Active Vocabulary General and Academic Words - Amy E. Olsen 2013
Glossary
A
abhor v. to detest; to loathe; to hate
acronym n. a word or abbreviation formed from the initial letters or groups of letters of the words in a name or phrase
adage n. a traditional saying; a proverb
adhere v. 1. to follow closely 2. to give support
3. to stick together
advocate n. a person who supports a cause v. to support or urge; to recommend
affinity n. fondness; attachment; liking
alibi n. an excuse or explanation, especially used to avoid blame
amiable adj. good-natured; agreeable
amorous adj. being in love; passionate
anemia n. a lack of oxygen-carrying material in the blood, which results in weakness
annihilate v. to destroy; to defeat completely
antidote n. 1. something that prevents an unwanted effect; a cure 2. a medicine or other remedy for counteracting the effects of a poison or a disease
antipathy n. an aversion; an opposition in feeling; dislike
apathy n. lack of interest; absence or suppression of emotion or excitement
apparent adj. plain; obvious; open to view
assent v. to agree or concur n. agreement, as to a proposal
asset n. a desirable thing or quality
assurance n. 1. self-confidence; certainty 2. a statement that promotes confidence 3. a pledge or promise
aversion n. 1. a strong dislike of something and a desire to avoid it; hatred 2. a cause or object of such a dislike
avert v. 1. to prevent 2. to tum away or aside
B
belabor v. to overstress; to explain or work at excessively; to beat
berate v. to scold harshly; to criticize
bewilder v. to confuse, baffle, or puzzle ,
C
charisma n. a special quality of leadership that inspires devotion; charm; allure
circumspection n. watchfulness; caution; care
circumvent v. 1. to go around 2. to avoid by cleverness; to elude
clandestine adj. secret; private
claustrophobia n. a fear of small or enclosed places
cliche n. a commonplace or overused expression or idea
colloquialism n. an expression used in conversational or informal language, not usually appropriate for formal writing
complement v. to serve as a completion to; to balance or complete n. something that completes or makes up a whole
comprehensive adj. large in content or reach;
complete; full
concise adj. expressing much in a few words; brief
condone v. 1. to forgive or pardon; to excuse
2. to overlook; to ignore something illegal or offensive; to give unstated approval to
confer v. 1. to consult together; to compare views
2. to bestow, such as a degree or honor
consensus n. unity of opinion; agreement; harmony
conservationist n. a person who works to save the environment; an environmentalist
consolidate v. 1. to combine; to unite; to make more compact 2. to make secure or firm; strengthen
convene v. 1. to assemble, usually for a public purpose;
to organize 2. td- summon to appear
coup or coup d'etat n. overthrow of the government; revolt
covert adj. concealed; secret; disguised
credibility n. trustworthiness; believability
cursory adj. going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial
D
decipher v. to decode; to make out; to make sense of
decisive adj. 1. definite; clear 2. displaying firmness;
determined 3. crucial; important
defer v. 1. to submit to the decision or opinion of someone else; to yield 2. to postpone or delay
deficiency n. lack; shortage
definitive adj. most reliable or complete
defraud v. to take away a right, money, or property by deception; to cheat
delude v. to mislead; to deceive; to fool
dependable adj. trustworthy; responsible
depose v. to remove from an important position or office; to dethrone
discreet adj. careful; cautious
dissent v. to differ in feeling or opinion, especially from the majority n. a difference of opinion
domain n. l. an area of concern; a field 2. a territory of control; a realm
dour adj. dismal; gloomy; forbidding
E
eclectic adj. selecting from various sources; diverse
edifice n. a building or a structure, usually used when referring to a large or important building
elicit v. to draw or bring out; to obtain
✵embellish v. 1. to exaggerate; to elaborate; to add details
2. to decorate
emissary n. l. a representative sent on a mission; a delegate 2. an agent sent on a secret mission
enable v. to make possible; to permit
encroachment n. the act of gradually taking over an area or possessions that belong to someone else; an intrusion
endemic adj. natural to a particular area; native
endow v. 1. to furnish; to equip 2. to give money as a donation
endure v. 1. to tolerate; to allow 2. to last
entrepreneur n. one who assumes the risks of a business or enterprise
euphemism n. the substitution of a mild or vague expression for one considered harsh
euphoria n. a feeling of extreme well-being or extreme happiness
exemplify v. to show by example; to model; to represent
F
facilitate v. to make easier; to assist
figurehead n. a person in a position of leadership who has no real power
finite adj. l. having boundaries; limited 2. existing for a limited time; temporary
frenzied adj. wild; agitated; mad
fruitful adj. successful; abundant
G
gateway n. l. something that functions as an entrance or point of entry 2. a structure around an entrance that can be shut by a gate
glitch n. a minor malfunction or technical error
H
habitat n. l. The environment where a plant or animal typically lives; surroundings 2. The place where something or someone is usually found
homonym n. one of two or more words that have the same sound and sometimes the same spelling but differ in meaning
I
impede v. to block; to hinder
impending adj. 1. about to happen; in the near future;
approaching 2. threatening; looming
implement v. to apply; to put into practice n. a tool or utensil
impose v. to force on others
incredulous adj. skeptical; doubtful; disbelieving
indicate v. 1. to be a sign of; to show the need for; to reveal 2. to point out or point to
infrastructure n. l . foundations countries depend on, such as roads and power plants 2. the basic features of an organization
inhibition n. 1. restraint of a behavior or desire or the condition causing such restraint 2. the act of holding back or blocking
innate adj. 1. possessed at birth 2. possessed as an essential characteristic
intermittent adj. stopping and beginning again; periodic; irregular
intrigue v. to fascinate n. a scheme; a plot
irony n. 1. a clash between what is expected to happen and what really does, often used humorously in literature 2. the use of words to state the opposite of their precise meaning
J
jovial adj. merry; good-humored; cheerful
judicious adj. wise; having good judgment; careful
L
lax adj. not strict; careless; loose; vague
liability n. a,disadvantage; an undesirable thing
longevity n. long life; length of life or service
M
mammal n. warm-blooded vertebrate (animal with a backbone)
mercenary adj. selfish; greedy n. a professional soldier hired to fight in a foreign army
miscalculation n. a mistake in planning or forecasting
misgiving n. a feeling of doubt or distrust
modify v. to change the form of; to vary; to alter partially
moratorium n. suspension of an activity; an end or halt
N
niche n. 1. an appropriate place or position 2. a recess in a wall for a statue or other decorative object
nurture v. to educate or train n. the act of promoting development or growth; rearing
О
oblivious adj. unaware; forgetful
obsession n. an idea that excessively occupies the mind;
a fascination
omnipotent adj. having great or unlimited authority or power
omnipresent adj. present everywhere at once
omnivorous adj. eating all types of foods
optimist n. a person who looks on the bright side; one who expects a positive result
optimum adj. most favorable; best n. the best condition or amount for a specific situation
ordeal n. a harsh or trying test or experience
ovation n. applause; approval
P
pandemonium n. disorder; chaos
panoramic adj. a wide view; scenic or pleasing
pertinent adj. related; important; to the point
phishing n. the practice of luring innocent Internet users to a fake Web site by using real-looking e-mail with the intent to steal personal information or introduce a virus
potential n. the ability for growth or development adj. possible but not yet realized
precise adj. 1. exact; accurate; definite 2. strictly correct; demanding
presentiment n. a feeling that something is about to happen, especially something bad; foreboding; expectation
proliferate v. to increase in number; spread rapidly; to grow
prominent adj. well known; leading; notable
propensity n. a tendency; a leaning; a preference
protocol n. 1. a code of correct behavior; the etiquette diplomats follow 2. a plan for a medical treatment or scientific experiment 3. computer science: a standard method for controlling data transmission between computers
provocative adj. stimulating; exciting; troubling
R
realm n. 1. a territory ruled by a king or queen; an empire 2. an area of interest, knowledge, or activity
rectify v. to correct; to put right; to fix
regime n. government; period of time that a person or political system is in power
resourceful adj. able to deal skillfully with new situations; capable; inventive
resume, resume,or resume n. a brief document of skills and experiences prepared by a job applicant; a summary
revitalize v. to renew; to invigorate; to refresh
s
scrutinize v. to examine carefully, especially looking for errors; to inspect
seclusion n. solitude; a sheltered or isolated place
seminar n. a meeting or class for discussion of a specific subject
serenity n. peacefulness; tranquility
spam n. junk e-mail; unasked for e-mail, often advertising, sent to multiple individuals u 1. to send unwanted e-mail 2. to send to multiple individuals n. (capital S) a canned meat product made mainly from pork
subjugate v. to conquer; to master; to dominate
submissive adj. obedient; passive
subtle adj. 1. not obvious; hard to see; slight 2. difficult to understand; clever
supplementary adj. additional; extra; accompanying
suppress v. 1. to deliberately inhibit an impulse or action; to repress 2. to abolish; to conquer 3. to withhold from publication; to censor
surpass v. to go beyond; to excel; to be superior to
susceptible adj. open to an influence; sensitive
synopsis n. a brief statement that gives a general idea; a summary
T
terminology n. the study of terms for particular subjects; the terms belonging to a specialized subject; vocabulary
transformation n. 1. the act of changing 2. something that has been changed
transitory adj. not lasting; temporary
traumatic adj. 1. psychologically painful; shocking; disturbing 2. relating to or causing a wound
u
undergo v. 1. to experience; to feel 2. to endure; to suffer
underlying adj. 1. basic; original 2. concealed but detectable 3. lying beneath something
undermine v. 1. to weaken or damage (such as health or morale) by small stages 2. to weaken or cause to collapse by removing basic supports; to dig or tunnel beneath
urban adj. 1. concerned with a city 2. typical of a city or city life
V
validity n. 1. authenticity; legal soundness 2. strength; authority
venture n. a business enterprise; an undertaking involving risk v. to brave; to take the risk of
virile adj. masculine; manly; strong
virtual adj. 1. created or run by a computer; simulated 2. almost existing; near; practical 3. existing in the mind
w
wrest v. to extract or take through force or continuous effort
z
zealous adj. enthusiastic; eager; passionate
zenith n. the highest point; the peak; the top
zoology n. the study of animals, including their behavior and development
Create your own flash cards
Using flash cards can be an immensely helpful way to study vocabulary words. The process of making the flash cards will aid you in remembering the meanings of the words. Index cards work well as flash cards, or you may use the following flash card templates to get you started. Put the word and the pronunciation on the front of the card. Elements you may want to include on the back of the card will vary according to the word and your preferred learning style. Consider the ideas below and find what works best for you.
1. The part of speech: Write an abbreviation for the part of speech, such as n. for noun or v. for verb. This addition will help when you are writing sentences.
2. A simple definition: Use the definitions in the book or modify them to something that has meaning for you. Use a definition you can remember.
3. A sentence: Make up your own sentence that correctly uses the word. Try to use a context clue to help you remember the word. It might help to put yourself or friends in the sentences to personalize your use of the word. If you really like a sentence from the book, you can use that too.
4. A drawing: If you are a visual learner, try drawing the word. Some words especially lend themselves to this method. Your drawing doesn’t have to be fancy; it should just help you remember. the meaning of the word.
5. A mnemonic [ni mon' ik] device: These are methods to help your memory. They can be rhymes, formulas, or clues. For example: Stationery with an e is the kind that goes in an envelope. Make up any connections you can between the word and its meaning.
6. Highlight word parts: Circle one or more word parts (prefixes, roots, or suffixes) that appear in the word and write the meaning(s) next to the word part: for example, 
. See the Word Parts chapters in the text for more on word parts.
Whatever you do, make the cards personally meaningful. Find the techniques that work for you, and use them in creating your cards. Then make the time to study the cards. Carry them with you, and study them any chance you get. Also, find someone who will be tough in quizzing you with the cards. Have the person hold up a card, and you give the meaning and use the word in a sentence. Don’t quit until you are confident that you know what each word means.
Make Your Own Word Maps
Making a word map is a great way to visualize the meaning, synonym, and antonym for a word. By creating the map, you become more familiar with different aspects of the word. You can find the synonyms and antonyms in a dictionary or thesaurus, in some of the Word Lists or Self-Tests in this text, or come up with your own. To test yourself using a word map, cover one or more of the circles around the vocabulary word; then state the information in the covered circle(s). Another method is to cover the vocabulary word to see if you can identify the word using the meaning, synonym, and antonym. You can also ask a friend or classmate to cover up the information and quiz you on the word maps.
For some words, you may want to use one (or more) of the options below if it will help you better understand and remember the meaning of the word:
1. Write more than one synonym or antonym.
2. Put the part of speech under the vocabulary word.
3. Include a circle that gives an example of someone or something that applies to the word, such as who would do or use it.
4. Choose different colors for the meaning, synonym, and antonym, and outline or fill in the circle in those colors.
To get started, you can photocopy the templates in this text or use a blank sheet of paper to make your word maps. Examples that illustrate the options using an adjective, verb, and noun follow.
Synonym: left circle Antonym: right circle
Vocabulary word: center circle Meaning: bottom circle
Note: For some nouns it may be tricky to find an antonym. If it becomes too difficult to find or think of one, don't stress about it.
Word maps
Word list
