English vocab Flashcards
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent.
visceral
relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect.
visage
a person’s face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features.
plaintive
sounding sad and mournful.
domicile
the country that a person treats as their permanent home, or lives in and has a substantial connection with.
mutable
liable to change.
squalor
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.
gamut
the complete range or scope of something.
cull
select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources.
flabbergasted
greatly surprised or astonished.
neophyte
a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief.
lampoon
publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm.
a speech or text lampooning someone or something.
esoteric
intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
notwithstanding
in spite of.
pervasive
(especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
perpetual
never ending or changing.
euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
waif
a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child.
hidebound
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention.
permeate
spread throughout (something); pervade.
sojourn
a temporary stay.
rambunctious
uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous.
exuberant
filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.
boisterous
(of a person, event, or behavior) noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
rowdy
noisy and disorderly.
hybrid
the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties, such as a mule (a hybrid of a donkey and a horse).
a thing made by combining two different elements; a mixture.
ditty
a short, simple song.
lilt
a characteristic rising and falling of the voice when speaking; a pleasant gentle accent.
schmaltzy
excessively sentimental.
interlope
become involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or are considered not to belong.
burgeon
begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
maverick
an unorthodox or independent-minded person.
crusty
having or acting as a hard outer layer or covering.
(especially of an old person) outspoken and irritable.
acerbic
(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.
undertaker
a person whose business is preparing dead bodies for burial or cremation and making arrangements for funerals.
fervor
intense and passionate feeling.
hamper
a large basket with a lid used for laundry.
hinder or impede the movement or progress of.
nuance
a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
serendipity
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
licentious
promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
promiscuous
having or characterized by many transient sexual relationships.
transient
lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
incidentally
used when a person has something more to say, or is about to add a remark unconnected to the current subject; by the way.
bacchanal
an occasion of wild and drunken revelry.
fortuitous
happening by accident or chance rather than design.
gripe
complain about something in a persistent, irritating way.
a minor complaint.
gild
cover thinly with gold.
taffeta
a fine lustrous silk or similar synthetic fabric with a crisp texture.
apparatus
the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose.
a complex structure within an organization or system.
a collection of notes, variant readings, and other matter accompanying a printed text.
forerunner
a person or thing that precedes the coming or development of someone or something else.
detractor
a person who disparages someone or something.
disparage
regard or represent as being of little worth.
clangorous
characterized by or making a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.
itinerant
traveling from place to place.
extant
(especially of a document) still in existence; surviving.
curator
a keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection.
quip
a witty remark.
make a witty remark.
extemporaneous
spoken or done without preparation.
sultry
(of the air or weather) hot and humid.
(of a person, especially a woman) attractive in a way that suggests a passionate nature.
symposium
a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject.
boorish
rough and bad-mannered; coarse.
misfit
a person whose behavior or attitude sets them apart from others in an uncomfortably conspicuous way.
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
predispose
make someone liable or inclined to a specified attitude, action, or condition.
exult
feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation.
tempestuous
characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.
very stormy.
latent
(of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.
piquant
having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor.
ordinance
a piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.
parsimony
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources.
indelible
(of ink or a pen) making marks that cannot be removed.
not able to be forgotten or removed.
stigma
a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
entrench
establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
fickle
changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection.
implore
beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
nuptial
relating to marriage or weddings.
dowry
property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
aptitude
a natural ability to do something.
soirée
an evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music.
ecclesiastical
relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.
pithy
(of language or style) concise and forcefully expressive.
maxim
a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
delectation
pleasure and delight.
vapid
offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging.
spearhead
the point of a spear.
lead (an attack or movement).
seismic
relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth and its crust.
of enormous proportions or effect.
sinuous
having many curves and turns.
overwrought
in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.
(of a piece of writing or a work of art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction.
galant
relating to or denoting a light and elegant style of 18th-century music.
disparate
essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
encompass
surround and have or hold within.
peripatetic
traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods.
contender
a person or group competing with others to achieve something.
moniker
a name.
wintry
characteristic of winter, especially in feeling or looking very cold and bleak.
culminate
reach a climax or point of highest development.
treatise
a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject.
finagle
obtain (something) by devious or dishonest means.
hanker
feel a strong desire for or to do something.
newfangled
different from what one is used to; objectionably new.
inflection
a change in the form of a word (typically the ending) to express a grammatical function or attribute such as tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.
the modulation of intonation or pitch in the voice.
accoutrement
additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity.
per annum
each year/per year/annually
wholesale
the selling of goods in large quantities to be retailed by others.
retail
the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.
matrimonial
relating to marriage or married people.
unbecoming
(especially of clothing or a color) not flattering.
(of behavior) not fitting or appropriate; unseemly.
merit
the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward.
deserve or be worthy of (something, especially reward, punishment, or attention).
denote
be a sign of; indicate.
stand as a name or symbol for.
garret
a top-floor or attic room, especially a small dismal one (traditionally inhabited by an artist).
tongue in cheek
in an ironic, flippant, or insincere way.
flippant
not showing a serious or respectful attitude.
prudish
having or revealing a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity; excessively concerned with sexual propriety.
upstanding
honest; respectable.
standing up; erect.
caterwaul
make a shrill howling or wailing noise like that of a cat.
a shrill howling or wailing noise.
pneumatic
containing or operated by air or gas under pressure.
proliferate
increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
accreditation
the action or process of officially recognizing someone as having a particular status or being qualified to perform a particular activity.
an acknowledgment of a person’s responsibility for or achievement of something.
uncouth
(of a person or their appearance or behavior) lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
(especially of art or language) lacking sophistication or delicacy.
ignominious
deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
installment
a sum of money due as one of several equal payments for something, spread over an agreed period of time.
any of several parts of something which are published, broadcast, or made public in sequence at intervals.
the process of installing something; installation.
coin-operated
operated by inserting coins in a slot.
vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behavior.
adulterate
render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance, typically an inferior one.
diabolical
characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to be suggestive of the Devil.
nab
catch (someone) doing something wrong.
avaricious
having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
maraud
roam in search of things to steal or people to attack.
highwayman
a man, typically on horseback, who held up travelers at gunpoint in order to rob them.
clime
a region considered with reference to its climate.
degenerate
having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline.
gimmick
a trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or business.
modus operandi
a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established.
pew
a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the congregation.
ploy
a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one’s own advantage.
exorbitant
(of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
gaggle
a flock of geese.
a disorderly or noisy group of people.
percolate
(of a liquid or gas) filter gradually through a porous surface or substance.
livery
special uniform worn by a servant or official.
conglomeration
a number of different things, parts or items that are grouped together; collection.
ilk
a type of people or things similar to those already referred to.
pretext
a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
savant
a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist.
attest
provide or serve as clear evidence of.
arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
despondent
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
oscillation
movement back and forth at a regular speed.
imbue
inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality).
myriad
a countless or extremely great number.
diphthong
a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another (as in coin, loud, and side ).
avant-garde
new and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts, or the people introducing them.
favoring or introducing experimental or unusual ideas.
volatile
(of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures.
liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
(of a person) liable to display rapid changes of emotion.
undulation
the action of moving smoothly up and down.
pitfall
a hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty.
cull
select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources.
blustery
(of weather or a period of time) characterized by strong winds.
as opposed to
distinguished from or in contrast with.
poignant
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
juxtaposition
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
penultimate
last but one in a series of things; second last.
mallet
a hammer with a large, usually wooden head, used especially for hitting a chisel.
effervescence
bubbles in a liquid; fizz.
vivacity and enthusiasm.
epistolary
(of a literary work) in the form of letters.
dearth
a scarcity or lack of something.
obstinate
stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
prosaic
having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty.
commonplace; unromantic.
contrite
feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.
pathos
a quality that evokes pity or sadness.
bathos
(especially in a work of literature) an effect of anticlimax created by an unintentional lapse in mood from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous.
rapt
completely fascinated by what one is seeing or hearing.
affectation
behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.
socialite
a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment.
tryst
a private romantic rendezvous between lovers.
emancipation
the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberation.
irascible
having or showing a tendency to be easily angered.
dissemination
the action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely.
sumptuous
splendid and expensive-looking.
gauze
a thin translucent fabric of silk, linen, or cotton.
promenade
a paved public walk, typically one along a waterfront at a resort.
take a leisurely public walk, ride, or drive so as to meet or be seen by others.
primeval
of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world.
antagonistic
showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something.
incisive
(of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.
splay
thrust or spread (things, especially limbs or fingers) out and apart.
renegade
a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.
puma
a large American wild cat with a plain tawny to grayish coat, found from Canada to Patagonia.
toupee
a small wig or artificial hairpiece worn to cover a bald spot.
virtually
nearly; almost.
redneck
a working-class white person, especially a politically reactionary one from a rural area.
racketeering
dishonest and fraudulent business dealings.
garner
gather or collect (something, especially information or approval).
placid
(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited.
(especially of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.
calibrated
(of an instrument) marked with a scale of readings.
mark (a gauge or instrument) with a standard scale of readings.
impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
ethereal
extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
syntax
the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
cusp
a point of transition between two different states.
redolent
strongly reminiscent or suggestive of.
strongly smelling of.
fragrant or sweet-smelling.
talcum
a cosmetic or toilet preparation consisting of the mineral talc in powdered form, typically perfumed.
milieu
a person’s social environment.
hallucinogenic
(of a drug) causing hallucinations.
resembling the hallucinatory effect produced by taking a psychedelic drug.
a drug that causes hallucinations, such as LSD.
engender
cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).
snuffer
a small hollow metal cone on the end of a handle, used to extinguish a candle by smothering the flame.
parlance
a particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest.
compatriot
a fellow citizen or national of a country.
supernal
relating to the sky or the heavens; celestial.
of exceptional quality or extent.
derisive
expressing contempt or ridicule.
beguile
charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.
intimation
an indication or hint.
incremental
relating to or denoting an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale.
languorous
characterized by tiredness or inactivity, especially of a pleasurable kind.
characterized by an oppressive stillness.
plangent
(of a sound) loud, reverberating, and often melancholy.
en masse
in a group; all together.
make no bones about
have no hesitation in stating or dealing with (something), however unpleasant or awkward it is.
inextricable
impossible to disentangle or separate.
gait
a person’s manner of walking.
stultifying
tending to stifle enthusiasm, initiative, or freedom of action.
dusky
darkish in color.
introspection
the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes.
narcotic
a drug or other substance that affects mood or behavior and is consumed for nonmedical purposes, especially one sold illegally.
iridescent
showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
evocative
bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.
clinch
confirm or settle (a contract or bargain).
inflect
change the form of (a word) to express a particular grammatical function or attribute, typically tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.
vary the intonation or pitch of (the voice), especially to express mood or feeling.
induct
admit (someone) formally to a position or organization.
inundate
overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with.
flood.
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time.
slavish
relating to or characteristic of a slave, typically by behaving in a servile or submissive way.
credo
a statement of the beliefs or aims which guide someone’s actions.
entrain
board a train.
seminal
(of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments.
quaint
attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
ineffable
too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
shantytown
a deprived area on the outskirts of a town consisting of large numbers of crude dwellings.
shanty
a small, crudely built shack.
tenement
a room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of apartments.
bordello
a brothel.
debauchery
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.
emporium
a large retail store selling a wide variety of goods.
buxom
(of a woman) plump, especially with large breasts.
mulatto
a person of mixed white and black ancestry, especially a person with one white and one black parent.
trite
(of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
cabaret
entertainment held in a nightclub or restaurant while the audience eats or drinks at tables.
backwoods
remote uncleared forest land.
virginal
being, relating to, or appropriate for a virgin.
an early spinet with the strings parallel to the keyboard, typically rectangular, and popular in 16th and 17th century houses.
vaudeville
a type of entertainment popular chiefly in the US in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance.
burlesque
an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody.
rollick
act or behave in a jovial and exuberant fashion.
chitterlings
the smaller intestines of a pig, cooked for food.
new-fangled
different from what one is used to; objectionably new.
filigree
ornamental work of fine (typically gold or silver) wire formed into delicate tracery.
centrifugal
moving or tending to move away from a center.
pyrotechnics
a fireworks display.
a brilliant performance or display, especially of a specified skill.
delineate
describe or portray (something) precisely.
tour de force
an impressive performance or achievement that has been accomplished or managed with great skill.
gentile
not Jewish.
a person who is not Jewish.
inoculate
treat (a person or animal) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
billow
a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam.
quintessence
the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
respite
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
scintillating
sparkling or shining brightly.
presage
(of an event) be a sign or warning that (something, typically something bad) will happen.
diaphanous
(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent.
fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
suffuse
gradually spread through or over.
insouciance
casual lack of concern; indifference.
epoch
a period of time in history or a person’s life, typically one marked by notable events or particular characteristics.
immanent
existing or operating within; inherent.
omniscient
knowing everything.
slink
move smoothly and quietly with gliding steps, in a stealthy or sensuous manner.
come or go unobtrusively or furtively.
metaphysics
the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.
