Lesson 2: AP Lang Vocabulary

Abstruse

Not easy to understand

Altruistic

Selflessly concerned for the welfare of others

Ambiguous

Unclear; doubtful or certain; open to different interpretations

Ardent

Intensely devoted; eager; vehement; fierce

Beguile

Deceive; trick; charm; divert

Callous

Hardened; insensitive; unsympathetic

Contrive

To plan cleverly; devise; to effect by plan or scheme

Deleterious

Injurious to health; harmful

Ebullient

High spirited; overflowing with enthusiasm

Epic

Impressively great; of unsual size or extent; long narrative; usually in verse

Epicurean

Having luxurious tastes; indulging in sensual pleasure

Expedite

To speed up the process of something; to accomplish a task quickly

Foresight

Prudence; care or provision for the future

Frivolous

Characterized by a lack of seriousness; of little or no importance

Improvise

Extemporize; to compose, play, recite, sing etc. on the spur of the moment

Ingenious

Characterized by cleverness or originality

Itinerant

Traveling from place to place

Malevolent

Wishing evil or harm upon others; malicious

Malleable

Capable of being easily shaped; adaptable

Onerous

Burdensome; troublesome

Opulent

Wealthy; rich; affluent

Ponderable

Capable of being considered carefully or deeply

Reticent

Not talking much; reserved

Scrutinize

To examine in detail

Steadfast

Firm in purpose, faith, attachment, etc.; fixed in direction

Taciturn

Silent; sparing of words; close-mouthed

Uniformity

Overall sameness; homogeneity

Unkempt

Messy; disheveled; not combed

Unprecedented

Never before experienced; without previous instance

Virtuoso

A person with expert skill in a given field