Semester 1 Vocab - AP English Language

Hallow

(adj) – regarded as holy or sacred

Ephemeral

(adj) – lasting for a very short time

Ameliorate

(v) – to make something better or improve

Explicit

(adj) – stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusionMores

(n) – the accepted traditional customs, values, and behaviors of a societyRibald

(adj) – referring to sexual matters in an amusingly coarse or irreverent way; vulgarOccult

(adj) – relating to the mysterious, supernatural, or hidden

Bombastic(adj) – high-sounding but with little meaning; inflatedAbate

(v) – to become less intense or widespread

Culmination(n) – the highest or most decisive point of something, especially after a long time

IniquitousPortentous

(adj) – grossly unfair and morally wrong(adj) – giving a sign or warning that something bad is likely to happen; ominous

Austere(adj) – severe or strict in manner; plain and without luxury

Culpable(adj) – deserving blame for a wrong or harmful act

Magnanimous

(adj) – generous and forgiving, especially toward a rivalPenance(n) – voluntary self-punishment to show repentance for wrongdoing

Foible(n) – a minor weakness or flaw in someone's character

Hapless(adj) – unlucky or unfortunate

Vagary(n) – an unpredictable change or quirk

Rasping(adj) – harsh, grating in sound

Propensity

(n) – a natural tendency or inclination to behave in a certain wayInnocuous

(adj) – harmless, not offensiveCumbrous

(adj) – heavy, clumsy, or difficult to handleHarangue

(n) – a lengthy, aggressive speech

Subterfuge(n) – deceit used to achieve one's goalRococo

(adj) – characterized by elaborate ornamentation, intricate detail, and lightness in styleConclave

(n) – a private or secret meeting, often for a specific purposeImportune

(v) – to beg persistently or urgently; to press with repeated requestsVapid

(adj) – lacking liveliness, spirit, or flavor; dull and uninspiringExpostulate

(v) – to reason earnestly with someone in an attempt to dissuade or correct themAbject

(adj) – extremely bad, unpleasant, or degrading; showing utter hopelessness or humiliationChalice

(n) – a large cup or goblet, often used in religious ceremoniesEpithet

(n) – a descriptive word or phrase expressing a characteristic or quality, sometimes used as an insultExpunge

(v) – to erase, remove, or eliminate completelyHarbinger

(n) – a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; a forerunnerMalevolent

(adj) – having or showing a desire to cause harm to othersMotley

(adj) – varied in appearance or character, made up of many different elementsPensive

(adj) – deeply thoughtful, often in a serious or sad mannerRaze

(v) – to completely destroy, demolish, or level to the groundSubvert

(v) – to undermine, overthrow, or weaken (often used with governments or institutions)Avarice

(n) – extreme greed for wealth or material gainBrusque

(adj) – abrupt or blunt in speech or manner; short-temperedConcur

(v) – to agree or be of the same opinionCursory

(adj) – hasty and superficial, not thorough or detailedDroll

(adj) – amusing in an odd, whimsical, or quirky wayInordinate

(adj) – excessive, unusually large or disproportionateRebut

(v) – to argue against, contradict, or prove something wrongSuccinct

(adj) – expressed clearly and briefly; conciseTimorous

(adj) – showing fear; nervousness, or a lack of confidenceVeracity

(n) – truthfulness, conformity to fact or accuracyAbstemious

(adj) – moderate or restrained, especially in eating or drinkingAnomalous

(adj) – deviating from what is normal or expectedChauvinist

(n) – someone with an unreasonable belief in the superiority of somethingDubious

(adj) – doubtful, suspicious, questionableHaughty

(adj) – arrogantly superior and disdainfulImpugn

(v) – to challenge or attack as false or questionableInscrutable

(adj) – impossible to understand or interpretPrecarious

(adj) – uncertain, risky, or unstablePropitious

(adj) – favorable; giving or indicating a good chance of successVerbose

(adj) – using more words than necessary; wordyAverse

(adj) – having a strong dislike or opposition to somethingDudgeon

(n) – a feeling of anger or resentment

Equanimity(n) – mental calmness and composure, especially in difficult situationsExtenuate

(v) – to make an offense seem less serious or more forgivableImpunity

(n) – exemption from punishment or harmLackadaisical

(adj) – lacking enthusiasm and determination(adj) – burdensome, involving great effort and difficulty

OnerousPerfidy

(n) – betrayal of trust; treacheryVernacular

(n/adj) – the language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a regionWistful

(adj) – showing a feeling of vague longing or regretAccolade

(n) – an award or honor granted as recognitionAntithesis

(n) – the direct opposite of somethingDiabolic

(adj) – extremely wicked or evilDulcet

(adj) – sweet and soothing, especially to the ear(n) – a person who pursues pleasure above all else

Hedonist

Manifest

(adj) – clear or obvious to the eye or mindMyopic

(adj) – short-sighted, lacking foresight or imaginationPrecedent

(n) – an earlier event or action that serves as an exampleRudimentary

(adj) – basic; elementary; undevelopedWont

(n) – one's customary behavior or habitAccost

(v) – to approach and speak to someone aggressively or boldlyApathy

(n) – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concernAvid

(adj) – having or showing great enthusiasm for somethingCondone

(v) – to accept or allow behavior that is morally wrongDearth

(n) – a scarcity or lack of somethingIntangible

(adj) – unable to be touched; not having a physical presenceMyriad

(n/adj) – a countless or extremely great numberPreclude

(v) – to make impossible; to preventProselyte

(n) – a person who has converted from one belief to anotherTractable

(adj) – easily managed or controlled