GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

abacus frame with balls for calculating

abate to lessen to subside
abdication giving up control authority
aberration straying away from what is normal
abet help/encourage smb (in doing wrong)
abeyance suspended action
abhor to hate to detest
abide be faithful to endure
abjure promise or swear to give up
abraded rubbed off worn away by friction
1
abrogate repeal or annul by authority
abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse difficult to comprehend obscure
abut border on
abysmal bottomless extreme
acarpous effete no longer fertile worn out
acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade praise approval
accretion the growing of separate things into one
adamant kind of stone inflexible
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

admonitory containing warning

adorn add beauty decorate
adulteration making unpure poorer in quality
affable polite and friendly
affinity close connection relationship
aggravate make worse irritate
agile active quick-moving
agog eager/excited
ail trouble be ill
alacrity eager and cheerful readiness
2
alcove recess/partially enclosed place
allegiance duty support loyalty
alleviate make (pain) easier to bear
alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof reserved indifferent
amalgamate mix combine unite societies
ambidextrous able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous doubtful uncertain
ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate improve make better
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money

anguish severe suffering
animosity strong dislike
antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical direct opposing
apartheid brutal racial discrimination
aplomb self-confidence
apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis deification glorification to godliness
appease make quiet or calm
3
apprehensive grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about future
apprise give notice to inform
approbation approval
apropos appropriate to the situation apt
apt well-suited quick-witted
arabesque a complex ornate design
arboreal of connected with trees
ardor enthusiasm
arduous steep difficult ascent laborious
argot jargon slang
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WORD DEFINITION

arrant in the highest degree

arrogance proud superior manner of behaviour
articulate speak distinctly connect by joints
ascend go or come up
ascertain get to know
ascetic practicing self-denial austere stark
ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to
aseptic surgically clean
asperity roughness harshness ill temper irritability
aspersion slander
4
assail with attack violently
assiduous diligent hard-working sedulous
assuage make smth (pain desire) less
asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)
astringent substance that shrinks
astute clever quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement repayment death of Jesus
attenuate make thin. weaken enervate
attune bring into harmony
audacious daring foolishly bold impudent
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WORD DEFINITION

augury omen sign

august majestic venerable
auspicious favorable successful prosperous
austere severely moral and strict simple and plain
auxiliary helping supporting
aver affirm assert prove justify
aversion strong dislike
avid eager greedy
avow admit. Declare openly
baleful harmful ominous causing evil
5
balk obstacle purposely to get on the way of
baneful causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive
barrage artificial obstacle built across a river
barren not good enough unable to have young ones without value
bask in enjoy warmth and light
beatify to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner
belabor beat hard
bellicose belligerent pugnacious warlike
belligerent (person nation) waging war
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WORD DEFINITION

benefactor person who has given help

benevolence wish or activity in doing good
benign kind and gentle mild (climate)
bequest arrangement to give smth at death
berate scold sharply
bereft rob or dispossess of smth (material)
bewilder puzzle confuse
bigot stubborn narrow-minded person
bilge bulge the protuberance of a cask
blandishment flattery coaxing
6
blandness polite manner comforting uninteresting
blatant noisy and rough
blithe cheerful casual carefree
bogus sham counterfeit not genuine
boisterous loud noisy rough lacking restraint
bolster give greatly needed support
boorish crude offensive rude
brash hasty rush cheeky saucy
brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen made of brass
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

breach opening broken place breaking

brittle easily broken
broach bring up announce begin to talk about
brook to tolerate endure
buoyant able to float light-hearted
burgeon grow forth send out buds
burnish to polish rub to a shine
cabal a scheme or plot a group of plotters
cadge to beg to get by begging
cajole use flattery or deceit to persuade
7
calipers metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument
calumny slander aspersion
candid frank straight-forward
cant insincere talk/jargon
cantankerous bad-tempered/quarrelsome
canvass discuss thoroughly sort of touting
castigate to chastise correct by punishing
castigation severe punishment
catalyst substance that causes speeding up
caustic biting sarcastic
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WORD DEFINITION

censure expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke

centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary cautious wary
chastened corrected punished
chastisement punishment
chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot
chicanery legal trickery/false argument
chisel steel tool for shaping materials
churl bad-tempered person
clamor shout complain with a lot of noise
8
clientele customers
clinch come to grips/settle conclusively
cling to resist separation
clot half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coagulation change to a thick and solid state
coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance
coax get smb to do smth by kindness
coda passage that completes a piece of music
coddle treat with care and tenderness
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WORD DEFINITION

coerce compel to force to make obedient

coeval of the same period coexisting
cogent strong convincing
cogitate think deeply mediate
cognizant being fully aware of
colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water
collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion process of burning
commemorate keep the memory of
commodious having plenty of space for what is needed
9
commuter person who travels regularly
complaisance tending to comply obliging willingness to please
compunction feeling of regret for one's action
conceal hide keep secret
conceit over-high opinion of too much pride
conciliatory reconciling soothing comforting mollifying
concord agreement or harmony
concur agree in opinion happen together
condense increase in density strength make laconic
condone forgive
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WORD DEFINITION

congeal make or become stiff and solid

conjoin to join together
connoisseur a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art)
connotation suggestion in addition to
consequential pompous self important
console give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous easily seen remarkable
consternation surprise and fear dismay
constrain compel
constrict make tight or smaller
10
consume get to the end of
consummate perfect/make perfect/complete
contemn to scorn or despise
contentious argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome
contiguous touching neighboring near
contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious insubordinate rebellious
conundrum a riddle dilemma enigma
conviction convincing firm belief
convoke call together summon
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WORD DEFINITION

convoluted complicated coiled twisted

cordial warm and sincere
cordon line (of police acting as a guard)
cornucopia abundant supply
corporeal physical of or for the body
correlate have a mutual relation
corroboration additional strengthening evidence
countenance to favor or approve of
counterfeit forgery
countervail counterbalance
11
covert disguised
covetous eagerly desirous
cower crouch shrink back
coy shy/modest (esp of a girl)
crass very great (es. stupidity)
cravat piece of linen worn as a necktie
craven cowardly
crease line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket
credulity too great a readiness to believe things
credulous ready to believe things
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WORD DEFINITION

crush press lose shape subdue overwhelm

cryptic secret with a hidden meaning
cumbersome burdensome heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon bad-tempered person
curriculum course of study
cursory quick hurried
curtail make shorter then was planned
dainty pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please
daunt intimidate make fearful
dawdler person who is slow waste of time
12
dearth shortage
debacle a breakup overthrow sudden disaster
decorum propriety properness
decree order given by authority
decry disapprove of
defer postpone give way (to show respect)
deferential showing respect
defiance open disobedience or resistance
delineate to portray depict sketch out
deluge great flood heavy rush of water
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WORD DEFINITION

demagogue person appealing not to reasons

demur to hesitate raise objections
denigrate blacken belittle sully defame
denouement an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot
deplete use until none remains
deposition dethronement depositing
deprave make morally bad corrupt
deprecate protest against express disapproval of
dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision ridicule mockery deriding
13
derivative unoriginal obtained from another source
derogatory insulting tending to damage
descry catch sight of see smth in the distance
desiccant substance used to absorb moisture
desuetude cessation of use disuse
desultory aimless haphazard digressing at random
deter discourage hinder
detraction slandering verbal attack aspersion
detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance being different in moral standards (from normal)
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

dexterity skill (esp. in handling)

diaphanous transparent gauzy
diatribe bitter and violent attack in words
diffidence shyness
dilate speak comprehensively become wider large
disallow refuse to allow or accept as a correct
discern see with an effort but clearly
discomfit confuse embarrass
disconcert upset the self-possession of
discountenance refuse to approve of
14
discourse speech lecture
discredit refuse to believe
discreet careful/prudent
discrete individually distinct
disdain look on with contempt
disencumber free from encumbrance
disheveled untidy
disingenuous sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning
disinter dig up from the earth
dislodge move force from the place occupied
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

dismal sad gloomy miserable

disparate essentially different
disproof proof to the contrary
dissemble speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)
disseminate distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent have a different opinion refuse to assent
dissolution disintegration looseness in morals
distraught distracted violently upset in mind
divergence getting farther apart from a point
divestiture taking off getting rid of giving up
15
divulge make known smth secret
doggerel trivial poorly constructed verse
dogmatic positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion
dolt stupid fellow
dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote show much fondness center one's attention
drawl slow way of speaking
droll jesting
drone male bee person who isn't self-employed
drowsiness feeling sleepy half asleep
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

dubious feeling doubt

dud no use person smth that fails
dulcet melodious harmonious
dupe cheat make a fool of
duplicity deliberate deception
duress threats to compel smb
dwarf person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo a generator something that produces electric current
earthenware dishes made of baked clay
ebullience exuberance outburst of feeling
16
ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement
ecumenical representing the whole Christian world
edacious voracious devouring
eddy circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)
edible fit to be eaten/not poisonous
effete infertile worn out weak
efficacy production of a desired result
effluvia outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor
effrontery boldness impudence arrogance
egress way out exit
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WORD DEFINITION

elaborate worked out with much care in great detail

elegy a lament a melancholy composition
elicit draw out
eloquence fluent speaking skillful use of language
emaciate make thin and weak
embellish make beautiful
embezzle use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emote stir up excite
empirical relying on experiment
encapsulate enclose in capsule
17
encomium warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric
encumbrance burden things that get on the way of
endearing making dear or liked
endemic epidemic
endorse write one's name on the back of
enduring lasting
enervate weaken deprive of strength attenuate
engender cause produce give rise to
engrave impress deeply
engrossing taken up all the time or attention writing in large or formal
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

engulf swallow up
enigma smth that is puzzling
enmity hatred being an enemy
ensign flag/badge
entangle put into difficulties
enthral please greatly/enslave (fig)
entice tempt or persuade
entreat ask earnestly
enunciate pronounce (words)/express a theory
enzyme catalyst
18
epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle letter
epithet adjective
epitome brief summary representative example a typical model
equable steady regular
equanimity calmness of temperament
equilibrium state of being balanced
equipoise equal distribution of weight equilibrium
equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious
equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

eradicate get rid of pull up by the roots

erratic irregular in behaviour or opinion
erudite learned scholarly
eschew avoid
esoteric abstruse intended only for a small circle of
espouse marry give one's support to
eulogy formal praise panegyric
euphoria elation state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia easy and painless death
evasive tending to evade
19
evince to show clearly to indicate
evoke call up bring out
excoriation severe criticism
exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt
exhaustive complete thorough
exigency emergency an urgent situation
exoneration set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame)
exorbitant much too high or great
expatiate to roam wander freely
expedient likely to be useful for a purpose
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WORD DEFINITION

expiation ending expiring

exploit brilliant achievement develop use selfishly
expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest
expurgate to remove obscenity purify censor
exscind to cut out cut away
extant still in existence
extempore without previous thought or preparation
extenuate reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse
extinct no longer active
extinguish end the existence of/wipe or put out
20
extirpate to destroy exterminate cut out exscind
extol praise highly
extort obtain by threats violence
extralegal outside the law
extricable that can be freed
extrovert cheerful person
exuberance state of growing vigorously being full of life
facetious humorous funny jocular
facile easily done
fallacious based on error
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

falter waver/move in an uncertain manner

fatuous without sense foolish self-satisfaction
fawn young deer try to win smb's favor
feckless lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless
fecund fertile
feint pretend
felicitous apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos
felon person guilty of murder
ferment substance become excited
ferocity savage cruelty
21
ferret discover by searching search
fervid showing earnest feeling
fervor warmth of feelings earnestness
fetid stinking
fetter to shackle put in chains
feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity loyalty accuracy
fidget move restlessly make nervous
figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation
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WORD DEFINITION

finical too fussy about food clothing etc.

finicky finical
fission splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate stare at
flak criticism/anti-aircraft guns
flamboyant brightly colored florid
flaunting show off complacently
flax pale yellow (hair) a plant
fledged able to fly trained experienced
fleet number of ships quick-moving
22
flinch draw move back wince
flop fail/move/fall clumsily
florid very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face)
flout reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition)
fluke lucky stroke
fluster make nervous or confused
foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil prevent from carrying out contrast
foment put smth warm (to lessen the pain)
foolproof incapable of failure or error
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forage food for horses and cattle
forbear refrain from be patient ancestor
forbearance patience willingness to wait
ford shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall prevent by taking action in advance preempt
forfeit suffer the loss of smth
forge workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead
forgery counterfeit
forswear renounce disallow repudiate
23
foster nurture care for
fracas noisy quarrel
fragile easily injured broken or destroyed
fragrant sweet-smelling
frantic wildly excited with joy pain anxiety
frenetic frantic frenzied
fret worry irritation wear away
fringe edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead
froward intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn
frugal careful economical
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WORD DEFINITION

fulmination bitter protest

fulsome disgusting offensive due to excessiveness
gainsay to deny to oppose
garble make unfair selection from facts
garment article of clothing
garner to gather and save to store up
garrulity talkativeness
garrulous too talkative
gaucherie socially awkward tactless behavior
germane relevant pertinent to
24
gist the point general sense
glean gather facts in small quantities
glib ready and smooth but not sincere
glimmer weak/unsteady light
gloat over look at with selfish delight
glut supply to much fill to excess
gnaw waste away bite steadily
goad smth urging a person to action
gorge eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream
gossamer soft light delicate material
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood

grandiloquent using pompous words
grave serious requiring consideration
graze touch or scrape lightly in passing
gregarious living in societies liking the company
grievous causing grief or pain serious dire grave
grovel crawl humble oneself
guile deceit cunning
gullible easily gulled
gush burst out suddenly/talk ardently
25
gust outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc.
hack cut roughly hired horse
halcyon calm and peaceful
hallow to make holy consecrate
harangue a long passionate speech
harbinger smth or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow to distress create stress or torment
haughty arrogant conceited
heed attention/give notice to
heinous odious (of crime)
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

heresy belief contrary to what is generally accepted

hermetic sealed by fusion
heterogeneous made up of different kinds
hew make by hard work cut (by striking)
highbrow (person) with superior tastes
hirsute hairy shaggy
hoax mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi polloi the masses the rabble
hollow not soled with hole
holster leather case for a pistol
26
homiletics act of preaching
hone stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink trick mislead
hospitable liking to give hospitality
hubris arrogant pride
hush make or become silent
husk worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good
iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs
idiosyncrasy personal mannerism
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

idolatry excessive admiration of

idyll a carefree episode or experience
ignoble dishonorable common undignified
ignominious shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful
illicit unlawful forbidden
imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate pure faultless
imminent likely to come or happen soon
immutable that cannot be changed
impair worsen diminish in value
27
impassive unmoved feeling no sign of passion
impecunious having little or no money
impede hinder get in the way of
impediment smth that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending imminent being about to happen expected
imperative urgent essential
imperious commanding haughty arrogant
impermeable that cannot be permeated
imperturbable calm not capable of being excited
impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials)
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

imperviousness haughty arrogant commanding

impetuous having sudden energy impulsive thrusting ahead forceful
impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable incapable of being placated unpleasable
implicate show that smb has a share
implicit implied though not plainly expressed
implosion collapse bursting inward
importune beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation an invocation of evil a curse
impromptu without preparation
28
impudent rash indiscreet
impugned challenged to be doubted
impute to attribute to a cause or source ascribe
inadvertent not paying proper attention
inane silly senseless
inasmuch since because
incense make angry
incessant often repeated continual
inchoate not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary
incipient beginning
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

incise engrave make a cut in

incite stir up rouse
inclined directing the mind in a certain direction
incongruous out of place not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous skeptical unwilling to believe
inculcate fix firmly by repetition
incumbents official duties
incursion a raid a sudden attack
indefatigability not easily exhaustible tirelessness
29
indelible that cannot be rubbed out
indigence poverty
indigenous native
indistinct not easily heard seen clearly marked
indolence laziness
indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself
indulgent inclined to indulge
ineffable to great to be described in words
ineluctable certain inevitable
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

inept unskillful said or done at the wrong time

ineptitude quality of being unskillful
inferno hell
infuriate fill with fury or rage
infuse put pour fill
ingenuous naive young artless frank honest sincere
ingest take in by swallowing
inimical harmful or friendly
inimitable defying imitation unmatchable
innocuous causing no harm
30
inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible unconscious unresponsive unaffected
insinuate suggest unpleasantly make a way for smth gently
insipid without taste or flavor
insouciant unconcerned carefree
insularity narrow-mindedness isolated
insurrection rising of people to open resistance to
interdict prohibit forbid
interim as an installment
intersperse place here and there
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

intransigence unwillingness to compromise stubbornness intractability

intransigent uncompromising
intrepid fearless brave undaunted
introspection examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate flood cover by overflowing
inured accustomed to adapted
invective abusive language curses
inveigh to attack verbally denounce deprecate
inveterate deep-rooted. long-established
invincible too strong to be defeated
31
involute complex
irascible irritable easily angered
irate angry
ire anger
irksome tiresome
irresolute hesitating undecided
irrevocable final and unalterable
itinerate to travel from place to place to peregrinate
jabber talk excitedly utter rapidly
jibe gibe make fun of
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WORD DEFINITION

jocular meant as a joke

judicious sound in judgment wise
knit draw together unite firmly
labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose causing tears tearful
lackluster (of eyes) dull
lament show feel great sorrow
lassitude weariness tiredness
latent present but not yet active developed or visible
laudatory expressing or giving praise
32
lavish giving or producing freely liberally or generously
legacy smth handed down from ancestors
levee formal reception/embankment
levity lack of seriousness
libel statement that damages reputation
liberality free giving generosity
libertine immoral person
lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn paint portray
limp lacking strength walking unevenly
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

lionize treat as a famous person

lithe bending twisting
loll rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog's tongue)
lope move along with long strides
loquacious talkative garrulous
lucubrate write in scholarly fashion
luculent easily understood lucid clear
lugubrious mournful excessively sad
lull become quiet or less active
lumber move in a clumsy/noisy way
33
luminary star light-giving body
lurk be out of view ready to attack
lustrous being bright polished
macabre gruesome suggesting death
macerate make or become soft by soaking in water
machination plot scheme (esp. evil)
maladroit tactless clumsy
malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence wishing to do evil
malign injurious speak ill of smb tell lie
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

malinger to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty

malleable yielding easily shaped moldable adapting
manacle chains for the hands or feet
massacre cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation be admitted enter a university as a student
maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maul hurt by rough handling
maverick rebel nonconformist
mellifluous sweetly flowing
mendacity dishonesty
34
mendicant a beggar
mercurial quick changeable in character fleeting
meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize hypnotize
meticulous giving great attention to details
mettle quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome courageous high-spirited
middling fairly good but not very good
minatory menacing threatening
mince pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize
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WORD DEFINITION

misanthrope person who hates mankind

mischievous harmful causing mischief
miser person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist one who hates women/females
moderation quality of being limited not extreme
mollify make calmer or quieter
molt moult lose hair feathers before new growing
morbid diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)
morose ill-tempered unsocial
muffler cloth worn round the neck/silencer
35
multifarious varied motley greatly diversified
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday
myriad very great number
nadir lowest weakest point
nascent coming into existence emerging
nebulous cloud-like hazy vague indistinct
negligent taking too little care
neophyte person who has been converted to a belief
nexus a connection tie or link
nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer)
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

noisome offensive disgusting (smell)

nonchalant not having interest
nonplused greatly surprised
nostrum a quack remedy an untested cure
noxious harmful
nugatory trifling/worthless
obdurate hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible
obfuscate to darken make obscure muddle
oblivious unaware having no memory
obloquy abusively detractive language sharp criticism vituperation
36
obsequious too eager to obey or serve
obstreperous noisy loud
obtain to be established accepted or customary
obtrusive projecting prominent undesirably noticeable
obtuse blunt/stupid
obviate to make unnecessary get rid of
occluded blocked up
odious repulsive hateful
odium contempt dislike aversion
odor smell favor reputation
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

officious too eager or ready to help offer advice

ominous threatening
onerous needing effort burdensome
opaqueness dullness/not allowing light to pass through
opprobrious showing scorn or reproach
ossify to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible seeming appearing as such professed
ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy
ostracism shut out from society refuse to meet talk
overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
37
overweening presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate being a jerk
paean song of praise or triumph
palate roof of the mouth sense of taste
palatial magnificent
palliate lessen the severity of
palpability can be felt touched understood
palpitate tremble beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric formal praise eulogy
paradigm a model example or pattern
parenthesis sentence within another one smth separated
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

pariah an outcast a rejected and despised person

parsimonious too economical miserly
partisan one-sided committed to a party biased or prejudiced
patron regular customer person who gives support
paucity scarcity a lacking of
peccadillo small sin small weakness in one's character
pedantic bookish showing off learning
pedestrian commonplace trite unremarkable
pellucid transparent easy to understand
penchant strong inclination a liking
38
penitent feeling or showing regret
penurious poor/stingy
penury extreme poverty
peregrination traveling about wandering
peremptory urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate
perfidious treacherous faithless
perfidy treachery breaking of faith
perfunctory done as a duty without care
perilous dangerous
peripatetic wandering
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

perish be destroyed decay

perjury willful FALSE statement unlawful act
permeate spread into every part of
pernicious harmful injurious
perpetrate be guilty commit (a crime)
personable pleasing in appearance attractive
perspicacity quick judging and understanding
pertain belong as a part have reference
pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified taken away power (to think feel act)
39
petrify to make hard rocklike
petrous like a rock hard stony
petulant unreasonably impatient
philistine a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic calm sluggish temperament unemotional
picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied of mixed colors
pinch be too tight take between the thumb and finger
pine waste away through sorrow or illness
pious dutiful to parents devoted to religion
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WORD DEFINITION

piquant agreeably pungent stimulating

pique hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity)
pitfall covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger
pith essential part force soft liquid substance
pivotal of great importance (others depend on it)
placate soothe pacify calm
plaintive mournful melancholy sorrowful
plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude a trite or banal statement unoriginality
plea request
40
plead address a court of law as an advocate
plethora glut
pliant pliable easily bent shaped or twisted
plod continue doing smth without resting
pluck pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers)
plumb get to the root of
plummet fall plunge steeply
plunge move quickly suddenly and with force
poignant deeply moving keen
poncho large piece of cloth
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WORD DEFINITION

ponderous heavy bulky dull

portent omen marvelous threatening
precarious uncertain risky dangerous
precepts rules establishing standards of conduct
preclude prevent make impossible
precursory preliminary anticipating
predilection special liking mental preference
predominate have more power than others
preen tidy/show self-satisfaction
premature doing or happening smth before the right time
41
preponderance greatness in number strength weight
presage warning sign
presumption arrogance
preternatural not normal or usual
prevalent common
prevaricate to equivocate to stray from the truth
prim neat formal
pristine primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated
probity uprightness incorruptibility principle
proclivity inclination
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WORD DEFINITION

procrastination keeping on putting off

prodigal wasteful reckless with money
prodigious enormous wonderful
profane worldly having contempt for God
profligacy shameless immorality
profligate wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant
profundity depth
profuse abundant/lavish
proliferate grow reproduce by rapid multification
prolix tiring because too long
42
prone prostrate inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation increasing the number spreading extending
propinquity nearness in time or place affinity of nature
propitiatory conciliatory appeasing mitigating
propitious auspicious presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian
proscribe denounce as dangerous
protracted prolonged
provident frugal looking to the future
provisional of the present time only
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WORD DEFINITION

provoke make angry vax

prudence careful forethought
prudish easily shocked excessively modest
prune dried plum silly person
pry get smth inquire too curiously
pucker wrinkle
pugnacious fond of in the habit of fighting
puissance strength
punctilious precise paying attention to trivialities
pundit pedant authority on a subject
43
pungency sharpness stinging quality
purvey provide supply
pusillanimous cowardly craven
putrefaction becoming rotten
pyre large pile of wood for burning
quack person dishonestly claiming to smth
quaff drink deeply
quail lose courage turn frightened
qualm feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness
quandary state of doubt or perplexity
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WORD DEFINITION

quell suppress subdue

quibble try to avoid by sophistication
quiescence state of being passive/motionless
quiescent at rest dormant torpid
quirk habit or action peculiar to smb or smth
quixotic generous unselfish
quotidian banal everyday
rabble mob crowd the lower classes of populace
raconteur person who tells anecdotes
raffish low vulgar base tawdry
44
ramify to be divided or subdivided to branch out
rancorous feeling bitterness spitefulness
rant use extravagant language
rapacious greedy (esp for money)
rarefy to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine
rave act with excessive enthusiasm
reactionary opposing progress
rebuff snub
recalcitrant disobedient
recant take back as being FALSE give up
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WORD DEFINITION

recast cast or fashion anew

recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similar
recitals a number of performance of music
recluse person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense make payment to reward punish
reconcile settle a quarrel restore peace
recondite little known abstruse
recreancy cowardice a cowardly giving up
recuperate become strong after illness loss exhaustion
45
redeem get back by payment compensate
redoubtable formidable causing fear
refine make or become pure cultural
refractory stubborn unmanageable untractable
refulgent shining brilliant
regale to delight or entertain to feast
regicide crime of killing a king
reiterate say or do again several times
rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearance
relapse fall back again
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WORD DEFINITION

remonstrate to protest object

render deliver provide represent
renovate restore smth to better condition
renowned celebrated famous
repast meal
repel refuse to accept/cause dislike
repine at be discontented with
reproach scold upbraid
reprobate person hardened in sin one devoid of decency
repudiate disown refuse to accept or pay
46
repulsive causing a feeling of disgust
requite repay give in return
rescind repeal/annul/cancel
resigned unresisting submissive
resilience quality of quickly recovering the original shape
resort to frequently visit
restive refusing to move reluctant to be controlled
resuscitation coming back to consciousness
retard check hinder
reticent reserved untalkative silent taciturn
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WORD DEFINITION

revere have deep respect for

reverent feeling or showing deep respect
riddle puzzling person or thing
rift split crack dissension
rivet fix take up secure metal pin
roll call calling of names
rotund rich and deep plump and round
ruffian violent cruel man
rumple make rough
sagacious having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage
47
salacious obscene
salubrious healthful
salutary remedial wholesome causing improvement
sanctimony self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety
sanction approval (by authority) penalty
sanguine cheerful confident optimistic
sanity health of mind soundness of judgement
sash long strip worn round the waist
satiate satisfy fully
saturnine gloomy dark sullen morose
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WORD DEFINITION

savant person of great learning

savor taste flavor smth
sawdust tiny bits of wood
scabbard sheath for the blade
scent smell (esp pleasant)
scorch become discolored/dry up/go at high speed
scribble write hastily
scurvy mean contemptible
secular material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries
sedulous persevering
48
seminal like a seed constituting a source originative
sententious short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs
sequence succession connected line of
sere make hard and without feeling
sermon reproving a person for his faults
serrated having a toothed edge
serration having a toothed edge
servile like a slave lacking independence
sever break off
severance severing
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WORD DEFINITION

shallow little depth not earnest

shard piece of broken earthenware
sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shrewd astute showing sound judgement
shrill sharp piercing
shun keep away from avoid
shunt send from one track to another lay aside evade discussion
sidestep step to one side
simper (give a) silly/self-conscious smile
sinuous winding undulating serpentine
49
skiff small boat
skit short piece of humorous writing
slack sluggish dull not tight
slake to assuage to satisfy allay
slate king of blue-grey stone propose criticize
sluggard lazy slow-moving person
slur join sounds/words (indistinct)
smolder burn slowly without flame
snare trap
snub treat with contempt
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

soar rise fly high

sober self-controlled
sobriety quality or condition of being sober
sodden soaked saturated
soggy heavy with water
solvent of the power of forming a solution
somatic of the body
soot black powder in smoke
sophisticated complex subtle refined
sophistry fallacious reasoning faulty logic
50
sophomoric self-assured though immature affected bombastic overblown
soporific producing sleep
sordid wretched comfortless contemptible
spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious illogical of questionable truth or merit
splenetic bad-tempered irritable
splice join (two ends)
sponge porous rubber for washing live at once expense
spurious FALSE counterfeit
spurn have nothing to do reject or refuse
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

squalid foul filthy

squander spend wastefully
squat crouch/settle without permission
stanch to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply rising or falling sharply
stentorian extremely loud and powerful
stickler person who insists on importance of smth
stigma mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize describe smb scornfully
sting smth sharp
51
stingy spending using unwillingly
stint to be thrifty to set limits
stipple paint with dots
stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition
stolid showing no emotion impassive
stray wander lose one's way
streak long thin move very fast
striated striped grooved or banded
stride walk with long steps
strut a supporting bar
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

stygian hence dark gloomy

stymie to hinder obstruct or block
subdue overcome bring under control
sublime extreme astounding
submerge put under water liquid sink out of sight
suborn induce by bribery or smth to commit perjury
subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a low court
substantiation giving facts to support (statement)
subsume include under a rule
succor assistance relief in time of distress
52
suffice be enough
suffocate cause or have difficulty in breathing
sullied to be stained or discredited
summarily briefly without delay
sumptuous magnificent
sundry various miscellaneous separate
supercilious disdainful characterized by haughty scorn
superfluous more then is needed or wanted
superimpose put smth on the top
supersede take the place of
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

supine lying on the back slow to act passive

suppliant asking humbly beseeching
supplicate make a humble petition to
suppress prevent from being known put an end to
surcharge additional load/charge
surfeit satiate feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility sensitiveness
swerve change direction suddenly
sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful
synopsis summary or outline
53
taciturn untalkative silent
tadpole form of a frog when it leaves the egg
talon claw of a bird of prey
tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper interfere with
tangential suddenly changeable
tarnished lost brightness
tassel bunch of threads
taunt contemptuous reproach hurtful remark
taut tightly stretched
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

tautology a repetition a redundancy

tawdry cheap gaudy showy tacky
teetotal oppose to alcohol
temerity boldness brashness intrepidness
temperance abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation
temperate showing self-control
tenacity firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on
tenuous insubstantial flimsy weak
tepid lukewarm
terse brief and to the point
54
testiness witness/evidence
thrift care economy thriving prosperous
thwart obstruct/frustrate
timid shy easily frightened
timorous fearful timid afraid
toady obsequious flatterer
tonic smth giving strength or energy
topple be unsteady and overturn
torment severe pain or suffering
torpid sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

torque twisting force causing rotation

tortuous devious/not straightforward
tout person who worries others to buy smth to use his service
tractable easily controlled or guided
transgress break go beyond (a limit)
transient temporary fleeting
transitory brief
travesty parody/imitation
trenchant forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive incisive
trepidation alarm excited state of mind
55
trickle flow in drops
trifling unimportant
trite not new
truce (agreement) stop of fighting for a time
truculence aggressiveness ferocity
trudge walk heavily
turbid muddy having the sediment stirred up
turbulence being uncontrolled violent
turgid excessively ornate swollen or bloated
turmoil trouble disturbance
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

turpitude wickedness shamefulness

turquoise greenish-blue precious stone
tyro tiro beginner
ubiquitous present everywhere
ulterior situated beyond
umbrage offense resentment
uncouth rough awkward
underbid make a lower bid then smb else
undermine weaken gradually at the base make smth under
undulate to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate
56
unearth discover and bring to light
unencumbered easy-going trifle
unfeigned not pretended sincere
unscathed unharmed unhurt
untoward unfortunate inconvenient
upbraid scold reproach
urbane elegant refined in manners
vacillation being uncertain hesitating
vagary strange act or idea
vain without use result conceited
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

valiant brave
valorous brave
vanquish conquer
veer change direction
venal ready to do smth dishonest
veneer surface appearance covering the TRUE nature
veneration regard with deep respect
veracity truth
verdant fresh and green
verisimilitude appearing TRUE or real
veritable real rightly named 57
verve spirit vigor enthusiasm
vestige trace or sign
vex annoy distress trouble
vigilance watchfulness self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant member of a vigilance committee
vigorous strong energetic
vilify slander say evil things
vindictive having a desire to revenge
virago a loud domineering woman a scold or nag
visceral of the internal organs of the body
 GRE Vocabulary List

WORD DEFINITION

viscous sticky/semi-fluid
vitiate lower the quality weaken the strength
vituperate curse abuse in words
vivacious lively high-spirited
volatile changeable inconstant fickle unstable explosive
volubility fluency verbosity easy use of spoken language
voluble fluent
waffle talk vaguely and without much result
waft scent waving movement carry lightly through
wag merry person
warmonger person who stirs up war 58
warrant authority written order guarantee
wean to turn away (from a habit)
weigh measure hoe heavy smth is
welter turmoil a bewildering jumble
wend to go proceed
whimsical full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince show bodily or mental pain
woo try to win
writ written order
yarn tale story fibers for knitting