SAT VOCABULARY Flashcards
to have a bad effect on something, especially by causing a lot of problems
blight something (v)
extremely hungry
ravenous (adj)
showing your wealth or status in a way that is intended to impress people
ostentatious (adj)
extremely or completely happy
blissful (adj)
the fact of being rude or not having good taste; a rude object, picture, etc.
vulgarity (n)
the fact of using or containing more words than are needed
verbosity (n), verbose (adj)
too brightly coloured in a way that lacks taste (2 words)
gaudy (adj), garish (adj)
any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
tonality (n)
devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
insentient (n)
having or showing power or authority, overbearing or offensively self-assured
magisterial (adj) Kinh doanh
the fact of arriving, happening or being done late
tardiness (n), tardy in (adj)
happening or doing something at the arranged or correct time; not late
punctual (adj)
aggressive and unfriendly (2 words)
belligerent (adj), hostile (adj)
to say or do something that you know will annoy somebody so that they react in an angry way, to call forth a feeling or action
provoke (v)
to make a hole or holes through something
perforate (v)
to have or express very sad feelings about somebody/something (3 words)
lament, bemoan, bewail (v)
to remove or get rid of something, such as a name, piece of information or a memory, from a book or list, or from your mind
expunge (v)
to cause somebody to be interested or excited, especially in a sexual way
titillate (v)
to repeat something that you have already said, especially to emphasize it
reiterate (v)
to twinkle or glow, as in a flickering light.
scintillate (v)
filled with wonder and delight
enthralled (adj)
marked on the surface with long thin lines
striated (adj)
to behave or feel towards somebody in the same way as they behave or feel towards you
reciprocate (v)
to force somebody to do something by using threats
coerce (v)
to publicly and officially tell people about something important
proclaim (v)
to help or encourage somebody to do something wrong
abet (v)
to approve of something, or to punish, or speak harshly to.
sanction (v) (n)
to ask somebody for something, such as support, money or information; to try to get something or persuade somebody to do something
solicit (v)
refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this
obstinate (adj)
doing everything that you are expected to do; willing to obey and to show respect
dutiful (adj)
producing many works, etc. abundantly creative
prolific (adj)
lacking imagination and so not original
generic (adj)
very serious or severe
acute (adj)
deserving praise and approval
commendable (adj)
making you angry because it is unfair, irritating, annoying
galling (adj), exasperating (adj), infuriating (adj)
to fail or refuse to perform a duty
abdicate (v)
the power to choose something freely or to make your own decisions
volition (n)
means having a foul-smelling odor (2 words)
malodorous (adj), fetid (adj)
lacking respect or seriousness, not reverent
irreverent (adj)
wicked, vicious or evil
nefarious (adj)
excessively and weakly sentimental or tearfully emotional
maudlin (adj)
participating in or associated with a questionable act or a crime
complicit (adj)
an overthrow, as from the foundation
subversion (n)
ill will or malice toward others; hate
malevolence (n)
in the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates
usury (n)
continually changing or quickly shifting
kaleidoscopic (adj)
dedicated by a vow
votive (adj)
not discriminating or choosing randomly; haphazard; without distinction
indiscriminate (adj)
characterized by making jests; joking; playful
jesting (adj)
a tendency or inclination to something
prone (adj)
belonging to the period before a war, especially the Amercan Civil War
antebellum (adj)
gradually or stealthily take the rights or possessions of another; to advance beyond proper or formal limits; trespass
encroach (v)
well versed in any business or branch of learning; adept
proficient (adj)
to examine thoroughly; tentasively survey
probe (v)
showing hearty good cheer; marked with the spirit of jolly merriment
jovial (adj)
incapable of being damaged or wounded; unassailable or invincible
invulnerable (adj)
being wise or prudent; showing good judgment; sensible
judicious (adj)
conspicuously and outrageously bad, offensive, or reprehensible
flagrant (adj)
disposed to cause distress or inflict suffering intentionally; inclining to produce death; an injurious infiltration
malignant (adj)
questionable authecity or doubtful authority; fictious, false
apocryphal (adj)
to put off from day to day
procrastinate (v)
that is suggested indirectly or understood, rather than said in words
tacit (adj)
the highest or farthest point, culmination; the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the body it is orbiting.
apogee (n)
rejoicing, expressing joyfulness; exulting
jubilant (adj)
attempting to win favor or attention by excessive flattery, ingratiating displays of affection; or servile compliance; obsequious
fawning (adj)
a parody; a grotesque imitation with the intent to ridicule
travesty (n)
blotched or spotted with different colors or shades
mottled (adj)
to develop quickly and become successful or common or to grow well; to be healthy and happy
flourish (v)
to confuse, perplex, bewilder
flummox (v)
the main character in a drama
protagonist (n)
to inflict, as a revenge or punishment
wreak (v)
self-assurance, composure, poise, especially under strain
aplomb (n)
a command or authoritative instruction
mandate (n)
possesing the power of sense or sense-perception; conscious
sentient (adj)
to speak loudly or violently
rant (v)
to habitually lack in giving proper care or attention; having careless manner
negligent (adj)
a point of time, especially one that is at a critical point
juncture (n)
one who sacrifices something or supreme value, such as a life, for a cause or principle; a victim; one who suffers constantly
martyr (n)
characterized by a hissing sound
sibilant (adj)
a relationship that is useful and harmonious
rapport (n)
many and varied; of many kinds; multiple
manifold (adj)
happening at a time or in a situation that is not suitable
happening too soon or sooner than is normal or expected
untimely (adj)
suitable for cultivation, fit for plowing and farming productively
arable (adj)
awkward, lanky, or unusually tall and thin
gangling (adj)
strong or excessive admiration or praise, fawning flattery
adulation (n)
small, virtuallt nothing, or much below the actual value of a thing
nominal (adj)
to thoroughly search, to plunder, pillage
ransack (v)
a young animal past its first year but not yet two years old
a yearling (n)
to issue an order or command; to direct or impose with authority
enjoin (v)
an impediment or obstruction; a state of being hindered; a cause of being prevented or impeded
hindrance (n)
the process of liquefying a solid or making a liquid
liquefaction (n)
to make invalid or nonexistent
nullify (v)
resistance, insurrection; conduct directed against public order and the tranquility of the state
sedition (n)
extremely generous or liberal in giving; lavish
munificent (adj)
the highest point of any path or course
zenith (n)
open to two or more interpretations, ambiguous and often intended to mislead; open to question, uncertain
equivocal (adj)
payment or reward for services for which payment is not usually required
honorarium (n)
very big; very good (informal)
thumping (adj)
to complain in an annoying, crying voice
to make a long, high, unpleasant sound because you are in pain or unhappy
whine (v)
saying what you think openly and honestly; not hiding your thoughts
candid (adj)
feeling or showing that you are sorry for doing something wrong or for causing a problem
apologetic (adj)
impressing somebody very much
(of light) so bright that you cannot see for a short time
dazzling (adj)
extremely hot
extremely angry or full of strong emotion
blazing (adj)
so surprising that it is difficult to believe (2 words)
astounding, astonishing (Adj)
the particular way in which something is understood or explained
the particular way in which somebody chooses to perform a piece of music, a role in a play, etc.
interpretation (n)
to make a position of power or success stronger so that it is more likely to continue
to join things together into one; to be joined into one
consolidate (v)
to remove problems so that something can be achieved easily
smooth the path
to this place
hither (Adv)
the ability to use language and express your opinions well, especially when you are speaking in public
eloquence (n)
physical or mental effort; the act of making an effort
exertion (n)
the fact of lasting a short time
brevity (n)
that is going to happen very soon
impending (adj)
to make something happen sooner or more quickly
hasten sth (v)
to very much respect and admire someone or something
revere(v)
to put or keep someone in prison or in a place used as a prison
incarcerate (v)
the act of fighting against something that is attacking you, or refusing to accept something
resistance (n)
to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else
covet (v)
a deep narrow canyon
ravine (n)
not fun or interesting; boring and old-fashioned
means of a steady and sober character; prudently reserved and colorless
staid (adj)
quick and light in movement, to be agile
nimble (adj)
an entire range or a whole series
gamut (n)
to lean, recline, or act lazily or indolently; lounge
loll (v)
the fact of being too proud of your own abilities or achievements
excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity
vainglory (n)
critical and unkind, but funny
bitingly sarcastic or harshly caustic
mordant (adj)
one who argues for a cause, a supporter or defender; one who pleads on another’s behalf
advocate (n)
to yield or comply
to finally agree to something after refusing
to become less determined, strong, etc.
relent (v)
to intimidate, frighten with threats or show of force
cow (v)
the state of not being active and having no energy or enthusiasm (3 words)
torpor, sluggishness, lethargy (n)
primary, the first in order or the original (2 words)
primitive, primal (adj)
a group of soldiers living in a town or fort to defend it; the buildings these soldiers live in
garrison (n)
disposed or willing to comply; responsive, willing; responsible to a higher authority, accountable
amenable (adj)
to incline or to cause to lean on one side
list (v)
green with vegetation
verdant (adj)
to treat poorly; abuse
maltreat (v)
a riding whip with a short handle and braided rawhide leash
a quirt (n)
to release from an entanglement or difficulty, disengage
extricate (v)
the final point or goal; the final stop in a transportation line
the terminus (n)
to be successful
to prosper (v)
icy or extremely cold; possessing a cold or unfriendly manner
gelid (adj)
talkativeness; the state of continual talking
loquacity (n)
the highest point of anything; the apex or summit
vertex (n)
a well-known phrase that expresses something that is usually true or that people think is a rule for sensible behaviour
maxim (n)
someone or something intensely disliked or loathed (usually used as a predicate nominative) because it is the opposite of what you believe
one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority
anathema (n)
the most important or successful part of something
the highest level or degree available
a small pointed stone decoration built on the roof of a building
pinnacle (n)
great skill in dealing with people or situations, especially in a light and careful way
great skill and style in doing something
finesse (n) (v)
a long angry speech criticizing somebody/something or accusing, denouncing somebody of something
tirade (n)
most obvious or easy to notice
having more power or influence than others
predominant (adj)
to move your hands and arms about in order to attract attention or make somebody understand what you are saying
gesticulate (v)
causing to be weary
making you feel annoyed
tiresome (adj)
defamatory writing; misrepresentative publication (writing, pictures, signs) that damages a person’s reputation
libel (n)
a name or a word that is not appropriate or accurate
misnomer (n)
a natural attraction or liking; a feeling of kinship, connection or closeness, similarity; relationship by marriage; rapport
affinity (n)
take great pleasure or delight
to spend time enjoying yourself in a noisy, enthusiastic way
revel (n) (v)
praise highly, exalt, glorify
extol (v)
contrary to common sense or utterly absurd
preposterous (adj)
to obtain information, knowledge, etc., sometimes with difficulty and often from various different places
glean (v)
something that is used for tying something very tightly, for example to stop the loss of blood from a wound
ligature (n)
having masculine strength; vigorous or energetic
virile (adj)
a small or token amount
modicum (n)
a person with the power or influence to make judgements and decide what will be done or accepted
arbiter (n)
glaringly sensational or vivid; shocking
too bright in colour, in a way that is not attractive
lurid (adj)
greatly perplexed, filled with bewilderment
nonplussed (adj)
produced without effort or careful thought
obtained too easily and having little value
facile (adj)
to come to pass, to occur
when plants or leaves ___, water passes out from their surface
transpire (v)
exclusive or special right or privilege
prerogative (n)
the act of looking at somebody/something in an angry, aggressive way (2 words)
glare, glower (v)
lacking wordly experience; possessing a childlike innocence or simplicity
naive (adj)
a small group of people within a larger one, whose members have some different aims and beliefs to those of the larger group
opposition, disagreement, etc. that exists between small groups of people within an organization or political party
films, books, etc. that combine fact with fiction (= imaginary events)
faction (n)
hard or agonizing labor
travail (n)
a hard task that you do because you want to, not because it is necessary
a labor of love
a master in the technique of some particular fine art
virtuoso (n)
irreversible; not able to be revoked or recalled
irrevocable (adj)
ghastly, horrible or gruesome
macabre (adj)
a regulation by or adjustment to a certain measure, such as in music or radio waves
modulation (n)
envy the possession or enjoyment of; to give or allow with reluctance
begrudge (v)
marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others; unofficial
too ready to tell people what to do or to use the power you have to give orders
officious (adj)
a barrage, a rapid discharge of firearms, simultaneously or in rapid succession
fusillade (n)
dissatisfied, uneasy or discontent; a rebel
malcontent (adj)
any soothing or healing ointment or lubricant for local application
unguent (n)
applicable, related to the subject matter at hand
pertinent (adj)
pertaining to the act of calling
vocative (adj)
bad to the point of being beyond correction; uncontrollable; impervious to change
incorrigible (adj)
a disease or disorder
malady (n)
usually a short journey taken for pleasure
jaunt (n)
surround on all sides; to annoy or harass persistently, to decorate with jewels
beset (v)
to twist together, to intertwine
raddle (v)
to hint or suggest; to intimate
insinuate (v)
to diminish in intensity or size
wane (v)
having declined in quality or value, reduced from a former or original state, to degrade
degenerate (adj)
not restrained by conscience; unscrupulous
unconscionable (adj)
punishment that lasts forever after death
perdition (n)
lithe or lithesome, usually related to the body; moving or bending easily or limber; flexible
lissome (adj)
to think a lot about something that makes you annoyed, anxious or upset
sits on the eggs in order to hatch them
brood (v)
pierce with many holes
riddle (v)
tending to lessen in value, to detract or diminish; disparaging, belittling, injurious; insulting
degoratory (adj)
characterized by a wavelike motion
undulating (adj)
to weigh carefully in the mind
ponder (v)
to bicker, dispute, create a noisy argument
wrangle (v)
traveling from one place to another, usually on a planned course; working in one place for a short while before moving onto another place to work; wandering
itinerant (adj)
characterized by generosity or a willingness to give freely in large amounts; untraditional or broad-minded in beliefs
liberal (adj)
tediously lacking in variety; unvarying; repetitious
monotonous (adj)
thin, but tough and sinewy
wiry (adj)
undervalued
underrated (adj)
a ludicrous or bumbling person, a fool; someone given to clowning and amusing others through ridiculous behavior; a clown or jester
buffoon (n)
a system of medicine pertaining to the bone and skeletal system
osteopathic (adj)
exhibiting decorum, proper
polite and appropriate in a particular social situation
decorous (adj)
pure, fresh and clean, as if new
original or primitive
pristine (adj)
showing that you are feeling confident and pleased with yourself
smart in dress
jaunty (adj)
too ready to take arguments to court
litigious (adj)
characterized by excessive sentimentality; overly emotional
mawkish (adj)
lacking maturity or experience; immature, naive
callow (adj)
acting studpid, goofy or clumsy
oafish (adj)
having a harmful or adverse effect; destructive, hurtful, noxious
deleterious (adj)
characterized by insincere earnestness; oily or fatty in apperance
unctuous (adj)
foolish, indiscreet, or silly
witless (Adj)
timid or fearful
pavid (Adj)
a curse or a proclaiming of a curse against someone; an imprecation
malediction (n)
revengeful, hateful
vindictive (adj)
a hiding place for storing or concealing provisions or valuables; a secret store of valuables or money, a stash
cache (n)
unwilling to do what one is being called to do
reluctant (adj)
caring only about or interested only in oneself or one’s needs
egocentric (adj)
to subvert in an underhanded way
undermine (v)
to steal thoughts or words in literary composition
plagiarize (v)
withered or dry, especially with age
wizened (adj)
put in a hazard or danger
jeopardize (v)
calling to mind or remembering
reminiscent (v)
the vocabulary used in a language, profession, class or subject
lexicon (n)
a debt or obligation; something for which one is liable
liability (n)
a temporary suspension or postponement of a planned activity
moratorium (n)
having a friendly or pleasant disposition, sociable; having similar tastes, habits, or temperament; suitable to one’s needs or nature
congenial (adj)
clumsy or awkward
ungainly (adj)
apparently worthy or belief or praise
plausible (adj)
an act or a means of cunning deception
wile (n)
not fallible; completely trustworthy, certain
infallible (adj)
behaviour that shows a lack of respect for something serious and that treats it with humour (2 words)
levity, frivolity (adj)
a recurrent theme or form in an artistic or literary work
motif (n)
in agreement or accord, harmonious, having similar sounds
consonant (adj)
being careful that every detail of something is correct
fastidious (Adj)
careless in performing duties
remiss (adj)
being present everywhere
ubiquitous (adj)
widespread or widely accepted; predominant or extensive
prevalent (adj)
a sof, gentle breeze; a breeze that blows from the west
zephyr (n)
