Comprehensive Verbal Ability and Vocabulary Study Notes

Vocabulary flashcards featuring terms and verbatim definitions compiled across all provided lecture sources.

Abandon

complete lack of inhibition or restraint.

Abrasive

showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.

Abreast

up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information

Abridge

shorten (a piece of writing) without losing the sense.

Abstruse

difficult to understand; obscure.

Accentuate

to make (something) more prominent or noticeable

Accord

an official agreement or treaty.

Acerbic

sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone

Acquisitive

excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.

Activism

the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

Acumen

superior insight; quickness and shrewdness of judgment, especially in practical matters.

Acute

present or experienced to a severe or intense degree; having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd.

Adroit

clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.

Adulation

obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise.

Aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

Affable

friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.

Affectation

behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.

Aghast

filled with horror or shock.

Alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness.

Alienate

cause (someone) to feel isolated or conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically through distaste.

Aloof

conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically through distaste.

Ambiguity

the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

Ameliorate

make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better, improve

Amiable

having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

Amuse

cause (someone) to find something funny; entertain.

Anachronism

belonging to a period other than that being portrayed.

Antagonistic

showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something.

Antedate

precede in time; come before (something) in date.

Antiquity

the ancient past, especially the period before the middle ages.

Antithesis

a contrast or opposition between two things.

Apathy

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Aplomb

complete and confident composure or self-assurance

Apologist

a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial.

Apposite

apt in the circumstances or in relation to something.

Appropriate

take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.

Arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

Arcane

understood by few; mysterious or secret.

Arduous

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.

Articulate

(of a person or a person's words) having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.

Assertive

having or showing a confident and forceful personality.

Assiduous

showing great care and perseverance.

Astonish

surprise or impress (someone) greatly.

Astound

shock or greatly surprise.

Attainment

a thing achieved, especially a skill or educational achievement.

Attribute

regard something as being caused by (someone or something).

Augment

make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.

Austerity

extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance.

Aversion

a strong dislike or disinclination.

Avert

prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).

Banal

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.

Banish

send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment.

Bearing

relation; relevance.

Befriend

act as a friend to (someone) by offering help or support.

Beguile

charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way; trick (someone) into doing something; help (time) pass pleasantly.

Beholden

owing thanks or having a duty to someone in return for help or a service.

Belie

(of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.

Bemuse

puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).

Benign

harmless, kind, gentle

Betray

unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.

Bias

prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Blemish

spoil the appearance of (something) that is otherwise aesthetically perfect.

Blight

have a severely detrimental effect on.

Blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.

Blunt

(of a person or remark) uncompromisingly forthright.

Bogus

not genuine or true; fake.

Bolster

support or strengthen; prop up.

Boon

a thing that is helpful or beneficial.

Braggart

a person who boasts about achievements or possessions.

Brandish

wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

Brazen

bold and without shame. endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame.

Brevity

concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Bridle

bring (something) under control; curb.

Bucolic

relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

Buoyancy

an optimistic and cheerful disposition.

Calamitous

involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous.

Callous

feeling or showing no sympathy for others

Calumny

a false and slanderous statement.

Canny

having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters.

Canonize

treat or regard as being above reproach or of great significance.

Caprice

a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

Catastrophe

an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.

Cerebral

intellectual rather than emotional or physical.

Check

stop or slow down the progress of (something undesirable).

Cherish

protect and care for (someone) lovingly.

Circumscribe

restrict (something) within limits.

Circumstantial

pointing indirectly toward someone's guilt but not conclusively proving it.

Clangor

a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.

Clearheaded

alert and thinking logically and coherently.

Clerical

(of a job or person) concerned with or relating to work in an office, especially; relating to the clergy.

Cloak

hide, cover, or disguise (something).

Clumsy

done awkwardly or without skill or elegance.

Coalesce

come together to form one mass or whole.

Cogent

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

Coherent

(of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent.