INCREASING YOUR VOCABULARY

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

1. Abruptly (adv.) = in an abrupt manner, suddenly.

2. Adjacent (adj.) = adjoining, juxtaposed, situated near, next to
3. Adorn (v) = to decorate, to beautify
4. Advocate (v) = to plead in favor of; to defend by argument before a tribunal or the public.
5. Aim (v) = to intend or plan to do something
6. Alongside (prep.) = near, side by side with
7. Aloof (adj.) = removed or distant in interest or feeling; reserved.
8. Amateur (n) = one who engages an art, science or sport for enjoyment.
9. Amend (v) = to change for the better, improve
10. Ammunition (n) = projectiles, explosives
11. Amusing (adj.) = funny, enjoyable
12. Appall (v) = to make somebody feel shock, horror, or disgust; dismay
13. Appeal (n) = an earnest or urgent request to somebody for something
14. Ascent (n) = climb, the act of mounting upward
15. Ascribe (v) = to believe that something belongs to or characterizes a person or group
16. Aspiration (n) = a strong desire to have or do something
17. Assailant (n) = somebody who violently attacks somebody else, usually causing physical injury
18. Assent (n) = a formal expression of agreement or acceptance
19. Astray (adv.) = away from the right way
20. Attire (n) = dress, clothes, clothing worn on a specific occasion
21. Augment (v) = to increase
22. Austere (adj.) = stern, severe, strict, unadorned
23. Avert (v) = to prevent something from occurring, especially something harmful; to look away
24. Back up = to support somebody
25. Backward (adj.) = shy, lacking in self-confidence
26. Ballad (n) = a slow, romantic dance song
27. Bandit (n) = an outlaw; a brigand, a robber; a highwayman
28. Banish (v) = to exile somebody from a place.
29. Barge (n) = a long narrow flat-bottomed boat used for transporting freight on rivers or canals
30. Barge in = to enter without permission
31. Bark (v) = to make dogs sound.
32. Barren (adj.) = infertile, unproductive, sterile
33. Basalt (n) = black shiny volcanic rock
34. Bashful (adj.) = shy
35. Bear in mind = remember, recollect
36. Beg (v) = to ask for charity
37. Beguile (v) = to delight
38. Behalf (n) = as somebodys representative. E.G. on behalf of my friends.
39. Bequeath (v) = to leave personal or other property to somebody after death by means of a will
40. Bleach (v) = a chemical that removes or whitens color or staining and also cleans and disinfects
41. Blot (n) = a stain or a spot caused by a drop of liquid.
42. Blunder (v) = to make a serious or embarrassing mistake as a result of carelessness or ignorance
43. Blunt (adj.) = not sharp, dull
44. Bounce (v) = to move away quickly after hitting a surface, or throw something so that it hits a
surface and moves away
45. Brag = to talk with too much pride.
46. Braid (n) = a decorative and often silky cord or interwoven thread
47. Breach (n) = the act of breaking, or state of being broken, a rupture; a break; a gap.

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

48. Brick (n) = the very edge of something such as a steep drop or riverbank
49. Brittle (adj.)= fragile, hard and likely to break or crack
50. Bulky = large
51. Buoyant (adj.) = having the quality of being able to float
52. Bustle (v) = to work or behave in an ostentatiously hurried and energetic way.
53. By and by = in a short time, soon
54. Cajole (v) = to persuade somebody gently
55. Carcass (n) = the dead body of an animal
56. Cavity (n) = empty space, hole, hollow
57. Cheer up = to become or make somebody happier, to make something look more attractive
58. Chide = to criticize somebody gently
59. Chuckle (n) = the laugh softly in a low tone as in mild amusement or satisfaction.
60. Cinder (n) = ash
61. Clover (n) = a plant with three-lobed leaves.
62. Cobbler (n) = a shoemaker
63. Collapse (v) = disintegrate, break down
64. Commend (v) = to commit to ones care, recommend, praise
65. Commotion (n) = a great noise or excitement
66. Competent (adj.) = capable, qualified
67. Compile (v) = to collect material from different sources and put in a new form; gather.
68. Complicate (adj.) = become intricate, difficult or involved
69. Conceivable (adj.) = believable
70. Concrete (n) = a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate, and water in specific proportions that
hardens to a strong stony consistency over varying lengths of time
71. Conspicuous (adj.) = noticeable, clearly visible.
72. Counterfeit (v) = to make realistic copies of something, especially money, in order to defraud or
deceive people.
73. Crimson (n) = a deep rich purplish red color
74. Cripple (v) = a offensive term meaning to impair the ability of somebody to move
75. Crouch (v) = to bend down low.
76. Crumble (v) = to break up into tiny bits
77. Dangle (v) = to hang, swinging loosely
78. Defy (v) = to challenge openly somebody's or something's authority or power by refusing to obey a
command or regulation.
79. Deliberate (adj.) = intentional, on purpose
80. Delusion (n) = a false belief.
81. Demeanor (n) = conduct, manner, way one behaves.
82. Density (n) = the number of things or people in a place in relation to its area
83. Deny (v) = to contradict an assertion; negation; contradiction; opposed to affirmation.
84. Deprive (v) = not allow to have, to take away
85. Desolate (adj.) = deserted, abandoned, lonely
86. Detach (v) = to separate, disconnect, or unfasten something, or become separated, disconnected,
or unfastened.
87. Detain (v) = to hold back or delay somebody or something
88. Detest (v) = dislike
89. Devour (v) = to eat up greedily or ravenously
90. Dilute (v) = to make or become thinner, melt
91. Disclose (v) = exposure to view, reveal, make known
92. Disfigure (v) = to spoil the appearance of something.

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

93. Dismiss (v) = to order or allow somebody to leave, reject

94. Dispatch (v) = to sent promptly.
95. Divert (v) = turn from a particular course or route
96. Dodge (v) = to move quickly and suddenly to one side to avoid being caught or hit by somebody or
something
97. Drag (v) = to pull something along with effort
98. Drench (v) = filled or covered with water or other liquid.
99. Dwell (v) = to live, reside
100.
Eccentric (n) = irregular; out of the ordinary; capricious.
101.
Embers (n) = moldering remains of a fire, ashes with pieces of coal.
102.
Embroider (v) = to do decorative needlework
103.
Enchant (v) = to charm, delight, or captivate somebody
104.
Enhance (v) = to make grater, heighten, intensify
105.
Enlist (v) = to enroll for service, to register.
106.
Enmity (n) = hostility, hatred.
107.
Escorting (v) = accompany, go with
108.
Eventually (adv.) = in the end, ultimately
109.
Everlasting (adj.) = lasting for ever
110.
Evermore (adv.) = forever
111.
Evolve (v) = to develop
112.
Excel (v) = to be outstanding or have a particular talent in something
113.
Expel (v) = to force to leave, to exile
114.
Extract (v) = to draw out, pull out, withdraw, select
115.
Extravagance
116.
Fable (n) = a short story with a moral
117.
Falsehoods (n) = frauds, lies
118.
Falter (n) = to move unsteadily, stumble.
119.
Famine (n) = an acute and general scarcity of food.
120.
Farce (n) = a ridiculous situation in which everything goes wrong or becomes a sham
121.
Fathom (n) = a unit of length equal to 1.83 m/6 ft, used mainly in nautical contexts for
measuring the depth of water.
122.
Fickle (adj.) = likely to change, especially in affections, intentions, loyalties, or preferences;
inconstant
123.
Filthy (adj.) = extremely dirty
124.
Fleet (n) = a number of warships functioning as a single unit under one command, or all
the ships of a nation's navy
125.
Flicker (v) = to burn or shine unsteadily
126.
Flirt (v) = to behave in a playfully alluring way
127.
Flop (n) = a complete failure.
128.
Flounder (v) = to make clumsy uncontrolled movements while trying to regain balance or
move forwards
129.
Foliage (n) = the leaves of a plant or a tree.
130.
Forage (n) = food for animals, especially crops grown to feed horses, cattle, and other
livestock.
131.
Foreman (n) = a spokesperson of a jury, a workman in charge of a group of workers.
132.
Forge (v) = to form or make. A special fireplace, hearth, or furnace in which metal is
heated before shaping
133.
Foster (v) = to encourage the development of something
134.
Fragrance (n) = a pleasant sweet smell

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

135.
136.
137.
138.
139.

Fringe (n) = a decorative edging of strands.

Frolic (v) = to play wild prank, to play
Futile (adj.) = useless, vain
Garnish (n) = an ornament or decoration for something.
Gauze (n) = a thin, almost transparent, loosely woven cotton or silk cloth. Use: curtains,

clothes.
140.
Get out of = to avoid doing something
141.
Get over = to get across; recover from unpleasant, unhappy experience
142.
Get someones own way = get what one wants
143.
Gill (n) = a breathing organ of fish.
144.
Glow (n) = light from something hot
145.
Goblet (n) = a large cup.
146.
Gorge (n) = a deep narrow pass between steep heights, ravine
147.
Gossip (n) = rumor or report of an intimate nature
148.
Grab (v) =to take roughly and quickly
149.
Grace (n) = elegance, beauty
150.
Gripe (v) = to annoy somebody
151.
Grope (v) = to search blindly or uncertainly
152.
Guilt (n) = an awareness of having done wrong or committed a crime, accompanied by
feelings of shame and regret.
153.
Hamlet (n)= a small village or group of houses
154.
Halt (n) = to stop, or make somebody or something stop
155.
Haughty
156.
Haughty (adj.) = behaving in a superior, condescending, or arrogant way
157.
Haunt (v) = to hunt, to pursue
158.
Hazy (adj.) = obscure, not clear
159.
Heretofore (adv.) = up until this time
160.
Hinge (n) = a joint device.
161.
Hoarse (adj.) = having a harsh, granting sound
162.
Hoist (v) = to lift or bear upward, raise.
163.
Humane (adj.) = marked by compassion, sympathy, consideration
164.
Hunch (n) = an intuitive feeling about something.
165.
Hurl (v) = to throw with violence; to drive with great force.
166.
Husk (n) = the outer membranous covering of some fruits, nuts, and grains
167.
Identical (adj.) = the same, equal, with no difference
168.
Idle (adj.) = not working; lazy
169.
Imminent (adj.) = about to happen]; soon
170.
Inaudible (adj.) = not audible, soundless.
171.
Indignant (adj.) = angry or annoyed at the apparent unfairness or unreasonableness of
something
172.
Infantry (n) = soldiers who are trained to fight on foot, or a unit of such soldiers of infantry
making up a regiment.
173.
Inflate (v) = to fill something with air
174.
Integrity (n) = completeness, soundness, being a united whole
175.
Jurisdiction (n) = the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law.
176.
Kin (n) = somebody's relatives as a group (takes a plural verb)
177.
Lag (v) = to go, develop, or progress more slowly than somebody or something similar so as
to fall back or fall behind.
178.
Lament (v) = to express sorrow for, to mourn aloud

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

179.
180.
181.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.

Lapse (n) = a period of time, interval, temporary lack of something.

Latch (v) = to close or lock something with a latch
Legitimate (v) = to make lawful or legal, to justify
Limp (v) = to walk unevenly
Look around = to scan
Look up to = admire, regard with great respect.
Loyalty (n) = faithfulness in allegiance to ones government; constancy.
Lump (n) = a solid chunk, tumor
Lurk (v) = to move or wait furtively.
Lute (n) = a plucked musical instrument of the 14th to the 17th centuries resembling the

guitar
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
196.

but with a flat, pear-shaped body.

Merge (v) = to combine, to blend
Mingle (v) = to mix together gently or gradually, or mix things together gently or gradually
Mischief (n) = behavior intended to cause trouble for people, playing tricks.
Mislead (v) = to lead or guide wrongly
Mud (n) = wet dirty; mire
Mute (adj.) = unable to speak, dumb, silent
Nag = to annoy
Nail (n) = a strong metal pin with a flat round head and a pointed end that is hammered

into wood or masonry and used to fasten objects together or hang something on.
197.
Nameless (adj.) = having no name, not known by name
198.
Nasty (adj.) = indecent, filthy
199.
Numb (adj.) = with no feelings or emotions
200.
Nursery (n) = an infants bedroom
201.
Odds (n) = advantage, (adj.= unusual),
202.
Odor (n) = a smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant
203.
Offensive (adj.) = causing anger, resentment, or moral outrage
204.
Offspring (n) = a person's child or an animal's young, or sometimes a descendant of a plant
205.
Outrage (n) = a violent; or shameful act; injury, insult.
206.
Outrageous (adj.) = causing shock or indignation by exceeding the bounds of what is
reasonable or expected
207.
Overwhelming (adj.) = extremely large in amount or proportion
208.
Paramount (adj.) = greatest importance and significance
209.
Partition (n) = barrier, division, separation
210.
Peak (n) = the highest or most important point or level
211.
Perilous (adj.) = dangerous, risky, hazardous
212.
Pew (n) = one of the long seats in a church
213.
Plateau (n) = a land area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above
adjoining land on at least one side, and often cut by deep canyons
214.
Plow (n) a farm implement to break soil
215.
Plump (adj.) = chubby, fat
216.
Pose (v) = to raise or ask a question.
217.
Potent (adj.) = powerful, having authority or influence.
218.
Precedent (n) = Going before in time; antecedent; that precedes.
219.
Precipitate (v) = to cause to happen quickly or abruptly
220.
Predominant (adj.) = most common or greatest in number or amount
221.
Prevalent (adj.) = generally or widely accepted, widespread.
222.
Prick (v) = to punch, to puncture, to perforate
223.
Prompt (v) = to make somebody to decide to do something.

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

224.
225.
226.
227.
228.

Prostrate (adj.) = stretched out with face on the ground, flat

Quaint (adj.) = charming or attractive in an old-fashioned way.
Rare (adj.) = not found or seen very often
Ratio (n) = a proportional relationship between two different numbers or quantities.
Rattle (v) = to make short sharp knocking sounds in quick succession, especially as a

result
229.
230.
231.
232.
233.
234.
235.
236.
237.
238.

of being moved or shaken, or make something do this

Rattled (adj.) = embarrassed, disturbed by worry, restlessly
Recruit (v) = to enroll
Redeem (v) = to make something acceptable.
Refrain (v) = to avoid doing something.
Reliable (adj.) = that can be relied on; dependable; to be trusted.
Relic (n) = an old thing surviving from past
Repeal (v) = to officially end the validity of something such as a law
Reproved (v) = to express disapproval.
Repulse (v) = to repel, to cause disgust
Resent (v) = to feel aggrieved about something or toward somebody, often because of a

perceived wrong or injustice.

239.
Restriction (n) = something that limits or controls something else
240.
Revert (v) = to return to, to come, go back
241.
Revive (v) = to return to life, health or vigor.
242.
Rigid (adj.) = firm and stiff
243.
Rim (n) = an outer edge
244.
Rite (n) = a ceremonial act
245.
Rivulet (n) = a small stream of water
246.
Robber (n) = somebody who robs
247.
Rove (v) = to wander or travel with no definite purpose, often over a wide area, or travel over
an area in this way
248.
Run across = to encounter, find by chance
249.
Sag (v) = to bend underweight; to become weaker; hanging downward
250.
Sage (adj.) = judicious, prudent, sagacious
251.
Saucer (n) = a small shallow dish for holding a cup.
252.
Savor (v) = to enjoy
253.
Scald (v) = to burn somebody or a part of the body with hot liquid or steam
254.
Scan (v) = to read fast, in order to find some information, fast movement
255.
Scanty (adj.) = small
256.
Scatter (v) = to throw things around.
257.
Scoff at = mock, jeer, to make fun of a rude sarcastic manner.
258.
Scourge (n) = a tormentor.
259.
Scruple (n) = moral or ethical consideration that tends to restrain action or behavior
260.
Seek (v) = to look for something; (seek
sought sought)
261.
Semblance (n) = outward appearance, likeness, image
262.
Sentry (n) = somebody who is assigned to keep watch and to warn of danger, especially a
member of the armed services who guards entrances and exits.
263.
Serene (adj.) = quiet, calm, tranquil, peaceful
264.
Sham (adj.) = fraud, imitation, counterfeit
265.
Shiver (v) = to tremble or shake slightly because of cold, fear, or illness
266.
Shrive (v) = to absolve somebody of sins, to confess
267.
Shrug (v) = to raise and raise shoulders briefly to indicate lack of knowledge
268.
Side-step = to step aside, avoid, evade

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

269.
270.
271.
272.
273.
274.
275.
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.

Sign (n) = something that indicates a fact, quality, etc.

Skipper (n) = captain
Slipper (n) = light low shoes
Slippery (adj.) = causing sliding
Smear (v) = to spread something liquid or greasy over a surface, or be spread over a surface
Sole (adj.) = only, exclusive
Spacious (adj.) = very large in extent, ample, roomy
Squeak = to make a short high-pitched sound or cry.
Stack (n) = to pile up large quantity of something.
Stale (adj.) = old and not fresh
Stand up = to resist
Stare (v) = to look directly at somebody or something for a long time without moving the

eyes away, usually as a result of curiosity or surprise, or to express rudeness or defiance.

281.
Startle (v) = to frighten, surprise suddenly
282.
Stork (n) = a large wading bird that has a long legs, a long neck, a long straight beak, and
often black and white feathers.
283.
Strain (v) = to have to make an unusually great or even painful physical or mental effort in
order
284.
285.
286.

to do something
Strait (n) = a narrow waterway connecting two large bodies of water.
Strife (n) = bitter and sometimes violent conflict, struggle, or rivalry
Stunt (n) = something dangerous that is done as a challenge or to entertain people;

unusual feat
287.
Subside (v) = to become less active or intense
288.
Subsist (v) = to continue to be or exist.
289.
Summit (n) = an important official meeting, top
290.
Suspend (v) = to stop something for a period
291.
Swerve (v) = to turn away from direct course
292.
Take on = to undertake a task
293.
Tangle (v) = to catch and entwine somebody or something in something that is difficult to
get out of, e.g., a net or trap.
294.
Tease (v) = to bother, to annoy.
295.
Testify (v) = to give evidence.
296.
Thaw (v) = to melt, or make something melt.
297.
Thrifty (adj.) = characterized by sparing, using economy and good management.
298.
To be concerned with = to be about something
299.
To call on = to visit for a short time
300.
To have a go = to have an occasion when you try to do something
301.
To have a say = to have something to say
302.
To have an ear for = to possess an ability to recognize or appreciate sounds.
303.
To let off the hook = to let go free, to liberate
304.
To set out = to define; to design
305.
To show up = to appear
306.
To take on = to assume
307.
Toad (n) = any of various tailless amphibians that are close relatives of the frogs
308.
Toll (n) = a tax paid for a privilege to use a road or a bridge; the sound of a bell
309.
Torrent (n) = flood, a rushing stream
310.
Trait (n) = a characteristic or quality that distinguishes somebody
311.
Trample (v) = to tread or step heavily and noisily; stamp
312.
Transmit (v) = to send; to transfer; to convey.

Compiled by Willy Mendoza

313.
314.
315.
316.
317.
318.
319.
320.
321.
322.
323.
324.

Treacherous (adj.) = having a false appearance of safety, hazardous.

Trivial (adj.) = having little value, with no importance.
Trying (adj.) = stressful, unpleasant
Tutor (n) = a person employed to instruct another in some branch or branches of learning
Unbearable (adj.) = impossible to tolerate
Undertake (v) = to take upon oneself as a task, duty
Uneasily (adv.) = embarrassed, disturbed by worry, restlessly
Uphold (v) = to maintain or defend something
Utmost (adj.) = of the greatest or highest degree, quantity
Utter (v) = to say something.
Vanity (n) = something that is vain, empty, useless, conceit
Vassal (n) = somebody who gave loyalty and homage to a feudal lord and received the right

to occupy the lord's land and be protected by him.

325.
Vast (n) = great area or extent
326.
Venerable (adj.) = old, deserving to be treated with respect.
327.
Veto (v) = to reject, to refuse
328.
Vicinity (n) = proximity
329.
Wag (v) = to shake up and down or move from side to side
330.
Wage (n) = payment for work
331.
Warble (v) = to sing with trills.
332.
Wardrobe (n) = total collection of clothes one has
333.
Wealth (n) = a state of having much money, rich
334.
Weave (v) = to make cloth by passing threads under and over a set of threads.
335.
Whimper (v) = to make repeated weak plaintive crying or whining sounds of pain, distress,
or fear
336.
Whine (v) = to complain peevishly.
337.
Withdraw (v) = to remove or take back something that was previously provided or in place.
338.
Witty (adj.) = amusing, funny, original, sparkling, brilliant