GRE Vocabs J-L

jargon

(n) Specialized language used by a particular profession or group.

jejune

(adj) naive, simplistic, and superficial
(of ideas or writings) dry and uninteresting

jettison

(v) To discard or abandon something that is no longer needed.

jingoism

(n) Extreme patriotism, often favoring aggressive foreign policy.

jocose

(adj) Characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

judicious

(adj) Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.

juggernaut

(n) An overwhelming force or institution that crushes everything in its path.

juvenescence

(n) The state or condition of being young; youthfulness.

juxtapose

(v) To place two or more things side by side to compare or contrast them.

kindle

(v) To ignite or light; to inspire or stimulate an emotion.

kindred

(adj) Having similar qualities or character; related.

kismet

(n) Fate or destiny.

kowtow

(v) To act in an excessively subservient manner.

lachrymose

(adj) Tending to cry or weep; tearful.

lackadaisical

(adj) Lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy.

laconic

(adj) Using very few words; concise or terse.

lampoon

(v) To publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule or satire.

languid

(adj) Weak or faint from illness or fatigue; lacking energy.

largess

(n) Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.

lassitude

(n) A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.

latent

(adj) Existing but not yet developed or manifested; hidden.

laudable

(adj) Deserving praise and commendation.

lax

(adj) Not strict or severe; careless.

legerdemain

(n) Skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks.

lenient

(adj) Not strict or harsh in discipline or judgment.

levity

(n) Humor or frivolity (lack of seriousness; lightheartedness), especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor.

licentious

(adj) Exhibiting sexual immorality; lacking legal or moral restraints.

lionized

(v) To give a lot of public attention and approval to someone.

listless

(adj) Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

logorrhea

(n) Excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness.

loquacious

(adj) Very talkative; tending to engage in conversation.

lovelorn

(adj) In love but not loved in return; unrequited love.

lucid

(adj) Clear and easily understood; expressed in a way that is understandable.

lucre

(n) Money or profits, especially when regarded as distasteful or gained in a dishonorable way.

ludicrous

(adj) So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing.

lugubrious

(adj) Looking or sounding sad and dismal.

lumber

(v) To move in a slow, heavy, awkward way.

luminary

(n) A person who inspires or influences others; a guiding light.

lurid

(adj) Very vivid in color, creating an unpleasantly harsh effect;

(of a description) presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms, especially giving explicit details of crimes or sexual matters