Top GRE Words Flashcards
Anamoly
Deviation from what is normal… “albino animals are an a_____ in their coloring.”
Syn: aberrance, aberration, abnormality, deviance, irregularlity
equivocal (adj.)
Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous; Uncertain or questionable in nature; .
Fragwuerdig/zweifelhaft
Syn: ambiguous - doubtful - dubious - questionable - uncertain
lucid (adj)
- Expressed clearly; easy to understand: “a clear and lucid style”.
- Showing ability to think clearly, esp. in the intervals between periods of confusion or insanity.
- Translucid/transparent
- Syn: clear - bright - pellucid - plain - perspicuous
precipitate (verb and adj.)
verb: bring about abruptly
verb: hurl or throw violently
verb: fall vertically, sharply, or headlong
adjective: done with very great haste and without due deliberation
verursachen, herbeifuehren (adj. = ploetzlich)
erudite (adj. or noun)
Learned, scholarly, bookish “the professors were a gathering of the most e____, well-published individuals in the field.”
Gebildet, gelehrsam
Noun: Der Gelehrte
Syn: learned - scholarly - lettered - wise
opaque
Impossible to see through, preventing the passage of light … “the heavy dirt and grime on the windows almost made them o____
Undurchsichtig
not clearly understood or expressed
unklar
prodigal (noun or adj.)
Adj: Lavish, wasteful ; verschwenderisch
“The P____ son quickly wasted all of his inheritance..”
Noun: Der Verschwender
Syn: extravagant, lavish, wasteful
Prodigality (Noun)
Excessive or reckless spending; the trait of spending extravagantly
Die Verschwendung
to assuage (verb)
to make something unpleasant less severe; to appease or satisfy
“Robin Williams used alcohol to a___ his emotional pain.”
lindern, besaenftigen
Enigma (noun)
A puzzle, a mystery
Das Raetsel, Das Mysterium
Syn: conundrum, perplexity
fervid (adj)
Intensely emotional, feverish…. “the fans of Lady Gaga were particularly f___”
Feurig, leidenschaftlich
Syn: burning, impassioned, passionate, zealous
placate (verb)
To soothe or pacify …”the thief tried to p____ the barking dog by saying “nice doggy”
Jemd. Besaenftigen/beschwichtigen
Syn: appease, conciliate, mollify
Zeal (noun)
Passion, excitement “ she brought her typical z___ to the project” Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; intense interest or endeavor
Die Eifer, Strebsamkeit, Begeisterung
Syn: ardency, fervor, fire, passion
Zealot (noun)
A fanatically committed person
Eiferer, Fanatiker
Gull (noun)
A person who is easily tricked ; An easily deceived person
Der Betrogene, der Toelpel
to gull (verb)
To cheat someone
Jemanden hereinlegen
gullible (adj)
Naïve and easily betrayed; easily tricked because of being too trusting
Leichtglaeubig
credulous (adj)
ready to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence
gutglaeubig, leichtglaeubig
“C_____ consumers will often buy products of little or no real value.”
ambivalent (adj)
Mixed, contradictory feelings toward sth. or person…. “mehrdeutig, zweispaeltig”
Apostasy (Noun)
Renunciation of religious faith
Sinecure (Noun)
An office/position that requires little or no work, and that usually provides an income…”Galileo flatters the Medici to giving him a s____”
Gumption (Noun)
Bold initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness: With his gumption he’ll make a success of himself. 2. courage; spunk; guts:
“gusto”
“Alexandra has ‘gumption” to quit her job and to pursue a PhD, which means low pay.”
voracious (adj)
Having a great appetite for anything : I think it comes from reading, and I was a– what they call a voracious reader when I was a little boy.”
Unersaettlich, gierig
resplendent (adj)
Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant
“Resplendent in high-heels and handbags from the world’s priciest designers, Elba Gordillo has never made any secret of her wealth.”
Praechtig, strahlend
