AP Language and Composition Vocabulary

AP Language and Composition Vocabulary Flashcards

Acrid

Sharp; pungent (used of smells and tastes)

Boorish

Ill-mannered

Cynical

Believing that people act only out of selfish motives

Epistle

A letter (form of communication)

Heresy

Against orthodox opinion

Maunder

To talk incoherently or in a rambling manner

Novice

Beginner; tyro

Poignant

Deeply moving; strongly affecting the emotions

Respite

A break; intermission

Terse

Concise; to the point

Benevolent

Kindly

Bourgeois

Middle class

Debility

Weakness; incapacity

Emaciated

Very thin; withered

Hiatus

Interruption; pause

Languid

Tired; slow

Obscured

Hidden; covered; buried

Poised

Calm; collected; self-possessed

Resplendent

Shining; glowing

Sardonic

Bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical

Acuity

Sharpness (mental or visual)

Braggart

Someone who boasts

Debunk

To expose false claims or myths

Epitomize

To typify; characterize; personify

Hidebound

Rigid in opinions

Languish

To decay; fade away; get weaker

Obsequious

Servile; submissive

Polemical

Causing debate or argument

Recalcitrant

Resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant

Thwart

To prevent; frustrate

Adamant

Forceful; inflexible

Brash

Tactless; impudent

Derisive

Contemptuous; mocking

Equivocate

To speak ambiguously; avoid telling the truth

Hubris

Excessive pride

Ludicrous

Causing laughter because of absurdity

Mordant

Sharply caustic or sarcastic

Ponderous

Weighty; slow and heavy

Retention

Preservation; withholding

Timorous

Cowardly; fearful

Adroit

Skillful

Brevity

Being brief

Decorum

Dignified, correct behavior

Err

To make a mistake

Hinder

To obstruct

Largess

Generosity

Obsolete

No longer valid

Pontificate

To speak pompously or dogmatically

Reticent

Restrained; holding something back; uncommunicative

Tirade

Stream of verbal abuse

Adulation

Strong admiration; worship

Bristle

To show irritation

Distraught

Distracted; deeply agitated

Erratic

Wandering; irregular

Histrionic

Theatrical; exaggerated

Laud

To praise

Obstreperous

Noisy and boisterous

Portend

To foretell

Retraction

Withdrawal; cancellation of a statement

Titter

To giggle quietly

Adversity

Hardship

Broach

To start to discuss; approach

Deference

Respect

Esoteric

Obscure and difficult to understand

Hoary

Old

Lavish

On a grand scale; wasteful

Obtuse

Mentally dull

Portent

A warning sign; omen

Revere

To worship

Tome

Large book

Advocate

To support

Brusque

Blunt; abrupt

Contrite

Sorry; showing remorse

Espouse

To promote; take up; support

Hone

To sharpen; increase; whet

Lax

Careless; not strict

Obviate

To avoid; make unnecessary

Poseur

Someone who puts on an act

Riddled

Full of (usually full of holes)

Torpid

Inactive; lazy; stagnant

Aesthetic

Concerning art or beauty

Benign

Harmless; kindly

Defunct

No longer in existence

Etymology

The study of word origins

Gritty

Coarse; granular

Jingoistic

Extremely patriotic; nationalistic

Odious

Hateful

Posterity

Future generations

Rife

Common

Torpor

Dormancy; sluggishness; inactivity

Affable

Friendly; social; easygoing

Bureaucracy

Officialdom

Degradation

Deprivation; poverty; debasement

Eulogy

Praise (esp. a set oration in honor of a deceased person.)

Hypochondriac

A person obsessed with health; having imaginary illnesses

Legion

In large numbers

Officious

Domineering; intrusive; meddlesome

Posthumous

After death

Rigor

Thoroughness

Totter

To walk unsteadily