GRE Vocabulary #2

Soporific (adj.)

Causing or tending to cause sleep.

The professor’s voice had a soporific effect.

Adormecedor

Prodigal (adj.)

Characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure.

The prodigal heir spent his fortune in a single year.

Pródigo

Deride (v.)

To laugh at or insult contemptuously.

Critics derided the movie for its poor acting.

Deridir / Burlarse

Recondite (adj.)

Difficult for one of ordinary knowledge to comprehend.

The book explores recondite aspects of ancient history.

Recóndito

Ephemeral (adj.)

Lasting a very short time.

Fame in the age of the internet is often ephemeral.

Efímero/corto

Archaic (adj.)

Having the characteristics of the language of the past.

The law was written in archaic language.

Arcaico/Antiguo

Irascible (adj.)

Marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger.

The irascible old man shouted at the neighbors.

Iracundo

Alacrity (n.)

Quickness/Promptness in responding; cheerful readiness/eagerness.

She accepted the invitation with alacrity.

Entusiasmo

Meticulous (adj.)

Marked by extreme or excessive care in details.

He was meticulous about keeping his desk clean.

Meticuloso

Austere (adj.)

Stern and cold in appearance; simple or unadorned. Lack of softness.

The monks lived an austere life in the desert.

Severo/Estricto o Simple