Oh geez, look what you've done. Now you have to memorize a 67 page list of words. Better get to printing, geek! Don't say we never gave you something from nothing.
abase lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
abash embarrass
abate subside or moderate
abbreviate shorten
abdicate renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
aberrant abnormal or deviant
aberration deviation from the normal; mental disorder
abet assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage
abeyance suspended action
abhor detest; hate
abide dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.
abject (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
abjure renounce upon oath
ablution washing
abnegation renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abode dwelling place; home
abolish cancel; put an end to
abominable detestable; extremely unpleasant
abominate loathe; hate
aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
abortive unsuccessful; fruitless
abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down
abridge condense or shorten
abrogate abolish
abscission cutting off; separation
abscond depart secretly and hide
absolute complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
absolve pardon (an offense)
abstain refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote;
abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
abstinence restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
abstract theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful
abut border upon; adjoin
abysmal bottomless
abyss enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
academic related to a school; not practical or directly useful
accede agree
accelerate move faster
accessible easy to approach; obtainable
accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing
acclaim applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
acclimate adjust to climate or environment; adapt
acclivity sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
accolade award of merit; strong praise and approval
accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
accomplice partner in crime
accord agreement
accost approach and speak first to a person
accoutre equip; N. accoutrement
accretion growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
accrue come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
acerbity bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
acetic vinegary
acidulous slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
acknowledge recognize; admit
acme peak; pinnacle; highest point
acne skin disease (on the face)
acoustics science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiesce assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acquittal deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
acrid bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
acrimonious stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
acrophobia fear of heights
actuarial calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
actuary someone who advises insurance companies
actuate motivate; activate; cause to act
acuity sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
acumen mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
acute (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
adage wise saying; proverb
adamant hard; inflexible
adapt make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
addendum addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
addiction compulsive habitual need
addle make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
address direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
adept expert at; very skilled
adhere stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
adherent supporter; follower
adjacent adjoining; neighboring; close by
adjoin be next to
adjourn suspend until a later time; move from one place to another
adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
admonish warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
adore love deeply and respect highly
adorn decorate
adroit skillful (in using mind or hand)
adulation flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
adulterate make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
Advent arrival
adventitious accidental; casual; happening by chance
adversary opponent; enemy
adverse going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
adversity great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
advert refer
advocacy support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
advocate speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
aegis shield; protection; defense
aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry) nest of a large bird of prey
aesthetic artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
affable easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
affected artificial; pretended
affidavit written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
affiliation joining; associating with
affinity feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
affirmation positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
affliction state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
affluence abundance; wealth
affront insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
afterlife life after death; later part of one's life
agape openmouthed
agenda items of business at a meeting
agglomeration collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap
aggrandize make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
aggregate sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
aghast filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
agility nimbleness; ability to move quickly
agitate stir up; disturb
agnostic one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
agog highly excited; intensely curious
agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
airy of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
alacrity cheerful promptness without reluctance
alchemy medieval chemistry
alcove nook; recess
alias an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
alienate make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
alimentary supplying nourishment
alimony payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
allay calm; pacify
allege state without proof
allegiance loyalty
allegory story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
alleviate relieve (pain)
alliteration repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate assign; set apart for a particular purpose
alloy mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
allude refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
allure entice; attract; tempt
alluvial pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
alms money or goods given to the poor
aloft upward; high up in the air
aloof apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
altercation noisy quarrel
altruistic unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
amalgam combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
amalgamate (of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body
amass collect (gradually, in a very large amount)
amazon female warrior
ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
ambivalence the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
amble walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
ambrosia food of the gods
ambulatory able to walk
ambush act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
ameliorate improve
amenable obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
amend correct; change ; generally for the better
amenities convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
amiable agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
amiss wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
amity friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
amnesia loss of memory
amnesty pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
amok(amuck) in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
amoral nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
amorous moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
amorphous formless; lacking shape or definition
amphibian able to live both on land and in water; N.
amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
ample enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space
amplify increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph
amputate cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
amulet charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
anachronism an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
analgesia condition of being unable to feel pain
analgesic causing insensitivity to pain; N.
analogous comparable; similar
analogy similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
anarchist person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
anarchy absence of governing body; state of disorder
anathema solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
ancestry family descent; ADJ. ancestral
anchor secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
ancillary serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
anecdote short story of an amusing or interesting event
anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
anguish acute pain; extreme suffering
angular sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
animadversion critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animated lively; spirited
animosity active enmity
animus hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
annals records arranged in yearly parts; history
anneal reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
annex attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
annihilate destroy
annotate comment; make explanatory notes
annuity yearly allowance
annul make void
anodyne drug that relieves pain or trouble;opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
anoint consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
anomalous abnormal; irregular
anomaly irregularity
anonymity state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
antagonism hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
antecede precede
antecedents preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian antiquated; extremely ancient
anthem song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
anthology book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus
anthropoid manlike; resembling a human being; N.
anthropologist student of the history and science of humankind
anthropomorphic having human form or characteristics
anticlimax letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
antidote remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
antipathy aversion; dislike or opposition
antiquated obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
antique made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable
antiquity quality of being very old; ancient times;
antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
antler bony growth on the head of a deer
anvil iron block used in hammering out metals
apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
ape imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)
aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
apex tip; summit; climax; highest point
aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
apiarist person who keeps bees
apiary a place where bees are kept
apiculture bee-keeping
aplomb poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
apocryphal (of a story) widely believed but untrue
apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
apolitical having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
apologist one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
apothecary druggist; pharmacist
apothegm(apophthegm) pithy, compact saying
apotheosis elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
appall dismay; shock deeply
apparent evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement
apparition ghost; phantom
appease pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
appellation name; title
append attach
application diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
apposite appropriate; fitting
appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal
appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
apprehensive fearful; discerning
apprise inform
approbation approval
appropriate acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
appurtenances subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
apropos with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
aptitude fitness; talent
aquiline curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
arable fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides)
arboreal of or living in trees
arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops
arcane esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
arch- chief; first; Ex. archbishop
archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
archetype prototype; primitive pattern
archipelago group of closely located islands
archives public records; place where public records are kept
ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
arduous hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
argot slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
aria operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive
aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
armada fleet of warships
aromatic fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
arraign charge in court; indict
array marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
arrears being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia
arrogance pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
arroyo gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
arsenal storage place for military equipment
artery blood-vessel; CF. vein
artful exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
articulate effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
artifacts object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
artifice deception; trickery
artisan a manually skilled worker
artless without guile; open and honest
ascendancy controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
ascertain find out for certain; make certain
ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
ascribe refer; attribute; assign
aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
ashen ash-colored; deadly pale
asinine stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle
asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
aspersion slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
aspirant seeker after position or status
aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
assail assault
assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
assent agree; accept; N. assessment
assert state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence
assiduous diligent
assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
assuage mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
assurance firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assuranc
asteroid small planet
astigmatism eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
astral relating to the stars
astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
astronomical enormously large or extensive
astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage
asunder into parts; apart; V. sunder
asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
atheistic denying the existence of God; N. atheism
atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
atrophy wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
attentive alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
attenuate make thin; weaken
attest testify; bear witness
attire clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
attribute essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
attrition rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
atypical not normal; not typical
audacious daring; bold; N. audacity
audit examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
augment increase; add to
augury omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
august impressive; majestic
aureole sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
auspicious favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
authenticate prove genuine
authoritarian subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
authoritative having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
autocratic having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy
autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice
avantgarde group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
avarice greediness for wealth
avenge take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
aver state confidently; declare as true
averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
aversion firm dislike
avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
aviary enclosure for birds; large cage
avid greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
avocation secondary or minor occupation
avow declare openly; N. avowal
avuncular of or like an uncle
awe solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
awful terrible; very bad
awl pointed tool used for piercing
awry distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof
azure sky blue
babble chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
bacchanal noisy party with a lot of drinking
bacchanalia the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
bacchanalian drunken
backslide revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
badger pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
badinage teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
baffle frustrate; perplex
bait harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
balk stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
balm something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
balmy soft and mild (of air); fragrant
banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
bandy discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
bane posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
bank heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
bantering joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
bar railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
barb sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
bard poet
barefaced shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
bargain agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
baroque highly ornate
barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
barrister counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
barterer trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
base contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
bastard illegitimate child
bastion stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
bate let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
battalion army unit made up of four or more companies
bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
bawdy indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
bearing deportment; connection
beatific giving or showing bliss; blissful
beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness
bedizen dress with vulgar finery
bedraggle wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
beeline direct quick route
befuddle confuse thoroughly
beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
beguile deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
behemoth huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
beholden obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
behoove(behove) be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
belabor harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
belated delayed
beleaguer besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
belittle disparage; depreciate
bellicose warlike
belligerent quarrelsome
bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
benediction blessing
benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
beneficent kindly; doing good
beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous
beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
benefit advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
benison blessing
bent determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
berate scold strongly
bereaved deprived of (someone beloved through death)
bereavement state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
bereft deprived of (something valuable); lacking
berserk mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
beseech beg; plead with
beset harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
besiege surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
besmirch soil; defile; make dirty
bestial beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
bestow confer
betoken signify; indicate; be a sign of
betray be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
betroth become engaged to marry
bevy large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
beware be cautious (of)
bewitch cast a spell over; captivate completely
bicameral two-chambered as a legislative body
bicker quarrel
bid command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
biennial every two years
bifurcated divided into two branches; forked
bigot one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
bigotry stubborn intolerance
bilious suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
bilk swindle; cheat
billow large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
billowing swelling out in waves; surging
biting sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting wind/remarks
bitter having a sharp biting taste; ?; causing sharp pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tears
bivouac temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
bizarre fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
blackball vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
blanch bleach; whiten; make white or pale
bland soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
blandishment flattery
blare loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
blase bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
blasphemy irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
blatant extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
bleak cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
blemish mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
blight plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
blighted suffering from a disease; destroyed
bliss complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
blithe(blithesome) gay; joyous
bloated (unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
blotch spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
blowhard talkative boaster; braggart
bludgeon club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
blue gloomy; depressed
blues state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
bluff pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
blunder error; stupid mistake
blunt having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
blurt utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
blush become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
bluster blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
bode foreshadow; portend
bog soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
bogus counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
Bohemian unconventional (in an artistic way)
boisterous violent; rough; noisy
bolster support; reinforce
bolt door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a | door); gobble down
bombardment attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
bombast grandiloquent, pompous speech
bombastic pompous; using inflated language
bookish fond of books and reading
boon blessing; benefit; something very helpful
boor rude, insensitive person
boorish rude; insensitive
boost lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
botch mismanage; blow
bouillon clear beef (or meat) soup
bound leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to
bountiful generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
bourgeois middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
bout match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
bovine cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
bowdlerize expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
brackish somewhat saline
brag boast
braggadocio boasting
braggart boaster; bragger
braid plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
brand trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
brandish wave around (a weapon); flourish
bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
brave face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
brawl noisy quarrel
brawn human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
brawny muscular; having well-developed muscles
brazen insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
breadth width; extent
breed produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
brevity conciseness; shortness of duration
bridle harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
brim uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
brindled tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
brink edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
brisk quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
bristle short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
bristling rising like bristles; showing irritation
brittle hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
broach introduce as a subject; moot; open up
brocade rich, figured(patterned) fabric
brochure pamphlet
broil cook by direct heat; N.
bromide platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
brooch ornamental clasp; pin
brood sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
brook tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
browbeat bully; intimidate
browse graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
bruise injure without breaking the skin; N.
brunt main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
brusque blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
buccaneer pirate
bucolic rustic; pastoral
buffet strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
buffoon stupid person; clown
buffoonery clowning
bugaboo bugbear; object of baseless terror
bulge protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
bulk size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
bullion gold and silver in the form of bars
bully one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
bulwark strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
bump hit or knock against with force; N.
bungle mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
buoyant able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
bureaucracy overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
burgeon grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
burlesque give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish
bust piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
buttress support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
buxom full-bosomed; plump; jolly
cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
cache hiding place; V.
cacophonous discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cadaver corpse; dead human body
cadaverous like a corpse; pale
cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
cadet student at a military school
cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
calamity disaster; misery
calculated deliberately planned; likely
caldron(cauldron) large kettle
caliber ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
callous hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
callow youthful; immature; inexperienced
callus area of thick hard skin
calorific heat-producing; N. calorie
calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander
camaraderie good-fellowship; CF. comrade
cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
camp group sharing a common cause or opinion
canard unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
canine related to dogs; doglike
canker any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
canny shrewd in money matters; thrifty
cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
cantankerous ill-humored; irritable
cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
canter slow gallop; V. CF. trot
canto division of a long poem
canvass determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
capacious spacious
capacity mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
capitulate surrender; give up all resistance
caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious unpredictable; fickle
capsize (of a boat) turn over
caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration
captious faultfinding; too critical
carafe glass water bottle; decanter
carapace shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
carat(karat) unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
carcinogenic causing cancer; N. carcinogen
cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
cardiologist doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
careen lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
career rush wildly; go at full speed
carefree free from worries; having no problems
caricature distortion; burlesque
carillon a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
carousal drunken revel; V. carouse
carping petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
carrion rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
cartographer map-maker
cascade small waterfall
caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
castigation punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
castrate remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
catapult slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
catastrophe calamity ; disaster
catcall shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
catechism book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
categorical without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
cater provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
catharsis purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
catholic (of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
caucus private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
caulk(calk) make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
cavalcade procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
cavalier casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
cavil quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
celerity speed; rapidity
celestial heavenly
celibate abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
cemetery place for burying the dead
censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
censorious severely critical
censure blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
centrifugal radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge machine that separates substances by whirling them
centripetal tending toward the center
centurion Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
cerebration thought; working of the brain
ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
certitude certainty
cessation stoppage
cession yielding to another; ceding
chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
chaff worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
chaffing bantering; joking
chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
chalice goblet; consecrated cup
chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations
champion support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
championship position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
chancellor legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
chant tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
chaotic in utter disorder
chapel small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
chaperon older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
chaplain clergyman attached to a chapel
char make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
charm quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
chary cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
chase ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
chasm abyss; very deep crack
chassis framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
chaste morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely
chauvinist blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
check stop motion; curb or restrain
checkered(chequered) marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
cherubic angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
chicanery trickery; deception
chide scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
chimerical fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
chip lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
chisel swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
choice delicate; of very fine quality
choir group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
chore daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
choreography art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
chortle chuckle with delight; N.
chorus phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
chronic long established as a disease
chronicle report; record (in chronological order)
chuckle laugh quietly
churlish boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
ciliated having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circlet small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
circuit closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
circuitous roundabout
circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around
circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
circumvent outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
cistern reservoir or water tank
citadel fortress
cite quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
civil having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
clairvoyant having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
clamber climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
clamor loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
clandestine secret
clangor loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
clap strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
clapper striker (tongue) of a bell
clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
clasp hold firmly within arms
claustrophobia fear of being locked in
clavicle collarbone
cleave split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
cleft N: split
clemency disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
clich\'e phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed
clientele body of customers
climactic relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
clime climate
clip cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
clipper sailing vessel built for great speed
clique small exclusive group of people
cloister monastery or convent
clot half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
clout great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
clown act stupidly; play the fool; N.
cloying distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
coagulate congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
coalesce combine; fuse; N. coalescence
coalition partnership; league; union of separate political parties
coax persuade by flattery
coda concluding section of a musical or literary composition
coddle treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
codicil supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
codify arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
coercion use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
coeval living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
cog tooth projecting from a wheel
cogent convincing
cogitate think over; ponder
cognate having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
cognitive having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
cognizance knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
cohabit live together
cohere stick together
cohesion tendency to keep together
cohorts group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
coiffure hairstyle
coin make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
coincidence the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
colander utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
collaborate work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
collage work of art put together from fragments
collate examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
collateral security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
collation a light meal; collating
collected composed; calm; self-possessed
colloquial pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy informal discussion; conversation
collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
colossal huge
colossus gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
coma deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
comatose in a coma; extremely sleepy
combustible easily burned; N. CF. combustion
comeback retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
comely attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
comestible something fit to be eaten
comeuppance deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
comity courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
commandeer take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
commemorate honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
commemorative remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
commensurate equal in extent; of the same size
commiserate feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious spacious and comfortable
commonplace ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
commonwealth nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
communal held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
commune small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
compact agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
compartment one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
compassion sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
compatible harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
compelling overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
compendium brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
compensatory making up for; repaying
compilation listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
compile assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
complacency self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
complaisant trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
complement complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
complementary serving to complete something
compliance conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
compliant readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
complicity participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
component element; ingredient
comport bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
compost mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
composure mental calmness
compound combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings;
comprehend include; understand
comprehensive broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
compress force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
comprise include; consist of
compromise adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.
compulsion compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
compulsive resulting from compulsion
compulsory obligatory; that must be done
compunction remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
compute reckon; calculate
concatenate link as in a chain
concave hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
concede admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
conceit vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
concentric having a common center
conception beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
concerted mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
concession an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
conciliatory reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concise brief and compact
conclave private secret meeting
conclusive decisive; ending all debate
concoct prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
concomitant that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
concord harmony; accord
concordat formal agreement
concur agree; coincide; happen at the same time
concurrent happening at the same time; in agreement
condescend (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
condign adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condiments seasonings; spices
condole express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids
confidant(confidante) trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)
confide tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
confidence self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling yo
confidential spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
confine shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
confiscate seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
conflagration great fire
confluence flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
conformist person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to accepted beliefs of norms
conformity harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
confound confuse; puzzle
congeal freeze; coagulate
congenial pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
congenital existing at birth
conglomerate corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
conglomeration mass of material sticking together
congruence correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
congruent in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
conifer pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
conjecture surmise; guess; V.
conjugal pertaining to marriage
conjure cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
connivance pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
connotation suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
consanguineous(consanguine) having a common ancestor
consanguinity kinship; relationship by birth
conscientious scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
conscript draftee; person forced into military service; V.
consecrate dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
consensus general agreement; opinion reached by a group
consequential self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
conservatory(conservatoire) school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
consign send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
consistency absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
console lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
consolidation unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
consonance harmony; agreement
consonant harmonious; in agreement; N.
consort associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
conspiracy treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
conspire take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
consternation great shock; dismay
constituency voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
constituent supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
constitution constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
constraint restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
construe explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
consummate complete; V.
contagion infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
contaminate pollute
contempt scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contention assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
contentious quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
contest dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
context writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
contiguous adjacent to; touching upon
continence self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
contingent dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
contortions twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
contraband illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
contravene contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
contrite penitent; repentant; N. contrition
contrivance something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
contrive invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
contrived unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
controvert oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
contusion bruise
conundrum riddle; difficult problem
convene come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
convention social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
conventional ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
converge approach; tend to meet; come together
conversant familiar with; having knowledge of
converse opposite; ADJ.
convert one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
convex curving outward
conveyance vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
conviction judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
convivial pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
convoke call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
convoluted coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
convulsion violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
copious plentiful
coquette flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
cordial warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
cordon extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; V.
cornice projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars);
cornucopia horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
corollary natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
coroner public official who investigates any death thought to be of other than natural causes
corporeal bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
corpulent very fat; N. corpulence
corpus collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
corpuscle red or white cell in the blood
correlate either of the correlated things; V.
correlation mutual relationship
corroborate confirm; support; strengthen
corrode destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
corrugated wrinkled; ridged
cosmic pertaining to the universe; vast
coterie group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
countenance approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
countermand cancel; revoke (an order)
counterpart thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
coup highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
couple join; unite; OP. uncouple
courier messenger
court attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
covenant binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
covert secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
covetous avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)
cow terrorize; intimidate
cower shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
coy shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer
cozen cheat; hoodwink; swindle
crabbed sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
craft skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
crass very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
crave desire; want intensely
craven cowardly
credence belief
credential evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
credo creed
credulity belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
creed system of religious or ethical belief
creep move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
cremate incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
crescendo increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
crest top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
crestfallen dejected; dispirited
crevice crack; fissure
cringe shrink back as if in fear; cower
crinkle wrinkle
criteria standards used in judging; CF. criterion
crochet make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
crone hag; ugly old woman
cross bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
crossbreed hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
crotchety (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
crust hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
crux essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
crypt secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
cryptic mysterious; hidden; secret
cubicle small chamber used for sleeping or work
cue word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
cuisine style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
culinary relating to cooking or kitchen
cull pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
culmination highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
culpable deserving blame; blameworthy
culprit one guilty of a crime
culvert artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
cumbersome heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
cumulative growing by addition; accumulative
cunning clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
cupidity greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
curator superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
curb chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
curfew regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
curmudgeon churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
cursive (of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
cursory casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
curtail shorten; reduce
cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
cynosure object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
dabble work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
dainty delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
dais raised platform for speakers or other important people
dally trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
damn condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
dank damp; unpleasantly wet
dapper neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
dappled spotted
dart move or throw suddenly and quickly
daub smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
daunt intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
dauntless bold; fearless
dawdle loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
daze stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
dazzle make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder
deadlock standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
deadpan wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
dearth scarcity
debacle sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
debar bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
debauch corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
debilitate weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
debris rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
debunk expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
debut d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
debutante young woman making formal entrance into society
decadence decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant pour off gently (wine or liquid)
decapitate behead
decelerate slow down
deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
decipher decode; CF. indecipherable
declivity downward slope
decollete (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
decomposition decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
decorous proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
decorum propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
decoy lure or bait; V.
decree authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
decrepit weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
decrepitude state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
decry express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
deducible derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
deface mar; disfigure
defalcate embezzle
defame harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
defeatist resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
defect shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
defection desertion
defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
deference courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
defiance refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
defile pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
definitive most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course
defoliate destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
defray provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
defrock strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
deft neat; skillful
defunct dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
dehydrate remove water from; dry out
deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
deign condescend; stoop
delete erase; strike out
deleterious harmful
deliberate consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
delirium mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
delta flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
delude deceive
deluge flood; rush; V.
delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
delusive deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
delve dig; search deeply; investigate
demagogue person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demean disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
demeanor behavior; bearing
demented insane
demerit fault; bad quality
demise death
demographic related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
demolition destruction; V. demolish
demoniac(demoniacal) fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
demotic of or pertaining to the people
demur object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
demure (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
denigrate blacken; defame
denizen (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
denomination religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
denotation meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
denouement final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
depict portray
deplete reduce; exhaust
deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
deploy spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
deport send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
depose dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
depravity extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
depredation plundering; destruction
deputize work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
deranged insane
derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
dereliction neglect of duty; abandonment
deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
derision ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
derivation deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases
derogatory expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
descry catch sight of (something distant)
desecrate profane; violate the sanctity of
deserts what someone deserves
desiccate dry up
desolate make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
desperado reckless, desperate outlaw
desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
despise look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
despoil plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
despondent without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
destitute extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
desultory aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
detached emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
detain keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
determinate having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
determination resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
deterrent something that discourages or deters
detonation explosion
detraction slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
detrimental harmful; damaging; N. detriment
deviate turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
devious roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route
devise think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
devoid empty; lacking
devolve deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
devotee enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
devout pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
dexterous skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
diabolical diabolic; devilish; fiendish
diadem crown
dialectical relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous sheer; transparent
diatribe bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
dichotomy division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
dictum authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
didactic (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
die metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
diffidence shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
diffuse wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
dignitary person of high rank or position
digression wandering away from the subject; V. digress
dilapidated falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
dilate expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
dilatory delaying; tending to delay
dilemma situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
dilettante aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
diminution lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
din continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
dinghy small boat (often ship's boat)
dingy (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
dint means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
diorama life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
dire warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
dirge funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
disaffected disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
disapprobation disapproval; condemnation
disarray state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
disavowal denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
disband dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
disbar make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession
disburse pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
discernible distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
discerning mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
disclaim disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
disclose reveal; N. disclosure
discombobulated discomposed; confused
discomfit frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
discompose disturb the composure of; confuse
disconcert confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discord conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
discordant not harmonious; conflicting
discount disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
discourse serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
discredit defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
discrepancy lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
discrete separate; unconnected
discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
discriminate distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
discriminating able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
discursive (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
disdain treat with scorn or contempt
disembark debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
disenfranchise disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
disengage uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
disfigure mar the appearance of; spoil
disgorge surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
disgruntle make discontented
dishearten discourage
disheveled untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
dishonor disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
disinclination unwillingness
disingenuous not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
disinter dig up; unearth; OP. inter
disinterested unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
disjointed disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
disjunction act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
dislodge remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
dismantle take apart; disassemble
dismember cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
dismiss eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
disparage belittle
disparate basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
disparity difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
dispassionate calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
dispatch speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
dispense distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
disperse scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
dispirited lacking in spirit
disport amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
disproportion lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate
disputatious argumentative; fond of argument
disquietude uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
disquisition formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
dissemble disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
disseminate distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
dissension disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group
dissent disagree
dissertation formal essay; treatise
dissident dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
dissimulate pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
dissipate squander; waste foolishly; scatter
dissolution disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
dissonance discord
dissuade persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
distant reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
distend expand; swell out
distill refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
distinct clearly different; clearly noticed
distinction honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
distinctive clearly different from others of the same kind
distort twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
distract take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
distrait absentminded; distracted
distraught upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
diurnal daily; occurring during the daytime
diva operatic singer; prima donna
diverge vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
diverse differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: | variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
diversion act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
divest strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
divine perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
divulge reveal
docile obedient; easily managed; submissive
docket program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
doctrinaire unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
doctrine teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
document provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
doddering shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
doff take off; OP. don
dogged determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
doggerel poor verse
dogmatic opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
doldrums blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
dolorous sorrowful; N. dolor
dolt slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
domicile home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
dominant exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive
dominate control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ?????
domineer rule over tyrannically
don put on; OP. doff
doom condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
dormant sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
dormer window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
dorsal relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
dossier file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
dotage senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
dote be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
dour sullen; gloomy; stubborn
douse plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
dowdy untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
downcast disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
dowry money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
dowse use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
doze sleep lightly; nap
drab dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
draconian extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
draft first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript
drama prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
drastic strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
draught current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time
draw choosing of a lot or card
dregs sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
dribble flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
drip fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
drivel nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
droll queer and amusing
drone talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
droop bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
dross waste matter; worthless impurities
drudge do drudgery; N: person who drudges
drudgery hard unpleasant work; menial work
dubious questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
ductile malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
dulcet sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
dull (of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
dumbfound(dumfound) astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
dummy imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
dupe someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
duplicity double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
duration length of time something lasts
duress forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
dutiful(duteous) (of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
dwindle shrink; reduce gradually
dynamic energetic; vigorously active
dynamo generator for producing electricity; energetic person
dys- abnormal; impaired
dysentery inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
dyslexia word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
dyspeptic suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
earmark set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose
earn gain for the performance of service or labor; gain (something that one deserves); deserve
earthly of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
earthy unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
ebb (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
eclectic selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
ecliptic path of the sun and the planets
ecologist person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
economy efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecosystem ecological community together with its environment
ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
eddy swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
edifice building (of imposing size)
edify instruct; correct morally
eerie weird; causing fear because strange
efface rub out; remove the surface of
effective effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid
effectuate effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
effeminate having womanly traits
effervescence inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
effete having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
efficacy power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
effigy dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
effluvium noxious(harmful) smell
effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effulgent shining brightly; brilliant
effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
ego one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem
egoism excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
egotism tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
egotistical egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited
egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
ejaculation exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
elaborate work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
elaboration addition of details; intricacy
elastic able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
elated filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
elevation elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
elixir cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
ellipsis omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
elope run away secretly with the intention of getting married
eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
elysian relating to paradise; blissful
Elysium place or condition of bliss
emaciated thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
emanate issue forth; come out
emancipate set free; liberate
emasculate weaken; castrate
embargo ban on commerce or other activity
embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed) enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
embitter make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
emboss produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
embrace hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
embroider decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emetic substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
emissary agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument salary; payment for an office; compensation
empathy ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
empirical based on experience
emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
enact make (a bill) into law
enamored in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
encipher encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
encircle surround
enclave territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
encumber burden; N. encumbrance
endear make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
endearment fond word or act; expression of affection
endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
endorse approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue provide with some quality; endow
enduring lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engage attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
engaged employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
engaging charming; attractive
engender cause; produce; give rise to
engross occupy fully; absorb
engulf surround and swallow up
enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
enjoin command; order; forbid
enlist (cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)
enliven make lively or spirited; animate
enmity ill will; hatred; hostility
ennui boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
ensconce settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
ensue follow (as a result)
entail make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
enterprise willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat
enterprising full of initiative; showing enterprise
enthrall capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
entity real being
entomology study of insects
entourage group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
entrance put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight
entreat plead; ask earnestly
entree(entr\'ee) entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle
entrepreneur businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate list; mention one by one
enunciate announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.
environ enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
eon(aeon) long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras
epaulet(epaulette) ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
ephemeral short-lived; fleeting
epic long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
epicurean believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
epigram witty thought or saying, usually short
epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
episodic (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience
epistemologist philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)
epithet word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
epitome perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch period of time
equable tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity calmness of temperament; composure
equestrian rider on horseback; ADJ.
equilibrium balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
equine resembling a horse; Ex. equine face
equinox period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
equipoise balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equitable fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity fairness; justice; OP. inequity
equivocal (of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
equivocate use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
erode eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
errant wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
erratic odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
erroneous mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
escapade prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules
eschew avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
esoteric hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
espionage spying
espouse adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
esteem respect; value; judge; N.
estimable (of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable; deserving esteem; possible to estimate
estranged separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
ethereal like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air
ethnic relating to races
ethnology study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
ethos underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
etymology study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic praising; full of eulogy
eulogy expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize
euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
euphoria feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric
euthanasia mercy killing
evanescent fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evasive not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
evenhanded impartial; fair
eventual happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory
evince show clearly
evocative tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
ewe female sheep
exacerbate worsen; aggravate; embitter
exact demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction
exacting extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
exalt raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
exasperate vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)
except exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
exceptionable objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
excerpt selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.
exchequer treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
excise cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
excoriate scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
exculpate clear from blame or guilt
execrable very bad; detestable
execrate curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
executioner person administering capital punishment
executive person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
executor person designated to execute the terms of a will;
exegesis explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
exemplary serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
exhale breathe out; OP. inhale
exhilarating invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
exhort urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous small in amount; minute
existential pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism
exodus departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise drive out evil spirits
exotic not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
expansive (of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
expatiate talk at length; speak or write in detail
expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country
expedient suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite hasten; make go faster
expeditious done with speed; quick; N. expedition
expenditure payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
expiate make amends for (a sin)
expletive meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word
explicate explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expos\'e public revelation of something discreditable
expository explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
expostulation protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
exposure risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound explain
expropriate take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
expunge cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
expurgate clean; remove offensive parts of a book
exquisite delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry
extant (of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous not planned; impromptu; extempore
extenuate weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
extirpate root up; uproot; destroy completely
extol praise very highly; glorify
extort wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
extraneous not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject
extrapolation projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information
extricate free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle
extrinsic external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert person interested mostly in external objects and actions
extrude force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
exuberance overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
exude flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation
exult rejoice
fabricate build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society
facade(fa\c{c}ade) front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance
facet small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
facetious joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous
facile easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facil
facilitate help bring about; make less difficult
facsimile copy
faction party; clique (within a large group); dissension
factious inclined to form factions; causing dissension
factitious artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
factotum handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
faculty mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fake not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
fallacious false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
fallible liable to err
fallow (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
falsify make (something written) false by changing
falter hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.
fanaticism excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic
fancied imagined; unreal
fancier breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal
fanciful whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme
fancy imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate
fanfare call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display
farce broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
far-fetched too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
fashion give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay
fastidious difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky
fatalism belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
fathom comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
fathomless too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable
fatuous smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
fauna animals of a period or region; CF. flora
favoritism display of partiality toward a favored person
fawning courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness
faze disconcert; dismay; embarrass
feasible practical; able to be carried out; practicable
feature distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent
febrile feverish
fecundity fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young
feebleminded deficient in intelligence; very stupid
feign pretend
feint trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
felicitous (of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
felicity happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous
feline of a member of the cat family; N.
fell cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)
felon person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime
feral (of an animal) not domestic; wild
ferment agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
fermentation chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation
ferocious fierce; violent; N. ferocity
ferret drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes
fertile producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize
fervent ardent; zealous; hot
fervid ardent; zealous; hot
fervor glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat
fester rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.
festive joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
fete(f\^ete) honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
fetid(foetid) malodorous; foul
fetish(fetich) object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
fetter shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
feud bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism
fiasco total failure; CF. bottle
fiat command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
fickle changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
fictitious imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional
fidelity loyalty; accuracy
fiend evil spirit; devil
figment invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination
figurative not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
figure written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; app
figurine small ornamental statuette(very small statue)
filch steal (things of small value)
filial pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
filibuster block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter
filigree delicate ornamenta