing contempt or lack of respect.

What does 'furtive' imply?

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt.

What does 'repudiate' mean?

To refuse to accept or be associated with.

What is the meaning of 'inscrutable'?

Impossible to understand or interpret; enigmatic.

Define 'subtlety'.

The quality of being subtle; a fine or delicate detail.

What does 'multifarious' mean?

Having many varied parts or aspects; diverse.

What does 'heretical' refer to?

Holding beliefs that are contrary to established doctrine.

What does it mean to 'implicate' someone?

To show someone to be involved in a crime or wrongdoing.

What does 'obsolete' mean?

No longer produced or used; out of date.

Define 'vapid'.

Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland.

What does it mean to 'venerate'?

To regard with great respect; to revere.

What does 'proliferate' mean?

To increase rapidly in numbers; to multiply.

What does 'incredulous' imply?

Unwilling or unable to believe something.

What does 'inextricable' mean?

Impossible to disentangle or separate.

Define 'martial'.

Relating to war or the armed forces.

What does 'impregnable' mean?

Unable to be captured or broken into; invulnerable.

What does 'formidable' imply?

Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively powerful.

What is a 'grievance'?

A real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint.

What does 'listless' mean?

Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

Define 'abject'.

Extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading.

What does 'tacitly' mean?

In a way that is understood or implied without being stated.

What does 'strident' imply?

Loud and harsh; grating.

What does 'conspicuous' mean?

Standing out so as to be clearly visible; attracting notice.

What does 'acrid' refer to?

Having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell.

What does it mean to 'subside'?

To become less intense, violent, or severe.

What does 'inviolate' mean?

Free or safe from injury or violation.

Define 'palpable'.

Able to be touched or felt; clear to the mind.

What does 'mutable' mean?

Liable to change; capable of change.

What does 'intermittent' imply?

Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous.

What does 'superfluous' mean?

Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

What does 'beseech' mean?

To ask someone urgently and fervently to do something.

What is a 'remonstrance'?

A forcefully reproachful protest.

What does it mean to 'avert'?

To turn away or prevent something from happening.

Define 'folly'.

Lack of good sense; foolishness.

What does 'equivocal' mean?

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

What is 'catechism'?

A summary of principles, often in question and answer format.

What does it mean to 'deprive'?

To take something away from someone.

What does 'grave' imply?

Serious or solemn; important.

Define 'delirium'.

An acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness.

What does 'lurid' mean?

Presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms.

What does 'feral' refer to?

In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity.

What does 'infallible' mean?

Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.

Define 'profound'.

Very great or intense; having deep meaning.

What does 'surly' mean?

Bad-tempered and unfriendly.

What is a 'respite'?

A short period of rest or relief from something difficult.

What does 'ebb' refer to?

The movement of the tide out to sea; a decline.

What does 'wanton' mean?

Deliberate and unprovoked; sexually immodest or promiscuous.

What does 'penitence' imply?

The action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret.

What does 'evade' mean?

To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness.

What does 'relinquish' mean?

To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; to give up.

Define 'solipsism'.

The philosophical idea that only one's mind is sure to exist.

What is a 'digression'?

A temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

What does 'contemptible' mean?

Deserving contempt; despicable.