Lists 1 and 2 Vocabulary (AP Literature)

ubiquitous (adj)

present, appearing, or found everywhere

ulterior (adj)

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden

ultimatum (noun)

a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations

umbrage (noun)

offense or annoyance

unabashed (adj)

not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed

unassuming (adj)

not pretentious or arrogant; modest

unbridled (adj)

uncontrolled; unconstrained

uncanny (adj)

strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way

uncouth (adj)

lacking good manners, refinement, or grace

unctuous (adj)

(of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily

undermine (v)

to weaken gradually or secretly; to erode the base or foundation of

undulate (v)

move or go with a smooth up-and-down motion

unencumbered (adj)

not having any burden or impediment

unfounded (adj)

having no foundation or basis in fact

unguent (n)

a soft greasy or viscous substance used as an ointment or for lubrication

unilateral (adj)

performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of another or the others

unkempt (adj)

(especially of a person) having an untidy or disheveled appearance

unmitigated (adj)

absolute; unqualified

unorthodox (adj)

contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox

unruly (adj)

disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control

unsightly (adj)

unpleasant to look at; ugly

untoward (adj)

unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient

unwieldy (adj)

difficult to carry or move because of its size, shape, or weight

upbraid (v)

find fault with (someone); scold

Utilitarian (adj)

designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive

ungainly (adj)

(of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy.

unrequited (adj)

(of a feeling, especially love) not returned or rewarded

unseemly (adj)

(of behavior or actions) not proper or appropriate.

untenable (adj)

not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

upshot (n)

the final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events

urbane (adj)

courteous and refined in manner (typically used of a man)

urchin (n)

a mischievous young child, especially one who is poorly or raggedly dressed

usurp (v)

take ( a position of power/importance) illegally or by force

utopian (adj)

modeled on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic.

vehement (adj)

showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense

venal (adj)

showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery

veneer (n)

a thin decorative layer of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material

venerable (adj)

accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character

venerate (v)

regard with great respect; revere

venue (n)

the place where something happens, especially an organized event

veracity (n)

conformity to facts; accuracy

verbatim (adv)

in exactly the same words as were used originally

verdant (adj)

(of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation

verisimilitude (n)

the appearance of being true or real

verve (n)

vigor and spirit or enthusiasm

vestige (n)

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

vexation (n)

the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

vicarious (adj)

experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

vie (v)

compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something

vignette (n)

a brief evocative description, account, or episode