GRE wordlist D(part 5)

dominate control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ?????
domineer rule over tyrannically
don put on; OP. doff
doom condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
dormant sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
dormer window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
dorsal relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
dossier file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
dotage senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one’s dotage
dote be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
dour sullen; gloomy; stubborn
douse plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
dowdy untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
downcast disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
dowry money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
dowse use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
doze sleep lightly; nap
drab dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
draconian extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
draft first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript
drama prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
drastic strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
draught current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time
draw choosing of a lot or card
dregs sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
dribble flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
drip fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
drivel nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
droll queer and amusing
drone talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
droop bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
dross waste matter; worthless impurities
drudge do drudgery; N: person who drudges
drudgery hard unpleasant work; menial work
dubious questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
ductile malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
dulcet sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
dull (of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
dumbfound(dumfound) astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
dummy imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
dupe someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
duplicity double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
duration length of time something lasts
duress forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
dutiful(duteous) (of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
dwindle shrink; reduce gradually
dynamic energetic; vigorously active
dynamo generator for producing electricity; energetic person
dys- abnormal; impaired
dysentery inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
dyslexia word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
dyspeptic suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food

GRE wordlist D(part 4)

disingenuous not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
disinter dig up; unearth; OP. inter
disinterested unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
disjointed disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
disjunction act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
dislodge remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
dismantle take apart; disassemble
dismember cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
dismiss eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
disparage belittle
disparate basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
disparity difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
dispassionate calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
dispatch speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
dispense distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
disperse scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
dispirited lacking in spirit
disport amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
disproportion lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate
disputatious argumentative; fond of argument
disquietude uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
disquisition formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
dissemble disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
disseminate distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
dissension disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group
dissent disagree
dissertation formal essay; treatise
dissident dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
dissimulate pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
dissipate squander; waste foolishly; scatter
dissolution disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
dissonance discord
dissuade persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
distant reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
distend expand; swell out
distill refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
distinct clearly different; clearly noticed
distinction honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
distinctive clearly different from others of the same kind
distort twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
distract take (one’s attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
distrait absentminded; distracted
distraught upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
diurnal daily; occurring during the daytime
diva operatic singer; prima donna
diverge vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
diverse differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: | variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
diversion act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
divest strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
divine perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
divulge reveal
docile obedient; easily managed; submissive
docket program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
doctrinaire unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
doctrine teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
document provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
doddering shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
doff take off; OP. don
dogged determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert’s dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
doggerel poor verse
dogmatic opinionated; holding stubbornly to one’s opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
doldrums blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
dolorous sorrowful; N. dolor
dolt slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
domicile home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one’s domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
dominant exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part

GRE wordlist D(part 3)

devise think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
devoid empty; lacking
devolve deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
devotee enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
devout pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
dexterous skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
diabolical diabolic; devilish; fiendish
diadem crown
dialectical relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous sheer; transparent
diatribe bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
dichotomy division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
dictum authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
didactic (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
die metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
diffidence shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
diffuse wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
dignitary person of high rank or position
digression wandering away from the subject; V. digress
dilapidated falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
dilate expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
dilatory delaying; tending to delay
dilemma situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
dilettante aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
diminution lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
din continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
dinghy small boat (often ship’s boat)
dingy (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
dint means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
diorama life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
dire warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
dirge funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
disaffected disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
disapprobation disapproval; condemnation
disarray state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
disavowal denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
disband dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
disbar make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession
disburse pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
discernible distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
discerning mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
disclaim disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
disclose reveal; N. disclosure
discombobulated discomposed; confused
discomfit frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
discompose disturb the composure of; confuse
disconcert confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discord conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
discordant not harmonious; conflicting
discount disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
discourse serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
discredit defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
discrepancy lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
discrete separate; unconnected
discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
discriminate distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
discriminating able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
discursive (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
disdain treat with scorn or contempt
disembark debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
disenfranchise disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
disengage uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
disfigure mar the appearance of; spoil
disgorge surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
disgruntle make discontented
dishearten discourage
disheveled untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
dishonor disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
disinclination unwillingness

GRE wordlist D(part 2)

delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
delirium mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
delta flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
delude deceive
deluge flood; rush; V.
delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
delusive deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
delve dig; search deeply; investigate
demagogue person who appeals to people’s prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demean disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
demeanor behavior; bearing
demented insane
demerit fault; bad quality
demise death
demographic related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
demolition destruction; V. demolish
demoniac(demoniacal) fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
demotic of or pertaining to the people
demur object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
demure (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
denigrate blacken; defame
denizen (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
denomination religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
denotation meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
denouement final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
depict portray
deplete reduce; exhaust
deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
deploy spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
deport send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
depose dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
depravity extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
depredation plundering; destruction
deputize work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
deranged insane
derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
dereliction neglect of duty; abandonment
deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
derision ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
derivation deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases
derogatory expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
descry catch sight of (something distant)
desecrate profane; violate the sanctity of
deserts what someone deserves
desiccate dry up
desolate make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
desperado reckless, desperate outlaw
desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
despise look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
despoil plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
despondent without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
destitute extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
desultory aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
detached emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
detain keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
determinate having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
determination resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
deterrent something that discourages or deters
detonation explosion
detraction slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
detrimental harmful; damaging; N. detriment
deviate turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
devious roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route

GRE wordlist D(part 1)

dabble work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
dainty delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
dais raised platform for speakers or other important people
dally trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
damn condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
dank damp; unpleasantly wet
dapper neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
dappled spotted
dart move or throw suddenly and quickly
daub smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one’s clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
daunt intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
dauntless bold; fearless
dawdle loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
daze stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
dazzle make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder
deadlock standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
deadpan wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
dearth scarcity
debacle sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
debar bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
debauch corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
debilitate weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
debris rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
debunk expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
debut d\’ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
debutante young woman making formal entrance into society
decadence decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant pour off gently (wine or liquid)
decapitate behead
decelerate slow down
deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
decipher decode; CF. indecipherable
declivity downward slope
decollete (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\’ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
decomposition decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
decorous proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
decorum propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
decoy lure or bait; V.
decree authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
decrepit weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
decrepitude state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
decry express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
deducible derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
deface mar; disfigure
defalcate embezzle
defame harm someone’s reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
defeatist resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
defect shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
defection desertion
defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
deference courteous regard for another’s wish; courteous yielding to another’s wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
defiance refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
defile pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
definitive most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course
defoliate destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
defray provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
defrock strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
deft neat; skillful
defunct dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
dehydrate remove water from; dry out
deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
deign condescend; stoop
delete erase; strike out
deleterious harmful
deliberate consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow

GRE word list C(part 7)

cower shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
coy shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer
cozen cheat; hoodwink; swindle
crabbed sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
craft skill (esp. with one’s hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
crass very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
crave desire; want intensely
craven cowardly
credence belief
credential evidence concerning one’s authority; written proof of a person’s position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
credo creed
credulity belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\’e; ADJ. credulous
creed system of religious or ethical belief
creep move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
cremate incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
crescendo increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
crest top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
crestfallen dejected; dispirited
crevice crack; fissure
cringe shrink back as if in fear; cower
crinkle wrinkle
criteria standards used in judging; CF. criterion
crochet make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
crone hag; ugly old woman
cross bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
crossbreed hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
crotchety (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
crust hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
crux essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
crypt secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
cryptic mysterious; hidden; secret
cubicle small chamber used for sleeping or work
cue word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor’s speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
cuisine style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
culinary relating to cooking or kitchen
cull pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
culmination highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
culpable deserving blame; blameworthy
culprit one guilty of a crime
culvert artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
cumbersome heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
cumulative growing by addition; accumulative
cunning clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
cupidity greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
curator superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
curb chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
curfew regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
curmudgeon churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
cursive (of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
cursory casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
curtail shorten; reduce
cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
cynosure object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor

GRE wordlist C(part 6)

contagion infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
contaminate pollute
contempt scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contention assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
contentious quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
contest dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
context writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
contiguous adjacent to; touching upon
continence self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
contingent dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
contortions twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
contraband illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
contravene contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
contrite penitent; repentant; N. contrition
contrivance something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
contrive invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
contrived unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
controvert oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
contusion bruise
conundrum riddle; difficult problem
convene come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
convention social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
conventional ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
converge approach; tend to meet; come together
conversant familiar with; having knowledge of
converse opposite; ADJ.
convert one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
convex curving outward
conveyance vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
conviction judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
convivial pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
convoke call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
convoluted coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
convulsion violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
copious plentiful
coquette flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
cordial warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
cordon extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; V.
cornice projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars);
cornucopia horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
corollary natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
coroner public official who investigates any death thought to be of other than natural causes
corporeal bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
corpulent very fat; N. corpulence
corpus collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear’s works; Cf. corpse
corpuscle red or white cell in the blood
correlate either of the correlated things; V.
correlation mutual relationship
corroborate confirm; support; strengthen
corrode destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
corrugated wrinkled; ridged
cosmic pertaining to the universe; vast
coterie group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
countenance approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
countermand cancel; revoke (an order)
counterpart thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
coup highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d’\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
couple join; unite; OP. uncouple
courier messenger
court attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
covenant binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
covert secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
covetous avaricious; desirous of (someone else’s possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else’s possessions)
cow terrorize; intimidate

Gre worlist C (part 5)

concord harmony; accord
concordat formal agreement
concur agree; coincide; happen at the same time
concurrent happening at the same time; in agreement
condescend (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
condign adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condiments seasonings; spices
condole express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids
confidant(confidante) trusted friend (to whom one tells one’s secret)
confide tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
confidence self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one’s abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I’m telling yo
confidential spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
confine shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
confiscate seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
conflagration great fire
confluence flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
conformist person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to accepted beliefs of norms
conformity harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
confound confuse; puzzle
congeal freeze; coagulate
congenial pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one’s tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
congenital existing at birth
conglomerate corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
conglomeration mass of material sticking together
congruence correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
congruent in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
conifer pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
conjecture surmise; guess; V.
conjugal pertaining to marriage
conjure cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
connivance pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
connotation suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
consanguineous(consanguine) having a common ancestor
consanguinity kinship; relationship by birth
conscientious scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
conscript draftee; person forced into military service; V.
consecrate dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one’s life to helping the poor
consensus general agreement; opinion reached by a group
consequential self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
conservatory(conservatoire) school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
consign send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
consistency absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
console lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
consolidation unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
consonance harmony; agreement
consonant harmonious; in agreement; N.
consort associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
conspiracy treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
conspire take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
consternation great shock; dismay
constituency voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
constituent supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
constitution constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
constraint restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
construe explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
consummate complete; V.

Gre wordlist C(part 4)

collected composed; calm; self-possessed
colloquial pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy informal discussion; conversation
collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
colossal huge
colossus gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
coma deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
comatose in a coma; extremely sleepy
combustible easily burned; N. CF. combustion
comeback retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
comely attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
comestible something fit to be eaten
comeuppance deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
comity courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
commandeer take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
commemorate honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
commemorative remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
commensurate equal in extent; of the same size
commiserate feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious spacious and comfortable
commonplace ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
commonwealth nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
communal held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
commune small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
compact agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
compartment one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
compassion sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
compatible harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
compelling overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one’s attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
compendium brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
compensatory making up for; repaying
compilation listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
compile assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
complacency self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
complaisant trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
complement complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
complementary serving to complete something
compliance conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
compliant readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
complicity participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
component element; ingredient
comport bear one’s self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
compost mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
composure mental calmness
compound combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings;
comprehend include; understand
comprehensive broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
compress force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
comprise include; consist of
compromise adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one’s principle; N.
compulsion compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
compulsive resulting from compulsion
compulsory obligatory; that must be done
compunction remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
compute reckon; calculate
concatenate link as in a chain
concave hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
concede admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
conceit vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one’s own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
concentric having a common center
conception beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
concerted mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
concession an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
conciliatory reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concise brief and compact
conclave private secret meeting
conclusive decisive; ending all debate
concoct prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
concomitant that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age

Gre worlist C(part 3)

chronicle report; record (in chronological order)
chuckle laugh quietly
churlish boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
ciliated having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circlet small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
circuit closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
circuitous roundabout
circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around
circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
circumvent outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
cistern reservoir or water tank
citadel fortress
cite quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
civil having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
clairvoyant having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
clamber climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
clamor loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
clandestine secret
clangor loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
clap strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
clapper striker (tongue) of a bell
clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
clasp hold firmly within arms
claustrophobia fear of being locked in
clavicle collarbone
cleave split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
cleft N: split
clemency disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
clich\’e phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\’ed
clientele body of customers
climactic relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
clime climate
clip cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
clipper sailing vessel built for great speed
clique small exclusive group of people
cloister monastery or convent
clot half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
clout great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
clown act stupidly; play the fool; N.
cloying distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
coagulate congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
coalesce combine; fuse; N. coalescence
coalition partnership; league; union of separate political parties
coax persuade by flattery
coda concluding section of a musical or literary composition
coddle treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
codicil supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
codify arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
coercion use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
coeval living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
cog tooth projecting from a wheel
cogent convincing
cogitate think over; ponder
cognate having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
cognitive having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
cognizance knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
cohabit live together
cohere stick together
cohesion tendency to keep together
cohorts group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
coiffure hairstyle
coin make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
coincidence the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
colander utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
collaborate work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
collage work of art put together from fragments
collate examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
collateral security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
collation a light meal; collating