GRE A Words Flashcards
Articulate
abase
cause to feel shame
abash
cause to be embarrassed
abate
become less in amount or intensity
abbreviate
shorten
aberrant
markedly different from an accepted norm
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
abet
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
abhor
feel hatred or disgust toward
abide
dwell
abject
of the most contemptible kind
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
ablution
the act of washing oneself, as for ritual purposes
abnegate
deny or renounce
abnegation
the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
abode
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
abolish
do away with
abominable
unequivocally detestable
abominate
find repugnant
aboriginal
having existed from the beginning
abortive
failing to accomplish an intended result
abrade
rub hard or scrub
abridge
lessen, diminish, or curtail
abrogate
revoke formally
abscission
the act of cutting something off
abscond
run away, often taking something or somebody along
absolute
perfect or complete or pure
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
abstain
refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
abstinence
the trait of refraining from something, especially alcohol
abstract
existing only in the mind
abstruse
difficult to understand
abusive
characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
abut
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
abysmal
exceptionally bad or displeasing
abyss
a bottomless gulf or pit
academic
associated with an educational institution
accede
yield to another’s wish or opinion
accelerate
move faster
accessible
capable of being reached
accessory
a supplementary component that improves capability
acclaim
enthusiastic approval
acclimate
get used to a certain environment
acclivity
an upward slope or grade, as in a road
accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
accommodate
have room for; hold without crowding
accomplice
a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan
accord
concurrence of opinion
accost
approach and speak to someone aggressively or insistently
accoutre
provide with military equipment
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
accrue
grow by addition
acephalous
lacking a head or a clearly defined head
acerbic
sour or bitter in taste
acerbity
a sharp bitterness
acetic
relating to a clear organic acid with a pungent odor
acidulous
being sour to the taste
acknowledge
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality of
acme
the highest point of something
acne
an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands
acoustics
the study of the physical properties of sound
acquiesce
agree or express agreement
acquiescence
agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
acquiescent
willing to carry out the orders or wishes of another
acquittal
a judgment of not guilty
acrid
strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
acrimonious
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
acrophobia
a morbid fear of great heights
actuarial
relating to statistics to calculate insurance premiums
actuary
someone versed in the interpretation of numerical data
actuate
put in motion
acuity
sharpness of vision
acumen
shrewdness shown by keen insight
acute
ending in a sharp point
adage
a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
adapt
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
addendum
textual matter that is appended to the end of a publication
addiction
being dependent on something habit-forming
addle
mix up or confuse
address
the place where a person or organization can be found
adduce
advance evidence for
adept
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
adhere
stick to firmly
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread a doctrine
adipose
composed of animal fat
adjacent
having a common boundary or edge
adjoin
lie next to another or share a boundary
adjourn
close at the end of a session
adjunct
something added to another thing but not essential to it
adjuration
a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
adjure
command solemnly
adjutant
an officer who acts as an assistant to a more senior officer
admonish
scold or reprimand; take to task
admonition
a firm rebuke
adore
love intensely
adorn
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
adroit
quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
adulation
exaggerated flattery or praise
adulterate
make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
adulterated
mixed with impurities
adumbration
the act of providing vague advance indications
advent
arrival that has been awaited
adventitious
associated by chance and not an integral part
adversary
someone who offers opposition
adverse
in an opposing direction
adversity
a state of misfortune or affliction
advert
a public promotion of some product or service
advocacy
active support of an idea or cause
advocate
a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
aegis
armor plate that protects the chest
aeon
the longest division of geological time
aerie
the lofty nest of a bird of prey, such as a hawk or eagle
aery
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
aesthetic
characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
affected
influenced
afferent
of nerves and nerve impulses
affidavit
written declaration made under oath
affiliation
the act of becoming formally connected or joined
affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
affirmation
the act of asserting or stating something
afflatus
a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration
affliction
a cause of great suffering and distress
affluence
abundant wealth
affray
a noisy fight
affront
a deliberately offensive act
afterlife
life after death
agape
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
agenda
a list of matters to be taken up, as at a meeting
agglomeration
the act of collecting in a mass
aggrandize
embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of
aggregate
a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
aghast
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
agility
the gracefulness of a quick and nimble person or animal
agitate
move or cause to move back and forth
agitation
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
agnostic
a person who claims the existence of God is unknowable
agog
highly excited
agrarian
relating to rural matters
agronomist
an expert in soil management and field-crop production
airy
open to or abounding in fresh atmosphere
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
albite
a widely distributed feldspar that forms rocks
alchemy
a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
alcove
a small recess opening off a large room or garden
alias
a name that has been assumed temporarily
alienate
arouse hostility or indifference in
alimentary
of or providing nourishment
alimony
support paid by one spouse to another after separation
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
allege
report or maintain
allegiance
the act of binding yourself to a course of action
allegory
a short moral story
alleviate
provide physical relief, as from pain
alliteration
use of the same consonant at the beginning of each word
allocate
distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
alloy
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements
allude
make an indirect reference to
allure
the power to entice or attract
allusion
passing reference or indirect mention
alluvial
relating to deposits carried by rushing streams
alms
money or goods contributed to the poor
aloft
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
aloof
distant, cold, or detached in manner
altercation
a noisy quarrel
altruism
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
altruistic
showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others
amalgam
a combination or blend of diverse things
amalgamate
bring or combine together or with something else
amass
collect or gather
amazon
a large, strong, and aggressive woman
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
ambience
the atmosphere of an environment
ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning
ambivalence
mixed feelings or emotions
amble
walk leisurely
ambrosia
the food and drink of the gods
ambulatory
able to walk about
ambush
the act of hiding and waiting to make a surprise attack
ameliorate
make better
amenable
disposed or willing to comply
amend
make revisions to
amenities
things that make you comfortable and at ease
amiable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
amicable
characterized by friendship and good will
amiss
in an improper or mistaken manner
amity
a state of friendship and cordiality
amnesia
partial or total loss of memory
amnesty
a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
amok
wildly; without self-control
amorally
without regard for the distinction between right and wrong
amorous
inclined toward or displaying love
amorphous
having no definite form or distinct shape
amortization
reducing the value of an asset over a period of years
amphibian
cold-blooded vertebrate living on land but breeding in water
amphitheater
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats
ample
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
amplify
increase the volume of
amputate
remove surgically
amuck
wildly; without self-control
amulet
a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
anachronism
locating something at a time when it couldn’t have existed
analgesia
absence of the sense of pain without loss of consciousness
analgesic
capable of relieving pain
analogous
similar or equivalent in some respects
analogy
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
anarchist
an advocate of the abolition of governments
anarchy
a state of lawlessness and disorder
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
ancestry
the lineage of an individual
anchor
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
ancillary
furnishing added support
andiron
metal supports for logs in a fireplace
anecdote
short account of an incident
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
anesthetic
a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations
anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
angular
having straight lines and sharp points or corners
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
animated
having life or vigor or spirit
animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
animus
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
annals
a chronological account of events in successive years
anneal
bring to a desired consistency by heating and cooling
annex
attach to
annihilate
kill in large numbers
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
annuity
income from capital investment paid regularly
annul
cancel officially
anodyne
capable of relieving pain
anoint
administer an oil or ointment to, often ceremonially
anointment
the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
anomalous
deviating from the general or common order or type
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
anonymity
the state of being unknown
anonymous
having no known name or identity or known source
antagonism
an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
antecede
be earlier in time; go back further
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
antediluvian
of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
anthem
a song of devotion or loyalty
anthology
a collection of selected literary passages
anthropoid
resembling human beings
anthropologist
a social scientist specializing in the study of humanity
anthropomorphic
suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things
anticlimax
a disappointing decline after a previous rise
antidote
a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
antiquated
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
antique
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
antiquity
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
antiseptic
thoroughly clean and free of disease-causing organisms
antithesis
exact opposite
antler
deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
anvil
a heavy block on which hot metals are shaped by hammering
apathetic
showing little or no emotion or animation
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
ape
any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
aperture
a natural opening in something
apex
the highest point of something
aphasia
inability to use language because of a brain lesion
aphorism
a short pithy instructive saying
apiarist
a farmer who keeps bees for their honey
apiary
a shed containing a number of beehives
apiculture
the cultivation of bees for the production of honey
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
apocalyptic
of or relating to a catastrophe
apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
apogee
the farthest point in an orbit around the Earth
apolitical
neutral with regards to government policy
apologist
a person who argues to defend some policy or institution
apologue
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
apophthegm
a short pithy instructive saying
apoplexy
a loss of consciousness from the lack of oxygen in the brain
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
apothecary
a health professional trained in the art of preparing drugs
apothegm
a short pithy instructive saying
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind
appall
strike with disgust or revulsion
apparent
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
apparition
a ghostly appearing figure
appease
make peace with
appellation
identifying words by which someone or something is called
append
fix to; attach
application
the action of putting something into operation
apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
appraise
consider in a comprehensive way
appreciate
be fully aware of; realize fully
apprehend
anticipate with dread or anxiety
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
apprise
inform somebody of something
approbation
official acceptance or agreement
appropriate
suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
appurtenance
equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
appurtenance
equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
apropos
of a suitable, fitting, or pertinent nature
aptitude
inherent ability
aquiline
curved down like an eagle’s beak
arable
capable of being farmed productively
arbiter
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
arbitrate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
arboreal
of or relating to or formed by trees
arboretum
a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated
arcade
a structure composed of arches supported by columns
arcane
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
arch
a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
archaeology
the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people
archaic
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
archetype
something that serves as a model
archipelago
a group of many islands in a large body of water
archives
collection of records especially about an institution
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
argot
a characteristic language of a particular group
aria
an elaborate song for solo voice
arid
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
aristocracy
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
armada
a large fleet
aromatic
having a strong pleasant odor
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
arrant
complete and without qualification
array
an impressive display or assortment
arrears
the state of being behind in payments
arrhythmic
lacking a steady beat or accent
arrogance
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
arrogate
seize and take control without authority
arroyo
a stream or brook
arsenal
all the weapons and equipment that a country has
artery
a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
artful
not straightforward or candid
articulate
express or state clearly
artifact
a man-made object
artifice
the use of deception or trickery
artisan
a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
ascendancy
the state when one person or group has power over another
ascertain
learn or discover with confidence
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
asceticism
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
ascribe
attribute or credit to
aseptic
free of pathological microorganisms
ashen
pale from illness or emotion
asinine
devoid of intelligence
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
askew
turned or twisted to one side
asperity
harshness of manner
aspersion
a disparaging remark
aspirant
an ambitious young person
aspiration
a cherished desire
aspire
have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
assay
a test of a substance to determine its components
assent
agree or express agreement
assert
declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
asseverate
state categorically
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
assimilate
make alike
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
assumption
the act of taking something for granted
assurance
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
asteroid
a small celestial body composed of rock and metal
astigmatism
impaired eyesight common in nearsighted people
astral
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
astronomical
relating to the branch of physics studying celestial bodies
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
asunder
into parts or pieces
asylum
a shelter from danger or hardship
asymmetric
characterized by lack of balance in the arrangement of parts
atavism
a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
atelier
a studio especially for an artist or designer
atheistic
related to a lack of belief in the existence of God
athwart
across the course, direction, or center line of a ship
atone
turn away from sin or do penitence
atrocity
an act of shocking cruelty
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
attentive
taking heed
attenuate
become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
attest
provide evidence for
attire
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
attribute
a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
attrition
the act of rubbing together
atypical
not representative of a group, class, or type
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
audacity
aggressive or outright boldness
audit
examine carefully for accuracy
augment
enlarge or increase
augury
an event indicating important things to come
august
profoundly honored
aureole
the outermost region of the sun’s atmosphere
auroral
characteristic of the dawn
auscultation
listening to sounds within the body with a stethoscope
auspicious
indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
austerity
excessive sternness
authenticate
establish the undisputed credibility of something
authoritarian
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
authoritative
of recognized power or excellence
autocrat
a cruel and oppressive dictator
autocratic
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
automaton
a mechanism that can move independently of external control
autonomous
existing as an independent entity
autopsy
an examination and dissection of a dead body
auxiliary
furnishing added support
avalanche
a slide of large masses of snow, ice and mud down a mountain
avant-garde
radically new or original
avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
avatar
the manifestation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form
avenge
take action in return for a perceived wrong
aver
declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
averse
strongly opposed
aversion
a feeling of intense dislike
avert
turn away or aside
aviary
a building where birds are kept
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
avocation
an auxiliary activity
avouch
admit openly and bluntly
avow
declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
avuncular
being or relating to an uncle
awe
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
awful
exceptionally bad or displeasing
awl
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching holes
awry
turned or twisted to one side
axiom
a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof
azure
bright blue in color, like a clear sky
