SAT Essay Vocabulary

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 SAT Essay Vocabulary
1   Overview:
SAT essay vocabulary consists of 500 moderately difficult words; many high school students may learn them somehow but cannot use them confidently. This SAT word list includes examples, contexts, and interactive spelling exercises to build a solid essay vocabulary and sharpen writing skills.

If an essay is only done in plain or simple words in SAT writing, the chance to shoot a high score is relatively low. As a general rule, better vocabulary rewards a higher score. Unlike big-size reading vocabulary, writing vocabulary relies on your choice. You can prepare a set of words, then just use them in the right place, in the right way, and with the right spelling.

Most students can study or review the 500 SAT essay vocabulary in 2 weeks; some can even finish in 1 week. Nevertheless, in a real writing test, several hard words are enough; you should avoid using too many difficult words in a short essay. For example, if you have 5-7 uncommon but proper words in your essay, it will definitely impress readers.

If your time is tight and you feel the vocabulary big or hard, you may shrink the list to 200-300 words by excluding some relatively rare words. Only a doable task can bring your future writing with both confidence and skill.
2   View all words by groups:        
Go to Word List by Group:
1  2 

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1  2 

Words of Group 2 (Part of words, select list to view all.):
idiosyncrasy
idyllic
ignominy
illicit
impasse
imperious
impetuous
impudence
inane
incongruity
incredulous
incriminate
incubate
indeterminate
indictment
indigenuous
indignant
indiscriminate
indolent
indomitable
induce
indulgent
ineffable
ineptitude
inert
ingenuous
inherent
inhibit
innate
innocuous
innuendo
inscrutable
insipid
insolence
instigate
insular
intrepid
inundate
invoke
irate
irony
irreverent
jaded
jocular
jovial
judicious
lackadaisical
laconic
laggard
languid
latent
laud
listless
lithe
lucid
lucrative
lull
lurid
luxuriant
magnanimous
malleable
marred
maudlin
melancholy
mercenary
mercurial
miserly
mitigate
modicum
morose
motley
multifarious
nebulous
nefarious
neophyte
notoriety
noxious
nuance
obdurate
obstinate
officious
onerous
opportunist
oracle
orthodox
ostensible
oversight
pacifist
pacify
painstaking
palliate
paradigm
parch
parody
partisan
patronize
paucity
pedant
peevish
penchant
penurious
peremptory
perfunctory
peripheral
perquisite
petulant
philanthropist
piety
...
3   Demonstrate word list style:
apt   Speak
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
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bombastic   Speak
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
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circumvent   Speak
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
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conscientious   Speak
diligent; responsible; reliable
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decimate   Speak
destroy or kill a large part of; select by lot and kill one in every ten of
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fathom   Speak
measure the depth; come to understand
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
abhor  Speak
Exercise
representative or perfect example of a class or type; brief summary, as of a book or article
Exercise
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
Exercise
stray from the subject at hand
Exercise
violate the sacredness of
acrimony  Speak
Exercise
bitter animosity
Exercise
intrusive
Exercise
stray from the subject at hand
Exercise
leave to someone by a will; hand down
amiable  Speak
Exercise
extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
Exercise
compromising, apologizing
Exercise
good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
Exercise
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
complacency  Speak
Exercise
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Exercise
over-bright in color; tastelessly showy
Exercise
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Exercise
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
debilitate  Speak
Exercise
bubble, fizz
Exercise
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Exercise
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
Exercise
make weak; enfeeble; impair the strength of
delineate  Speak
Exercise
violate the sacredness of
Exercise
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out
Exercise
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Exercise
generous in providing aid to others; charitable
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
make slender, fine, or small; weaken; lessen density of


Spelling Word: attenuate
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obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality


Spelling Word: banal
Read [Esc]
supported by two opposing parties


Spelling Word: bitartisanship
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influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering


Spelling Word: cajole
Read [Esc]
relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional


Spelling Word: cerebral
Read [Esc]
festive; occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company


Spelling Word: convivial
This is 6 words spelling. Try spelling exercises of the list