Vocabulary List Definitions

aesthetic (adj.)

• Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

undermine (v.)

• To damage or weaken the foundation of something; sabotage.

profound (adj.)

• Having great depth or insight.

refute (v.)

• To prove something false; overthrow by argument.

skeptical (adj.)

• Doubtful; disbelieving.

ambivalent (adj.)

• Having mixed feelings.

hostile (adj.)

• Unfriendly; having ill will.

condemn (v.)

• To express strong disapproval of something.

assert (v.)

• To confidently make a statement.

nostalgia (n.)

• A longing for the past.

pretense (n.)

• A false appearance or action intended to deceive.

cynical (adj.)

• Wary of people's motives; believing people are selfish.

obscure (adj.)

• Unclear; hard to perceive.

convention (n.)

• Accepted tradition or practice.

contempt (n.)

• A feeling that someone is inferior or worthless; scorn.

foster (v.)

• To bring up; nurture.

pragmatic (adj.)

• Practical; concerned with usefulness in the real world.

revere (v.)

• To regard with respect and awe.

anecdote (n.)

• Short personal story.

disparage (v.)

• To speak of someone in a disrespectful way; belittle.

exemplary (adj.)

• Perfect; worthy of following.

substantiate (v.)

• To support with proof; verify.

trivial (adj.)

• Of little significance or value; unimportant.

depict (v.)

• To represent in words; describe.

indifferent (adj.)

• Having no concern; uncaring; apathetic.

anthropology (n.)

• The study of humans and society.

futile (adj.)

• Useless or ineffective; having no useful result.

indignant (adj.)

• Filled with anger and resentment.

reconcile (v.)

• To settle or resolve; to unite.

sarcasm (n.)

• A cutting, ironic remark to mock something.

abstract (adj.)

• Theoretical; difficult to understand.

advocate (v.)

• To support a cause or position.

ambiguous (adj.)

• Unclear; open to interpretation.

eccentric (adj.)

• Weird or odd; having a wacky personality.

implausible (adj.)

• Hard to believe; unrealistic.

intemperate (adj.)

• Having no self-control; reckless and wasteful.

plausible (adj.)

• Believable; credible.

rhetoric (n.)

• The art of using language effectively and persuasively.

rigorous (adj.)

• Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate.

subtle (adj.)

• Difficult to detect or describe.

temperate (adj.)

• Having self-control; exercising moderation.

archaeological (adj.)

• Related to the study of people and their history.

arrogant (adj.)

• Having a sense of superiority or self-importance.

complacent (adj.)

• Self-satisfied to the point of being unconcerned.

embellish (v.)

• To make beautiful; to decorate.

evoke (v.)

• To bring forth or call to mind, especially feelings.

immodest (adj.)

• Lacking humility or decency.

modest (adj.)

• Humble.

prudent (adj.)

• Wise in handling practical matters; having good judgment.

suppress (v.)

• To put an end to forcibly; bring under control.

vindicate (v.)

• To clear from accusation, blame, or suspicion.

deride (v.)

• To treat with ridicule or contempt.

diligent (adj.)

• Hard working.

disdain (v.)

• To treat with contempt; despise.

empathy (n.)

• An understanding of another's situation and feelings.

erroneous (adj.)

• Mistaken.

fundamental (adj.)

• Basic; elementary.

improvise (v.)

• To invent or perform with no preparation.

mundane (adj.)

• Everyday and dull; boring.

naive (adj.)

• Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

superficial (adj.)

• Shallow; having no depth of character.

whimsical (adj.)

• Playful and fanciful; imaginative; childlike.

alleviate (v.)

• To relieve from pain.

antagonize (v.)

• To cause someone to become hostile or unfriendly.

bolster (v.)

• To support or build up something.

capricious (adj.)

• Impulsive and unpredictable.

convoluted (adj.)

• Complicated or confusing.

digress (v.)

• To stray from the main topic.

diminish (v.)

• To make smaller; to reduce.

dispute (v.)

• To argue about; debate.

dubious (adj.)

• Having doubts; undecided.

eloquent (adj.)

• Having persuasiveness and expressiveness as a communicator.

indulge (v.)

• To give in to desires excessively, esp. with food or drink.

precedent (n.)

• An earlier case or event that is now considered a guide for similar cases.

reprehensible (adj.)

• Blameworthy; terrible.

resilient (adj.)

• Able to withstand difficulty; flexible.

satire (n.)

• The use of humor, exaggeration, or irony to mock something or someone.

underscore (v.)

• To emphasize.

vulnerable (adj.)

• Open to injury or attack; lacking protection.

amiable (adj.)

• Friendly.

astute (adj.)

• Wise; shrewd.

benevolent (adj.)

• Kind; charitable.

bewilder (v.)

• To confuse or baffle someone.

coherent (adj.)

• Clear and logical; makes sense.

commend (v.)

• To praise someone.

elite (adj.)

• Considered to be superior or the best.

generalization (n.)

• A general statement based on specific cases.

impetuous (adj.)

• Acting or done quickly without thought or care.

negligent (adj.)

• Failing to take proper care in doing something.

phenomenon (n.)

• A remarkable event/situation that is observed to exist.

presumption (n.)

• Having a particular attitude or assumption as a basis.

reticent (adj.)

• Quiet and reserved.

scorn (n.)

• Contempt; hatred; feeling that someone is worthless.

scrutinize (v.)

• To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

somber (adj.)

• Gloomy and sad.

tyranny (n.)

• Cruel and oppressive government or rule.

acquire (v.)

• To buy or obtain for oneself.

aspiration (n.)

• A hope or ambition of achieving something.

augment (v.)

• To make something greater by adding to it.

avid (adj.)

• Having a deep interest in or enthusiasm for something, esp. a hobby.

belie (v.)

• To misrepresent; disguise or deceive.

concise (adj.)

• Clear and short in words; brief.

discern (v.)

• To perceive, recognize, or distinguish something.

disillusion (v.)

• To shatter someone's illusions; to set straight or open someone's eyes.

disingenuous (adj.)

• Not candid or sincere; dishonest.

emphatic (adj.)

• Expressed or performed with emphasis.

endure (v.)

• To carry one through, despite hardships.

eradicate (v.)

• To destroy completely; put an end to.

exacerbate (v.)

• To make a problem or bad situation worse.

frugal (adj.)

• Careful with spending money; thrifty or economical.

illuminate (v.)

• To light up; enlighten; help to clarify or explain.

ingenuous (adj.)

• Innocent and unsuspecting.

lament (v.)

• A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

meticulous (adj.)

• Showing great attention to detail; very careful.

orthodox (adj.)

• Following what is traditionally accepted as right.

perpetuate (v.)

• To make something continue indefinitely.

prevalent (adj.)

• Widespread in a particular area.

provocative (adj.)

• Causing a strong reaction, often emotional.

spontaneous (adj.)

• As a result of a sudden inner impulse; not planned.

subjective (adj.)

• Based on or influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

supplant (v.)

• To take the place of; replace.

analogous (adj.)

• Similar; comparable.

articulate (adj.)

• Having the ability to speak fluently and coherently.

autonomy (n.)

• Independence; self-government.

callous (adj.)

• Not caring for others; insensitive.

camaraderie (n.)

• Mutual trust and friendship within a group.

candid (adj.)

• Truthful and straightforward; frank.

cantankerous (adj.)

• Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.

collaboration (n.)

• Teamwork.

conciliatory (adj.)

• Intended to please or bring about agreement.

condescending (adj.)

• Acting superior and looking down on others.

credulity (n.)

• A tendency to easily believe something as true.

dearth (n.)

• A scarcity or lack of something.

disparate (adj.)

• Separate; completely different.

dogmatic (adj.)

• Narrow-minded; always believing in certain principles.

elucidate (v.)

• To make something clear; explain.

emulate (v.)

• To match or imitate something or someone.

epitome (n.)

• A perfect example of something.

equivocal (adj.)

• Open to more than one interpreation; ambiguous.

exploit (v.)

• To take advantage of; benefit unfairly from the work of.

flagrant (adj.)

• Offensive and blameworthy.

gullible (adj.)

• Easily persuaded to believe something.

hierarchy (n.)

• A system in which people are ranked by status or authority.

idiosyncrasy (n.)

• A personal oddity; an individual peculiarity.

inarticulate (adj.)

• Unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly.

incompetent (adj.)

• Unskilled; not able to do something correctly.

incontrovertible (adj.)

• Not able to be denied or disputed.

incredulous (adj.)

• Unwilling or unable to believe something.

inherent (adj.)

• A characteristic that you are born with; a permanent trait in the nature of something.

irrelevant (adj.)

• Not connected to or related to something.

liberated (adj.)

• Freed from social rules or enemy occupation.

notorious (adj.)

• Famous for something bad.

obsolete (adj.)

• No longer produced or used; out of date.

oppress (v.)

• To keep someone in hardship or obedience unjustly.

overwhelming (adj.)

• Very great in amount; overly strong.

partisan (adj.)

• Prejudiced in favor of one particular side.

perplex (v.)

• To cause someone to feel confused or baffled.

petty (adj.)

• Having little importance; trivial.

prominent (adj.)

• Important; famous; sticking out.

propaganda (n.)

• Biased information used to promote a point of view.

reiterate (v.)

• To say something again for clarity or emphasis.

scrupulous (adj.)

• Diligent, thorough, extremely attentive to details.

smug (adj.)

• Having excessive pride in oneself.

subsequent (adj.)

• Coming after something else in time; following.

superfluous (adj.)

• Unnecessary; more than enough.

sustain (v.)

• To strengthen or support physically or mentally.

venerated (adj.)

• Regarded with great respect; revered.

vigor (n.)

• Physical strength and good health.

wary (adj.)

• Alert and cautious of possible dangers/problems.

zealous (adj.)

• Having or showing passion and enthusiasm.

abhor (v.)

• To resent; regard with disgust and hatred.

adhere (v.)

• To stick to something physically; to stick to beliefs.

alienate (v.)

• To cause someone to feel isolated or lonely.

animate (v.)

• To bring to life; give inspiration.

archaic (adj.)

• Very old or old-fashioned.

ardor (n.)

• Enthusiasm or passion.

atypical (adj.)

• Not common; not normal of a type, group, or class.

censure (v.)

• To express severe disapproval of.

commemorate (v.)

• To show respect for someone/something in a ceremony.

conscientious (adj.)

• Wishing to do what is right in duty or work.

console (v.)

• To comfort someone at a time of grief.

conspire (v.)

• To make secret plans together to commit an illegal act.

cunning (adj.)

• Skilled at deception/evasion to achieve something; wise.

deliberate (adj.)

• Done consciously and intentionally; careful and unhurried.

denounce (v.)

• To publicly declare something or someone to be wrong or evil.

derivative (adj.)

• Imitative, unoriginal, or secondhand.

didactic (adj.)

• Intended to teach; having an underlying moral lesson.

diplomatic (adj.)

• Dealing with people in a sensitive, effective way.

discreet (adj.)

• Careful in what one says.

divert (v.)

• To cause someone or something to go in a different direction.

eclectic (adj.)

• Made up from a wide range of sources or ideas.

egotist (n.)

• A person who only thinks about himself.

empirical (adj.)

• Based on observation and experience rather than theory.

fabricated (adj.)

• Invented or made up to deceive someone.

glutton (n.)

• An excessively greedy eater.

inconsequential (adj.)

• Not important or significant.

inconsolable (adj.)

• Not able to be comforted or alleviated from grief.

indigenous (adj.)

• Native (describing people of a particular area).

ingenious (adj.)

• Clever, original, inventive.

innocuous (adj.)

• Not harmful or offensive; innocent.

juxtapose (v.)

• To place side by side for contrast.

mar (v.)

• To disfigure, spoil, or damage.

mediocre (adj.)

• Not very good; average.

nonchalant (adj.)

• Appearing casually calm, relaxed, and uninterested.

opportune (adj.)

• Done or occurring at a favorable time; well-timed.

prosaic (adj.)

• Commonplace; unromantic.

provincial (adj.)

• Narrow-minded; having a limited world view.

quell (v.)

• To put an end to (typically a rebellion).

rebut (v.)

• To claim or prove that a statement is false.

reclusive (adj.)

• Avoiding people; withdrawn from society.

sanguine (adj.)

• Cheerfully optimistic.

sentimental (adj.)

• Having feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

serene (adj.)

• Calm and peaceful.

tacit (adj.)

• Silent; understood without being stated out loud.

tenacious (adj.)

• Keeping a firm hold on something; not giving up.

transient (adj.)

• Lasting only for a short time; not permanent.

vigilant (adj.)

• Keeping careful watch for dangers or problems.

weary (adj.)

• Tired or worn out.

accessible (adj.)

• Able to be reached or entered; easy to talk to.

adept (adj.)

• Very skilled or proficient in something.

adulation (n.)

• Excessive admiration or praise.

agile (adj.)

• Able to move quickly and easily.

apathy (n.)

• Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; not caring.

apt (adj.)

• Suitable for the circumstances, fitting; inclined or likely to do something.

austere (adj.)

• Strict and harsh; having no luxuries or comforts.

avert (v.)

• To turn away.

awestruck (adj.)

• Filled with respect, fear, and wonder.

baffle (v.)

• To totally confuse or perplex.

cajole (v.)

• To persuade someone to do something through praise.

clarity (n.)

• The quality of being clear.

constrain (v.)

• To restrict or limit someone or something.

cordial (adj.)

• Warm and friendly.

corroborate (v.)

• To confirm or give support to.

debilitate (v.)

• To make weak.

debunk (v.)

• To disprove; expose the falseness of.

defer (v.)

• To put off to a later time, postpone.

detract (v.)

• To reduce or take away from the value of something.

dilatory (adj.)

• Slow to act; intended to cause delay.

discord (n.)

• Disagreement between people.

discrepancy (n.)

• A difference or inconsistency between facts or opinions.

dispel (v.)

• To drive something away; make disappear.

disperse (v.)

• To distribute or spread over a wide area.

disseminate (v.)

• To spread widely; disperse.

dissent (n.)

• Disagreement; refusal to accept certain beliefs.

earnest (adj.)

• Having a serious and sincere attitude/effort.

effusive (adj.)

• Expressing feelings of gratitude or enthusiasm openly.

elicit (v.)

• To evoke or draw out (usually feelings in someone).

enigma (n.)

• Something/someone that is mysterious or puzzling.

equanimity (n.)

• Mental calmness and composure.

esoteric (adj.)

• Understood only by a few with specialized knowledge.

estrangement (n.)

• Separation or isolation from a social group.

eulogy (n.)

• A speech that praises someone who has just died.

exonerate (v.)

• To free from guilt.

exorbitant (adj.)

• Unreasonably high; excessive.

extraneous (adj.)

• Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject.

exuberant (adj.)

• Having lively energy and excitement.

facetious (adj.)

• Treating serious issues with silly or inappropriate humor.

fallacy (n.)

• A mistaken belief.

fallible (adj.)

• Capable of making mistakes or being wrong.

feasible (adj.)

• Possible to do easily or conveniently.

flippant (adj.)

• Not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

gregarious (adj.)

• Sociable; fond of company.

idealism (n.)

• A belief in and pursuit of what is perfect but not realistic.

illusory (adj.)

• Not real; based on illusion.

induce (v.)

• To succeed in influencing someone to do something.

inhibit (v.)

• To hinder, restrain, or prevent.

inquisitive (adj.)

• Curious; showing an interest.

insipid (adj.)

• Tasteless; lacking flavor.

insolence (n.)

• Rude and disrespectful behavior.

invigorate (v.)

• To give strength or energy to.

jaded (adj.)

• Tired or unexcited after too much of something.

legitimate (adj.)

• Reasonable or valid; following the rules or laws.

malice (n.)

• Desire to do evil; ill will.

mandate (n.)

• An official order to do something.

monarch (n.)

• Leader of a state; king or queen.

morose (adj.)

• Gloomy, sad, and bad-tempered.

opaque (adj.)

• Not able to be seen through; not transparent.

opulent (adj.)

• Wealthy; having luxury.

ornate (adj.)

• Having complex patterns; very detailed.

paragon (n.)

• A person or thing viewed as the model of excellence.

parody (n.)

• An imitation designed to mock the original.

pristine (adj.)

• In original condition; unspoiled; pure.

protagonist (n.)

• The leading character in a book or play.

rancorous (adj.)

• Having bitterness and resentment.

renown (n.)

• Fame.

repudiate (v.)

• To refuse to accept something.

repugnant (adj.)

• Extremely distasteful; disgusting or offensive.

resolute (adj.)

• Determined; not giving up or changing direction.

solemn (adj.)

• Formal and dignified; serious.

sycophant (n.)

• A person who pleases people to gain an advantage; suck-up.

tactile (adj.)

• Related to the sense of touch; tangible.

tranquil (adj.)

• Free from disturbance; calm.

transcend (v.)

• To go beyond a limit or range; to surpass.

treacherous (adj.)

• Dangerous and unpredictable.

turmoil (n.)

• A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

vulgar (adj.)

• Rude and gross; offensive.

warrant (n.)

• Justification or authority for an action or belief.

abstruse (adj.)

• Difficult to understand; obscure.

acute (adj.)

• Severe and intense (pain); mentally sharp (judgment).

adversary (n.)

• An enemy or opponent.

amateur (n.)

• A beginner; a recreational participant.

anachronistic (adj.)

• Out of place in a particular time period.

arbitrate (v.)

• To reach a judgment or agreement.

arid (adj.)

• Dry; having no rain.

assiduous (adj.)

• Showing great care and effort.

audible (adj.)

• Able to be heard.

authoritative (adj.)

• Able to be trusted as accurate or true; reliable.

aversion (n.)

• A strong dislike for something.

banal (adj.)

• Lacking in originality; boring.

caricature (n.)

• An exaggerated description intended to mock someone.

catastrophic (adj.)

• Disastrous; involving great damage or suffering.

caustic (adj.)

• Sarcastic in a hurtful and bitter way.

charlatan (n.)

• A cheater or fraud; trickster.

circumscribed (adj.)

• Restricted within limits; contained.

concord (n.)

• An agreement between people; a treaty.

conducive (adj.)

• Making a certain outcome likely or possible.

conformity (n.)

• Behavior according to socially accepted rules/beliefs.

confound (v.)

• To cause surprise and confusion in someone.

consensus (n.)

• General agreement.

conspicuous (adj.)

• Attracting notice or attention; standing out.

consummate (adj.)

• Supreme; highly skilled; complete and pure.

contrite (adj.)

• Feeling regret or guilt for wrongdoings.

curative (adj.)

• Able to cure something (usually a disease).

decisive (adj.)

• Resolute, firm, and purposeful; conclusive, critical.

deleterious (adj.)

• Causing harm and damage.

delineate (v.)

• To describe or portray something precisely.

demeanor (n.)

• Outward behavior or attitude.

denigrate (v.)

• To criticize unfairly; disparage.

devoid (adj.)

• Entirely empty of something.

differentiate (v.)

• To identify differences between people or things.

disclose (v.)

• To make known; uncover; reveal.

discredit (v.)

• To cause something to seem false or unreliable.

disgruntled (adj.)

• Angry or dissatisfied.

docile (adj.)

• Ready to accept control or instruction; submissive.

doctrine (n.)

• A set of beliefs taught by a particular group of people.

domestic (adj.)

• Related to family and home.

ebullient (adj.)

• Cheerful and full of energy.

embroiled (adj.)

• Involved deeply in a conflict or argument.

encompass (v.)

• To completely surround or include.

esteemed (adj.)

• Respected and admired.

expedient (adj.)

• Convenient, practical, suitable.

explicit (adj.)

• Stated clearly and in detail.

extol (v.)

• To praise enthusiastically.

extravagant (adj.)

• Excessive; wasteful in spending on luxury.

florid (adj.)

• Excessively detailed and complicated.

flourish (v.)

• To develop and grow rapidly and successfully.

fortify (v.)

• To strengthen mentally or physically.

hackneyed (adj.)

• Overused; unoriginal; cliche.

hedonism (n.)

• The pursuit of pleasure.

humble (adj.)

• Having a low estimate of one's own importance or skills.

humility (n.)

• Humbleness; modesty.

imperceptible (adj.)

• Impossible to notice or detect.

implication (n.)

• Conclusion that is drawn from something; consequence.

incongruity (n.)

• Being out of place; not fitting the circumstances.

inconspicuous (adj.)

• Not attracting attention in any way.

indictment (n.)

• A formal charge or accusation of a crime.

ineffable (adj.)

• Too great or extreme to be described in words.

innovative (adj.)

• Having new ideas; original and creative.

interrogate (v.)

• To question someone formally and aggressively.

intransigent (adj.)

• Unwilling or refusing to change one's views.

intuitive (adj.)

• Based on feelings rather than reason; instinctive.

invocation (n.)

• A calling upon for assistance or authority.

invoke (v.)

• To call forth; summon.

lavish (adj.)

• Rich, elaborate, luxurious.

longevity (n.)

• A long life.

maverick (n.)

• An independent-minded person; rebel.

melodrama (n.)

• A dramatic story filled with exaggeration/excitement.

mitigate (v.)

• To make less severe, serious, or painful.

monotony (n.)

• A lack of variety and interest; boring repetition.

nuance (n.)

• A subtle difference in meaning or expression.

obstinate (adj.)

• Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinions or behavior.

oration (n.)

• A formal speech, usually given at a ceremony.

ornamentation (n.)

• Things added to provided decoration.

ostensible (adj.)

• Appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.

pacify (v.)

• To bring peace to; to calm down.

paradox (n.)

• Something that is self-contradictory.

parasite (n.)

• One who exploits others and gives nothing back.

patronizing (adj.)

• Looking down on others.

periphery (n.)

• The outer limits or edge of an area or object.

perspicacious (adj.)

• Having insight; having wisdom.

pervasive (adj.)

• Spread throughout in an area or group of people.

placid (adj.)

• Calm and peaceful.

pliant (adj.)

• Easily influenced; flexible.

popularize (v.)

• To cause something to become generally liked.

precocious (adj.)

• Talented or intelligent at a very young age.

proliferate (v.)

• To increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.

prolific (adj.)

• Productive; producing many works.

prolong (v.)

• To extend the duration of.

prophetic (adj.)

• Predicting what will happen in the future.

quantitative (adj.)

• Measured by quantity rather than quality.

redundant (adj.)

• No longer necessary or useful; excessive.

reminiscence (n.)

• A memory or story about the past.

remiss (adj.)

• Lacking care or attention to duty; negligent.

remorse (n.)

• Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

sanction (n.)

• A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.

scarce (adj.)

• Rare; insufficient for the demand.

speculative (adj.)

• Based on a guess rather than fact or knowledge.

stifle (v.)

• To stop or restrain an action.

surreptitious (adj.)

• Kept secret; sneaky.

susceptible (adj.)

• Easily harmed or influenced; sensitive.

tact (n.)

• Skill in negotiating and dealing with others.

tedious (adj.)

• Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome.

tenuous (adj.)

• Very weak and flimsy.

therapeutic (adj.)

• Related to the healing of disease; relaxing.

thwart (v.)

• To prevent someone from accomplishing something.

List of vocabulary word definitions includes terms such as 'aesthetic', 'undermine', 'profound', and 'refute'. This tool will help to improve word power and communication skills. Perfect for students and professionals alike.