English 1

aberration (n)

a deviation, an abnormality

abstinence (n)

the giving up of pleasures, sobriety

abstract (adj)

conceptual, theoretical, not concrete

acquiesce (v)

to accept, to give in

admonish (v)

to warn, to scold, to reprimand

advocate (v)

to encourage, to endorse, to support

aesthetic (adj)

artistic, appreciative of art and beauty

affinity (n)

a natural connection, an attraction

alienate (v)

to estrange, to turn someone off

aloof (adj)

detached, withdrawn, uninvolved

altruistic (adj)

charitable, concerned for others

ambiguous (adj)

unclear, confusing, having several interpretations

ambivalent (adj)

unsure, undecided, uncertain

ameliorate (v)

to improve, to make better

analogous (adj)

similar to, comparable to

animosity (n)

hostility, ill will, dislike

anonymity (n)

being nameless, being unknown

antithesis (n)

the complete opposite

arduous (adj)

physically taxing, strenuous

articulate (adj)

able to speak well, eloquent

assuage (v)

to relieve, to calm, to soothe

atrophy (v)

to degenerate, to waste away

austere (adj)

bleak, stern, strict, grim

authoritarian (adj)

domineering, dictatorial

autonomy (n)

independence

aversion (n)

a dislike

blithe (adj)

happy, cheerful

bombastic (adj)

overblown, pompous, high-sounding

cajole (v)

to coax, to persuade by flattering

callous (adj)

cold-hearted, insensitive

capitulate (v)

to give in

capricious (adj)

fickle, whimsical

carping (n)

complaining, whining

caustic (adj)

stinging, harsh

censure (v)

to blame

chastise (v)

to criticize

chimerical (adj)

impractical

chronic (adj)

long-lasting, constant

circumspect (adj)

cautious, careful, suspicious

clandestine (adj)

concealed

clemency (n)

mercy

coalesce (v)

to join together

colloquial (adj)

conversational

commiserate (v)

to feel compassion for

conciliatory (adj)

soothing

condone (v)

to forgive, to overlook

conspicuous (adj)

obvious

copious (adj)

plentiful

corroborate (v)

to confirm, to verify

crass (adj)

crude, ignorant