DICTIONARY
100 Essential Words
GRE, SAT and CAT vocabulary — each with definition, etymology, synonyms, antonyms and literary examples. Rated by difficulty.
A
aberrantadj.
markedly different from an accepted norm
GraduateCATSATEXT
aberrationnoun
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
GraduateGREGMAT
abhorverb
find repugnant
GraduateSATEXTGRE
acrimoniousadj.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
GraduateCATSATEXT
aestheticnoun
(philosophy) a philosophical theory as to what is beautiful
AdvancedGMATSATEXT
ambiguousadj.
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or …
AdvancedGMATSATEXT
B
C
cacophonynoun
a loud harsh or strident noise
GraduateCATSATEXT
candidadj.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
GraduateCATGMAT
capriciousadj.
changeable
GraduateCATSATEXT
condescendverb
debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way
GraduateSATEXTGREEXT
convolutedverb
curl, wind, or twist together
GraduateGMATSATEXT
D
dearthnoun
an acute insufficiency
GraduateCATSATEXT
demagoguenoun
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejud…
GraduateCATSATEXT
didacticadj.
instructive (especially excessively)
GraduateSATEXTGRE
diligentadj.
quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
GraduateCATSATEXT
E
effervescentadj.
used of wines and waters; charged naturally or artificially with carbon dioxide
GraduateSATEXTGRE
egregiousadj.
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
GraduateCATSATEXT
eloquentadj.
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
GraduateSATEXTGRE
enervateverb
weaken mentally or morally
ExpertCATSATEXT
ephemeraladj.
lasting a very short time
GraduateCATSATEXT
equivocateverb
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
GraduateCATSATEXT
eruditeadj.
having or showing profound knowledge
GraduateCATSATEXT
esotericadj.
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
GraduateCATSATEXT
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
laconicadj.
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
GraduateGMATSATEXT
lampoonnoun
ridicule with satire
GraduateSATEXTGRE
languishverb
lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
GraduateGRECAT
lethargicadj.
deficient in alertness or activity
GraduateGRECAT
loquaciousadj.
full of trivial conversation
GraduateCATSATEXT
lucidadj.
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
GraduateCATSATEXT
M
magnanimousadj.
noble and generous in spirit
GraduateCATSATEXT
malleableadj.
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
ExpertCATSATEXT
maudlinadj.
effusively or insincerely emotional
ExpertCATSATEXT
mellifluousadj.
pleasing to the ear
GraduateCATSATEXT
mundaneadj.
found in the ordinary course of events
GraduateSATEXTGRE
N
O
obsequiousadj.
attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
GraduateCATSATEXT
ominousadj.
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
GraduateSATEXTGRE
opulentadj.
rich and superior in quality
GraduateGMATSATEXT
ostentatiousadj.
intended to attract notice and impress others
GraduateGREGMAT
ostracizeverb
expel from a community or group
GraduateCATSATEXT
P
panaceanoun
A remedy for all diseases; a universal medicine; a cure-all; catholicon; hence, …
GraduateSATEXTGREEXT
parsimoniousadj.
excessively unwilling to spend
GraduateCATSATEXT
pedanticadj.
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspect…
GraduateGRECAT
perfidiousadj.
tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to th…
GraduateSATGRE
perspicaciousadj.
acutely insightful and wise
GraduateGMATSATEXT
pragmaticadj.
Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical…
AdvancedSATEXTGREEXT
Q
R
S
sagaciousadj.
acutely insightful and wise
ExpertCATSATEXT
sanctimoniousadj.
excessively or hypocritically pious
GraduateCATSATEXT
stoicnoun
A disciple of the philosopher Zeno; one of a Greek sect which held that men shou…
AdvancedSATEXTGREEXT
sycophantnoun
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
GraduateCATSATEXT
T
U
ubiquitousadj.
being present everywhere at once
GraduateCATSATEXT
umbragenoun
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
GraduateCATSATEXT
unequivocaladj.
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpreta…
GraduateGMATSATEXT
usurpverb
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's …
GraduateGMATSATEXT
V
vacuousadj.
devoid of significance or point
GraduateCATSATEXT
venerableadj.
impressive by reason of age
GraduateMATCAT
verboseadj.
using or containing too many words
GraduateSATEXTGRE
vindictiveadj.
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
GraduateCATSATEXT
vociferousadj.
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
GraduateCATSATEXT
W
Z
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