hard vocab words

savoir vivre

A familiarity and ease with polite society.

savoir faire

The skill of saying and doing just the right thing in social situations.

poltergeist

A ghost that supposedly causes noisy disturbances in the environment.

zeitgeist

The mood of a particular time period as captured by ideas and culture.

schadenfreude

Delight taken in another’s misfortune.

bildungsroman

A coming-of-age story.

burlesque

An exaggerated imitation of something, typically in a dramatic work.

pastiche

A mixture of elements that typically don’t go together.

archipelago

A cluster of islands.

salvo

A simultaneous discharge of guns, often used figuratively to mean a verbal attack.

imbroglio

A complicated (and embarrassing) situation or mess.

littoral

Located along the shoreline.

manifesto

A document describing the aims of a group or organization.

ruffian

A person inclined to violence and criminal behavior.

dilettante

Someone who develops an interest in an area of art or music without being a true expert.

cognoscenti

Those who are well versed in a particular subject.

karma

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the determination of one’s fate by one’s actions.

mantra

An oft-repeated phrase or slogan.

avatar

The embodiment of a certain idea in a person.

pariah

An outcast.

wanderlust

A strong and constant desire to travel.

cosmopolitan

Comfortable and familiar with many different cultures.

insular

Closed off from the rest of the world, unfamiliar with other cultures.

provincial

Narrow-minded, unexposed to different cultures or ideas.

jaunt

A journey taken for pleasure.

parochial

Having a narrow or limited perspective.

junket

An extravagant trip, usually funded by the government or some other entity.

sedulous

Hardworking and attentive.

restive

Restless, agitated.

peruse

To read carefully.

punctilious

Extremely careful about details, to the point of being fussy.

equivocate

To be intentionally vague and misleading.

predicament

A difficult situation that isn’t easy to escape.

prepossessing

Attractive and charming.

gratuitous

Unwarranted or uncalled for, given the situation.

intemperate

Given to excess, typically with regard to drinking alcohol.

burnish

To make shiny.

quiescent

Describing a state or period of inactivity.

redress

To make right or correct some wrongdoing.

remiss

Negligent, derelict, lackadaisical, or neglectful.

preeminent

The best of its kind.

mannerism

A way of speaking or behaving that is specific to an individual.

placid

plasəd

Tranquil

Calm

rambunctious

Out of control and overly excited.

susurrus

A whispering or rustling sound.

murmur

To say very softly, almost indiscernibly.

raucous

Loud and unruly.

hubbub

The loud noise caused by a crowd.

obstreperous

Very noisy and out of control.

prudent.

Careful and thoughtful

wary

Cautious and alert.

impetuous

Acting without forethought, reckless.

heedless

Reckless.

chary

Careful and cautious.

rash

Acting without thinking.

reticent

Tight-lipped, not offering one’s thoughts freely.

garrulous

Speaking more than necessary, chatty.

verbose

Using more words than necessary.

taciturn

Quiet and reserved, brooding.

mince

To not speak directly for fear of offending.

hedge

To not commit oneself fully verbally.

loquacious

(Talkative, long-winded.

palaver

Idle chatter.