GRE words set 1 (1-500 words) Flashcards
1
Q
ABASE
A
Degrade, lower in rank, status or esteem
2
Q
abate
A
to decrease; reduce
3
Q
abdicate
A
to give up a position, right, or power
4
Q
aberrant
A
deviating from what is normal
5
Q
abeyance
A
temporary suppression or suspension
6
Q
abject
A
miserable; pitiful
7
Q
abjure
A
to reject; abandon formally
8
Q
abraded
A
scrape or wear away by friction or erosion. Erode, corrode, wear
9
Q
ABRIDGE
A
To cut short or condense written work
10
Q
ABROGATE
A
To abolish, annul or put aside, usually officially
11
Q
abscission
A
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant
12
Q
abscond
A
to depart secretly
13
Q
abstemious
A
moderate in appetite
14
Q
abstinence
A
the giving up of certain pleasures
15
Q
Abut
A
touch or lean on. Adjoin; border
16
Q
abysmal
A
very bad
17
Q
ACCOLADE
A
Award, praise
18
Q
accretion
A
growth in size or increase in amount
19
Q
accrue
A
to accumulate; grow by additions
20
Q
adamant
A
uncompromising; unyielding
21
Q
ADHERE
A
To stick to, be devoted, remain committed to
22
Q
adjunct
A
something added, attached, or joined
23
Q
admonish
A
to caution or reprimand
24
Q
Admonitory
A
giving or conveying a warning or reprimand.
25
adulterate
to corrupt or make impure
26
aesthetic
relating to beauty or the arts
27
AFFABLE
Pleasant and easy to talk to; approachable
28
affected
pretentious; phony
29
affinity
fondness; liking; similarity
30
aggrandize
to make larger or greater
31
aggregate
amounting to a whole; total
32
alacrity
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
33
alchemy
medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation
34
allay
to lessen; ease; soothe
35
alleviate
to relieve; improve partially
36
alloy
a combination; a mixture of two or more metals
37
allure
the power to entice by charm
38
allusive
using or containing suggestion rather than explicit mention; Implied
39
amalgamate
To mix, merge, or combine into a whole
40
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning
41
ambivalence
the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
42
ambrosia
something delicious; the food of the gods
43
ameliorate
to improve
44
amenable
agreeable; cooperative; suited
45
amenity
something that increases comfort
46
amulet
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
47
anachronism
something out of the proper time
48
analgesic
medication that reduces or eliminates pain
49
analogous
comparable
50
anarchy
absence of government; state of disorder
51
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
52
anomalous
irregular; deviating from the norm
53
ANOMALY
Deviation from the norm; something irregular, abnormal
54
ANTAGONISM
Hostility, opposition
55
antecedent
something that comes before
56
antediluvian
prehistoric
57
antipathy
dislike; hostility
58
APATHETIC
Indifferent; showing or feeling no emotion
59
apathy
indifference
60
apex
the highest point
61
APOCRYPHAL
Of questionable authenticity; spurious
62
apogee
the point in an orbit most distant from the body being orbited; the highest point
63
apothegm
a terse, witty saying
64
appease
to calm, pacify, placate
65
appellation
name
66
apposite
strikingly appropriate and relevant
67
APPRECIABLE
Possible to see, measure or estimate
68
apprise
to inform
69
approbation
praise, approval; official approval
70
appropriate
to take possession of for one's own use; confiscate
71
apropos
relevant
72
arabesque
ornate design featuring intertwined curves; a ballet position in which one leg is extended in back while the other supports the weight of the body
73
archeology
the study of material evidence of past human life
74
ardor
great emotion or passion
75
arduous
extremely difficult; laborious
76
argot
a specialized vocabulary used by a group
77
arrest
to stop; to seize
78
artifact
item made by human craft
79
ARTIFICE
Crafty, cunning trick or strategy; deception; cleverness, skill or ingenuity
80
artless
uncultured or ignorant; poorly crudely made; without artificiality, natural and sincere
81
ASCEND
To move or slope upward; to go back in time or genealogical progression; to become king or queen
82
ascetic
one who practices self-denial
83
ASEPTIC
Free from or protecting against infection; without animation or emotion
84
asperity
severity; harshness; irritability
85
aspersion
slander; false rumor
86
Assauge
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense. Relieve. Alleviate. satisfy (an appetite or desire).
87
assay
Evaluation, assessment, analysis
88
assiduous
diligent; hard-working
89
assuage
to make less severe; To ease; pacity soothe or quiet
90
astringent
harsh; severe
91
asylum
place of refuge or shelter
92
atavism
in biology, the reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence; individual or a part that exhibits atavism; return of a trait after a period of absence
93
attenuate
to weaken
94
audacious
bold; daring
95
AUGMENT
To enlarge; to make greater or more intense or more numerous
96
Augury
a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen.
97
austere
stern; unadorned; simple
98
autonomous
self-governing; independent
99
avarice
greed
100
avaricious
having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain; greedy
101
aver
to affirm; declare to be true; To assert positively
102
AVID
Marked by enthusiasm or voracious interest; urgently, keenly desirous to the point of greed
103
avocation
secondary occupation
104
avuncular
like an uncle, benevolent and tolerant
105
axiomatic
taken for granted; self-evident truth
106
bacchanalian
pertaining to riotous or drunken festivity; pertaining to revelry
107
BALEFUL
Harmful in influence or intent; foreboding; ominous
108
banal
commonplace; trite
109
banter
playful conversation
110
bard
poet
111
bawdy
obscene
112
beatify
to sanctify; to bless; to ascribe a virtue to
113
bedizen
to dress in a vulgar, showy manner
114
behemoth
huge creature; anything very large and powerful
115
belie
to contradict; misrepresent; give a false impression
116
beneficent
kindly; doing good
117
BESIEGE
Attack, overwhelm, crowd in or surround
118
bifurcate
to divide into two parts
119
blandishment
flattery
120
blasé
bored because of frequent indulgence; unconcerned
121
BLITHE
Lighthearted, carefree; thoughtless, heedless or without consideration
122
bolster
to give a boost to; prop up; support
123
bombastic
pompous; using inflated language
124
BOOR
Rude or coarse person; a peasant
125
boorish
rude; insensitive
126
bovine
cow like
127
brazen
bold; shameless
128
BREACH
Violation; severence of friendly relations; rift, fissure
129
broach
to mention for the first time
130
bucolic
characteristic of the countryside; rustic; pastoral
131
burgeon
to grow and flourish; to sprout or bloom; to grow or develop quickly
132
burnish
to polish
133
buttress
to reinforce; support
134
cacophonous
unpleasant or harsh-sounding
135
cadge
to beg; sponge
136
callous
thick-skinned; insensitive
137
calumny
false and malicious accusation; slander
138
canard
false; deliberately misleading story
139
canon
an established set of principles; a basis or standard for judgment; a group of literary works
140
cant
insincere talk; language of a particular group
141
cantankerous
irritable; ill-humored
142
capricious
fickle
143
captious
faultfinding; intended to entrap, as in an argument
144
cardinal
of foremost importance
145
carnal
of the flesh or body; related to physical appetites
146
carping
to find fault; complain
147
cartography
science of making maps
148
caste
any of the hereditary social classes in Hindu society; social stratification
149
castigation
punishment; chastisement; criticism
150
cataclysm
a violent upheaval that causes great destruction and change
151
catalyst
something that causes change
152
categorical
absolute; without exception
153
CATHOLIC
Universal, broad minded
154
caucus
smaller group within an organization
155
causal
involving a cause
156
caustic
burning; stinging; causing corrosion
157
celestial
concerned with sky or heavens; sublime
158
CENSURE
To criticize or express disapproval, often formally
159
centrifugal
moving away from a center
160
centripetal
moving or directed toward a center
161
Centurion
the commander of a century in the ancient Roman army.
162
champion
to defend or support
163
CHARY
Cautious or wary; sparing, hesitant to give, accept or expend
164
chasten
to correct by punishment or reproof; to restrain or subdue
165
chicanery
trickery; fraud
166
chivalry
the qualities idealized by knighthood such as bravery and gallantry toward women
167
churlish
rude; boorish
168
circuitous
roundabout
169
circumlocution
the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive; beating around the bush
170
clairvoyant
one who can predict the future; psychic
171
clamor
noisy outcry
172
CLINCH
Grab or hold; secure a goal or a deal
173
clique
a small, exclusive group
174
cloister
to confine; seclude
175
coagulate
thicken; congeal
176
coalesce
to cause to become one
177
Coalescing
come together to form one mass or whole. combine (elements) in a mass or whole; combine, merge, unite
178
coda
concluding part of a literary or musical composition; something that summarizes or concludes
179
codify
to systematize
180
Cogent
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.
181
cognizant
informed; conscious; aware
182
collage
artistic composition of materials pasted over a surface; an assemblage of diverse elements
183
COLLUDE
Conspire; cooperate for illegal or fraudulent purposes
184
commensurate
proportional
185
compendium
brief, comprehensive summary
186
complacent
self-satisfied
187
complaisant
overly polite; willingness to comply with the wishes of others
188
complement
something that completes or makes up a whole
189
compliant
yielding
190
compunction
uneasiness caused by guilt
191
concave
curving inward
192
conciliatory
overcoming distrust or hostility
193
concoct
to invent
194
concomitant
existing concurrently
195
CONCUR
To agree
196
condone
to overlook voluntarily; forgive
197
CONFABULATE
To male things up; talk casually
198
confound
to baffle; perplex; mix up
199
congenial
similar in tastes and habits; friendly; suited to
200
Congruent
in agreement or harmony.
201
conjugal
pertaining to marriage agreement
202
conjunction
the action or an instance of two or more events or things occurring at the same point in time or space. Co-occurrence
203
connoisseur
expert in matters of taste; expert knowledge or training
204
conscript
a person compulsorily enrolled for military service
205
consecrate
to declare sacred
206
contend
to assert
207
contentious
quarrelsome; causing quarrels
208
contiguous
touching; neighboring; connecting without a break
209
continence
self-control; abstention from sexual activity
210
CONTINENT
Exercising or marked by self restraint, especially of the desires
211
contravened
to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose. to violate, infringe, or transgress; breach
212
contrite
very sorrowful for a wrong; seeking forgiveness
213
contumacious
disobedient; rebellious
214
conundrum
riddle; puzzle with no solution
215
convention
practice widely observed in a group; custom; accepted technique or device
216
converge
to approach; come together; tend to meet
217
CONVERSANCE
Converse knowledgeably
218
convex
curved outward
219
convivial
sociable
220
CONVOKE
To call (as a group of people) to a meeting
221
convoluted
twisted; complicated
222
copious
abundant; plentiful
223
coquette
woman who flirts
224
cornucopia
horn overflowing with fruit and grain; state of abundance
225
CORROBORATE
To support with evidence
226
cosmology
study of the universe as a totality; theory of the origin and structure of the universe
227
covert
hidden; secret
228
covetous
desiring something owned by another
229
COWER
To shrink or cringe in fear
230
cozen
to mislead by trick or fraud; deceive
231
CRASS
Crude, unrefined, excessively materialistic or base
232
craven
cowardly
233
credence
acceptance of something as true
234
credo
statement of belief or principle; creed
235
credulous
having or showing too great a readiness to believe things. Gullible, naïve
236
CREPUSCULAR
Like twilight; dim
237
CRYPTIC
Hidden meaning; secret or occult
238
DAMP
to deaden; to hold back; to stifle or restrain
239
daunt
to discourage; intimidate; dishearten
240
Dawdler
someone who takes more time than necessary; laggard
241
dearth
scarcity
242
DEBACLE
An utter disaster, collapse or failure; A violent downfall
243
debauchery
corruption
244
DECOROUS
Dignified
245
decorum
proper behavior
246
defame
to malign; harm someone's reputation
247
default
to fail to act
248
deference
respect; regard for another's wish
249
defunct
no longer existing
250
deleterious
causing harm or damage. "divorce is assumed to have deleterious effects on children"
251
DELIBERATE
Think carefully and consider
252
delineate
to represent or depict
253
demographic
related to population balance
254
demotic
pertaining to people
255
demur
to express doubt; question or oppose
256
denigrate
to slur someone's reputation
257
denizen
an inhabitant; a regular visitor
258
denouement
outcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature
259
DENUNCIATION
Public condemnation or censure; an accusation of a crime
260
DEPOSITION
Remove from power; testimony under oath; process of being deposited
261
deride
to mock
262
DERISION
Ridicule, mockery, scorn
263
derivative
something derived; unoriginal
264
desiccate
to dry completely
265
desuetude
state of disuse
266
desultory
random; disconnected; rambling
267
deterrent
something that discourages or hinders
268
detraction
the act of taking away
269
diaphanous
transparent; vague; insubstantial
270
diatribe
bitter verbal attack; Abusive criticism; denunciation
271
dichotomy
division into two usually contradictory parts
272
DIDACTIC
Designed to teach; intended for moral education; excessively given to lecturing or moralizing
273
diffidence
shyness; lack of confidence
274
DIFFIDENT
Shy and timid, lacking self confidence
275
diffuse
to spread out
276
digression
act of straying from the main point
277
DILATORY
Slow, late; procrastinating or stalling for time
278
dilettantism
Dabbler in the arts, a lover of fine art
279
DIN
A loud, clamorous noise
280
dirge
funeral hymn
281
disabuse
To free someone from a misconception or deception
282
discerning
perceptive; exhibiting keen insight and good judgment
283
discomfit
to make uneasy; disconcert
284
discordant
not in tune
285
discredit
to dishonor; disgrace
286
discrepancy
difference between
287
discrete
constituting a separate thing; distinct
288
discretion
quality of showing self-restraint in speech or actions
289
disingenuous
not candid, crafty
290
disinterested
unprejudiced; objective
291
disjointed
lacking order or coherence; dislocated
292
dismiss
put away from consideration; reject
293
disparage
to belittle
294
disparate
dissimilar
295
dissemble
to pretend; disguise one's motives
296
disseminate
to spread; scatter; disperse
297
dissident
person who disagrees about beliefs
298
dissolution
disintegration; debauchery
299
dissonance
discord; lack of harmony
300
distended
to extend; to swell from internal pressure; expand
301
distill
extract the essential elements
302
distrait
inattentive; preoccupied
303
diverge
to vary; go in different directions from the same point
304
divest
to strip; deprive; rid
305
DIVESTITURE
sale, liquidation of assets
306
divulge
to make known something that is secret
307
doctrinaire
dogmatic; unyielding
308
document
to provide with written evidence to support
309
DOFF
To take off or remove clothes; to tip ones hat in greeting; to put aside or discard
310
doggerel
poor verse
311
dogmatic
stating opinions without proof
312
dogmatism
dogmatic character; arrogant assertion of opinions as truths; the tendency to lay down principles as undeniably true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.
313
dormant
inactive
314
dross
waste; worthless matter
315
dupe
to deceive; trick
316
DWINDLE
To shrink or diminish until little remains
317
EBULLIENCE
Liveliness or exuberance, especially in manner or expression
318
ebullient
exhilarated; overly enthusiastic
319
eclectic
selecting from various sources
320
ECUMENICAL
Universal, worlwide in scope
321
EFFACE
To erase, to rub or wipe out; to conduct oneself inconspicuously, to make oneself invisible 'self-effacing'
322
effervescence
state of high spirits or liveliness; process of bubling as gas escapes
323
effete
depleted of vitality; over refined; decadent
324
efficacy
effectiveness; efficiency
325
effrontery
shameless boldness; presumptuousness; Insolence
326
egoism
the tendency to see things in relation to oneself; self-centeredness
327
egotistical
excessively self-centered; conceited
328
elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation
329
elicit
to provoke; draw out
330
elixir
a sustance believed to have the power to cure ills
331
Elysian
delightful; blissful
332
emaciated
thin and wasted
333
embellish
to adorn; enhance
334
emollient
soothing; mollifying
335
empirical
derived from observation or experiment
336
emulate
to imitate; copy
337
encomium
a formal expression of praise
338
encumbering
restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.
339
endemic
inherent; belonging to an area
340
endow
give or bequeath an income or property to (a person or institution).
341
enervate
to weaken or sap the strength; sap vitality of
342
engender
to cause; produce
343
enhance
to increase; improve
344
ENIGMA
Puzzling person; puzzling text or speech
345
entomology
the scientific study of insects
346
enunciate
to pronounce clearly
347
ephemeral
short-lived; fleeting
348
EPICURE
Someone with refined, discriminating taste, especially in food or wine; a connoisseur
349
epistemology
branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge
350
equable
steady; unvarying; serene
351
equanimity
composure; calmness
352
EQUITABLE
Fair and impartial
353
equivocate
intentionally use vague language
354
Equivocation
the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication; "I say this without equivocation"
355
errant
mistaken; straying from the proper course
356
erudite
learned; scholarly
357
ESCHEW
To shun, avoid or abstain from
358
esoteric
hard to understand; known only to a few
359
Espouse
adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life).
360
essay
to make an attempt; subject to a test
361
estimable
admirable; possible to estimate
362
ESTRANGE
To make unfriendly or hostile; to keep at a distance
363
ethnocentric
based on the attitude that one's group is superior
364
etiology
causes or origins
365
etymology
origin an history of a word
366
eugenics
study of factors that influence the hereditary qualities of the human race and ways to improve those qualities
367
eulogy
High praise; tribute honoring someone who has died
368
euphemism
use of agreeable or inoffensive language in place of offensive language
369
euphoria
feeling of extreme happiness
370
euthanasia
mercy killing
371
evince
to show plainly; be an indication of
372
evocative
tending to call to mind or produce a reaction
373
exacerbate
to aggravate; make worse
374
exact
to force the payment of; demand and obtain by authority
375
exculpate
to clear of blame; vindicate
376
execrable
detestable; abhorrent
377
EXHAUSTIVE
Thorough and not leave anything out; exhuasting
378
exhort
to urge by strong appeals
379
exigency
crisis; urgent requirements
380
EXIGENT
Urgent, pressing matter; demanding a good deal or too much
381
existential
having to do with existence
382
exorcise
to expel evil spirits; free from bad influences
383
expatiate
to speak or write at length
384
expatriate
to send into exile
385
expiate
to atone for
386
explicate
to explain; interpret; clarify
387
expository
explanatory
388
extant
in existence; not lost
389
extemporaneous
unrehearsed
390
EXTENUATING
Lessening or mitigating the seriousness or extent of something
391
extirpate
to root up; to destroy
392
extraneous
not essential
393
extrapolation
the act of estimation by projecting known information
394
extrinsic
not inherent of essential
395
facetious
humorous
396
facilitate
to make less difficult
397
factotum
a person who does all sorts of work; a handyman
398
fallacious
based on a false idea or fact; misleading
399
fallibility
the tendency to make mistakes or be wrong; "technology is not a cure for human fallibility"
400
fallow
plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
401
fatuous
foolishly self-satisfied
402
Faucet
A tap
403
fauna
animals of a period o region
404
fawning
seeking flavor by flattering
405
Feckless
lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. Incompetent
406
FECUND
Fruitful, fertile
407
felicitous
suitable expressed; wee-chose; appropriate
408
feral
existing in a wild or untamed state
409
FERMENT
fermentation; to excite or agitate - to foment; a state of agitation or unrest
410
FERVID
Great zeal or fervor; glowing or burning
411
fervor
warmth and intensity of emotion
412
fetid
having a bad smell
413
fetter
to bind; confine
414
fiat
arbitrary order; authorization
415
fidelity
loyalty; exact correspondence
416
filibuster
use of obstructive tactics in a legislature to block passage of a law
417
finesse
to handle with a deceptive or evasive strategy; refined in performance
418
fissure
crevice
419
flag
to droop; grow weak
420
FLEDGE
To care for a bird until it is ready to fly; to cover with feathers; to grow plumage needed for flight
421
fledging
beginner; novice
422
flora
plants of a region or era
423
florid
ruddy; reddish; flowery
424
flourish
en embellishment or ornamentation
425
flout
to treat scornfully
426
flux
flowing; a continuous moving
427
foment
To foster or promote the development of; to incite; arouse
428
forbearance
patience
429
FORD
Fjord? A shallow place in a body of water where one can cross on foot
430
forestall
to prevent; delay
431
formidable
menacing; threatening
432
forswear
renounce; repudiate
433
Fortuitous
happening by chance rather than intention; lucky
434
founder
to sink; fail; collapse
435
fracas
a loud quarrel; brawl
436
fractious
quarrelsome; unruly; rebellious
437
fresco
a painting done on plaster
438
frieze
ornamental band on a wall
439
froward
stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient
440
frugality
thrift
441
fulminate
to attack loudly; denounce
442
fulsome
so excessive as to be disgusting
443
fusion
union; synthesis
444
futile
ineffective; useless; fruitless
445
gainsay
To deny or prove false; To oppose or speak out against
446
gambol
to frolic; leap playfully
447
garrulous
very talkative; wordy
448
gauche
coarse and uncouth; clumsy
449
geniality
cheerfulness; kindliness; sociability
450
GERMANE
Relevant or closely related
451
gerrymander
to divide an area into voting districts in a way that favors a political party
452
GIBE
To jeer, taunt or deride; mocking or sarcastic remark
453
GIST
The central point or essence; grounds of a legal action
454
glib
fluent in an insincere way; offhand
455
goad
to prod; urge on
456
gossamer
sheer; light and delicate; like cobwebs
457
gouge
to tear out; scoop out; overcharge
458
grandiloquent
pompous; bombastic
459
GRATE
Grating cheese or teeth; to persistently annoy
460
GRATUITOUS
Obtained without payment, unearned; unwarranted, unjustified or uncalled for
461
gregarious
outgoing; sociable
462
GRIEVOUS
Causing great pain; serious; dire
463
Gristle
cartilage, especially when found as tough inedible tissue in meat.
464
grouse
to complain
465
Guile
sly or cunning intelligence.
466
guileless
free of cunning or deceit; artless
467
guise
outward appearance; false appearance
468
gullible
easily deceived
469
gustatory
affecting the sense of taste
470
HACKNEYED
Unoriginal, stale, trite, banal
471
halcyon
calm and peaceful; happy; golden; prosperous
472
HALLMARK
Outstanding or distinguishing feature; a mark indicating quality or excellence
473
hallowed
holy; sacred
474
HAPLESS
Unfortunate or unlucky
475
harangue
long, pompous speech; tirade
476
HARROW
To disturb or torment; to prepare ground for planting with a harrow
477
harrowing
extremely distressing; terrifying
478
HEGEMONY
Dominance or influence of one group or force over others
479
herbivorous
an animal that feeds mainly on plants
480
hermetic
tightly sealed; magical
481
heterodox
not widely accepted
482
hieroglyphics
a system of writing in which pictorial symbols represent meanings or sounds; writing or symbols that are difficult to decipher
483
hirsute
covered with hair
484
histrionic
relating to exaggerated emotional behavior calculated for effect; theatrical acts or performances
485
homeostasis
automatic maintenance by an organism in balance with itself
486
homily
sermon; tedious moralizing lecture
487
homogeneous
composed of identical parts; uniform in composition
488
HOODWINK
Deceive or trick
489
HUSBAND
Manage prudently, sparingly or economically; conserve
490
hyperbole
purposeful exaggeration for effect
491
iconoclastic
attacking cherished traditions
492
idolatry
idol worship; blind or excessive devotion
493
IDYLL
Carefree, lighthearted experience or period
494
igneous
produced by fire; volcanic
495
imbroglio
complicated situation; an entanglement
496
immutable
unchangeable
497
impair
to damage; injure
498
impassive
showing no emotion
499
impecunious
poor; having no money
500
impede
to hinder; block
