Americanah Vocab

Vocab test on: November 3 - 20/40 words will be on the vocab

Ardent

Very passionate or enthusiastic

Apocryphal

Likely not true, but widely believed

Assuage

To make a bad feeling less strong or easier to handle

Austere

Simple, serious, or strict in appearance or behavior

Augury

A sign or prediction of the future

Bereft

Feeling empty or lost, especially after losing something important

Detritus

Bits and pieces of waste or debris from something broken down

Dirge

A sad song or poem, usually for a funeral

Ephemeral

Lasting for only a short time

Ennui

A feeling of boredom or dissatisfaction

Enigmatic

Mysterious or hard to understand

Effusive

Very emotional or happy, showing lots of feelings

Flippant

Not serious or respectful

Fervid

Intense enthusiasm

Fastidious

Very careful about details; hard to please

Garrulous

Talkative, often about unimportant things

Glib

Speaking smoothly but in a way that seems insincere or shallow

Ingratiating

Trying hard to make someone like you

Irreverent

Not respectful, especially toward things that are usually taken seriously

Languorous

Feeling lazy, tired, or dreamy

Lethargic

Feeling sluggish or very tired, lacking energy

Mercurial

Changing moods or behavior quickly

Mollify

Joybait

To calm someone down or make them less angry

Moniker

A name or nickname

Mundane

Boring or ordinary, not exciting

Ostentatious

Showy or designed to impress others

Obsequious

Acting too eager to please or obey someone

Pastoral

Relating to the peaceful countryside

Perfunctory

Done without much effort or interest, just to get it over with

Pugnacious

Ready to fight or argue

Pontificate

To speak in a way that seems pompous or self-important

Placate

To make someone feel better or calm them

Poignant

Causing a strong, often sad, emotional reaction

Recalcitrant

Stubborn, refusing to follow rules or orders

Sycophant

A person who flatters or agrees with someone to get something from them

Sinewy

Strong and muscular

Vapid

Dull or boring; lacking interest

Cajole

To persuade someone with gentle flattery or promises

Askance

Looking at someone or something with doubt or suspicion

Garrulous

Talkative, often about unimportant things