AP Lang Vocabulary: Quarters 1 and 2

Complete vocabulary list for AP Lang Quarters 1 and 2, covering definitions and parts of speech for cumulative review.

acquiescence (n)

acceptance of something without protesting

ambiguity (n)

more than one interpretation, inexact

apathy (n)

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

bane (n)

cause of distress or annoyance

bourgeois (adj)

middle class in reference to materialistic values or conventional attitudes

cognizant (adj)

being aware of, having knowledge

coherent (adj)

logical and consistent, clear, logical, forming a whole

concede (v)

admit something is true or valid, surrender or yield

consecrate (v)

make or declare something sacred, formally dedicate to a divine purpose

contextualize (v)

place in the circumstance of the idea to fully understand or investigate

convoluted (adj)

complex, difficult to follow, twisted

decorous (adj)

keeping with good taste, polite and restrained

deprecate (v)

express disapproval of, belittle

didactic (adj)

intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction

dogmatic (adj)

asserting opinions, arrogant, opinionated

egregious (adj)

extremely bad, shocking, appalling

emphatic (adj)

showing, giving, or expressing something with emphasis, forcibly, or clearly

equivocate (v)

use ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing

exigency (n)

the urgent need or demand

fickle (adj)

changing loyalties, interests, or affection frequently

glibly (adv)

thoughtlessly or superficially, insincere

ideology (n)

system of ideas, usually based on economic or political theory and policy

imperialism (n)

extending a country's power and influence through military force

innocuous (adj)

not harmful or offensive

irreverent (adj)

showing a lack of respect for people or things generally taken seriously

judicious (adj)

done with good judgment or good sense

mendacious (adj)

dishonesty, not telling the truth

nuance (n)

subtle difference in meaning, expression, shade or sound

objectivity (n)

accomplishing the goal without biasness, removing personal feelings

ornate (adj)

embellished with rhetoric, excessively intricate, complex patterns decorations

pedantic (adj)

overly concerned with unimportant details or rules, especially academically

pernicious (adj)

having a slow, gradual, subtle harmful effect

perpetual (adj)

never ending or changing, endless, uninterrupted

postulate (v)

to ask, demand, claim or assume without proof, to theorize

pragmatic (adj)

dealing with things realistically, sensibly, and practically

precarious (adj)

not secure, likely to fall or collapse, dependent on change, uncertain

proliferate (v)

increase rapidly in numbers, to quickly multiply

propensity (n)

a natural tendency to behave in a particular way

rhetoric (n)

effective or persuasive speaking or writing

sardonic (adj)

mocking, cynical, satirical, insulting

scrupulous (adj)

diligent, thorough, extremely attentive to details, meticulous

subjectivity (n)

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions

substantiate (v)

provide evidence to support or prove the truth of

subversive (adj)

seeking to overthrow or destroy an established system or institution

ubiquitous (adj)

present, appearing or found everywhere

accost (v)

approach someone boldly or aggressively

acumen (n)

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, keen insight

ambivalent (adj)

having mixed feeling about someone or something

analogous (adj)

corresponding, similar in some way, comparable

austere (adj)

uncompromising, strict, without luxury, severe in manner or appearance

banal (adj)

devoid of freshness or originality, bland, mundane

bemuse (v)

to confuse, to bewilder

bureaucracy (n)

system of government where most decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives

cajole (v)

to persuade by flattery or promises

capricious (adj)

unpredictable change, erratic, fickle, volatile

catharsis (n)

releasing or cleansing of emotions, especially through arts or music

contemporaneous (adj)

occurring during the same period of time, coexistent, simultaneous

convivial (adj)

friendly, agreeable, cheerful, jovial

decry (v)

to speak in a belittling or insulting way, publicly denounce

deleterious (adj)

harmful, destructive, hurtful

diminutive (adj)

small, little, tiny

ebullient (adj)

overflowing with enthusiasm, excitement, high-spirited

empirical (adj)

derived by direct experience, rather than abstract principles or theory

erudite (adj)

having or showing great knowledge or learning, scholarly

fastidious (adj)

attentive to and concerned about accuracy and details

fatalism (n)

acceptance of all things and events as inevitable or predetermined

flout (v)

to disregard or disobey openly

gregarious (adj)

sociable, fond of company, friendly

homage (n)

special honor or respect shown publicly