Asvab Vocabulary

Aberrant

This means something that is very different from what is normal or expected.

Abet

To help someone do something wrong or bad.

Ablution

This is when you wash or clean yourself, like taking a bath.

Abscond

To sneak away quickly and secretly, often to escape.

Abstemious

This means not eating or drinking too much; being careful about what you consume.

Acrid

A strong, sharp smell that can be unpleasant, like burnt food.

Adage

A wise saying that has been around for a long time.

Admonition

A gentle warning or advice about something you should be careful about.

Affable

This means someone is friendly and easy to talk to.

Aggrandize

To make something seem bigger or more important than it really is.

Agog

Feeling very excited and eager about something.

Alacrity

Being very happy and willing to do something quickly.

Alleviate

To make something less painful or easier to bear.

Aloof

Not wanting to be close to others; keeping a distance.

Amalgamate

To mix different things together to form one whole.

Ambidextrous

Being able to use both hands equally well.

Anathema

Something that is strongly disliked or forbidden.

Animadversion

A comment that criticizes someone or something.

Apostate

Someone who has abandoned their beliefs or principles.

Apparition

A ghost or a spirit that appears suddenly.

Appease

To calm someone down by satisfying their needs or wants.

Arboreal

Related to trees; living in trees.

Avarice

An extreme desire to have a lot of money or possessions.

Banal

Something that is very boring and not interesting at all.

Benevolence

Being kind and wanting to do good things for others.

Berate

To scold someone very angrily.

Blandishment

Flattery or kind words meant to persuade someone to do something.

Boisterous

Being noisy and full of energy; very lively.

Brittle

Something that is very fragile and can break easily.

Cajole

To persuade someone to do something by being nice or flattering.

Candid

Being honest and straightforward; telling the truth.

Capitulate

To give up or surrender.

Chagrin

Feeling sad or embarrassed because of failure or disappointment.

constrict

to bind; like when you squeeze a toy.

consummate

to bring to completion; like finishing a puzzle.

contiguous

touching or joining at the edge; like two friends holding hands.

contrite

broken in spirit because of a sense of sin; feeling really sorry for doing something wrong.

contumacious

rebellious; like a kid not listening to their parents.

copious

plenteous; having a lot of something, like a big pile of toys.

cornucopia

the horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity; like a basket full of yummy fruits.

corporeal

of a material nature; physical; something you can touch, like a teddy bear.

correlate

to put in some relation of connection; like how rain and umbrellas go together.

corroboration

confirmation; like when your friend says you did a good job.

counterfeit

made to resemble something else; like a fake dollar bill.

countervail

to offset; like using a blanket to keep warm.

covert

concealed, especially for an evil purpose; like hiding a surprise gift.

cower

to crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame; like when a dog hides during a storm.

crass

coarse or thick in nature; like a rough rock.

credulous

easily deceived; like believing a tall tale.

cupidity

avarice; wanting too much stuff, like a kid who wants all the toys.

cursory

rapid and superficial; like a quick glance at a book.

curtail

to cut off or cut short; like stopping a story before it's finished.

cynosure

that to which general interest or attention is directed; like a shiny star everyone looks at.

dearth

scarcity; like when there are no cookies left.

defer

to delay or put off; like waiting to play until after dinner.

deign

to deem worthy of notice; like when a teacher acknowledges a student's answer.

deleterious

hurtful, morally or physically; like eating too much candy.

delineate

to represent by sketch or diagram; like drawing a picture.

deluge

to overwhelm with a flood of water; like a big rainstorm.

demagogue

an unprincipled politician; like a leader who tricks people.

denizen

inhabitant; like a person who lives in a town.

denouement

that part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up; like the ending of a movie.

deplete

to reduce or lessen; like using up all your crayons.

deposition

testimony legally taken on interrogatories; like telling your side of the story.

Fervor

A strong feeling or passion, like when you really love something.

Fidelity

Being loyal, like a dog that always stays by your side.

Finesse

Using clever tricks to get what you want, like being sneaky in a game.

Flamboyant

Very colorful and showy, like a bright peacock.

Flippant

Not taking things seriously, like joking when you should be quiet.

Florid

Having a red color, like a flushed face when you're embarrassed.

Flout

To ignore rules, like when you don't listen to your teacher.

Foible

A small weakness, like when you can't resist cookies.

Forment

To help something grow, like watering a plant.

Foppish

Caring too much about how you look, like a person who always wears fancy clothes.

Forbearance

Being patient, like waiting your turn without getting upset.

Forfeit

To lose something because you didn't follow the rules, like losing a game.

Forgery

Making a fake copy of something, like drawing a fake signature.

Forswear

To promise to give something up, like saying you won't eat candy anymore.

Fragile

Easily broken, like a thin glass cup.

Frantic

Very worried or scared, like when you can't find your favorite toy.

Frugal

Being careful with money, like saving your allowance.

Fugacious

Something that doesn't last long, like a rainbow after the rain.

Fulminate

To explode, like a firecracker going off.

Fulsome

Too much praise, like when someone says you're the best ever, even when you're not.

Gainsay

To say no or disagree, like when you say 'no' to a wrong answer.

Gamut

The whole range of something, like all the colors in a box of crayons.

Garrulous

Talking a lot about little things, like a friend who tells you every detail of their day.

Germane

Relevant or related, like when you talk about your favorite toy in a toy discussion.

Gesticulate

To use your hands while talking, like waving your arms to explain something.

Glimmer

A faint light, like a tiny star twinkling in the sky.

Gossamer

Very light and thin, like a spider's web.

Gourmand

Someone who loves good food, like a person who enjoys trying new dishes.

Grandiloquent

Using big fancy words, like a kid trying to sound smart.

Mettlesome

Having courage or spirit. It's like being brave and ready to face challenges.

Microcosm

The world or universe on a small scale. Think of it as a tiny version of something big.

Mien

The external appearance or manner of a person. It's how someone looks or acts on the outside.

Mischievous

Fond of tricks. It's like being playful and sometimes causing a little trouble.

Miscreant

A villain. This is a bad person who does wrong things.

Miser

A person given to saving and hoarding unduly. It's someone who doesn't want to spend money at all.

Misnomer

A name wrongly or mistakenly applied. It's like calling a cat a dog by mistake.