 | Term | Definition |
| |
metier |
an occupation or activity that one is good at, an outstanding characteristic |
| |
opus |
an artistic work, esp a numbered composition |
| |
bawdy |
dealing with sexual matters in a comical way |
| |
extol |
to praise highly |
| |
expound |
to clarify |
| |
harry |
to annoy or harrass |
| |
coerce |
to force by using pressure or threats |
| |
hue |
a particular shade or color |
| |
avid |
extremely interested |
| |
cogent |
convincing, reasonable |
| |
clandestine |
secret |
| |
motley |
made up of different, dissimilar parts; being of many colors |
| |
unctuous |
exaggeratedly or insincerely polite, having a greasy or soapy feel |
| |
enunciate |
to pronounce clearly |
| |
extrovert |
an outgoing, expressive person |
| |
augment |
make something greater by adding it |
| |
diffident |
lacking in self-confidence, shy |
| |
copious |
numerous, large in quantity |
| |
fickle |
likely to change without apparent reason |
| |
rudimentary |
limited to basic principles, relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form |
| |
intricate |
very complicated or detailed |
| |
quaint |
attractively unusual or old-fashioned |
| |
obsolescent |
becoming out of date |
| |
understatement |
the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is |
| |
distinctly |
clearly, obviously, unmistakably |
| |
understudy |
backup actor, standby |
| |
underutilized |
underuse of something |
| |
underwrite |
guarantee payment in case of loss or damage occurs, to buy all unsold shares |
| |
undirected |
lacking direction, without a particular target |
| |
unearth |
find something in the ground by digging it |
| |
unearthly |
strange and unnatural, unreasonably early or inconvient |
| |
unenlightened |
without knowledge, having wrong beliefs because of lack of knowledge |
| |
unexceptionable |
not open for objection, incapable of being disapproved of |
| |
unfailing |
everlasting, reliable, without error or fault |
| |
unfasten |
to undo something |
| |
unfeigned |
true, sincere, genunine |
| |
unflappable |
having or showing calmness in a crisis, self-control |
| |
utopia |
an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect |
| |
utopian |
idealistic, visionary |
| |
utter |
complete, absolute, to make a sound or produce words |
| |
wary |
watchful, alert |
| |
vindicate |
to clear from blame |
| |
venerable |
respectable due to age, wisdom or characteristic |
| |
transient |
temporary, hobo, passing through briefly |
| |
tenacious |
clinging, determined, resolute |
| |
tactful |
diplomatic, sensitive, polite |
| |
surreptitious |
secret, sly |
| |
suppress |
defeat, control, hide, to end an activity |
| |
superfluous |
extra, unneeded |
| |
subtle |
understated, ambiguous, sly, clever |
| |
substantiate |
to verify, confirm |
| |
submissive |
obedient |
| |
spurious |
phony, false |
| |
spontaneity |
careless action, unplanned events |
| |
scrutinize |
to observe carefully |
| |
sagacity |
wisdom |
| |
reverence |
great respect, admiration |
| |
docile |
obedient |
| |
venial |
forgivable |
| |
venom |
poisonous, evil, hatred |
| |
vent |
to let out angered emotions, an opening |
| |
ventilate |
to cause fresh air to circulate through |
| |
ventriloquist |
an entertainer who makes their voice appear to come from a dummy |
| |
veracious |
truthful, honest |
| |
veracity |
truthfulness |
| |
verbiage |
wordy |
| |
verbose |
wordy |
| |
verdant |
green, rich |
| |
verdict |
final judgment, ruling |
| |
verified |
confirm, prove |
| |
conjecture |
an opinion or conclusion based on guesswork |
| |
commenced |
began, originated |
| |
infernal |
of or pertaining to hell |
| |
venture |
to take a risk, to dare |
| |
abundance |
a lot of supply |
| |
esteemed |
valued or honored |
| |
disputes |
arguments, disagreements |
| |
misdemeanor |
a minor crime or misbehavior |
| |
zephyr |
gentle breeze, west wind |
| |
zeal |
eager enthusiasm |
| |
windfall |
unexpected lucky event |
| |
yield |
amount produced, income on investment, surrender, give up |
| |
zealous |
eager enthusiasm |
| |
waffle |
failure to make up one's mind,lengthy but useless talk or writing. |
| |
viscous |
sticky, gluey |
| |
vex |
annoy |
| |
viscid |
gluey |
| |
viscosity |
sticky, gluey |
| |
veneer |
thin layer, cover, shallow appearence |
| |
unstinting |
giving generously, not holding back |
| |
unassailable |
not arguable, not open for attack |
| |
unaccountable |
not liable to hold any duties, strange, odd |
| |
treacly |
too much sweet flattering, black syrup |
| |
transcendent |
surpassing, exceeding ordinary limits |
| |
treacle |
syrup, too much sweet flattering |
| |
titular |
having the title of an office without the obligations or power |
| |
advent |
beginning |
| |
amnesia |
partial or total loss of memory |
| |
anemia |
deficiency of red blood cells |
| |
concur |
to be of the same opinion; to agree with |
| |
culmination |
climax, highest peak |
| |
dilemma |
a difficult choice; a seemingly unsolvable problem |
| |
erudite |
scholarly; educated |
| |
destitute |
extremely poor; lacking necessities like food and shelter |
| |
intrepid |
fearless |
| |
demure |
quiet and modest; reserved |
| |
demagogue |
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires rather than by using rational argument |
| |
ambivalent |
uncertain, mixed feelings |
| |
cynical |
pessimistic, doubtful, distrustful |
| |
novice |
a beginner; inexperienced |
| |
nocturnal |
having to do with the night, occurring at night |
| |
naive |
simple in nature, especially innocent |
| |
juggernaut |
a terrible destructive or irresistible force |
| |
mundane |
dull, earthly and not spiritual |
| |
charlatan |
one who pretends to have professional knowledge in order to fool others |
| |
swindle |
fool, hoax, fraud |
| |
genial |
friendly |
| |
amiable |
friendly |
| |
bask |
to lie in or be exposed to warmth |
| |
marital |
having to do with marriage |
| |
enraptured |
beyond measure |
| |
obstreperous |
noisy and difficult to control |
| |
hoax |
a practical joke; a trick |
| |
levity |
cheerful, high spirits, lack of seriousness |
| |
frugal |
thrifty |
| |
pernicious |
destructive; deadly, hurtful |
| |
latent |
undiscovered, hidden, concealed, not active |
| |
myriad |
a very large number, countless |
| |
jocose |
joking, humorous |
| |
chastise |
to punish severely |
| |
eschews |
intentionally avoid using |
| |
shuns |
persistently avoid, ignore, or reject something through antipathy or caution |
| |
fixation |
obsession, addiction |
| |
defiance |
resistance, opposition |
| |
deference |
respect, surrender |
| |
incitement |
encourage or stir up |
| |
collusion |
secret agreement |
| |
abide |
endure, bear, remain, obey |
| |
degrade |
to reduce in status, worth or value |
| |
rend |
tear or be torn violently |
| |
fleece (v) |
to trick, to steal from cheating |
| |
allot |
assign to |
| |
deter |
discourage, scare off, stop |
| |
dormant |
inactive, asleep |
| |
volatile |
unpredictable, explosive, uneasy |
| |
unprecedented |
unknown, new |
| |
versatile |
has many uses |
| |
abase |
lower, humiliate |
| |
abrade |
wear away by friction, scrape, erode |
| |
abash |
embarrass |
| |
abut |
border upon, adjoin |
| |
acerbity |
bitterness of speech and temper |
| |
abysmal |
very bad, shameful, hopeless |
| |
acetic |
of or like vinegar |
| |
accede |
agree to, inherit, sign up for |
| |
veto |
ban, rejection |
| |
vexation |
annoyed, frustrated, worried |
| |
viability |
capable of working successfully, live after birth, cells or seeds able to produce and live |
| |
feasible |
achievable, practicable, realistic |
| |
viable |
workable, practical |
| |
viaduct |
high bridge |
| |
vibrancy |
full of energy and enthusiasm, shaking, bright colors, strong sounds |
| |
vibrant |
full of energy and enthusiasm, shaking, bright colors, strong sounds |
| |
vicar |
priest in charge of a specific area |
| |
vicarious |
substitute, indirect, secondary |
| |
vicinity |
around, neighborhood, local area |
| |
vicious |
brutal, bitter, hateful |
| |
vicissitudinous |
full of changes typically one that is unpleasant |
| |
victimize |
bully, abuse |
| |
vie |
to compete |
| |
vigilant |
watchful, alert, cautious |
| |
vigorous |
strong,healthy, full of energy |
| |
vile |
extremely unpleasant,hateful, of little value, morally wicked |
| |
vilify |
criticize, denounce |
| |
verdigris |
green coating formed when copper, brass or bronze is exposed to air or seawater over a period of time |
| |
unfounded |
having no foundation or basis in, unproven |
| |
ungainly |
clumsy |
| |
cronyism |
favoritism to friends and associates (as by appointing them to positions without regard for their qualifications) |
| |
nepotism |
favoritism to relatives |
| |
sensationalism |
(journalism) the use of exciting or shocking stories or language in harming accuracy in order to provoke public interest |
| |
indolent |
laziness, wanting to avoid activity |
| |
indolence |
laziness, wanting to avoid activity |
| |
propriety |
correct or appropriate behavior |
| |
enshroud |
cover |
| |
enunciation |
clear pronunciation, accent, articulation |
| |
laconic |
using few words, brief, short to the point |
| |
lampoon |
mock, mockery (n v) |
| |
spoof |
a composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way |
| |
ridicule |
mockery, mock |
| |
cryptic |
mysterious, puzzling |
| |
enigmatic |
mysterious, confusing |
| |
heed |
listen to |
| |
stealthy |
secret, sly |
| |
plausible |
believable, likely |
| |
sanguine |
optimistic, cheery, a blood-red color |
| |
unassuming |
modest, humble |
| |
treatise |
a written work focusing on a subject |
| |
trek |
travel, journey |
| |
tremor |
trembling, quivering |
| |
tremulous |
trembling |
| |
trenchant |
forceful, cutting |
| |
trepidation |
fear |
| |
trespass |
intrude on, take advantage of, sin |
| |
tribute |
praise, evidence |
| |
trifling |
unimportant |
| |
trigger |
set off |
| |
trinket |
ornament |
| |
trite |
dull, boring |
| |
trivial |
unimportant |
| |
trough |
open container for animals to eat from, lowest point in a business or wave |
| |
truculence |
eager or quick to fight or argue |
| |
truism |
a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting, cliche |
| |
truncate |
cut the top off |
| |
tryst |
meeting |
| |
tumult |
commotion, riot, noise |
| |
turbid |
muddy, thick liquid |
| |
turbulence |
violent or unsteady movement in water or air |
| |
turgid |
swollen, bloated |
| |
turmoil |
great commotion and confusion |
| |
turncoat |
traitor |
| |
turpitude |
wickedness |
| |
depravity |
moral corruption |
| |
tutelage |
guardianship, training |
| |
tycoon |
wealthy entrepreneur |
| |
typhoon |
tropical hurricane or cyclone |
| |
tyranny |
cruel government |
| |
tyro |
beginner |
| |
ubiquitous |
being everywhere |
| |
ulterior |
unstated, hidden |
| |
ultimate |
final |
| |
unaccountable |
unreasonable, mysterious, strange |
| |
unanimity |
complete agreement |
| |
unassailable |
not subject to question, not open for attack |
| |
unbridled |
violent |
| |
uncanny |
strange, mysterious |
| |
unconscionable |
unethical, unreasonable |
| |
tundra |
a vast, flat, treeless Arctic region which the subsoil is permanently frozen |
| |
uncouth |
clumsy, strange |
| |
underlying |
lying below, basic, hidden |
| |
undermine |
weaken |
| |
underscore |
emphasize |
| |
undulating |
moving with a wavelike motion |
| |
unequivocal |
unambiguous, unmistakable |
| |
unerringly |
always right or accurate |
| |
unfathomable |
mysterious, incomprehensible |
| |
unfetter |
release from restraint, liberate |
| |
unimpeachable |
blameless, not able to be doubted or criticize |
| |
unkempt |
having an untidy appearance |
| |
octogenarian |
a person who is from 80 to 89 years old |
| |
timidity |
lack of courage or confidence |
| |
comely |
attractive |
| |
comeliness |
attractive |
| |
extroversion |
outgoing expressive person |
| |
garrulousness |
talkative esp on trivial matters |
| |
garrulous |
talkative esp on trivial matters |
| |
hostility |
unfriendly, hatred |
| |
incensed |
furious, substance burned for sweet |
| |
enraged |
furious |
| |
apathetic |
showing no feeling or interest |
| |
sentimental |
emotional, cheesy, romantic |
| |
mediocre |
ordinary, average |
| |
competent |
capable, fit, skillful |
| |
grovel |
lie down, kneel, suck up to someone for a favor |
| |
lauded |
praise a person for his achievements in public |
| |
tenuous |
very weak or slender |
| |
macabre |
weird, shocking |
| |
gory |
bloody, horrible |
| |
ostentatious |
designed to impress or show |
| |
celestial |
astronomical, holy, heavenly |
| |
benign |
kind, gentle, harmless |
| |
vapid |
uninteresting, colorless |
| |
discombobulate |
embarrass, upset |
| |
pedantic |
very long, precise, exact |
| |
loquacious |
talkative |
| |
muddled |
confuse someone's thoughts |
| |
debilitated |
temporary loss of strength |
| |
incapacitated |
disabled |
| |
convalescence |
recovery from illness or operation |
| |
convalescent |
recovery from illness or operation |
| |
enfeeble |
make weak |
| |
deterioration |
collapse, weakening, failure |
| |
deteriorate |
becoming worse |
| |
enervation |
exhaustion, weakness |
| |
bisect |
cut in half |
| |
vociferous |
noisy |
| |
waft |
moved gently by wind or waves |
| |
waggish |
humorous, tricky |
| |
vivacious |
lively, ebullient |
| |
vituperative |
scolding |
| |
waif |
homeless children or animal |
| |
wallow |
roll in, become helpless |
| |
voluminous |
bulky, large |
| |
venturesome |
bold, risk taking |
| |
verbatim |
word for word |
| |
verge |
border, edge |
| |
verisimilitude |
realism, authenticity |
| |
verity |
quality of being true, lasting truth or principle |
| |
vernacular |
everyday languange |
| |
vertigo |
severe dizziness |
| |
verve |
energy in expressing ideas, liveliness |
| |
vestige |
trace ,remains |
| |
vigilance |
watchfulness |
| |
vignette |
picture, sketch |
| |
vigor |
active strength |
| |
vilify |
slander |
| |
vindictive |
out for revenge |
| |
virile |
manly |
| |
virtual |
effective, inimation |
| |
virtue |
moral excellence, good quality |
| |
virtuoso |
highly skilled artists, moral, modest |
| |
fatuous |
silly and pointless |
| |
sagacious |
wise, good judgment |
| |
meritorious |
praise-worthy, credible, admirable |
| |
ignoble |
not honorable in character or purpose |
| |
virulent |
extremely poisonous, bitter |
| |
visceral |
deep inward feelings, gut |
| |
altruism |
unselfish |
| |
altruistic |
unselfish |
| |
benevolent |
kind |
| |
garner |
gather, collect |
| |
embody |
realize, include, represent |
| |
hoard |
store, put aside, stock up |
| |
compile |
collect, organize |
| |
disperse |
split up, scatter, melt away |
| |
prevail |
succeed, win, be widespread |
| |
falter |
hesitate, stumble, struggle |
| |
alter |
change, adjust |
| |
waver |
twinkle, shake, hesitate |
| |
purists |
someone who insists on great precision and correctness and very traditional |
| |
mediator |
negotiator, middleman, peace-maker |
| |
conformist |
traditionalist, conservative |
| |
brevity |
the use of brief expressions |
| |
averse |
opposed to, against |
| |
scintillating <SIN til ay ting> |
brilliant, sparkle |
| |
profundity |
great depth of knowledge or feeling |
| |
prodigious <pruh DIJ us> |
enormous |
| |
distend |
swollen, bloated |
| |
burgeon <BER jun> |
flourish, prosper, improve |
| |
bolster |
strength |
| |
expedient |
convenient, speedy. advantageous, method |
| |
conspicuous |
easy to notice, obvious |
| |
diffidence |
shyness |
| |
innocuous <in NAHK yoo us> |
harmless |
| |
placid |
calm and quiet |
| |
quiescent <kwee ES sint> |
quiet, inactive, at rest |
| |
concord |
agreement |
| |
dogmatic |
stubbornly attached to insufficiently proven beliefs |
| |
fastidious <fas TID ee us> |
meticulous, difficult to please |
| |
intransigence <in TRAN zi jents> |
inflexible, uncompromising |
| |
affable |
friendly |
| |
alacrity <uh LAK ruh tee> |
willingness, eagerness |
| |
belligerent |
threatening, warning, at war |
| |
inane |
silly, foolish |
| |
ornate |
elaborate, pompous |
| |
multifarious |
diverse, many |
| |
anachronistic |
chronologically misplaced |
| |
extrapolated |
estimated, extend, expand |
| |
byzantine |
highly involved or intricate |
| |
adroit |
skillful, expert |
| |
nefarious |
wicked, evil |
| |
conscientious |
careful, meticulous, hard-working |
| |
lackadaisical |
spiritless, lazy, careless |
| |
onerous |
difficult, severe, hard |
| |
slipshod |
careless |
| |
compulsive |
irresistible, obsessive, fascinating |
| |
spontaneous |
unplanned, natural, untaught |
| |
persona |
character, personality |
| |
whimsical |
playful, fickle |
| |
theorems |
math: a truth established by means of accepted truths |
| |
yoke |
join together |
| |
zany |
crazy |
| |
accrue |
自然增加 |
| |
affable |
easily approachable, warmly friendly |
| |
allay |
calm, pacify |
| |
aperture |
opening, hole |
| |
appraise |
估价 |
| |
aquiline |
curved, hooked |
| |
armada |
fleet of warships |
| |
aseptic |
preventing infection, having a cleansing effect |
| |
atavism |
evolutionary throwback, such as traits reappearing which had disappeared generations ago |
| |
atavistic |
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace