SAT Essay Vocabulary

Stories of USA Today
Materials for Reading & Listening Practice
Quick Access Resources:
Print PDF Quiz/Test Online Study
Vocabulary Study Online by Level
Vocabulary Study Online
Vocabulary Study Online By Level (VSOBL) is a Fast, Reliable, and Handy tool to prepare English exam vocabulary. (Available for all VIP accounts: US$2/Month). It has built-in word lists: 6000 IELTS words, 6000 TOEFL words, 5000 GRE words, and 3000 SAT words. You can load them by level with one click.
 Group 1 - Words of the Group
Next    
Manage & Mark Words:
Note Panel
Exercise on Demand:
Match Quiz Spell
Make PDF List & Card:
Word List Card Flashcard How to print list How to print cards

SAT Essay Vocabulary 1

View all words of the list        
abate
aberration
abhor
abstruse
accost
acrimony
acumen
adamant
adept
adroit
affected
alacrity
aloocate
altruistic
amenable
amiable
amicable
antediluvian
anthropology
antipathy
apathetic
apt
arcane
ascendancy
ascetic
aspire
assail
assiduous
assuage
atrophy
attenuate
august
aura
auspicious
autocrat
automaton
avarice
banal
barrage
belie
belligerent
benevolent
bequeath
berate
bitartisanship
blighted
bog
bolster
bombastic
boorish
buoyant
burgeon
buttress
byzantine
cacophonous
cajole
callous
cantankerous
capricious
castigate
caustic
censorious
censure
cerebral
chagrin
charlatan
chastise
chide
churlish
circuitous
circumscribe
circumvent
clandestine
coalesce
compendious
complacency
compliant
conciliate
concur
conflagration
confluence
congenial
conscientious
consternation
contempt
contemptible
contentious
convivial
copious
corroborate
cosmopolitan
credulity
culpable
cursory
dauntless
dearth
debacle
debilitate
debunk
decimate
decorum
deference
degredation
deleterious
delineate
demonstrative
demure
demystify
denigrate
depose
depravity
deprecate
depreciation
deride
derivative
derogatory
desecration
despondent
despot
destitute
deterrent
devoid
didactic
diffident
diffuse
digress(ion)
dilatory
diminutive
dire
discern
discomfited
discount
disheartening
disillusionment
disingenuous
disparage
dispassionate
dispel
disputatious
disquiet
disseminate
distaste
divergent
divisive
divulge
doctrine
dormant
dupe
duplicitous
ebullient
eclectic
efface
effervesce
egalitarian
elated
elicit
elucidate
elude
elusive
embitter
embroiled
empathetic
empirical
encompass
encroaching
encumbrance
enigma
enumerate
ephemeral
epiphany
epitome
equanimity
equitable
equivocal
erudite
esoteric
estrange
eulogy
evoke
exacting
excavate
exemplar
exhibitionist
exhort
exorbitant
expedient
expose
extol
extricate
facile
faction
fallacious
fallacy
fanaticism
fastidious
fathom
felicitious
finesse
flagrant
flippant
florid
flummox
folly
foolhardy
forlorn
fortitude
fortuitous
fraudulent
frugal
furor
furtive
futile
gait
gallant
gargantuan
garish
genial
germinate
glutton
grandiose
hackneyed
hamper
hardy
hasten
heresy
histrionic
hubris
Word and Definition List
abate   Speak
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
Show examples and contexts    Close
aberration   Speak
deviation, not normal
Show examples and contexts    Close
abhor   Speak
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
Show examples and contexts    Close
abstruse   Speak
obscure; profound; difficult to understand.
Show examples and contexts    Close
accost   Speak
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
Show examples and contexts    Close
acrimony   Speak
bitter animosity
Show examples and contexts    Close
acumen   Speak
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Show examples and contexts    Close
adamant   Speak
extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding
Show examples and contexts    Close
adept   Speak
expert at; very skilled; having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
Show examples and contexts    Close
adroit   Speak
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
Show examples and contexts    Close
affected   Speak
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Show examples and contexts    Close
alacrity   Speak
cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Show examples and contexts    Close
aloocate   Speak
assign, portion
Show examples and contexts    Close
altruistic   Speak
unselfishly generous; concerned for others
Show examples and contexts    Close
amenable   Speak
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
Show examples and contexts    Close
amiable   Speak
good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
Show examples and contexts    Close
amicable   Speak
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Show examples and contexts    Close
antediluvian   Speak
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
Show examples and contexts    Close
anthropology   Speak
social science that studies origins and social relationships of human beings
Show examples and contexts    Close
antipathy   Speak
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Show examples and contexts    Close
apathetic   Speak
feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent
Show examples and contexts    Close
apt   Speak
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
Show examples and contexts    Close
arcane   Speak
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
Show examples and contexts    Close
ascendancy   Speak
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Show examples and contexts    Close
ascetic   Speak
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
Show examples and contexts    Close
aspire   Speak
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Show examples and contexts    Close
assail   Speak
assault; attack with or as if with violent blows
Show examples and contexts    Close
assiduous   Speak
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
Show examples and contexts    Close
assuage   Speak
ease or lessen pain; satisfy or appease
Show examples and contexts    Close
atrophy   Speak
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease
Show examples and contexts    Close
attenuate   Speak
make slender, fine, or small; weaken; lessen density of
Show examples and contexts    Close
august   Speak
impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
Show examples and contexts    Close
aura   Speak
air, feeling
Show examples and contexts    Close
auspicious   Speak
attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous
Show examples and contexts    Close
autocrat   Speak
dictator; ruler having unlimited power
Show examples and contexts    Close
automaton   Speak
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Show examples and contexts    Close
avarice   Speak
greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain
Show examples and contexts    Close
banal   Speak
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Show examples and contexts    Close
barrage   Speak
artificial obstruction; heavy curtain of artillery fire; rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles
Show examples and contexts    Close
belie   Speak
contradict; give a false impression
Show examples and contexts    Close
belligerent   Speak
inclined or eager to fight; aggressive
Show examples and contexts    Close
benevolent   Speak
generous in providing aid to others; charitable
Show examples and contexts    Close
bequeath   Speak
leave to someone by a will; hand down
Show examples and contexts    Close
berate   Speak
rebuke or scold angrily and at length
Show examples and contexts    Close
bitartisanship   Speak
supported by two opposing parties
Show examples and contexts    Close
blighted   Speak
suffering from a disease; destroyed, ruined, or spoiled
Show examples and contexts    Close
bog   Speak
marsh, swamp
Show examples and contexts    Close
bolster   Speak
support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion
Show examples and contexts    Close
bombastic   Speak
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
Show examples and contexts    Close
boorish   Speak
rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners
Show examples and contexts    Close
buoyant   Speak
able to float; cheerful and optimistic
Show examples and contexts    Close
burgeon   Speak
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
Show examples and contexts    Close
buttress   Speak
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
Show examples and contexts    Close
byzantine   Speak
convoluted, complex
Show examples and contexts    Close
cacophonous   Speak
discordant; inharmonious; sounding harshly; ill-sounding
Show examples and contexts    Close
cajole   Speak
influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Show examples and contexts    Close
callous   Speak
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Show examples and contexts    Close
cantankerous   Speak
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Show examples and contexts    Close
capricious   Speak
fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly
Show examples and contexts    Close
castigate   Speak
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication
Show examples and contexts    Close
caustic   Speak
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
Show examples and contexts    Close
censorious   Speak
critical; addicted to censure; severe in making remarks on others, or on their writings or manners; implying or expressing censure
Show examples and contexts    Close
censure   Speak
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Show examples and contexts    Close
cerebral   Speak
relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional
Show examples and contexts    Close
chagrin   Speak
anxiety caused by humiliation or injured pride; disappointment
Show examples and contexts    Close
charlatan   Speak
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Show examples and contexts    Close
chastise   Speak
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
Show examples and contexts    Close
chide   Speak
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Show examples and contexts    Close
churlish   Speak
difficult to work with; rude; unyielding; unmanageable
Show examples and contexts    Close
circuitous   Speak
being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit; not direct
Show examples and contexts    Close
circumscribe   Speak
limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle
Show examples and contexts    Close
circumvent   Speak
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
Show examples and contexts    Close
clandestine   Speak
secret; conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
Show examples and contexts    Close
coalesce   Speak
combine; fuse; grow together; come together so as to form one whole; unite
Show examples and contexts    Close
compendious   Speak
succinct
Show examples and contexts    Close
complacency   Speak
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Show examples and contexts    Close
compliant   Speak
yielding to request or desire; ready to accommodate; disposed or willing to comply
Show examples and contexts    Close
conciliate   Speak
compromising, apologizing
Show examples and contexts    Close
concur   Speak
agree
Show examples and contexts    Close
conflagration   Speak
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Show examples and contexts    Close
confluence   Speak
act of two things flowing together; junction or meeting place where two things meet
Show examples and contexts    Close
congenial   Speak
compatible
Show examples and contexts    Close
conscientious   Speak
diligent; responsible; reliable
Show examples and contexts    Close
consternation   Speak
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
Show examples and contexts    Close
contempt   Speak
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
Show examples and contexts    Close
contemptible   Speak
worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean
Show examples and contexts    Close
contentious   Speak
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy
Show examples and contexts    Close
convivial   Speak
festive; occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
Show examples and contexts    Close
copious   Speak
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
Show examples and contexts    Close
corroborate   Speak
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Show examples and contexts    Close
cosmopolitan   Speak
sophisticated; of worldwide scope
Show examples and contexts    Close
credulity   Speak
readiness of belief; disposition to believe on slight evidence
Show examples and contexts    Close
culpable   Speak
blameworthy
Show examples and contexts    Close
cursory   Speak
casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
Show examples and contexts    Close
dauntless   Speak
bold; incapable of being discouraged; fearless
Show examples and contexts    Close
dearth   Speak
scarcity; shortage of food; famine from failure or loss of crops
Show examples and contexts    Close
debacle   Speak
sudden downfall; complete disaster
Show examples and contexts    Close
debilitate   Speak
make weak; enfeeble; impair the strength of
Show examples and contexts    Close
debunk   Speak
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
Show examples and contexts    Close
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
deference   Speak
willingness to carry out the wishes of others; great respect
Show examples and contexts    Close
degredation   Speak
humiliation
Show examples and contexts    Close
deleterious   Speak
having harmful effect; injurious; having quality of destroying life; noxious; poisonous
Show examples and contexts    Close
delineate   Speak
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out
Show examples and contexts    Close
demonstrative   Speak
openly emotional
Show examples and contexts    Close
demure   Speak
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
Show examples and contexts    Close
demystify   Speak
clarify; free from mystery or obscurity
Show examples and contexts    Close
denigrate   Speak
blacken; defame; attack reputation of; degrade
Show examples and contexts    Close
depose   Speak
force to leave; remove from office
Show examples and contexts    Close
depravity   Speak
extreme corruption or degradation; wickedness
Show examples and contexts    Close
deprecate   Speak
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
Show examples and contexts    Close
depreciation   Speak
devaluation; decrease in price or value
Show examples and contexts    Close
deride   Speak
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
Show examples and contexts    Close
derivative   Speak
unoriginal; derived from another source
Show examples and contexts    Close
derogatory   Speak
expressing low opinion; disparaging; belittling
Show examples and contexts    Close
desecration   Speak
violate the sacredness of
Show examples and contexts    Close
despondent   Speak
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Show examples and contexts    Close
despot   Speak
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; eastern Orthodox bishop
Show examples and contexts    Close
destitute   Speak
extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
Show examples and contexts    Close
deterrent   Speak
something that discourages; tending to deter
Show examples and contexts    Close
devoid   Speak
completely lacking; barren or empty
Show examples and contexts    Close
didactic   Speak
excessively morally instructive
Show examples and contexts    Close
diffident   Speak
shy
Show examples and contexts    Close
diffuse   Speak
spread out widely; scatter freely; pour out and cause to spread freely
Show examples and contexts    Close
digress(ion)   Speak
stray from the subject at hand
Show examples and contexts    Close
dilatory   Speak
tending to waste time
Show examples and contexts    Close
diminutive   Speak
below the average size; very small; little
Show examples and contexts    Close
dire   Speak
urgent, dreadful
Show examples and contexts    Close
discern   Speak
detect; perceive
Show examples and contexts    Close
discomfited   Speak
disappointed, defeated
Show examples and contexts    Close
discount   Speak
give reduction in price on
Show examples and contexts    Close
disheartening   Speak
discouraging
Show examples and contexts    Close
disillusionment   Speak
disenchantment, disappointment
Show examples and contexts    Close
disingenuous   Speak
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
Show examples and contexts    Close
disparage   Speak
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
Show examples and contexts    Close
dispassionate   Speak
calm; impartial; unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
Show examples and contexts    Close
dispel   Speak
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
Show examples and contexts    Close
disputatious   Speak
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Show examples and contexts    Close
disquiet   Speak
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Show examples and contexts    Close
disseminate   Speak
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
Show examples and contexts    Close
distaste   Speak
dislike, aversion
Show examples and contexts    Close
divergent   Speak
differing; tending to move apart in different directions
Show examples and contexts    Close
divisive   Speak
creating conflict
Show examples and contexts    Close
divulge   Speak
reveal; make known to public
Show examples and contexts    Close
doctrine   Speak
principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction
Show examples and contexts    Close
dormant   Speak
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Show examples and contexts    Close
dupe   Speak
easily deceived person; duplicate of photographic image
Show examples and contexts    Close
duplicitous   Speak
deliberately deceptive
Show examples and contexts    Close
ebullient   Speak
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Show examples and contexts    Close
eclectic   Speak
composed of elements from a variety of sources
Show examples and contexts    Close
efface   Speak
rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing
Show examples and contexts    Close
effervesce   Speak
bubble, fizz
Show examples and contexts    Close
egalitarian   Speak
belief in equality
Show examples and contexts    Close
elated   Speak
overjoyed; extremely happy and excited
Show examples and contexts    Close
elicit   Speak
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
Show examples and contexts    Close
elucidate   Speak
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Show examples and contexts    Close
elude   Speak
avoid cleverly; escape perception of
Show examples and contexts    Close
elusive   Speak
difficult to describe; difficult to detect or grasp by mind
Show examples and contexts    Close
embitter   Speak
make worse
Show examples and contexts    Close
embroiled   Speak
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Show examples and contexts    Close
empathetic   Speak
compassionate
Show examples and contexts    Close
empirical   Speak
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
Show examples and contexts    Close
encompass   Speak
surround; form a circle or ring around; enclose; envelop
Show examples and contexts    Close
encroaching   Speak
intrusive
Show examples and contexts    Close
encumbrance   Speak
burden
Show examples and contexts    Close
enigma   Speak
puzzle; difficult problem
Show examples and contexts    Close
enumerate   Speak
list each one; mention one by one
Show examples and contexts    Close
ephemeral   Speak
short-lived; enduring a very short time
Show examples and contexts    Close
epiphany   Speak
sudden realization
Show examples and contexts    Close
epitome   Speak
representative or perfect example of a class or type; brief summary, as of a book or article
Show examples and contexts    Close
equanimity   Speak
calmness of temperament; steadiness of mind under stress.
Show examples and contexts    Close
equitable   Speak
marked by or having equity; just and impartial
Show examples and contexts    Close
equivocal   Speak
open to two or more interpretations and often intended to mislead
Show examples and contexts    Close
erudite   Speak
learned; scholarly, with emphasis on knowledge gained from books
Show examples and contexts    Close
esoteric   Speak
hard to understand; known only in a particular group
Show examples and contexts    Close
estrange   Speak
alienate
Show examples and contexts    Close
eulogy   Speak
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
Show examples and contexts    Close
evoke   Speak
bring out; arouse; call forth
Show examples and contexts    Close
exacting   Speak
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
Show examples and contexts    Close
excavate   Speak
unearth; dig out; make a hole in; hollow out
Show examples and contexts    Close
exemplar   Speak
representative example
Show examples and contexts    Close
exhibitionist   Speak
deliberately behaving a certain way to attract attention
Show examples and contexts    Close
exhort   Speak
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts; make urgent appeal
Show examples and contexts    Close
exorbitant   Speak
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; exceeding proper limits
Show examples and contexts    Close
expedient   Speak
suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest
Show examples and contexts    Close
expose   Speak
set forth; set out to public view
Show examples and contexts    Close
extol   Speak
praise highly; glorify; celebrate
Show examples and contexts    Close
extricate   Speak
free, as from difficulties or perplexities; cause to be emitted or evolved
Show examples and contexts    Close
facile   Speak
done or achieved with little effort or difficulty; ready or fluent
Show examples and contexts    Close
faction   Speak
a party of persons having a common end in view
Show examples and contexts    Close
fallacious   Speak
false; tending to mislead; deceptive
Show examples and contexts    Close
fallacy   Speak
deceptive or false appearance; false notion; deception
Show examples and contexts    Close
fanaticism   Speak
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause
Show examples and contexts    Close
fastidious   Speak
difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
Show examples and contexts    Close
fathom   Speak
measure the depth; come to understand
Show examples and contexts    Close
felicitious   Speak
well-suited, happy
Show examples and contexts    Close
finesse   Speak
refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful, subtle handling
Show examples and contexts    Close
flagrant   Speak
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
Show examples and contexts    Close
flippant   Speak
lacking proper seriousness; speaking freely; talkative; communicative
Show examples and contexts    Close
florid   Speak
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
Show examples and contexts    Close
flummox   Speak
confuse
Show examples and contexts    Close
folly   Speak
foolishness; lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight
Show examples and contexts    Close
foolhardy   Speak
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
Show examples and contexts    Close
forlorn   Speak
sad and lonely; wretched; abandoned or left behind
Show examples and contexts    Close
fortitude   Speak
bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack
Show examples and contexts    Close
fortuitous   Speak
accidental; by chance; coming or occurring without any cause
Show examples and contexts    Close
fraudulent   Speak
cheating; deceitful; planning or using fraud; given to practice of fraud
Show examples and contexts    Close
frugal   Speak
sparing; economical; costing little; inexpensive
Show examples and contexts    Close
furor   Speak
great excitement; public disorder or uproar
Show examples and contexts    Close
furtive   Speak
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
Show examples and contexts    Close
futile   Speak
useless; having no useful result; vain
Show examples and contexts    Close
gait   Speak
manner of walking or stepping; bearing or carriage while moving; walk; rate of moving
Show examples and contexts    Close
gallant   Speak
courtly; lively and spirited; having or displaying great dignity or nobility
Show examples and contexts    Close
gargantuan   Speak
huge; of a tremendous size, volume, degree
Show examples and contexts    Close
garish   Speak
over-bright in color; tastelessly showy
Show examples and contexts    Close
genial   Speak
friendly; cordial; having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner
Show examples and contexts    Close
germinate   Speak
cause to sprout or grow; come into existence
Show examples and contexts    Close
glutton   Speak
person who eats too much food and drink
Show examples and contexts    Close
grandiose   Speak
impressive from inherent grandeur; large and impressive, in size, scope or extent
Show examples and contexts    Close
hackneyed   Speak
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
Show examples and contexts    Close
hamper   Speak
put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of
Show examples and contexts    Close
hardy   Speak
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
Show examples and contexts    Close
hasten   Speak
accelerate; quicken
Show examples and contexts    Close
heresy   Speak
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion
Show examples and contexts    Close
histrionic   Speak
characteristic of acting or stage performance
Show examples and contexts    Close
hubris   Speak
excessive pride or self-confidence
Show examples and contexts    Close