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:
automaton   Speak
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
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burgeon   Speak
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
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debunk   Speak
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
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despondent   Speak
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
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elicit   Speak
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
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extol   Speak
praise highly; glorify; celebrate
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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
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
Exercise
convoluted, complex
Exercise
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
Exercise
extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
aspire  Speak
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
disappointed, defeated
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Exercise
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
assiduous  Speak
Exercise
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Exercise
deviation, not normal
Exercise
foolishness; lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight
banal  Speak
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Exercise
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
Exercise
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
chastise  Speak
Exercise
scarcity; shortage of food; famine from failure or loss of crops
Exercise
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Exercise
disappointed, defeated
Exercise
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
desecration  Speak
Exercise
violate the sacredness of
Exercise
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
Exercise
difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
Exercise
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
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deviation, not normal


Spelling Word: aberration
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fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate


Spelling Word: abhor
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assign, portion


Spelling Word: aloocate
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antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times


Spelling Word: antediluvian
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wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease


Spelling Word: atrophy
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rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners


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