GRE Vocabulary Definitions

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Questions and Answers

What does 'bombastic' refer to in writing or speech?

Moderately dramatic

Far too showy or pretentious (correct)

Simple and clear

Informal and casual

Which of the following best defines 'chicanery'?

Clear and straightforward reasoning

Honesty and transparency

Sincere intentions

Trickery or deception (correct)

What is 'chronological' used to describe?

Arranged in random order

Arranged in time order (correct)

Arranged in alphabetical order

Arranged by importance

What does it mean to 'circumscribe' something?

Strictly limit a role or area Signup and view all the answers

Which word refers to a rude or insensitive person?

Boor Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'clamber'?

Climb awkwardly or with difficulty Signup and view all the answers

What does 'clamor' signify?

Noisy uproar or protest Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cloying' mean when describing a taste or sentiment?

Disgustingly or distastefully sweet Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'complacent' signify?

Overly confident and smug Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'capricious'?

Acting on impulse and erratic Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cardinal' refer to?

Most important or chief Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the act of mapmaking?

Cartography Signup and view all the answers

Which term means to criticize severely or punish to correct?

Castigate Signup and view all the answers

What role does a 'catalyst' play?

Causer of change Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'concede'?

To give in or yield reluctantly Signup and view all the answers

The term 'covert' describes something that is:

Secret or undercover Signup and view all the answers

What does 'conciliatory' involve?

Reconciling and attempting to appease Signup and view all the answers

What does 'counterproductive' mean?

Defeating the purpose of an action Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lionize' mean?

Treat like a celebrity Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'laconic'?

Using few words, concise Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lament' mean?

To express grief or sorrow Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lampoon' refer to?

A harsh satire Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'landmark'?

An object used for navigation Signup and view all the answers

What does 'languid' describe?

Drooping from exhaustion Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as 'lascivious'?

Indecently sexual or lustful Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lugubrious' signify?

Excessively mournful or gloomy Signup and view all the answers

What does 'idyllic' refer to?

A peaceful view of rural life Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'harangue'?

A long, intense verbal attack Signup and view all the answers

What does 'immutable' describe?

Unchangeable Signup and view all the answers

What does 'impair' mean?

To make worse or weaken Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'hedge' in a verbal context?

To avoid commitment Signup and view all the answers

What does 'illiberality' refer to?

Narrow-mindedness and strictness Signup and view all the answers

What does 'haven' describe?

A safe place or refuge Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'impasse'?

A position of no escape or deadlock Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'mollify' mean?

To calm or soothe an angry person Signup and view all the answers

Which word describes someone who is excessively sentimental?

Maudlin Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mendicant' refer to?

A beggar or someone who lives by begging Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'meretricious'?

Vulgar or flashy in an attractive way Signup and view all the answers

Which term is associated with a lack of variation or being boring?

Monotony Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'maxim'?

A general truth or principle expressed as a saying Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

GRE Word List Definitions

abase: To degrade or humble; lower in rank, status, or esteem
abate: To reduce, diminish
abdicate: To formally give up the throne or other power
aberrant: Abnormal, deviant
abeyance: Temporary suspension, inactivity
abhor: To detest, regard with disgust
abjure: To give up, renounce, repudiate, or shun
abrasive: Rough, suitable for grinding, causing irritation
abreast: Side-by-side; keeping up with
abridge: To reduce or lessen; shorten by omitting parts
abscission: Cutting off; separation of parts from a plant or animal
abscond: To depart suddenly and secretively
abstain: To hold back; decline to vote
abyss: A deep and vast space; anything profound or infinite
accede: To agree, give consent; assume power
accretion: Gradual increase; an added part or addition
acerbic: Sour; harsh or severe
acidulous: Slightly acid; sharp or caustic
acme: Summit, peak
activism: The practice of pursuing goals through vigorous action
acumen: Keen, quick, accurate insight
adhere: Stick to; be loyal to
admonish: Mildly scold; caution, advise
adulterate: Make impure by adding inferior ingredients
adumbrate: Give a rough outline of, foreshadow
adverse: Opposing, harmful
advocate: Speak or argue in favor of; a person who pleads for a cause
aerie: Fortress built on a high place; nest of a bird of prey
aesthetic: Concerning appreciation of beauty; a sense of beauty and taste
affectation: Fake behavior; adopted to give a certain impression
affable: Warm and friendly, approachable
affirmation: Adopting to give an impression
aggrandize: Make greater; exaggerate
aggregate: Gather together, amount to; constitute a whole
agility: Quickness, dexterity
alacrity: Cheerful or speedy willingness
albeit: Although, even though
alienate: Cause to become unfriendly, hostile, or distant
alleviate: Lessen, make easier to endure
aloof: Distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent
amalgamate: Blend, merge, or unite
ambiguous: Not clear, hard to understand, open to diverse interpretations
ambivalent: Uncertain; unable to decide, or wanting to do contradictory things
ameliorate: Improve; make better or more bearable
amortize: Gradually pay off a debt, or gradually write off an asset
anachronism: Something that is not in its correct historical time; a chronological error
analgesia: Pain relief; inability to feel pain
analogous: Comparable, corresponding in some way
anarchy: Absence of law or government; chaos, disorder
annul: Make void or null, cancel, abolish
anodyne: Medicine that relieves pain; soothing, relieving pain
anoint: Rub or sprinkle oil on; make sacred
anomaly: Deviation from what is common; inconsistency
antagonize: Make hostile or unfriendly
antedate: Be older than, precede in time
antithetical: Directly opposed, opposite; involving antithesis

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Test your knowledge of essential GRE vocabulary with this quiz. Each question focuses on specific definitions and usage of advanced English words. Perfect for anyone preparing for the GRE or looking to expand their vocabulary!