english vocabulary level 9

aberration

aberration

(n). something that differs from the norm

abhor

(v). to hate, detest

acquiesce

(v). to agree without protesting

alacrity

(n). eagerness, speed

amiable

(adj). friendly

appease

(v). to calm, satisfy

arcane

(adj). obscure, secret, known only by a few

avarice

(n). excessive greed

brazen

(adj). excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious

brusque

(adj). short, abrupt, dismissive

cajole

(v). to urge, coax

callous

(adj). harsh, cold, unfeeling

candour

(n). honesty, frankness

chide

(v). to voice disapproval

circumspect

(adj). cautious

clandestine

(adj). secret

coerce

(v). to make somebody do something by force or threat

coherent

(adj). logically consistent, intelligible

complacency

(n). self-satisfied ignorance of danger

confidant

(n). a person entrusted with secrets

connive

(v). to plot, scheme

cumulative

(adj). increasing, building upon itself

cynical

(adj). believing the worst of others, esp that all acts are selfish

debase

(v). to lower the quality or esteem of something

decry

(v). to criticize openly

deferential

(adj). showing respect for another’s authority

demure

(adj). quiet, modest, reserved

deride

(v). to laugh at mockingly, scorn

despot

(n). one who has total power and rules brutally

diligent

(adj). showing care in doing one’s work

elated

(adj). overjoyed, thrilled

eloquent

(adj). expressive, articulate, moving

embezzle

(v). to steal money by falsifying records

empathy

(n). sensitivity to another’s feelings as if they were one’s own

enmity

(n). ill will, hatred, hostility

erudite

(adj). learned

extol

(v). to praise, revere

fabricate

(v). to make up, invent

feral

(adj). wild, savage

forsake

(v). to give up, renounce

fractious

(adj). troublesome or irritable

furtive

(adj). secretive, sly

gluttony

(n). overindulgence in food or drink

gratuitous

(adj). uncalled for, unwarranted

haughty

(adj). disdainfully proud

hypocrisy

(n). pretending to believe what one does not

impeccable

(adj). exemplary, flawless

impertinent

adj). rude, insolent

implacable

(adj). incapable of being appeased or mitigated

implicit

(n). Implied or understood without being directly stated

impudent

(adj). casually rude, insolent, impertinent

incisive

(adj). clear, sharp, direct

indolent

(adj). lazy

inept

(adj). not suitable or capable, unqualified

infamy

(n). notoriety, extreme ill repute

inhibit

(v). to prevent, restrain, stop

innate

(adj). inborn, native, inherent

insatiable

(adj). incapable of being satisfied

insular

(adj). separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off

intrepid

(adj). brave in the face of danger

inveterate

(adj). stubbornly established by habit

jubilant

(adj). extremely joyful, happy

lithe

(adj). graceful, flexible, supple

lurid

(adj). ghastly, sensational

maverick

(n). an independent, nonconformist person

maxim

(n). a common saying expressing a principle of conduct

meticulous

(adj). extremely careful with details

modicum

(n). a small amount of something

morose

(adj). gloomy or sullen

myriad

(adj). consisting of a very great number

nadir

(n). the lowest point of something

nominal

(adj). trifling, insignificant

novice

(n). a beginner, someone without training or experience

nuance

(n). a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression

oblivious

(adj). lacking consciousness or awareness of something

obsequious

(adj). excessively compliant or submissive

obtuse

(adj). lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect

panacea

(n). a remedy for all ills or difficulties

parody

(n). a satirical imitation

penchant

(n). a tendency, partiality, preference

perusal

(n). a careful examination, review

plethora

(n). an abundance, excess

predilection

(n). a preference or inclination for something

quaint

(adj). charmingly old-fashioned

rash

(adj). hasty, incautious

refurbish

(v). to restore, clean up

repudiate

(v). to reject, refuse to accept

rife

(adj). abundant

salient

(adj). significant, conspicuous

serendipity

(n). luck, finding good things without looking for them

staid

(adj). sedate, serious, self-restrained

superfluous

(adj). exceeding what is necessary

sycophant

(n). one who flatters for self-gain

taciturn

(adj). not inclined to talk

truculent

(adj). ready to fight, cruel

umbrage

(n). resentment, offence

venerable

(adj). deserving of respect because of age or achievement

vociferous

(adj). loud, boisterous

wanton

(adj). undisciplined, lewd, lustful

zenith

(n). the highest point, culminating point