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:
amicable   Speak
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
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bitartisanship   Speak
supported by two opposing parties
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enumerate   Speak
list each one; mention one by one
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evoke   Speak
bring out; arouse; call forth
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exhort   Speak
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts; make urgent appeal
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genial   Speak
friendly; cordial; having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
adroit  Speak
Exercise
force to leave; remove from office
Exercise
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Exercise
below the average size; very small; little
autocrat  Speak
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Exercise
casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
Exercise
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
Exercise
dictator; ruler having unlimited power
buttress  Speak
Exercise
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
Exercise
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Exercise
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
Exercise
convoluted, complex
censorious  Speak
Exercise
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Exercise
below the average size; very small; little
Exercise
critical; addicted to censure; severe in making remarks on others, or on their writings or manners; implying or expressing censure
chastise  Speak
Exercise
worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean
Exercise
useless; having no useful result; vain
Exercise
blacken; defame; attack reputation of; degrade
Exercise
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
congenial  Speak
Exercise
force to leave; remove from office
Exercise
sudden realization
Exercise
compatible
Exercise
supported by two opposing parties
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand


Spelling Word: apt
Read [Esc]
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end


Spelling Word: aspire
Read [Esc]
mechanism that imitates actions of humans


Spelling Word: automaton
Read [Esc]
fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly


Spelling Word: capricious
Read [Esc]
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance


Spelling Word: charlatan
Read [Esc]
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior


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