Vocabulary Building: Word Meanings

abstract = Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful abundant = Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence accessible = Able to be reached or entered; easy to approach or use accommodate = To provide lodging or sufficient space for

abolish = To stick fast to a surface or substance adhere = To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution abrupt = Sudden and unexpected; brief to the point of rudeness accentuate = To make more noticeable or prominent

agitation = A state of anxiety or nervous excitement alacrity = Brisk and cheerful readiness ambiguous = Open to more than one interpretation antipathy = A deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike

<p>altruistic = Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others ambitious = Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed amicable = Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor apathetic = Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>accumulate = To accept something reluctantly but without protest acquiesce = To gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of acknowledge = To accept or admit the existence or truth of acquire = To buy or obtain an asset or object for oneself</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>auspicious = Conducive to success; favorable ambivalent = Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone annotate = To add notes to (a text or diagram) giving explanation or comment annual = Occurring once every year</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>amend = To make changes to (a text or legislation) to make it fairer, more accurate, or more up-to-date ample = Enough or more than enough; plentiful anomaly = Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected anthropology = The study of human societies and cultures and their development</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>adamant = Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind; unyielding adequate = Sufficient for a specific requirement; acceptable in quality or quantity adhere = To stick fast to a surface or substance adroit = Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>adverse = Preventing success or development; harmful or unfavorable advocate = A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy affinity = A natural liking for and understanding of someone or something affable = Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>antagonize = To cause (someone) to become hostile; to arouse opposition antecedent = A thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another anarchist = A person who believes in or tries to bring about anarchy apex = The top or highest part of something</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>aggravate = To make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious abolish = To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution abash = To make someone feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed abstract = Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>alteration = The action or process of changing or modifying allocate = To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose alleviate = To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe ameliorate = To make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better; improve</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>accommodate = To provide lodging or sufficient space for accumulate = To gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of accentuate = To make more noticeable or prominent accessible = Able to be reached or entered; easy to approach or use</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>animosity = Strong hostility or opposition archaic = Very old or old-fashioned alacrity = Brisk and cheerful readiness auspicious = Conducive to success; favorable</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>acknowledge = To accept or admit the existence or truth of acquire = To buy or obtain an asset or object for oneself acquiesce = To accept something reluctantly but without protest adjacent = Next to or adjoining something else; having a common border</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>anthropology = The study of human societies and cultures and their development antagonize = To cause (someone) to become hostile; to arouse opposition annotate = To add notes to (a text or diagram) giving explanation or comment annual = Occurring once every year</p> Signup and view all the answers