Prep Expert English Vocabulary Practice

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Memoir

A historical account or autobiography written from personal knowledge.

Synonym: Autobiography.

Dexterity

Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands.

Synonym: Skill.

Harvest

The process/period of gathering in crops; or to obtain or acquire something, often with effort/skill.

Synonym: Crop/Gather.

Degrade

To decline in physical condition; or to humiliate, belittle, or demean someone.

Synonym: Deteriorate.

Deteriorate

To decline in physical condition; or to humiliate, belittle, or demean someone.

Synonym: Degrade

Emerge

To move out of or away from something and become visible.

Synonym: Arise.

Divert

To cause someone or something to change course or turn from one direction to another.

Synonym: Redirect.

Retrospect

The act of looking back or reflecting on past events, experiences, or situations.

Synonym: Recollection.

Forge

To create something strong, enduring, or successful.

Synonym: Build.

Inane

Silly; stupid.

Impudent

Not showing any due respect for another person; impertinent.

Synonym: Rude, Impertinent.

Impertinent

Not showing any due respect for another person; impudent.

Synonym: Rude, Impudent.

Vulgar

Lacking refinement or good taste; or offensive or inappropriate.

Synonym: Crude.

Invigorate

To give strength or energy to.

Synonym: Energise.

Malevolent

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

Synonym: Evil.

Disparage

To regard or represent as being of little worth.

Synonym: Belittle.

Impartial

To be fair and just in judgement or decision-making, considering all relevant factors objectively.

Synonym: Fair.

Prosaic

Ordinary, lacking imagination or excitement.

Synonym: Mundane.

Pilgrimage

A pilgrim’s journey.

Synonym: Journey.

Ratify

To fromally approve or confirm something, usually by a vote or signature.

Synonym: Approve.

Elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

Synonym: Evasive.

Subtle

Delicate, elusive, or not immediately obvious.

Synonym: Slight.

Epitome

A perfect or typical example of a particular quality, type, or idea.

Example: Psyche is the ___ of kindness.

Epitomising

Serving as a perfect example, ideal representation, or summary of a particular quality, concept, or type of thing.

Example: The artist spent years living in isolation, epitomizing the myth of the lonely, tortured creative.

Transcending

Going beyond, rising above, or surpassing ordinary limits, boundaries, or standards.

Example: Tim ___ all their expectations.

Pitfall

A literal physical trap consisting of a hidden deep hole in the ground; and a metaphorical hidden danger or unexpected difficulty in a situation.

Impell

To drive, urge, or force someone to take action, often through strong internal motivation, moral pressure, or deep emotion.

Example: Curiosity ___ him to open the hidden door.

Innocuous

Completely harmless, producing no injury, or not likely to offend or upset anyone.

Example: Some wild mushrooms lool ___ but are actually poisonous.

Scrutiny

A very careful and thorough examination or inspection of something.

Example: The new tax policy will face close ___ in parliament.

Scrutinise

To examine or inspect someone or something very closely, thoroughly, and critically, often to find errors, flaws, or hidden information.

Fleeting

Lasting for a very short time and passing or disappearing quickly.

Example: A ___ visit to a city that only lasted a few hours.

Revere

To respect, admire, or honor someone or something deeply, often with a sense of awe.

Obscure

Not well-known, difficult to understand, or hidden from view.

Precarious

Not safe, unsteady, or likely to fall, collapse, or get worse.

Crude

acking refinement or good taste; or offensive or inappropriate.

Synonym: Vulgar.

Proficient

To be able to do something to a higher than average standard; skilled.

Dogmatic

Being certain that your beliefs are right and that others should accept them, without considering other opinions or evidence.

Example: He's become so ___ lately that arguing with him is pointless.

Ambiguous

Having more than one possible meaning or interpretation, making it unclear.

Pretentious

Trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are.

Self-effacement

The act or habit of keeping yourself in the background and avoiding attention or praise.