Advanced Vocabulary: Definitions for Academic and Test Preparation

Provident

Thrifty; economical; saving or providing for future needs.

Impute

To attribute or charge with a fault or misconduct; assign blame.

Astute

Shrewd, clever, perceptive, keenly aware.

Neophyte

A beginner; a new convert or member.

Enigma

A mystery, puzzle, or something hard to understand.

Credence

Belief or acceptance (often used as "lend credence to").

Venerate

To deeply respect or revere.

Garrulous

Excessively talkative in a rambling or annoying way.

Trenchant

Keen, sharp, effective, to the point.

Autonomous

Independent; self-governing.

Panacea

A cure-all; universal remedy.

Ephemeral

Short-lived; fleeting.

Onerous

Burdensome; difficult to endure.

Laity

Nonprofessionals; ordinary people not in a specialized field.

Pungent

Sharp, biting, or caustic.

Prosaic

Dull; ordinary; unimaginative.

Charlatan

A fake or fraud; someone pretending to have knowledge or skill.

Perfunctory

Mechanical, routine, done without enthusiasm.

Morass

A swamp—or a confusing, troublesome situation.

Sophistry

Deceptive reasoning or misleading argument.

Prolific

Productive; fertile; fruitful.

Mundane

Earthly; worldly; material (not spiritual).

Myriad

Countless; innumerable.

Dissident

One who disagrees; a nonconformist.

Laudable

Praiseworthy; commendable.

Inimitable

Impossible to imitate; unique.

Jaded

Worn out from overwork or overindulgence.

Myopic

Short-sighted; lacking foresight.

Demonstrable

Able to be proved or demonstrated.

Callow

Immature, inexperienced, naive.

Acquiesce

To agree without protest; give in quietly.

Pontificate

To speak pompously or arrogantly.

Deleterious

Harmful; injurious; damaging.

Ambivalent

Uncertain; having conflicting feelings.

Pensive

Thoughtful in a dreamy or melancholy way.

Impromptu

Unprepared; done on the spur of the moment.

Conjecture

To guess based on limited evidence.

Surreptitious

Secret; stealthy; done to avoid notice.

Exemplary

Praiseworthy; serving as a model.

Impeccable

Perfect; faultless.

Attest

To confirm as true; certify.

Copious

Abundant; plentiful.

Fallacious

False; misleading; based on a fallacy.

Stoic

Showing no emotion; enduring pain without complaint.

Recrimination

A counteraccusation.

Affinity

A connection, similarity, or strong likeness.

Volatile

Unstable; likely to change quickly.

Squalid

Dirty, wretched, neglected.

Expedite

To speed up or make more efficient.

Abject

Low, wretched, degrading; lacking self-respect.

Voluble

Talkative; flowing with words.

Commiserate

To sympathize or express sorrow.

Dilemma

A situation with two undesirable choices.

Transitory

Temporary; short-lived.

Philanthropic

Charitable; motivated to help others.

Lethargy

Lack of energy; sluggishness; dullness.

Exonerate

To free from blame; declare innocent.

Pugnacious

Combative; ready to fight.

Contrition

Deep remorse or sorrow for wrongdoing.

Abrogate

To abolish by authority; repeal.