Advanced English Vocabulary A-C

Vocabulary flashcards covering advanced English terms from A to C, including definitions and multiple senses where noted.

arcane

obscure, secret, known only by a few

archaic

relating to an earlier period; outdated

archetypal

the most representative or typical example of something

ardor

extreme vigor, energy, or enthusiasm

arid

excessively dry

arrogate

to take without justification

artifact

a remaining piece from an extinct culture or place

artisan

a craftsman

ascertain

to perceive; learn

ascetic

practicing restraint as self-discipline, usually religious

ascribe

to assign, credit, attribute to

aspersion

a curse; expression of ill-will

aspire

to long for; aim toward

assail

to attack

assess

to evaluate

assiduous

hard-working; diligent

assuage

to ease; pacify

astute

very clever; crafty

asylum (sense 1)

a place of refuge, protection; a sanctuary

asylum (sense 2)

an institution in which the insane are kept

atone

to repent; make amends

atrophy

to wither away; decay

attain

to achieve; arrive at

attribute (verb)

to credit; assign

attribute (noun)

a facet or trait

atypical

not typical; unusual

audacious

excessively bold

audible

able to be heard

augment

to add to; expand

auspicious

favorable; indicative of good things

austere

very bare; bleak

avarice

excessive greed

avenge

to seek revenge

aversion

a particular dislike for something

balk

to stop; block abruptly

ballad

a love song

banal

dull; commonplace

bane

a burden

bard

a poet, often a singer as well

bashful

shy; excessively timid

battery (device)

a device that supplies power

battery (crime)

assault; beating

beguile

to trick; deceive

behemoth

something of tremendous power or size

benevolent

marked by goodness or doing good

benign

favorable; not threatening; mild

bequeath

to pass on; give

berate

to scold vehemently

bereft

devoid of; without

beseech

to beg; plead; implore

bias

a tendency, inclination, prejudice

bilk

to cheat; defraud

blandish

to coax by using flattery

blemish

an imperfection; flaw

blight (disease)

a plague; disease

blight (figurative)

something that destroys hope

boisterous

loud and full of energy

bombastic

excessively confident; pompous

boon

a gift or blessing

bourgeois

a middle-class person; capitalist

brazen

excessively bold; brash

brusque

short; abrupt; dismissive

buffet (verb)

to strike with force

buffet (noun)

an arrangement of food set out on a table

burnish

to polish; shine

buttress (verb)

to support; hold up

buttress (noun)

something that offers support

cacophony

tremendous noise; disharmonious sound