Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension Test

Nelson-Denny Vocabulary Study Guide

Vocabulary Words & Definitions

| Word | Definition |

| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |

| Abruptly | Suddenly; without warning |

| Abstract | Existing as an idea rather than a physical thing |

| Admonitions | Warnings or mild reprimands |

| Aesthetic | Concerned with beauty or artistic appearance |

| Adverse | Unfavorable; harmful |

| Advocate | To support or argue in favor of |

| Affected | Influenced or changed by something |

| Affronted | Insulted or offended |

| Aggravated | Made worse; irritated |

| Ail | To cause trouble or illness |

| Ailment | An illness or physical disorder |

| Aliens | Foreigners; people from another country |

| Alter | To change or modify |

| Amnesty | An official pardon for offenses |

| Analyze | To examine carefully |

| Annotate | To add notes or comments |

| Apathetically | Without interest, emotion, or concern |

| Apothecary | A person who prepares or sells medicines |

| Apprized | Informed or notified |

| Ascribe | To attribute something to a particular cause or person |

| Assess | To evaluate or judge |

| Atonement | Making amends for a wrong |

| Atrophies | Wastes away or becomes weaker |

| Aural | Related to hearing |

| Avidly | With great enthusiasm or eagerness |

| Avow | To openly declare or admit |

| Belligerent | Hostile; aggressive |

| Benevolent | Kind; generous; well-meaning |

| Bequest | Something left to someone in a will |

| Berated | Scolded or criticized harshly |

| Blatant | Very obvious; offensively noticeable |

| Blatantly | Obviously; openly and offensively |

| Boisterous | Noisy, energetic, and lively |

| Brazen | Bold and shameless |

| Cacophony | A harsh mixture of loud sounds |

| Capricious | Unpredictable; changing suddenly |

| Caricatures | Exaggerated representations of people |

| Cohort | A group of people sharing something in common |

| Complacent | Too satisfied with oneself; unconcerned |

| Competent | Capable; having the necessary ability |

| Conciliatory | Intended to make peace or reduce conflict |

| Congregate | To gather together |

| Confidential | Intended to be kept secret |

| Contaminate | To make impure or polluted |

| Copious | Abundant; plentiful |

| Cordon | A line of people or objects blocking an area |

| Countenance | Face or facial expression; to tolerate or approve |

| Covert | Secret; hidden |

| Cower | To shrink back in fear |

| Craven | Cowardly; lacking courage |

| Credulity | Willingness to believe too easily |

| Credulous | Too willing to believe something |

| Curtailed | Reduced; shortened |

| Cumbersome | Large, heavy, or difficult to handle |

| Degenerate | To decline in quality or condition |

| Delayed | Made to happen later |

| Delusion | A false belief |

| Demise | Death; end |

| Denote | To indicate or mean |

| Deplorable | Very bad; deserving strong criticism |

| Deride | To mock or ridicule |

| Derision | Mockery; ridicule |

| Deserve | To be worthy of something |

| Desist | To stop doing something |

| Despotic | Tyrannical; ruling with absolute power |

| Destitute | Extremely poor; lacking basic necessities |

| Devious | Dishonest; tricky; indirect |

| Devastation | Great destruction or ruin |

| Diligent | Hardworking; careful and persistent |

| Discernible | Able to be recognized or noticed |

| Disperse | To scatter or spread out |

| Dissect | To cut apart for examination; analyze closely |

| Dismal | Gloomy; depressing; miserable |

| Dogmatic | Stubbornly asserting beliefs as unquestionably true |

| Dolt | A stupid or foolish person |

| Drudgery | Tedious, unpleasant, repetitive work |

| Ebb | To gradually decrease or decline |

| Ebullient | Extremely enthusiastic and cheerful |

| Eccentric | Unusual; unconventional |

| Edifices | Large buildings or structures |

| Edit | To revise or correct |

| Elastic | Able to stretch and return to its original form |

| Emit | To give off or release |

| Emulate | To imitate in order to equal or surpass |

| Enamored | Extremely fond of or in love with |

| Enigma | A mystery; something difficult to understand |

| Enliven | To make more lively or exciting |

| Ennui | Boredom and lack of interest |

| Ensuing | Happening afterward; following |

| Entice | To attract or tempt someone |

| Entreat | To beg or plead with |

| Ethereal | Extremely delicate; heavenly or otherworldly |

| Ethos | The beliefs or character of a group |

| Evoke | To bring a feeling, memory, or image to mind |