AP Lang Vocab List #1

First side of first handout

Bombastic

Inflated language that has very little meaning

Colloquial

Language that is casual and informal

Connotative

Emotional feeling beyond its fictional definition

Esoteric

Likely to be understood by a small group of people

Euphemistic

Language that dulls down offensive language

Grotesque

Something that looks very strange

Homespun

Either figuratively plain or homemade

Idiomatic

Language in a way that’s natural or relating to an idiom

Insipid

Lacking in flavor or taste

Jargon

Specialized vocabulary for a certain group of people

Moralistic

Judging other peoples behavior and telling them what’s right and wrong

Obtuse

Slow to understand

Pedantic

Overly concerned with minor details

Picturesque

Something visually charming or attractive

Pretentious

Trying to appear more intelligent

Provincial

Showing an unsophisticated viewpoint

Sensuous

Anything that gives pleasure through physical senses

Trite

Idea, phrase, or expression that’s used so often its not new

Amiable

Friendly, pleasant and with a good nature

Amused

Something funny or entertaining

Exuberant

Filled with lively energy, extreme happiness

Fanciful

Something that comes from imagination

Impassioned

Intense feeling and deep emotion

Jovial

Cheerful, friendly and of good nature

Jubilant

Feeling or showing extreme happiness

Reverent

Showing deep respect

Apathetic

Showing or feeling little interest in something

Audacious

Willingness to take surprisingly bold risks

Belligerent

Hostile, aggressive and ready to argue

Brash

Confident in a way that disrupts others

Choleric

Easily angered, hot tempered

Coarse

Something rough, harsh or lacking in refinement

Condemnatory

Expressing strong criticism

Disgruntled

Feeling or showing unhappiness

Facetious

Treating serious issues with inappropriate humor

Haughty

Acting stuck up because you think you’re better than others

Indignant

Showing anger because of something unjust

Quarrelsome

Someone who is prone to arguing

Snooty

Acting superior or snobbish

Surly

Bad-Tempered, rude and unfriendly

Testy

Easily annoyed or irritable

Lethargic

Feeling tired or sluggish

Wrathful

Feeling or showing intense anger