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:
avarice   Speak
greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain
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barrage   Speak
artificial obstruction; heavy curtain of artillery fire; rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles
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circuitous   Speak
being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit; not direct
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degredation   Speak
humiliation
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discomfited   Speak
disappointed, defeated
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eclectic   Speak
composed of elements from a variety of sources
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
belie  Speak
Exercise
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
Exercise
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy
Exercise
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
Exercise
contradict; give a false impression
burgeon  Speak
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Exercise
blacken; defame; attack reputation of; degrade
Exercise
make weak; enfeeble; impair the strength of
Exercise
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
buttress  Speak
Exercise
difficult to describe; difficult to detect or grasp by mind
Exercise
contradict; give a false impression
Exercise
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
Exercise
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
castigate  Speak
Exercise
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Exercise
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
Exercise
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
copious  Speak
Exercise
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
Exercise
burden
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
Exercise
over-bright in color; tastelessly showy
debacle  Speak
Exercise
destroy or kill a large part of; select by lot and kill one in every ten of
Exercise
calmness of temperament; steadiness of mind under stress.
Exercise
sudden downfall; complete disaster
Exercise
discouraging
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
mental keenness; quickness of perception


Spelling Word: acumen
Read [Esc]
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality


Spelling Word: banal
Read [Esc]
artificial obstruction; heavy curtain of artillery fire; rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles


Spelling Word: barrage
Read [Esc]
suffering from a disease; destroyed, ruined, or spoiled


Spelling Word: blighted
Read [Esc]
act of two things flowing together; junction or meeting place where two things meet


Spelling Word: confluence
Read [Esc]
compatible


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