3. Basic GRE 600 Words

8/9/2019 3. Basic GRE 600 Words

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Basic GRE 600 Words 1

This is a primary list for any GRE exam preparation. In all GRE practices, reading or writing,you cannot avoid these words. You have to get them if you want to get a good GRE score.

abasement:humiliation; degradation

abhor:fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate

abrasive:rubbing away; tending to grind down

abrogate:abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority

absolution:act of absolving or the state of being absolved; formal remission of sinimparted by a priest

abstain:refrain; hold oneself back voluntarily from an action or practice

abstemious:sparing or moderation in eating and drinking; temperate

abstruse:obscure; profound; difficult to understand.

accolade:award of merit; expression of approval; praise

acquiesce:assent; agree without protesting

acrid:unpleasantly sharp or bitter to taste or smell; bitterly pungent

acrophobia:fear of heights; abnormal fear of high places

acuity:sharpness; acuteness of vision or perception; keenness

adamant:extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding

adroit:skillful and adept under pressing conditions

adulation:excessive flattery or admiration; unmerited praise

adversity:state of misfortune, hardship, or affliction; misfortune

advocate:speak, plead, or argue in favour of; plead for; push for something

aesthetic:elegant or tasteful; of or concerning appreciation of beauty or good taste

affable:easily approachable; warmly friendly

alacrity:cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness

alchemy:medieval chemistry; magical or mysterious power or process oftransforming


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alibi:an excuse that shows someone was not at a crime scene

allay:calm; pacify; reduce the intensity of; relieve

alleviate:provide physical relief, as from pain; make easier; remove in part

aloof:apart; remote in manner; distant physically or emotionally; reserved andremote

altruism:putting others first; being self-sacrificing

amass:collect; gather for oneself, as for one's pleasure or profit

ambiguity:state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty

ambiguous:unclear or doubtful in meaning

ambivalence:state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes, suchas love and hate

ambulatory:able to walk; formed or adapted for walking; not stationary

ameliorate:make or become better; improve; grow better

amelioration:improvement

amiable:good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly

amity:friendship; peaceful relations, as between nations

amorphous:formless; lacking shape or definition

analgesic:serving to reduce sensibility to pain without loss of consciousness

analogous:comparable; similar or alike

anarchy:absence of governing body; state of disorder; political disorder andconfusion

anecdote:short account of amusing or interesting event; short narrative; secretstory of history or biography

animosity:bitter hostility; active hatred; hostile feeling or act

annex:append or attach; take possession of; incorporate into an existing politicalunit

annex:append or attach; take possession of; incorporate into an existing politicalunit

anomaly:irregularity; person or something that is unusual; departure from normalor common order


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antagonism:active resistance; condition of being an opposing principle, force, orfactor

antagonistic:opposed; hostile; aggressive

antediluvian:antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancienttimes

anthology:book of literary selections by various authors

antiquated:too old to be fashionable, suitable, or useful; obsolete; aged

apathetic:feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent

apathy:lack of caring; indifference

apocryphal:untrue; of questionable authorship or authenticity; erroneous; fictitious

appease:bring peace, quiet, or calm to; satisfy or relieve

apprehensive:capable of apprehending; knowing; conscious; relating to the facultyof apprehension; sensible; feeling; perceptive

arable:fit for growing crops, as by plowing

arbitrary:randomly chosen; determined by chance or impulse, and not by reason orprinciple

arcane:secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated

archaic:no longer current or applicable; antiquated

bigot:hypocrite, especially, superstitious hypocrite; one who is strongly partial toone's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ

bilk:defraud or cheat; frustrate or disappoint; evade or escape from

billowing:swelling out in waves; surging; stormy; affected by storms

blasphemy:act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God; utterance orwriting concerning God or a sacred entity

blatant:flagrant; conspicuously obvious; loudly offensive

blighted:suffering from a disease; destroyed, ruined, or spoiled

blithe:gay; oyous; carefree and lighthearted

blunderbuss:!. ancient weapon "type of gun#; $. a clumsy person

bolster:support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion


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bombast:arrogant, pompous language

boorish:rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners

bourgeois:middle class; selfishly materialistic; dully conventional

braggart:boaster; one given to loud, empty boasting; very talkative person

brawny:muscular

brevity:quality or state of being brief in duration; concise expression

bristle:to show irritation

broach:introduce; bring up for discussion or debate; announce

brusque:abrupt and curt in manner or speech; rudely abrupt, unfriendly

bulwark:earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends

bureaucracy:over-regulated administrative system

burgeon:grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly

burnish:make shiny by rubbing; polish

buttress:support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplyingevidence

byline:the line that tells you who wrote an article

cacophony:discordant loud noises

cajole:influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering

caldron:large kettle or boiler of copper, brass, or iron

callow:youthful; immature; inexperienced; without feathers

candid:straightforward; frank; free from preudice; impartial

candor:frankness; quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude andspeech

cantankerous:ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction oropposition; ugly; malicious

capacious:capable of containing a large quantity; spacious or roomy

capitulate:surrender; end all resistance; give up; go along with or comply

carping:fault-finding; excessive complaining; of unreasonable criticism or censure


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cartographer:one who makes maps or charts

castigate:critici%e severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication

catharsis:purging or cleansing of any passage of body

caucus:private meeting of members of a party to select officers or determine policy

caustic:capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action

cavalcade:ceremonial procession or display; succession or series

celerity:swiftness of action or motion; speed

censorious:critical; addicted to censure; severe in making remarks on others, or ontheir writings or manners; implying or expressing censure

censure:expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame

cerebral:relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional

certitude:state of being certain; complete assurance; confidence

chary:cautious; sparing or restrained about giving

chastises:punishes

chicanery:mean or unfair artifice to obscure truth; deception by trickery orsophistry

chimerical:fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; imaginative

choleric:hot-tempered; easily angered; bad-tempered; expressing anger

chronicler:person who records historical information

circuitous:being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit;not direct

circumlocution:indirect or roundabout expression; evasion in speech or writing

circumscribe:limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle

circumspect:carefully aware of all circumstances; cautious

circumvent:surround; enclose or entrapoutwit; beat through cleverness and wit

clairvoyant:having foresight; fortuneteller

clamor:noise; loud outcry; expression of discontent or protest

clandestine:secret; conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods


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counterfeit:make a copy of, usually with the intent to defraud; forge

covert:secretive, not openly shown

cower:recoil in fear or servility; shrink away from

credible:capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entitled toconfidence; trustworthy

creditable:praiseworthy

credulous:apt to believe on slight evidence; easily imposed upon; unsuspecting;believed too readily

crepuscular:active at dawn and dusk

cringe:shrink or recoil, as in fear, disgust or embarrassment; bend or crouch withbase humility

cryptic:having hidden meaning; mystifying; using code or cipher

curtail:cut short or reduce; cut off end or tail, or any part

cynical:skeptical of motives of others; selfishly calculating; negative or pessimistic

debility:weakness; incapacity

debunking:exposing false claims or myths

decathlon:an athletic competition with ten events

decorum:propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions orrequirements of polite behavior

decoy:lure or bait; means used to mislead or lead into danger

deference:willingness to carry out the wishes of others; great respect

defoliate:strip leaves or branches from; cause leaves of plant, tree, or forest to falloff, especially by use of chemicals

defunct:dead; no longer in use or existence

degradation:humiliation; debasement; decline to a lower condition, quality, or level

deleterious:having harmful effect; inurious; having quality of destroying life;noxious; poisonous

deliberate:consider; think about carefully; weigh

delineation:demarcation; explanation; definition; outlining

demur:obect because of doubts; hesitate


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denounce:condemn openly; critici%e; make known in formal manner

deplete:decrease fullness of; use up or empty out

deplore:feel or express strong disapproval of; condemn; express sorrow or grief

over; regret

depravity:extreme corruption or degradation; wickedness

deprecate:express disapproval of; protest against; belittle

deride:ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt

derogatory:expressing low opinion; disparaging; belittling

desecrate:violate with violence, especially to sacred place

desecration:spoiling something holy

desist:cease to proceed or act; stop; forbear

despondent:in low spirits from loss of hope or courage

destitution:hardship; poverty; misery

deter:keep from; stop; prevent or discourage from acting

deteriorate:become worse; decline

detrimental:causing damage or harm; inurious

devoured:greedily eaten&consumed

dexterous:skillful in the use of the hands; having mental skill

dichotomy:a division into two parts

didactic:intended to teach; instructive

diffident:lacking confidence

digress:turn aside, especially from main subect in writing or speaking

dike:dam; embankment

dilemma:predicament; state of uncertainty or between equally unfavorable options

dilettante:person who dabbles in a subect without serious study

diligent:assiduous; industrious; hard-working

diorama:model of a scene


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dirge:a piece of music of a mournful character, to accompany funeral rites; funeralhymn

disapprobation:disapproval

discern:detect; perceive

discord:conflict; lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things

discordancy:cacophony; harshness; arring

discrepancy:lack of consistency; difference

discriminate:make a clear distinction; distinguish; make sensible decisions; udgewisely

discursiveness:long windedness; indirectness

disdain:view with scorn or contempt; feel with aversion

enfranchise:admit to rights of citi%enship, especially the right to vote

engender:cause; bring into existence; give rise to

enhance:make better or more attractive; increase; improve

enigma:pu%%le; difficult problem

ensconce:settle oneself securely or comfortably; place or conceal in secure place

enshroud:cover

enunciation:clear pronunciation; accent; articulation

envenom:to cause bitterness and bad feeling

ephemeral:short-lived; enduring a very short time

epicure:a person with refined taste, especially in food and wine

epistle:a writing directed or sent to a person or persons; a written communication;letter

epistolary:consisting of letters; written in form of or carried on by letters

epitomized:typified; characteri%ed; personified

equivocate:lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth

err:make a mistake

erratic:no fixed or regular course; wandering


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esoteric:hard to understand; known only in a particular group

espouse:take in marriage; marry; give one's loyalty or support to; adopt

etymology:study of historical development of languages, particularly as manifested

in individual words

eulogy:expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death

Basic GRE 600 Words 2This is a primary list for any GRE exam preparation. In all GRE practices, reading or writing,you cannot avoid these words. You have to get them if you want to get a good GRE score.

euphemism:mild expression to replace offensive, unpleasant, or embarrassing one

euphony:pleasant sounds

evacuate:make empty; empty out; remove contents of

exacerbate:increase severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate

exasperated:frustrated; annoyed

exceptionable:open or liable to obection or debate; liable to cause disapproval

exculpate:pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

execrable:very bad; extremely inferiorl; intolerable; very hateful

exegesis:explanation; interpretation, especially of biblical or religious text

exemplary:serving as model; outstanding; typical

exemplify:serve as an example of; embody

exhaustive:treating all parts or aspects without omission; comprehensive

exonerates:acquits; absolves; removes blame

exorcism:act of exorcising; driving out of evil spirits from persons or places byconuration

expatriate:someone who has withdrawn from his native land

expedient:suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest

expedite:process fast and efficiently; execute quickly and efficiently


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exposition:exhibition; part of a play that provides the background information;opening section of a fugue

extol:praise highly; glorify; celebrate

extradite:deport from one country back to the home country

extraneous:not essential; coming from outside

extrapolate:extend; predict on the basis of known data

extrinsic:external; not essential; extraneous

fallacious:false; tending to mislead; deceptive

falter:be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence

fanatical:cra%y; frenetic

fanaticism:excessive %eal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause

fastidious:difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessivelyparticular demanding about details

fatuous:foolish or silly, especially in self-satisfied way

feasible:capable of being accomplished or brought about

fecund:fertile

felicitous:apt; suitably expressed; well chosen

fervor:intensity of feeling; warmth of feeling; intense, heated emotion

fickle:not fixed or firm; liable to change; unstable; of a changeable mind

finesse:refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful, subtle handling

fitful:intermittently stopping and starting; irregular; variable; unstable

flagrant:obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice

flamboyant:elaborately or excessively ornamented

flaunt:display proudly or shamelessly; show oneself off

flippant:lacking proper seriousness; speaking freely; talkative; communicative

hamper:put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of

hangar:shelter especially for housing or repairing aircraft

harangue:noisy speech; speech or piece of writing with strong feeling or expression


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harbingers:indicators; bringers of warnings

hasten:accelerate; quicken

haughtiness:pride; arrogance; highness or loftiness

headstrong:stubbornly and often recklessly willful; unyielding

hedonism:self indulgence; pleasure-seeking

hedonist:one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life

heed:pay attention to; listen to and consider

heresy:opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion

hiatus:gap; interruption in duration or continuity; pause

hidebound:rigid in opinions

hieroglyphics:!. picture writing; $. writing which is difficult to read or enigmatic

hinder:put at a disadvantage; tie up; hamper; prevent the progress

histrionic:characteristic of acting or stage performance

hoary:gray or white with or as if with age; covered with grayish hair

hone:sharpen; perfect or make more intense or effective

hyperbole:figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis;overstatement

hypochondriac:patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments; one who ismorbidly anxious about his health, and generally depressed

hypocritical:pretending to be virtuous; deceiving

iconoclast:person who opposes orthodoxy

idiosyncrasy:behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

ignominious:shameful

ignominy:deep disgrace; shame or dishonor

illuminate:provide or brighten with light; clear up or make understandable;enlighten

illusory:deceptive or tending of deceive; not real

immoderate:excessive; extreme


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immutable:unable to be changed without exception; not mutable

impartial:not biased; fair; showing lack of favoritism

impecunious:without money; poor; penniless

impious:irreverent; lacking due respect or dutifulness

impoverished:poor; reduced to poverty; deprived of natural richness or strength

impromptu:without previous preparation

inadvertent:not intentional; not on purpose; careless; negligent; inattentive

incantation:singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; verbal charm orspell

incarceration:putting in prison

incessant:uninterrupted; unceasing; continuing without interruption

incipient:beginning to exist or appear; in an early stage

inclination:preference; tendency; inclined surface; slope

incoherent:lacking cohesion, connection, or harmony; unable to think in clearmanner

incongruous:not fitting; lacking in harmony or compatibility

inconsequential:insignificant; lacking importance; not following from premises orevidence; illogical

inconspicuous:not easily seen; subtle; not noticeable

indelible:impossible to remove, erase, or wash away; permanent

indifferent:having no particular interest or concern; being neither good nor bad

indigenous:native; originating where it is found

indolence:la%iness

inductee:novice; beginner

indulgent:yielding; lenient; forbearing or tolerant

inebriation:drunkenness; intoxication

ineffable:unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech

inept:lacking of udgment, sense, or reason; unsuited; inappropriate; foolish


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inertia:property of matter by which it tends when at rest to remain so, and when inmotion to continue in motion, and in the same straight line or direction

inevitable:unavoidable; incapable of being avoided or prevented

inexorable:not capable of being swayed; unyielding; implacable

inexpedient:not advisable

infallible:incapable of failure or error

infamous:notoriously bad; having exceedingly bad reputation

infer:deduce; conclude from evidence or premises; lead to as a consequence orconclusion

kindle:build or fuel a fire; cause to glow; light up; inspire

knotty:tied in knots; covered with knots or knobs; difficult to understand or solve

labyrinth:ma%e; complex structure of interconnecting passages

labyrinthine:complicated; highly convoluted

laceration:torn, ragged wound; rough or agged breach made by rending

lachrymose:weeping or inclined to weep; tearful; showing sorrow

lackluster:dull; lacking luster or shine

laconic:brief; effectively cut short; marked by use of few words

lamentation:expression of regret or sorrow

lampoon:ridicule; subect to abusive ridicule expressed in work of art

lance:weapon, consisting of long handle and steel blade or head; spear carried byhorsemen, often decorated with small flag

languid:lacking energy or vitality; weak; sluggish; lacking spirit or liveliness

languish:lose animation; be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor

larceny:unlawful taking and removing of another's personal property; theft

largess:generous gift; money or gifts bestowed

laud:give praise to; glorify; celebrate or honor

lavish:liberal; wasteful; excessive spending

lax:loose and not easily controlled; lacking in rigor or strictness


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legend:explanatory list of symbols on a map; unverified story handed down fromearlier times

legion:a body of foot soldiers and cavalry consisting of different numbers atdifferent periods; military force; military bands; a great number

lethargic:drowsy; dull; indifferent or apathetic

levity:lack of seriousness; lightness of manner or speech, especially wheninappropriate

libertarian:one who advocates individual rights and free will

liniment:medicinal liquid that is rubbed into skin to relieve muscular stiffness andpain

lithe:flexible; moving and bending with ease

livid:lead-colored; black and blue; discolored, as from a bruise; extremely angry

lobbyist:person who tries to persuade someone to support a particular cause

lofty:high, tall, having great height; idealistic, implying over-optimism

longevity:long life; great duration of life; long duration or continuance, as in anoccupation

loquacious:talkative; given to continual talking; chattering

lucid:easily understood; clear; intelligible

ludicrous:laughable; completely devoid of wisdom or good sense

lukewarm:!. unenthusiastic; $. neither hot nor cold

lummox:big or clumsy, often stupid person

luscious:pleasing or sweet to taste or smell

lynch:execute without due process of law, especially to hang, as by a mob

machinations:plots and plans

maelstrom:whirlpool; powerful circular current of water

magnanimous:generous; high-minded or great-souled; chivalrous

magnate:powerful or influential person, especially in business or industry

maladroit:showing lack of skill; clumsy or awkward

malady:disease, disorder, or ailment; unwholesome condition


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malediction:curse; evil speaking; utterance of curse or execration

malefactor:criminal; one who does evil or inury to another

malinger:deliberately avoid work; shirk

malingerer:one who feigns illness to escape duty

malleable:capable of being shaped by pounding; impressionable

mallet:hammer; a tool resembling a hammer but with a large head; a lightdrumstick with a rounded head

manipulatable:influencable; controllable

marred:damaged or disfigured by inury or rough wear

marshal:put in order; arrange or place something in line

marsupial:any mammal of which the female typically has a pouch in which it rearsits young, such as kangaroo or koala

martinet:strict disciplinarian; one who demands absolute adherence to forms andrules

masochist:one who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment

matriarchy:society governed by women

maverick:one that refuses to abide or be independent; an unbranded range animal

meager:deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; inadequate; feeble

meander:follow a winding and turning course; move aimlessly and idly withoutfixed direction

mellow:soft; melodious; ripe

menagerie:collection of live wild animals on exhibition; enclosure in which wildanimals are kept

noxious:harmful to living things; inurious to health

nuance:subtle or slight degree of difference

nullify:make invalid; make null; invalidate; counteract force or effectiveness of

nuzzle:cuddle; snuggle

obdurate:hardened in wrongdoing or wickedness; not giving in to persuasion

obfuscate:confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex


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objective:not influenced by emotions; having actual existence or reality

oblique:having slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined

obliterate:destroy completely; do away with completely so as to leave no trace

oblivious:inattentive or unmindful; lacking all memory; forgetful

obscure:darken; make dim or indistinct; conceal in obscurity

obscured:hidden; covered; buried

obsequious:slavishly attentive; attempting to win favor from influential people byflattery

obsession:compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion

obsolete:no longer useful; outmoded; antiquated

obstreperous:noisily aggressive; making great noise or outcry

obtuse:lacking in insight or discernment; stupid

obviate:bypass requirement or make it unnecessary; get rid of

odious:hateful; arousing strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure

officious:marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice toothers

ogle:look at amorously; cast glances as in fondness or to attract notice

olfactory:relating to, or contributing to sense of smell

ominous:threatening; foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

omnipotent:all-powerful; having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force

omniscient:having total knowledge; knowing everything

onerous:burdensome or oppressive; not easily borne; wearing

onus:burden or obligation; difficult or disagreeable responsibility or necessity

opaque:impenetrable by light; not transparent; not reflecting light; having no luster

opulent:wealthy; rich; magnificent

ordain:decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine

ornate:excessively or elaborately decorated; flashy, showy, or florid in style ormanner


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orthodox:traditional; conservative in belief; adhering to established faith, especiallyin religion

ossify:change or form into bone; become set in a rigidly conventional pattern;change from soft tissue to hard bony tissue

ostentatious:showy; pretentious; trying to attract attention

oust:expel; eect from a position or place; force out

overt:open to view; not secret or hidden

overwrought:extremely disturbed from emotion

palatable:acceptable; sufficiently agreeable in flavor to be eaten

palisade:fence made of posts

Basic GRE 600 Words 3

This is a primary list for any GRE exam preparation. In all GRE practices, reading or writing,you cannot avoid these words. You have to get them if you want to get a good GRE score.

pallid:abnormally pale; lacking intensity of color or luminousness

palpable:tangible; easily perceptible; unmistakable

panacea:remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all

paradigm:one that serves as a pattern or model; system of assumptions, concepts,values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality

paradox:something apparently contradictory in nature; statement that looks falsebut is actually correct

paragon:model of excellence or perfection; peerless example

paramount:foremost in importance; supreme in rank

parasite:animal or plant living on another

parched:dried out by heat; toasted or roasted slightly

pariah:social outcast; person who is reected from society or home

parity:equality in status or amount; similarity or close

parochial:narrow in outlook; related to local church community


18/25

parody:work or performance that imitates another work or performance withridicule or irony; make fun of

parry:avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing

parsimonious:excessively unwilling to spend; excessively sparing or frugal

parsimony:extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend moneyunnecessarily

partisan:one-sided; preudiced; committed to a party

pathos:tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings

patron:benefactor; regular customer

patronize:act as a patron to; support or sponsor

placid:peaceful; tranquil; calm or quiet

plaintiff:one who brings a suit in civil law against a defendant; accuser

plaudit:enthusiastically worded approval; round of applause

plausible:likely but not certain to be or become true or real

plethora:excess; overfullness in any respect; superabundance

pliable:flexible; yielding; easily bent or shaped

plumage:covering of feathers on bird; feathers used ornamentally; elaborate dress

plummet:fall straight down; plunge; decline suddenly and steeply

podium:platform raised above surrounding level to give prominence to person on it

poignant:deeply moving; strongly affecting the emotions

poised:calm; collected; self-possessed

polemical:aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious

ponderous:slow and laborious because of weight; labored and dull

pontificate:speak pompously or dogmatically

portend:foretell; serve as an omen or a warning of; indicate by prediction

portent:omen; forewarning; something that portends an event about to occur,especially unfortunate or evil event

poseur:person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant to impress others


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posterity:descendants; future generations

posthumous:after death, as of child born after father's death or book publishedafter author's death

postulate:essential premise; underlying assumption

potable:suitable for drinking; drinkable

potent:powerful; having power to influence or convince; having great control orauthority

pragmatic:practical as opposed to idealistic; concerned with the practical worth orimpact of something

pragmatist:who acts in response to particular situations rather than upon abstractideals

preamble:introductory statement; introductory paragraph or division of discourseor writing

precarious:uncertain; risky; dangerously lacking in security or stability

precedent:act or instance that may be used as example in subsequent similar cases

precept:rule or principle prescribing particular action or conduct; authori%eddirection or order

precinct:district or division of city; place or enclosure by definite limits

precipice:cliff; overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock; dangerous position

precipitous:extremely steep; descending rapidly, or rushing onward

preclude:make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent; eliminate

precocious:advanced in development; appearing or developing early

predecessor:former occupant of post; ancestor or forefather

predicament:tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma; troublesome

preeminent:outstanding; superior to or notable above all others

prerogative:privilege; unquestionable right; exclusive power to command

prescient:having fore-knowledge

presentiment:sense that something is about to occur; anticipatory fear;premonition

presumptuous:overconfident; going beyond what is right or proper; excessively


20/25

forward

pretentious:intended to attract notice and impress others; making unustifiedclaims; overly ambitious

prevaricate:lie; stray from or evade truth; behave in evasive way such as to delay

action

pristine:uncorrupted by civili%ation; primitive; remaining free from dirt or decay

proclivity:inclination; natural tendency; readiness; facility of learning

procrastinate:postpone or delay needlessly; put off doing something, especially outof habitual carelessness or la%iness

prodigal:wasteful; reckless with money

prodigious:impressively great in si%e, force, or extent; enormous

profane:violate; put to improper, unworthy, or degrading use; abuse

profanity:swearing; cursing

profound:deep; not superficial; far-reaching

profundity:depth

proletarian:member of working class; blue collar person

prolific:producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile

proponents:promoters; supporters

prosaic:dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact; factual

proscribe:command against; banish; outlaw

prosody:study of versification

prostration:!. lying face down; $. be overcome with extreme weakness

protagonist:principal character in a work of fiction; main character in a drama;leader of a cause; champion

remuneration:payment for work done

renown:fame; quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

replete:filled to brim or to point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied

reprehensible:deserving blame; admonition; blameworthy

reprieve:temporary relief from harm or discomfort; postponement or cancellation of


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punishment

repudiate:disown; refuse to acknowledge; reect validity or authority of

rescind:cancel; make void; repeal or annul

resignation:act of resigning or giving up, as a claim, possession, or office;surrender

resolution:determination; resolving to do something; formal statement of adecision

resonant:echoing; strong and deep in tone; resounding; having lasting presence oreffect

respite:usually short interval of rest or relief; delay in punishment

resplendent:da%%ling; glorious; shining with brilliant luster; very bright

restorative:a tonic

retention:preservation; withholding

reticent:inclined to keep silent; reserved; uncommunicative.

retraction:withdrawal; cancellation of a statement

revere:worship; regard with feelings of respect or honor

riddled:full of "usually full of holes#

rife:excessively abundant or numerous; in widespread existence, practice, or use

rigor:strictness or severity, as in temperament, action, or udgment; somethinghard to endure

robust:vigorous; full of health and strength; vigorous

rotund:round

ruminate:chew over and over mentally, or like cows physically; mull over; ponder

ruse:trick; use of artifice or trickery; deceptive maneuver, especially to avoidcapture

saccharin:falsely sweet

sacrosanct:regarded as sacred and inviolable

sagacious:perceptive; shrewd; having insight

sage:one celebrated for wisdom, experience, and udgment; various plants of thegenus alvia


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salacious:lustful; suggestive of or tending to moral looseness

sallow:yellowish

salubrious:healthful; favorable to health; promoting health; wholesome

salutary:tending to improve; beneficial; favorable to health

sanctimonious:excessively or hypocritically pious; possessing sanctity; sacred;holy; saintly; religious

sanction:give authori%ation or approval to something; penali%e a state, especiallyfor violating international law

sanguinary:bloodthirsty; bloody

sanguine:cheerfully confident; optimistic; of healthy reddish color; ruddy

sardonic:disdainful or ironically humorous; cynical; scornful and mocking

savant:scholar; man of learning or science; one eminent for learning

scale:climb up or over; alter according to a standard; estimate or measure; removein layers

scapegoat:someone who bears the blame for others

scrupulous:exactly and carefully conducted; by extreme care and great effort;cautious

scrutinize:examine closely and critically

scuttle:scurry; run with short, rapid steps

seminary:school, especially a theological school for training of priests, ministers, orrabbis; school of higher education, especially for girls

sensuous:appealing to the senses

sentinel:one that keeps guard; soldier stationed as a guard

sequester:isolate; retire from public life; segregate; seclude

serendipity:gift for finding valuable or desirable things by accident; accidental goodfortune or luck

serene:completely clear and fine

serrated:saw-like; having a row of sharp or tooth-like proections

servile:slavish; suitable to slave or servant; relating to servitude or forced labor


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skeptical:marked by or given to doubt; questioning

skirmish:minor battle in war; minor or preliminary conflict or dispute

sluggard:la%y person; person habitually la%y, idle, and slow; sluggish; la%y

smelt:melt or blend ores, changing their chemical composition

smorgasbord:a swedish buffet of cold dishes

solace:comfort or relieve in sorrow, misfortune, or distress

solicit:request earnestly; seek to obtain by persuasion or formal application

somnambulist:sleepwalker; person who walks in his sleep

soothsayer:fortuneteller

talisman:charm to bring good luck and avert misfortune; something that apparentlyhas magic power

tangent:going off the main subect

tangible:able to be touched; real or concrete; palpable

tardy:late; delayed; moving slowly

tawdry:cheap in nature or appearance; tastelessly showy; shameful or indecent

tedium:dullness owing to length or slowness; boredom

temper:moderate; tone down or restrain; bring to a desired consistency; adustfinely

tenacious:sticking together; stubbornly unyielding; holding together firmly

tentative:hesitant; not fully worked out or developed; experimental; not definite orpositive

tenuous:long and thin; slender; having little substance

terse:effectively concise; appearing as if wiped or rubbed, as smooth

therapeutic:curative; having or exhibiting healing powers; relating to healing art

thwart:hinder or prevent of ; frustrate

timorous:fearful; demonstrating fear; weakly hesitant

tirade:extended scolding; long angry or violent speech

titter:laugh in a restrained, nervous way; giggle


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tome:large volume; large and scholarly book

torpid:having lost motion, or the power of exertion and feeling; numb; benumbed

torpor:state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility; sluggishness; dormancy

totter:walk unsteadily or feebly; stagger; sway, as if about to fall

tractable:easily managed or controlled; governable; easily handled or worked;docile

tranquil:free from disturbance; pacific

transcribe:copy; write over again in same words

transgress:pass over or beyond; surpass

transient:momentary; temporary; staying for short time

traverse:go through or across, often under difficult conditions

trepidation:state of alarm or dread; nervous apprehension; involuntary tremblingor quivering

trinket:cheap showy ewelry or ornament on clothing

trite:repeated too often; over familiar through overuse; worn out by use

trivial:unimportant; of little significance or value; ordinary; commonplace

truant:wandering from business or duty; idle, and shirking duty

truncate:cut the top off; make shorter as if by cutting off

tumult:noise, as made by a crowd; riot or uprising

turpitude:depravity; corrupt, depraved, or degenerate act

tyro:beginner in learning something; novice

ubiquitous:being or existing everywhere; omnipresent

unalloyed:not alloyed; not reduced by foreign admixture; unmixed; unqualified;pure

unctuous:oily; composed of oil or fat; characteri%ed by affected, exaggerated, orinsincere earnestness

undermined:damaged; attacked

underscore:draw a mark or line under; emphasi%e; stress

unequivocal:admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; clear and unambiguous


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unfetter:liberate; free from chains; set free or keep free from restrictions or bonds

unfrock:strip a priest or minister of church authority; remove from status asmember of clergy

unprecedented:having no previous example; novel; unparalleled

unscathed:not inured or unharmed

unwitting:not intended; not knowing; unaware; ignorant

upbraid:severely critici%e; reprimand; reprove sharply

uproarious:characteri%ed by loud, confused noise, or by noisy and uncontrollablelaughter

upshot:final result; outcome or effect; central idea or point; gist

urbane:showing a high degree of refinement

utilitarian:practical and functional, not ust for show

utopian:idealistic but usually impractical social reformer

vacillate:sway unsteadily from one side to the other; oscillate

vacuous:empty; showing lack of thought or intelligence; vacant

vagrant:person without home or ob; bird found outside its species' usual range

vapid:dull and unimaginative; lacking taste or flavor

variegated:streaked, spotted, or marked with a variety of color; very colorful

vehemence:violence; fervor; forcefulness

vehement:forceful; intensely emotional; inclined to react violently

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3. Basic GRE 600 Words