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GED/SAT Vocabulary 8
Words and simple definitions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
serendipity | good luck in finding good things without searching for them |
serene | calm, untroubled |
servile | subservient, humble |
sinuous | lithe, serpentine (like a dancer's movement) |
sobriety | act of being sedate, calm |
solicitous | concerned, attentive |
solipsistic | being selfish, that only that person exists |
soluble | (ADJ) able to dissolve |
solvent | (NOUN) substances that dissolve into other substances or (ADJ) able to pay debts |
somnolent | sleepy, drowsy |
sophomoric | immature, uninformed |
sovereign | having absolute authority in a particular realm |
speculative | not based in fact |
spurious | false but plausible |
stagnate | to become or remain inactive, not develop |
staid | sedate, serious, self-restrained |
stingy | not generous, not inclined to spend or give |
stoic | unaffected by passion or feeling |
stolid | showing little senses, unemotional |
strenuous | requiring a lot of energy or stamina |
strident | harsh, loud |
stupefy | to astonish, make insensible |
subjugate | to subdue, to bring under control |
sublime | lofty, grand, exalted |
submissive | easily yielding to authority |
succinct | compact and precise |
superfluous | exceeding what is necessary |
surfeit | an overabundant supply |
surmise | to infer with little evidence |
surreptitious | stealthy, sneaky |
surrogate | one acting in place of another (like a mother's substitute) |
swarthy | (ADJ) of dark color or complexion |
sycophant | (NOUN) one who flatters to gain something |
tacit | expressed without words |
taciturn | not inclined to talk, peevish |
tangential | incidental, peripheral, divergent |
tantamount | equivalent in value or significance |
tedious | dull, boring |
temerity | audacity, recklessness |
temperance | moderate action or thought |
tenuable | can be defended or maintained |
tenuous | having little substance or strength |
terrestrial | relating to the land |
timorous | timid, fearful |
tirade | a long speech with harsh or biting language |
toady | one who flatters to gain favors |
tome | a large book |
torpid | lethargic, dormant, not moving |
torrid | (ADJ) giving off a lot of heat, intensely passionate |
tortuous | winding |
tractable | easily controlled |
tranquil | calm |
transgress | to violate, go over a limit |
transient | passing through briefly, in and out of existence |
transmute | to change or alter in form |
travesty | a grossly inferior imitation |
tremulous | fearful |
trenchant | (ADJ) effective, articulate, clear-cut |
trepidation | fear, apprehension |
trite | not original, overused |
truculent | ready to fight, cruel |
truncate | to shorten by cutting off |
turgid | swollen, embellished in style or language |
turpitude | depravity, moral corruption |
ubiquitous | existing everywhere, widespread |
umbrage | resentment, offense |
uncanny | of supernatural character or origin |
unctuous | smooth or greasy (behavior, appearance like a bad politician) |
undulate | to move in waves |
upbraid | to criticize or scold severely |
usurp | to seize by force, possess something without right |
utilitarian | relating to usefulness |
utopia | an imaginary and remote perfect place |
vacillate | to fluctuate, hesitate |
vacuous | stupid, lacking content or ideas |
validate | to confirm, support, corroborate |
vapid | dull, not lively |
variegated | diversified, distinctly marked |
vehemently | having a lot of force or emotion |
veneer | a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, façade |
venerable | deserving respect because of age or achievement |
venerate | to respect or honor |
veracity | truthfulness, accuracy |
verbose | wordy, loud |
verdant | green in color, tint |
vestige | a mark or trace of something lost or gone |
vex | to confuse or annoy |
vicarious | experience through another's experiences |
vicissitude | event that happens by chance, causes hardship or pain |
vigilant | watchful, alert |
vilify | to lower in importance, defame |
vindicate | to avenge, to set free |
vindictive | vengeful |
virtuoso | one who excels in an art, a highly skilled musical performer |
viscous | syrupy, thick and slow-flowing |
vitriolic | having a caustic quality |
vituperate | to berate, say mean things |
vivacious | lively, sprightly |
vocation | profession, job |
vociferous | loud, boisterous |
wallow | to become or remain helpless, feeling self-pity |
wane | to get smaller, dwindle |
wanton | undiscplined, lewd, lustful |
whimsical | fanciful, full of whims |
wily | crafty, sly |
winsome | charming, pleasing |
wistful | very sad, yearning |
wizened | dry, shrunken, wrinkled |
wrath | vengeful anger, punishment |
yoke | to join, link |
zealous | fervent, eager to pursue something |
zenith | highest point, culminating point |
zephyr | a gentle breeze |