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 

Select Vocabulary Group:
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:
ascetic   Speak
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
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decimate   Speak
destroy or kill a large part of; select by lot and kill one in every ten of
Show examples and contexts    Close
decorum   Speak
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
Show examples and contexts    Close
deride   Speak
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
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effervesce   Speak
bubble, fizz
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egalitarian   Speak
belief in equality
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
acumen  Speak
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Exercise
sudden downfall; complete disaster
Exercise
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
autocrat  Speak
Exercise
dictator; ruler having unlimited power
Exercise
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
Exercise
able to float; cheerful and optimistic
Exercise
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
bolster  Speak
Exercise
support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion
Exercise
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
Exercise
hard to understand; known only in a particular group
Exercise
calm; impartial; unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
caustic  Speak
Exercise
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
Exercise
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication
Exercise
diligent; responsible; reliable
Exercise
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
coalesce  Speak
Exercise
tending to waste time
Exercise
combine; fuse; grow together; come together so as to form one whole; unite
Exercise
support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion
Exercise
diligent; responsible; reliable
corroborate  Speak
Exercise
diligent; responsible; reliable
Exercise
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
Exercise
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Exercise
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
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approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request


Spelling Word: accost
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likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand


Spelling Word: apt
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attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous


Spelling Word: auspicious
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discordant; inharmonious; sounding harshly; ill-sounding


Spelling Word: cacophonous
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violate the sacredness of


Spelling Word: desecration
Read [Esc]
disappointed, defeated


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