Words You Should Know in High School 1 Flashcards
abash (v)
/a-BASH/
cause to feel embarrassed or ashamed
Traditionally, high school athletes abash new team members; some call it rookie or freshmen hazing.
aberration (n)
/a-buh-RAY-shun/
departure from what is normal
Justin’s one bad grade seem to be an aberration gives his history of strong academic performance.
abet (v)
/uh-BET/
to assist some in an activity that is probably illegal
You often hear the phrase “aid and abet” on the crime shows like Law and Order.
abhor (v)
/ab-HORE/
to find something or someone loathsome, contemptible, or reprehensible
Many abhor reality shows that feature plastic surgery because they find the visual images detestable and the topic contemptible.
abject (a)
/AB-ject/
extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading
Many spring break parties are not aware that in many Caribbean countries, abject poverty is often found side-by-side with luxury hotels, spas, and resort properties.
abjure (v)
/ab-JOOR/
to renounce, repudiate, or give up one’s previously held beliefs
When taking the U.S. oath of citizenship, one must abjure allegiance to any other nation.
ablution (n)
/ah-BLOO-shun/
the act of washing oneself usually religious, as in a priest’s hands
Getting pushed into the gym pool and yelling “Holy cow, that’s cold” doesn’t count as ablution.
abnegate (v)
/AB-ne-gate/
to renounce something or deny it to yourself
Stephanie abnegated fried food and soda before the prom, hoping to fit into her newly purchased dress.
aboriginal (a)
/a-buh-RIDE-ih-nul/
inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times
In most cases, aboriginal people sadly have little or no say in issues related to their original homeland.
abrade (v)
/uh-BRADE/
to wear away, rub off, or erode through fraction
In the past, revelations about infidelity abraded voter support for candidates, but now such character traits don’t seem that important.
abrogate (v)
/A-bro-gate/
formally repeal or cancel something
The two business partners agreed to abrogate their contract after they discovered their venture was no longer profitable.
abscond (v)
/ab-SKOND/
to run away secretly
The plan was to rob the jewellery store, abscond to a safe location, and later fence the goods.
absolve (v)
/ab-ZOLV/
declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility
Over the objections of the district attorney, the judge absolved the accused of all charges.
accede (v)
/ak-SEED/
to give consent or agree to something
It is the policy of the U.S government to never accede to the demands of terrorists.
accrue (v)
/uh-CRUE/
to gather over a period of time
Money held in a bank will accrue interest over time.
acrophobia (n)
/a-croh-FO-bee-a/
an irrational fear of high places
It’s almost impossible to find a roofer with acrophobia, at least one who isn’t unemployed.
acumen (n)
/a-CUE-men/
quick insight, the ability to make good judgements
Laurie was said to have great business acumen because every venture she became involved quickly turned a profit.
adamant (a)
/A-duh-munt/
very determined and not influenced by appeals to reconsider or change
Despite the concerns of his parents, Steve was adamant about not attending college after graduation from high school.
addendum (n)
/a-DEN-duhm/
something added or a supplement to a book or magazine
No matter how thorough the committee’s report was, someone was always wanted to suggest an addendum.
adept (a)
/a-DEPT/
highly proficient, skilled, or expert
The league’s most valuable player was adept at hitting home runs, particularly with men on base late in the game.
adjudicate (v)
/a-DJOO-di-cate/
to reach judicial decision
Those on the Supreme Court adjudicate only the most difficult cases and only those with constitutional implications.
akin (a)
/uh-KIN/
related by blood
Jodi’s constant exaggerations were akin to lies, but she believed they were just embellishments.
allay (v)
/uh-LAY/
to calm a strong emotion like anger, fear, or suspicion
The CEO met with the entire staff to allay their fears regarding possible lay-offs and firings.
amble (v)
/AM-bul/
to walk leisurely and slowly in a relaxed manner
Some tourists amble up and down the boardwalk in Atlantic City, while others remain firmly in one seat, playing blackjack.
ameliorate (v)
/uh-MEEL-yoh-rate/
to improve or upgrade, to make something better
The marriage counsellor’s attempts to ameliorate conflicts between the Smiths were welcome, unfortunately, they were not successful.
amenable (a)
/uh-MEE-nuh-bul/
agreeable to suggestion; likely to cooperate
Students were amenable to a new dress code if they were asked to give input when it was being decided.
amenity (n)
/uh-ME-nih-tee/
useful, attractive, or pleasant feature
No longer satisfied with a minor amenity like a mint on the pillow, frequent guests at five-star hotels demand much more.
amiable (a)
/AY-me-uh-bul/
pleasant and friendly
My friend Amy is able to get along with everyone because she is amiable.
anagram (n)
/A-nuh-GRAM/
a word or phrase spelled from the rearranged letter of another word
Anagrams can be used as memory devices and can also be enjoyed as fascinating word puzzle.
anathema (n)
/uh-NA-theh-muh/
someone or something that is greatly disliked
The events of the Holocaust are anathema to all moral and civilized human beings.
antebellum (a)
/an-tih-BEH-luhm/
pertaining to the period preceding a war
For those once held in slavery, the antebellum period was not to be remembered with fond or romantic thought of Southern traditions.
aphorism (n)
/A-fuh-rih-zum/
saying that expresses an opinion or a general truth
Aphorisms may seen oversimplified to some, but when you think about it, their basics wisdom is often quite striking.
aplomb (n)
/uh-PLUM/
confidence, skill, and poise in difficult or challenging situations
The entire family handled the difficult period of the memorial service and funeral with aplomb.
apocryphal (a)
/uh-PO-krih-fuhl/
probably not true, but widely believed to be so
It is hard to believe that some still think that the Apollo missions, with men landing on the moon, are apocryphal.
apparition (n)
/a-puh-RIH-shen/
a ghost or ghostlike image of a person
Bob’s quick appearance at breakfast, as he rushed off to school, caused his parents to jokingly call him an apparition.
apprise (v)
/uh-PRISE/
inform or tell
The teacher promised she would apprise all class members of their semester grades as soon as possible.
aspersion (n)
/uh-SPUR-zhun/
an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone
Angry individuals are likely to case aspersions on the target of their hostility.
audacious (a)
/aw-DAY-shuss/
bold, unrestrained, or uncompromising
The audacious behaviour of the fans almost caused the team to be penalized and have to forfeit the game.
auspicious (a)
/AWS-pih-suhs/
giving or being a sign of future success
Everyone in attendance agreed that it was an auspicious sign that the clouds parted and the sun shone just fifteen minutes before the commencement ceremony was scheduled to begin.
austere (a)
/aw-STEER/
strict
To the surprise of many, the austere town librarian had bequeathed more than a million dollars to the local college.
avarice (n)
/A-vuh-riss/
unreasonably strong desire for money and richness
Some believe that avarice drove the recent corporate wrongdoings, which resulted in several CEOs being tried and convicted of crimes.
axiom (a)
/ack-SEE-um/
a statement or idea accepted as self-evident, requiring no proof
A straight line is the shortest distance between two points is an axiom for both mathematicians and travellers.
balderdash (n)
/BALL-der-dash/
senseless or nonsense talking or writing
How embarrassing for your favourite English teacher to call your essay balderdash!
bandy (v)
/BAN-dee/
to exchange, trade, or pass word or blows
The two brothers were known to bandy both words and loving punches, but they never came to serious blows.
baneful (a)
/BAYN-ful/
ruinous or destructive; exceedingly harmful
The baneful influence of gangs on their young members is without questions.
bedraggled (a)
/bih-DRA-guld/
wet, dirty, unkempt, or in a general condition of disarray
When the campers returned from three days in the woods, they were bedraggled and tired, but happy.
befuddle (v)
/bih-FUH-dil/
to confuse or perplex
The absent-minded professor’s lectures so befuddled his students that they were quickly as confused as he was.
beget (v)
/bih-GET/
give rise to or bring about
Despite the term’s biblical overtones, it is correct to say that the first edition of my book beget the second edition.
belated (a)
/bih-LAY-ted/
late or tardy
Belated gift and good wishes should be graciously received and appreciated, through this is hard for some to do.
bellicose (a)
/BEH-lih-koce/
ready or incline to quarrel, fight or go to war
It is ominous when leaders engage their nations in bellicose behaviour, for little good can come of such actions.
belligerent (a)
/beh-LIH-je-rent/
ready to start war or fight; hostile and aggressive
Football players, especially those who play on defence, often psych themselves into a belligerent state prior to each game.
bemused (a)
/bih-MYOOZD/
confused, puzzled, preoccupied, and unable to think clearly
College students often appear bemused right before an exam, for they are focusing intently on their studies.
benediction (n)
/beh-nih-DIK-shun/
a formal blessing or expression of good wishes
After the benediction, the congregation would meet for lunch and then work on community service projects.
bequeath (v)
/bih-QUEETH/
to leave personal property to someone after death by means of a will
Steve had always hoped that his grandfather would bequeath him his classic 1965 Mustang convertible.
beseech (v)
/bih-SEECH/
to beg or ask earnestly
The students beseeched the teacher to delay the quiz until the next day, as most were not prepared.
bilk (v)
/BILK/
swindle or cheat
The swindler denied that he had ever bilked any person of money or property.
bluster (v)
/BLUS-ter/
to speak loudly, arrogantly and boisterously
Senators filibuster while bullies bluster, and both verbal strategies yield little action.
bohemian (n)
/bo-HEE-mee-un/
someone who does not live according to conventions of society
According to Jim, he was bohemian; according to his parents, he was just lazy, unkempt, and lacking in ambition.
bombast (n)
/BOM-bast/
speech or writing full of long and pretentious words, usually meant to impress others
The senatorial candidate did not instil confidence in voters, for his announcement speed seemed little more than bombast.
bona fide (a)
/BOE-nuh fyde/
authentic, actual, or genuine
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens bought a painting at a garage sale for $50, and they later found it to be bona fide masterpiece worth $50,000
boorish (a)
/BUHR-ish/
insensitive, ill-mannered, and offensive
Fraternity boys are notorious for boorish behaviour.
bowdlerize (v)
/BOWD-lujr-EYZE/
to remove part of work of literature considered objectionable or offensive
The editor bowdlerized the author’s first draft to make the book marketable to a broader audience.
braggadocio (n)
/bra-guh-DOA-see-oo/
someone who makes over exaggerated claims or empty boasts
Fighters who can back up their boasts are not simply full of braggadocio, but they are still often controversial.
brandish (v)
/BRAN-dish/
to wave something especially a weapon, in a threatening or menacing way
The hockey player suddenly, without warning, brandished his stick and skated toward the frightened crowd.
brusque (a)
/BRUSK/
abrupt, blunt, short, or curt in manner or speech
Her brusque actions appeared unfriendly at first, but later they were perceived as honest and sincere.
bugaboo (n)
/BU-guh-boo/
something that causes fear, annoyance, trouble, worry, or dismay
Not swimming for an hour after eating seemed a bugaboo to him, rather than good advice.
canard (n)
/kuh-NARD/
a deliberately false report, rumor, or fabrication intended as a joke
Wally’s story about how the dog ate his paper was clearly a canard, but the teacher took pity and accepted the excuse.
captious (a)
/KAP-shuss/
tending to find fault or raise petty objections
The stereotypical, nagging mother-in-law is captious to an extreme, and teens tend to think that their parents are as well.
carte blanche (n)
/kart BLONSH/
permission given to someone to do entirely as they wish
The home owners gave carte blanche to the talented interior decorator, knowing their new room would be beautiful as well as expensive.
caustic (a)
/KOSS-tick/
corrosive or capable of burning
Jane’s caustic speech caused all the members to re-examine their support of her candidacy
cavalier (a)
/KA-vuh-LEER/
arrogant, with disregard or lack of respect for someone or something
The lacrosse player’s cavalier attitude toward school may someday interfere with his dream of playing the sport in college.
cavil (v)
/KA-vuhl/
to raise objection based on small and unimportant points
Laura cavilled about the length of her altered skirt, but she later realized that the extra quarter-inch made no difference.
chagrin (n)
/shuh-GRIN/
a feeling of humiliation due to disappointment
Much to the chagrin of his family and friends, Suzanne rejected Bill’s proposal.
chicanery (n)
/shi-KAN-er-ree/
deception or trickery used to manipulate facts or language
The actions and oratory of Professor Harold Hill, that famous character in the musical The Music Man, are often held up as perfect illustrations of chicanery.
chivalrous (a)
/SHI-vuhl-russ/
courteous and gallant especially toward women
Placing one’s coat over a puddle for a lady was once thought chivalrous, but it’s now more likely to be thought crazy.
churlish (a)
/CHUHR-lish/
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
Churlish behaviour is never acceptable, no matter the person or the circumstances, but it is very hard to stop.
clairvoyance (n)
/klare-VOY-ene/
the ability to see things beyond normal vision
Clare’s claims of seeing into the future, and her amazing talent for predicting outcomes, still didn’t prove her clairvoyance.
clandestine (a)
/klan-DESS-tin/
kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit
The clandestine activities of spies may seem glamorous in books and movies, but to those who really work in intelligence gathering, life can be dull as well as dangerous.
clemency (n)
/KLEH-muhn-see/
a show of mercy or leniency toward a wrongdoer or opponent
Jack’s parents showed clemency and allowed him to keep his car even after his speeding conviction, inspiring him to drive more carefully.
collusion (n)
/kuh-LOO-zhun/
secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy
We suspect collusion when the price of gas rises and all stations charge the same higher rates, but it may just be the power of supply and demand
comely (a)
/KUM-lee/
pleasant to look at; attractive; usually referring to women
Comely women hope that love is more than skin deep and that men are attracted to them for more than just their looks.
commensurate (v)
/kuh-MENTZ-rit/
properly or appropriately proportionate
Stewart’s grades were, unfortunately, commensurate with the small amount of time and energy he invested in his academics.
commiserate (v)
/kuh-MIH-zeh-rate/
to express or feel sympathy or pity; sympathize
After the game, the first thing the team did was commiserate with the parents of the player who was seriously injured.
compendious (a)
/kum-PEN-dee-us/
containing a wide range of information in a concise form
This book is both compendious and tremendous, or you wouldn’t be reading it, would you?
complaisant (a)
/kum-PLAY-zunt/
willing to please others
Once Principal McAdams spoke honestly with Catherine, she transformed from an oppositional brat into a complaisant achiever.
comport (v)
/kum-PORT/
conduct oneself; behave
The chaperones on the trip expected everyone to comport themselves appropriately and politely.
compunction (n)
/kum-PUNK-shun/
feeling of guilt, shame, and regret about doing something wrong
It is extremely sad when you see friends behaving badly yet showing no compunction.
concerted (a)
/kun-SURT-id/
jointly arranged, planned, or carried out
Musicians in concert act as performers concerted to achieve common creative objections.
confluence (n)
/KAHN-flue-ence/
a point where two or more streams flow together
If you think about it, most of the world’s religious have common origins and many points of confluence.
conjure (v)
/KOH-jur/
to perform illusions and magic using agile hands movement
On the anniversary of Houdini’s death, many try to conjure up the image of this famous magician who spent his life exploring the potential to communicate with dead.
consortium (n)
/kun-SOR-shee-um/
a group set up for a common purpose
The Career and Internship Connection is a consortium of about a dozen school that participate in four off-campus recruiting events.
construe (v)
/kon-STROO/
interpret in a particular way
It is often an attorney’s job to construe the meaning of a contract, then share that interpretation with a client and, if needed, with a judge or jury.
consummate (v)
/KON-suh-mate/
to bring deal to end; make a marriage legally valid by having sexual relationship
By consummating an agreement, and then signing the letter of intent, the high school All-American football player committed to attending Notre Dame.
contemptuous (a)
/kun-TEMP-choo-wus/
showing contempt; scornful
The contemptuous behaviour of gang members is perhaps the most difficult issue faced in many urban areas today
contravene (v)
/kon-truh-VEEN/
to disagree with or oppose a decision or statement
The decision of coaches are rarely contravened by players.
contrivance (n)
/kun-TRY-vunce/
a cleverly made, unusual device or machine
The contrivances of alchemists were machines that attempted,and failed, to turn base metals into gold.
convalescence (n)
/kon-vuh-LES-sunce/
time spent resting, recovering, and regaining one’s health after injury or sickness
Those people who believe convalescence is done better at home don’t have two year-old twins.
convivial (a)
/kun-VIV-yul/
enjoyable because of friendliness and enjoyable
It was very surprising that the prom was so convivial, given that adolescents can often be competitive and taunting.
corroborate (v)
/kuh-RAW-buh-rate/
to give evidence of the truth
Jim said his brother would corroborate his story, providing he was nowhere near the scene of the crime.
covenant (n)
/KUHV-nent/
a binding agreement or contract between two or more people
Some teenagers believe promises made by parents, particularly regarding cars and curfews, should be thought as covenants.
credulous (a)
/KREH-juh-luss/
having or showing too great readiness to believe things
Credulous consumers are likely to spend thousands of dollars on diets and exercise equipment that don’t really work.
cumbersome (a)
/KUM-ber-sum/
awkward to carry or handle
While desktop computer have become smaller and lighter, they are still cumbersome when compared to laptop models.
cupidity (n)
/kyoo-PIH-duh-tee/
greed
Unrealistic cupidity of youth, often expressed by spoiled children, should with time be replaced by the work ethic of an adult.
dalliance (n)
/DA-lee-unce/
a lighthearted undertaking; flirtation
Stephanie could not forgive her husband’s dalliance, so she asked for a divorce.
dank (a)
/DANK/
damp and chilling
The Williams’ basement was dank even before the rainy winter season
decorum (n)
/dih-COR-um/
dignity or correctness that is socially expected
A visit to the Supreme Court will reveal the meaning of true decorum.
decrepit (a)
/dih-KREH-pit/
in very poor condition; old and overused
Most of the buildings iun the so-called poor part of town were indeed decrepit and dangerous to live in.
defamation (n)
/de-fuh-MAY-shun/
false, baseless attack on a person’s or group’s reputation, name, or character
Defamation seems to be the purpose of many newspapers that focus on sensational stories about starts and celebrities.
deference (n)
/DEH-fuh-rence/
polite respect or submission to the judgement, opinion, or wished of another
In deference to the memory of his brother, Ken did not speak about the details of his accident with anyone.
deign (v)
/DANE/
to do something in a way that shows it is beneath one’s dignity
Plase don’t deign to support our fundraising efforts if you are truly not on board with our program.
delectable (a)
/dih-LEK-tuh-bull/
delicious
Italian and Jewish grandmas are famous for their delectable dishes, served with a bit of guilt on the side.
demure (a)
/dih-MYOOR/
modest, reserved, or shy in appearance
Demure actions and attitudes are much more proper than oppositional and defiant behaviour.
deplorable (a)
/dih-nun-see-AY-shun/
worthy of severe condemnation, censure, and denunciation
It’s common for litigants in a divorce to issue strong mutual denunciations.
deprecate (v)
/DEH-prih-kate/
to belittle or express disapproval of someone or something
Verbal bullies deprecate other rather than using their fists, but the words hurt just the same.
derision (n)
/dih-RIH-zhun/
contemptuous ridicule or mockery
Whenever these two school compete in a sporting event, all you hear is derision chanted back and forth from one side to the other.
despondent (a)
/dih-SPON-dunt/
extremely unhappy, depressed, dejected, or discouraged
Divorce respondents are often despondent, if depressed about the breakup or, most likely, the attorney fees.
despotism (n)
/DESS-puh-tih-zum/
authoritarian rule by a tyrant, dictator, or despot
The rise of despotism is often linked to poverty, when the poor hope a powerful leader can bring positive changes.
dexterous (a)
/DEK-steh-russ/
easy and skilled in movement, usually in tasks completed with the hands
The director was looking for a dexterous actor who could succeed both in doing stunts and in playing the dramatic role.
diatribe (n)
/DIE-uh-tribe/
a bitter verbal or written attack; a denunciation
Angry at being caught cheating, the student launched a profanity-laced diatribe on the test proctor.
didactic (a)
/die-DAK-tik/
educational
Some authors and lectures are subtly didactic, while others are more obvious and preachy.
diffident (a)
/DIH-fuh-dent/
lacking self-confidence
Diffident individuals don’t belong in sales positions, which require assertiveness and risk-taking.
diminutive (a)
/dih-MIH-nyoo-tiv/
very small, or smaller than usual
The diminutive yet amazing basketball player proved the axiom “Good things do come in small packages”
disconcerting (a)
/diss-kon-SER-ting/
causing unease, confusion, or dismay
Many actions that are typical of teens are disconcerting to their parents and teachers.
disparate (a)
/DISS-puh-rut/
essentially different
Neil Simon’s play The Odd Couple was about two disparate men who learned their friendship could overcome all differences.
disport (v)
/dih-SPORT/
to show off, draw attention to oneself, or behave in a playful way
Those two teens are active like little kids as they disport at Disneyland.
dissonance (n)
/DIH-suh-nunce/
incompatibility among ideas, action or beliefs
Adolescence is often described as a period of dissonance, when young men and women face challenges, confusion, and conflict as they forge new beliefs that are often incompatible with past behaviors.
dissuade (v)
/dih-SWADE/
to persuade someone against a course of action
Tim’s classmates dissuaded him from cutting class and risking a detention.
docile (a)
/DAW-sul/
quiet, easy to control or teach
It is unusual to find a truly docile wolf, for these animals are wild by nature.
domicile (n)
/DAH-muh-cile/
an occupied house, apartment, or residence
Homeless individuals, by definition, have no domicile, so it is difficult if not impossible for them to get certain financial benefits.
dossier (n)
/DOSS-yey/
a collection of documents related to a particular person or topic
The personnel office keeps a dossier on all employees.
droll (a)
/DROLE/
amusing in a wry, odd, or funny way
Norma’s peers considered her droll, for she was always able to make them laugh with her offbeat comments.
eccentricity (n)
/ek-sen-TRIH-suh-tee/
unconventional, unpredictable, or erratic behaviour or quality
William was thought to be odd in general, but one of his eccentricities, his making of unusual noises, could have been a symptom of Tourette’s syndrome.
educe (v)
/ih-DOOCE/
to elicit, derive, or draw something out, often as in a logical conclusion
Myron’s attempts to educe his sister’s whereabouts were futile.
effrontery (n)
/ih-FRON-tuh-ree/
an attitude or action notable for being bold, impudent, shameless, or arrogant
Sean had the effrontery to ask his parents for a new car immediately after he had an accident that was a result of drinking and driving.
egregious (a)
/ih-GREE-juss/
incorrect to an extraordinary level
An egregious error is one so obvious it should bot have been made, nor should it be easily forgiven.
elocution (n)
/eh-luh-KYOO-shun/
a manner or style of speaking, especially public
The candidate’s elocution was so poor that it diminished her ability to convey a coherent message.
emanate (v)
/EH-muh-nate/
to come from or come out of someone, something, or somewhere
The glow and heat that emanated from the fireplace made everyone feeld warm and safe.
enervate (v)
/EH-nur-vate/
to weaken someone’s physical, mental, or moral vitality
Activity-packed family vacations that are intended to provide rest and recuperation often enervate all involved.
en masse (b)
/on MASS/
as a body or group
Teenage girls seem to move en mass, almost always in a group.
enmesh (v)
/en-MESH/
to involve, entangle, or implicate someone in a way that makes it hard to them to quit
When Julie got home, she was immediately enmeshed in the raging argument between her brother and sister.
enmity (n)
/En-mi-tee/
extreme ill will, hatred, and mutual antagonism between enemies
The enmity between terrorists and those they consider enemies grows day by day
enshrine (v)
/en-SHRINE/
to protect and preserve from change
The most significant honour an athlete can receive is to be enshrined in a sport’s hall of fame.
enthralling (a)
/inh-THRALL-ing/
delightful, fascinating, or engaging someone’s attention
For most teenage boys, the beauty of swimsuit models is enthralling, to say the least.
epicure (n)
/EH-puh-kyoor/
someone with a refined taste for food and drink
To an epicure, a fast food restaurant is an affront and not worthy of discussion.
epiphany (n)
/ih-PIH-fuh-nee/
a sudden intuitive leap of understanding
Seemingly miraculous circumstances, such as an unexplained recuperation from serious illness, often lead a person to an epiphany regarding the blessing of life.
equanimity (n)
/ee-kwa-NIH-muh-tee/
mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper
Equanimity is a quality to be revered and one that can be taught, practised, and perfected.
equinox (n)
/EE-kwih-noks/
either of the two days in which day and night are approximately equal
The vernal equinox occurs in the spring, and the autumnal equinox occurs in the fall.
ersatz (v)
/HER-sats/
being a imitation or substitute for something of better quality
Margarine is really just ersatz butter, so it does not taste as good.
esoteric (a)
/eh-suh-TARE-ik/
intended to be understood by selected and initiated few
Esoteric historians are not overly popular among college freshmen, but senior history major tend to like terms.
espouse (v)
/his-POWZ/
to adopt, support or advocate a particular belief or cause
Presidential candidates tend to espouse centrist causes as the election draws nearer.
estrange (v)
/iss-TRANGE/
to cause someone to stop feeling friendly, affectionate, or sympathetic
Today it is not unusual for family members to be estranged, either not living with or not caring about each other.
euphemism (n)
/YOO-fuh-mih-zum/
a word or phrase used in place of another because it is less direct or unpleasant
you say these are going to be times of challenge for this company; isn’t that just a euphemism for times of decreased profitability?
evanescent (a)
/Eh-vuh-NEH-sent/
disappearing after only a short time; likely to vanish
Some stellar phenomena appear to astronomers, even those using the most sophisticated equipment, as evanescent events, visible for only fractions of seconds
exhort (v)
/ig-ZORT/
to urge someone strongly and earnestly to follow a course of action
Some believe it is an axiom that a crowd of cheering fans can exhort players to chive their maximum capability
exigency (n)
/eck-ZIH-jen-see/
an urgent need or demand
When the woman on the plane complained of labour pains, the flight attendant fully understood the exigency of the situation.
exonerate (v)
/ig-ZAH-nuh-rate/
officially declare someone not guilty of a crime or blameless for an act
The jury exonerated him of any guilt in the case, but many people believed he was still somehow responsible.
expeditious (a)
/eck-spuh-DIH-shuss/
speedy, prompt, and efficient
My expeditious completion of all chores meant I could leave the house immediately after dinner.
expletive (n)
/EK-splih-tive/
an exclamation, interjection, or profanity
One of the editor’s jobs was to expurgate expletives from the manuscript in order to make the final copy acceptable to all readers.
expurgate (v)
/ECK-spur-GATE/
to remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable form
The Federal Communications Commission motivates broadcasters to expurgate offensive material by levying fines on stations that receive complaints from listeners
extenuate (v)
/ick-STEN-yoo-ate/
to make a mistake, fault, or error seem less serious by providing mitigating excuses
Dylan managed to extenuate his tardiness and avoid a week’s detention.
extrapolate (v)
/ick-STRA-puh-late/
to use known facts as a starting point, and then draw conclusion about something
Crime scene investigators are known for their abilities to extrapolate information about victim’s last hours, based on forensic evidence
facet (n)
/FA-sit/
a component, dimension, or aspect; one of several parts; side
In order to do well on the history exam, Jay had to study all facets of the Civil War and the antebellum period.
facetious (a)
/fa-SEE-shuss/
intended to be humorous, but often silly or inappropriate
Parents are being facetious when suggest that children whining about being bored should go play in traffic
fastidious (a)
/fa-STIH-dee-uss/
concerned over the perfection of even the smallest detail
Robbies’s mom is known as fastidious housekeeper, so we all took our shoes off at he door.
feckless (a)
/FEK-less/
unable or unwilling to do anything useful
it is frustrating when the most vocal person in a group of volunteers also proves to be the most feckless
felicity (n)
/fih-LIH-suh-tee/
happiness, contentment, and bliss
The baby’s after meal felicity was a relief to his tired mother
feral (a)
/FEER-uhl/
having the qualities of a wild beast
Legends of feral children, those reared by wolves or apes, are common in folk-lore and literature.
fervour (n)
/FUR-vur/
the extreme intensity of an emotion or belief
Overcome by the fervour of the game, not the heat, the players on the winning team took off their jerseys and threw them to the crowd.
flaunt (v)
/FLONT/
to display in an ostentatious way
Rappers flaunt their income with what they call “bling”, and what others call ostentatious jewellery.
flout (v)
/FLOUT/
openly disregard or break a rule, law, or tradition
Leaving one’s hat on during the playing of national anthem flouts a tradition and it is considered highly disrespectful.
foible (n)
/FOI-bull/
an idiosyncrasy, small weakness
A common foible is to surround yourself with those who flatter, rather than those who will be honest.
foist (v)
/FOYST/
to unload something undesirable, false, or inferior on the pretense that it is genuine, valuable
This project was foisted off on us because everyone believed it was impossible and because we were considered the worst department in the organization.
foray (n)
/FORE-ay/
an initial attempt at a new activity or occupation; military raid
Elizabeth’s foray into the world of publishing was not without some disheartening moments.
fractious (a)
/FRAK-shuss/
irritable and quarrelsome
For some strange reason, the saying “Boys will be boys” is often used to describe fractious male teens who act out in public.
fruition (n)
/froo-IH-shun/
the point at which something comes to maturity or reaches a desired outcome
All those years of studying reached fruition when Ted was accepted to the college he had dreamed of.
fulminate (v)
/FUL-mih-nate/
to criticize or denounce loudly, dramatically, or forcefully
By now, we had grown tired of listening to our father fulminating against “ those crooked politicians.”
funereal (a)
/fyoo-NIR-ee-uhl/
solemn, mournful, dark, brooding, and dismal
After they lost the state championship, the football team’s locker room could be accurately described as funereal.
furtive (a)
/FUR-tiv/
sly and stealthy
Prior to the surprise party, Stacy’s friends appeared furtive as they made plans, purchased gifts, and transported supplies.
fussbudget (n)
/FUSS-buh-jet/
someone who typically worries about trivial things
Most fussbudgets seem to have an unlimited supply of fuss and bother because they never ran out of either.
gallantry (n)
/GAL-luhn-tree/
courtesy, thoughtfulness, and bravery
Some say that chivalry and gallantry are dead, but if you look hard you can see that they are still alive and well in many modern attitudes and actions.
galumph (v)
/ga-LUMF/
to walk or run in a clumsy and boisterous way
Today’s athletes galumph in triumph after a touchdown, basket, or goal; they have no concern for the sportsmanship of the past.
galvanize (v)
/GAL-vuh-nize/
to stimulate someone or something into action, especially by electric current
The hardships of winter galvanize the isolated residents of Maine to help one another whenever needed.
gamesmanship (n)
/GAYMZ-muhn-ship/
strategies used to gain an advantage in sports, life, business, or politics
Pre-game chatter with opposing team members is a sure sign of gamesmanship, and it can backfire at times.
gamut (n)
/GA-mut/
the full range or extent
His house featured an entertainment center whose components ran the gamut of the state-of-the-art equipment.
garner (v)
/GAHR-ner/
to earn, acquire, collect, amass, gather, or accumulate something by effort
Jamie, always as a good student, garnered many honors at commencement, including that of valedictorian.
garnish (v)
/GAHR-nish/
to add something to food or drink to enhance flavor or appearance
Tony would garnish his wedding cakes with rose blossoms, enhancing their appearance as well as fragrance.
garrulous (a)
/GAR-uh-lus/
excessively talkative
Drunk are often described as garrulous.
gauche (a)
/GOASH/
lacking grace or tact in a social situation
Justin’s constant belching at the table was clearly gauche, but he believed such behavior was normal for a teenager.
genteel (a)
/jen-TEEL/
refined, good-mannered
Cynthia took care to make sure she ate properly and conversed politely at her first experience with her genteel future in-laws.
germane (a)
/jerr-MAYNE/
suitable related to something, especially the topic being discussed
Let’s see what Bill has to say, as his contributions are always germane.
gerrymander (v)
/JAIR-ee-MAN-der/
to divide an electoral district so as to give a political advantage to a particular party
The state legislature’s attempt to gerrymander was deemed illegal and voided by the state supreme court.
gizmo (n)
/GIZZ-moe/
an overly complicated device, usually mechanical
Justin’s father is always designing and building gizmos that cost more than things he could just get from the store.
glasnost (n)
/GLAZ-noast/
A policy permitting greater openness, discussion, and disclosure of ideas and information
A period of glasnost preceded the downfall of the Soviet Union and foretold of an independent and democratic Russia.
gloaming (n)
/GLOW-ming/
the time of fading light after sunset, just before dark
The gloaming is sometimes gloomy, but often serene.
goad (v)
/GODE/
to provoke, invite, stimulate, urge, or prod, especially toward a specific action
As a form of initiation, or hazing, members of the football team would goad freshmen into running naked across the field.
graft (n)
/GRAFT/
the use of dishonest or illegal means to gain assets by use of office power
The game had been sold out for months, and the mayor’s easy acquisition of choice tickets led to whisperings of graft in the administration.
gratuitous (a)
/gra-TOO-ih-tuss/
unnecessary, out of place, excessive, and unjustifiable
Gratuitous violence and nudity has become prevalent in movies and video games.
gravitas (n)
/GRAH-vih-tahs/
a serious and solemn attitude or way of behaving
A funeral is an appropriate place for gravitas.
grovel (v)
/GRAH-vul/
to show exaggerated and false respect
Prisoners were forced to grovel before their guards, fearing torture and abuse if they did not.
haggard (a)
/HA-gurd/
showing signs of tiredness, anxiety, or hunger
After a twelve-hour shift at the hospital, anyone would look haggard.
