GB-Top-level-vocab
Words and Definitions
Aberration (n)
Definition: Something that differs from the norm.
Example: Poland's 1974 World Cup win was an aberration since they haven't won since.
Abhor (v)
Definition: To hate, detest.
Example: Marcin began to abhor cricket after always getting hit.
Acquiesce (v)
Definition: To agree without protesting.
Example: Mr. Pospieszny acquiesced when his wife insisted on dinner.
Alacrity (n)
Definition: Eagerness, speed.
Example: Simon helped set the table with alacrity.
Amiable (adj)
Definition: Friendly.
Example: Neil, an amiable fellow, got along with everyone.
Appease (v)
Definition: To calm, satisfy.
Example: Jerry's mother appeased him with chocolate when he cried.
Arcane (adj)
Definition: Obscure, secret.
Example: The professor specializes in arcane Scottish literature.
Avarice (n)
Definition: Excessive greed.
Example: The banker's avarice resulted in a large personal fortune.
Brazen (adj)
Definition: Bold, brash, obvious.
Example: The writer's brazen plagiarism drew criticism.
Brusque (adj)
Definition: Short, abrupt, dismissive.
Example: Simon's brusque manner sometimes offends colleagues.
Cajole (v)
Definition: To urge, coax.
Example: Magda's friends cajoled her into drinking excessively.
Callous (adj)
Definition: Harsh, cold, unfeeling.
Example: The murderer's callous demeanor shocked the jury.
Candour (n)
Definition: Honesty, frankness.
Example: Politician's candor surprised listeners.
Chide (v)
Definition: To voice disapproval.
Example: Hania chided Gregory for his habits.
Circumspect (adj)
Definition: Cautious.
Example: It was circumspect not to promise a return time.
Clandestine (adj)
Definition: Secret.
Example: Maria's clandestine meeting was hidden under a library visit.
Coerce (v)
Definition: To force someone to do something.
Example: Beckham was denied contract honor due to coercion.
Coherent (adj)
Definition: Logically consistent.
Example: Harold failed to deliver a coherent statement due to distress.
Complacency (n)
Definition: Self-satisfied ignorance.
Example: Simon painted a dire picture to shock complacent friends.
Confidant (n)
Definition: A person entrusted with secrets.
Example: He quickly became my chief confidant.
Connive (v)
Definition: To plot, scheme.
Example: She connived to thwart my business plans.
Cumulative (adj)
Definition: Increasing over time.
Example: Hours on the site showed a cumulative vocabulary improvement.
Cynical (adj)
Definition: Believing the worst of others.
Example: She was cynical about politicians' good deeds.
Debase (v)
Definition: To lower quality or esteem.
Example: His raise debased his charity motives.
Decry (v)
Definition: To criticize openly.
Example: Lepper decried the state of Polish roads.
Deferential (adj)
Definition: Respectful to authority.
Example: Donata is excessively deferential to authority figures.
Demure (adj)
Definition: Quiet, modest.
Example: She remained demure at the party.
Deride (v)
Definition: To mock, scorn.
Example: The native speaker derided the teacher’s accent.
Despot (n)
Definition: Total power with brutality.
Example: The despot ruled with fear.
Diligent (adj)
Definition: Careful in work.
Example: The researcher double-checked measurements diligently.
Elated (adj)
Definition: Overjoyed, thrilled.
Example: He was elated after winning the lottery.
Eloquent (adj)
Definition: Expressive, articulate.
Example: The best man’s speech was eloquent and moving.
Embezzle (v)
Definition: To steal money through falsification.
Example: The accountant embezzled €10,000.
Empathy (n)
Definition: Sensitivity to another’s feelings.
Example: I feel empathy for my upset dog.
Enmity (n)
Definition: Ill will, hostility.
Example: The enmity between John and Scott is visible.
Erudite (adj)
Definition: Learned, scholarly.
Example: My teacher’s erudition includes Old English translations.
Extol (v)
Definition: To praise, revere.
Example: Kamila extolled vegetarianism to her meat-loving boyfriend.
Fabricate (v)
Definition: To invent or make up.
Example: I fabricated an excuse for arriving late.
Feral (adj)
Definition: Wild, savage.
Example: The feral beast instilled fear.
Forsake (v)
Definition: To give up or renounce.
Example: I won’t forsake my principles.
Fractious (adj)
Definition: Irritable or troublesome.
Example: The child’s fractious behavior suggested it was bedtime.
Furtive (adj)
Definition: Secretive, sly.
Example: Her furtive drug placement was not well hidden.
Gluttony (n)
Definition: Overindulgence in food or drink.
Example: Helen’s chicken promotes gluttony.
Gratuitous (adj)
Definition: Uncalled for, unwarranted.
Example: The fish and chip shop’s gratuitous vinegar is excessive.
Haughty (adj)
Definition: Disdainfully proud.
Example: The superstar’s haughty dismissal of co-stars will backfire.
Hypocrisy (n)
Definition: Pretending to believe what one does not.
Example: The politician’s hypocrisy was glaring.
Impeccable (adj)
Definition: Exemplary, flawless.
Example: His impeccable grades earned a car.
Impertinent (adj)
Definition: Rude, insolent.
Example: Your impertinent comments don’t deserve a response.
Implacable (adj)
Definition: Incapable of being pleased.
Example: She is implacable once you offend her cooking.
Implicit (adj)
Definition: Implied without directly stated.
Example: Her loyalty showed implicit trust in him.
Impudent (adj)
Definition: Casually rude, insolent.
Example: The impudent woman insulted her teacher openly.
Incisive (adj)
Definition: Clear, sharp.
Example: Her incisive comment clarified the discussion.
Indolent (adj)
Definition: Lazy.
Example: Indolent children should not be rewarded.
Inept (adj)
Definition: Unqualified.
Example: Her ineptitude was evident during her mistakes.
Infamy (n)
Definition: Notoriety, extreme ill repute.
Example: His crime’s infamy won’t fade.
Inhibit (v)
Definition: To prevent, restrain.
Example: I didn’t mean to inhibit your plans.
Innate (adj)
Definition: Inborn, inherent.
Example: His athletic talent is innate.
Insatiable (adj)
Definition: Incapable of being satisfied.
Example: Insatiable appetites can complicate vacations.
Insular (adj)
Definition: Closed off, narrow-minded.
Example: MI5 workers must remain insular.
Intrepid (adj)
Definition: Brave in danger.
Example: The explorer was praised for his intrepid nature.
Inveterate (adj)
Definition: Established by habit.
Example: I’m an inveterate cider drinker.
Jubilant (adj)
Definition: Extremely joyful.
Example: Firefighters were jubilant after saving a life.
Lithe (adj)
Definition: Graceful, flexible.
Example: Joanna’s lithe dance impressed everyone.
Lurid (adj)
Definition: Ghastly, sensational.
Example: Barry's story was too lurid for publication.
Maverick (n)
Definition: An independent thinker/nonconformist.
Example: John is a maverick in his attitudes.
Maxim (n)
Definition: A principle saying.
Example: Ms. Stone's maxims are instructive.
Meticulous (adj)
Definition: Careful with details.
Example: Her gown showed meticulous needlework.
Modicum (n)
Definition: A small amount.
Example: Magda showed no modicum of sensitivity.
Morose (adj)
Definition: Gloomy or sullen.
Example: David’s morose attitude made conversations difficult.
Myriad (adj)
Definition: Very many.
Example: The city offers myriad options for fun.
Nadir (n)
Definition: The lowest point.
Example: His day hit nadir when his car was stolen.
Nominal (adj)
Definition: Trifling.
Example: Kim sold his furniture for a nominal price.
Novice (n)
Definition: A beginner.
Example: Our novice status led to a basics review in archery.
Nuance (n)
Definition: A slight variation in meaning.
Example: The nuances in the poem required careful analysis.
Oblivious (adj)
Definition: Lacking awareness.
Example: Oblivious to the smell, my father burned the rolls.
Obsequious (adj)
Definition: Excessively compliant.
Example: Donald acted obsequiously towards Susan.
Obtuse (adj)
Definition: Slow to understand.
Example: Political warnings pointed at the Prime Minister's obtuse policies.
Panacea (n)
Definition: A remedy for all.
Example: Doctors wish for a panacea for diseases.
Parody (n)
Definition: A satirical imitation.
Example: Magdalena's parody of the teacher’s style was humorous.
Penchant (n)
Definition: A preference.
Example: Fiona's dinner parties show her penchant for Indian dishes.
Perusal (n)
Definition: A careful examination.
Example: A three-month perusal of the script preceded the actor’s acceptance of the role.
Plethora (n)
Definition: An abundance.
Example: The wedding banquet had a plethora of oysters.
Predilection (n)
Definition: A preference for something.
Example: James has a predilection for toad-in-the-hole with ketchup.
Quaint (adj)
Definition: Charming old-fashioned.
Example: Mary loved the quaint bonnets in Romania.
Rash (adj)
Definition: Hasty, incautious.
Example: Rash decisions can lead to regret.
Refurbish (v)
Definition: To restore.
Example: The refurbished motorcycle was worth $6000.
Repudiate (v)
Definition: To reject.
Example: Tom’s request for a curfew extension was repudiated.
Rife (adj)
Definition: Abundant.
Example: The teacher’s writing was rife with errors.
Salient (adj)
Definition: Significant.
Example: The salient differences are easy to notice.
Serendipity (n)
Definition: Luck in finding good outcomes.
Example: Mark found a $50 bill in an incredible bit of serendipity.
Staid (adj)
Definition: Sedate, self-restrained.
Example: The staid butler never showed emotion.
Superfluous (adj)
Definition: Exceeding necessity.
Example: Her flattery became superfluous after winning.
Sycophant (n)
Definition: One who flatters for self-gain.
Example: Some view cabinet members as sycophants, not advisors.
Taciturn (adj)
Definition: Not talkative.
Example: Her taciturn brother contrasts with her talkative nature.
Truculent (adj)
Definition: Ready to fight.
Example: The bouncer's truculent demeanor was unwarranted.
Umbrage (n)
Definition: Resentment.
Example: I took umbrage at the insult.
Venerable (adj)
Definition: Deserving respect due to age/achievement.
Example: The venerable judge has a long history of rulings.
Vociferous (adj)
Definition: Loud, boisterous.
Example: His vociferous complaints strained my patience.
Wanton (adj)
Definition: Undisciplined.
Example: Joanna’s wanton demeanor attracted attention.
Zenith (n) - Definition: The highest point. - Example: She reached the zenith of her fame with the hit.