Word List : A

 
abacus: frame with balls for calculating
abate: to lessen, to subside
abdication: giving up control, authority
abdomen: stomach and bowels
aberration: straying away from what is normal
abeyance; suspended action
abhor: to hate, to detest
abide: be faithful to; endure
abjure: promise or swear to give up
abraded: rubbed off, worn away by friction
abrasion: rubbing, scraping, wearing off
abrogate: repeal or annul by authority
abscond: to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse: difficult to comprehend; obscure
abundant: plentiful
abut: border on
abysmal: bottomless, extreme
acarpous: effete, no longer fertile, worn out
accentuate: give more force or attention to
acclaimed: welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade: praise, approval
accretion: the growing of separate things into one
acquiesce: in agree (without protest)
acquisition: smth acquired, acquiring
adamant: kind of stone; inflexible
adhere: remain faithful, stick fast to
adhesion: adhering, support
adjacent: lying near, next
admonitory: containing warning
adorn: add beauty; decorate
adulteration: making unpure, poorer in quality
affinity: close connection, relationship
aggravate: make worse; irritate
agile: active, quick-moving
ail: trouble; be ill
alacrity: eager and cheerful readiness
alienate: estrange
allegiance: duty, support, loyalty
alleviate: make (pain) easier to bear
alloy: to debase by mixing with something inferior
aloof: reserved, indifferent
amalgamate: mix, combine, unite societies
ambidextrous: able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous: doubtful, uncertain
ambivalent: having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate: improve, make better
amendment: improving
amicable: friendly
amortize: end (a debt) by setting aside money
amplify: make large or fuller, increase the strength
animosity: strong dislike
annul: put an end to
anticlimax: sudden fall
antidote: medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical: direct opposing
apartheid: brutal racial discrimination
apathetic: indifference
aplomb: self-confidence
apostate: one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis: deification, glorification to godliness
appease: make quiet or calm
apprehensive: grasping, understanding; fear, unhappy feeling about future
apprise: give notice to, inform
approbation: approval
appropriate: take for one's own use, acquire, set aside
apropos: appropriate to the situation; apt
apt: well-suited, quick-witted
arabesque: a complex, ornate design
arabesque: whimsical
arbitrate: decide by arbitration
arboreal: of connected with trees
ardently: with full of ardor
ardor: enthusiasm
arduous: steep, difficult ascent; laborious
argot: jargon, slang
arrant: in the highest degree
arrogance: proud, superior manner of behaviour
articulate: speak distinctly, connect by joints
ascend: go or come up
ascent: the act of ascending
ascertain: get to know
ascetic: practicing self-denial, austere, stark
ascribe: consider to be the origin of or belonging to
asperity: roughness, harshness, ill temper, irritability
aspersion: slander
assail: with attack violently
asset: valuable quality, smth that has money value
assiduous: diligent, hard-working, sedulous
assuage: make smth (pain, desire) less
assumption: smth supposed but not proved
asterisk: the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)
astringent: substance that shrinks
astute: clever; quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement: repayment; death of Jesus
attenuate: make thin. weaken, enervate
audacious: daring, foolishly bold, impudent
augury: omen, sign
august: majestic, venerable
auspice: protection or support, patronage
auspicious: favorable, successful, prosperous
austere: severely moral and strict; simple and plain
auxiliary: helping, supporting
aver: affirm, assert, prove, justify
aversion: strong dislike
avid: eager, greedy
avow: admit. Declare openly

Word List: B  

 
Baleful- harmful, ominous, causing evil
Balk- obstacle; purposely to get on the way of
Balloon- swell out like balloon
Balm- sweet-smelling oil; consolation
Banal- uninteresting
Band- flat, thin strip of material; range of frequencies
Bane- cause of injury, poison, source of harm
Baneful- causing harm or ruin, pernicious, destructive
Barrage- artificial obstacle built across a river
Barren- not good enough, unable to have young ones, without value
bask in- enjoy warmth and light
bazaar- market
be irreconcilable- cannot be brought into harmony
beatify- to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen- to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner
belie- contradict, give a false impression
belittle- cause to seem unimportant
bellicose- belligerent, pugnacious, warlike
belligerent- (person, nation) waging war
belligerently- waging war
bend- cause smth to be out of a straight line
benefactor- person who has given help
benevolence- wish or activity in doing good
benign- kind and gentle; mild (climate)
bequest- arrangement to give smth at death
berate - scold sharply
bereft- rob or dispossess of smth (material)
bewilder- puzzle, confuse
biased- prejudice
bigot - stubborn, narrow-minded person
bilge - bulge, the protuberance of a cask
blandishment- flattery, coaxing
blandness- polite manner, comforting, uninteresting
blatant - noisy and rough
blithe - cheerful, casual, carefree
blithe - gay and joyous
blueprint- plan, scheme, photographic print
blunt- plain, not troubling to be polite
boggle- be alarmed, hesitate, amazed
bogus - sham, counterfeit, not genuine
boisterous - loud, noisy, rough, lacking restraint
bolster- give greatly needed support
boorish - crude, offensive, rude
braid - strands of hair woven together, smth edging sloth
brash - hasty, rush; cheeky, saucy
brass - yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen- made of brass
breach- opening, broken place, breaking
brisk - active, lively
brisket - breast of an animal
brittle - easily broken
broach - bring up, announce, begin to talk about
brook - to tolerate, endure
buoyant- able to float; light-hearted
burgeon - grow forth, send out buds
burnish- to polish, rub to a shine
bust - run out of money

Word List: C
 
cabal - a scheme or plot, a group of plotters

cadge - to beg, to get by begging

calipers - metal supports attached to the
legs, measuring instrument
calumniate - to slander, present false
accusal
calumny - slander, aspersion
candid - frank, straight-forward
canvass - discuss thoroughly; sort of
touting
capricious- fickle, whimsical, given to
change, unpredictable
castigate - to chastise, correct by punishing
castigation - severe punishment
casual - happening by chance, careless
catalyst - substance that causes speeding up
caustic - biting, sarcastic
censure - expression of blame or
disapproval; a rebuke
census - official counting of the population
centurion - leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary - cautious, wary
chastened- corrected, punished
chastisement - punishment
chauvinist- a blindly devoted patriot
chisel - steel tool for shaping materials
churl - bad-tempered person
cite - give as an example
clamor - shout, complain with a lot of noise
cleanse - make pure, thoroughly clean
cling to - resist separation
clot - half-solid lump formed from liquid
cloture - closing, device (in Parliament) to
end a debate by voting
coalescing - coming together and uniting
into one substance
coax - get smb to do smth by kindness
coddle - treat with care and tenderness
coerce - compel, to force to make obedient
coeval - of the same period, coexisting
cogent - strong, convincing
cogitate - think deeply, mediate
cognition- knowing, awareness
(emotionless)
cognizant - being fully aware of
coherent - sticking together
colander - bowl-shaped vessel with many
holes used to drain off water
collaborate- work in partnership
collusion - secret agreement for a deceitful
purpose
combustion - process of burning
commemorate - keep the memory of
commend - praise
commendable - worthy of praise
commingle - mingle together
commuter - person who travels regularly
complacently- with self-satisfaction
complaisance - tending to comply, obliging,
willingness to please
comply - act in accordance
compound - mix or combine
comprise - be composed of
compunction- feeling of regret for one's
action
conceal - hide, keep secret
conceit - over-high opinion of, too much
pride
conciliatory - reconciling, soothing,
comforting, mollifying
concord - agreement or harmony
concur- agree in opinion, happen together
condense - increase in density, strength,
make laconic
condone - forgive
congeal - make or become stiff and solid
conjoin - to join together
connoisseur - a person with good
judgement (e.g.. in art)
connotation - suggestion in addition to
consent - give agreement or permission
consequential - pompous, self important
consolation - consoling or being consoled
console- give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous- easily seen; remarkable
consternation- surprise and fear, dismay
constrict - make tight or smaller
consume - get to the end of
contemn - to scorn or despise
contentious - argumentative, pugnacious,
combative, quarrelsome
contiguous- touching, neighboring, near
contrite - filled with deep sorrow for
wrongdoing
contumacious- insubordinate, rebellious
conundrum- a riddle, dilemma, enigma
conviction - convincing; firm belief
convoke - call together, summon
convoluted - complicated; coiled, twisted
cord - twisted strands
cordial - warm and sincere
cordon - line (of police acting as a guard)
corporeal - physical; of or for the body
correlate- have a mutual relation
corroboration- additional, strengthening
evidence
countenance - to favor or approve of
counterfeit - forgery
countervail - counterbalance
covert - disguised
covetous - eagerly desirous
cower - crouch; shrink back
craven - cowardly
crease - line made by crushing; white line
on the ground in cricket
credulity - too great a readiness to believe
things
credulous - ready to believe things
crush - press, lose shape, subdue,
overwhelm
cryptic - secret, with a hidden meaning
cumbersome - burdensome, heavy and
awkward to carry
curmudgeon- bad-tempered person
curriculum- course of study
cursory - quick, hurried
curtail - make shorter then was planned
cynic - person who see no good in anything

Word List: D
 
dart - quick movement; missile in darts
daunt - intimidate, make fearful
dawdler - person who is slow; waste of time
dearth - shortage
debacle - a breakup, overthrow, sudden disaster
decorous - polite, decent
decorum - propriety, properness
decree - order given by authority
decry - disapprove of
defer - postpone; give way (to show respect)
deference - respect
deferential - showing respect
defiance - open disobedience or resistance
deflect - turn aside
defy - resist openly
degrade - reduce in rank or status
delineate - to portray, depict, sketch out
deluge - great flood, heavy rush of water
demagogue - person appealing not to reasons
demur - to hesitate, raise objections
denigrate - blacken, belittle, sully, defame
denouement - an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot
denounce- give information against
dent - hollow, depression mad by a blow
deplete - use until none remains
deposition - dethronement, depositing
deprave - make morally bad; corrupt
deprecate - protest against, express disapproval of
dereliction - deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision - ridicule, mockery, deriding
derivative - derived, not original or primitive
derivative - unoriginal, obtained from another source
derogatory- insulting; tending to damage
descry - catch sight of, see smth in the distance
desiccant- substance used to absorb moisture
desiccate - to dry up, dehydrate
desuetude - cessation of use; disuse
desultory - aimless, haphazard, digressing at random
detach - separate
deter - discourage, hinder
detraction - slandering, verbal attack, aspersion
detumescence - diminishing or lessening of swelling
deviance - being different in moral standards (from normal)
dexterity - skill (esp. in handling)
dexterous - clever, skillful with hands
diaphanous - transparent, gauzy
diatribe - bitter and violent attack in words
dictate - order
diffidence - shyness
diffident - lacking in self-confidence
dilate - speak comprehensively, become wider, large
dilatory - causing delay, procrastinating
disabuse - to undeceive, correct a false impression
disallow - refuse to allow or accept as a correct
discern - see with an effort but clearly
discomfit - confuse, embarrass
discomfit - to defeat, put down
disconcert - upset the self-possession of
discountenance- refuse to approve of
discourse- speech, lecture,
discredit - refuse to believe
disdain - look on with contempt
disencumber - free from encumbrance
disheveled - untidy
disingenuous - sophisticated, artful, trying to deceive, cunning
disinter - dig up from the earth
dislodge - move, force from the place occupied
dismal - sad, gloomy, miserable
disparate - essentially different
dispassionate - free from passion
dissemble - speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)
disseminate- distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent - have a different opinion, refuse to assent
dissipation - going away, dispersing
dissolution - disintegration, looseness in morals
distinct - easily heard, seen, understood, clearly marked
distorted - pulled out of the usual shape, give a false account of
distraught - distracted, violently upset in mind
distress - great pain; cause discomfort
divergence- getting farther apart from a point
diverse - of different kinds
divestiture - taking off, getting rid of, giving up
divulge - make known smth secret
doggerel - trivial, poorly constructed verse
dogmatic - positive, certain, arbitrary, without room for discussion
dogmatism - being dogmatic
dolt - stupid fellow
dormant - in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote - show much fondness, center one's attention
drone - male bee, person who isn't self-employed
drowsiness - feeling sleepy, half asleep
dubious- feeling doubt
dud - no use person, smth that fails
dulcet - melodious, harmonious
dupe- cheat, make a fool of
duplicity - deliberate deception
duress - threats to compel smb
dwarf - person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo - a generator, something that produces electric current
Link to Index: Word List
Word List: E
 
earthenware - dishes made of baked clay
ebullience - exuberance, outburst of feeling
ebullient - overflowing with enthusiasm; showing excitement
ecumenical - representing the whole Christian world
edacious - voracious, devouring
eddy - circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)
effete - infertile, worn out, weak
efficacy - production of a desired result
effluvia - outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor
effrontery - boldness, impudence, arrogance
egress - way out, exit
elaborate - worked out with much care in great detail
elate - stimulate
elation - high-spirits
electorate - all the electors
elegy - a lament, a melancholy composition
elicit - draw out
eloquence - fluent speaking; skillful use of language
emaciate - make thin and weak
embellish - make beautiful
embezzle - use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emergence - emerging
emote - stir up, excite
empirical - relying on experiment
encapsulate - enclose in capsule
encomium - warm or glowing praise; eulogy, panegyric
encumbrance- burden; things that get on the way of
endearing- making dear or liked
endemic - epidemic
endemic - prevailing in a specific area
endorse - write one's name on the back of
enduring - lasting
enervate - weaken, deprive of strength, attenuate
engender - cause, produce, give rise to
engrave - impress deeply
engrossing - taken up all the time or attention; writing in large or formal
engulf - swallow up
enigma- smth that is puzzling
enmity - hatred; being an enemy
enormity- excessive wickedness; evilness
enormousness - great size
entangle- put into difficulties
entreat - ask earnestly
enzyme - catalyst
epicure - food lover, a connoisseur of food
epicurean - devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle - letter
epithet - adjective
epitome - brief summary; representative example; a typical model
equable - steady, regular
equanimity - calmness of temperament
equilibrium - state of being balanced
equipoise - equal distribution of weight; equilibrium
equivocal - having a double or doubtful meaning; suspicious
equivocate- try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate - get rid of; pull up by the roots
erasure - erasing, removing all traces
erode - wear away, eat into
erratic - irregular in behavior or opinion
erudite - learned, scholarly
escalate - increase, develop
esoteric - abstruse; intended only for a small circle of
espouse - marry; give one's support to
eulogy - formal praise; panegyric
euphoria - elation; state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia - easy and painless death
evaluating - finding out the value
evaporate- change into vapor, disappear, die
evince - to show clearly, to indicate
evoke - call up, bring out
evolve - unfold, develop naturally and gradually
excoriate - to flay, strip off the skin; to denounce sharply
excoriation - severe criticism
exculpate - free from blame
exculpate - to clear from a charge of guilt
exert - but forth; bring into use
exertion - instance of exerting
exhaustive - complete, thorough
exigency - emergency, an urgent situation
exonerate - free; clear
exoneration - set smb clear, free (e.g.. from blame)
exorbitant - much too high or great
expatiate - to roam, wander freely
expedient - likely to be useful for a purpose
expiation - ending; expiring
exploit - brilliant achievement; develop; use selfishly
expostulate - argue earnestly to dissuade, correct, or protest
expurgate - to remove obscenity, purify, censor
exscind - to cut out, cut away
exsert - thrust out, push forth
extant - still in existence
extensive - far-reaching
extenuate - reduce the strength of, lessen seriousness, partially excuse
extinct - no longer active
extirpate - to destroy, exterminate, cut out, exscind
extol - praise highly
extort - obtain by threats, violence
extralegal - outside the law
extricable - that can be freed
extrovert - cheerful person
exuberance - state of growing vigorously; being full of life
Word List: F
 
facetious - humorous, funny, jocular
facile - easily done
facilitate - make easy (e.g.. a process of smth)
fallacious - based on error
fallacy - false or mistaken belief
fatuous - without sense, foolish self-satisfaction
faucet - device for controlling the outflow of a liquid
fawn - young deer, try to win smb's favor
feckless - futile, irresponsible, inefficient
feckless - lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective; careless
fecund - fertile
feint - pretend
felicitous - apt; suitably expressed, well chosen, apropos
felon - person guilty of murder
ferment - substance; become excited
ferocity - savage cruelty
ferret - discover by searching; search
fertile - producing much, full of ideas
fertilize - make fertile or productive
fervid - intense, zealous
fervid - showing earnest feeling
fervor - warmth of feelings; earnestness
fetter - to shackle, put in chains
feud - bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity - loyalty, accuracy
fidget - move restlessly, make nervous
figurehead - carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse - delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical - too fussy about food, clothing, etc.
finicky - finical
finite -limited, having bounds
fission - splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate - stare at
flamboyant - brightly colored, florid
flammable - having tendency to burst into flames
flaunting - show off complacently
flaw - crack, lessen value
flax - pale yellow (hair); a plant
fledged - able to fly, trained, experienced
fleet - number of ships, quick-moving
fleeting - passing quickly
flexibility - easily bent without braking
flinch - draw, move back, wince
florid - very much ornamented; naturally red (e.g.. of face)
floridness - ruddiness; heavily decorated; ornateness
flout - reject, mock, to go against (as in going against tradition)
fluster - make nervous or confused
foible - defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil - prevent from carrying out; contrast
foment - put smth warm (to lessen the pain)
foppish - like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forbear - refrain from, be patient; ancestor
forbearance - patience, willingness to wait
ford - shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall - prevent by taking action in advance, preempt
forfeit - suffer the loss of smth
forge - workshop for the shaping of metal; to shape metal; lead
forgery - counterfeit
forswear - renounce, disallow, repudiate
fortify - strengthen
fortuitous - happening by chance
foster - nurture, care for
fragile - easily injured, broken or destroyed
fragrant - sweet-smelling
franchise - special right given by authority
frantic - wildly excited with joy, pain, anxiety
frenetic - frantic, frenzied
fret - worry; irritation; wear away
friction - the rubbing of one thing against another, difference of opinion
fringe - edge; ornamental border; part of hair over the forehead
froward - intractable, not willing to yield or comply, stubborn
frugal - careful, economical
fulminate - berate, vituperate, to thunder out, to explode
fulmination - bitter protest
fulsome - disgusting, offensive due to excessiveness
gainsay - to deny, declare false, to oppose
gambol - quick, playful jumping
garment - article of clothing
garner - to gather and save; to store up
garrulity - talkativeness
garrulous - too talkative
gaucherie - socially awkward, tactless behavior
germane - relevant; pertinent to
gist - the point, general sense
glean - gather facts in small quantities
glib - ready and smooth but not sincere
gloat over - look at with selfish delight
glut - supply to much, fill to excess
gnaw - waste away; bite steadily
goad - smth urging a person to action
gossamer - soft, light, delicate material
gouge - tool for cutting grooves in wood
grace - favor
grave - serious, requiring consideration
gregarious - living in societies; liking the company
grievance - cause for complaint or protest
grievous - causing grief or pain; serious, dire, grave
grimace - twisted expression of a face
grind - crush, polish
grooves - long channel in the surface, habitual way of living
grovel - crawl, humble oneself
guile - deceit, cunning
guileless - straight-forward, candid
gull - cheat, deceive
gullible - easily gulled
gust - outburst of feeling; sudden rain, wind, fire, etc.
Word List: H
 
hack - cut roughly; hired horse
hallow - to make holy; consecrate
hamper - basket with a lid, prevent free movement or activity
hapless - unlucky, unfortunate
harangue - a long, passionate speech
harbinger- smth or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow - to distress, create stress or torment
harsh - rough, cruel, stern
haughty - arrogant; conceited
haven - harbor, safety place
heed - pay attention; notice
heinous - odious (of crime)
heresy - belief contrary to what is generally accepted
hermetic - sealed by fusion
heterogeneous - made up of different kinds
hew - make by hard work; cut (by striking)
hirsute - hairy, shaggy
hoax - mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi polloi - the masses; the rabble
hollow - not soled, with hole
holster - leather case for a pistol
hone - stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink - trick, mislead
hospitable - liking to give hospitality
hubris - arrogant pride
hurdle - light frame, fence to be jumped over
husk - worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy - falsely making oneself appear to be good
Word List: I
 
iconoclast - person who attacks popular beliefs
iconoclastic - attacking cherished beliefs
idiosyncrasy - personal mannerism
idolatrous - worshipping idols
idolatry - excessive admiration of
idyll - a carefree episode or experience
ignoble - dishonorable, common, undignified
ignominious - shameful, dishonorable, undignified, disgraceful
illicit - unlawful, forbidden
illusory - deceptive; an illusion
imbroglio - complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate - pure, faultless
immerse - absorb; put under the surface of
imminent - likely to come or happen soon
immutable - that cannot be changed
impair - worsen, diminish in value
impaired - damaged, weakened
impassive - unmoved; feeling no sign of passion
impecunious - having little or no money
impede - hinder; get in the way of
impediment - smth that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending - imminent, being about to happen, expected
imperative - urgent, essential
imperious - commanding, haughty, arrogant
imperviousness- haughty, arrogant, commanding
impermeable - that cannot be permeated
imperturbable - calm; not capable of being excited
impervious - not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness - arrogance, commanding presence, overbearingness
impetuous - having sudden energy, impulsive, thrusting ahead, forceful
impiety - lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable - incapable of being placated, unpleasable
implausibility - incredibility
implicate - show that smb has a share
implicit - implied though not plainly expressed
implosion - collapse; bursting inward
imply - make a suggestion
importune- beg urgently; solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation - an invocation of evil; a curse
impromptu - without preparation
impudence - being rash, indiscreet
impudent - rash, indiscreet
impugned - challenged, to be doubted
impute - to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe
inadvertent - not paying proper attention
inane - silly, senseless
inasmuch - since, because
incense - make angry
incessant - often repeated, continual
inchoate - not yet fully formed, rudimentary, elementary
incise - engrave, make a cut in
incite - stir up, rouse
inclined - directing the mind in a certain direction
incoherently - not consistently, unclearly
incongruous- out of place, not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility- cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous - skeptical, unwilling to believe
inculcate - fix firmly by repetition
incumbents - official duties
incursion - a raid, a sudden attack
indefatigability - not easily exhaustible; tirelessness
indelible - that cannot be rubbed out
indelicate - immodest; lacking in refinement
indigence - poverty
indigenous - native
indistinct - not easily heard, seen, clearly marked
indolence - laziness
indomitable - not easily discouraged or subdued
indulge - gratify, give way to, satisfy; allow oneself
indulgent - inclined to indulge
ineffable - to great to be described in words
ineluctable - certain, inevitable
inept - unskillful; said or done at the wrong time
infertile - not fertile, barren
inflame- become red, angry
inflammatory - tending to inflame
infuriate - fill with fury or rage
infuse - put, pour, fill
ingenuous - naive, young, artless, frank, honest, sincere
ingest - take in by swallowing
inherent - existing as a natural part
inhibit - hinder, restrain
inimical - harmful or friendly
inimitable - defying imitation, unmatchable
innocuous - causing no harm
inscrutable - incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible - unconscious, unresponsive, unaffected
insinuate - suggest unpleasantly; make a way for smth gently
insipid - without taste or flavor
insouciant - unconcerned, carefree
insularity - narrow-mindedness, isolated
insurrection - rising of people to open resistance to
interdict - prohibit, forbid
interim - as an installment
intersperse - place here and there
intervene - come between; interfere to change the result
intractable - unruly, refractory, stubborn
intransigence - unwillingness to compromise, stubbornness, intractability
intransigent - uncompromising
intrepid - fearless, brave, undaunted
introspection- examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate - flood; cover by overflowing
inured - accustomed to, adapted
invective - abusive language, curses
inveigh - to attack verbally, denounce, deprecate
inveterate - deep-rooted. long-established
involute - complex
irascible - irritable, easily angered
irate - angry
ire - anger
irksome - tiresome
irrelevant - not relevant, not connected
irresolute - hesitating; undecided
irrevocable- final and unalterable
itinerary - plan for a journey, details or records of a route
itinerate - to travel from place to place, to peregrinate
Word List: J
 
jabber - talk excitedly; utter rapidly
jeopardize - put in danger
jibe - gibe, make fun of
jocular - meant as a joke
judicious - sound in judgment; wise
Word List: L
 
labyrinthine - to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose - causing tears, tearful
lackluster - (of eyes) dull
laconic - brief, to the point, terse
lag - go too slow
lament - show, feel great sorrow
lassitude - weariness, tiredness
latent - present but not yet active, developed or visible
laudatory - expressing or giving praise
lavish - giving or producing freely, liberally or generously
leakage - the process of leaking
legacy - smth handed down from ancestors
libel - statement that damages reputation
liberality - free giving; generosity
libertine - immoral person
lien - legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn - paint, portray
limp - lacking strength, walking unevenly
lithe - bending, twisting
loll - rest, to sit or stand in a lazy way; hang (dog's tongue)
loquacious - talkative, garrulous
lubricant - substance that makes work easier
lubricate - put oil to make work easily
lubricious - lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery
lucubrate - write in scholarly fashion
luculent - easily understood, lucid, clear
lugubrious - mournful, excessively sad
lull - become quiet or less active
luminary - star, light-giving body
lustrous - being bright, polished
Word List: L
 
labyrinthine - to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose - causing tears, tearful
lackluster - (of eyes) dull
laconic - brief, to the point, terse
lag - go too slow
lament - show, feel great sorrow
lassitude - weariness, tiredness
latent - present but not yet active, developed or visible
laudatory - expressing or giving praise
lavish - giving or producing freely, liberally or generously
leakage - the process of leaking
legacy - smth handed down from ancestors
libel - statement that damages reputation
liberality - free giving; generosity
libertine - immoral person
lien - legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn - paint, portray
limp - lacking strength, walking unevenly
lithe - bending, twisting
loll - rest, to sit or stand in a lazy way; hang (dog's tongue)
loquacious - talkative, garrulous
lubricant - substance that makes work easier
lubricate - put oil to make work easily
lubricious - lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery
lucubrate - write in scholarly fashion
luculent - easily understood, lucid, clear
lugubrious - mournful, excessively sad
lull - become quiet or less active
luminary - star, light-giving body
lustrous - being bright, polished
Word List: M
 
macabre - gruesome, suggesting death
machination - plot, scheme (esp. evil)
maladroit - tactless, clumsy
malapropism - misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence- wishing to do evil
malign - injurious, speak ill of smb, tell lie
malinger - to fake illness or injury, in order to shirk a duty
malleable - yielding; easily shaped; moldable; adapting
manacle - chains for the hands or feet
martial - brave, of associated with war
massacre - cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation - be admitted, enter a university as a student
mature - come to full development, to a state ready for use
maudlin - sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maverick - rebel, nonconformist
mellifluous - sweetly flowing
mendacious- false
mendacity - dishonesty
mendicant - a beggar
mercurial - quick, changeable in character, fleeting
meretricious- attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize - hypnotize
meticulous - giving great attention to details
mettle - quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome - courageous, high-spirited
middling - fairly good but not very good
minatory - menacing, threatening
mince - pronounce or speak affectedly, euphemize
misanthrope - person who hates mankind
mischievous - harmful, causing mischief
miser - person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist - one who hates women/females
missile - smth that is thrown or shot
mitigate - make less severe or painful
moderation - quality of being limited, not extreme
mollify - make calmer or quieter
molt - moult, lose hair, feathers before new growing
morbid - diseased, unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)
morose - ill-tempered, unsocial
mortuary - place where dead bodies are taken to be kept until burial
multifarious - varied, motley, greatly diversified
mundane - worldly as opposed to spiritual; commonplace, everyday
myriad - very great number
Word List: N
 
nadir - lowest, weakest point
nascent - coming into existence, emerging
nebulous - cloud-like; hazy; vague; indistinct
negligent - taking too little care
neophyte - person who has been converted to a belief
nexus - a connection, tie, or link
nibble - show some inclination to accept (an offer)
nice - precise, sensitive to subtleness
noisome - offensive, disgusting (smell)
nonchalant - not having interest
nonplused - greatly surprised
nostrum - a quack remedy, an untested cure
notion - nominal, token
noxious - harmful
nullify - make void and null
numb - without ability to feel or move
numbness - without ability to move a finger
Word List: O
 
obdurate - hardened and unrepenting; stubborn, inflexible
obfuscate - to darken, make obscure, muddle
oblivious - unaware, having no memory
obloquy - abusively detractive language, sharp criticism, vituperation
obsequious - too eager to obey or serve
obsolete - no longer used
obstreperous - noisy, loud
obtain - to be established, accepted, or customary
obtrusive - projecting, prominent, undesirably noticeable
obviate - to make unnecessary, get rid of
occluded - blocked up
occult - hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension
odious - repulsive, hateful
odium - contempt, dislike, aversion
odor - smell; favor; reputation
officious - too eager or ready to help, offer advice
onerous- needing effort, burdensome
opprobrious - showing scorn or reproach
ossify - to turn to bone; to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible- seeming, appearing as such, professed
ostentation - display to obtain admiration or envy
ostentatious - fond of showing ostentation
ostracism - shut out from society, refuse to meet, talk
ostrich - fast-running bird unable to fly
outset - start
overhaul- examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening - presumptuously arrogant, overbearing, immoderate, being a jerk
overwhelm - weigh down, submerge
Word List: P
 
paean - song of praise or triumph
palate - roof of the mouth; sense of taste
palatial - magnificent
palliate - lessen the severity of
palliate - to make something appear less serious, to alleviate, to gloss over
palpability - can be felt, touched, understood
palpitate - tremble, beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric - formal praise, eulogy
paradigm - a model, example, or pattern
parenthesis - sentence within another one, smth separated
pariah - an outcast, a rejected and despised person
parsimonious - too economical, miserly
partisan - one-sided, committed to a party, biased or prejudiced
patron - regular customer; person who gives support
paucity - scarcity, a lacking of
peccadillo- small sin; small weakness in one's character
pedantic- bookish, showing off learning
pedestrian - commonplace, trite, unremarkable
pellucid - transparent, easy to understand
penchant - strong inclination, a liking
penitent - feeling or showing regret
penury - extreme poverty
peregrination - traveling about, wandering
peremptory- urgent, imperative, unchallengeable, ending debate
perennial - lasting for a long time (e.g.. a year)
perfidious - treacherous, faithless
perfidy - treachery; breaking of faith
perfunctory- done as a duty without care
perilous - dangerous
peripatetic - wandering
perish - be destroyed; decay
perjury - willful false statement, unlawful act
permeate - spread into every part of
pernicious - harmful, injurious
perpetrate - be guilty; commit (a crime)
persevere - keep on steadily, continue
personable - pleasing in appearance, attractive
perspicacity - quick judging and understanding
pertain - belong as a part, have reference
pest - destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified - taken away power (to think, feel, act)
petrify - to make hard, rocklike
petrous - like a rock, hard, stony
petulant - unreasonably impatient
philistine - a smug ignorant person; one who lacks knowledge
phlegmatic - calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
picaresque - involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied - of mixed colors
pinch - be too tight, take between the thumb and finger
pious - dutiful to parents; devoted to religion
piquant - agreeably pungent, stimulating
pique - hurt the pride or self-respect, stir (curiosity)
pitfall - covered hole as a trap, unsuspected danger
pith - essential part, force, soft liquid substance
pivotal - of great importance (others depend on it)
placate - soothe, pacify, calm
plaintive - mournful, melancholy, sorrowful
plaque - flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude - a trite or banal statement; unoriginality
plea - request
plead - address a court of law as an advocate
plethora - glut
pliant - pliable, easily bent, shaped or twisted
plod - continue doing smth without resting
pluck - pull the feathers off, pick (e.g.. flowers)
plumb - get to the root of
plummet - fall, plunge, steeply
plunge - move quickly, suddenly and with force
poignant - deeply moving; keen
poise - be ready, be balanced, self-possession
polemical - controversial, argued
ponderous - heavy, bulky, dull
portent - omen; marvelous; threatening
poseur - someone taking on airs to impress others; a phony
posture - state, attitude; adopt a vain
poverty - state of being poor
pragmatic - practical, favoring utility
precarious - uncertain, risky, dangerous
precept - moral instruction
precepts- rules establishing standards of conduct
precipitate - throw smth violently down from a height
preclude - prevent, make impossible
precursory - preliminary, anticipating
predilection- special liking, mental preference
predominate - have more power than others
preempt - obtain by preemption or in advance
premature - doing or happening smth before the right time
preponderance - greatness in number, strength, weight
presage - warning sign
preternatural - not normal or usual
prevalent - common
prevaricate - to equivocate, to stray from the truth
prim - neat; formal
pristine - primitive, unspoiled, pure, as in earlier times, unadulterated
probity - uprightness, incorruptibility, principle
proclivity- inclination
procrastination- keeping on putting off
prodigal - wasteful, reckless with money
prodigious - enormous, wonderful
profane - worldly, having contempt for God
profligate - wasteful, prodigal, licentious, extravagant
profundity - depth
proliferate - grow, reproduce by rapid multification
prolix - tiring because too long
prone - prostrate; inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation - increasing the number, spreading, extending
propinquity - nearness in time or place, affinity of nature
propitiate - do smth to take away the anger of
propitiatory - conciliatory, appeasing, mitigating
propitious - auspicious, presenting favorable circumstances
prosaic - everyday, mundane, commonplace, trite, pedestrian
proscribe - denounce as dangerous
protracted - prolonged
provident - frugal; looking to the future
provisional - of the present time only
provoke - make angry; vax
prudence - careful forethought
prudish - easily shocked, excessively modest
prune - dried plum, silly person
pry - get smth; inquire too curiously
pugnacious - fond of, in the habit of fighting
punch - strike with the fist; tool for cutting holes; alc. drink
punctilious - precise, paying attention to trivialities
pundit - pedant, authority on a subject
pungency - sharpness; stinging quality
purvey - provide, supply
pusillanimous - cowardly, craven
pyre - large pile of wood for burning
Word List: Q
 
quack - person dishonestly claiming to smth
quaff - drink deeply
quail - lose courage, turn frightened
qualm - feeling of doubt, temporary feeling of sickness
quell - suppress, subdue
quibble - try to avoid by sophistication
quiescent - at rest, dormant, torpid
quirk - habit or action peculiar to smb or smth
quixotic - generous, unselfish
quotidian - banal; everyday
Word List: R
 
rabble- mob, crowd; the lower classes of populace
raconteur- person who tells anecdotes
radiant - bright, shining
raffish - low, vulgar, base, tawdry
rail at - find fault, utter reproaches
ramify - to be divided or subdivided; to branch out
rancorous - feeling bitterness, spitefulness
rant - use extravagant language
rapacious - greedy (esp for money)
rarefy - to make thin, to make less dense, to purify or refine
reactionary - opposing progress
rebuff - snub
recalcitrant - disobedient
recant - take back as being false; give up
recast - cast or fashion anew
recidivism - relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
reciprocity- granting of privileges in return for similar
recitals - a number of, performance of music
recluse - person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense - make payment to; reward, punish
reconcile - settle a quarrel; restore peace
recondite - little known; abstruse
recourse - smth turned to for help
recreancy - cowardice, a cowardly giving up
recuperate - become strong after illness, loss, exhaustion
redeem - get back by payment; compensate
redemptive - serving to redeem
redoubtable - formidable, causing fear
refine - make or become pure, cultural
refractory - stubborn, unmanageable, untractable
refulgent - shining, brilliant
regale - to delight or entertain; to feast
regicide - crime of killing a king
reiterate - say or do again several times
rejuvenation - becoming young in nature or appearance
relapse - fall back again
relinquish - give up
reluctant - unwilling or disinclined
remonstrate - to protest, object
render - deliver, provide, represent
renovate - restore smth to better condition
renowned - celebrated, famous
rent - regular payment for the use of smth, division or split
repast - meal
repine at - be discontented with
reproach - scold, upbraid
reprobate - person hardened in sin; one devoid of decency
repudiate - disown, refuse to accept or pay
repulsive - causing a feeling of disgust
requite - repay, give in return
resigned - unresisting, submissive
resilience - quality of quickly recovering the original shape
resolve - determine
resort to - frequently visit
restive - refusing to move; reluctant to be controlled
resurrect - bring back into use
resuscitation - coming back to consciousness
retard - check, hinder
reticent - reserved, untalkative, silent, taciturn
revere - have deep respect for
rift - split, crack, dissension
rivet - fix, take up, secure; metal pin
roll call - calling of names
rope - thick strong cord made by twisting
rotund - rich and deep; plump and round
rubric - heading, title, or category
ruffian - violent, cruel man
Word List: S
 
sagacious- having sound judgment;
perceptive, wise; like a sage
salacious - obscene
salient - prominent, protruding,
conspicuous, highly relevant
salubrious - healthful
salutary - remedial, wholesome, causing
improvement
sanctimony - self-righteousness,
hypocritical, with false piety
sanction - approval (by authority); penalty
sanguine - cheerful, confident, optimistic
sanity - health of mind; soundness of
judgement
sap - weaken
sate - satiate
satiate - satisfy fully
saturnine - gloomy, dark, sullen, morose
savant - person of great learning
savor - taste, flavor smth
sawdust - tiny bits of wood
scabbard- sheath for the blade
scent - smell (esp pleasant)
scribble - write hastily
scurvy - mean, contemptible
seal - piece of wax, lead, etc stamped on the
document
secular - material (not spiritual); living
outside monasteries
sedulous - persevering
seminal - like a seed; constituting a source,
originative
sententious - short and pithy, full of
maxims/proverbs
sequence - succession, connected line of
serrated - having a toothed edge
serration - having a toothed edge
servile - like a slave, lacking independence
severance - severing
shaft - arrow or spear, smth long and
narrow
shallow - little depth; not earnest
shard piece of broken earthenware
sheath - cover for the blade of a weapon or
a tool
shove - push
shrewd - astute; showing sound judgement
shrill - sharp, piercing
shun - keep away from; avoid
shunt - send from one track to another; lay
aside; evade discussion
sidestep - step to one side
sinuous - winding, undulating, serpentine
skiff - small boat
skit - short piece of humorous writing
slack - sluggish; dull; not tight
slake - to assuage, to satisfy, allay
slate - king of blue-grey stone; propose;
criticize
sluggard - lazy, slow-moving person
soar - rise, fly high
sober - self-controlled
sobriety - quality or condition of being
sober
sodden - soaked, saturated
soggy - heavy with water
solvent- of the power of forming a solution
somatic - of the body
soot - black powder in smoke
sophisticated - complex, subtle, refined
sophistry - fallacious reasoning, faulty logic

sophomoric - self-assured though

immature, affected, bombastic, overblown
sordid - wretched, comfortless,
contemptible
spear - weapon with a metal point on a long
shaft
specious - illogical, of questionable truth or
merit
splenetic - bad-tempered, irritable
splice - join (two ends)
sponge - porous rubber for washing; live at
once expense
spurious - false, counterfeit
spurn - have nothing to do; reject or refuse
squalid - foul, filthy
squander - spend wastefully
stanch - to stop the flow of a fluid
steeply - rising or falling sharply
stentorian - extremely loud and powerful
stickler - person who insists on importance
of smth
stigma - mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize- describe smb scornfully
sting - smth sharp
stingy - spending, using unwillingly
stint - to be thrifty, to set limits
stipulate - state or put forward as a
necessary condition
stolid - showing no emotion; impassive
strands - smth twisted together into a rope,
line of development
stray - wander, lose one's way
streak - long, thin; move very fast
striated - striped, grooved, or banded
stride - walk with long steps
strut - a supporting bar
stygian - hence, dark, gloomy
stymie - to hinder, obstruct, or block
subdue - overcome, bring under control
sublime - extreme; astounding
submerge - put under water, liquid, sink
out of sight
suborn - induce by bribery or smth to
commit perjury
subpoena - written order requiring a
person to appear in a low court
subsume - include under a rule
succor - assistance, relief in time of distress
suffice - be enough
sullied - to be stained or discredited
summarily - briefly; without delay
sumptuous - magnificent
sundry - various, miscellaneous, separate
supercilious - disdainful; characterized by
haughty scorn
superfluous - more then is needed or
wanted
superimpose- put smth on the top
supersede - take the place of
supine - lying on the back; slow to act,
passive
suppliant - asking humbly, beseeching
supplicate - make a humble petition to
suppress - prevent from being known; put
an end to
surfeit - satiate, feed to fulness or to excess
susceptibility - sensitiveness
sustain - keep from falling; maintain;
suffer; give a decision
sycophant - person who flatter to the rich
and powerful
synopsis - summary or outline
Word List: T
 
taciturn - untalkative, silent
talon - claw of a bird of prey
tamp - tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper - interfere with
tangential - suddenly changeable
tarnished - lost brightness
taunt - contemptuous reproach, hurtful remark
taut - tightly stretched
tautology - a repetition, a redundancy
tawdry - cheap, gaudy, showy, tacky
tease - annoy; puzzling question
tedious - tiresome
teetotal - oppose to alcohol
temerity - boldness, brashness, intrepidness
temperance - abstinence from alcohol, self-control, moderation
temperate - showing self-control
tenacity - firmness, persistency, adhesiveness, tending to hang on
tenuous - insubstantial, flimsy, weak
terse - brief and to the point
thrift - care, economy, thriving, prosperous
timid - shy, easily frightened
timorous - fearful, timid, afraid
tolerable - fairly good
tonic - smth giving strength or energy
topple - be unsteady and overturn
torment - severe pain or suffering
torpid - sleeping, sluggish, lethargic, dormant
tortuous - full of twists and bends
tout - person who worries others to buy smth, to use his service
touting - act as tout
toy - think not seriously, handle absent-mindedly
tractable - easily controlled or guided
transgress - break, go beyond (a limit)
transient - temporary, fleeting
transitory - brief
trenchant - forceful, effective, vigorous; extremely perceptive, incisive
trend - tendency, general direction
trepidation - alarm, excited state of mind
trifling - unimportant
trite - not new
truculence - aggressiveness, ferocity
trudge - walk heavily
turbid - muddy, having the sediment stirred up
turbulence - being uncontrolled, violent
turgid - excessively ornate; swollen or bloated
turmoil - trouble, disturbance
turpitude - wickedness, shamefulness
tyro - tiro, beginner
ulterior - situated beyond
umbrage - offense, resentment
uncouth - rough, awkward
underbid - make a lower bid then smb else
undermine - weaken gradually, at the base, make smth under
undulate - to move in wavelike fashion, fluctuate
unencumbered - easy-going, trifle
unfeigned- not pretended, sincere
unscathed - unharmed, unhurt
untoward - unfortunate, inconvenient
upbraid - scold, reproach
urbane - elegant, refined in manners
vacillation - being uncertain, hesitating
vagary - strange act or idea
vain - without use, result; conceited
valiant - brave
valorous - brave
vanquish - conquer
vapor - stim, mist
veer - change direction
venal - ready to do smth dishonest
veneer - surface appearance covering the true nature
veneration - regard with deep respect
veracity - truth
verisimilitude- appearing true or real
veritable - real, rightly named
verve - spirit, vigor, enthusiasm
vex - annoy, distress, trouble
vigilance - watchfulness, self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant - member of a vigilance committee
vigorous - strong, energetic
vilify - slander, say evil things
vindictive - having a desire to revenge
virago - a loud, domineering woman; a scold or nag
visceral - of the internal organs of the body
vitiate - lower the quality; weaken the strength
vituperate- curse, abuse in words
vivacious - lively, high-spirited
volatile - changeable, inconstant, fickle, unstable, explosive
volubility - fluency, verbosity, easy use of spoken language
voluble - fluent
voluminous - occupying much space
Word List: W
 
waft - scent, waving movement; carry lightly through
wag - merry person
wage - payment, carry on, engage in (war)
warmonger- person who stirs up war
warp - become bent
warrant - authority, written order, guarantee
wary - cautious
weave - make (threads) into cloth
weigh - measure hoe heavy smth is
welter - turmoil; a bewildering jumble
wend - to go, proceed
whimsical - full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince - show bodily or mental pain
woo - try to win

Quantifiers:
a bit
a couple
a few
a good deal
a good many
a great deal
a great many
a little
a little bit
a majority
a minority
a number
a quantity
all
an amount
another
any
any
both
certain
each
either
enough
enough
few
fewer
heaps
less
less
little
little
loads
lots
many
masses
more
more
most
much
much
neither
none
numbers
part
plenty
quantities
several
some
the majority
the remainder
the rest
the whole
tons
various
0%, 10%, 50%, 100%, etc.
½, ¼, etc.
1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
one, two, three, four, etc.
one half, one third, one fourth, one quarter, one fifth, etc.

.No. Base form Past tense Past participle

1.         arise arose arisen
2.         be was, were been
3.         bear bore borne/born
4.         beat beat beaten
5.         become became become
6.         begin began begun
7.         bend bent bent
8.         bet bet bet
9.         bind bound bound
10.     bite bit bitten
11.     bleed bled bled
12.     blow blew blown
13.     break broke broken
14.     breed bred bred
15.     bring brought brought
16.     build built built
17.     burst burst burst
18.     buy bought bought
19.     cast cast cast
20.     catch caught caught
21.     choose chose chosen
22.     cling clung clung
23.     come came come
24.     cost cost cost
25.     creep crept crept
26.     cut cut cut
27.     deal dealt dealt
28.     dig dug dug
29.     do did done
30.     draw drew drawn
31.     drink drank drunk
32.     drive drove driven
33.     eat ate eaten
34.     fall fell fallen
35.     feed fed fed
36.     feel felt felt
37.     fight fought fought
38.     find found found
39.     fit fit fit
40.     flee fled fled
41.     fling flung flung
42.     fly flew flown
43.     forbid forbade forbidden
44.     forget forgot forgotten
45.     forgive forgave forgiven
46.     freeze froze frozen
47.     get got gotten
48.     give gave given
49.     go went gone
50.     grow grew grown
51.     have had had
52.     hear heard heard
53.     hide hid hidden
54.     hit hit hit
55.     hold held held
56.     hurt hurt hurt
57.     keep kept kept
58.     know knew known
59.     lay laid laid
60.     lead lead lead
61.     leave left left
62.     lend lent lent
63.     let let let
64.     lie lay lain
65.     lose lost lost
66.     make made made
67.     mean meant meant
68.     meet met met
69.     pay paid paid
70.     prove proved proved, proven
71.     put put put
72.     quit quit quit
73.     read read read
74.     ride rode ridden
75.     ring rang rung
76.     rise rose risen
77.     run ran run
78.     saw sawed sawed, sawn
79.     say said said
80.     see saw seen
81.     sell sold sold
82.     send sent sent
83.     sew sewed sewn
84.     shed shed shed
85.     shine shone shone
86.     shoot shot shot
87.     show showed shown
88.     shrink shrank shrunk
89.     shut shut shut
90.     sing sang sung
91.     sink sank sunk
92.     sit sat seated, sat
93.     sleep slept slept
94.     sow sowed sown
95.     speak spoke spoken
96.     spend spent spent
97.     spin spun spun
98.     spread spread spread
99.     spring sprang sprung
100.             stand stood stood
101.              steal stole stolen
102.              stick stuck stuck
103.              sting stung stung
104.              strike struck struck
105.              swear swore sworn
106.              sweep swept swept
107.              swim swam swum

Prepositions:
 aboard
 about
 above
 absent
 according to
 across
 after
 against
 ahead of
 all over
 along
 alongside
 amid or amidst
 among
 around
 as
 as of
 as to
 aside
 astride
 at
 away from
 bar
 barring
 because of
 before
 behind
 below
 beneath
 beside
 besides
 between
 beyond
 but
 by
 by the time of
 circa
 close by
 close to
 concerning
 considering
 despite
 down
 due to
 during
 except
 except for
 excepting
 excluding
 failing
 for
 from
 in
 in between
 in front of
 in spite of
 in view of
 including
 inside
 instead of
 into
 less
 like
 minus
 near
 near to
 next to
 notwithstanding
 of
 off
 on
 on top of
 onto
 opposite
 out
 out of
 outside
 over
 past
 pending
 per
 plus
 regarding
 respecting
 round
 save
 saving
 similar to
 since
 than
 through
 throughout
 till
 to
 toward or towards
 under
 underneath
 unlike
 until
 unto
 up
 upon
 versus
 via
 wanting
 while
 with
 without
 within

Cold Hot   Live Die   Lead follow   employ dismiss

Dry wet   Long Short   Land water   liberty slavery
Love Hate   Like Dislike   Bow stern   think guess
Question Answer   Gay Grave   Stationary moving   work rest
Asleep Awake   Rejoice Mourn   Dynamic static   worker drone
Front Back   Pleasant Disagreeable   centrifugal centripetal   familiar strange
Joy Sorrow   Success Failure   oriental occidental   freedom captivity
Begin Cease   Harmony Discord   miser spendthrift   barren fruitful
Find Lose   Blessing Curse   sober intoxicated   sacred profane
Friend Enemy   Generous Mean   spacious limited   virtue vice
Dead Alive   Velour Cowardice   future past   wisdom folly
Busy Idle   Bravery Cowardice   abundance scarcity   polite rude
Sweet Sour   Advance Retreat   common rare   proper common
Bright dull   Arrive Depart   simply complex   Attack Defend
True FALSE   Before After   ally enemy   bashful bold
Start Finish   Appear Vanish   teach learn   inhale exhale
Ugly beautiful   Everywhere Nowhere   natural artificial   expand contract
Near far   Earth Sea   polite saucy   victor vanquished
Kind cruel   Hill Valley   summit base   antecedent consequent
Empty full   Mountain Plain   apex base   eager reluctant
Ever never   Right Left   cloudy clear   order chaos
Bless curse   Public Private   dawn duck   certain doubt
Adult child   Acute Obtuse   ascend descend   venial unpardonable
North south   Lazy Industrious   vacant occupied   rigid flexible
Absent present   Master Servant   hope despair   novice veteran
Poor rich   Arrive Depart   interior exterior   industry sloth
Right wrong   Remember Forget   permanent temporary   accelerate retard
Win lose   Appoint Dismiss   obey command   benevolent malevolent
Peace war   Knowledge Ignorance   negative positive   compulsory voluntary
Rough smooth   Placid ruddy   conceal reveal   analysis synthesis
Coarse fine   Raw cooked   hide show   surplus deficit
Top bottom   Help hinder   singular plural   prosperous indigent
Buy sell   Accept refuse   foreign native   consent dissent
Life death   Robust feeble   smile frown   include exclude
Proud humble   Good bad   multiply divide   transverse longitudinal
Easy difficult   Big small   wax wane   attract distract
Cheap dear   Clever stupid   prosperity adversity   amateur professional
Inside outside   Here there   victory defeat   confine release
Give take   first last   superior inferior   orthodox heterodox
Hit miss   early late   level steep   pure adulterated
Wide narrow   fat thin   liquid solid   lovely repulsive
Loud soft   join separate   pardon punish   graceful hideous
Clean dirty   light dark   complainant defendant   pugnacious peaceful
Weep laugh   Day night   debtor creditor   hostile friendly
Collect disperse   Many few   rural urban   gentile Jew
Youth age   All none   emigrant immigrant   monotony variety
Modern ancient   often seldom   optimist pessimist   survive succumb
Former latter   fresh stale   sincere insincere   prospective retrospective
Least greatest   straight crooked   numerous sparse   premature overdue
Slender stout   Weak strong   transparent opaque   caution recklessness
East west   Deep shallow   pedestrian passenger   force compel
High low   Open close   powerful feeble   colleague antagonist
Upper lower   Black white   guilty innocent   prudence indiscretion
Higher lower   praise blame   heaven hell   motionless agitated
Better worse   This that   heroic base   accurate inaccurate
Entrance exit   These those   ancestor progeny   Indigenous Exotic
Active passive   Morning evening   assemble disperse   Apprehend Release
Noise silence   Summer winter   condemn exonerate   Gaiety Melancholy
Quiet noisy   Young old   slim stout   Solitary Populous
Inner outer   Giant dwarf   minimum maximum   Sparse Populated
Lend borrow   Wild tam   arrival departure   Predecessor Successor
Go come   Gain loss   reward punishment   Confusion Orderliness
Hard soft   Happy sad   economy extravagance   Pleasure Pain
Old new   Daily nightly   increase decrease   Convict Acquit
Junior senior   Health sickness   majority minority   Engage Dismiss

Adandon desert, forsake, leave fate lot, destiny, end

Abbreviate curtail, abridge, compress fault error, flaw, defect
Abundant ample, copious, plentiful fear terror, dread
Adore worship, idolize fearful timid, cowardly, nervous
Alive lively, vivacious fight battle, contest, combat
Ally colleague, helper, partner float glide, drift, slip
Frank candid, open Fond affectionate, loving
Alms offertory, dole, gratuity Friend comrade, companion
Amend improve, ameliorate frugal thrifty, sparing, economical
Anxiety misgiving, foreboding, solicitude Fruitful fertile, fecund, prolific
Assent consent, acquiesce, agree game pastime, sport, fun
Beautify adorn, decorate general universal, common
Beg implore, solicit, beseech genuine pure, real
Big huge, great, large habit custom, way, usage
Blame censure, upbraid, reprove. Hateful detestable, execrable
Blessing benediction, benison Help aid, support, assist
Brave courageous, fearless, daring. High tall, lofty, elaborate
Bright clear, intelligent, lustrous hinder thwart, impede, obstruct
Brittle frail, fragile Home abode, dwelling, residence
Disaster misfortune, calamity, adversity Obedient meek, servile, respectful
Busy lively, alert, nimble Infinite endless, limitless, boundless
Map plan, outline, chart Discourse lecture, sermon, exhortation
Candid frank, open, outspoken Care anxiery, solicitude
Catch seize, arrest, appreshend Invasion raid, attack
Cause reason, purpose, motive Invoke call, summon
Charity benevolence, philanthrop Kind thoughtful, good, affectionate
Choose select, discriminate, differentiate Lazy slothful, idle, inert
Clever ingenious, versatile, precocious Lure coax, entice, seduce
Clothes attire, dress, garb, Oblation gift, offering
Confess admit, own, acknowledge, Character reputation,
Constant incessant, eternal, perpetual Marry gay, jolly, jocund
Cross fretful, crusty, ill-humoured Mistake blunder, fault, error
Cruelty oppression, tyranny, persecution Motive reason, purpose
Dangerous perlous, risky, hazardous Narrate tell, say, report
Dear expensive, costly Necessary needful, requisite, essential
Decrease contract, lessen, curtail Necessity want, need
Difficult hard, involved, intricate Obey yield, submit
Malice spite, hate, rapacity  

Above all (chiefly, mainly)

• On Account of (due to, for the reason)
• On no account (not for any reason)
• Above board (honest, beyond reproach)
• To give a good account of oneself (to act with credit to oneself)
• A fidus Achates (a faithful friend)
• The heel of Achilles (a week point)
• An Adonis (a very handsome man)
• To build castles in the air (To day dream)
• To assume airs (to affect superiority)
• To air one’s opinions (to give vent to one’s feeling in public)
• To stand aloof (To keep to oneself and not mix with others)
• To lead to the altar (to marry)
• An Amazon (a warlike masculine woman)
• An Ananias (a liar)
• An Apollo (a man with perfect physique)
• The apple of discord (cause of quarrel)
• To upset the apple cart (to disturb the peace)
• Apple pie order (in perfect order)
• Arcadian life (a blissful ,happy , rural and simple life)
• To keep a person at an arm’s length (to avoid and keep distance from a person)
• To take up arms ( to fight , to go to war)
• To have an axe to grind ( to have some selfish objective in view)
• Not to know a B from a bull’s foot ( to be ignorant of even the simplest things)
• A Babel (a confused noise)
• To break the back of any thing(to perform the most difficult part of it)
• To get one’s back up (to rouse one’s anger)
• To backbite a person (to slander or speak ill of someone)
• He has no backbone (he has no will of his own)
• To cause bad blood (to cause enmity)
• Bag and baggage (with all one’s belongings)
• To keep the ball rolling ( to keep things going0
• Baptism of fire ( a soldier’s first experience of actual war)
• To call to the bar (to admit as a barrister)
• Barmecide’s feast ( imaginary benefits)
• To beat about the bush (to approach a matter in an indirect and round about manner)
• To be dead beat (worn out by fatigue)
• Bed and board (lodging and food )
• As you make your bed, so must lie on it (you will have to bear the consequences of your
crimes or your own mistakes or misdeeds)
• To take to one’s bed (to have to be confined to bed as a result of sickness)
• Bee- line (the shortest distance between two places)
• To go a –begging (to be sold very cheaply because no one cares to buy)
• Behind one’s back (without one’s Knowledge)
• Behind the scenes (in private, out of sight)
• To bell the cat (to undertake a dangerous task and the enemy is common)
• To hit below the belt (to act unfairly in a contest)
• His better half (a man’s wife)
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (certainty is better then possibility)
• An old bird is not to be caught with chaff (experienced people are not easily fooled or
deceived)
• To take the bit between one’s teeth (to get out of control)
• To bite the dust (to be defeated in battle)
• The biter bit (to cheat the cheater)
• His bark was worse than his bite (he usually makes a lot of vain verbal threats)
• A wet Blanket (a person who is a discourage)
• In cold Blood (deliberately)
• Blood is thicker than water (One usually takes the side of ones relation against another
who is not one’s own blood)
• To blow hot and cold (to do one think at one time and the opposite soon after)
• A blue stocking (a learned woman)
• Once in a blue moon (a very rare occurrence)
• Blue ribbon (the highest prize in any sport competition)
• At first Blush (at first sight)
• In the same boat (in the same misfortune or circumstances)
• A bolt from the blue (a sudden )
• A bone of contention (a cause of dispute)
• A Book-worm (a person always poring over books)
• By leaps and bounds (with remarkable speed)
• Breach of promise (failure to keep a promise to marry one of whom you are betrothed)
• One’s bread and butter (one’s means of livelihood)
• His bread is well butter (he is in fortunate circumstance)
• The bread winner (one who provides the means of livelihood for himself and his family)
• To Break in (to tame, to control in a gentle manner)
• To break the news (to reveal something pleasant in a gentle manner)
• To break the ice (to be the first to begin)
• To breadth one’s last (to die)
• To breadth freely again (to be no longer in a fear or anxiety)
• To make bricks without straw (to attempt to do something without proper materials or due
preparations)
• Never cross the Bridge until you come to it (don’t anticipate difficulties
• It is an broad as it is long (it is the same whichever way you view it)
• To brow beat (to bully)
• To kick the bucket (to die)
• John bull (an Englishman)
• To burry the hatchet (to forget past quarrels and be friends again)
• Good wine needs no bush (there is no need to advertise something good)
• To raise cain (to rebuke severely)
• To take the cake (to take the first prize)
• To burn the candle at both ends (to expend energy in two directions at the same time)
• If the cap fits, wear it (if you think the remarks refer to you)
• Capitan punishment (the death sentence or penalty)
• To put the cart before the horse (to do first what ought to be done afterwards)
• To let the cat out of the bag (to expose the trick)
• To fight like cats and dog (to be always quarrelling and fighting)
• Care killed the cat (don’t fret and worry yourself to death)
• See which way the cat jumps (sit on fence)
• To rain cats and dogs (to rain incessantly)
• He is a cat’s paw (one used as a to something dangerous)
• To Catch one’s eye (to attract attention)
• To take the chair (to preside a meeting)
• She is no chicken (she is older than she says)
• Chicken hearted (weak, timid)
• Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched (don’t calculate your gains before they
are realized)
• A chip of the old block (a son resembling his father in face disposition, habits etc.)
• Hobson’s choice (no alterative)
• To pick and choose (to make a careful selection)
• Every cloud has a silver lining (adverse conditions do not last for ever)
• To square the circle (to attempt something impossible)
• Close fisted (mean)
• To have one’s head in the cloud (to live in dreamland)
• To carry coals to New castle (to do any thing superfluous)
• Cut your cloth according to your cloth (live within your income)
• A cock and bull story (a foolishly incredible story)
• To be cock sure (to be absolutely certain)
• To throw cold water upon anything (to discourage effort)
• Off color (not in the usual form)
• To came off with flying color (to succeed brilliantly)
• To commit to memory (to learn by heart)
• Too many cooks spoil the broth (when there are more worpkers than necessary)
• To send to Coventry (to boycott)
• An admirable Crichton (a very talented person)
• Crocodile tears (hypocritical tears)
• By hook or by crook (by fair or foul means)
• As the crow flies (in a direct line)
• To take up the cudgels (to champion or flight for someone)
• To curry favour (to seek favour by flattery)
• Cut and dried (ready made)
• To cut a dash (to make an impression)
• To be at daggers drawn (to be deadly enemies)
• A dare-devil (a fearless, reckless man)
• Up to date (recent, modern)
• Out of date (obsolete)
• Evil days (a period of misfortune)
• Halcyon days (A time when there is peace and happiness in the land)
• To step into dead man’s shoes (to come into an inheritance)
• To give the devil his due (give a person credit for his good qualities however worthless he
may be)
• Go to the devil (be off)
• Devil’s playthings (playing cards)
• Devil’s bones (dice)
• To be between the devil and the deep sea (to be faced with two dangerous situations,
each of which is to be dreaded as much as the other)
• To be on the horns of dilemma (to in such a position that it is difficult to decide what to
do)
• Give a dog a bad name and hang him (once a person loses his reputation)
• To be a dog in the manger (to prevent others from using what one can’t use oneself )
• Every dog has his day (sooner or later, every one has his share of good fortune)
• To be in the doldrums (to be in low spirits, to be out of spirits)
• Ups and downs (varying fortunes; changes and chances of life)
• To throw dust in one’s eyes (to try to deceive some one )
• Dutch courage (bravery induced by alcoholic liquors)
• Eagle –eye (quick to discover; very discerning )
• A bad egg (a worthless person)
• Don’t put your eggs in one basket (Don’t stake all your money on a single industry)
• A white elephant (a useless possession which is extremely expensive to keep )
• At the eleventh hour (at the last moment)
• To make both ends meet (to keep expenses within one’s income)
• An eye for an eye(tit for tat to return evil for evil ;retaliate
• Bad faith (dishonest intentions)
• A breach of faith (to act contrary to what one had professed)
• To fall out (to quarrel)
• To fall through (fail)
• Birds of a feather flock together (people of similar tastes and dis- positions crave each
other’s company)
• To set the Thames on fire (to do something sensational or remarkable)
• A burnt child dreads the fire (one who has had a previous unpleasant experience is always
scared of situations where such experience are likely to be repeated)
• A fish out of water (anyone in an awkward)
• Other fish to fry (more important business to attend to)
• By fits and starts (spasmodically)
• Foul play (cheating)
• To jump from a frying pan into fire (to come out of one trouble and get into a worse)
• To gain ground (to make progress in any undertaking)
• To play to the gallery (to endeavour to gain cheap popularity)
• To give up the ghost (to die)
• Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones (people who do not live blameless
lives should not find fault with others)
• All that glitters is not gold (things are not always as attractive as they appears)
• A good for nothing (a worth less person)
• A good Samaritan (a friend in need)
• A wild goose chase (a vain attempt)
• To kill the goose that laid the golden egg (to lose a valuable source of income though
greed)
• To cut a Gordian knot (to solve a difficult problem by adopting bold and drastic measures)
• From hand to hand (from one person to another)
• Hard and fast rules (strict rules)
• Hard to hearing (almost deaf )
• Back in harness (to resume work after a holiday)
• To die in harness (to continue at one’s occupation until death)
• More haste less speed (work done hurriedly is apt to be badly done)
• Make hay while the sun shines (take advantage of all opportunities)
• To be in hot water (to be in trouble or difficulty)
• To eat an humble pie (to submit oneself to humiliation and insult)
• To kiss the book (to take an oath in a produce or commodities)
• To kiss the dust (to be defeated in battle)
• A laconic speech (a concise)
• To look to one’s laurels (to take care not to lose one’s place)
• To win laurels (to gain distinction or glory in s contest)
• To smell of the lamp (to show signs of strenuous preparation for an examination or a
speech etc)
• Look before you leap (think before action)
• To stand on one’s own legs (to depend entirely on one’s own resources)
• To give the lie to (to prove to be false)
• To bring to light (to reveal)
• A Lilliputian (a pygmy)
• The lion’s share (the largest part)
• Lock, stock and barrel (the whole of everything)
• A Martinet (a very strict disciplinarian)
• A miss is as good as a mile (comes nowhere near it)
• To move heaven and earth (to exert all efforts)
• To hit the nail on the head (to mention the true facts of a case)
• A stitch in time saves nine (If we give our attention to the little details of life)
• In a nutshell (Summed up in a few words)
• Out of temper (angry)
• To pick to pieces (to analyses critically)
• The proof of the pudding is in eating (people are judged by their actions)
• To put down a person (to degrade or humiliate a person)
• To make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (to attempt to accomplish great things with
inferior materials)
• Pyrrhic victory (a victory that is as costly as defeat)
• To be like a drowned rat (to be soaking wet)
• Red flag (the symbol of revolution)
• To be caught red-handed (to be caught in the very act of committing a crime)
• Red letter-day (a memorable day)
• Red tape (a team used to describe the delay in attending to matters in government
department because the official routine and formality)
• Rome was not built in a day (it takes time to accomplish anything really worthwhile)
• To be between Scylla and Charybdis (to be faced with two dangerous alternatives)
• To see daylight (to begin to understand)
• A close shave (a narrow escape)
• A skeleton in the cupboard / the family skeleton (a dreadful domestic secret)
• By the skin of the teeth (very narrowly)
• A snake in the grass (an enemy who strikes under cover)
• A Spartan life (a life of extreme self discipline)
• To call a spade a spade (to be brutally frank)
• A rolling stone gathers no moss (unstable people never achieve anything worthwhile)
• One swallow does not make a summer (it is unreliable to base one’s conclusions on only a
single test or incident)
• Empty vessels make the most noise (those who know or have little knowledge often shout
the loudest)
• If wishes were horses, beggars might ride (if all people’s wishes came true every body
would be rich)
• A nine days’ wonder (an event which relates a sensation for a time but is soon forgotten)
• Yellow press (newspapers which publish sensational and unscrupulous stories about crime,
sex etc.)

A bad beginnings makes a bed ending.

• A bad excuse is better than none at all.
• A bad husband cannot be a good man.
• A beggar can never be bankrupt.
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• A burnt child dreads fire.
• A cat may look at a king.
• A cheerful look makes a dish a feast.
• A cheerful wife is the joy of life.
• A clear conscience is a coat of mail.
• A drowning man will catch at a straw.
• A drunkard’s purse is a bottle.
• A fault confessed is half redressed.
• A fool and his money are soon parted.
• A fool may give a wise man counsel.
• A fool may make money, but it takes a wise man to spend it.
• A friend in need a friend indeed.
• A friend is easier lost than found.
• A friend’s frown is better than a fool’s smile.
• A full purse makes the mouth to speak
• A good dog deserves A good bone.
• A good husband makes a good wife.
• A good man is better than riches.
• A good name is sooner lost than won.
• A great talker is a great liar.
• A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
• A wise man changes his mind sometimes, a fool never.
• A wonder lasts nine days.
• A word to the wise is enough.
• Absence makes the heart grow founder.
• Action speaks louder than words.
• Advice when most needed is least heeded.
• After a storm comes a calm.
• All covet, all lose.
• All that glitters is not gold.
• All work and not play makes Jack a dull boy.
• All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.
• A rolling stone gather no moss.
• A rose between two thorns.
• A short cut is often a wrong cut.
• A switch in time saves nine.
• A thing begun is half done.
• All’s fair in love and war.
• All’s fish that comes to his net.
• All’s well that ends well.
• Among the blind the one –eyed man is king
• A miss is as good as a mile.
• A penny for your thoughts.
• A pound of the care won’t pay an ounce of debt.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
• A man is as old as he feels.
• A man’s house is his castle.
• An army marches on its stomach.
• An empty bag will not stand upright
• A hungry man is an angry man.
• An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
• A man in debt is caught in a net.
• A heavy purse makes a light heart.
• An old bird is not to be caught with chaff