SAT Vocabulary: The 1000 Most Common SAT Words

A summary list of vocabulary words, definitions, and parts of speech based on the 1000 Most Common SAT Words glossary.

What is the definition of the word 'abase'?

To humiliate, degrade

What is the definition of 'abate'?

To reduce, lessen

What does the term 'abdicate' mean?

To give up a position, usually one of leadership

What is the meaning of 'abduct'?

To kidnap, take by force

How is 'aberration' defined?

Something that differs from the norm

What is the meaning of the word 'abet'?

To aid, help, encourage

What is the definition of 'abhor'?

To hate, detest

How is 'abject' defined?

Wretched, pitiful

What does it mean to 'abjure'?

To reject, renounce

What is the definition of 'abnegation'?

Denial of comfort to oneself

What does the word 'abridge' mean?

To cut down, shorten

How is 'abrogate' defined?

To abolish, usually by authority

What is the definition of 'abscond'?

To sneak away and hide

What does the term 'absolution' mean?

Freedom from blame, guilt, sin

Definition of 'abstain':

To freely choose not to commit an action

What is the definition of 'abstruse'?

Hard to comprehend

What does it mean to 'accede'?

To agree

What is the definition of 'accentuate'?

To stress, highlight

How is 'acclaim' defined?

High praise

What is the definition of 'accolade'?

High praise, special distinction

Definition of 'accretion':

Slow growth in size or amount

What does the term 'acerbic' mean?

Biting, bitter in tone or taste

How is 'acquiesce' defined?

To agree without protesting

What is the definition of 'acrimony'?

Bitterness, discord

Definition of 'acumen':

Keen insight

What are the two definitions given for 'acute'?

1. sharp, severe; 2. having keen insight

How is 'adamant' defined?

Impervious, immovable, unyielding

What is the definition of 'adept'?

Extremely skilled

What does the term 'admonish' mean?

To caution, criticize, reprove

How is 'adroit' defined?

Skillful, dexterous

What is the definition of 'adulation'?

Extreme praise

Definition of 'adumbrate':

To sketch out in a vague way

What does it mean if conditions are 'adverse'?

Antagonistic, unfavorable, dangerous

Definition of 'affable':

Friendly, amiable

What is the definition of 'affinity'?

A spontaneous feeling of closeness

How is 'aggrandize' defined?

To increase or make greater

Definition of 'alacrity':

Eagerness, speed

What does it mean to 'allay'?

To soothe, ease

What is the definition of 'ameliorate'?

To improve

How is 'amenable' defined?

Willing, compliant

What does the word 'anachronistic' mean?

Being out of correct chronological order

Definition of 'analgesic':

Something that reduces pain

What is an 'anathema'?

A cursed, detested person

What is the definition of 'antediluvian'?

Ancient

Definition of 'antithesis':

The absolute opposite

What does 'apocryphal' mean?

Fictitious, false, wrong

How is 'approbation' defined?

Praise

What is the definition of 'arable'?

Suitable for growing crops

Definition of 'arcane':

Obscure, secret, known only by a few

What does 'ascetic' mean?

Practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious

Definition of 'assiduous':

Hard-working, diligent

How is 'assuage' defined?

To ease, pacify

Definition of 'atrophy':

To wither away, decay

What does the term 'audacious' mean?

Excessively bold

How is 'avarice' defined?

Excessive greed

What is the definition of 'banal'?

Dull, commonplace

Definition of 'beguile':

To trick, deceive

How is 'benevolent' defined?

Marked by goodness or doing good

What is the definition of 'bombastic'?

Excessively confident, pompous

How is 'brusque' defined?

Short, abrupt, dismissive

Definition of 'calumny':

An attempt to spoil someone else’s reputation by spreading lies

What does it mean to be 'capricious'?

Subject to whim, fickle

Definition of 'clandestine':

Secret

How is 'cogent' defined?

Intellectually convincing

What is the definition of 'compunction'?

Distress caused by feeling guilty

What does the word 'contemporaneous' mean?

Existing during the same time

Definition of 'contrite':

Penitent, eager to be forgiven

What is the meaning of 'cupidity'?

Greed, strong desire

How is 'debacle' defined?

A disastrous failure, disruption

Definition of 'deleterious':

Harmful

What is a 'demagogue'?

A leader who appeals to a people’s prejudices

How is 'diaphanous' defined?

Light, airy, transparent

What does 'didactic' mean?

Intended to instruct; or overly moralistic

Definition of 'ebullient':

Extremely lively, enthusiastic

What does the term 'egregious' mean?

Extremely bad

How is 'elucidate' defined?

To clarify, explain

Definition of 'enervate':

To weaken, exhaust

What is the definition of 'ephemeral'?

Short-lived, fleeting

What does 'equivocal' mean?

Ambiguous, uncertain, undecided

How is 'esoteric' defined?

Understood by only a select few

Definition of 'exacerbate':

To make more violent, intense

What does it mean to 'exonerate'?

To free from guilt or blame, exculpate

Definition of 'expunge':

To obliterate, eradicate

How is 'fastidious' defined?

Meticulous, demanding, having high and often unattainable standards

Definition of 'garrulous':

Talkative, wordy

What is the definition of 'gregarious'?

Drawn to the company of others, sociable

How is 'hegemony' defined?

Domination over others

Definition of 'impecunious':

Poor

What does it mean for something to be 'impervious'?

Impenetrable, incapable of being affected

Definition of 'inchoate':

Unformed or formless, in a beginning stage

Definition of 'indefatigable':

Incapable of defeat, failure, decay

Definition of 'insidious':

Appealing but imperceptibly harmful, seductive

What does 'intransigent' mean?

Refusing to compromise, often on an extreme opinion

Definition of 'juxtaposition':

The act of placing two things next to each other for implicit comparison

What is the meaning of 'laconic'?

Terse in speech or writing

How is 'mendacious' defined?

Having a lying, false character

Definition of 'mercurial':

Characterized by rapid change or temperamentality

What is the definition of 'nadir'?

The lowest point of something

Definition of 'nefarious':

Heinously villainous

Definition of 'obdurate':

Unyielding to persuasion or moral influences