AP Lang Vocabulary: Parts of Speech and Definitions

Mercurial

Someone who has sudden or unpredictable changes in mood.

Braggadocious

Arrogant or boastful behavior.

Harbinger

Someone or something that signals or announces something else.

Censure

Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.

Omission

Something left out or excluded, like the truth.

Recalcitrant

Someone who is stubbornly uncooperative with authority or discipline.

Pernicious

Something that is harmful in a subtle or gradual way.

Stalwart

Someone who is very loyal or reliable.

Myriad

of an indefinitely great number; innumerable.

Ephemeral

Short-lived or not long lasting.

Affable

Someone who is friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.

Surfeit

An excess of something

Agile

able to move quickly and easily

Ply

Work with (a tool, especially one requiring steady, rhythmic movements

Flout

Openly disregard (a rule, law or convention)

Flaunt

To show off

Upbraid

(v.) to blame, scold, find fault with

Sisphean

Requiring endless effort; without result or success

Purloin

To steal in a sneaky and stealthy way

Ergonomics

The study of people's efficiency in their working environment

Penury

Extreme state of poverty

Invigorate

To give strength and energy to

Daunting

Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating

Reassurance

The action of removing someone's doubts or fears

Hysteria

Exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement

Jocular

Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful

Providential

Occurring at a favorable time

Stagnant

Something that has no activity, movement, or growth

Cohabitate

To live or exist together or in company

Candid

Truthful and straightforward

Expound

Present and explain in detail

Baffle

To be bewildered or confused

Insatiable

Impossible to satisfy

Systemic

Relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part

Denounce

Publicly declare to be wrong or evil

Maganimous

Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person

Sympathy

Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Ebb

recedes or decreases

Erstwhile

things that are one-time, former, or of old-times.

Sentient

able to perceive or feel things (complex)

Congenial

pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own

Putative

generally considered or reputed to be

Infiltrate

enter or gain access to

Piteous

deserving or arousing pity

Elucidate

make (something) clear; explain

Indispensable

absolutely necessary

Delirious

in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech.

Rebuke

express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions

Unctuous

excessively flattering or ingratiating

Chagrin

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

Neophyte

a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief

Sinuous

having many curves and turns

Deft

neatly skillful and quick in one's movements

Extort

obtain (something) by force, threats, or other unfair means

Covet

yearn to possess or have (something)

Vehemet

showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense

Decant

gradually pour (liquid, typically wine or a solution) from one container into another, especially without disturbing the sediment

Baleful

threatening harm; menacing

Tribulation

a cause of great trouble or suffering

Obstruct

block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be or get in the way of

Trump

beat (someone or something) by saying or doing something better

Evade

escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery

Regimen

a prescribed course of medical treatment, way of life, or diet for the promotion or restoration of health

Incarcerate

imprison or confine

Demented

behaving wildly and irrationally on account of anger, distress, or excitement; affected with dementia

Evince

reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling)