100 Words Every College Student Should Know

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Questions and Answers

What does 'abrogate' mean?

to cancel, destroy, revoke, or void (correct)

to promote actively

to support something

to approve formally

What is the definition of 'acerbic'?

confusing or unclear

sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or tone (correct)

gentle and kind

tame and weak

What does 'acrimony' mean?

bitter, harsh, or biting sharpness

Define 'acumen'.

quickness of perception or discernment (understanding) Signup and view all the answers

How would you define 'ameliorate'?

to make or grow better Signup and view all the answers

What is an 'aphorism'?

a tensely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage Signup and view all the answers

What does 'apocryphal' mean?

of doubtful authority or authenticity Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'allegory'?

the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form Signup and view all the answers

Define 'arcane'.

understood by only a few Signup and view all the answers

What does 'avarice' refer to?

an excessive desire of gain; greediness Signup and view all the answers

What does 'banal' mean?

commonplace; trivial Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term 'bifurcate'.

to divide into two parts or branches Signup and view all the answers

What does 'binary' mean?

characterized by or consisting of two parts or components Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bi-polar' refer to?

having two opposite or contradictory ideas Signup and view all the answers

Define 'cadre'.

a core or nucleus of trained or otherwise qualified personnel around which an organization is formed Signup and view all the answers

What does 'capricious' mean?

whimsical; changeable Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'carpe diem'?

seize the moment Signup and view all the answers

Define 'caveat'.

a warning or caution Signup and view all the answers

What does 'chicanery' mean?

the use of trickery to deceive Signup and view all the answers

What does 'chortle' mean?

to utter, or express with, a snorting, exultant laugh or chuckle Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'codicil'?

an amendment to an existing will Signup and view all the answers

Define 'collegial'.

characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues Signup and view all the answers

What does 'concatenation' refer to?

a chain; a succession Signup and view all the answers

What does 'consanguineous' mean?

related by blood, descended from the same ancestor Signup and view all the answers

Define 'demagogue'.

a leader who tries to stir up people by appeals to emotion, prejudice, etc., in order to achieve power Signup and view all the answers

What is 'diction'?

the choice and use of words in speech or writing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'didactic' mean?

conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dilatory' mean?

inclined to put off what ought to be done at once Signup and view all the answers

Explain 'disingenuous'.

not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating Signup and view all the answers

What does 'eclectic' mean?

made up of or combining elements from varying sources Signup and view all the answers

What does 'e.g.' stand for?

exempli gratia (for example) Signup and view all the answers

Define 'egalitarian'.

favoring social equality Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ellipsis' mean?

omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences with a mark or series of marks (...or *** for example) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ephemeral' mean?

short-lived Signup and view all the answers

Define 'equivocate'.

to be deliberately ambiguous or unclear Signup and view all the answers

What does 'erudite' mean?

characterized by extensive reading or knowledge; well instructed; learned Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ethereal' mean?

characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible Signup and view all the answers

Define 'euphemism'.

a mild or vague word or phrase replacing one considered harsh or offensively direct Signup and view all the answers

What does 'exiguous' mean?

extremely scanty (bare) Signup and view all the answers

Define 'facetious'.

tongue-in-cheek advice characterized by wit and pleasantry Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fait accompli' mean?

an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact Signup and view all the answers

What does 'finite' mean?

having bounds Signup and view all the answers

What is 'forbearance'?

patience; good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fortuitous' mean?

happening by chance Signup and view all the answers

Define 'halcyon'.

peaceful, undisturbed, and happy Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hyperbole' mean?

extravagant exaggeration Signup and view all the answers

What does 'iconoclast' mean?

one who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas of institutions Signup and view all the answers

What does 'i.e.' stand for?

id est (that is) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'inane' mean?

without contents, empty; void Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Study Notes

Abrogate: To cancel or revoke officially; often used in legal contexts.
Acerbic: Describes a sharp, biting manner, especially in tone or expression; frequently associated with wit.
Acrimony: Refers to bitterness or sharpness in speech, behavior, or feelings.
Acumen: Denotes quickness in understanding and insight; important in decision-making.
Adumbrate: Means to outline or sketch something in a vague or shadowy manner; often used in literary analysis.
Ameliorate: To improve or enhance a situation; relevant in discussions of social issues.
Aphorism: A concise statement that expresses a general truth or principle, often in a memorable way.
Apocryphal: Relates to something of doubtful authenticity, often in historical or religious texts.
Allegory: A narrative technique where abstract ideas are represented through characters or events, useful in literature.
Arcane: Describes knowledge that is mysterious or understood by few; often applied in specialized fields.
Avarice: An intense greed for wealth; commonly referenced in discussions of morality and ethics.
Banal: Indicates something that is lacking in originality; often used to critique art or literature.
Bifurcate: To split into two branches; significant in discussions of decision-making processes or ideas.
Binary: Characterizes systems with two distinct elements; relevant in computing and mathematics.
Bi-polar: Expresses the presence of two conflicting ideas or extremes; crucial in psychology.
Cadre: A group of trained personnel essential for the functioning of an organization.
Capricious: Refers to sudden changes in mood or behavior; often seen in discussions of decision-making.
Carpe diem: A phrase meaning "seize the day," emphasizing the importance of living in the moment.
Caveat: A formal warning or caution; important in legal and contractual situations.
Chicanery: Involves deception or trickery; often discussed in political contexts.
Chortle: A blend of chuckle and snort; describes a type of amused laughter expressing joy.
Codicil: A legal document that amends or adds to a will; important in estate planning.
Collegial: Refers to a collaborative environment where authority is shared among colleagues.
Concatenation: A series or chain of events or elements; significant in discussions of cause and effect.
Consanguineous: Denotes blood relations; relevant in genetics and familial studies.
Demagogue: A political leader who seeks support by appealing to emotions and prejudices rather than rational arguments.
Diction: The choice of words used in speaking or writing; affects tone and clarity.
Didactic: Intended to teach or impart a moral lesson; common in educational texts.
Dilatory: Describes someone who procrastinates or delays; relevant in discussions of productivity.
Disingenuous: Refers to insincerity or lack of candor; often used in social and political critiques.
Eclectic: Mixed or varied; refers to ideas, styles, or tastes drawn from diverse sources.
E.g.: An abbreviation for "exempli gratia," meaning "for example"; used in writing for clarification.
Egalitarian: Advocating for equality among people, often in social and political contexts.
Ellipsis: The omission of parts of a sentence or event; indicated by "...", used in writing for brevity.
Ephemeral: Describes something temporary or short-lived; relevant in environmental discussions.
Equivocate: To use ambiguous language to conceal the truth; significant in legal and political discussions.
Erudite: Characterized by extensive knowledge; often used to describe scholars or academics.
Ethereal: Light and delicate, often used in the context of beauty or spirituality.
Euphemism: A milder term substituted for one that is harsher or more direct; common in sensitive topics.
Exiguous: Refers to something that is very scant or inadequate; often describes resources.
Facetious: Humorously treating serious issues with a bit of flippancy; important in discussions of tone.
Fait accompli: Refers to an action that has already been completed, making further debate unnecessary.
Finite: Something that has limits; important in mathematics and discussions of resources.
Forbearance: The ability to endure or tolerate without giving way; indicates patience and tolerance.
Fortuitous: Happening by chance; often denotes something coincidental but beneficial.
Halcyon: Signifies a period that is peaceful and happy; often used in reminiscing.
Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect; common in literary techniques.
Iconoclast: Someone who challenges traditional beliefs or institutions; crucial in discussions about social change.
i.e.: An abbreviation for "id est," meaning "that is"; used to clarify or specify.
Inane: Describes something lacking sense or meaning; often used in critiques of conversations or ideas.

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Description

This quiz features essential vocabulary words that every college student should be familiar with. Each word is accompanied by its definition to help enhance your understanding and academic performance. Test your knowledge with these 100 critical terms vital for success in higher education!