AP Lang Vocab List A

A set of 35 vocabulary flashcards covering all terms from AP Lang Vocab List A.

abate

(v.) To become less intense, severe, or widespread; to reduce or diminish.

acumen

(n.) The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.

ascertain

(v.) To find out or learn with certainty.

bombastic

(adj.) High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious in speech or writing.

brusque

(adj.) Abrupt, blunt, or offhand in speech or manner.

cacophony

(n.) A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

censure

(n., v.) To express severe disapproval or formal criticism of someone or something (v.); an expression of formal disapproval (n.).

cogent

(adj.) Clear, logical, and convincing (of an argument or case).

commensurate

(adj.) Corresponding in size, degree, or proportion; equivalent.

curtail

(v.) To reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on.

deference

(n.) Polite submission and respect toward another person or authority.

disparage

(v.) To regard or represent as being of little worth; to belittle.

dubious

(adj.) Hesitating or doubting; questionable or not to be relied upon.

efficacy

(n.) The ability to produce a desired or intended result; effectiveness.

egregious

(adj.) Outstandingly bad, shocking, or flagrant.

enumerate

(v.) To mention or list a number of things one by one.

exhort

(v.) To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.

extraneous

(adj.) Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with; coming from the outside.

frenetic

(adj.) Fast and energetic in a wild and uncontrolled way; frantic.

grandiose

(adj.) Impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, especially pretentiously so.

implicit

(adj.) Implied though not plainly expressed; understood without being directly stated.

inane

(adj.) Silly, stupid, or lacking sense or meaning.

incendiary

(adj.) Designed to cause fires; tending to stir up conflict, strife, or rebellion.

intransigent

(adj.) Uncompromising; refusing to agree or change one's views.

multifarious

(adj.) Having many varied parts, aspects, or types; diverse.

nascent

(adj.) Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.

nebulous

(adj.) In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy, vague, or ill-defined.

oration

(n.) A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.

ostracize

(v.) To exclude someone from a society, group, or community.

prescient

(adj.) Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place; prophetic.

propriety

(n.) The state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.

prosaic

(adj.) Lacking poetic beauty; commonplace, ordinary, or unromantic.

rhapsodize

(v.) To speak or write about someone or something with great enthusiasm or delight.

rife

(adj.) Widespread or of common occurrence, especially of something undesirable or harmful.

vacillate

(v.) To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive.