abate to lessen; to subside verb
abet to help; to aid verb
abhor to hate; to detest verb
abject miserable; wretched adjective
abruptly suddenly; unexpectedly adverb
absorbed interested; engrossed adjective
abundant plentiful adjective
accessory something added noun
accommodations a room and meals noun
accomplice one who aids and abets a criminal noun
accost to meet someone and to speak first verb
accumulate to pile up; to collect verb
accurate correct adjective
acrid sharp; bitter adjective
adjacent next to; adjoining adjective
admonish to warn about; to advise against doing something verb
adore to love greatly verb
adroit clever; skillful adjective
affluent rich adjective
aggravate to make worse verb
agile lively adjective
agitate to disturb verb
aglow shining brightly adjective
ailment a mild illness noun
ajar slightly open adjective
akin similar; related adjective
albino a person or animal without normal pigmentation, characterized by pale skin, hair, and eyes noun
alert perceptive; quick adjective
alleviate to lessen; to relieve verb
alluring tempting; enticing adjective
aloof reserved; indifferent adjective
amateur not professional; untrained adjective
ambiguous doubtful; uncertain adjective
amicable friendly adjective
amnesia a lapse of memory noun
ample adequate; enough adjective
amplify to make larger, more powerful verb
anguish great sorrow; pain noun
ankle the joint between the foot and the leg noun
annual yearly adjective
anomalous unusual adjective
antique a very old and valuable object noun
applaud to clap verb
appraisal an estimate of the value noun
appropriate suitable adjective
arduous demanding great effort; strenuous adjective
arouse to spur; to incite verb
arraign to charge; to accuse verb
arrogance haughtiness noun
aspire to strive toward; to seek eagerly verb
assert to affirm an opinion verb
asset a useful or valuable quality; finances noun
assuage to ease; to lessen verb
astound to surprise greatly; to astonish verb
astray away from the correct path or direction adverb
audacious bold; daring adjective
audible able to be heard adjective
augment to increase verb
autonomous free; independent adjective
avarice greed noun
aversion intense dislike noun
baffle to confuse verb
bald without hair adjective
ban to declare that something must not be done; to prohibit verb
bar a court of law noun
barricade a barrier; an obstruction noun
beckon to signal with one's hand verb
behavior one's actions noun
bellow to shout loudly verb
beneficiary a person who receives money or property from an insurance policy or from a will noun
beverage a kind of drink noun
bewilder to confuse verb
bicker to quarrel verb
bitter a sharp, acrid taste adjective
blame responsibility noun
blandishment coaxing; persuasion by flattery noun
bleak cold and bare; cheerless adjective
blend a mixture noun
blithe carefree and gay; lighthearted adjective
blizzard a severe snowstorm noun
blunder an error; a mistake noun
blush to flush verb
boulder a large rock noun
boundary border; limit noun
boundless without limits adjective
brandish to shake or wave a weapon menacingly verb
brawl a noisy fight; a quarrel noun
bribe money or gift used to influence someone to do something that he should not noun
brim the upper edge of anything hollow noun
brink the edge of a high place noun
brittle easily broken adjective
broom an object used to sweep the floor noun
brutal savage; cruel adjective
bully to be cruel to weaker people or animals verb
bump a light blow; a jolt noun
cabal a group of people united in a scheme to promote their views by intrigue; a group of conspirators noun
callous insensitive; unfeeling adjective
captive a person who is not permitted to leave noun
carve to slice meat verb
cast to throw out or down verb
castigate to reprove verb
cataclysm a great flood; a terrible event noun
chaos without organization; confusion noun
chasm a deep crack in the earth noun
chaste pure adjective
chilly cool adjective
chore a task; a job noun
chum an intimate friend noun
cider juice from apples noun
clamorous noisy adjective
clap to applaud verb
clemency kindness, mercy noun
cluttered confused; disorganized; littered adjective
coerce to compel by pressure or threat verb
cogent convincing adjective
colleague a fellow worker; a co-worker, usually in a profession noun
colloquy a formal conversation; a conference noun
commence to begin verb
commend to praise verb
compassion symphony; pity noun
complex complicated adjective
complexion the natural color and appearance of the skin noun
compliment an expression of praise or admiration noun
compulsory required adjective
conceal to hide verb
concoct to devise; to invent verb
concord an agreement noun
concurrence an agreement, usually by equals noun
condone to overlook; to excuse verb
confide to entrust a secret verb
confident sure of oneself adjective
confine to limit verb
confiscate to seize by authority verb
congeal to become hard; to solidify verb
congenial pleasing in nature of character; agreeable adjective
congenital existing at birth, but not hereditary adjective
congestion crowding noun
conjecture a supposition; a guess noun
conscientious careful; honest adjective
constantly all the time adverb
contaminated polluted adjective
contract to reduce verb
conventional usual; ordinary adjective
conversion a change noun
core a center noun
coward one who lacks courage; a person who is not brave noun
crave to desire greatly verb
credulous inclined to believe too readily; gullible adjective
creed a belief; a faith noun
crude not finished; rough adjective
cruise to drive slowly verb
crumb a small piece of bread or cake noun
crutch a support used as an aid in walking, often used in pairs noun
cryptic secret; hidden adjective
culpable deserving blame adjective
curt rudely brief in speech or manner adjective
curtail to shorten; to suspend verb
dagger a knife noun
dangle to hang loosely; to swing verb
debtor one who owes noun
decade a period of ten years noun
decency modest behavior; propriety noun
deck the floor of a ship noun
decline a downward slope; a declivity noun
decrepit weakened by illness or age; badly used adjective
dedicate to honor someone by placing his or her name in the beginning of a literary book or an artistic performance verb
defect an imperfection noun
deformed disfigured adjective
deliberately in a planned way adverb
demolish to tear down completely verb
dent to depress a surface by pressure or a blow verb
depict to describe verb
depreciate to express disapproval verb
deprive to take away verb
deride to make fun of; to jeer verb
designate to name; to specify verb
detect to discover verb
deterioration lower value; depreciation noun
detest to hate verb
deviate to depart from; to differ verb
diffidence lack of confidence in oneself noun
digress to stray from the main subject verb
dilate to become wider; larger verb
diligent industrious; busy adjective
diminutive a small amount; something small adjective
dingy dirty; shabby adjective
disband to dissolve; to discontinue verb
discard to throw out verb
discern to recognize; to perceive verb
dispatch to send verb
dissect to examine; to criticize verb
disseminate to spread; to distribute verb
divert to entertain; to amuse verb
divulge to make known; to reveal verb
doze to sleep for a short time; to take a nap verb
drench to make very wet verb
drought a long period of dry weather noun
drowsy very sleepy adjective
dubious doubtful adjective
dungeon a dark cell; a prison noun
durable sturdy; lasting adjective
duration the length of time from beginning to end noun
dusk evening, just before dark noun
earthquake a shaking of the earth's surface caused by disturbances underground noun
eccentric strange; odd adjective
eloquence persuasive, graceful language noun
elucidate to make understandable verb
elusive tending to escape notice adjective
emit to give off verb
emphasis special attention; importance noun
emulate to try to equal or excel verb
endeavor to make an effort; to try very hard verb
energy vigor; strength noun
enervate to debilitate; to weaken verb
enhance to make greater, better verb
entice to attract; to lure verb
envious discontent or resentful because of another's possessions or qualities adjective
equitably fairly; justly adverb
equivocal ambiguous; evasive adjective
eradicate to remove all traces verb
erosion wearing away noun
erudite learned adjective
escort to accompany verb
essential important; necessary adjective
esteem a favorable opinion; respect noun
eulogy high praise; laudation noun
evolve to develop gradually verb
exacting detailed; meticulous adjective
exasperate to make angry or impatient verb
exceed to be greater than verb
exhausted very tired; enervated adjective
exorbitant extravagant; excessive adjective
expand to make larger verb
expanse a large area noun
expire to cease to be effective, to terminate verb
explicit very clear; definite adjective
exploit to use for selfish advantage or profit verb
expound to explain in detail verb
extempore without preparation; impromptu adjective
extensive far-reaching adjective
extinct no longer active; having died out adjective
extol to praise highly verb
extravagance excess spending noun
exultant very happy; full of joy adjective
facile easy adjective
falter to move hesitatingly; unsteadily verb
famine starvation noun
fascinate to attract powerfully; to charm verb
feat an act requiring great strength or courage noun
feeble lacking strength, power adjective
ferry to cross a river or a narrow body of water verb
feud to engage in a long, bitter hostility verb
flatter to praise too much verb
flee to escape swiftly verb
flicker to shine unsteadily verb
flimsy lacking solidarity, strength adjective
flip to overturn verb
flounder to move awkwardly verb
fluffy soft; airy adjective
foolish silly adjective
forbearance self-restraint noun
ford a shallow place in a river which can be crossed by walking or driving noun
foresee to anticipate verb
fowl a bird which can be eaten noun
fraction a part of something noun
fracture a break noun
fraud a fault; a deception noun
fret to worry verb
frigid very cold adjective
furtive secret adjective
futile useless adjective
garb clothing noun
garrison a fortified place occupied by soldiers noun
garrulous talkative adjective
gash a deep cut noun
gauche impolite; clumsy adjective
gem a precious stone; a jewel noun
genial kindly; friendly adjective
genuine true adjective
germinate to begin to grow verb
gist the main idea noun
glamorous fascinating; alluring adjective
glib spoken easily but with little thought; fluent adjective
glitter to shine with a sparkling light verb
glossary an explanation of special words at the end of the book noun
glow to shine verb
goal an objective; an aim noun
greedy excessively desirous of acquiring possessions; avaricious adjective
grievance a complaint noun
grope to search blindly, uncertainly verb
grouchy irritable adjective
grudge hard feelings; resentment noun
grumble to complain verb
gust a sudden, brief rush of wind noun
hamlet a small village noun
handy easily reached adjective
haphazard without a fixed or regular course; indifferent; disorganized adjective
harsh cruel adjective
hasty done too quickly to be accurate or wise adjective
hazy not clear; vague adjective
heavy a great amount adjective
heretic very busy; active adjective
heed to pay attention to verb
henceforth from now on adverb
hilarious very funny; merry; laughable adjective
hinge a joint on which a door or gate is attached noun
hint a suggestion; a clue noun
hoarse a rough, husky sound, especially a rough voice adjective
hoax a trick noun
hoe a garden tool with a long handle and a flat blade used for digging noun
holocaust widespread destruction, usually by fire noun
homage allegiance; respect noun
hubbub noise; confusion noun
humid damp; hot adjective
hypothesis a tentative theory noun
identical exactly the same adjective
ignorant without knowledge; unaware; uninformed adjective
ignore to refuse to notice or recognize; to discard verb
imminent about to occur; impending adjective
impartial not favoring one more than the other; just adjective
impartible indivisible adjective
imply to suggest verb
impromptu without preparation; unrehearsed; extempore adjective
incessant without interruption; continuous adjective
incidental of lesser importance; secondary adjective
incisive crisp; trenchant adjective
incredible hard to believe adjective
indictment an accusation noun
induce to lead or move by influence or persuasion verb
inert lacking independent power to move; not active adjective
infested inhabited in large numbers by something harmful adjective
ingredients parts of a mixture, especially a recipe noun
inhabit to live in a place verb
initiate to start; to begin verb
innovation a change noun
inquisitive asking many questions; curious adjective
inseparable not able to be separated adjective
inspect to examine closely verb
integrate to coordinate; to unite verb
intersect to meet verb
interval the time between two events noun
intrepid fearless adjective
intricate complicated adjective
intrude to be in the way; to be an obstacle verb
invalid a sick person noun
invariable always the same adjective
irritate to excite to anger; to bother verb
jeopardy danger noun
jerk a sudden movement noun
jungle land covered with a growth of trees and vegetation noun
keen eager adjective
lament to express sorrow verb
lanky tall and slim adjective
laud to praise verb
leisure free; unoccupied adjective
lid a cover noun
lift to raise verb
light having little substance; not heavy adjective
limb a large branch of a tree noun
limp to favor one leg; to cripple verb
limpid lucid adjective
litter to strew with scattered articles verb
lively fill of energy; agile adjective
loafer an idle, lazy person noun
loathe to hate; to detest verb
loot stolen goods; plunder noun
lullaby a song to lull a baby to sleep noun
luminous bright adjective
lustrous bright; shining adjective
malign to slander verb
mansion a large, imposing house; a residence noun
mare a female horse noun
margin the blank space bordering the written or printed area of a page noun
marshal a law officer noun
massive huge; heavy adjective
meddle to interfere; to intrude verb
menace to threaten verb
mend to repair verb
merger a legal combination of two or more businesses noun
meteor a celestial body smaller than one mile in diameter noun
meticulous to be careful about detail adjective
mingle to mix; to combine verb
modify to change something a little verb
molest to annoy; to bother verb
monstrous horrible; shocking adjective
moron a foolish, silly person noun
morsel a small amount of food noun
mumble to speak indistinctly verb
munch to chew verb
mutual having the same relationship one to the other; shared adjective
nadir the lowest point noun
nasty mean adjective
negligent extremely careless adjective
numb without sensation; paralyzed adjective
oasis fertile place with water located in the desert noun
oblivion the condition of being completely forgotten noun
obvious forgetful; unaware adjective
obscure not easily seen adjective
obsequious obedient; servile adjective
obsolete no longer useful; outdated adjective
obstinate stubborn; unyielding adjective
obstruct to get in the way; to block verb
ominous threatening adjective
omit to leave out verb
oration a formal speech noun
orchard a group of nut or fruit trees noun
ordeal difficult or painful experience noun
output production; yield noun
outrageous very offensive; shocking adjective
overall general; comprehensive adjective
pact a treaty; an agreement noun
palatable savory adjective
pauper a very poor person noun
peek to take a brief look verb
penetrate to pass through; to enter verb
pensive thoughtful adjective
perforated small lines or holes in something adjective
perilous full of danger adjective
permanently constantly adverb
permissible allowed adjective
perpetual continuing forever; constant adjective
persuade to convince verb
pessimist one who always takes a gloomy view of things noun
petition a formal request noun
phlegmatic sluggish; apathetic adjective
pilfer to steal verb
pillar a column noun
pinch to press between one's fingers or another object verb
pity compassion noun
placate to appease verb
plateau a broad pain noun
plausible believable, but doubtful adjective
plea an appeal noun
plump a full, round shape adjective
pollute to contaminate; to dirty verb
ponder to consider carefully verb
posterity future generations noun
postpone to delay verb
prank a trick; a joke noun
precaution action taken to avoid future accident or problem noun
precede to go before verb
precept a rule; a command noun
precisely exactly adverb
predict to tell what will happen in the future; to foretell verb
prelude a preliminary event preceding a more important one noun
prestigious admired adjective
prevail to continue in use or fashion; to succeed verb
prevalent widespread adjective
primary most important; final adjective
prior before in time, order or importance adverb
probe a thorough examination noun
profound deep adjective
prolific productive adjective
promulgate to make known; to declare officially verb
prop a support noun
proprietor one who owns a shop noun
prosper to succeed; to thrive verb
protrude to punish outward; to project verb
provoke to cause; to incite verb
proximity nearness noun
prudent careful; wise; complete adjective
purify to cleanse verb
quell to make quiet; to subdue verb
quest a search noun
ramble to wander idly, without purpose verb
rancor spiteful hatred noun
random chance adjective
rash with little care adjective
ratify to approve; to confirm verb
raze to destroy verb
rebut to contradict verb
recite to repeat from memory verb
reckless not cautious; not careful adjective
recluse a person who chooses to live apart from society noun
recollection a memory noun
reconcile to settle on friendly terms verb
refined noble; attractive adjective
rehearse to practice verb
reiterate to say again; to repeat verb
relapse the return of an illness noun
reliable dependable adjective
reluctant unwilling; hesitant adjective
remnant something left over noun
renowned famous adjective
repel to drive back verb
reproach to blame verb
resemble to have a similar appearance verb
reside to live in a certain place verb
resolute firm; determined adjective
respond to answer verb
restrain to check; to limit verb
retain to keep in one's possession; to hold verb
retard to delay; to hold back verb
retort a quick, sharp reply noun
revenue money earned; income noun
reverse to go in the opposite direction; to turn around verb
risky dangerous adjective
rivalry a contest; a competition noun
roam to wander verb
role a character played by an actor in a drama noun
rotate to circle verb
roughly approximately adverb
routine the usual way of doing things noun
rustic typical of country life; simple adjective
rusty oxidized adjective
sagacity good judgment; keenness; wisdom noun
scandal a rumor as a result of disgraceful actions noun
scant meager adjective
scatter to throw about verb
schedule to make a timetable of arrivals and departures; to list verb
scoop to dip into a spoon or a cupped hand verb
scope the range or extent of something noun
scornful disdainful; aloof adjective
scrape to abrade verb
scrub to wash vigorously by scrubbing verb
scrutiny close, careful examination noun
segment a division; a part of something noun
seize to grab verb
sentry a guard noun
sever to cut into two parts verb
shabby worn-out; faded adjective
shatter to break into many pieces verb
shawl a covering for a woman's head and shoulders noun
shift to change a position or direction verb
shrewd able in particular affairs; clever adjective
shrug to raise the shoulders in a gesture of doubt or indifference verb
shutter a hinged cover attached to a window to keep out light and rain noun
simulate to imitate; to copy verb
simultaneously at the same time adverb
sinuous winding; curving adjective
sip to drink a little at a time verb
skeptical not easily convinced; doubting adjective
skim to read quickly and superficially verb
slap to hit with an open hand verb
slay to kill verb
sleazy sheer; gauzy; cheap adjective
sleet a mixture of snow, hail and rain noun
slit to cut verb
sluggish not easily aroused by activity; slow to respond adjective
smolder to burn with little smoke and no flame verb
snatch to grab abruptly and hastily verb
sneak to move quietly, secretly verb
soar to fly high verb
soothe to calm verb
sorrowful sorry for a sin or mistake adjective
span to extend from one side to another verb
species a group with a common appearance noun
specific defined adjective
speck a very small spot or piece of something noun
spill to allow a liquid to run out of the container verb
sporadic happening from time to time adjective
sprawl to stretch out verb
squash to flatten; to crush verb
stack to put several things on top of each other verb
stale not fresh; old adjective
static not moving adjective
storm a natural disturbance of wind noun
straddle to sit with one leg on one side and the other leg on the other side of something verb
strain tension; stress noun
strive to make great efforts; to struggle verb
stunt to retard normal growth verb
subsequent following adjective
substitute to use something in place of another; to replace verb
sue to bring to court verb
sultry hot, moist weather adjective
supersede to replace verb
surfeit to eat an excessive amount verb
surly rude; arrogant adjective
surmise to guess verb
swarm a large number of moving insects noun
swerve to turn aside; to veer verb
synchronize to cause to coincide verb
synopsis an outline noun
taciturn unspoken; silent adjective
tack to fasten with a small nail verb
tact diplomacy noun
tally an account; a score noun
tamper to interfere in a harmful manner; to meddle verb
tapered smaller at one end adjective
tentative uncertain; probable adjective
tepid slightly warm adjective
terminate to bring to an end. verb
testify to give evidence verb
thicken to coagulate verb
thrifty careful; frugal adjective
throng a crowd noun
thump the dull sound of a blow made by a heavy object noun
tilted not straight adjective
tiptoe to walk stealthily; quietly verb
tolerant inclined to tolerate others; having a fair attitude toward those who hold different views adjective
torture to inflict extreme pain on someone verb
touchy sensitive; irritable adjective
tranquil peaceful; quiet adjective
transact to conduct, perform or carry out business verb
transcend to raise above; to surpass verb
transform to change in appearance verb
traverse to move along verb
treacherous not to be trusted; perfidious adjective
trend a course; a tendency noun
tributary a river that flows into a larger one noun
trivial of a little importance adjective
troupe a group of singers or actors noun
tug to pull something with effort verb
tumble to fall in a rolling manner verb
tumult noisy commotion noun
tutor to teach verb
twofold a double amount noun
tyro a beginner noun
ultimate final adjective
unanimous in a full accord; by common consent adjective
uncouth rude in one's behavior adjective
undercut to sell at a lesser price than a competitor verb
unsophisticated naïve adjective
vacant empty adjective
vagabond one who moves from place to place without a fixed abode; a wandered noun
vanish to disappear verb
vanity a foolish pride noun
variation a different form of something; a change noun
variety a collection of many different things noun
vehemence forcefulness; intensity; conviction noun
vendor one who sells something noun
verify to make certain of the truth; to confirm verb
versatile having varied uses; flexible adjective
vestige a small, remaining sign; a trace noun
vibrate to move back and forth rapidly verb
vicarious a feeling of identification with another; a substitute adjective
vigilance watchfulness noun
vulnerable weak adjective
warily cautiously adverb
warrant a written authorization noun
waxy pliable adjective
wayward nonconforming; irregular adjective
wile a trick noun
wither to lose freshness; to dry up; to fade verb
wrath a great anger noun
wrinkle a crease noun
yelp to cry out sharply, usually in reference to dogs verb
zealot an eager, enthusiastic person; a fanatic noun
(
geocities.com/francis_abraham/english) (
geocities.com/francis_abraham)