ISEE vocab

Question 1

braggart

Answer 1

A person who brags a lot or boasts a lot.

Question 2

capricious

Answer 2

erratic and unpredictable

Question 3

concise

Answer 3

to be quick or short

Question 4

Controversial

Answer 4

subject to debate

Question 5

economize

Answer 5

avoid wasteful expenditure; be economical; save money

Question 6

falter

Answer 6

to move, speak, or function hesitatingly or unsteadily; stumble.
He seemed to be winning the race, but the horse faltered in the final stretch.
The soloist prayed that she would not falter during that evening’s performance.

Question 7

gratified

Answer 7

to give pleasure or satisfaction to someone

Question 8

gullible

Answer 8

readily believing and thus easily tricked or deceived.
She was gullible and believed the man’s promise to make her rich if she gave him her money.

Question 9

haphazard

Answer 9

not organized or based on reason or logic; without aim or purpose.
She has a haphazard way of doing the job, but at least she gets it done.
The locker was filled with a haphazard pile of papers and books.

Question 10

homely

Answer 10

lacking beauty; plain; unattractive.

Question 11

inundate

Answer 11

to cover or overspread with water, esp. a very large amount; flood.
The floods inundated the entire coastal region.

to overspread or overwhelm as if with a flood of water; deluge.
The office was inundated with responses to the advertisement.

Question 12

irate

Answer 12

very angry; furious or indignant.
When she heard about her son being bullied at school, she was irate.

Question 13

jovial

Answer 13

heartily cheerful, friendly, and merry

Question 14

knack

Answer 14

an innate special talent
She’s a great interviewer with a knack for getting people to relax and reveal things about themselves.

Question 15

meager

Answer 15

low in quantity, extent, strength, or richness; scanty or feeble.
With meager funds, the project had to be stopped.

Question 16

noncommittal

Answer 16

not revealing what one’s preference, feeling, or opinion is.
When pressed to take sides, he gave a noncommittal answer.

Question 17

notorious

Answer 17

widely known or spoken of, especially for something unfavorable or bad.

Question 18

obstinate

Answer 18

very stubborn

Question 19

Omit

Answer 19

to not include (something) through neglect or by decision; leave out.
The paper was getting too long, so she omitted a few paragraphs.

Question 20

predicament

Answer 20

a difficult or dangerous situation with no obvious solution.

Question 21

presume

Answer 21

assuming things without proof

Question 22

revere

Answer 22

1) to respect or cherish with awe; venerate; honor.

2) variant of revers

Question 23

robust

Answer 23

physically strong, healthy, and energetic.
Among the marathon runners were several robust middle-aged men and women.

having or showing vitality or strength; highly functioning or effective.
The real estate market was particularly robust during that period.

sturdy or durable; well-constructed.
The new backpacks are made of a highly robust material.

requiring strength and endurance.
Containing the flood waters will require robust effort.

hearty or boisterous.
The fans shouted down at the players in their usual robust manner.

full-flavored.
I prefer a robust cup of coffee.

Question 24

steadfast

Answer 24

reliable; loyal.
a steadfast friend

not likely to change; firmly established.
on a steadfast course

Question 25

tangible

Answer 25

capable of being touched or perceived by touch.
An apple is tangible whereas an idea is not.

factual or real.
The DNA test provided tangible proof of his guilt.

capable of being comprehended or realized; clear and definite.
That the drug relieves symptoms without causing side effects is a tangible advantage.

capable of being assigned a monetary value.
tangible assets

Question 26

unruly

Answer 26

not submitting readily to rule or restriction; difficult or impossible to control; wild.

I’m unruly

Question 27

willful

Answer 27

according to one’s will or intentions; intentional; deliberate.
The explosion was not an accident but a willful act of violence.

obstinate; stubborn.
He is a willful child whose favorite word is “No!”

Question 28

conceal

Answer 28

Keep secret; keep hidden from sight