Advanced English Vocabulary – Sets 1-12

A comprehensive set of advanced English-language vocabulary flashcards compiled from lecture notes Sets 1–12. Each card pairs a key term with a clear, concise definition to aid memorization and exam review.

Copious

Abundant in quantity or number; plentiful.

Sporadic

Occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals.

Transpose

To change places with one another or reverse order.

Lament

To mourn or express deep sorrow; an expression of grief.

Entail

To involve as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.

Momentous

Of great significance or consequence.

Pristine

In an original, unspoiled condition; spotless.

Constrict

To make narrower or limit; to compress or inhibit.

Nebulous

Vague, unclear, or lacking definite form.

Counteract

To oppose or neutralize the effects of something.

Insuperable

Impossible to overcome or surmount.

Irreproachable

Beyond criticism; faultless in behavior or actions.

Pretentiousness

An exaggerated display of self-importance or worth.

Ineluctable

Inevitable; unable to be avoided or escaped.

Equivocal

Open to several interpretations; deliberately ambiguous.

Inconsequential

Trivial; lacking importance or significance.

Manifestation

A visible or evident sign or expression of something.

Obscure

To make unclear or difficult to understand.

Rectify

To correct, remedy, or set right.

Immense

Extremely large or great in scale or degree.

Presumptuous

Overly forward, bold, or confident.

Customary

Usual, habitual, or according to established practice.

Apprised

Informed or notified about something.

Unsympathetic

Lacking compassion or empathy.

Placated

Soothed or calmed; brought peace to.

Wrought

Shaped, formed, or fashioned.

Bestowed

Given formally or conferred.

Oblige

To compel or require; also to do a favor for.

Apathy

Lack of interest, feeling, or concern.

Ambivalence

Mixed or conflicting feelings about something.

Foresight

Ability to anticipate or predict future events.

Impartiality

Absence of bias; objective fairness.

Galvanize

To spur, stimulate, or incite into action.

Discrete

Individually separate and distinct.

Arbitrary

Based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason.

Dominion

Control, sovereignty, or supreme authority.

Eclipsed

Overshadowed, surpassed, or obscured.

Augmented

Made greater in size, number, or degree.

Convened

Assembled or gathered for a meeting.

Epitomized

Perfectly represented or typified.

Unblemished

Flawless; without stain or defect.

Accentuate

To emphasize or make more noticeable.

Despise

To feel contempt or deep repugnance for.

Idiosyncratic

Peculiar to an individual; highly distinctive.

Incongruous

Out of harmony or not fitting; inappropriate.

Secluded

Sheltered, private, or isolated from others.

Mutable

Capable of change; changeable.

Prevail

To triumph, succeed, or be widespread.

Underscore

To stress or emphasize the importance of something.

Forestall

To prevent or obstruct by prior action.

Belie

To give a false impression of; contradict.

Commended

Praised formally or officially.

Hallmark

A distinguishing or characteristic feature.

Postulate

To assume or assert as true; an assumption made.

Sanction

Official approval or authorization; also a penalty.

Ameliorate

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

Satirize

To ridicule or mock using satire.

Amass

To gather or accumulate in large quantity.

Appeal

An earnest request; also attractiveness or charm.

Concur

To agree or coincide in opinion.

Intercede

To mediate or plead on another’s behalf.

Auspicious

Favorable or promising for future success.

Novelty

Newness; something original or innovative.

Affectionate

Showing fondness, warmth, or love.

Retroactive

Taking effect from a past date.

Tranquil

Peaceful, calm, and free from disturbance.

Peculiar

Unusual, odd, or distinctive.

Nostalgic

Longing for or thinking fondly of the past.

Dispassionate

Uninfluenced by emotion; impartial.

Sensation

A physical feeling; also a widespread excitement.

Agreeable

Pleasant, likable, or acceptable.

Pretentious

Attempting to impress with greater importance than possessed.

Provocative

Causing strong reaction or stimulating thought.

Irrefutable

Impossible to disprove; undeniable.

Mediate

To intervene to resolve conflict.

Promulgate

To officially announce or make widely known.

Amalgamate

To combine or merge into one.

Defy

To openly resist or challenge.

Interplay

Mutual or reciprocal action or influence.

Gravitas

Seriousness and dignity of manner.

Bulging

Swelling outward; protruding.

Enigma

Something mysterious or difficult to understand.

Unattainable

Impossible to accomplish or obtain.

Superfluous

Exceeding what is necessary; unnecessary.

Amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or structure.

Misconstrued

Interpreted incorrectly; misunderstood.

Prohibitive

Serving to prevent; excessively expensive.

Stipulate

To specify a requirement as part of an agreement.

Induce

To bring about or persuade to do something.

Engender

To cause or give rise to.

Dispersed

Scattered widely in different directions.

Supplant

To replace or displace, often by force.

Austere

Severe or strict in manner; plain, unadorned.

Equitable

Fair and impartial; just.

Augment

To enlarge or increase in amount or intensity.

Conventional

Following accepted customs or standards; traditional.

Coalesce

To come together and form one whole.

Synopsis

A brief summary of a larger work.

Abundant

Existing in large quantities; plentiful.

Coarseness

Roughness in texture or manner; crudeness.