General English Vocabulary and One Word Substitutions

A complete set of vocabulary practice cards based on chapter lists including definitions for general competition preparation such as One Word Substitutions.

Abase

Degrade.

Abash

To embarrass.

Abattoir

Place where animals are killed.

Abdicate

Give up.

Aberrant

Abnormal.

Abetment

The act of helping someone in wrongdoing.

Abeyance

Suspended action.

Abhor

Detest, dislike, hate.

Abject

Extremely poor or unhappy.

Abjure

Renounce upon oath.

Ablution

The act of washing oneself.

Abnegation

To give up a right or a claim.

Abode

The place where someone lives.

Abolish

To put an end to.

Abominable

Very bad or unpleasant.

Aboriginal

Native. (Tribal)

Abortive

Fruitless, futile.

Abrasive

Substance used for rubbing.

Abridge

Shorten.

Abrogate

Abolish some custom etc.

Abscission

Cutting off.

Abscond

Depart secretly.

Absolute

Complete.

Absolve

Pardon.

Abstain

Refrain from.

Abstract

A shortened form of speech / existing as an idea or feeling only.

Abstruse

Difficult to understand.

Abysmal

Not measurable, very bad.

Accede

Agree to do.

Acclaim

Applaud.

Accolade

Award of merit.

Accomplice

Partner in crime.

Accord

Do something in complete agreement.

Accused

One who is under trial in a court.

Acme

Peak.

Acquit

Declare to be not guilty.

Adapt

To change to suit different environment.

Adept

Proficient.

Adolescent

One who is growing into an adult.

Adulteration

Mixing some undesired commodity.

Adultery

To have sex outside marriage.

Adverse

Unfavourable.

Aftermath

The period which follows an undesired event.

Aghast

Sudden feeling of shock and worry.

Agile

Able to move your body quickly.

Agony

Extreme sufferings.

Aisle

Narrow, long space between the two rows of seats.

Alchemist

One who tries to turn other base metal into gold.

Alimony

Money paid usually to a wife after break-down of marriage.

Altar

Table/place where offerings are put in a religious place.

Altercation

A loud argument.

Ambiguous

Having more than one possible meaning.

Amenable

Willing to accept a suggestion.

Amiable

Pleasant and friendly behaviour.

Angst

Great anxiety.

Anguish

Extreme unhappiness.

Annotate

To add a brief explanation.

Anonymous

Made/done by someone unknown.

Antecedent

Something/someone existing before.

Apathy

Lack of interest/enthusiasm/ emotion.

Appalling

Very bad and shocking.

Appeasement

The act of giving advantage to one party.

Archives

Place where historical records are kept.

Argumentative

Often arguing or ready to argue.

Articulate

A good orator.

Asceticism

Religious beliefs and avoidance of life of pleasure.

Assault

A violent attack.

Asset

Valuables.

Atrocities

Violent and cruel act.

Attenuate

To calm or soothe.

Attrition

The gradual weakening of something.

Augment

Add to/increase.

August

Important/Majestic.

Aura

A feeling or character a person/place seems to have.

Averse

Strong dislike.

Awful

Hateful.

Babble

Talk in a way which is difficult to understand.

Bacchanalian

Drunken reverly

Backbite

To speak something at the back of someone.

Badger

Annoy.

Badinage

playful teasing/banter.

Baffle

Confuse.

Bait

Snare, Trap, Decoy.

Baleful

Deadly.

Balk

To be unwilling to do something.

Balmy

Pleasantly warm.

Bane

Curse.

Banter

Conversation which is funny and not serious.

Barb

Sharp projection from fish hook.

Barbaric

Savagely cruel.

Bard

Poet.

Barefaced

Shameless.

Baroque

Highly ornate.

Barrage

Structure built across a river.

Beeline

Direct or quick route.

Beget

To father or produce.

Begrudge

To give unwillingly.

Beguile

Cheat or mislead.

Behemoth

Huge creature.

Behest

At the request or order of.