SAT Words
One of the most important steps toward preparing for your future and your success in college is developing a great vocabulary. One way to build your word power is to practice using two to five new words every week.
laze
Definition of laze: To sit around and do nothing. To be idle.
Definition of laze: To sit around and do nothing. To be idle.
malaise
Definition of malaise:
Definition of malaise:
raze
Definition of raze: demolish, annihilate, destroy, tear down
Definition of raze: demolish, annihilate, destroy, tear down
faze
Definition of faze: to intimidate, upset, or make an impact.
Definition of faze: to intimidate, upset, or make an impact.
abhorrent
Abhorrent is an adjective meaning disgusting, wretched, sickening.
Abhorrent is an adjective meaning disgusting, wretched, sickening.
abject
Lowly or contemptible, unfortunate, and miserable; lowdown.
Lowly or contemptible, unfortunate, and miserable; lowdown.
abstruse
Difficult to understand or comprehend; complex and baffling. Abstract ideas and long calculations are abstruse.
Difficult to understand or comprehend; complex and baffling. Abstract ideas and long calculations are abstruse.
adverse
An adverse reaction is an opposing or contrary reaction.
An adverse reaction is an opposing or contrary reaction.
affluence
A plentiful supply of wealth. Abundance of goods or money.
A plentiful supply of wealth. Abundance of goods or money.
affront
Similar to insult, the word affront can work as a verb or a noun. To disrespect, injure, or offend.
Similar to insult, the word affront can work as a verb or a noun. To disrespect, injure, or offend.
ambiguous
Ambiguous - having one or more meaning; unclear.
Ambiguous - having one or more meaning; unclear.
arcane
Obscure; shrouded in mystery or difficult to discern.
Obscure; shrouded in mystery or difficult to discern.
audacious
A very bold or daring person or action. Someone who thinks out of the box. Thinks in defiance of convention. Unrestrained, insolent or brazen.
A very bold or daring person or action. Someone who thinks out of the box. Thinks in defiance of convention. Unrestrained, insolent or brazen.
boon
Benefit or advantage; favor.
Benefit or advantage; favor.
brigand
Outlaw; one who lives by plunder.
Outlaw; one who lives by plunder.
cabal
Definition: A small group that meets and plots in secret
Definition: A small group that meets and plots in secret
cathartic
An action or product that brings about relief or release is cathartic.
An action or product that brings about relief or release is cathartic.
caucus
Private meeting among members of a political party.
Private meeting among members of a political party.
clemency
[p]Leniency, forgiveness, absolution[/p]
[p]Leniency, forgiveness, absolution[/p]
constituent
Constituent - Person who is represented in a specific district. An elected government official normally serves as representative.
Constituent - Person who is represented in a specific district. An elected government official normally serves as representative.
corollary
A consequence or effect.
A consequence or effect.
darkling
Lacking clarity or hidden in darkness. Obscured by a lack of light or understanding.
Lacking clarity or hidden in darkness. Obscured by a lack of light or understanding.
deviltry
Mischief; black magic, wickedness
Mischief; black magic, wickedness
dogmatism
Arrogant assertiveness; stubborn view based on habit or tradition as opposed to inquiry.
Arrogant assertiveness; stubborn view based on habit or tradition as opposed to inquiry.
domestic
Domestic - as it pertains to government, domestic refers to things that happen inside a country. Domestic affairs are issues that affect citizens within a nation, as opposed to international affairs which affect citizens of many nations or of a particular foreign country.
Domestic - as it pertains to government, domestic refers to things that happen inside a country. Domestic affairs are issues that affect citizens within a nation, as opposed to international affairs which affect citizens of many nations or of a particular foreign country.
egregious
Shameless, flagrant, bold, really bad.
Shameless, flagrant, bold, really bad.
extremity
extremity - arm or leg of the human body; extreme point of some branch or item.
extremity - arm or leg of the human body; extreme point of some branch or item.
fastidious
Overly particular, critical, very hard to please, picky, detail orientated.
Overly particular, critical, very hard to please, picky, detail orientated.
Federal
Federal - pertaining to a national government as opposed to local or state governments.
Federal - pertaining to a national government as opposed to local or state governments.
flummox
Flummox is a verb meaning to flabbergast, bewilder, stump, or baffle.
Flummox is a verb meaning to flabbergast, bewilder, stump, or baffle.
foible
Odd characteristic; strange habit.
Odd characteristic; strange habit.
gregarious
Gregarious means part of a flock; prefers to live in a group; seeking or enjoying the company of others.
Gregarious means part of a flock; prefers to live in a group; seeking or enjoying the company of others.
harbinger
An indication of things to come.
An indication of things to come.
hyperbole
Type of a figure of speech. It is an exaggerated statement typically used to inflame, inspire, boast, or emphasize.
Type of a figure of speech. It is an exaggerated statement typically used to inflame, inspire, boast, or emphasize.
illustrious
Renowned or most famous person or thing. Highly distinguished. Great, as in actions and deeds.
Renowned or most famous person or thing. Highly distinguished. Great, as in actions and deeds.
Inaugurate
Inaugurate - to induct into office with formal ceremonies; in U.S. government the president goes through inauguration.
Inaugurate - to induct into office with formal ceremonies; in U.S. government the president goes through inauguration.
insipid
Boring, uninteresting, dull.
Boring, uninteresting, dull.
jejune
Empty; meager; void of interesting qualities.
Empty; meager; void of interesting qualities.
klatsch
A group of like-minded individuals that usually involves informal conversation.
A group of like-minded individuals that usually involves informal conversation.
lugubrious
mournful and wailing; sad; gloomy. See lugubrious used in sample sentences.
mournful and wailing; sad; gloomy. See lugubrious used in sample sentences.
malign
To speak badly of a person. To gossip about another person in a derogatory way. Displaying an evil disposition.
To speak badly of a person. To gossip about another person in a derogatory way. Displaying an evil disposition.
mongrel
mongrel - a mixture of breeds; mix of people, traits, or things.
mongrel - a mixture of breeds; mix of people, traits, or things.
morose
Gloomy and depressed; sand and miserable; dejected
Gloomy and depressed; sand and miserable; dejected
penchant
Definition: (n.)A very strong preference or liking of something.
Definition: (n.)A very strong preference or liking of something.
prerogative
Distinct privilege; special power. Listen to the correct pronunciation on this sound file.
Distinct privilege; special power. Listen to the correct pronunciation on this sound file.
priggish
(adj.) Self-important and conceited; overly proud.
(adj.) Self-important and conceited; overly proud.
ramification
Result of an action, smaller limbs branching out from the main trunk, outcome, upshot, end result.
Result of an action, smaller limbs branching out from the main trunk, outcome, upshot, end result.
redolent
(adj.) Emitting a scent; of a certain smell; having an evocative odor. Having a smell that prompts a reminiscence or memory.
(adj.) Emitting a scent; of a certain smell; having an evocative odor. Having a smell that prompts a reminiscence or memory.
sovereign
One with supreme authority, especially in the context of a government.
One with supreme authority, especially in the context of a government.
staid
(adj.) Sober and sedate in disposition. Prim.
(adj.) Sober and sedate in disposition. Prim.
swarthy
Having a natural dark skin color. To have a beautiful color. Dusky complexion.
Having a natural dark skin color. To have a beautiful color. Dusky complexion.
trite
Worn-out or tired, referring to an expression; spoken word that is repeated so often that it becomes tiresome.[/
Worn-out or tired, referring to an expression; spoken word that is repeated so often that it becomes tiresome.[/
turbid
Turbid refers to a liquid, usually water, that is cloudy or swirling with sediment.
Turbid refers to a liquid, usually water, that is cloudy or swirling with sediment.
twaddle
(n) Nonsense or untruth. Silly prattle that can’t be taken seriously. Foolishness.
(n) Nonsense or untruth. Silly prattle that can’t be taken seriously. Foolishness.
untoward
Unbecoming or uncouth. See examples of untoward used in sentences.
Unbecoming or uncouth. See examples of untoward used in sentences.
vagrant
(n) A wanderer who has no permanent living place. One who changes jobs or homes frequently.
(n) A wanderer who has no permanent living place. One who changes jobs or homes frequently.
vermin
Relating to small, vile animals, especially rodents. Rats, mice. Also of flies, lice, bedbugs and cockroaches. An objectionable person or group thereof.
Relating to small, vile animals, especially rodents. Rats, mice. Also of flies, lice, bedbugs and cockroaches. An objectionable person or group thereof.
vestige
(n.) A noticeable trace left behind; a sign of something that was once present but is now absent.
(n.) A noticeable trace left behind; a sign of something that was once present but is now absent.
voracious
Greedily consuming or wanting to consume. See voracious used in sentences.
Greedily consuming or wanting to consume. See voracious used in sentences.