AFOQT Vocab - Nouns Flashcards
Aberration
A deviation from the standard; not typical
Access
A means of approach or admittance
Accord
Agreement
Adage
Wise proverb or saying
Adversary
Enemy, opponent
Advocate
One who speaks in favor of or on behalf of another
Affluence
Wealth or abundance
Alacrity
Cheerful willingness or ready response
Allusion
An indirect reference to something else, especially in literature; a hint
Amity
Friendship
Anarchy
Lawlessness, disorder; a lack of government control or effectiveness
Anecdote
A brief, entertaining story
Animosity
Bitter hostility or open hatred
Anomaly
An abnormality or irregularity
Anthology
Collection of writings, songs, or other creative works
Apex
Highest point (e.g., of a triangle)
Arbiter
One who decides; a judge
Audacity
Boldness
Avarice
Greed, desire for wealth
Bastion
Stronghold, fortress, fortified place against opposition
Beacon
A guiding light to show the way or mark a spot
Benediction
Blessing, often a benediction is given at the end of an event, ceremony, or religious service
Bias
Prejudice or tendency in a certain direction; literally, a slant or tilt
Bigot
A person who is prejudiced against someone else because of their race, skin color, religion, gender, and so forth; also, a person who is intolerant of others with different opinions or beliefs
Blasphemy
An insult to something held sacred
Bondage
Slavery
Boon
Benefit or gift
Brevity
Shortness, conciseness
Bulwark
Strong protection or barrier to enemy attacks
Cacophony
A harsh or unpleasant mixture of sounds, voices, or words
Caliber
Literally refers to size; the caliber or size of a bullet is referred to in hundredths of an inch; also used figuratively when referring to the quality of something or someone
Camouflage
Something that conceals people or things from the enemy by making them blend into their surroundings
Caste
Social class or category
Catastrophe
Sudden disaster
Chagrin
Embarrassment or disappointment
Chronicle
Historical record or listing, usually in sequential, chronological order
Chronology
An order or listing of events, either written or spoken, in the order in which they happened
Clamor
Uproar
Clemency
Mercy (e.g., on a prisoner or criminal)
Condolence
Expression of sympathy to be who has suffered a loss
Consensus
General or group agreement
Context
The words or ideas surrounding one particular word or idea that give clues or contribute depth to the word’s meaning
Conundrum
A perplexing puzzle or riddle
Criterion
Standard of judgement or comparison
Crux
The essential point or central part
Cynic
One who mocks or disbelieves the good intentions or values of others; one who believes people are motivated only by selfishness
Dearth
Scarcity or lack of something
Debacle
Large scale defeat or complete failure
Deference
Conceding to another’s desire or will; respect or courtesy
Deluge
Great flood or overwhelming inflow
Depot
Warehouse, large storage place
Depravity
Moral corruption
Destiny
Predetermined fate
Detriment
Damage, loss, or disadvantage
Diction
The way in which words are used by a speaker
Discernment
Insight, ability to see things clearly
Disdain
arrogant scorn or contempt
Din
loud, pervasive, continuous noise
Directive
a general order or instruction
Discord
disagreement, often noisy
Discrepancy
inconsistency or error
Discretion
freedom of choice; also refers to a judicious reserve in one’s speech or behavior
Dissent
difference of opinion, especially from a widely held opinion
Effluvium
a disagreeable or bad smelling vapor or gas
Egotist
self-centered person
Enigma
mystery
Enterprise
an important project or self-sufficient organization
Epitome
a top-level representation of a quality, usually a virtue
Epoch
a particular period of history, especially one regarded in some way as remarkable or significant
Era
a period of time, usually of significant length, identified by particular conditions, events, or the influence of a person or group
Essence
basic nature
Etiquette
generally accepted rules of social behavior and manners
Exposition
an explanation or expounding
Facet
a side or aspect of a problem or situation; also refers to a particular angled cut of a diamond or other precious stone
Facsimile
Exact copy or representation
Fallacy
mistaken or erroneous idea, assumption, or conclusion
Fervor
passion or enthusiasm
Forte
an area in which a person excels
Fortitude
steady courage or strength
Forum
a gathering or place where ideas or situations are discussed
Furor
an outburst of excitement or disagreement
Gamut
an entire range or spectrum of possible outcomes or conditions
Genesis
beginning or origin
Glutton
one who overeats or indulges in anything to excess
Grievance
a complaint made against an individual or an organization; also a grudge held over a period of time
Guile
cunning, deceit, duplicity
Havoc
great damage, destruction, or confusion
Heresy
an opinion directly opposed to established beliefs, especially in a religious sense
Hindrance
obstacle or delaying obstruction
Horde
multitude, great mass of people
Hysteria
excessive or uncontrollable fear or other strong emotion
Idiom
a regional or group jargon, dialect, or manner of speech; can also mean a phrase or expression that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the words that make it up
Illusion
an idea or impression that differs from reality
Impetus
moving force or starting idea
Incentive
motivation or benefit to doing something
Incumbent
present holder of an office or position
Incursion
a hostile invasion
Indolence
laziness
Infirmity
physical disease, injury, or defect
Influx
a flowing in of a substance, as of a wave or a flood
Infraction
violation of a rule, regulation, or law
Initiative
desire, idea, or ability to take the first step in carrying out some action
Innovation
a new or improved way of doing something
Integrity
moral and intellectual honesty and forthrightness; also refers to the quality of a structure or object to hold together
Interim
a period of time between one event, process, or period and another
Interlude
a short feature or period of time coming between two other longer events
Intrigue
secret plot or scheme
Intuition
knowledge or conclusion obtained through instinct or feeling rather than conscious thought
Invective
insulting or abusive speech
Iota
a very small amount or piece
Irony
a significant and often unexpected difference between what might be expected and what actually occurs
Jeopardy
risk of danger or harm
Keynote
main theme or idea, usually referring to the main speech at a convention or the like
Larceny
theft, usually small
Layman
a regular person who is not a member of a particular professional or technical specialty
Legacy
material or spiritual inheritance or heritage; can also refer to the historical perceptions of someone after they have left their office or position of responsibility
Legend
unverified stories handed down from earlier times; can also refer to a person of great fame or reputation
Legion
a large number of people; sometimes historically used as a designation of a military or paramilitary unit
Lethargy
sluggishness, laziness, drowsiness
Levee
a raised embankment designed to prevent flooding from a river or other body of water
Levity
lightness, frivolity
Liaison
contact or coordination between two or more individuals or groups
Litigation
legal proceedings
Lore
body of traditional or historical knowledge
Malady
disease or illness
Mania
abnormal concentration on or enthusiasm for something
Maverick
a person who acts independently instead of in conformance with common organizational or expected behavior
Maxim
an adage or proverb prescribing a rule or method of conduct, as in, “Measure twice, cut once”
Medium
means of communication of presentation (e.g., radio, telephone, television. etc.)
Memento
object that commemorates or reminds someone of a past event
Metropolis
a very large city
Milieu
surroundings, environment
Morale
the state of mind or attitude of an individual or group, usually in reference to how that attitude will either positively or negatively affect the future actions or success of that person or group
Morés
established customs or values of a group or segment of society
Multitude
large number of something
Myriad
a vast number or great multitude of something, usually implying wide variations within that group
Neophyte
a beginner
Niche
literally, a recess in a wall for holding a statue or other ornament; figuratively, an appropriate activity or situation that is especially well suited to a person’s abilities or character
Oblivion
a condition of complete ignorance, forgetfulness, or unawareness
Obscure
unclear, clouded, partially hidden
Odyssey
a long journey, usually involving significant challenges or obstacles
Omen
a sign or event believed to foretell the future
Optimum
the best possible condition or combination of factors
Ovation
applause of an audience, or any enthusiastically positive reception accompanied by applause
Oversight
an omission through error or carelessness; also can refer to a situation where one person or group supervises the activities of another, usually loosely
Overture
first step, usually one that is intended to lead to others in action or discussion
Panacea
a cure for all problems or diseases
Panorama
an unobstructed view of a wide area
Paradox
a statement that contradicts or appears to contradict itself
Parsimony
stinginess or overzealous drive to be thrifty
Partisan
one who supports a particular cause, person, or idea
Pastime
a way of spending leisure time
Pathology
the science of diseases; any deviation from a normal, healthy condition
Paucity
scarcity of a resource or condition
Pauper
a very poor person
Pedagogue
a strict, overly academic teacher or speaker
Phenomenon
an unusual, noticeable, or outstanding occurrence that is directly perceived by the senses or by results
Pilgrimage
long journey to some place or condition worthy of respect or devotion
Pinnacle
highest point
Pitfall
trap or obstacle for the unwary
Pittance
very small amount, usually referring to money
Plateau
an elevated, relatively level expanse of land
Plight
an unfavorable condition or situation
Poise
calm and controlled behavior
Populace
the people living in a certain area; can also refer to the common people or middle or lower class citizens
Posterity
future descendants or generations
Precedent
event or law that serves as an example for later action
Predecessor
someone or something that came before another
Predicament
unpleasant problem or situation, usually one that is difficult to escape
Preface
introductory statement or passage to a book, speech, or other communication
Prelude
something that is preliminary to some act or event that is more important
Premise
a statement or assumption from which a conclusion is drawn
Premium
best quality; can also refer to an amount added to the usual price or payment
Prestige
respect or status achieved through achievement or rank
Pretext
a reason given as a cover up for the real purpose for an action
Probity
integrity, uprightness, honesty
Prodigy
an extremely talented or gifted child
Propinquity
nearness
Propriety
good manners, appropriately respectful and reserved behavior
Prospect
possibility for the future
Proviso
a requirement that something specific is done, usually in writing
Prowess
strength or superior ability
Proximity
nearness
Pseudonym
an assumed name, usually a pen name taken by an author
Pun
a play on words that depends on two or more different meanings or sounds of the same word or phrase
Pundit
a knowledgeable person in a particular field
Quagmire
literally, a bog or swamp that impedes movement or in which people or vehicles could be stuck or mired; figuratively, a difficult or dangerous situation from which there is limited hope of escape
Qualm
doubt or unease about some action or situation
Quandary
deep uncertainty or indecision about a choice between two or more courses of action; a dilemma
Query
a question or request for information
Rampart
a fortification; bulwark or defense against attack
Rapport
a harmonious or mutually trusting relationship
Rarity
something that is infrequent or not commonly encountered
Refuge
a place to which one can go for protection or separation from difficulty
Remnant
remaining or left-over part of something
Remorse
regret or guilt
Renaissance
a rebirth or revival
Rendezvous
a meeting or location for a meeting
Renown
fame or wide acclaim, especially for accomplishments or skill
Replica
an exact copy or facsimile of something
Reprimand
severe scolding or rebuke, usually from a superior to a subordinate
Reprisal
retaliation for real or perceived injuries; often implies giving back more than was originally received
Reprobate
a wicked, sinful, depraved person
Reserves
a fighting force kept uncommitted until the need arises
Residue
the remainder of something after removal of a part
Respite
a temporary break, usually one that brings relief
Reverence
a feeling of great respect, usually religious in nature
Sabotage
deliberate damage to facilities or equipment belonging to an enemy
Saga
a long store or tale, usually involving heroic deeds
Sanction
approval, usually by a higher authority; can also mean a penalty for breaking a law or rule
Sarcasm
cutting or insulting ironic remarks
Satire
criticism of someone or something by seeming approval cast in a light or taken to an extreme that makes the subject appear ridiculous
Scapegoat
someone who is blamed, usually unjustly, for the mistakes or misdeeds of others
Scope
the complete area or extent of action or thought
Scroll
a roll of paper or parchment with writing
Sect
a group of people having the same beliefs, usually religious; often has a slight to severe negative connotation
Semblance
outward appearance
Sham
a false imitation
Sheaf
a bundle, usually either of papers or grain
Sheen
shine or luster
Solace
comfort after loss or disappointment
Stagnation
motionlessness or inactivity
Stanza
a section of a poem or song; a verse
Stigma
mark or perception of disgrace or bad reputation
Stimulus
an encouragement to act or react
Strife
conflict, disagreement, contention
Sycophant
one who flatters a superior in hope of getting preferential treatment
Synthesis
the combining of parts to form a whole
Tacit
silent or unspoken
Tact
the ability to communicate a message without causing offense, especially an unpleasant message
Tactics
specific actions used to achieve a purpose or accomplish objectives
Temerity
recklessness, audacity, boldness verging on foolhardiness
Tempo
the pace or speed of an activity or series of activities
Timbre
the quality of a sound, independent of pitch and volume
Trepidation
fear, apprehension
Tribunal
a place of judgement, usually legal in nature
Turpitude
shameful wickedness or depravity
Upheaval
conflict or disturbance, usually characterized by changes in group membership, leadership, or goals
Valor
courage, heroism
Venture
a project or enterprise
Vicinity
local area
Vigor
vitality or energy
Volition
will or conscious choice
Welter
confused mass; commotion or turmoil
Whim
impulsive idea or desire, usually not thought out
Woe
great trouble or sorrow
Zeal
eager desire or enthusiasm
Zenith
highest point
Zest
enthusiasm
