GRE word list - A

an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or

abacus
in grooves
abandon to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly
abase To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem
abash to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of:disconcert
abate to reduce in degree or intensity:MODERATE:to reduce in value or amount
to make briefer; especially :to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand
abbreviate
for the whole
abdicate to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
aberrant deviating from the usual or natural type:ATYPICAL
abet to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose
abeyance temporary inactivity:SUSPENSION
abhor to regard with extreme repugnance
abiding to remain stable or fixed in a state
abject cast down in spirit
abjure to renounce upon oath
abnegate SURRENDER, RELINQUISH
abolish To do away with; annul
abolitionism principles or measures fostering abolition especially of slavery
aboveboard be in a straightforward manner
abrasion a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
abridge to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense:CONDENSE
abrogate to abolish by authoritative action:ANNUL
abscond to depart secretly and hide oneself
absolve to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action
abstain
or practice
abstemious marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol
voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving
abstinent
or from eating some foods:ABSTENTION
having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation
abstract
or narrative content
abstruse difficult to comprehend:RECONDITE
abuse to attack in words:REVILE
abysmal immeasurably low or wretched
accede to express approval or give consent:give in to a request or demand
accelerate to move faster:gain speed
accessible capable of being understood or appreciated
accessory present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent
accidental occurring unexpectedly or by chance
acclimate to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation
accolade an expression of praise
to provide with something desired, needed, or suited (as a helpful service, a
accommodate
loan, or lodgings)
accomplice one associated with another especially in wrongdoing
accost to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way
accrete ACCUMULATE
accumulate to gather or pile up especially little by little:AMASS
accuse to charge with a fault or offense:BLAME
acerbity Sourness of taste, character, or tone.
designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue,
achromatic
such as neutral grays, white, or black
acme the highest point or stage
acquiesce to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively
acquisition the act of acquiring
acquit to discharge completely
A unit of area in the U.S. Customary System, used in land and sea floor
acre
measurement
acrid sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor:IRRITATING
acrimonious caustic , biting , or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner
acumen mental keenness
without restraint or limit , to speak, sing, or act without a script, saying
ad lib
whatever words come into one's mind
adamant unshakable or immovable especially in opposition:UNYIELDING
adapt to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification
addendum textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
addict to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively
addicted be addicted to
adherent one that adheres:as a follower of a leader, party, or profession
adhesive Tending to adhere; sticky.
having a common endpoint or border also immediately preceding or
adjacent
following
adjourn to suspend a session indefinitely or to another time or place
adjunct something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it
ad-lib with little or no preparation or forethought
admission the act or process of admitting
to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or
admonish
solicitous manner
adore to regard with loving admiration and devotion
adroit having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations
adulate to flatter or admire excessively or slavishly
to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior
adulterate
substance or element stickler
adumbrate to suggest or disclose partially
adversary one that contends with, opposes, or resists:ENEMY
advert to turn the mind or attention
advertise to announce publicly especially by a printed notice or a broadcast
advocate to plead in favor of
aerate to supply (the blood) with oxygen by respiration
aerial of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere
adj. a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste
aesthetic
and with the creation and appreciation of beauty
The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of
aesthetics
beauty
affable characterized by ease and friendliness
affected assumed artificially or falsely:PRETENDED
affection tender attachment:FONDNESS
a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation
affidavit
before an authorized magistrateor officer
affiliate to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branch
affiliation joining; associating with
affinity likeness based on relationship or causal connection
 a:to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
afflict
b:TROUBLE, INJURE
affliction n.
having a generously sufficient and typically increasing supply of material
affluent
possessions
agenda a list or outline of things to be considered or done
aggrandize to make appear great or greater:praise highly
aggravate to make worse, more serious, or more severe:intensify unpleasantly
aggregate to collect or gather into a mass or whole
aggressive Inclined to behave in a hostile fashion.
aggrieve to give pain or trouble to:DISTRESS
agonized suffered extreme pain or great anguish.
agony intense pain of mind or body:ANGUISH, TORTURE
airtight impermeable to air or nearly so
alacrity promptness in response:cheerful readiness
albino an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation
a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve
alchemy the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal
cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
alibi an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment
align to bring into line or alignment
allay to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity:ALLEVIATE
allegiance devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause
the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths
allegory
or generalizations abouthuman existence
alleviate RELIEVE, LESSEN
the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring
alliterate
words or syllables
allowance a share or portion allotted or granted
allude to make indirect reference; broadly:REFER
aloft at or toward the upper rigging.
aloof removed or distant either physically or emotionally
alphabetical arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet
altitude Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea.
altruism unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
amalgamate to merge into a single body
amass to collect for oneself:ACCUMULATE
ambiguous doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness
ambivalent continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)
amble to walk slowly or leisurely; stroll
ambrosial suggestive of ambrosia; fragrant or delicious
ameliorate to make better or more tolerable
amenable readily managed; willing to be led
amenity something that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment
amiable being friendly, sociable, and congenial
amicable characterized by friendly goodwill:PEACEABLE
amiss in a faulty way:IMPERFECTLY
amorphous having no definite form:SHAPELESS
any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or
amphibian salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles
and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or
amplify
intensity):INCREASE
amplitude the quality or state of being ample:FULLNESS
a charm (as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or
amulet symbol to protect the wearer against evil (as disease or witchcraft) or to aid
him
anaerobic living, active, occurring, or existing in the absence of free oxygen
analgesic insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness
a:resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise
analogy
unlike:SIMILARITY b:comparison based on such resemblance
analysis separation of a whole into its component parts
anarchist one who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power
anathema the denunciation of something as accursed
one from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in
ancestor
the line of descent than a grandparent
ancillary serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary
anecdote a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident
anemic lacking force, vitality, or spirit
anesthetic lacking awareness or sensitivity
anhydrous free from water and especially water of crystallization
animation possessing or characterized by life:ALIVE
animus a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will
annals a record of events arranged in yearly sequence
annotate comment; make explanatory notes
annoy to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
annul to declare or make legally invalid or void
anodyne something that soothes, calms, or comforts
inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or
anomalous
expected:IRREGULAR, UNUSUAL
anonymous not named or identified
antagonize to incur or provoke the hostility of
antediluvian made, evolved, or developed a long time ago
anterior coming before in time or development
anthology a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
antic characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity
anticipatory to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to
antidote a remedy to counteract the effects of poison
antipathy settled aversion or dislike:DISTASTE
antiquate To make old or out of date.
antiquated existing since or belonging to earlier times:ANCIENT
antiseptic opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay;
anvil a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped
apathy lack of feeling or emotion:IMPASSIVENESS
apex the highest or culminating point
aphorism a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment:ADAGE
a place where bees are kept; especially :a collection of hives or colonies of
apiary
bees kept for their honey
aplomb poise
apocalyptic forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world:PROPHETIC
apocrypha writings or statements of dubious authenticity
apologist one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something
apophasis Allusion to something by denying that it will be mentioned, as in I will not
 bring up my opponent's questionable financial dealings
apoplectic greatly agitated
apostasy renunciation of a religious faith
a mark ' used to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive
apostrophe
case, or the plural of letters or figures
apothecary one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes
appall to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay
apparel to put clothes on:DRESS
appeal to make an earnest request
appealing having appeal:PLEASING
appease to bring to a state of peace or quiet:CALM
appellation A name, title, or designation.
appetite an inherent craving
applause approval publicly expressed
applicant one who applies
appoint to name officially
apposite highly pertinent or appropriate:APT
appreciable capable of being perceived or measured
apprehension suspicion or fear especially of future evil:FOREBODING
apprentice an inexperienced person:NOVICE
approbation COMMENDATION, PRAISE
1. to take or make use of without authority or right 2. especially suitable or
appropriate
compatible:FITTING
approval The act of approving
approve to have or express a favorable opinion of
approximate nearly correct or exact
apropos being both relevant and opportune
apt unusually fitted or qualified:READY
aquatic growing or living in or frequenting water
aqueduct a conduit for water
aquifer a water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel
arachnid any of a class (Arachnida) of arthropods comprising chiefly terrestrial
invertebrates, including the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, and having
a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four
 pairs of legs but no antennae
a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs
arbor
or vines
arboreal of, relating to, or resembling a tree
of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive
archaic
time:ANTIQUATED
the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are
archetype
representations or copies:PROTOTYPE; also :a perfect example
archipelago an expanse of water with many scattered islands
architect a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction
archive a place in which public records or historical documents are preserved
arctic bitter cold:FRIGID
ardor extreme vigor or energy:INTENSITY
arduous hard to accomplish or achieve:DIFFICULT
an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular
argot
group
arid excessively dry
armory a place where arms and military equipment are stored
arrest to make inactive
arresting catching the attention:STRIKING, IMPRESSIVE
arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity
a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing
arrogance
manner or presumptuous claims
arroyo a brook; a creek ;a water-carved gully or channel
a:an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military
arsenal
equipmentb:a collection of weapons
to give clear and effective utterance to:put into
articulate
wordsratiocination:thinking:articulation:talking
something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially :an
artifacts
object remaining from a particular period
artifice false or insincere behavior
artless free from guile or craft:sincerely simple
ascendant governing or controlling influence:DOMINATION
ascent an upward slope or rising grade:ACCLIVITY
ascetic austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
aseptic preventing infection
askew out of line:AWRY
aspect a position facing a particular direction:EXPOSURE
asperity roughness of manner or of temper:HARSHNESS
aspersion slanderous remark
aspirant One who aspires, as to advancement, honors, or a high position.
aspiration a strong desire to achieve something high or great
assert to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
assess to determine the importance, size, or value of
the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable
asset
or subject to the payment of debts
assiduous marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
assuage to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses):EASE
assume to take to or upon oneself:UNDERTAKE
astounding causing astonishment or amazement
astute having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity
an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and
asylum
debtors:SANCTUARY
asymmetrical not of equal size or similar shape:
atone to supply satisfaction for:EXPIATE
atrocious extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel:BARBARIC
attenuate to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of:WEAKEN
A person legally appointed by another to act as his or her agent in the
attorney transaction of business, specifically one qualified and licensed to act for
plaintiffs and defendants in legal proceedings
audacious intrepidly daring:ADVENTUROUS
audible heard or capable of being heard
augur to foretell especially from omens
auspicious affording a favorable auspice:PROPITIOUS
austere markedly simple or unadorned
authenticity not false or imitation:REAL, ACTUAL
authoritative having the weight of authority; dictatorial
authority power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior
autocracy government in which one person possesses unlimited power
avarice excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain:GREEDINESS, CUPIDITY
a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn
aversion
from
avid characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit
avulse to separate, cut, or tear off by avulsion
awash covered with water:FLOODED
an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is
awe
inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime
awkward lacking dexterity or skill
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing small holes (as in leather or
awl
wood)
a rooflike cover extending over or in front of a place (as over the deck or in
awning
front of a door or window) as a shelter
awry in a turned or twisted position or direction:ASKEW