AP Lang Vocab

Hallow

(adj) regarded as holy or sacred

Ephemeral

(adj) lasting for a short time

Ameliorate

(v) make something better, improve

explicit

(adj) stated clearly, in detail, no confusion

Mores

(n) accept traditional customs, values, behaviors of society

Ribald

(adj) refers to sexual matters in an amusing, coarse, or irrelevant way; vulgar

Occult

(adj) relating to mysterious, supernatural, or hidden

Bombastic

(adj) high sounding with little meaning, inflated

Abate

(v) to become less intense or widespread

Culmination

(n) highest or most decisive point of something especially after a long time

Iniquitous

(adj) grossly unfair and morally wrong

Portentous

(adj) giving a sign or warning that something bad is likely to happen, omnious

Austere

(adj) – severe or strict in manner; plain and without luxury.

Culpable

(adj) – deserving blame for a wrong or harmful act.

Magnanimous

(adj) – generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival.

Penance

(n) – voluntary self-punishment to show repentance for wrongdoing.

Foible

(n) – a minor weakness or flaw in someone’s character.

Hapless

(adj) -unlucky or misfortunate

Vagary

(n)- an unpredictable change or quirk

Rasping

(adj)- harsh, grating in sound

Propensity

(n) – a natural tendency or inclination to behave in a certain way.

Innocuous

(adj) – harmless, not offensive

Cumbrous

(adj) – heavy, clumsy, or difficult to handle.

Harangue

(n)- a lengthy, aggressive speech.

Subterfuge

(n) – deceit used to achieve one’s goal.

Rococo

(adj) – characterized by elaborate ornamentation, intricate detail, and lightness in style, often seen in art, architecture, or design.

Conclave

(n) – a private or secret meeting, often for a specific purpose

Importune

(v) – to beg persistently or urgently; to press with repeated requests.

Vapid

(adj) – lacking liveliness, spirit, or flavor; dull and uninspiring.

Expostulate

(v) – to reason earnestly with someone in an attempt to dissuade or correct them.

Abject

(adj)- extremely bad, unpleasant, or degrading; showing utter hopelessness or humiliation.

Chalice

(n) – a large cup or goblet, often used in religious ceremonies.

Epithet

(n) – a descriptive word or phrase expressing a characteristic or quality, sometimes used as an insult.

Expunge

(v) – to erase, remove, or eliminate completely

Harbinger

(n) – a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; a forerunner

Malevolent

(adj) – having or showing a desire to cause harm; evil or malicious.

Motley

(adj) – varied in appearance or character; made up of diverse elements.

Pensive

(adj) – deeply thoughtful, often in a serious or melancholy way.

Raze

(v) – to completely destroy, demolish, or level to the ground.

Subvert

(v) – to undermine, overthrow, or weaken (often an authority, system, or belief).

Avarice

(n) – extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Brusque

(adj) – abrupt or blunt in speech or manner, sometimes to the point of rudeness.

Concur

(v) – to agree or be of the same opinion.

Cursory

(adj) – hasty and superficial; not thorough or detailed.

Droll

(adj) – amusing in an odd, whimsical, or quirky way.

Inordinate

(adj) – excessive; unusually large or disproportionate.

Rebut

(v) – to argue against, contradict, or prove something false.

Succinct

(adj) – expressed clearly and briefly; concise.

Timorous

(adj) – showing fear, nervousness, or a lack of confidence

Veracity

(n) – truthfulness; conformity to fact or accuracy.