GRE Word List V(part 2)

vicissitude change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
victuals food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
vie contend; compete
vigil keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
vigilant watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
vigilante one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
vignette small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
vigor active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
vile despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
vilify slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
vindicate clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one’s client; Ex. vindicate one’s claim; CF. vindicator
vindictive disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
vintner wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
violate break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
viper poisonous snake
virile manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
virtual in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtue goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
virtuoso highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
virulent (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
virus disease communicator
visage face; appearance
visceral felt in one’s inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
viscid adhesive; gluey
viscous (of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
vise vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
vision eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
visionary produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
vital full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
vitreous of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
vitriolic causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
vituperative abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
vivacious lively or animated; sprightl sprightly/lively
vivid (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
vivisection act of dissecting living animals
vixen female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
vociferous clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
vogue popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
volatile changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition act of using one’s will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
volley simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
voluble fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
voluminous having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
voluptuous sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
voodoo religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
voracious ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
vouch give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
vouchsafe grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
voyeur Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
vulgar of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
vulnerable susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
vulpine like a fox; crafty
vulture carrion-eating birds
vying contending; CF. vie

GRE Word List V(part 2)

vicissitude change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
victuals food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
vie contend; compete
vigil keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
vigilant watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
vigilante one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
vignette small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
vigor active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
vile despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
vilify slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
vindicate clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one’s client; Ex. vindicate one’s claim; CF. vindicator
vindictive disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
vintner wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
violate break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
viper poisonous snake
virile manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
virtual in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtue goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
virtuoso highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
virulent (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
virus disease communicator
visage face; appearance
visceral felt in one’s inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
viscid adhesive; gluey
viscous (of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
vise vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
vision eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
visionary produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
vital full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
vitreous of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
vitriolic causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
vituperative abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
vivacious lively or animated; sprightl sprightly/lively
vivid (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
vivisection act of dissecting living animals
vixen female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
vociferous clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
vogue popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
volatile changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition act of using one’s will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
volley simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
voluble fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
voluminous having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
voluptuous sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
voodoo religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
voracious ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
vouch give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
vouchsafe grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
voyeur Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
vulgar of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
vulnerable susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
vulpine like a fox; crafty
vulture carrion-eating birds
vying contending; CF. vie

GRE Word List V(part 1)

vacillate waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
vacuous empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
vagabond wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp
vagary capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
vagrant homeless wanderer
vain full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
vainglorious boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
valediction saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
valedictory pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
valid logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
validate make valid; confirm; ratify
valor bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
vampire ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
vanguard forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
vantage position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
vapid lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
vaporize turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
variegate change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
variegated (esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
varnish paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
vassal in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
vaunted boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
veer change in direction; swerve
vegetate live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
vehement forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
velocity speed
venal capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
vendetta blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
vendor seller
veneer thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
venerable deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
venerate revere; treat with great respect
venial (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
venison meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
venom poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
vent release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
ventilate admit fresh air into to replace stale air
ventral abdominal
ventriloquist someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
venture risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
venturesome (of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
venue location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
veracious (of a person) truthful
veracity truthfulness; adherence to the truth
verbalize put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
verbatim word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
verbiage pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
verbose wordy; N. verbosity
verdant green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
verdigris green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verge border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on
verisimilar having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
verisimilitude appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
veritable being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
verity quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
vernacular living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
vernal pertaining to spring
versatile having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
vertebrate having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
vertex summit; highest point; PL. vertices
vertigo severe dizziness; giddiness
verve enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
vestige trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
veto vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
vex annoy; distress
viable capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
viand food; CF. live
vibrant full of vigor or energy; vibrating
vicar parish priest; representative
vicarious experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ

Word List U

ubiquitous being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
ulcer sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
ulterior intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
ultimate final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
ultimatum last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
umbrage resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
unaccountable unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious
unanimity complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous
unassailable not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question
unassuaged unsatisfied; not soothed
unassuming modest; Ex. the champion’s unassuming manner
unbridled violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed
uncanny strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
unceremonious not done politely without due formalities
unconscionable unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand
uncouth boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish
unction the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
unctuous oily; bland; insincerely suave
underhand(underhanded) done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
underlying lying below; fundamental
undermine weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath
underscore underline; emphasize
understate state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
undertaker funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials
undulating moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave
unearth dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal
unearthly not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
unequivocal plain; clear; obvious
unerringly infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes
unexceptionable entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
unfaltering steadfast; firm; not changing
unfeigned genuine; real
unfetter liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
unfledged immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
unfrock defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority
ungainly (of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
unguent ointment
uniformity sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over
unilateral one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
unimpeachable that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
uninhibited unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings
unintimating unfrightening
unique without an equal; single in kind
unison unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
universal characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest
unkempt disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb
unmitigated (of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster
unobtrusive inconspicuous; not blatant
unprecedented having no previous example; novel; unparalleled
unprepossessing unattractive
unravel disentangle; solve
unregenerate making no attempt to change one’s bad practices
unrequited not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
unruly disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
unsavory distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
unscathed unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
unseemly unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
unsightly ugly; unpleasant to look at
unsullied untarnished; CF. sully
untenable (of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
untoward unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
unwarranted unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved
unwieldy awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable
unwitting not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
unwonted unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
upbraid reprimand; severely scold
upright (sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
uproar noisy confusion
uproarious marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
upshot outcome; final result
urbane suave; refined in manner; elegant
urchin mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
urge drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
urgent compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
ursine bearlike; pertaining to a bear
usage act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
usurp seize another’s power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one’s own use
usury lending money at illegal high rates of interest
utopia ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian
uxorious excessively submissive or devoted to one’s wife; CF. uxor: wife

GRE Word List T(part 3)

titter nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
titular of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
toady servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
toga Roman outer robe
token outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
toll sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
tome large volume; book
tonsure shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
topography physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
topple become unsteady and fall down
torpedo underwater explosive apparatus; V.
torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
torque twisting force; force producing rotation
torrent rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
torrid (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
torso trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
tortuous winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
toss throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
totem animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
totter shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
touching causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
touchstone stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
touchy oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
tout promote or publicize (one’s goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
toxic poisonous; N. toxicity
tract propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tractable docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
traduce expose to slander
trajectory path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
tramp walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
trample step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
trance hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one’s physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
tranquillity calmness; peace
transcendent exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
transcendental going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
transcribe copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
transgression violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
transient staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
transition going from one state of action to another
transitory transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
translucent partly transparent
transmute transform; change; convert to something different
transparent permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
transpire (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
transport strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
transpose reverse the order or position of
trappings outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
traumatic (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
travail strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
traverse go through or across
travesty copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
tread walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
treasure keep as precious; cherish
treatise article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
trek travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
tremor trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous trembling; wavering
trenchant cutting; incisive; keen
trepidation fear; nervous apprehension
tribulation suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
tribunal court of justice
tribune official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
tribute tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
trickle flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
trickster person who cheats people
trident three-pronged spear
trifle something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
trifling trivial; unimportant
trigger set off; start
trilogy group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
trim make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
trinket knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
trite hackneyed; commonplace
trivia trifles; unimportant matters
troth pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
trough long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
truculence aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
truism self-evident truth
truncate cut the top off; shorten
trunk main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
tryst meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
tumid (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
tumult commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
tundra rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
turbid (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
turbulence state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
tureen deep dish for serving soup
turgid swollen; distended (as from liquid)
turmoil extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
turncoat traitor
turpitude depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
tutelage guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
tutelary protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
tycoon wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
typhoon tropical hurricane or cyclone
tyranny oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
tyro beginner; novice

GRE Word List T(part 2)

titter nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
titular of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
toady servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
toga Roman outer robe
token outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
toll sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
tome large volume; book
tonsure shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
topography physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
topple become unsteady and fall down
torpedo underwater explosive apparatus; V.
torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
torque twisting force; force producing rotation
torrent rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
torrid (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
torso trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
tortuous winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
toss throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
totem animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
totter shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
touching causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
touchstone stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
touchy oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
tout promote or publicize (one’s goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
toxic poisonous; N. toxicity
tract propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tractable docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
traduce expose to slander
trajectory path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
tramp walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
trample step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
trance hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one’s physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
tranquillity calmness; peace
transcendent exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
transcendental going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
transcribe copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
transgression violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
transient staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
transition going from one state of action to another
transitory transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
translucent partly transparent
transmute transform; change; convert to something different
transparent permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
transpire (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
transport strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
transpose reverse the order or position of
trappings outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
traumatic (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
travail strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
traverse go through or across
travesty copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
tread walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
treasure keep as precious; cherish
treatise article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
trek travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
tremor trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous trembling; wavering
trenchant cutting; incisive; keen
trepidation fear; nervous apprehension
tribulation suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
tribunal court of justice
tribune official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
tribute tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
trickle flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
trickster person who cheats people
trident three-pronged spear
trifle something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
trifling trivial; unimportant
trigger set off; start
trilogy group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
trim make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
trinket knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
trite hackneyed; commonplace
trivia trifles; unimportant matters
troth pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
trough long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
truculence aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
truism self-evident truth
truncate cut the top off; shorten
trunk main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
tryst meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
tumid (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
tumult commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
tundra rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
turbid (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
turbulence state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
tureen deep dish for serving soup
turgid swollen; distended (as from liquid)
turmoil extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
turncoat traitor
turpitude depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
tutelage guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
tutelary protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
tycoon wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
typhoon tropical hurricane or cyclone
tyranny oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
tyro beginner; novice

GRE Word List T(part 1)

tablet small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
tacit understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
taciturn habitually silent; talking little
tact skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
tactful careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless
tactile pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
taint contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
takeoff burlesque; act of leaving the ground
talisman charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
talon claw of bird
tan convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
tangential only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
tangible able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
tanner person who turns animal hides into leather
tantalize tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
tantamount equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
tantrum fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
taper very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
tarantula venomous spider
tardy slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
tarnish make or become dull or discolored; N.
tarry linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
tart sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
tatter torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
taunt deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
taut tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
tautological needlessly repetitious; Ex. “It was visible to the eye'’; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
tawdry cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
tawny brownish yellow
taxonomist specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
tedium boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious
teetotalism practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
temerity boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day’s work
temper moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
temperament characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
temperate moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
tempestuous stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
tempo speed of music
temporal of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
temporize gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
tenacious holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
tenacity firmness; persistence
tenancy possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant’s occupancy
tenant one that pays rent to use property owned by another
tend have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one’s attention; attend
tendentious promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
tender offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one’s resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
tenet doctrine; dogma
tensile capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
tension stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
tentative not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
tenuous thin; slim; rare
tenure holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held
tepid lukewarm; slightly warm; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
terminal part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
termination end; V. terminate
terminology terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
terminus last stop of railroad; end
terrestrial on or relating to the earth
terse concise; abrupt; pithy
tertiary third in order or rank
tessellated mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
testator maker of a will; CF. testatrix
testy irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
tether tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one’s endurance; Ex. the end of one’s tether
thematic of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
theocracy government run by religious leaders
theoretical based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
therapeutic curative; N. therapy
thermal pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
thesis opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
thespian pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
thrall slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
thrash beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.
threadbare worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
threat sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
thresh beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
thrifty careful about money; economical; N. thrift
thrive prosper; flourish
throb (of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
throes violent anguish
throng crowd (of people or things); V.
throttle strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
thwart block or hinder; baffle; frustrate
tickle touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
tightwad miser; excessively frugal person
tiller handle used to move boat’s rudder (to steer)
timbre quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
timidity lack of self-confidence or courage
timorous fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
tinge give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
tint slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
tipple drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
tirade long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
titanic gigantic; N. titan
tithe tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
titillate tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
title name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate