AP lit Vocab

Acerbic

Sharp and forthright in tone or manner.

Acrimonious

Angry and bitter in speech or debate.

Alacrity

Brisk and cheerful readiness.

Anachronism

Something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time.

Aphorism

A concise statement of a principle or truth, often witty.

Apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.

Assiduous

Showing great care and perseverance.

Banal

So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.

Capricious

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

Cognizant

Having knowledge or being aware of.

Conflagration

A large, destructive fire.

Deleterious

Causing harm or damage.

Diaphanous

Light, delicate, and translucent.

Ebullient

Cheerful and full of energy.

Egregious

Outstandingly bad; shocking.

Enervate

To cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time.

Esoteric

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Fastidious

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.

Furtive

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

Garrulous

Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.

Iconoclast

A person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or institutions.

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding sad and dismal.

Mendacious

Not telling the truth; lying.

Obfuscate

To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.

Pernicious

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Quixotic

Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

Sycophant

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage; a flatterer.

Ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere.