Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards with vocabulary terms and their definitions.

Avert

To avoid or prevent (usually something that is about to happen).

Concede

To accept the argument or point of view of another in a reluctant way; to give in.

Demoralizing

Describes a situation in which positive spirit has been replaced with discouragement; causing a loss of morale.

Meager

A small amount; too little of something

Adamant

Unwilling to bend or change; stubborn; unyielding

Reiterate

To say the same thing or idea again.

Self-evident

Clear without further explanation; requiring no further proof

Versatility

The ability to do a variety of things well.

Interject

To put an item or speech in the middle of two others; to insert

Vehemently

In a forceful and direct manner; with great emotional intensity.

Volatile

Suddenly changeable, often implying violent change or inconsistency

Asset

A person, trait, or item that gives an advantage or adds value in a given situation.

Corresponding

Refers to an item or idea that is normally paired with another item or idea; going along with another

Accommodating

Hopefully going along with something; obliging

Adversary

Opponent or enemy

Buoyantly

In a lighthearted or happy way; bouncy

Distinguish

To tell the difference between two or more items

Unison

Agreement; at the same time

Aptitude

Natural tendency or talent: ability

Infringed

Actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.). Act so as to limit or undermine (something).

Infraction

A violation of infringement of a law, agreement, or set of rules

Aficionado

A great fan of a particular art or subject

Dilemma

A problem that has two or more options or possible solutions that seem equally good or bad.

Immerse

To completely cover with liquid; to become totally involved in some activity or area of study.

Loathe

To hate; to detest

Muse

To think dreamily on a topic; to work through an idea or concept in one’s head; to meditate

Stride

To walk with purpose with long steps and great energy

Sullen

Describes a facial expression and/or body attitude showing resentment; sulky

Terse

Using few words; brief; concise

Ultimatum

A final choice offered to someone that has permanent consequences

Anthem

A rousing or uplifting song with a particular group, body, or cause.

Smirk

To smile in a way that shows you understand more than the person you are talking with; to smile in a knowing, self-satisfied, offensive way.

Abnormally

Done in a way that is not typical; outside of the expected.

Surrender

To give up something, often because of force; to give up control over something to another.

Catastrophic

Describes an event or situation that results in a sudden disaster.

Disparage

To criticize in a way that makes something or someone seem less worthy of respect; to belittle

Inundate

To completely cover with water, often overflowing; to overwhelm something or someone.

Tentative

Describes a first draft of a plan or idea; not completely thought out or finished; hesitant.

Retrospect

A look at things from the past.

Chasm

A deep gorge in earth; a wide emotional or intellectual separation between people.

Chide

To gently correct someone’s behavior verbally; to reprimand.

Dejection

A feeling of sadness and discouragement.

Cite

To offer (an expert) as support or proof in an argument; To quote as an authority.

Chronological

Arranged in order of time

Cognizant

Knowing or understanding thoroughly

Collaborate

To work together on a project or idea, to cooperate in a work situation.

Defer

To give in to someone else, usually out of politeness or recognition of their experiences rather than by force.

Dogged

Describes doing something with perseverance, without giving up.

Deleterious

Having a negative effect on something or someone.

Empathetic

Describes one who puts himself or herself in another person’s position emotionally, and who understands that person and situation well.

Discordant

Describes a harsh mixture of sounds. Describes an interpersonal relationship that is unhappy or tense.

Egotism

A strong focus on oneself, often to the point of being negative; the state of being conceited or very self involved.

Heed

To listen to or pay attention to

Intervene

To involve oneself in a negative situation or an argument in the hopes of improving the situation.

Assert

To state something positively and firmly

Bewilder

To confuse, particularly with unclear or contradictory information.

Devious

Sneaky, dishonest, not following the accepted way of doing things.

Excursion

A short outing or trip

Hinder

To get in the way of someone or something; to interfere negatively with someone’s efforts

Intrigued

To become interested in something

Juxtapose

To place side by side

Laconic

Describes someone who speaks little

Orchestrate

To plan and execute a plan; to organize something in such a way that the organizer is also in control.

Palpable

Capable of being touched; tangible or real

Rendezvous

A pre planned meeting at a particular time and place

Wince

To flinch in pain or fear (often used to define one’s facial expression in such a situation.)

Contrite

Feeling sorry for one’s actions or words.

Innovative

Describes something new and improved

Disclose

To reveal; to uncover

Auditory

Having to do with sound or hearing

Impart

To make known (as in, to reveal a secret); to give someone a share if something

Intersperse

To spread something around and between other things.

Pique

To awaken or arouse (a reaction or emotion.)

Repertoire

The selection of performance pieces (such as songs or plays that a group has prepared and is ready to perform)

Vintage

Describes something that holds classic or traditional appeal

Sentimental

Overly emotional in a sweet or romantic way

Critique

A formal review of a performance in which strong points as well as weak points are discussed

Unorthodox

Describes someone or something that does not follow the usual or expected pattern: non-traditional

Suspicious

Distrustful or doubtful of someone or something

Repentance

The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

Disquieting

Trouble; showing a lack of peace or restfulness

Conscientious

Working from a principled position; describes one who is careful and thorough about one’s work.

Competent

Showing a capable level of skill at a particular task

Convoluted

Complicate; intricate

Query

A question

Envious

A feeling of jealousy or an unhappy desire for something someone else has

Indifference

A total lack of interest in a particular subject; a state of being unbiased.

Vaguely

In an indistinct and indirected way; without focus

Elicit

To call out from someone or something; to draw out

Explicit

Very clear, with no areas undefined or implied

Prowess

High level ability or skill

Ambidextrous

Not specifically right-handed or left-handed; able to either hand interchangeably.

Engrossed

To be deeply involved in something; to be absorbed in something

Haphazard

Without an order or a plan; by chance

Incomprehensible

Cannot be understood

Lucid

Very clear; well explained; easy to understand.

Manipulate

To control by skilled use of one’s hands; to deviously twist (a situation) to one’s own purposes.

Proficient

To be skilled at a task at an advanced level

Energized

Invigorated; full of activity or energy

Enthralling

Totally captivating or enchanting