gre wordlist C(part 2)

caucus private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
caulk(calk) make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
cavalcade procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
cavalier casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
cavil quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
celerity speed; rapidity
celestial heavenly
celibate abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
cemetery place for burying the dead
censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
censorious severely critical
censure blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
centrifugal radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge machine that separates substances by whirling them
centripetal tending toward the center
centurion Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
cerebration thought; working of the brain
ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
certitude certainty
cessation stoppage
cession yielding to another; ceding
chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
chaff worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
chaffing bantering; joking
chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
chalice goblet; consecrated cup
chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations
champion support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
championship position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
chancellor legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
chant tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
chaotic in utter disorder
chapel small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
chaperon older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
chaplain clergyman attached to a chapel
char make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
charm quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
chary cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
chase ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
chasm abyss; very deep crack
chassis framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
chaste morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely
chauvinist blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
check stop motion; curb or restrain
checkered(chequered) marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
cherubic angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
chicanery trickery; deception
chide scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
chimerical fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
chip lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
chisel swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
choice delicate; of very fine quality
choir group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
chore daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
choreography art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
chortle chuckle with delight; N.
chorus phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
chronic long established as a disease

GRE Word List C

cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
cache hiding place; V.
cacophonous discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cadaver corpse; dead human body
cadaverous like a corpse; pale
cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
cadet student at a military school
cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
calamity disaster; misery
calculated deliberately planned; likely
caldron(cauldron) large kettle
caliber ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
callous hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
callow youthful; immature; inexperienced
callus area of thick hard skin
calorific heat-producing; N. calorie
calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander
camaraderie good-fellowship; CF. comrade
cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; star’s special appearance in a minor role in a film
camp group sharing a common cause or opinion
canard unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
canine related to dogs; doglike
canker any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
canny shrewd in money matters; thrifty
cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
cantankerous ill-humored; irritable
cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
canter slow gallop; V. CF. trot
canto division of a long poem
canvass determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
capacious spacious
capacity mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
capitulate surrender; give up all resistance
caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious unpredictable; fickle
capsize (of a boat) turn over
caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration
captious faultfinding; too critical
carafe glass water bottle; decanter
carapace shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
carat(karat) unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
carcinogenic causing cancer; N. carcinogen
cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
cardiologist doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
careen lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
career rush wildly; go at full speed
carefree free from worries; having no problems
caricature distortion; burlesque
carillon a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
carousal drunken revel; V. carouse
carping petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
carrion rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
cartographer map-maker
cascade small waterfall
caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
castigation punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
castrate remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
catapult slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
catastrophe calamity ; disaster
catcall shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
catechism book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
categorical without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
cater provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
catharsis purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
catholic (of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

GRE wordlist B(part 2)

bland soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
blandishment flattery
blare loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
blase bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
blasphemy irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
blatant extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
bleak cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
blemish mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
blight plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
blighted suffering from a disease; destroyed
bliss complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
blithe(blithesome) gay; joyous
bloated (unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
blotch spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
blowhard talkative boaster; braggart
bludgeon club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
blue gloomy; depressed
blues state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
bluff pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
blunder error; stupid mistake
blunt having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
blurt utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
blush become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
bluster blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
bode foreshadow; portend
bog soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
bogus counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
Bohemian unconventional (in an artistic way)
boisterous violent; rough; noisy
bolster support; reinforce
bolt door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a | door); gobble down
bombardment attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
bombast grandiloquent, pompous speech
bombastic pompous; using inflated language
bookish fond of books and reading
boon blessing; benefit; something very helpful
boor rude, insensitive person
boorish rude; insensitive
boost lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
botch mismanage; blow
bouillon clear beef (or meat) soup
bound leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to
bountiful generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
bourgeois middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
bout match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
bovine cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
bowdlerize expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
brackish somewhat saline
brag boast
braggadocio boasting
braggart boaster; bragger
braid plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
brand trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
brandish wave around (a weapon); flourish
bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
brave face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
brawl noisy quarrel
brawn human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
brawny muscular; having well-developed muscles
brazen insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
breadth width; extent
breed produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
brevity conciseness; shortness of duration
bridle harness fitted about a horse’s head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
brim uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
brindled tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
brink edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
brisk quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
bristle short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
bristling rising like bristles; showing irritation
brittle hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
broach introduce as a subject; moot; open up
brocade rich, figured(patterned) fabric
brochure pamphlet
broil cook by direct heat; N.
bromide platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
brooch ornamental clasp; pin
brood sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
brook tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
browbeat bully; intimidate
browse graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
bruise injure without breaking the skin; N.
brunt main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
brusque blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
buccaneer pirate
bucolic rustic; pastoral
buffet strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that’s been set
buffoon stupid person; clown
buffoonery clowning
bugaboo bugbear; object of baseless terror
bulge protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
bulk size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
bullion gold and silver in the form of bars
bully one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
bulwark strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
bump hit or knock against with force; N.
bungle mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
buoyant able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
bureaucracy overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
burgeon grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
burlesque give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish
bust piece of sculpture showing a person’s head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
buttress support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
buxom full-bosomed; plump; jolly

GRE wordlist for B(part 1)

babble chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
bacchanal noisy party with a lot of drinking
bacchanalia the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
bacchanalian drunken
backslide revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
badger pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
badinage teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
baffle frustrate; perplex
bait harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
balk stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
balm something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
balmy soft and mild (of air); fragrant
banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\’ed
bandy discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
bane posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
bank heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
bantering joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
bar railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
barb sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
bard poet
barefaced shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
bargain agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
baroque highly ornate
barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
barrister counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
barterer trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
base contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
bastard illegitimate child
bastion stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
bate let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
battalion army unit made up of four or more companies
bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
bawdy indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
bearing deportment; connection
beatific giving or showing bliss; blissful
beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness
bedizen dress with vulgar finery
bedraggle wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
beeline direct quick route
befuddle confuse thoroughly
beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn’t begrudge him his success.
beguile deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
behemoth huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
beholden obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
behoove(behove) be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
belabor harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
belated delayed
beleaguer besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
belittle disparage; depreciate
bellicose warlike
belligerent quarrelsome
bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
benediction blessing
benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
beneficent kindly; doing good
beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous
beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
benefit advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
benison blessing
bent determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
berate scold strongly
bereaved deprived of (someone beloved through death)
bereavement state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
bereft deprived of (something valuable); lacking
berserk mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
beseech beg; plead with
beset harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
besiege surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
besmirch soil; defile; make dirty
bestial beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
bestow confer
betoken signify; indicate; be a sign of
betray be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
betroth become engaged to marry
bevy large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
beware be cautious (of)
bewitch cast a spell over; captivate completely
bicameral two-chambered as a legislative body
bicker quarrel
bid command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
biennial every two years
bifurcated divided into two branches; forked
bigot one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
bigotry stubborn intolerance
bilious suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
bilk swindle; cheat
billow large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
billowing swelling out in waves; surging
biting sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting wind/remarks
bitter having a sharp biting taste; ?; causing sharp pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, disappointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter wind/sorrow/tears
bivouac temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
bizarre fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
blackball vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
blanch bleach; whiten; make white or pale

GRE wordlist for A(part 4)

atheistic denying the existence of God; N. atheism
atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
atrophy wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
attentive alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
attenuate make thin; weaken
attest testify; bear witness
attire clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
attribute essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
attrition rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
atypical not normal; not typical
audacious daring; bold; N. audacity
audit examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
augment increase; add to
augury omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
august impressive; majestic
aureole sun’s corona; halo; bright circle of light
auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
auspicious favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk’s austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
authenticate prove genuine
authoritarian subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another’s will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
authoritative having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
autocratic having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy
autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice
avantgarde group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
avarice greediness for wealth
avenge take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
aver state confidently; declare as true
averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
aversion firm dislike
avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
aviary enclosure for birds; large cage
avid greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
avocation secondary or minor occupation
avow declare openly; N. avowal
avuncular of or like an uncle
awe solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
awful terrible; very bad
awl pointed tool used for piercing
awry distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof
azure sky blue

GRE wordlist for A(part 3)

antiquated obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
antique made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable
antiquity quality of being very old; ancient times;
antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
antler bony growth on the head of a deer
anvil iron block used in hammering out metals
apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
ape imitate or mimic (a person’s behavior or manner)
aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
apex tip; summit; climax; highest point
aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
apiarist person who keeps bees
apiary a place where bees are kept
apiculture bee-keeping
aplomb poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
apocryphal (of a story) widely believed but untrue
apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
apolitical having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
apologist one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
apothecary druggist; pharmacist
apothegm(apophthegm) pithy, compact saying
apotheosis elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
appall dismay; shock deeply
apparent evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement
apparition ghost; phantom
appease pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
appellation name; title
append attach
application diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
apposite appropriate; fitting
appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal
appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
apprehensive fearful; discerning
apprise inform
approbation approval
appropriate acquire; take possession of for one’s own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
appurtenances subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
apropos with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
aptitude fitness; talent
aquiline curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
arable fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides)
arboreal of or living in trees
arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops
arcane esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
arch- chief; first; Ex. archbishop
archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
archetype prototype; primitive pattern
archipelago group of closely located islands
archives public records; place where public records are kept
ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
arduous hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
argot slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
aria operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive
aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
armada fleet of warships
aromatic fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
arraign charge in court; indict
array marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
arrears being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia
arrogance pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one’s own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
arroyo gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
arsenal storage place for military equipment
artery blood-vessel; CF. vein
artful exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
articulate effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
artifacts object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
artifice deception; trickery
artisan a manually skilled worker
artless without guile; open and honest
ascendancy controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
ascertain find out for certain; make certain
ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
ascribe refer; attribute; assign
aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
ashen ash-colored; deadly pale
asinine stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle
asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
aspersion slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
aspirant seeker after position or status
aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
assail assault
assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
assent agree; accept; N. assessment
assert state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one’s independence
assiduous diligent
assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
assuage mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
assurance firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one’s own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assuranc
asteroid small planet
astigmatism eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
astral relating to the stars
astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
astronomical enormously large or extensive
astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one’s advantage
asunder into parts; apart; V. sunder
asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier

GRE wordlist for A(part 2)

affluence abundance; wealth
affront insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
afterlife life after death; later part of one’s life
agape openmouthed
agenda items of business at a meeting
agglomeration collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap
aggrandize make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
aggregate sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
aghast filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
agility nimbleness; ability to move quickly
agitate stir up; disturb
agnostic one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
agog highly excited; intensely curious
agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
airy of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
alacrity cheerful promptness without reluctance
alchemy medieval chemistry
alcove nook; recess
alias an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
alienate make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
alimentary supplying nourishment
alimony payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
allay calm; pacify
allege state without proof
allegiance loyalty
allegory story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
alleviate relieve (pain)
alliteration repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate assign; set apart for a particular purpose
alloy mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
allude refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
allure entice; attract; tempt
alluvial pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
alms money or goods given to the poor
aloft upward; high up in the air
aloof apart; not open in one’s relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
altercation noisy quarrel
altruistic unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
amalgam combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
amalgamate (of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body
amass collect (gradually, in a very large amount)
amazon female warrior
ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
ambivalence the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
amble walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
ambrosia food of the gods
ambulatory able to walk
ambush act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
ameliorate improve
amenable obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
amend correct; change ; generally for the better
amenities convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
amiable agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
amiss wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
amity friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
amnesia loss of memory
amnesty pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
amok(amuck) in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
amoral nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
amorous moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
amorphous formless; lacking shape or definition
amphibian able to live both on land and in water; N.
amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
ample enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space
amplify increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one’s remarks with a graph
amputate cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
amulet charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
anachronism an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
analgesia condition of being unable to feel pain
analgesic causing insensitivity to pain; N.
analogous comparable; similar
analogy similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
anarchist person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
anarchy absence of governing body; state of disorder
anathema solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
ancestry family descent; ADJ. ancestral
anchor secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
ancillary serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
anecdote short story of an amusing or interesting event
anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
anguish acute pain; extreme suffering
angular sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
animadversion critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animated lively; spirited
animosity active enmity
animus hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
annals records arranged in yearly parts; history
anneal reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
annex attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
annihilate destroy
annotate comment; make explanatory notes
annuity yearly allowance
annul make void
anodyne drug that relieves pain or trouble;opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
anoint consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
anomalous abnormal; irregular
anomaly irregularity
anonymity state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
antagonism hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
antecede precede
antecedents preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian antiquated; extremely ancient
anthem song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
anthology book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus
anthropoid manlike; resembling a human being; N.
anthropologist student of the history and science of humankind
anthropomorphic having human form or characteristics
anticlimax letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
antidote remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
antipathy aversion; dislike or opposition

GRE wordlist for A(part 1)

abase lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
abash embarrass
abate subside or moderate
abbreviate shorten
abdicate renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
aberrant abnormal or deviant
aberration deviation from the normal; mental disorder
abet assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage
abeyance suspended action
abhor detest; hate
abide dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules.
abject (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble.
abjure renounce upon oath
ablution washing
abnegation renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abode dwelling place; home
abolish cancel; put an end to
abominable detestable; extremely unpleasant
abominate loathe; hate
aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
abortive unsuccessful; fruitless
abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down
abridge condense or shorten
abrogate abolish
abscission cutting off; separation
abscond depart secretly and hide
absolute complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
absolve pardon (an offense)
abstain refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one’s vote;
abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
abstinence restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
abstract theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful
abut border upon; adjoin
abysmal bottomless
abyss enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
academic related to a school; not practical or directly useful
accede agree
accelerate move faster
accessible easy to approach; obtainable
accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing
acclaim applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval.
acclimate adjust to climate or environment; adapt
acclivity sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
accolade award of merit; strong praise and approval
accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony.
accomplice partner in crime
accord agreement
accost approach and speak first to a person
accoutre equip; N. accoutrement
accretion growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
accrue come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
acerbity bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
acetic vinegary
acidulous slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
acme peak; pinnacle; highest point
acne skin disease (on the face)
acoustics science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiesce assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acquittal deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
acrid bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
acrimonious stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
acrophobia fear of heights
actuarial calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
actuary someone who advises insurance companies
actuate motivate; activate; cause to act
acuity sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
acumen mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
acute (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
adage wise saying; proverb
adamant hard; inflexible
adapt make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
addendum addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
addiction compulsive habitual need
addle make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
address direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one’s efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
adept expert at; very skilled
adhere stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
adherent supporter; follower
adjacent adjoining; neighboring; close by adjoin be next to
adjourn suspend until a later time; move from one place to another
adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
admonish warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
adore love deeply and respect highly
adorn decorate
adroit skillful (in using mind or hand)
adulation flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
adulterate make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
Advent arrival
adventitious accidental; casual; happening by chance
adversary opponent; enemy
adverse going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
adversity great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
advert refer
advocacy support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
advocate speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
aegis shield; protection; defense
aerie (aery,eyrie,eyry) nest of a large bird of prey
aesthetic artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
affable easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
affected artificial; pretended
affidavit written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
affiliation joining; associating with
affinity feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
affirmation positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
affliction state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on