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:
assiduous   Speak
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
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avarice   Speak
greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain
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conciliate   Speak
compromising, apologizing
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dilatory   Speak
tending to waste time
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elucidate   Speak
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
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finesse   Speak
refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful, subtle handling
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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
rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing
Exercise
puzzle; difficult problem
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
antediluvian  Speak
Exercise
limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle
Exercise
unearth; dig out; make a hole in; hollow out
Exercise
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
Exercise
disappointed, defeated
aspire  Speak
Exercise
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out
Exercise
able to float; cheerful and optimistic
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
boorish  Speak
Exercise
rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners
Exercise
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Exercise
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
buoyant  Speak
Exercise
able to float; cheerful and optimistic
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Exercise
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
decorum  Speak
Exercise
unearth; dig out; make a hole in; hollow out
Exercise
diligent; responsible; reliable
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Exercise
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity


Spelling Word: abate
Read [Esc]
impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration


Spelling Word: august
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support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion


Spelling Word: bolster
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relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional


Spelling Word: cerebral
Read [Esc]
diligent; responsible; reliable


Spelling Word: conscientious
Read [Esc]
openly emotional


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