Lit 2026 1st exam

feign (v.)

to pretend or fake something.

levity (n.)

a lack of seriousness; light humor.

snob (n.)

someone who thinks they’re better than others.

bungalow (n.)

a small, one-story house.

epigram (n.)

a short, clever saying or remark.

superficial (adj.)

only concerned with appearances; not deep.

turbulence (n.)

disorder or violent movement.

fractiousness (n.)

irritability; tendency to argue or behave badly.

desolate (adj.)

empty, lonely, or abandoned.

incredulous (adj.)

unwilling to believe something.

reciprocal (adj.)

given or done in return; mutual.

wan (adj.)

pale or weak looking.

languid (adj.)

slow, relaxed, or lacking energy.

extemporize (v.)

to speak or perform without preparation.

banns (n.)

a public announcement of a coming marriage.

oculist (n.)

an eye doctor.

saunter (v.)

to walk in a slow, relaxed way.

supercilious (adj.)

acting as if one is better than others.

proprietary (adj.)

relating to ownership or possession.

hauteur (n.)

proud, snobbish attitude.

gyp (v.)

to cheat or trick someone.

fortnight (n.)

two weeks.

hors-d'oeuvre (n.)

a small appetizer before a meal.

innuendo (n.)

a hint or indirect remark, often suggestive.

vicinity (n.)

the area nearby.

vehement (adj.)

showing strong feeling or enthusiasm.

speculation (n.)

a guess or theory without firm proof.

condescending (adj.)

showing a sense of superiority; talking down to others.

impetuously (adv.)

acting suddenly without thought.

ascertain (v.)

to find out or make sure of something.

corpulent (adj.)

fat or overweight.

jovial (adj.)

cheerful and friendly.

jaunty (adj.)

lively, energetic, and confident.

tantalize (v.)

to tease by showing something desirable but keeping it out of reach.

affectation (n.)

fake behavior meant to impress others.

subterfuge (n.)

a trick or deception used to hide something.

bootlegger (n.)

someone who makes or sells alcohol illegally.

tribute (n.)

something done or given to show respect or admiration.

penitentiary (n.)

a prison for serious crimes.

punctilious (adj.)

very careful about details or rules.

disconcerting (adj.)

causing confusion or unsettlement.

rajah (n.)

an Indian king or prince.

molar (n.)

a large tooth used for grinding food.

beau (n.)

a boyfriend or male admirer.

pomp (n.)

grand or showy ceremony.

splendor (n.)

great beauty or magnificence.

shrubbery (n.)

an area planted with bushes or small trees.

tactless (adj.)

saying or doing things that offend others.

rendered (adj.)

made or caused to become.

gaudy (adj.)

too bright or showy; tasteless.

vestige (n.)

a small remaining trace of something that once existed.

obstinate (adj.)

stubborn; unwilling to change.

boarder (n.)

someone who pays to live and eat in someone’s house.

disheveled (adj.)

messy or untidy in appearance.

colossal (adj.)

extremely large.

laudable (adj.)

deserving praise.

notoriety (n.)

fame for something bad.

meretricious (adj.)

flashy but not truly valuable.

conceit (n.)

too much pride in oneself or one’s abilities.

ineffable (adj.)

too great or extreme to be described in words.

reverie (n.)

a daydream or pleasant thought.

turgid (adj.)

swollen or overly fancy in style.

debauchery (n.)

excessive indulgence in pleasure or vice.

ingratiate (v.)

to try to gain favor by flattering others.

tipsy (adj.)

slightly drunk.

septic (adj.)

infected with harmful bacteria.

appalled (adj.)

shocked or horrified.

chafe (v.)

to rub and cause soreness or irritation.

obtrusive (adj.)

noticeable in an unpleasant or unwanted way.

menagerie (n.)

a collection of animals kept for display.

dilatory (adj.)

slow to act; causing delay.

harrowing (adj.)

extremely distressing or painful.

bona-fide (adj.)

genuine or real.

stifling (adj.)

very hot or suffocating.

libertine (n.)

someone who behaves without moral restraint.

prig (n.)

someone smugly proper or self-righteous.

vicariously (adv.)

experienced through the actions of others.

rancor (n.)

deep bitterness or resentment.

portentous (adj.)

ominous or suggesting something bad will happen.

inquest (n.)

an official investigation, usually into a death.

malice (n.)

the desire to harm someone.

indiscernible (adj.)

impossible to see or understand clearly.

barbed wire (n.)

wire with sharp points used for fencing.

redolent (adj.)

having a strong smell; reminding of something.

unscrupulously (adv.)

without morals or honesty.

ravenously (adv.)

extremely hungrily.

pretense (n.)

a false show or claim.

stratum (n.)

a level or layer, often in society.

[in] cahoots (n.)

in secret partnership or conspiracy.

garrulous (adj.)

overly talkative.

pasquinade (n.)

a written satire or public mockery.

superfluous (adj.)

unnecessary or more than enough.

resolve (n.)

firm determination to do something.

interminable (adj.)

seeming to have no end.

inquisition (n.)

intense questioning or investigation.

jauntily (adv.)

in a lively, confident way.

provincial (adj.)

narrow-minded or unsophisticated.

pander (v.)

to satisfy someone’s bad desires.

expostulation (n.)

an expression of protest or disagreement.