HSPT Vocabulary Review

HSPT Vocabulary: A through B

abbreviate (u) to shorten
abdicate (u) to give up power
abhor (a) despise
abide (u) to follow, observe
abnormal (adj.) not normal, average
abode (n.) residence
abrasive (adj.) irritating
abrupt (adj.) sudden
absolution (n.) forgiveness
absolve (u) to free from guilt
abstain (u) to hold back
abundant (adj.) plentiful
accelerate (u) advance
acclaim (u) to praise
accolade (n.) strong praise
accommodate (u) to make room
accountable (adj.) responsible for
accumulate (u) to collect
accuse (u) to blame
acrid (adj.) bitter
adamant (adj.) determined
adaptable (adj.) able to change
adept (adj.) skillful
adhere (v.) to attach, to stick
adjacent (adj.) next to
admonish (v.) to warn
adorn (v.) to decorate
adversary (n.) opponent
adverse (adj.) opposing
adversity (n.) difficulty, misfortune
advocate (v.) to support
aesthetic (adj.) about beauty
affluent (adj.) wealthy
affront (n.) deliberate act
aggravate (v.) to make worse
aggressive (adj.) forceful
agitate (v.) to shake, disturb
ailment (n.) mild illness
ajar (adj.) slightly open
alleviate (v.) to lessen
allocate (u) to give out
allot (u) to allocate, to give out
aloof (adj.) indifferent
alter (u) change
altercation (n.) disagreement
altruistic (adj.) unselfish
amass (u) to gather, to accumulate
ambiguous (adj.) unclear
ambivalent (adj.) uncertain
amiable (adj.) friendly
amicable (adj.) civil, cordial
amiss (adj.) wrong
ample (adj.) plenty, enough
amplify (u) to increase
analyze (u) to examine
anecdote (n.) story
animate (u) to make alive
animosity (n.) hostility
antagonist (n.) opponent, enemy
antagonize (u) to provoke
anticipate (v.) foresee
antidote (n.) a cure for poison
apathy (n.) indifference
apex (n.) peak
appalling (adj.) shocking
appeal (n.) urgent request
apprehensive (adj.) nervous
arbitrary (adj.) based on a whim
archaic (adj.) very old
arduous (adj.) difficult
arid (adj.) dry
arrogant (adj.) pompous, cocky
asperity (n.) harshness of tone
aspire (v.) to strive
assent (v.) to agree
assist (v.) to help
astute (adj.) sharp
atone (v.) to make amends
atrocious (adj.) awful
atypical (adj.) unusual
audible (adj.) able to be heard
augment (e) to make greater
authentic (adj.) real
averse (adj.) opposed to
avert (a) to avoid
avid (adj.) eager
baffle (u) to confuse
banal (adj.) boring
banter (n.) teasing
barter (u) to bargain or to negotiate
belated (adj.) after the event
belittle (u) to put down
belligerent (adj.) warlike
benefit (v.) to gain an advantage
benevolent (adj.) charitable
benign (adj.) favorable
berate (u) to scold
biased (adj.) partial
bizarre (adj.) odd
blatant (adj.) obvious
bleak (adj.) barren
blithe (adj.) happy
boisterous (adj.) noisy, rowy
bolster (v.) to support
brash (adj.) bold
brazen (adj.) bold
brisk (adj.) fast, active
broach (u) to bring up
buttress (v.) to reinforce

HSPT Vocabulary: C

callous (adj.) careless
candid (adj.) frank, open
cantankerous (adj.) grouchy
captivate (u) to enchant
caustic (adj.) corrosive
censure (v.) to criticize harshly
ceremonious (adj.) formal
champion (v.) to defend or support
chaotic (adj.) disorderly
chastise (u) to scold
cherish (v.) to hold dear
choleric (adj.) irritable
circumvent (u) to go around
clamor (u) to make commotion
clandestine (adj) secretive
clemency (n) mercy
coarse (adj) rough
cohesive (adj) sticking together
collaborate (u) to work together
commence (u) to begin
commend (u) to praise
compassion (n.) sympathy
compel (u) to obligate, force
competent (adj.) able
compilation (n.) collection
compile (u) to collect
complacent (adj.) at ease, happy
compliant (adj.) inclined to obey rules
comply (u) to accept, consent
composure (n.) feeling of calm
comprehensive (adj.) all-inclusive
compromise (u) to give and take
conceal (u) to hide
concede (u) admit
conceited (adj.) overly proud
concise (adj.) to the point
conclude (u) to end
concord (n.) agreement
concur (u) to agree
condescend (u) to stoop or humble
condescending (adj.) snobby
condone (u) to allow
confiscate (u) to take away
conflagration (n.) a destructive fire
congenial (adj.) pleasing, friendly
consequently (adj.) as a result
conservative (adj.) cautious
consolidate (u) to combine
conspicuous (adj.) obvious
conspiracy (n.) scheme
construct (u) to build
contagious (adj.) communicable
contaminate (u) to make impure
contemporary (adj.) modern
content (adj.) satisfied
contort (n) to twist or bend
contradict (n) to speak against
contrite (adj) sorry
contrive (n) to devise
conundrum (n.) a riddle
conventional (adj) traditional
corrupt (adj) dishonest
counterfeit (adj) fake
courteous (adj) mannerly
credible (adj) believable
critical (adj) fault-finding
crucial (adj) necessary
culprit (n.) one at fault
culture (n.) breeding, art
cumulative (adj) successive adding
cunning (adj) sly, scheming
cursory (adj) hasty
cynical (adj) doubtful

HSPT Vocabulary: D through F

debilitating (adj.) weakening
debunk (u) to expose falseness
decipher (u) to figure out
declare (u) to announce
decree (u) to command
defer (u) to put off
deficient (adj.) lacking
defile (u) violate, corrupt
delay (u) suspend, put off
delegate (u) to assign
delicate (adj.) fragile
delinquent (adj.) overdue
deplete (v) to consume or use up
deplorable (adj.) shameful
derelict (adj.) neglected
desecrate (u) to violate
desist (u) to stop
despair (n.) loss of hope
destitute (adj.) very poor
deter (v) to hinder
detrimental (adj.) harmful
deviate (u) to stray from
devious (adj.) tricky, sneaky
dexterity (n.) aptitude
diction (n.) speech
dilapidated (adj) falling apart
diligent (adj) showing carefulness
diminish (u) to decrease
disadvantage (n.) a hurt or loss
disagreement (n.) controversy, conflict
discern (u) to discover
disclose (u) to reveal
discredit (u) to cause disbelief
discrete (adj.) separate or distinct
discrete
discriminate (u) to show prejudice
disdain (n.) hate or indifference
disheveled (adj.) messy
dismal (adj.) dreary
dismantle (u) to take apart
disparage (u) to belittle
dispute (u) to argue
disregard (u) to ignore
dissent (n.) lack of agreement
distinct (adj.) separate
distort (u) to alter
distraught (adj.) upset
distribute (u) to separate, place
diverse (adj.) different
divulge (u) to reveal
docile (adj.) tame
dominate (u) to overpower, defeat
dormant (adj.) inactive
dubious (adj.) doubtful
durable (adj.) sturdy, strong
duress (n.) threat, hardship
eccentric (adj.) unusual
ecstatic (adj.) very happy
edible (adj.) meant to be eaten
effusive (adj.) expressing pleasure
elated (adj.) excited, happy
elegant (adj.) classy, graceful
elicit (v.) to evoke, draw out
elite (adj.) the best
eloquent (adj.) skillful with words
elude (u) to evade, escape
elusive (adj) hard to grab
emancipate (n) to free
embark (e) to begin a journey
embellish (n) to decorate, beautify
enamored (adj) infatuated
encroach (n) to trespass
endanger (n) to threaten
endorse (n) to advocate, to support
endure (u) to get through
enhance (n) to improve
enigma (n.) a puzzle
ensure (u) to guarantee
enthrall (u) to enchant
enumerate (u) to name
enumerate (u) to name individually
envious (adj.) jealous
epitome (n.) perfect example
eradicate (u) to eliminate
erratic (adj.) unpredictable
erroneous (adj.) incorrect
essential (adj.) necessary
ethical (adj.) moral
eulogy (n.) speech of praise
excerpt (n.) part of the whole
exempt (adj.) not required to
exhibit (u) to display
exonerate (u) to free of blame
exorbitant (adj.) excessive
expedient (adj.) advantageous
expedite (u) to speed up
fabricate (v.) to dream up, to contrive
fallacy (n.) false belief
feasible (adj.) possible
feeble (adj.) weak
feign (u) to pretend
festive (adj.) joyous
fiendish (adj.) devilish
flagrant (adj.) blatant
flair (n.) ability
flaunt (u) to show off
flexible (adj.) easily changed
florid (adj.) elaborate
fluctuate (u) vary
forfeit (u) to give up
formidable (adj) frightening
frantic (adj) distressed
frenetic (adj) energetic
frivolous (adj) trivial
frugal (adj) thrifty
fugitive (n) someone escaping
fundamental (adj) basic
futile (adj) ineffective

HSPT Vocabulary: G through L

garrulous (adj) chatty
gaunt (adj) thin, bleak
generate (u) to make
generous (adj) giving
genial (adj) pleasant, gracious
gingerly (adu) cautious
gist (n.) direction, idea
grandiose (adj) extravagant
gratify (u) to satisfy
grave (adj.) serious
gregarious (adj.) friendly, social
grueling (adj.) exhausting
gullible (adj.) easily deceived
gusto (n.) spunk, liveliness
hamper (u) to hinder or slow
hapless (adj) unlucky
harbor (u) to protect
harmonious (adj) agreeable
hasten (u) to speed up
haughty (adj.) arrogant
hinder (u) to get in the way of
hindrance (n.) something in the way
humane (adj.) compassionate, kind
humble (adj.) modest
hybrid (n.) mixture
hypothesis (n.) formulation
illiterate (adj.) unable to read
illustrious (adj.) celebrated
immaculate (adj.) clean, spotless
immensely (adu) extremely
imminent (adj) about to happen
immune (adj) unaffected
impair (u) to damage
impartial (adj) unprejudiced
impeccable (adj) flawless
impede (u) to obstruct
impediment (n.) a hindrance
imperative (adj) important
impulsive (adj) without thought
incensed (adj) angry
incessant (adj.) never ending
incompetent (adj) incapable
inconspicuous (adj) hidden
incriminate (u) to accuse
indecent (adj) offensive
indifferent (adj) not caring
indispensable (adj) necessary
induce (u) to cause or start
induct (u) to put in office
inert (adj) not moving
inevitable (adj) unavoidable
infamous (adj) bad reputation
infinite (adj) without limit
infirmity (n.) weakness
infringe (u) violate
inordinate (adj) excessive
inquisitive (adj) curious
insinuate (u) to imply
insipid (adj.) dull
insolent (adj.) disrespectful
instigate (u) to initiate, to plot
instill (u) to firmly establish
instinctively (adj) automatic
intact (adj.) in one piece
integrity (n.) honesty
interfere (u) to intervene
interminable (adj.) unending
interval (n.) gap, interspace
intimidate (u) to frighten
intricate (adj.) detailed
intriguing (adj.) interesting
intrusive (adj.) unwelcomed
inundate (u) to overload
invigorate (u) to give energy to
invincible (adj) can't be defeated
irate (u) angry
irrational (adj) nonsensical
irrelevant (adj) beside the point
isolate (u) to separate
isolated (adj) unique, alone
jeer (u) to mock
jeopardize (u) to put at risk
jovial (adj) happy
jubilant (adj) showing joy
keen (adj.) smart, quick
knoll (n.) small hill
lament (u) to mourn, to grieve
latitude (n.) space to move
lavish (adj.) expensive, fancy
legitimate (adj.) valid, real
lenient (adj.) tolerant, permissive
lethargic (adj.) without energy
liberate (u) to set free
linger (u) to stay around
listlessness (n.) sluggishness
livid (adj.) enraged
loathe (u) to hate
lofty (adj.) elevated, superior
lucid (adj.) easy to understand
lucrative (adj.) well paid

HSPT Vocabulary: M through P

maintain (v.) to continue
malcontent (adj.) unhappy
malice (n.) desire to harm
malignant (adj.) dangerous
malleable (adj.) able to be changed
mandate (u) to order
mar (v.) to damage
meager (adj.) inadequate
meander (u) wander aimlessly
mediocre (adj.) adequate
meek (adj) shy, compliant
melancholy (adj) sad
merge (u) to combine, incorporate
merit (n.) praise, excellence
meticulous (adj) precise
misconception (n) wrong idea
miscreant (n.) villain
mitigate (u) to lessen
modify (u) to change, adjust
monotonous (adj.) boring
moral (adj) ethical
morose (adj.) gloomy
muddle (u) to make a mess
mundane (adj) usual, ordinary
municipality (n.) community
mythical (adj.) existing in myth
naive (adj.) trusting
negligent (adj.) careless
nimble (adj.) moving with ease
nocturnal (adj.) happening at night
noisome (adj.) offensive
nomad (n.) one who moves often
nomadic (adj.) wandering
nonchalant (adj.) easygoing
notorious (adj.) infamous
novice (n.) beginner
noxious (adj.) deadly
objective (adj.) unbiased
obliterate (u) to eliminate
oblivious (adj.) unaware
obscure (u) to conceal
obsolete (adj.) outdated
obstacle (n.) deterrent, hurdle
obstruct (u) to block
ominous (adj.) foretelling
omnipotent (adj.) all powerful
opaque (adj.) cloudy
opulent (adj.) luxurious
oration (n.) a speech
orthodox (adj) traditional
pacify (u) to calm
palatable (adj) pleasant
paltry (adj) meager, despicable
parched (adj) thirsty
passive (adj) not active
pathetic (adj) sad, pitiful
patron (n) sponsor, advocate
pedigree (n) line of descent
perceptive (adj) quick to notice
perpetual (adj) ongoing
perplex (u) to confuse, puzzle
persist (u) to continue despite difficulty
perturb (u) to upset
peruse (u) to look over
petite (adj.) small
philanthropy (n.) generosity
pilot (u) to steer
pinnacle (n.) peak
pious (adj) religious
pivotal (adj.) important
placate (u) to calm or pacify
placid (adj.) calm
plausible (adj.) believable
plethora (n.) excess
plight (n.) unfortunate condition
poise (n.) balance, equilibrium
poised (adj.) balanced
ponder (u) to think about
potent (adj.) powerful
precision (n.) closeness, exactness
precocious (adj.) mentally mature
predominant (adj.) great in number
preface (n.) introduction
premonition (n.) hunch
prerogative (n.) an official right
preserve (u) to keep, to safeguard
pretentious (adj.) overly important
prevalent (adj.) widespread
preview (u) to view before
principal (adj) main
prior (adj) before
proclaim (u) to announce
procrastinate (u) to put off
proficient (adj) skillful
prohibit (u) to forbid
prolific (adj) creative, productive
prolong (u) to lengthen
prolong
prompt (adj) on time
provoke (u) to anger
provoke
prudent (adj) careful
pungent (adj) sharp smelling
pursue (u) to follow

HSPT Vocabulary: Q through S

qualified (adj) accomplished
quandary (n.) dilemma
quarrelsome (adj) disagreeable
quench (u) to put out
querulous (adj) complaining
radiant (adj) beaming
radical (adj) extreme
rampant (adj) widespread
ratify (u) to approve
rational (adj.) reasonable
ravenous (adj.) starving
recalcitrant (adj.) disobedient
reclusive (adj.) isolated
reconcile (u) to resolve
rectify (u) to fix
recuperate (u) to recover
redundant (adj.) repetitious
refine (u) to improve, purify
reflective (adj) thoughtful
refurbish (u) to fix up
refute (u) to contradict
regimen (n.) routine
reimburse (u) to pay back
rejuvenate (u) to make new again
relic (n.) antique
relinquish (u) to release
reluctance (n.) hesitation
remorse (n.) sense of guilt
repeal (u) to revoke, rescind
replenish (u) to refill, to put back
reprimand (v) to scold
reprisal (n.) retaliation
reproach (u) to express disapproval
reputable (adj.) distinguished
resolve (u) to decide, to agree
restore (u) to make new
resume (u) to continue
retain (u) to keep
reticent (adj.) quiet
retort (n.) witty response
retract (u) to take back
revere (u) to admire
revive (u) to bring back to life
rickety (adj.) flimsy
rigor (n.) adversity, difficulty
rigorous (adj.) harsh, exact
robust (adj.) strong, healthy
routine (adj.) ordinary, normal
sage (adj.) wise
sage (n.) a wise person
salvage (u) save from
satiate (u) to fill, to satisfy
saunter (u) to linger, to stroll
scheme (n.) a ploy or trick
scrutinize (v) to inspect, to analyze
sedentary (adj.) need for sitting
serene (adj.) calm
sever (u) to cut off
severe (adj.) harsh
shrewd (adj.) clever
significant (adj.) important
simulate (u) to imitate
skeptical (adj.) doubtful
slovenly (adj.) dirty, careless
solace (n.) comfort
somber (adj.) gloomy
sparse (adj.) scarce, limited
spiteful (adj.) malicious
spontaneous (adj.) impulsive
sporadic (adj.) intermittent
squander (u) to waste
stagnant (adj) not moving
staunch (adj) loyal
stealthy (adj) secretive, quiet
sterile (adj) germ-free
stern (adj) severe, rigid
stimulate (u) to provoke
strife (n.) a struggle
stringent (adj.) rigid
subsequent (adj.) following
substantial (adj.) important, significant
subtle (adj.) indirect, faint
succinct (adj.) to the point, brief
suitable (adj.) appropriate, adequate
sullen (adj.) gloomy
superficial (adj.) near the surface
superfluous (adj.) excessive, unnecessary
suppress (u) to prevent, to constrain
surge (n.) a rush
surplus (n.) an excess
sustain (u.) to keep going
swelter (u) to be very warm
sympathy (n.) sorrow, compassion

HSPT Vocabulary: T through Z

taciturn (adj.) quiet
tactile (adj.) relative to touch
taint (u) to pollute
tangible (adj.) able to be touched
tarnish (u) to damage, blemish
taunt (u) to tease
tedious (adj.) dull, time-consuming
temperate (adj.) mild, moderate
tempest (n.) a violent windstorm
tenacious (adj.) persistent
tense (adj.) nervous, anxious, rigid
tenuous (adj.) weak, fragile
terse (adj.) to the point
thrive (u) to do well
throb (u) pulse
timid (adj.) shy
tirade (n.) a long outburst
tolerant (adj.) accepting
toxic (adj.) poisonous
trance (u) per
transform (u) to change completely
transgression (n) a violation of law a misdoing
transient (adj) passing quickly
transitory (adj) brief, fleeting
translucent (adj) clear
traverse (u) to cross
tremble (u) to shake
trivial (adj) unimportant
truant (n.) one who is absent
turmoil (n.) an uneasy state
tycoon (n) one with money
tyrant (n.) an unjust ruler
ultimate (adj) last, highest
undaunted (adj) not discouraged
undermine (u) weaken
uniform (adj) the same
unique (adj.) the only one
unkempt (adj) messy
unorthodox (adj) not traditional
unqualified (adj) not fit, inexperienced
unsung (adj.) overlooked
usurp (u) to take over
utilize (u) to use
utmost (adj.) highest, best
vacant (adj.) empty
vague (adj.) unclear
vain (adj.) egotistical
valid (adj.) right, genuine
validate (u) to approve
vanquish (u) to conquer
variegated (adj) mixed in color
verbose (adj.) wordy
verge (n.) brink
viable (adj.) reasonable
vicious (adj.) cruel, violent
vigilant (adj.) watchful
vigorous (adj.) energetic
vindicate (u) to confirm
virtually (adu) essentially
vital (adj.) essential
vitality (n.) energy, spirit
vivacious (adj.) lively, full of life
volatile (adj.) quickly changing
voracious (adj.) hungry
vulgar (adj.) rude
vulnerable (adj.) defenseless
wage (n.) compensation, pay
wage (v.) to do or to conduct
wary (adj.) cautious
waver (v.) to go back and forth
wearisome (adj.) tiresome
weary (adj.) exhausted
whimsical (adj.) carefree
wily (adj.) crafty, sly
wretched (adj.) miserable
yearn (v.) to want
youthful (adj.) young
zeal (n.) eager desire
zealot (n.) fanatic
zenith (n.) the top, peak

Vocabulary Improvement and Practice

Reading introduces you to new words and allows you to see the words in context.
Using new words in conversation will remind you of the context of the word.

Questions & Discussion

Match the Word with the Definition: On the left are vocabulary words from the list. In the space provided to the left of the number, place the correct letter of the corresponding definition on the right.

embark
gaunt
enigma
immaculate
prude
ostentatious
W