Word List II—Medium Frequency Words
Section 1: Vocabulary
Part 2: Verbal Ability

No.

Word

Definition

A

1.

abashed

embarrassed

2.

abeyance

suspended action, not being used

3.

abject

miserable

S: Pitiful, Despicable

A: Noble, Lofty

4.

abnegation

self-denial

5.

abominate

to detest, to dislike strongly

6.

abrogate

repeal or annul by authority

7.

absolve

to free from guilt or duty

S: Pardon, Exonerate

A: Accuse, Inculpate

8.

abstemious

restraint, especially of food and alcohol

9.

abstinence

keeping away from all food,liquor, etc.

S: Moderation, Temperance

A: Excess, Wantonness

10.

abut

border on, next to

11.

acarpous

effete; no longer fertile; worn out

12.

accentuate

emphasise

S: Stress, Highlight, Underline

A: De-emphasise, Hide

13.

acclimate

to adapt, get used to

14.

accretion

growing of different things into one

15.

acoustics

branch of physics dealing with sound

16.

acrophobia

an abnormal fear of being in high places

17.

ad infinitum

forever, endlessly

18.

addendum

something added as a supplement

19.

ad hoc

for a specific purpose, Specially arranged for a purpose

20.

adjunct

something added; assistant

21.

ad-lib

(i) Improvise

S: Spontaneous, Extemporised

A: Rehearsed, Deliberate

(ii) Do as one pleases

22.

adumbrate

to suggest or hint; overshadow

23.

ad-valorem

in proportion to the estimated value of goods

24.

aegis

Shield, Protection

25.

aestival

appearing in summer

26.

affectation

artificial, behaviour

S: Pretence, Artificiality, Unnaturalness

A: Simplicity, Naivete

27.

afforest

convert into forest

A: Deforest, Denude

28.

affray

fight in a public place, battle

S: Conflict, fight

A: Tranquillity, Peace

29.

affront

insult openly

S: Provoke, Humiliate

A: Placate, Please

30.

aggrandise

to make greater, more powerful, richer

S: Exalt, Advance

A: Degrade, Debase

31.

agnostic

one who believes that it is impossible to know if God exists

A: Theist

32.

agnostic

non-committal

33.

akimbo

with hands on hips and elbows bent outwards

34.

albeit

although

35.

alchemy

chemistry of the middle ages with the chief aim of changing base metals to Gold

36.

algorithm

a special way of solving a mathematical problem

37.

allegory

a story in which people, things, events have a symbolic meaning

38.

allude

to refer indirectly

39.

alter ego

one’s other self, a constant companion

A: Enemy

40.

altercate

to dispute angrily or noisily

41.

ambidextrous

able to use the left hand or the right equally well

42.

ambivalent

having both of two contrary meanings

43.

ameliorate

improve; to make or become better

S: Improve

A: Worsen

44.

amnesty

a general pardon (especially for political offences)

A: Punishment

45.

amortise

end (a debt) by setting aside money

46.

anachronism

anything out of its proper historical time

47.

anagram

a word made by rearranging letters

48.

anamnesis

recollection (especially of previous existence)

49.

anathema

something loathed; curse

50.

anchorite

a religious recluse, hermit

51.

androgynous

hermaphrodite, having characteristics of both sexes

52.

anecdote

a short entertaining account of a real event or person

53.

anodyne

dull, Unlikely to cause offence, that relieves pain (Drug)

54.

antagonism

opposition or hostility

S: Antipathy, Enmity

A: Harmony, Accord, Agreement

55.

antecedent

that which goes before something else

56.

anthology

collection of literary works

57.

antipathy

strong dislike

S: Hatred, Repugnance, Abhorrence

A: Honour, Admiration, Love, Esteem

58.

antithesis

a contrast of position (especially of ideas)

59.

antithetical

direct opposing

60.

apartheid

brutal racial discrimination

61.

apathy

lack of emotion

S: Indifference, Passiveness

A: Care, Sympathy

62.

aphasia

loss of the power to use or comprehend words

63.

aplomb

self-confidence

64.

apogee

a point farthest from a heavenly body, the earth, powerfull position

65.

apologue

moral fable especially one in which animals speak

66.

apparition

a ghost

67.

appendage

thing added to something larger or a natural part of a large thing

S: Adjunct, Addition

68.

approbation

approval

69.

appurtenance

a minor possession or piece of property

70.

apropos

appropriate to the situation; apt

71.

archetype

an original model, Prototype, ideal model which is not changed

72.

ardour

enthusiasm

73.

arduous

steep; difficult; ascent; laborious

74.

argot

jargon; slang

75.

arrant

in the highest degree, total

76.

artifice

skill or ingenuity, Trickery

S: Wile, Guile, Fraud, Cunning

A: Innocence, Candour, Honesty

77.

ascribe

consider to be the origin of or belonging to

78.

aseptic

surgically clean

79.

asinine

stupid, foolish

S: Silly

A: Learned, Knowledgeable

80.

askance

to look with suspicion

81.

askew

not in a straight or level position

S: Awry, Crooked

82.

asperity

roughness; harshness; ill temper; irritability

83.

asseverate

to state positively, Assert

84.

assuage

make something (pain, desire) less

85.

astute

clever, quick at seeing to get an advantage

86.

asunder

into pieces

S: Apart

A: United, Harmonious

87.

athwart

lying across, side-wise

S: Across, Against, Crosswise

88.

atrophy

wasting away or failure to grow (especially of body tissue)

89.

attenuate

make thin; weaken; enervate

90.

attrition

wearing away by or as by friction

91.

atypical

not typical

S: Abnormal

A: Typical, Normal

92.

augury

omen; sign

B

93.

babel

a scene of confusion of noises, sounds, etc.

S: Confusion

A: Distinctness

94.

badinage

Playful talk

S: Banter

A: Discourse

95.

bagatelle

thing of little value, trifle, game

96.

bauble

a trinket, worthless thing

97.

balderdash

odd mixture, nonsense

S: Drivel, Gibberish

A: Wisdom, Logic

98.

baneful

causing harm or ruin; pernicious; destructive

99.

banter

playful teasing

100.

baritone

the range of a male voice between tenor and bass

101.

bastion

any strong defence

102.

bathos

anticlimax

A: Decent

103.

baulk

stumbling block (N), To hinder (V)

S: Hindrance

A: Gratify, Fulfil

104.

bawdy

indecent, obscene

A: Decent

105.

beatify

to bless; make happy or ascribe a virtue to

106.

beatitude

perfect blessedness or happiness

A: Curse, Condemnation

107.

bedlam

any place or situation with noise and confusion

108.

bedraggle

to make wet, limp or dirty

S: Wet, Dirty

A: Clean, spotless

109.

befuddle

to confuse, Perplex

110.

begrudge

to resent another’s success

111.

beguile

to mislead or deprive of; to delight

112.

behest

a command or earnest request

113.

belabor

beat hard

114.

beleaguer

to besiege by encircling, to harass

115.

bellicose

belligerent; pugnacious; warlike

116.

belligerent

(person, nation) waging war

117.

benison

blessing

A: Curse

118.

bequeath

to leave to another by one’s will

119.

bequest

arrangement to give something at death

120.

besmirch

to soil, to damage the reputation

S: Defile, Sully

121.

bibliography

a list of writings on a given subject

122.

bibliophile

one who loves or collects books

123.

bilious

bad-tempered

S: Peevish, Pessimistic

A: Optimistic, Lively

124.

bilk

to cheat

125.

blasphemy

profane, abuse of god or sacred things

126.

bleary

Dim or blurred

127.

blithe

cheerful; casual; carefree

128.

bluster

to talk or act with noisy swaggering threats

129.

bounteous

generous, abundant

S: Benevolent, Liberal, Generous

A: Miserly

130.

bourgeois

middle class

131.

bovine

Of an ox or cow, Slow and stupid

A: Sharp, Intelligent, Sprightly

132.

braggart

An offensively boastful person

133.

brevity

Brief

S: Brief, Short, Terse, Concise

A: Lengthy, Elaborate

134.

broach

To start a discussion of

135.

brook

not allow; a small stream

136.

browbeat

to intimidate

S: Force

A: Coax, Cajole

137.

brusque

rough and abrupt in manner of speech

S: Curt, Blunt

A: Rambling

138.

bucolic

rural, rustic

A: Urban

139.

bulbous

swollen, shaped like a bulb

140.

bulwark

a defence

141.

buoyant

able to float; light-hearted

142.

burnish

to polish, rub to a shine

143.

buttress

a strong Support

S: Bolster, Prop-up

C

144.

cabal

a scheme or plot; a group of plotters

145.

cadaverous

of or like a cadaver (Corpse)

S: Pale, Ghastly

A: Cheerful, Youthful

146.

cadence

rhythmic modulation of sound

147.

cadge

to beg or get by begging

148.

calligraphy

art of producing beautiful handwriting

149.

callow

immature, inexperienced

S: Raw, Unfledged, Inexperienced

A: Mature, Wise, Sagacious

150.

calumny

slander; aspersion

151.

canard

a false especially malicious report

S: Hide/Hoax

A: Expose

152.

canker

a spreading sore

153.

canonise

to glorify, to declare (a dead person) a saint

154.

canorous

melodious, Resonant

S: Melodious

A: Harsh, Discordant

155.

capacious

Roomy

S: Spacious

A: Narrow, Limited, Confined

156.

capitulate

surrender

157.

capricious

subject to caprices (Eccentricities), erratic

S: Fanciful, Odd, Whimsical

A: Staid, Steadfast

158.

captious

Critical

159.

carmine

a red or purplish red colour

160.

carnage

extensive slaughter, Massacre

S: Butchery, Destruction

161.

carnal

of the flesh

S: Sensual, Lustful, Concupiscent

A: Spiritual, Ethereal

162.

carp

to find fault or complain querulously

163.

carrion

decaying flesh of a dead body

164.

cartel

an association of business firms etc. establishing a national or international monopoly

165.

catastrophe

any sudden, great disaster

S: Calamity, Cataclysm

A: Blessing

166.

catatonic

immobile

167.

catechise

to question searchingly

168.

caucus

a meeting of a party or faction (Usually derogatory)

169.

cavalcade

A procession, Sequence of events

170.

cavil

to raise trivial and frivolous objection

171.

centurion

leader of a unit of 100 soldiers

172.

cerebrate

to think

173.

charlatan

quack or fraud

174.

chary

cautious; wary

175.

chastisement

punishment

176.

chauvinist

a blindly devoted patriot

177.

chequered

Marked by vicissitudes

178.

chivy

to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks

179.

choleric

irritable; bad-tempered

180.

churl

bad-tempered person

181.

closure

closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting

182.

coagulation

change to a thick and solid state

183.

coalescing

coming together and uniting into one substance

184.

coddle

treat with care and tenderness

185.

coeval

of the same period; coexisting

186.

cogent

strong; convincing

187.

cognomen

surname, last name

188.

coherent

sticking together, logically connected

S: Unity,

A: Separation

189.

collateral

a) Parallel or corresponding

S: Secondary, Parallel, Concurrent

b) Security towards a loan

190.

comity

courtesy

S: Friendly

A: Hostility

191.

commemorate

keep the memory of

192.

commodious

having plenty of space for what is needed

193.

complaisance

tending to comply; obliging willingness to please

194.

complement

the amount needed to fill or complete

195.

compliment

a formal act of courtesy, praise

S: Flatter, Felicitate

A: Disparage, Censure, Blame

196.

conciliatory

reconciling; soothing; comforting; mollifying

197.

concomitant

accompanying

198.

condescend

to deal with others patronisingly, do something below one’s dignity; comedown

199.

congeal

make or become stiff and solid

200.

congenital

existing from birth; inherent

201.

conjecture

inferring or predicting from incomplete evidence

S: Guesswork

A: Affirmation

202.

connoisseur

a person with good judgement (e.g., in art)

203.

connotation

suggestion in addition to

204.

connubial

Of marriage, Conjugal

S: Matrimonial

205.

conscientious

governed by one’s conscience

S: Scrupulous, Painstaking

206.

console

give comfort or sympathy to

207.

conspectus

a general view

S: Summary

208.

consternation

surprise and fear; dismay

209.

consummate

perfect; make perfect, complete

210.

condemn

to scorn or despise

211.

contemptible

deserving contempt, scorn

S: Despicable, Mean, Cowardly

A: Good, Worthy, Brave

212.

contemptuous

full of contempt, scornful

213.

contentious

argumentative; pugnacious; combative; quarrelsome

214.

contiguous

touching; neighboring

215.

contingent

a) a group of people sharing particular characteristics b) dependent c) troops part of a larger force

216.

convivial

fond of feasting, drinking and good company

217.

convoluted

complicated; coiled; twisted

218.

cordon

line (of police acting as a guard)

219.

corporeal

physical of or for the body

220.

corpulent

having a large bulky body

221.

countervail

counterbalance

222.

covert

disguised

223.

cozen

to cheat

224.

cravat

piece of linen worn as a necktie

225.

craven

cowardly

226.

credulous

ready to believe things

227.

crotchet

highly individual and usually eccentric opinion

D

228.

dank

disagreeably damp

S: Moist, Soggy, Wet

229.

dapper

small and active

S: trim, Neat

A: Awkward, Untidy

230.

dastard

coward

231.

daunt

intimidate; make fearful

232.

dawdler

person who is slow; waste of time

233.

debauch

to corrupt

S: Corrupt, Debase, Defile

234.

debilitate

to make weak

S: Enervate

A: Strengthen, Invigorate

235.

debonair

dashing, Courteous

236.

decadence

A process, condition or period of decline as in morals, art, etc.

237.

decant

Pour off

238.

decimate

To destroy or kill a large part of

239.

defalcate

to steal or misuse funds entrusted to one

S: Embezzle

240.

deferential

showing respect

241.

defray

to pay

S: Settle, Adjust

A: Decamp, Repudiate, Disown

242.

defunct

no longer existing

S: Extinct, Dead

A: Alive, Fashionable

243.

deify

to look upon as a God

244.

deign

to condescend; to give

245.

delineate

to portray, depict, sketch out

246.

deluge

great flood; heavy rush of water

247.

delusion

a false belief, the act of deluding

S: Hallucination, Illusion, Error

A: Certainty, Reality, Fact

248.

demeanour

outward Behaviour

S: Behaviour, Manner, Conduct

249.

denigrate

blacken; belittle; defame

250.

deposition

dethronement; depositing

251.

deprave

make morally bad, corrupt

252.

deprecate

protest against; express disapproval of

253.

depredation

damage caused by an attack or an accident

254.

deride

to ridicule

S: Taunt, Mock, Scorn

A: Encourage, Cheer, Incite

255.

derision

ridicule; mockery; deriding

256.

descry

catch sight of; see something in the distance

257.

desecrate

to violate the sacredness of

S: Profane, Misuse, Pollute

A: Sanctify, Purify, cleanse

258.

desperado

dangerous criminal

259.

despondency

dejection

S: Melancholy, Depression

A: Buoyancy, Elation

260.

desultory

aimless; haphazard; digressing at random

261.

detention

detaining

262.

devolve

to pass on to another, said of duties, responsibilities etc.

263.

diacritic

distinguishing

264.

diaphanous

transparent; gauzy

265.

diatribe

bitter and violent attack in words

266.

dichotomy

division into two parts

267.

diligent

hardworking

S: Perseverance, Earnest

A: Lazy, Careless, Lethargic

268.

dirge

A song, poem, etc., of grief or mourning

269.

disconcert

upset the self-possession of

270.

disconsolate

cheerless; dejected

271.

discursive

wandering from one topic to another

272.

disenchanted

disillusioned; Having lost one’s good opinion of something

273.

disencumber

free from encumbrance

274.

disgorge

to pour or let out people or things in a mass

275.

disheveled

untidy

276.

disingenuous

sophisticated; artful; trying to deceive; cunning

277.

disparage

to Discredit

A: Praise, Eulogise

278.

disport

to play

279.

disquiet

to take away the peace or tranquility

280.

disquisition

a long or elaborate spoken or written report

281.

disseminate

distribute (esp. ideas)

282.

distend

to swell, to expand

283.

divestiture

taking off; getting rid of; giving up

284.

doggerel

trivial, poorly constructed verse

285.

dolorous

marked by misery or grief

286.

droll

jesting

287.

dulcet

melodious; harmonious

288.

duress

threats to compel somebody

E

289.

ebullience

exuberance; outburst of feeling

290.

ebullient

overflowing with enthusiasm; showing excitement

291.

eclat

brilliant success

292.

efface

to make indistinct

293.

effeminate

show qualities attributed to a woman such as delicacy, weakness, etc.

S: Womanly, Feminine, Unmanly

A: Manly, Masculine, Virile

294.

effervesce

to be lively

S: Buoyant, Gleeful

A: Staid, Sober, Sedate

295.

effete

infertile; worn out; weak

296.

effrontery

boldness; impudence; arrogance

297.

effusion

unrestrained expression in speaking or writing; Heavy flow

A: Reticence

298.

egalitarian

advocating full political and social equality for all people

A: Fanatic

299.

egregious

flagrant

300.

elision

leaving out a sound or part of a word in pronunciation as in Don’t, Let’s

301.

elucidate

to make something clear

S: Explain, Illustrate, Clarify

A: Obscure, Confuse, Disorder

302.

emancipate

to set free (a slave etc.)

S: Liberate, Release

A: Suppress, Hold, Restrain

303.

emasculate

to weaken

304.

embargo

any legal restriction of commerce

305.

emollient

soothing to the skin; mollifying

306.

empathy

intellectual or emotional identification with another

S: Understanding, Sensitivity

A: Insensitivity

307.

empirical

relying on experiment

308.

encomium

warm or glowing praise; eulogy; panegyric

309.

endemic

prevalent in or restricted to a particular locality

A: Pandemic

310.

enervate

to deprive of strength, vigour etc.

S: Weaken, Enfeeble, Devitalise

A: Strengthen, Energise

311.

enfeeble

weaken; deprive of strength; attenuate

312.

enigma

something that is puzzling

313.

ensconce

to place or settle snugly or securely

A: Estrange, Alienate

314.

entourage

A group of personal attendants

315.

epicurean

devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)

316.

epigram

terse or witty and often paradoxical saying

317.

epistle

letter

318.

equanimity

calmness of temperament

319.

equestrian

of horses or horsemanship

320.

equipoise

equal distribution of weight; equilibrium

321.

equitable

Fair

S: Impartial, Fair, Just

A: Prejudiced, Partial

322.

equivocal

having a double or doubtful meaning; suspicious

323.

equivocate

try to deceive by equivocal language

324.

erroneous

containing an error

S: False, Inaccurate, Erring

A: Accurate, Genuine, Factual

325.

escapade

Reckless adventure

326.

eschew

avoid

327.

esoteric

abstruse; intended only for a small circle of people

328.

estrange

to turn from an affectionate attitude to an indifferent or unfriendly one

S: Alienate, Withdraw, Disagree

A: Unite, Conjoin, Harmonise

329.

ethos

the characteristic attitude, habits etc. of an individual or group

330.

euphemism

the use of a less direct word or phrase instead of an unpleasant one

331.

evince

to show clearly; to indicate

332.

exacerbate

to make more violent, bitter or severe

333.

exacting

making severe demands, Strict

334.

exactitude

The quality of being exact

335.

exalt

to praise, glorify, to raise in rank

A: Degrade, Condemn, Despise

336.

excision

pruning

337.

excruciating

intensely painful

S: Agonising, Intense, Severe

A: Soothing

338.

exegesis

interpretation of a word, passage, etc. in the Bible

339.

exemplary

serving as a model or example

S: Model, Pattern

340.

exhort

to urge earnestly

S: Urge, Advise

A: Deter, Prevent, Oppose

341.

exiguous

scanty

S: Meagre, Small

A: Huge, Enormous

342.

exoneration

set somebody clear, free (e.g., from blame)

343.

exorcise

to expel (an evil spirit) by incantations, etc.

A: Bedevil

344.

expansive

effusive, open

S: Unreserved, Broad, Demonstrative

A: Laconic, Cantankerous

345.

expatiate

to roam; wander freely

346.

expiation

ending; expiring

347.

expostulate

argue earnestly; to dissuade, correct or protest

348.

expurgate

to remove obscenity, purify, censor

349.

extant

still in existence

350.

extenuate

reduce the strength; lessen seriousness; partially excuse

351.

extirpate

to destroy; exterminate

352.

extralegal

outside the law

353.

extraneous

extrinsic; not forming an essential part

354.

extricable

that can be freed

355.

exuberance

state of growing vigorously; being full of life

F

356.

facetious

humorous; funny; jocular

357.

facile

easily done

358.

fait accompli

foreign phrase, thing done beyond recall, accomplished fact

359.

fallow

left without seeding after being ploughed to make fertile

360.

fatuous

without sense; foolish self-satisfaction

361.

feckless

lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective

362.

fecund

fertile

363.

feint

pretend

364.

ferret

discover by searching; search

365.

fervid

showing earnest feeling

366.

fervour

enthusiasm

S: zeal, ardour, passion, fervent

A: coolness, indifference, impassiveness

367.

fetid

stinking

368.

fetter

to shackle; put in chains

369.

filch

steal slyly in small amounts

S: Snitch, swipe, pilfer, purloin

370.

filial

befitting a son or daughter

371.

firmament

sky

372.

flay

to skin; to excoriate

373.

fledged

able to fly; trained, experienced

374.

flinch

draw; move back; wince

375.

flippancy

lack of seriousness

S: levity, pertness, impudence

376.

flounder

to struggle to move; to proceed clumsily

377.

foible

defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)

378.

foppish

like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes

379.

forage

food for horses and cattle

380.

ford

shallow place in a river (to cross)

381.

forebode

to foretell or predict

382.

forestall

prevent by taking action in advance, preempt

383.

foretoken

premonitory sign

384.

forswear

renounce; disallow; repudiate

385.

fortitude

courage

S: Heroism, Spirited

A: Cowardice, Shyness

386.

fortuitous

happening by chance

S: Incidental, Adventitious, Accidental

A: Deliberate, planned

387.

fragrant

sweet-smelling

388.

frenetic

frantic, frenzied

389.

fresco

art of painting on a plaster surface especially when the surface is moist

390.

fritter

to waste (money, time, etc.)

391.

frivolous

of little value, Trivial, Silly

S: Petty, Worthless, Futile

A: Serious, Important

392.

fulsome

disgusting; offensive due to excessiveness, insincere praise

393.

furore

a widespread commotion or uproar

394.

furtive

done secretly

S: stealthy, clandestine

A: open, apparent

395.

fusillade

simultaneous discharge of many firearms

S: volley, salvo, broadside

396.

fusty

musty; rigidly old-fashioned or reactionary

G

397.

gabble

to talk or utter rapidly, or incoherently

S: Chatter, Babble, Jabber

398.

gaff

a large hook on a pole for landing fish

399.

gaffe

a blunder

400.

gainsay

to deny; to oppose

401.

galore

in abundance, plentiful

S: ample, bounteous, prodigal

A: Scarce, deficient

402.

gambit

an action intended to gain an advantage

403.

garner

to gather and save to store up

404.

garrulity

talkativeness

405.

garrulous

too talkative

406.

gastronomy

the art of cooking and eating good food

407.

gazebo

An open structure with an enjoyable view

408.

genealogy

recorded history of one’s ancestry

409.

genesis

origin

410.

genitor

a father/parent

411.

genuflect

to bend the knee as in worship

412.

gibber

to speak rapidly and incoherently

A: Enunciate

413.

gizmo

a gadget, device, mechanism

414.

glean

gather facts in small quantities

415.

glitch

a small hurdle or problem

416.

gloat

look at with selfish delight

417.

glut

supply too much; fill to excess

418.

glutino

sticky

S: Viscous

A: Dry

419.

gnome

A dwarf (like an old man) living in a cave

420.

gnomic

characterised by aphorism

421.

graffiti

a crude inscription or drawing on a wall or other public surface

422.

grandiose

impressive, Showy

423.

grapple

to seize, to hold tightly

424.

gravid

pregnant

425.

gregarious

living in societies; liking the company

426.

grisly

terrifying

S: Horrible, Terrible, Ghastly

A: Attractive, Charming, Dainty

427.

grizzle

of a grey colour

428.

grouch

to grumble, grouse

429.

guffaw

to laugh loudly

430.

guile

deceit, wile, cunning, jugglery

431.

gumption

initiative and courage

S: Commonsense, Sagacity, Acumen

A: Apathy, Indifference

432.

gustatory

of the sense of taste

433.

gusto

zest, enjoyment

S: Relish, Pleasure, Enthusiasm

A: Apathy

434.

guttural

pertaining to the throat, formed in the throat

H

435.

habitué

one who frequents a certain place

436.

hackneyed

made trite by overuse

S: stereotyped Commonplace,

437.

haggard

having a wild, wasted, worn look,

S: Gaunt, Tired, weary

A: strong, Robust, Exuberant

438.

hallow

to make holy; consecrate

439.

hapless

unfortunate

S: Luckless, Unlucky

A: Fortunate, Successful, Happy

440.

harangue

a long passionate speech

441.

harbinger

something or somebody that foretells the coming of

442.

harrow

to distress; create stress or torment

443.

harrowing

upsetting

444.

heckle

to harass, (a speaker) with questions or taunts

445.

heckle

to harass with questions, challenges or gibes

446.

hedonism

the doctrine that pleasure is the principal good

S: Epicureanism, Sensualism, debauchery

A: Slavery, Servility

447.

herculean

calling for great strength, size and courage

S: Rugged, Enduring, Steadfast

448.

hermetic

sealed by fusion, a closed group

449.

heterodox

opposed to the usual beliefs especially in religion

S: Unorthodox

A: Orthodox

450.

hew

make by hard work cut (by striking)

451.

hiatus

a gap or break as where a part is missing

452.

histrionic

of acting

453.

hoary

Very old and well known; Grey or white (of hair) with age

454.

hobgoblin

Something that causes fear, A frightening apparition

455.

hogwash

insincere talk, writing, etc.

456.

holster

leather case for a pistol

457.

homonym

a word with the same pronunciation and spelling as another but with a different meaning, origin

458.

honorific

conferring or conveying honor

459.

horology

the science of measuring time or making time pieces

460.

horrendous

horrible

S: Frightful, Horrifying, Fearful

A: Appealing, Pleasant, Charming

461.

hubbub

noise; confusion

462.

hyperbole

extravagant exaggeration

I

463.

iconoclast

person who attacks popular beliefs

464.

ides

in ancient Roman calendar, 15th day of May, March, July or October or 13th of the other months

465.

idiosyncrasy

personal mannerism

466.

idolatry

excessive admiration of

467.

idyll

a carefree episode or experience

468.

igneous

of fire, fiery, type of rock

469.

ignoble

dishonorable; common; undignified

470.

imbecile

a person with abnormally low intelligence

S: Weak-minded, Deranged, Childish

A: Strong-minded, Intellectual, Genius

471.

imbroglio

complicated and embarrassing situation

472.

imbue

to permeate with ideas, feelings etc.

S: Pervade, Suffuse, Inspire

A: Discourage, Condemn

473.

immanent

operating within, Inherent

S: Indwelling

A: Transcendent

474.

immutable

that cannot be changed

475.

impale

to pierce with a sharp stake through the body

476.

impalpable

not perceptible to touch

S: Intangible, Vague

A: Material, Solid, Definite

477.

impeccable

Flawless

S: Immaculate, Faultless, Perfect

A: Defective, Rowdy

478.

imperil

To put in danger

S: Endanger, Hazard, Jeopardise

A: Safeguard, Protect, Preserve

479.

imperious

commanding; haughty; arrogant

480.

imperviousness

not permeable; not moved easily

481.

impetuous

having sudden energy; impulsive

482.

impiety

lack of reverence or dutifulness

483.

impinge

to strike, hit, etc. (on or upon)

S: Strike, Hit

484.

implicate

show that somebody has a share

485.

implosion

collapse; bursting inward

486.

impromptu

without preparation

487.

impropriety

being improper

488.

impugned

challenged; to be doubted

489.

impunity

exemption from punishment, harm or loss

490.

impute

to attribute; to a cause or source; ascribe

491.

inchoate

not yet fully formed; rudimentary; elementary

492.

incipient

beginning

493.

incognito

disguised under an assumed name, rank, etc.

S: Unidentified

494.

incorrigibility

cannot be cured or corrected

495.

incredulous

skeptical; unwilling to believe

496.

incubus

A nightmare

497.

incumbents

official duties

498.

incursion

a raid; a sudden attack

499.

indict

to charge with a crime

S: Accuse, Incriminate

500.

indigenous

native

501.

indite

to compose and write

S: Compose

502.

indubitable

too evident to be doubted

503.

ineffable

too great to be described in words

504.

inferno

hell, large fire

505.

infinitesimal

Too small to be measured

506.

infraction

a violating of a law or pact

S: Violation, Infringement

A: Compliance, Submission

507.

ingenuous

naïve; young; artless; frank

508.

inimical

harmful

509.

inkling

a hint

S: Intimation, Idea

510.

innate

Inborn, Natural (an innate sense of style)

S: Intrinsic

A: Extrinsic, Alien

511.

innocuous

causing no harm

512.

inordinate

exceeding reasonable limits

513.

insatiable

that cannot be satisfied

S: Unquenchable, Greedy, Un-appeasable

A: Appeasable, Quenchable

514.

inscrutable

not easily understood

S: Incomprehensible, Baffling, Mysterious

A: Obvious, Plain, Evident

515.

inscrutable

incapable of being discovered or understood

516.

insouciant

unconcerned; carefree

517.

insularity

narrow-mindedness; isolated

518.

insurrection

rising of people to open resistance to

519.

interpose

to come between

520.

intersperse

place here and there

521.

intransigence

unwillingness to compromise; stubbornness; intractability

522.

intransigent

uncompromising

523.

intrepid

fearless; brave; undaunted

524.

introspection

examining one’s own thoughts and feelings

525.

inured

accustomed to, adapted

526.

inveigh

to attack verbally; denounce; deprecate

527.

invincible

too strong to be defeated

528.

involute

complex

529.

irascible

irritable; easily angered

530.

irrevocable

final and unalterable

531.

itinerate

to travel from place to place; to peregrinate

J

532.

jackass

a fool, a blockhead

533.

jalopy

a battered old car

534.

janitor

Attendant, caretaker, doorkeeper

535.

jargon

The terminology of a specific group or profession

A: confused talk, chatter

536.

jaunt

an excursion, jaunt, to make a short journey

537.

jaunty

Having a sprightly manner

S: cheerful, Confident, vivacous

A: gloomy, listless, dull

538.

jeopardy

danger, insecurity, peril, hazard

539.

jettison

to get rid of as superfluous or encumbering

540.

jinx

a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck

541.

jocose

full of jokes, merry, playful, jocular

542.

jocund

playful, pleasant, cheerful, merry, jovial

543.

john bull

a person who brings bad luck; a typical Englishman

544.

jovian

of the planet Jupiter

545.

judas

a traitor

546.

judicature

jurisdiction, power of dispensing justice by legal trial

547.

jugular

Pertaining to the neck veins

548.

junket

a picnic, an outing, a spree, a feast, a paid excursion

549.

jurassic

the Jurassic period, very old period

550.

jurisprudence

science of laws

K

551.

Kaiser

a German emperor

552.

kaleidoscope

an optical toy showing a changing variety of forms

553.

kaleidoscopic

constantly changing

554.

kaput

Rendered useless; unable to function

555.

kickback

percentage given back to a person who has enabled one to make money

556.

kilt

pleated knee-length skirt of tartan wool, worn by men as part of Scottish costume

557.

kindred

related, congruous, akin

558.

kinetic

related to motion, not static

559.

kink

a whim, a mental twist, imperfection

560.

kleptomania

an abnormal, persistent impulse to steal

561.

knap-sack

a rucksack, a case / bag strapped onto the shoulders

562.

knave (nave)

A false / deceitful fellow, a serving boy

563.

knead

press and stretch with the hands to form a firm smooth paste; knead the dough

564.

knell

to ring slowly, toll (omen of death, failure, etc.)

565.

knick-knack

a small trifling toy, plaything, amusement, trinket

566.

kurd

one of the people of Kurdistan

L

567.

labyrinthine

to entangle; the state of affairs

568.

lacuna

a blank space, especially a missing portion in a text, etc.

S: Gap

569.

laggard

A slow person, especially one who falls behind

S: Slowpoke, Dawdler

570.

lapidary

(i) Concerned with stone, Engravings on stone (ii) A cutter or polisher of precious stones

571.

lascivious

characterised by or expressing lust

S: Immoral, Lustful, Lecherous

A: Pure, Chaste, virtuous

572.

lassitude

weariness; tiredness

573.

laudatory

expressing or giving praise

574.

leer

A sly, sidelong look showing lust, malicious triumph

575.

levee

formal reception; embankment

576.

levitation

the power of raising a body in the air (against gravity) with no support

577.

levity

lack of seriousness

578.

libertine

immoral person

579.

licentious

morally unrestrained.

S: Wanton, Lustful

A: Continent, Chaste

580.

lien

legal claim until a debt on it is repaid

581.

limber

easily bent, flexible, to exercise in preparation for a sport

582.

limbo

in an uncertain state

583.

lionise

treat as a famous person

584.

logistics

the military science of procuring, maintaining and transporting material and personnel

585.

lope

move along with long strides

586.

loquacious

talkative; garrulous

587.

lucre

riches, money, used chiefly in a derogatory sense

588.

ludicrous

causing laughter because it is absurd or ridiculous

S: Absurd, Laughable, Preposterous

589.

lurid

shocking, Sensational, Violent

A: Bright, Pleasant, highly coloured

M

590.

macabre

gruesome; suggesting death

591.

maladroit

tactless; clumsy

592.

malaise

A vague feeling of physical discomfort or of uneasiness

593.

malediction

curse; execration

594.

malefaction

evil deed; crime

595.

malefactor

An evil doer or criminal

S: Wrong doer

596.

maleficent

baleful

597.

malevolence

wishing to do evil

598.

mammoth

Huge, Enormous

599.

maraud

To raid, Plunder

600.

martinet

Strict disciplinarian

601.

masquerade

disguise

602.

maudlin

sentimental in a silly or tearful way

603.

maunder

To talk or move in a confused, aimless way

604.

maverick

rebel; nonconformist

605.

mawkish

sickly or puerilely sentimental

606.

mayhem

Any violent destruction or disorder.

S: Havoc, Chaos

A: Peace, Tranquility

607.

megalomania

A mental disorder characterised by delusions of power, grandeur etc.

608.

melee

A confused fight, Confused crowd of people

S: Scuffle, Brawl, Affray

A: Order

609.

mellifluous

sweetly flowing, sweet sounding

610.

menage

a household

611.

mercenary

working or done for payment only

S: Venal, Pecuniary, Avaricious

A: Altruistic

612.

meretricious

attractive on the surface but of little value

613.

mete

distribute in portions

614.

meteoric

momentarily brilliant

S: Rapid, Transient

A: Gradual, Dull, Slow

615.

miasma

vaporous exhalation causing disease

616.

microcosm

a miniature representation of a whole

S: Portion

A: Macrocosm

617.

middling

fairly good but not very good

618.

milieu

environment, especially a social setting,

S: Background, Atmosphere

619.

minatory

menacing; threatening

620.

misogynist

one who hates women, females

621.

monomania

excessive concentration on a single object or idea

622.

mottle

surface having colored spots or blotches

623.

munificent

characterised by great liberality or generosity

N

624.

narcissistic

conceited, vain

625.

natation

act or art of swimming

626.

nebulous

cloud-like; hazy; vague

627.

necromancy

magic, especially that practiced by a witch

628.

nefarious

very wicked

S: Unlawful, Villainous

A: Virtuous, Innocent

629.

nemesis

(i) Just punishment, Deserved fate (ii) Goddess of vengeance

630.

neologism

new use of a word

631.

neophyte

person who has been converted to a belief

632.

nepotism

favouritism shown by a person in high position to relatives especially in securing jobs,

A: Impartiality

633.

nescient

ignorant

A: Knowledgeable

634.

nettle

to sting, annoy, bother, exasperate

635.

niggard

a stingy person, miser

S: Stingy

A: Generous, Spendthrift, Bounteous

636.

nimbus

a halo, aura, cloud

637.

nincompoop

a stupid, silly person, Fool

S: Simpleton, Stupid, Fool

A: Genius

638.

nit-picking

carping, fault-finding

639.

noisome

injurious to health

640.

noisome

offensive; disgusting (smell)

641.

nonchalant

not having interest

642.

nondescript

belonging to no definite class or type

643.

nonpareil

unequaled

S: Unrivaled, Peerless

A: Commonplace

644.

nonplus

confuse

645.

nonplussed

greatly surprised

646.

nostalgia

a longing for something far away or long ago

647.

noveau riche

a newly rich person of poor tastes

648.

novitiate

period of being a novice; house where novices are trained

649.

nuance

A slight variation in tone, colour, meaning etc.

650.

nugatory

trifling; worthless

651.

numskull

stupid, fool

O

652.

obdurate

hardened and unrepenting; stubborn; inflexible

653.

obeisance

a gesture of respect

S: deep bow, Homage, Rever-