Vocabulary List - All That Glitters

unpretentious

Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed.

assuage

To make an unpleasant feeling less strong; to soothe or alleviate.

surreptitiously

In a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively.

contemptuous

Scornful or disdainful.

inestimable

Too great to calculate.

amenable

A willingness to agree or cooperate.

ostentatious

Attracting attention, admiration, or envy, often by gaudiness or obviousness.

ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

feign

To give a false appearance of; pretend.

levity

Humor; the treatment of a serious matter without respect.

proximity

Nearness in time, space, or relationship.

reproach

Disapproval; to express disapproval or displeasure.

supercilious

Behaving as though thinking oneself better than others.

arrogant

Having an exaggerated sense of one’s importance.

paternal

Characteristic of a father.

wistful

Demonstrating melancholy thoughtfulness; showing vague yearnings or desires.

desolate

Bleakly or depressingly empty and bare.

fervent

Having or displaying a passionate intensity.

complacency

An often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself, one’s situation, or one’s achievements.

devoid of

Entirely lacking something usual or expected.

coherence

The quality of being logical and complete.

peremptorily

In a way that does not allow for denial or refusal.

corroborate

To confirm; to help support a statement by providing evidence.

oculist

An eye-doctor (modern-day optometrist or ophthalmologist).

jovial

Lighthearted cheerfulness and friendliness.

pastoral

Having the simplicity, charm, or serenity generally attributed to rural areas.

regal

Befitting or resembling a monarch; stately, splendid.

apathetic

Having or showing a lack of interest or concern.

discreet

Appropriately quiet, prudent, or restrained, especially to avoid drawing attention to something that would cause embarrassment.

hauteur

Unfriendly or overbearing pride, evidenced by a superior manner.

ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation.

fortnight

Period of two weeks.

hors d’oeuvre

Small savory dish typically served as an appetizer.

permeate

To spread throughout something and be present in every part of it.

vehemently

In a strong, forceful, and emotional way.

staid

Serious, respectable, maybe even boring.

notorious

Famous for a bad reason.

florid

Having a red or flushed complexion.

corpulent

Physically bulky or overweight.

elude

To escape or evade something or someone.

convivial

Friendly, lively, cheerful.

malevolence

The desire to see another person experience pain or distress.

apparition

An appearance, especially of a ghost or ghostlike figure.

chasm

A deep fissure; a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.

poignant

Arousing deep emotions.

subterfuge

Deceit used to achieve one’s goal.

sporadic

Occurring at irregular intervals.

punctilious

Extremely attentive to details.

divine retribution

Punishment from a deity in response to sin or crime.

rajah

An Indian king or prince.

incredulity

Disbelief or refusal to accept something as true.

succulent

Juicy or rich in desirable qualities.

beaux

Boyfriends or admirers.

wan

Pale or weak, often suggesting physical or emotional distress.

scornful

Showing open dislike or contempt.

scrutinize

To examine carefully and critically.

disheveled

Untidy or in disorder appearance.

nebulous

Unclear, vague, or undefined.

hue

A color or shade.