AP Literature - Lists 1 & 2

ubiquitous

(adj) present, appearing, or found everywhere

ulterior

(adj) going beyond what is opening said or shown and especially what is proper

ultimatum

(n) a final proposition, condition, or demand

umbrage

(n) a feeling of resentment at some (often imagined) slight or insult

unabashed

(adj) unapologetic, undisguised

unassuming

(adj) modest

unbridled

(adj) unrestrained

uncanny

(adj) strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way

uncouth

(adj) awkward and uncultivated in appearance, manner, or behavior

unctuous

(adj) excessively flattering; marked by a smug, ingratiating persona

undermine

(v) lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously

undulate

(v) move in a wave-like motion

unencumbered

(adj) free of burden

unfounded

(adj) lacking sound basis

unguent

(n) a soothing or healing salve

unilateral

(adj) relating to, occurring on, or affecting only one side of an organ or structure, or of the body

unkempt

(adj) having an untidy or disheveled appearance

unmitigated

(adj) unrelieved

unorthodox

(adj) not traditional

unruly

(adj) wild; uncontrollable

unsightly

(adj) unpleasant to look at; ugly

untoward

(adj) unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient

unwieldly

(adj) difficult to carry or move because of its size, shape, or weight

upbraid

(v) find fault with (someone); scold

utilitarian

(adj) designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive

ungainly

(adj) awkward; clumsy

unrequited

(adj) not returned or rewarded

unseemly

(adj) not proper or appropriate

untenable

(adj) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

upshot

(n) outcome

urbane

(adj) courteous and refined in manner

urchin

(n) a mischievous and often poor and ragged clothed young child

usurp

(v) take or make use of without right

utopian

(adj) an idealistic, perfect state

vehement

(adj) showing strong feeling; forceful, intense, or passionate

venal

(adj) open to corrupt influence, especially bribery

veneer

(v) cover with a decorative layer of fine wood

venerable

(adj) calling forth respect, especially because of age, character, or accomplishment

venerate

(v) to treat with great respect and admiration; revere

venue

(n) the place where something happens, especially an organized event

veracity

(n) devotion to truthfulness

verbatim

(adv) word-for-word

verdant

(adj) greens and lush

verisimilitude

(n) the appearance of being true or real

verve

(n) energy and vitality

vestige

(n) a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

vexation

(n) the state of being irritated or annoyed

vicarious

(adj) experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

vie

(v) to contend

vignette

(n) a short descriptive literary sketch; a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)