AP Lang Vocab

abstemious

Marked by restraint, especially in the consumption of food or alcohol.

acerbic

Sharp and forthright, especially in tone or temper.

acrid

Harsh or bitter in taste or smell; sharp in tone.

acquiesce

To accept or comply silently or without protest.

acumen

Keen insight; shrewdness.

adulation

Excessive praise or admiration.

altruistic

Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others.

ameliorate

To make better or more tolerable.

anachronism

Something out of its proper time period.

antiloquy

A contradiction in terms or ideas.

anathema

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.

archetype

A perfect or typical example; an original model.

arbiter

A person with power to decide a dispute or settle differences.

arboreal

Relating to trees; living in trees.

assiduous

Showing great care and perseverance.

atrophy

The wasting away or decline of something, especially body tissue.

aphorism

A short, witty statement expressing a general truth.

baleful

Threatening harm; menacing.

beatify

To declare a person blessed; to make supremely happy.

bellicose

Demonstrating aggression and a willingness to fight.

bric-a-brac

Miscellaneous small decorative objects or ornaments.

browbeat

To intimidate with harsh or abusive words.

buttress

A support or reinforcement; (v.) to support.

cabal

A secret political faction or clique.

caitiff

A cowardly or despicable person.

callow

Inexperienced and immature.

cadaverous

Resembling a corpse; pale, gaunt, thin.

calumny

False and defamatory statements; slander.

castigate

To reprimand severely.

choleric

Easily angered; bad-tempered.

clamorous

Noisy, loud, or insistent.

colloquial

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; informal.

conflagration

A large destructive fire.

consort

A companion or partner.

convivial

Cheerful, friendly, and lively.

credulous

Too ready to believe things; easily fooled.

cupidity

Excessive greed or desire, especially for wealth.

cursory

Hasty and superficial; not thorough.

cynosure

Something that strongly attracts attention.

decorous

Proper; in good taste.

deleterious

Harmful or damaging.

denizen

An inhabitant or resident.

deprecate

To express disapproval of.

dilatory

Slow to act; intended to delay.

diaphanous

Light, delicate, and translucent.

disinterested

Unbiased; impartial.

droll

Amusing in an odd or whimsical way.

ebullient

Cheerful and full of energy.

effete

Worn out; lacking vitality or effectiveness.

effulgence

A brilliant radiance; shining brightness.

egregious

Outstandingly bad; shocking.

elusion

The act of evading or escaping.

encomium

A formal expression of praise.

epicurean

Devoted to pleasure and luxury, especially in food.

eschew

To avoid deliberately.

exacerbate

To make worse or more severe.

exhume

To dig out from the ground; to bring to light.

extemporaneous

Spoken or done without preparation.

extol

To praise enthusiastically.

fallacy

A mistaken belief, especially based on unsound argument.

fallible

Capable of making mistakes.

factious

Causing disagreement or conflict.

gesticulate

To gesture while speaking.

grandiloquent

Pompous or extravagant in language or style.

harangue

A lengthy and aggressive speech.

harbinger

A person or thing that signals the approach of something.

hegemony

Leadership or dominance over others.

hiatus

A pause or gap.

hibernian

Of or relating to Ireland or the Irish.

hirsute

Hairy.

hoi polloi

The common people; the masses.

homily

A sermon or moralizing lecture.

iconoclast

One who attacks traditional beliefs or institutions.

ignominious

Deserving or causing public disgrace.

imbroglio

A complicated and confusing situation.

imperative

Something that is essential or urgent.

impugn

To challenge as false or questionable.

importune

To beg persistently and urgently.

impropriety

Inappropriate or incorrect behavior.

indelible

Unable to be erased or removed.

indigenous

Native or originating in a particular place.

ineffable

Too great or extreme to be expressed in words.

inchoate

Just begun and not fully formed.

incipient

Beginning to exist or appear.

indolent

Lazy or avoiding activity.

inevitable

Unavoidable.

ingenious

Clever, original, and inventive.

ingenuous

Innocent and unsuspecting.

insidious

Subtly harmful or deceitful.

invective

Insulting or abusive language.

inveterate

Firmly established by habit.

iota

A very small amount.

itinerate

To travel from place to place.

jaundiced

Affected by bitterness or envy.

jeremiad

A prolonged lamentation or complaint.

jingoistic

Extremely patriotic, often warlike.

jocular

Humorous or playful.

junta

A military or political group ruling after taking power.

leviathan

A large or powerful entity.

loquacious

Very talkative.