December '23 Vocab Olympics Word List

Ineffable

Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words (adj)

Piety

A devout act, thought, or statement (noun)

Resolute

Firm or determined; unwavering (adj)

Ardent

Displaying or characterized by strong enthusiasm or devotion; fervent (adj)

Seminal

Highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development (adj)

Indolent

Disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy (adj)

Enjoin

To require or impose (an action or behavior, for example) with authority and emphasis; prescribe (verb)

Zealous

Filled with or showing zeal; marked by passionate support for a person, cause, or ideal (adj)

Adroit

Quick and skillful in body or mind; deft (adj)

Ebullient

Cheerful and full of energy (adj)

Rapport

Relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity (noun)

Denouement

The events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place (noun)

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region (noun)

Hubris

Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance (noun)

Prosaic

Matter-of-fact; straightforward (adj)

Desultory

Marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose (adj)

Aplomb

Self-confident assurance; poise (noun)

Inveterate

Firmly and long established; deep-rooted (adj)

Supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others (adj)

Veracity

Adherence to the truth; truthfulness (noun)

Compunction

A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt (noun)

Propinquity

The state of being close to someone or something; proximity (noun)

Trenchant

Vigorous or incisive in expression or style (adj)

Insipid

Lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge; dull (adj)

Maudlin

Effusively sad or full of self-pity; extremely sentimental (adj)

Phlegmatic

Having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional or apathetic (adj)

Glib

Showing little forethought or preparation; offhand (adj)

Lassitude

A state or feeling of weariness, diminished energy, or listlessness (noun)

Eschew

Deliberately avoid using; abstain from (verb)

Altruistic

Having or showing an unselfish concern for the welfare of others (adj)