SAT Vocabulary:
Difficulty Level 1
Abacus• Definition: a frame with beads or
balls used for doing arithmetic. Sentence: “Use the abacus to solve the following math equation.”
Adjunct• Definition: connected or attached
in a secondary or subordinate way.
Sentence: “The rice acts as an adjunct to the main course.”
Adorn• Definition: ornament; to put
decorations on somethingSentence: “The tree was adorned with Christmas lights.”
Aesthetic • Definition: artistic; sensitive to
art and beautySentence: “The artist’s paintings lacked any aesthetic quality.”
Affable• Definition: gentle and kindlySentence: “I always found him a very affable, approachable guy.”
Aggrandize• Definition: to make seem greaterSentence: “Clowns aggrandize balloons by turning them into animals.”
Anarchy• Definition: the complete absence
of governmentSentence: “If we had no laws the country would fall into anarchy.”
Apathetic• Definition: feeling little or no
emotion; unmovedSentence: “The apathetic man ignored the homeless man on the street.”
Ballad• Definition: a romantic or
sentimental song.Sentence: “The man sang his a wife a beautiful ballad on her birthday.”
Beacon• Definition: any light or warning
for guidingSentence: “A lighthouse works by sending out a beacon of light to tell ships where to land.”
Bias• Definition: a mental leaning or
inclination; partialitySentence: “In order to be selected to a jury you must show no bias.”
Blandishment• Definition: a flattering act or
remark meant to persuadeSentence: “I will not allow you to blandish me into doing as you wish.”
Buttress• Definition: a projecting structure
built against a wall to support or reinforce it
Sentence: “The men constructed the buttress to help support the tower.”
Callous• Definition: unfeeling; lacking pity
or mercySentence: “That was a callous act, which left her hand painful and badly bruised.”
Colloquial• Definition: conversational;
having to do with or like conversation
Sentence: “Most of the lectures were formal and boring, but the last one was more engaging and lively because of its colloquial nature.”
Conciliatory • Definition: tending to reconcileSentence: "She was still angry with her uncle despite his conciliatory words."
Daunt• Definition: intimidate; to make
afraid or discouragedSentence: “Climbing Mount Everest will daunt even the most experienced climbers.”
Eccentricity• Definition: irregularity; odditySentence: “The boy was looked at strangely due to his eccentricity.”
Fallacious• Definition: misleading or
deceptiveSentence: “The executives speech seemed fallacious to the informed.”
Genial• Definition: cheerful; friendly;
sympatheticSentence: “Her genial attitude is her greatest strength.”