AP Language Vocabulary Lesson One

adroit

skillful, clever (adj.)

Everyone knew that he was adroit with figures, but he lacked the facility for public speaking. 

adulterate

 to make impure, to contaminate (verb) or -impure (adj.)

The fumes from the automobiles adulterate the air.

The police were concerned about all the adulterated drugs on the street. 

adventitious

accidental; nonessential (adj.)

The scientists announced the breakthrough at a press conference and admitted that it had been an adventitious outcome. 

aegis

a shield; protection; sponsorship (noun)

The candidate felt he had a chance in the election because of the aegis of a former officeholder. 

aesthetic

The house was a bargain financially, but it lacked any aesthetic quality

affectation

a phony attitude; pose (noun)

John felt that the outspoken Ruth was the only girl there who did not have an affectations. 

affinity

an attraction to (noun)

The young man had an affinity for fast cars and easy money.

affluence

wealth; richness (noun)

Although Paul's family had much affluence, he was content to make do without their help.

agape

open-mouthed; surprised; agog (adj.)

Even the judge was agape when the witness told the ridiculous story in court. 

aggrandize

to enlarge; to expand (verb)

Much of what they did was not to aid their country but to aggrandize their own positions.

altruism

a concern for others; generosity (noun)

Ben’s altruism was apparent as he stopped at the scene of the accident to offer his assistance.

 ambiguous

open to more than one interpretation (adj.)

The candidate’s ambiguous comments tended to confuse the issue even more

amoral

lacking a sense of right and wrong (adj.)

Although a greedy man, he was not amoral; there were some things he would not do for money.

amorphous

shapeless, formless, vague (adj.)

Although the essay was due in two days, John couldn't get a handle on the topic, which remained amorphous in his mind. 

animosity

hatred (noun)

There was a general feeling of animosity  toward the judge for giving the boys such a harsh sentence.  

 morph

to form or to change  (amorphous)

-ate/-ade

action or process  (adulterate)