AP Lang Vocab

glib

(adj) done in a smooth, offhand manner; easily spoken; speaking too smoothly to be sincere

lugubrious

(adj) sad or mournful, often to an exaggerated degree; doleful

finesse

(n) delicate skill; subtlety
(v) to bring about with skill; to evade

purloin

(v) to steal

nemesis

(n) an avenger; an unbeatable rival; a person who punishes another for evil deeds

banal

(adj) commonplace; trite; stale from overuse

pseudonym

(n) a fictitious name assumed by an author; pen name

lampoon

(n) strongly satirical writing
(v) to ridicule or satirize

nefarious

(adj) villainous; infamous; having a bad reputation

bellicose

(adj) quarrelsome; hostile; inclined to fighting

incognito

(n) one who is in disguise or using an assumed name
(adj) disguised; using a false name; under a fictitious name

cognizant

(adj) aware of or informed about something

farcical

(adj) ridiculous; exaggeratedly comical

discursive

(adj) wandering or shifting from one subject to another; rambling; long winded

hyperbole

(n) an obvious exaggeration, made for effect and not meant to be taken literally

omniscient

(adj) knowing everything; having complete or infinite knowledge

fortuitous

(adj) occurring by chance; accidental; fortunate

assimilate

(v) to absorb and incorporate food or knowledge; to absorb one group into a larger culture

ennui

(n) discontent and listlessness from lack of occupation or interest

mesmerism

(n) hypnotism; hypnotic appeal; intense fascination

dirges

(n) a funeral hymn; a poetic or musical expression of grief

despot

(n) an absolute ruler; one in charge who acts like a tyrant

expatriate

(n) one who is exiled or who has withdrawn from his or her native land
(v) to banish from one's native country; to withdraw from one's native land

colloquy

(n) a conversation or conference, usually formal

allay

(v) to lessen; to relieve; to calm

feign

(v) to pretend; to make up

blazon

(v) to proclaim; to display publicly
(n) a coat of arms; a banner

choleric

(adj) having or showing a quick temper or irascible nature

adroit

(adj) clever; skillful in a mental or physical way

bravado

(n) a show of false bravery or confidence

euphemism

(n) a mild expression used in place of a harsh, crude, or distasteful expression

nebulous

(adj) hazy; vague; not clearly defined

abject

(adj) hopelessly low; wretched; miserable; without self-respect

propriety

(n) acceptable behavior; conformity with conventional standards

revile

(v) to attack with abusive language; to call insulting names

distraught

(adj) in a state of mental conflict; agitated; crazed

admonish

(v) to reprove mildly and kindly, but seriously; to caution or warn; to urge

prosaic

(adj) matter of fact; ordinary; commonplace

phlegmatic

(adj) sluggish; indifferent; calm

commensurate

(adj) in proper proportion; having the same scale, measure, or size; proportionate

guile

(n) craftiness; deceit; cunning

proffer

(v) to offer
(n) an offer

seraphic

(adj) angelic; of the highest order of angels

amorphous

(adj) shapeless; of no particular form or type; not organized

decorum

(n) proper action, speech, and dress; good manners and behavior; polite behavior

protege

(n) someone who welfare or career is guided and helped by a more influential person

sanguine

(adj) naturally cheerful and hopeful; confident; having a ruddy complexion

doggeral

(n) badly written or trivial verse, often with a singsong rhythm

ascetic

(n) a person who practices unusual self-denial or discipline, often for religious reasons
(adj) self-denying

facile

(adj) easily done; performing or working with ease; adroit; not sincere or profound; superficial