WordMasters 2026 Gold Division 8th Grade

Bombast

(N.) Overly showy and exaggerated speech or writing

Contrivance

(N.)

• A device or artificial arrangement created for a purpose.

• The act of inventing or planning something artificial.

Convention

(N.)

• A formal agreement or treaty.

• A large meeting or assembly for a shared purpose.

• A custom, rule, or accepted way of doing things.

Cosset

(n) A pet lamb.

(v) To pamper or treat someone with excessive care.

Crepescular

(Adj.)

Relating to twilight or dim light.

Active at dawn or dusk.

Delectable

(n.) Something especially delicious or pleasing, often food.

(adj) Delightful or very pleasing; delicious.

Dissemble

(V.)

To hide true feelings or intentions behind a false appearance.

Dogma

(N.)

• A belief or principle accepted as unquestionably true.

• An official doctrine of a religion.

Ebullient

(Adj.)

• Boiling or bubbling.

• Very energetic and enthusiastic.

Enervate

(adj.) Lacking energy or strength.

(v) Draining of energy or strength

Forge

(n.) A furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped.

(v)  To shape metal by heating and hammering. To fake or counterfeit something. To create or form something through effort. To move forward steadily

Imminent

(Adj.)

About to happen very soon, often something threatening.

Impend

(V.)

• To be about to occur.

• To threaten or loom over.

Maverick

(n) An independent person who does not follow a group.

(adj) Acting independently or differently from others.

Maxim

(N.)

A general truth relating to the rules of conduct expressed as a short saying or proverb

Ostentatious

(Adj.)

Showy or flashy in order to attract attention.

Peccadillo

(N.)

A small or minor wrongdoing.

Pedantic

(Adj.)

Overly concerned with minor details or showing off knowledge

Prevaricate

(V.)

To avoid telling the truth or giving indirect answers.

Qualm

(N.)

A feeling of doubt or uneasiness about what is right.

Rejuvenate

(V.)

• To make young or energetic again.

• To restore something to a better or original condition.

Relegate

(V.)

• To send away or banish.

• To assign to a lower or less important position.

Rhetorical

(Adj.)

• Relating to persuasive speaking or writing.

• Asked for effect rather than an actual answer

Somnolent

(Adj.)

• Sleepy or drowsy.

• Likely to make someone sleepy.

Turncoat

(N.)

A person who betrays one side and switches to another.