Advanced Vocab Words - Set 5 Flashcards
Learn to understand and effectively use 100 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.
Define:
obfuscate
(ob-fuh-skeyt)
v. to deliberately obscure, to make confusing, to bewilder
The governor obfuscated the issue with big words and numbers.
Define:
encomium
(en-koh-mee-uhm)
n. enthusiastic praise
That country’s national anthem is an encomium to the heroes of a war long past.
Define:
din
(din)
n. loud sustained noise, confusing or tumultuous sound
During the concert, Jill couldn’t hear Rick over the din of the loudspeakers.
Define:
alloy
(n. al-oi; v. al-oi)
n. a mixture of superior and inferior ingredients
v. to debase by mixing with something inferior
The heroism one sees nowadays is often alloyed with some degree of self-interest.
Define:
pugilism
(pyoo-djuh-liz-uhm)
n. the skill or practice of fighting with fists; boxing
Mike Tyson is known throughout the world for his pugilism.
Define:
sanctimony
(sangk-tuh-moh-nee)
n. self-righteousness, pretended piety, insincere holiness
His sanctimony was laughable, since we all knew he was one of the worst offenders.
Define:
baleful
(beyl-fuhl)
adj. full of sinister influence, pernicious, ominous
The basilisk’s baleful glare is lethal.
Define:
hallow
(hal-oh)
v. to set apart as holy, to sanctify
The site for the church was hallowed in a special ceremony.
Define:
ostensible
(uh-sten-suh-buhl)
adj. apparent
adj. pretended
The oil spill was the ostensible result of lax safety regulations.
Define:
sinecure
(sahy-nih-kyoor)
n. a comfortable job requiring little work
Carolyn’s position in the office is a sinecure; she does nothing all day yet she draws the same salary as everyone else.
Define:
lackey
(lak-ee)
n. a male servant, servile follower, toady
Lori’s boyfriend becomes a lackey during her shopping trips.
Define:
redress
(ree-dress)
v. to set right, to remedy
n. compensation or restitution for a wrong
The peaceful petitioning for redress of wrongs is a right enshrined in our country’s founding document.
Define:
unctuous
(uhngk-choo-uhs)
adj. oily, greasy
adj. characterized by insincere earnestness
The king had the unctuous toady removed from his palace.
Define:
arrant
(ar-uhnt)
adj. impudent
adj. thorough, utter, complete
Though the professor is considered one of the greats of his discipline, lately his lectures have verged on arrant nonsense.
Define:
vaunt
(vawnt)
v. to boast or brag about
Chris, though usually very modest, will readily vaunt his achievements in a job interview.
Define:
affectation
(af-ek-tey-shuhn)
n. a show or pretense
n. artificial behavior to impress others
That American doctor’s affectation of a British accent has drawn much criticism.
Define:
philately
(fih-lat-uhl-ee)
n. the study of postage stamps
His grandfather is obsessed with philately and has even made several overseas pen pals in order to study their countries’ postage.
Define:
canonical
(kuh-non-ih-kuhl)
adj. in agreement with accepted principles
adj. authorized, accepted
The canonical Mozart sonatas were consulted in order to compare them to the newly-discovered manuscript attributed to him.
Define:
whit
(wit)
n. the smallest possible part or fraction
The bank robber did not have a whit of self-respect.
Define:
epaulet
(ep-uh-let)
n. a shoulder ornament, esp. a strap on military uniforms
The veteran’s uniform was adorned by a pair of impressive epaulets.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to deliberately obscure, to make confusing, to bewilder
obfuscate
(ob-fuh-skeyt)
synonyms: baffle, muddle, confound, cloud, confuse, bewilder
The lawyer tried to obfuscate the facts to confuse the jury.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. enthusiastic praise
encomium
(en-koh-mee-uhm)
synonyms: tribute, laudation, praise, commendation, accolade, honor
The author received an encomium from critics praising her latest novel.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. loud, sustained noise, confusing or tumultuous sound
din
(din)
synonyms: buzz, clamor, commotion, racket, uproar, cacophony
The din of the crowd made it difficult to hear the speaker.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a mixture of superior and inferior ingredients
v. to debase by mixing with something inferior
alloy
(n. al-oi; v. al-oi)
synonyms: blend, combination; debase, devalue, mixture, compound
Bronze is an alloy made from copper and tin.
The decision to alloy the pure metal with cheaper materials diminished its quality.