ACT Vocabulary - The Complete Vocabulary List
abandon: 1. a lack of control or restraint 2. loss of inhibitions 3. exuberance 4. surrender to one's natural impulses
abandonment: 1. leaving someone, such as a child or a spouse, voluntarily 2. the act of giving something up 3. the act of letting something or someone go
abate: reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen
abbreviate: make (a word, phrase, or text) shorter
abdicate: 1. leave or give up a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner; abandon, lay down, or withdraw from 2. fail to do what is required by (a responsibility or duty)
aberrant: different from the right, normal, usual course, expected course or an accepted standard
abeyance: 1. a temporary stoppage or delay of activity 2. suspension
abhor: regard with extreme dislike and hatred
abide: 1. to accept 2. to put up with; to tolerate 3. to conform
ability: 1. the capacity to do something 2. a skill or talent in a specific area
abjure: 1. to officially renounce 2. to formally and publicly announce that one no longer believes in something
abolish: 1. to get rid of in an official way 2. to put an end to 3. to completely destroy
abolition: 1. the act of getting rid of something 2. the act of stopping or cancelling something
abortive: 1. failed 2. unfinished and therefore unsuccessful 3. imperfect
abrasive: 1. unkind or rude 2. an abrasive substance that is used in order to grind down, clean or polish objects
abridge: 1. to make something shorter while keeping the same meaning 2. to condense 3. to reduce
abrogate: 1. to officially put an end to something, especially a law or another type of formal agreement
abrupt: 1. brusque or curt in behavior or speech 2. unexpected or sudden, most often in an unpleasant or shocking way 3. steep
abscond: leave or escape from a place hurriedly or secretly, typically to avoid detection of, capture, legal prosecution or arrest for an unlawful action
absent: 1. not present in a certain time or location 2. non-existent 3. missing
absorb: 1. to incorporate something 2. to soak up or suck up something 3. to gradually take something in
abstain: deliberately choose not to do or have something that is enjoyable but that may not be healthy, safe, or morally right 2. refrain from voting
abstemious: 1. moderation when consuming something one enjoys, such as alcohol or food 2. showing restraint
abstruse: difficult to understand, especially because of being extremely complex
abundant: 1. great in number 2. available in a large number 3. more than enough; plenty
accede: 1. to formally take on official duties 2. to agree; to give consent 3. to do what someone else says
acceleration: 1. an increase in speed or rate 2. the ability of something to go faster
access: 1. a way of entering or exiting a place 2. the right or permission to use, approach, or enter something or somewhere 3. the act of approaching
accessible: 1. obtainable 2. easy to enter, speak with, or approach 3. easily influenced
accessory: 1. an object that is added to another in order to make it more useful or attractive 2. a person that helps another person commit a crime, but who does not actually take part in the crime
accident: 1. an unforeseen event that causes harm, damage, injury or even death 2. a sudden and unplanned event
accidentally: 1. by chance 2. unexpectedly 3. by mistake
accolade: 1. an award 2. a declaration of praise, approval, or admiration
accommodate: 1. to do a favor or oblige someone 2. to supply 3. to provide space for people to stay or to be 4. to adapt or to make suitable
accompaniment: 1. something that accompanies something or someone else 2. music that accompanies a singer or the main tune
accomplish: 1. to carry something out; to finish something 2. to be successful in doing something 3. to complete or fulfill
accomplishment: 1. fulfillment, success or achievement 2. something that was done successfully
accord: concurrence of opinions or wills
accost: approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way, as with a demand or request
account: 1. an explanation or description of a specific event or situation 2. a narrative 3. the reasons behind a specific event or action
accrue: 1. to accumulate over a long period of time 2. to increase 3. to grow in a slow way
accumulation: 1. the act of growing or increasing in amount over an extended period of time 2. agglomeration
achieve: 1. to accomplish 2. to reach something through hard work 3. to succeed
acquiesce: 1. to agree to something reticently but without protesting
acquire: 1. to obtain 2. to purchase 3. to develop or learn a habit or skill 4. to pinpoint and hold a target or something else through the use of radar or another tracking device
acquisition: 1. the act of getting something or gaining possession of a skill or a good 2. something that one gets or gains possession of
acrid: 1. a strong, bitter or stinging smell which often creates an unpleasant smell in one's throat 2. a bitter or sharp taste
acrimony: sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, temper, manner, or speech
acrophobia: 1. a strong or abnormal fear of heights
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
acuity: 1. acuteness or sharpness, especially of thought, vision or perception
acumen: the ability to think clearly, make good judgments and take quick decision in a particular subject, such as business or politics
adept: highly skilled or proficient at doing something; expert
adjacent: 1. near 2. close to 3. neighboring 4. touching
adjust: 1. to make changes to 2. to settle or adapt to a situation
adroit: very clever or skillful in a physical or mental way
adulation: excessive admiration, praise, or flattery
adumbrate: 1. to give hints or vague information about something that is going to happen in the future 2. to foretell 3. to obscure
advocate: 1. publicly speak, write, plead, recommend, support or argue for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things 2. a person who publicly speaks, writes, pleads, recommends, supports or argues for a cause, particular policy or way of doing things
aesthetic: 1. relating to beauty or the study or appreciation of beauty or good taste 2. nice to look at
affable: 1. kind or friendly 2. warm and open to others
affect: 1. to impact someone emotionally or mentally 2. to produce a change in
aggrandize: 1. increase the scope of 2. make great or greater 3. increase or enhance the power, status, position, reputation or wealth of
aggregate: 1. to collect or bring together 2. to add amounts together
alacrity: a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something
alchemy: 1. a type of chemistry from the Medieval age which focused on two major tasks: turning ordinary metals into gold and developing an elixir that allows people to stay young forever 2. magical powers of transformation or creation
allay: 1. to calm or to lessen negative feelings or pain 2. to pacify 3. to alleviate or relieve
allocate: divide and give out (something) for a particular purpose
aloof: 1. unfriendly or unwilling to interact with others 2. distant 3. uninvolved
altruistic: unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others
amalgamate: mix, merge, combine or unite to form one thing
amass: 1. to gather or collect goods of any kind over a long period of time 2. to accumulate
ambiguous: 1. not expressed or understood clearly 2. open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations
ambivalence: 1. the state of having simultaneous contradicting feelings towards an someone or something 2. uncertainty 3. fluctuation
ambulatory: 1. able to walk 2. mobile and able to move from one place to another 3. moving and not stationary
ameliorate: 1. to improve 2. to make better 3. to make tolerable
amenable: 1. ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield 2. responsible or answerable
amend: 1. to make changes to 2. to improve 3. to alter 4. to remove errors from
amendment: 1. a change that is made to something, such as a law, an agreement or any other document 2. a minor change or addition to something
amiable: pleasant and friendly; good-natured and likable
amicable: characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill, often despite a difficult situation
amity: 1. a positive or friendly relationship 2. a peaceful relationship, especially when referring to two or more nations or specific groups
amorphous: 1. without a defined shape or form 2. unorganized 3. missing a clear structure
anachronistic: 1. something or someone that is not in its correct chronological, proper, or historical order 2. something that is or seems to be no longer suitable for or relevant to modern times
analgesic: 1. a medication that is used to relieve pain without causing the patient to lose consciousness
analogous: 1. similar to 2. alike or related in a way that allows analogies to be drawn
anathema: 1. a malediction or a curse 2. something or someone that is considered to be cursed 3. someone or something that is greatly disliked
annex: 1. to take control or possession over a piece of land without permission and often by the use of force 2. to add or attach 3.
anomalous: deviating from or inconsistent with what is standard, normal, or expected
anomaly: 1. something strange or different from what is considered to be normal 2. unusual or unexpected 3. irregularity
anonymous: 1. with no name known or acknowledged 2. made or done by someone unknown 3. having no unusual or interesting features
antagonism: 1. unfriendliness or opposition 2. a strong feeling of dislike or hatred towards someone
antediluvian: 1. of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood 2. a very old or old-fashioned person or thing
anthology: 1. a book that contains many different selections, often from various authors 2. a collection of music or different works of art
anticipate: 1. to predict or foresee 2. to look forward to something 3. to prepare for something or deal with something before it happens
antipathy: a strong feeling of intense aversion, dislike, or hostility
apathy: 1. uninterested and not energetic behavior 2. lack of interest 3. lack of concern
apocryphal: 1. something that is quite possibly untrue or is of doubtful authenticity, despite the fact that many people believe it to be true
apparent: 1. clear and able to be seen 2. obvious; evident 3. easily understood
appease: 1. to calm a situation 2. to pacify a situation by giving one's enemies what they demand 3. to soothe
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
append: 1. to attach something; to affix 2. to add something to a written work such as a letter or a book
appreciate: 1. to become more valuable or increase in worth 2. to be grateful or thankful for 3. to understand the true meaning of a situation
approach: to move nearer
approbation: 1. approval, which is often given warmly or officially 2. accolade
appropriate: 1. to take possession or control of something 2. to steal 3. to set aside or to devote to a specific purpose
approximate: 1. to come close to something 2. to be similar to something 3. to get near
apt: 1. exactly suitable; appropriate 2. likely to do something; having a tendency to do something 3. quick to learn or understand
arable: 1. land which is suitable for growing crops
arbitrary: 1. determined in a random way 2. based on preference rather than logic
arbitrate: officially try to settle a disagreement between opposing or contending parties or sides after hearing the opinions and ideas of both
arcane: known or understood by only a few; secret or mysterious
archaic: 1. antiquated 2. belonging to a time in the past 3. old-fashioned
archetype: 1. a perfect example or model for something 2. a prototype 3. the original pattern or model
arid: 1. very dry, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or plants 2. lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
arrogate: 1. to appropriate or take ownership of something without the power or right to do so 2. to claim something in a way that is illegal or unfair
articulate: 1. capable of expressing oneself in a clear and coherent manner 2. clear and well formulated language
artifice: 1. clever skills or behavior that are often used to trick others 2. craftiness 3. ingenuity 4. trickery
artisan: 1. a craftsman 2. a worker who has a specific skill and is able to make things by hand 3. a company or person that produces small batches of high quality goods
ascendancy: the advantage, power, or influence that one person or group has over another; supremacy; domination
ascetic: avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple and severe self-disciplined life, typically for religious reasons
aspect: 1. a part or quality of something 2. one part of a situation 3. exposure; the way in which a structure is facing
assail: physically attack or severely criticize (someone or something) in a violent or angry way
assembly: 1. a gathering of people that takes place because the people share a common goal or interest; a meeting 2. a gathering of teachers and students where information is shared
assess: 1. to estimate or determine the value of something; to appraise 2. to evaluate
assessment: 1. the act of evaluating and judging something 2. one's judgments or observations about a particular subject
assiduous: showing hard work, great care, and attention to detail; diligent
assist: 1. to support or help; to aid
assistance: 1. help or support 2. the act of helping or supporting someone
assuage: 1. make less intense or severe 2. appease or satisfy
atrophy: 1. (of body tissue or a part of the body) a wasting or decrease in size because of disease, injury, or lack of use 2. gradual degeneration, decline, or decrease in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
attach: 1. to fasten or join two or more objects 2. to include 3. to add a file to an e-mail
attached: 1. joined or fastened together somehow 2. connected 3. feeling love or attraction for someone
attain: 1. to succeed at something 2. to achieve 3. to reach or arrive at
attenuate: reduce the strength, effect, density, amount, or size of something
attitude: 1. a feeling or an opinion; a mental position 2. physical posture 3. a way of acting, thinking or feeling
attribute: 1. a trait or quality 2. a characteristic
audacious: extremely bold or daring, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes of other people
augment: 1. to increase something in size, quantity or value 2. to enlarge 3. to enhance
August: impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
auspicious: 1. showing signs or suggesting that a positive and successful future is likely 2. favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate
austere: 1. strict or cold in one's behavior or appearance 2. serious 3. plain and lacking adornment, decoration or luxury
authority: 1. power; the ability and right to control 2. the person or group that is in charge of a person, group or region 3. an expert on a specific subject 4. jurisdiction 5. official permission
autocrat: 1. a ruler with absolute power; dictator; despot 2. someone who demands that people completely obey them
automate: 1. to mechanize a process, replacing people with machines 2. to operate by automation
automaton: a self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot
available: 1. free and ready to be used; not busy 2. accessible 3. at someone's disposal
avarice: extreme greed to get or keep money or possessions; cupidity
aver: 1. say (something) in a very strong and determined way 2. declare in a positive or confident manner
aversion: 1. dislike of or repugnance toward something or someone 2. the person or thing that causes this strong dislike
balk: 1. to stop suddenly and refuse to continue 2. to hinder or obstruct 3. to hesitate 4. to stubbornly refuse or to be unwilling to continue or let something happen
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
banal: boring, ordinary, or not interesting because it contains nothing new, original, or unusual
bane: 1. the cause behind something negative such as death or distress 2. something or someone that greatly annoys someone 3. a curse
bard: 1. a poet 2. a poet that composes or recites lyric poetry
barrage: 1. a concentrated artillery bombardment to protect one's own advancing or retreating or to stop the advance of enemy troops 2. an artificial barrier across a river or estuary to increase the depth of the water, prevent flooding, facilitate irrigation, etc
bastion: 1. a fortified position or place 2. something protecting a specific belief, condition, attitude, or activity that is being threatened 3. a protruding part of a fort or castle
befuddle: 1. to completely confuse someone 2. to perplex
beguile: 1. to trick someone, convincing them to do something 2. to charm someone 3. to mislead
belabor: 1. to attack someone in either a physical or verbal way 2. to talk about something repeatedly or at great length and with great detail
beleaguer: 1. to harass or create trouble for 2. to besiege or surround a place, person or group with troops
belie: 1. give a false representation to; disguise or misrepresent 2. show to be false; contradict; prove false
bellicose: 1. hostile 2. aggressive and willing to fight 3. fond of arguing or fighting 4. quarrelsome
belligerent: inclined or eager to fight or argue; hostile and aggressive
bemoan: 1. to complain about something 2. to show or express disapproval of 3. to show or express grief over; to lament
benefit: 1. an advantage 2. a gift or payment from an employer to an employee 3. a payment from an insurance company or social welfare program 4. something intended to help 5. an event designed to raise money for someone or for a cause
benign: 1. not harmful 2. displaying kindness or gentleness 3. beneficial
bequeath: 1. leave or give (personal property) by will 2. pass (something) on to another; hand down
berate: scold or criticize (someone) angrily
bestial: 1. similar to or related to animals or beasts 2. brutal; showing traits that are not human 3. cruel
bilk: 1. to cheat or swindle someone, getting them to give you money you do not deserve 2. to slip away or evade
billowing: 1. moving in a way that looks like a wave 2. surging, swelling, or rolling
blandishment: a flattering or pleasing statement, speech, or action intended to flatter, coax, entice someone gently into doing something
blatant: 1. obvious, easily detectable, or blunt 2. noisy in a vulgar way 3. obtrusive
blighted: 1. suffering from a disease 2. anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation
blithe: 1. happy or joyous 2. carefree 3. casual and not worried about the possible negative consequences of one's actions
boisterous: 1. noisy, energetic, and lacking in restraint or discipline 2. (of waves, weather, wind, etc.) wild or stormy
bolster: 1. a long, narrow cushion or pillow 2. support or reinforce; strengthen
bombastic: (of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding but with little meaning, usually intended to impress people; inflated; pretentious
boon: 1. a blessing or something helpful 2. a positive result that is gained through having made a request
boorish: rude and bad-mannered; of or like a boor; insensitive; awkward
braggart: 1. a person who talks a great deal about himself or herself, bragging or boasting about their possessions or achievements
breach: 1. an act of breaking or failing to follow a law, rule, trust, faith, promise, agreement, or code of conduct 2. a hole, opening or space in a wall, fence, barrier, or line of defense, especially during a military attack
brevity: 1. briefness or shortness of duration 2. conciseness or using few words
broach: 1. to start to discuss a difficult or otherwise uncomfortable subject 2. to talk about a difficult subject for the first time
brusque: a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way in speech or manner
bulwark: 1. something or someone which protects one from negative, dangerous or unpleasant things or gives support and encouragement in bad situations 2. a wall built for defense
buoyant: 1. able to float 2. cheerful and optimistic
burgeon: 1. grow, increase, expand or develop quickly 2. begin to grow or blossom (as buds or branches)
burnish: 1. to make something brilliant or shiny by rubbing it 2. to polish
buttress: 1. a structure, usually made of brick or stone, built against a wall for support or strengthen it 2. a source of defense or support 3. something that resembles a buttress
cacophonous: involving or producing a harsh, discordant, and unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cajole: persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax
caldron: 1. a large kettle or pot that is made of metal and is often hung over a fire in order to heat its contents
callous: unkind, cruel, and without sympathy or feeling about the problems or suffering of other people
callow: 1. inexperienced, immature or young 2. lacking experience or judgment; not experienced in life 3. lacking feathers
calumny: 1. slander 2. a statement that is false, which is often made with malicious intent, looking to damage someone's reputation
camaraderie: friendship and trust between people in a group, often people who spend a lot of time together
candid: 1. direct or honest, even in situations when the truth is considered to be uncomfortable or unpleasant; frank; straightforward 2. impartial or unbiased 3. unrehearsed or informal
canny: careful, shrewd, and having good judgment, especially in money or business matters
cantankerous: bad-tempered, quarrelsome, and often angry and annoyed
capable: 1. able to do something 2. quite good at a certain task; skilled
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
capacious: capable of containing a large quantity easily; spacious; roomy
capitulate: 1. surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms 2. give up all resistance, usually because they are stronger than you
caprice: 1. a sudden, unpredictable and unexpected change of mood, opinion, behavior, or the weather without any good reason 2. whim
capricious: suddenly and unexpectedly changing mood or behavior without any good reason; impulsive and unpredictable
carping: 1. marked by excessive complaining or fault finding 2. critical or fault-finding 3. difficult to please
cartographer: 1. a person who designs, draws or otherwise makes charts and maps
castigate: criticize someone or something severely
catalyst: 1. (Chemistry) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction 2. somebody, something or an event that quickly causes change or action
category: 1. a group of things organized due to the fact that they share a common trait 2. a group or class 3. a division
catharsis: 1. a purging or cleansing of any part of the human body 2. a release of strong feelings or emotional tensions, especially through art
caucus: 1. a closed or private meeting of political officials or party members in which party affairs are discussed or candidates are selected 2. a group of politicians with similar interests
caustic: 1. capable of burning, corroding, destroying, or eating away by chemical action 2. severely critical or sarcastic, often in a funny or clever way
cavalcade: 1. a ceremonial procession of people, horses or vehicles 2. a series of related things or events
celerity: 1. speed or rapidity 2. swiftness or quickness
censorious: often criticizing other people or ideas, and wanting to find faults in them; highly critical
censure: strong criticism or disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement
certitude: 1. certainty or freedom from doubt 2. a feeling of confidence 3. a fact that someone is absolutely certain is true
chagrin: a feeling of being very annoyed, disappointed, or embarrassed because of failure, disappointment, or humiliation
chart: 1. a drawing or illustration which displays information in an easy to understand way; a graph 2. a detailed map used for navigation of the sea or air
chary: 1. cautious about taking risks or acting 2. choosy or sparing
chastise: 1. punish, especially by beating 2. scold or criticize someone severely for doing something wrong
chicanery: the use of clever, unfair, or dishonest methods to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
chide: 1. express mild disapproval of (someone) 2. scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand
chimerical: 1. imagined or totally unrealistic 2. something conceived by a wild imagination
choleric: 1. hot-tempered and easily angered 2. prone to become angry quickly and/or easily
churlish: 1. rude, unfriendly, and unpleasant 2. difficult to work with or deal with
circuitous: 1. (of a route or journey) longer than it needs to be because it is not direct 2. not straight, short, and direct
circumlocution: 1. an indirect or roundabout way of expressing an idea 2. language that is wordier than it needs to be 3. using many words to express an idea that could easily be explained using less words
circumscribe: 1. draw a line around; encircle 2. restrict something such as power, rights, or opportunities within limits
circumspect: 1. prudent or careful about taking risks 2. cautious and wary about the outcome of an action
circumvent: 1. surround or circle around (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap 2. avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.), especially cleverly or illegally 3. go around or bypass
cite: 1. to use information or exact words from another source; to quote 2. to use as an example
civil: 1. not related to the church or military, but rather the ordinary people of a country 2. secular 3. polite or courteous
clamor: 1. a loud outcry, uproar, demand, complaint or shouting 2. a loud noise that continues for a long time
clandestine: kept or done secretly and often illegal
coalesce: 1. grow together or into one body 2. unite or merge into a single body, group, or mass
coddle: 1. to overprotect someone or something 2. to treat someone tenderly or with great care 3. to cook something in water that is just below the boiling point
cogent: 1. an argument that is structured in such a way that makes it easily believable 2. something convincing 3. a logical argument
cogitate: 1. to meditate 2. to think deeply or carefully about something 3. to ponder 4. to ruminate
coherence: 1. a logical ordering of things 2. consistency 3. the state of being logical
coherent: 1. consistent or logical 2. understandable 3. capable of explaining one's thoughts or ideas in a way that is easily understood 4. unified; sticking together
collaborate: 1. work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort 2. cooperate with an enemy who has invaded your country during a war
collapse: 1. to cave in due to pressure or lack of support 2. to fall down 3. to break down 4. to fold into a smaller or more compact shape, allowing something to be more easily stored
collate: 1. to put pages into a logical or correct order 2. to examine and compare two or more written works
colleague: 1. a coworker 2. someone you work with in the same profession or organization
colloquial: 1. not formal 2. familiar and conversational 3. informal
collusion: 1. a conspiracy 2. secret cooperation or activities for illegal or fraudulent purposes
commandeer: 1. to seize control of something via force 2. to take control of something for military purposes 3. to confiscate
comment: 1. to say something 2. to make a remark 3. to explain something through a verbal or written remark
commission: 1. a fee or payment for goods or services rendered 2. a request to create a specific work for someone 3. a group which studies a certain issue
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
commit: to do something
commodity: 1. a product or good that can be bought and sold 2. something useful or of value
communicate: 1. to transmit something, such as energy or an illness 2. to transmit information to others through written, verbal or non verbal words or signals
communication: 1. the act of transmitting information from one person to another 2. the message that is transmitted
compatible: 1. able to exist in harmony 2. well-suited 3. capable of being mixed
compile: 1. to gather things together 2. to put things together in a logical or orderly form
complacency: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like
complaisant: 1. willing or eager to please other people 2. cheerfully obliging 3. agreeable
complement: 1. to go well with something 2. to make perfect; to complete
complex: 1. complicated and not easy to understand 2. involving or made from many different parts
compliant: 1. complying, obliging, or yielding, especially to an excessive degree 2. meeting or in accordance with a set of rules, standards, or requirements
component: 1. one specific part of something 2. an ingredient or element
compound: 1. to increase 2. to combine 3. to make something worse 4. to pay interest
comprehensive: 1. all-encompassing 2. thorough 3. extensive 4. dealing with most or all aspects of a certain issue
comprise: 1. to be made up of 2. to be composed of 3. to include; to contain
compromise: 1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions 2. reduce the quality, value, or degree of something 3. endanger the interests or reputation of
conceive: 1. to draw up or think up a plan 2. to get pregnant 3. to invent something
concept: 1. an idea or a notion 2. a plan 3. an experimental model for a future product
concern: A matter of interest or importance
concise: 1. expressed in few words 2. clear and succinct 3. brief yet clear
conclude: 1. to finish 2. to terminate or cause something to come to an end 3. to deduce or to infer based on what one has seen or heard
concomitant: 1. something that is connected to something else, often occurring at the same time 2. something associated with another thing
conduct: to lead or guide
confer: 1. to grant something, like a title, to someone 2. to discuss or exchange opinions
conflagration: a large destructive fire that causes a lot of land or property damage; large-scale military conflict
conflict: 1. a fight or a disagreement between two or more parties 2. a struggle 3. an incompatibility
confluence: 1. a place where two rivers or streams join to become one 2. a coming together of people or things
conform: 1. to meet (standards) 2. to comply with 3. to be similar to 4. to behave in a way that is expected and acceptable
conformity: 1. agreement or compliance with a particular subject or issue 2. behavior that displays compliance with socially accepted rules or norms
confound: 1. to surprise or confuse someone 2. to mix something up 3. to refute 4. to bewilder
congenial: 1. (of a person) agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character 2. (of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to or adapted in one's spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible
conscientious: 1. controlled by or done according to, what one knows is right 2. working hard and careful to do things well
consider: to think carefully
conspicuous: 1. obvious; easily noticed 2. attracting attention, especially because it is strange or unusual
constant: 1. unchanging 2. firm or resolute 3. persistent; continuing over a long period of time 4. loyal
consternation: a feeling of worry, shock, or confusion, often caused when something unexpected happens
constitute: 1. to formally set up or establish 2. to appoint someone to a position 3. to be the same as or equivalent to
constrain: 1. to keep back; to confine 2. to restrain; to limit 3. to force; to oblige
construct: 1. to create or to form 2. to build; to put pieces together to form a whole object 3. to combine smaller pieces to develop something new
construction: 1. the act or business of building things, especially structures
consume: 1. to eat 2. to use; to use up 3. to totally destroy
contact: 1. to communicate with someone over the phone or by writing a letter, e-mail or text message
contempt: 1. a feeling that someone or something is unimportant and deserves no respect 2. disregard for something that is usually respected or feared 3. open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body
contentious: 1. tending to argue or quarrel; quarrelsome 2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy
context: 1. the circumstances surrounding something 2. the words before and after something that help explain what it means 3. the circumstances or situation in which something happens, which help to explain it
contract: 1. to get smaller; to shrink 2. to make smaller 3. to hire someone to work under a contract 4. to get
contradict: 1. to make a statement that goes against what has been expressed by another 2. to deny 3. to disagree with something
contrast: 1. the act of finding differences between two or more things 2. a difference between two or more things
controversy: 1. a disagreement or dispute over a specific subject about which people have differing opinions 2. a heated discussion or argument
contusion: 1. a bruise 2. an injury that doesn't cut one's skin
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
convention: 1. a formal political agreement 2. a gathering or meeting of people or professionals with a shared interest 3. a social custom
conventional: 1. traditional 2. based on what is considered to be traditional or typical 3. common 4. related to or based on a convention or an agreement
converse: 1. to talk with a person or a group of people 2. to have a conversation
convert: 1. to change something; to transform 2. to undergo a change 3. to change to another religion
convince: 1. to make someone believe what you are saying; to persuade
convinced: 1. very sure 2. persuaded 3. certain
convivial: 1. (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and making you feel happy and welcome; festive 2. (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial 3. fond of eating, drinking, and good company; sociable; jovial
cooperative: 1. done with others 2. willing to work with others
coordinate: 1. to harmonize 2. to make two or more things work well or efficiently together 3. to match
copious: large in quantity or number; affording ample supply; abundant; plentiful
core: 1. the center of something 2. the most important or essential part of something
corporeal: 1. of or relating to a person's body and not to spiritual or emotional states 2. of a material nature; tangible
corpulent: 1. overweight 2. fat 3. physically large
correspond: 1. to communicate through messages, letters or e-mails 2. to be related to or quite similar to
corresponding: 1. related to 2. comparable 3. matching 4. directly related
corrugated: 1. wrinkled; creased 2. possessing parallel ridges or folds 3. furrowed
counterfeit: 1. to forge a copy of something, often for illegal or dishonest reasons 2. to create a high-quality copy of something with the intention of defrauding someone
couple: 1. two people who are romantically involved 2. two similar or equal things
craven: 1. contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly 2. a cowardly person
credible: 1. trustworthy 2. easy to believe or convincing 3. reliable
credit: 1. money that is given to someone with the understanding that it will be paid back with interest 2. recognition or praise
cryptic: 1. mysterious 2. possessing a hidden meaning 3. written or said using a special code or cypher
culture: 1. behaviors, beliefs, and standards that are shared between one large group of people or a society 2. art, such as music, literature, dance, theater, etc.
cumulative: 1. increasing due to the constant addition of other elements 2. gradually increasing 3. snowballing
cupidity: 1. avarice 2. a strong or excessive desire for possessions or wealth
cursory: quick and probably not detailed
curtail: 1. to reduce or shorten something 2. to establish a limit on something 3. to abridge
dauntless: showing fearlessness and determination
dearth: a lack of something or an inadequate supply
debacle: 1. a complete collapse or failure, often in an embarrassing way 2. a sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat
debase: 1. to degrade 2. to adulterate 3. to reduce in quality or value 4. to humiliate
debate: 1. a civil or controlled argument between two or more people or groups with opposing viewpoints 2. a formal discussion before a vote 3. discussion
debilitate: 1. make (someone or something) weak 2. reduce the strength of (someone or something)
debunk: expose or ridicule (an idea, belief, claim, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated
decimate: 1. destroy, kill, or remove a large number or proportion of (a group) 2. reduce, damage, or destroy the strength or effectiveness of something severely 3. select by lot and kill every tenth one of
decline: 1. a fall in the number of something; a reduction 2. the act of reducing in number 3. a downward slope
decorum: 1. appropriateness and good taste in behavior, speech, dress, etc. 2. etiquette 3. (often used in plural) decorums: the conventions or requirements of polite behavior
decry: 1. to openly express displeasure or disagreement with 2. to condemn
deduce: 1. to reach a conclusion based on the facts available 2. to infer
deference: respectful submission to someone or something
defile: 1. to spoil something by making it less pure; to corrupt 2. to pollute or make something dirty
definite: 1. exact 2. clear 3. undeniable 4. certain and unlikely to change
definition: 1. a clear outline of something 2. the meaning of a word or phrase
defoliate: 1. to promote leaf loss on a plant, often by using chemicals 2. to make a plant or tree lose its leaves, often for agricultural or military reasons
defunct: 1. no longer in existence 2. dead 3. extinct
degradation: 1. the act or process of degrading such as in rank, status, or condition 2. treat someone or something poorly and without respect; humiliation
deleterious: 1. damaging or harmful 2. injurious to health
deliberate: 1. to carefully debate or think about something serious 2. to thoughtfully weigh the available options
delineate: 1. describe or portray (something) clearly and precisely 2. draw or trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline
demagogue: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by appealing to emotion, passions, prejudice, etc. rather than by using rational argument in order to win them over quickly and so gain power
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
demur: 1. to hesitate because you have doubts or object to something 2. to refuse to do something 3. to voice opposition
demure: (especially of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, shy, and well behaved
demystify: make (a difficult subject, mystery, or mystique from) clearer and easier to understand, especially by explaining it clearly
denigrate: 1. criticize in a derogatory and often unfair manner; defame 2. make (something) seem less important or valuable; belittle
denounce: 1. to condemn or accuse something or someone, often in a formal manner 2. to strongly and publicly criticize someone or something
deny: 1. to say that something is not true 2. to claim one is not guilty of something; to not admit 3. to not let someone have something
depict: 1. show (someone or something) in a picture, drawing, painting, photograph, etc. 2. describe (someone or something) using words, a story, etc.
deplete: 1. to cause a great reduction in the fullness or size of 2. to use up 3. to decrease the number of something
deplore: 1. to believe something is wrong or bad 2. to lament; to regret 3. to feel great sadness about
depose: 1. remove someone important from office or a position of power suddenly and forcefully 2. testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement
depravity: behavior that is immoral or evil; wickedness
deprecate: 1. criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something) 2. depreciate; belittle
depreciation: 1. decrease in value due to age, wear, decay, market conditions, etc. 2. a decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money 3. an instance of disparaging or belittlement
depredation: 1. a predatory attack 2. an act of attacking, plundering, or preying upon
deride: speak of or write about (someone or something) in a way that shows you think they are stupid, unimportant, or useless; make fun of; ridicule
derivative: 1. developed from, based on, influenced by, or copied something else; derived 2. copied or adapted from others; not original; secondary
descry: 1. see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully 2. discover by looking carefully
desecrate: 1. to pollute something with violence or spoil something, especially in reference to holy places
desiccate: dry (something, especially food) out thoroughly, typically in order to preserve it
despondent: very sad and with no enthusiasm from loss of hope or courage; dejected
despot: 1. a ruler or other person with absolute, unlimited power, typically one who uses that power in cruel and unfair ways; autocrat 2. any tyrant or oppressor
destitute: 1. extremely poor and lacking money, food, a home, or possessions 2. (often followed by of) destitute of: deprived of, devoid of, or lacking
detect: 1. to note or to feel something 2. to discover or catch 3. to note the presence of
deter: 1. to discourage or keep someone from doing something 2. to make someone decide not to do something by making them fear the consequences or repercussions
deteriorate: 1. to get or become worse 2. to depreciate 3. to disintegrate over time
detrimental: 1. causing damage or injury 2. harmful
deviate: 1. to stray from the established course or standards 2. to digress
device: 1. a contraption used to perform specific tasks 2. an explosive, like a bomb 3. a method used to do something
devoid: completely lacking something that is necessary or usual; destitute or empty (usually followed by of = devoid of)
devote: 1. to dedicate time or resources to something 2. to set apart
dexterous: 1. skillful in the use of one's hands 2. possessing great mental skill; clever
didactic: 1. intended to teach something, especially a moral lesson 2. too much inclined to teach others, often in a way that is annoying
differentiate: 1. to determine or recognize the difference between two or more things; to distinguish 2. to make one thing unlike another
diffident: modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness
diffuse: 1. pour out and cause to spread freely, as a fluid 2. spread or scatter over a wide area widely or thinly; disseminate; dispersed; not concentrated in one area 3. spread among a large group of people 4. cause (light) to spread evenly to reduce glare
digress: leave or move away from the main subject being discussed temporarily in talking or writing
diligent: steady, hard-working, and careful in one's work or duties; industrious; painstaking
diminish: 1. to reduce or make smaller 2. to become smaller or less
discern: 1. see, recognize, find out, or understand something that is far away or not very clear 2. perceive or recognize (someone or something) with difficulty by the sight or some other sense 3. come to know, recognize, or distinguish mentally
discomfit: make (someone) feel uneasy, embarrassed, uncomfortable, or confused, especially mentally
discord: 1. disagreement among people or things 2. dispute or strife 3. a lack of harmony
discount: a reduction in the usual price of something
discrete: 1. distinct 2. separate 3. not continuous
discursive: 1. prone to straying from the main subject of a conversation or a lesson 2. rambling or superficially covering a wide range of topics
disingenuous: 1. not straightforward; not candid or frank; insincere 2. slyly deceptive or misleading, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does
disinterested: 1. impartial; not influenced by opinion, prejudice, etc.; free from bias 2. uninterested; indifferent
disparage: 1. speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle 2. lower in rank or reputation
disparity: 1. a large difference between two or more things 2. inequality 3. incongruity
dispassionate: not influenced or affected by passion, emotion, or bias
dispel: 1. make (a doubt, fear, belief, feeling, or idea) go away or end, usually by proving them wrong or unnecessary 2. drive away or off in various directions; disperse; dissipate
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
displace: 1. to force someone or something out of its proper place or position 2. to take over for 3. to remove
displacement: 1. the act of removing someone or something from the place it held or lived previously
display: 1. to show or present 2. to demonstrate 3. to reveal
dispose: 1. to get rid of or throw away 2. to make someone feel a certain way 3. to arrange
disputatious: inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; argumentative; contentious
disquiet: 1. a feeling of worry, unease, or nervous; impatient; restless; uneasy 2. make anxious, uneasy, or restless; disturb
dissemble: 1. hide your true feelings, opinions, motives, beliefs, etc. 2. hide under a false appearance; feign
disseminate: 1. spread (something, especially news, information, ideas, etc.) widely 2. scatter widely, as in sowing seed
distinct: 1. different or separate 2. unmistakable; obvious
distinction: 1. honor or excellence 2. something that makes a person or a thing different from the rest
distort: 1. to misrepresent or give false information 2. to change something so that it is no longer the way it originally was
distribute: 1. to give out or hand out 2. to spread something out over a surface 3. to deliver products
distribution: 1. the act of giving something out to people 2. the way in which something is distributed or spread out over an area
diurnal: 1. daily; happening every day 2. done during the daytime or related to daytime
divergent: 1. tending to split and move out in different directions from a single point; diverging 2. be or become different
diverse: 1. possessing various characteristics 2. distinct 3. diversified
divert: 1. to distract 2. to make something move in a different direction or on a different course 3. to use for a different purpose than the original 4. to amuse or entertain
divulge: make (something private, secret, or previously unknown) known to public; disclose; reveal
docile: 1. submissive 2. easy to handle, manage or teach 3. compliant
dogged: marked by stubborn determination and persistent in effort to do or get something and continuing to try despite difficulties
dogmatic: an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted
domain: 1. territory 2. field of activity or study 3. a set or group of websites that share the same suffix such as .net .org etc.
domestic: 1. related to house, home or family 2. from one's own country
dupe: 1. deceive (an unwary person) by trickery; fool or cheat 2. an easily deceived person
dynamic: 1. full of energy; enthusiastic 2. constantly changing 3. relating to energy or physical forces
ebullient: cheerful, lively, and showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement
eccentric: 1. strange 2. unusual 3. unconventional and deviating from what is considered to be "normal" behavior
eclectic: 1. selecting or choosing from various sources, systems, or styles 2. made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources
edifice: 1. a building or structure that is large and impressive 2. any sort of well-established system
efface: 1. cause to disappear by rubbing out or wiping out; erase 2. cause (something) to fade or disappear
efficacy: the ability or power to produce desired result or effect
effigy: 1. a sculpture or monument of a person 2. a poorly made dummy that looks like or represents a person and is most often used in protest or ridicule
effrontery: 1. presumptuousness without the ability to see that one's behavior is unacceptable 2. shamelessly bold behavior
effusive: 1. expressing pleasure or gratitude in an unrestrained manner; gushy 2. overflowing 3. exuberant
egregious: 1. something terribly bad 2. something surprisingly negative
egress: 1. the act of leaving a place 2. an exit or way of leaving a location 3. permission or the right to leave
elated: 1. very happy and excited; exultantly proud and joyful; overjoyed 2. make very proud, happy, or joyful
element: 1. a specific part of something tangible 2. a characteristic of something abstract or intangible 3. the most basic information about a certain subject
elicit: 1. evoke or draw out (a response, information, etc.) from someone 2. draw out or entice forth; bring to light
eliminate: 1. to get rid of 2. to abolish 3. to remove
eloquent: 1. persuasive in speaking or writing 2. characterized by fluent and persuasive speech 3. movingly or vividly expressive
elucidate: make clear, plain, or easy to understand, especially by explanation or giving more information; clarify; explain
elude: 1. avoid or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) by quickness, cunning, etc.; evade 2. fail to be understood or remembered by (someone) 3. fail to be achieved by (someone)
elusive: 1. difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember 2. cleverly or skillfully evasive
emaciated: 1. extremely thin due to great hunger or illness
emancipate: 1. to liberate someone or something 2. to free someone or something from bondage or control 3. to grant freedom and rights to someone
embroil: 1. cause someone to become deeply involved in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation; draw into a situation; cause to be involved 2. throw into confusion or commotion by contention or discord
embroiled: 1. deeply involved in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation 2. thrown into confusion or disorder; entangled
emerge: 1. to appear 2. to come into view 3. to become known 4. to come into existence
emollient: having the quality of softening, soothing, relaxing, or less painful, especially to the skin
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
empirical: relying on or derived from observation or experiment rather than theory or pure logic
emulate: try to equal or excel (someone or something you admire), typically by imitation
encomium: a speech or piece of writing that expresses glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise
encompass: 1. form a circle or ring around; encircle; surround 2. include different types of people or things; include comprehensively; contain 3. enclose; envelop
encounter: 1. to find someone or something unexpectedly 2. to stumble across 3. to face
endemic: 1. very common, prevalent in, or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people 2. native
enduring: 1. long-lasting 2. patient 3. durable
enervate: 1. deprive (someone) of physical, mental, or moral energy or vitality 2. weaken
enfranchise: 1. to give a group of people or a person specific rights, especially the right to vote 2. to free from bondage
engage: to occupy the attention
engender: produce, cause, or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)
enigma: someone or something that is mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand or explain completely
enmity: 1. animosity 2. hatred 3. ill-will towards others 4. a deep-seated dislike of another person
ensconce: 1. to make oneself comfortable or safe; to settle 2. to conceal something
enumerate: 1. name (a number of things in a series or list) separately, one by one 2. determine the number of; count
ephemeral: lasting for only a very short time
epicure: 1. a gourmet 2. someone who enjoys good food and wine and has refined tastes
epistolary: 1. conducted by letters; written in letter form 2. associated with letters or the writing of letters
epitome: 1. a person or thing that is a representative or perfect example of a whole class or type 2. a summary of a written work; an abstract
equanimity: the state of being calm, stable, and composed, especially after a shock or disappointment or in a difficult situation
equipment: 1. supplies or tools needed to complete a task
equitable: dealing fairly and equally with everyone; just and impartial
equivalent: 1. equal to 2. of the same amount, size, value, meaning
equivocal: 1. not clear and seeming to have two or more possible opposing meanings 2. ambiguous
equivocate: 1. to deliberately speak in a way that confuses people in an attempt to conceal the truth 2. to lie 3. to mislead a person or people
erode: 1. to eat away or wear away something 2. to slowly deteriorate 3. to reduce something
erosion: 1. the gradual corroding or eating away of a subject 2. deterioration
erudite: having, containing, or showing a lot of knowledge or learning gained from reading
eschew: 1. to escape or avoid 2. to stop doing something or give something up 3. to intentionally keep away from something
esoteric: intended for or understood by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge
espouse: 1. to marry someone or take them as your spouse 2. to give your support to a belief or an idea 3. to embrace a cause
establish: to set up
estate: 1. a rather large piece of property 2. all of one's possessions at death
estimate: 1. to make a guess or calculate the amount or value of something 2. to judge
estrange: 1. cause (someone) to be no longer friendly or close to another person or group; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of 2. (as adjective estranged) (of a wife or husband) no longer living with their partner
etymology: 1. the study of the history and origins of words 2. the study of the evolution of words
evaluate: 1. to judge 2. to closely examine something before determining its value
evanescent: soon passing away or fading from sight, memory, or existence like vapor or smoke; quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a short time
evident: clearly and easily seen or understood
evince: 1. to show or demonstrate something in a clear way 2. to reveal something, such as an emotion
evoke: 1. bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind 2. bring out; arouse; call forth
evolution: 1. gradual development or change, especially over long periods of time
evolve: 1. to grow 2. to develop gradually over an extended period of time 3. to go through evolutionary changes
exacerbate: increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of (disease, pain, annoyance, etc.)
exacting: 1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements; not easily satisfied; rigorous 2. requiring great effort, time, care, patience, or attention
excavate: 1. dig a large hole or channel in the ground, especially with a machine 2. uncover or expose by digging; unearth 3. dig out and remove (earth, soil, etc.) 4. form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
exceed: 1. to surpass 2. to go beyond 3. to be greater than
exceptionable: 1. debatable; open to or causing objection 2. upsetting 3. causing people to be offended
exclude: 1. to leave someone or something out 2. to eject 3. to deliberately not include 4. to prevent
exculpate: show, declare, or prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or other bad action
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
execrable: 1. abominable or excessively terrible 2. detestable or easy to hate
exegesis: 1. critical analysis or explanation of a text, especially one from the Bible
exemplify: 1. to serve as a typical example of 2. to use an example to illustrate or clarify 2. to embody
exhaustive: 1. complete; comprehensive 2. dealing with or studying all aspects 3. all-inclusive
exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal; admonish strongly
exorbitant: going far beyond what is reasonable, fair, expected, just, proper, or usual, especially of a price or amount charged
expand: 1. to add details or information 2. to grow larger 3. to cause growth or to make larger
expansion: 1. growth 2. the act or process of getting larger 3. an increase in size or number
expatriate: 1. someone who no longer lives in the country they were born in or the country considered to be their homeland
expedient: helpful or useful in a particular situation and produces an immediate result or solution to a problem, even though possibly improper or immoral
expiate: 1. to accept punishment or pay the price for one's actions 2. to make amends
exploit: 1. to take advantage of 2. to make use of
exploitation: 1. selfish utilization of someone's work 2. abuse of someone in order to gain advantage
exposition: 1. a show where works of art are displayed for the public to contemplate 2. a clear, detailed, easy to understand explanation 3. a show in which many objects that are for sale are displayed
expunge: 1. to get rid of or cancel 2. to get rid of something written by erasing it or striking it out
extant: (especially of a document) not destroyed or lost; still in existence, usually despite being very old
extenuate: (of a factor or situation) lessen or try to lessen the seriousness or extent of (an offense, guilt, etc.) by giving excuses or serving as an excuse
external: 1. from or located out the outside; outer 2. coming from the outside or an outside source 3. peripheral
extol: praise (someone or something) highly, especially in a very enthusiastic way
extract: 1. to remove or pull something out of another source 2. to convince a person to give you something they don't want to give you, often through the use of force
extraneous: 1. not essential 2. not required to do something 3. unrelated; irrelevant
extricate: free or remove (someone or something) from a difficult or unpleasant situation (such as a trap, net, debt, peril, etc.); set free
extrinsic: 1. external; not originating inside something or someone 2. extraneous
fabricate: 1. to create 2. to manufacture 3. to build
facile: 1. ignoring the true complexities or difficulties of a real situation; superficial 2. (of a person) having a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach 3. working, acting, or speaking with effortless ease and fluency 4. (of success) easily achieved
facilitate: 1. to help make something happen 2. to assist 3. to make something easier
faction: 1. a small group within a larger group, usually contentious minority within a larger group 2. conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension
factor: 1. a variable or an element 2. something that influences a result
fallacious: 1. based on false information or ideas; erroneous; illogical 2. deceptive; misleading
falter: 1. to move or speak in an unsteady, awkward manner 2. to stop doing something, even for just a moment 3. to lose strength
fanatical: 1. too enthusiastic 2. unreasonably zealous about something 3. extreme in one's beliefs or activities
fanaticism: wildly excessive or irrational (especially religious, political, or ideological) beliefs, devotion, dedication, or enthusiasm that make someone behave in an unreasonable way
fastidious: 1. very attentive to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect 2. difficult to please; exacting 3. wanting (clothes, possessions, and property) to always be clean, neat, etc.
fathom: 1. a unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), a unit for measuring the depth of water 2. understand the reason for (something) thoroughly after much thought
fatuous: 1. something or someone that is silly, foolish or pointless
feasible: 1. achievable 2. capable of being done or accomplished 3. possible 4. likely
feign: pretend to feel or be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)
felicitous: 1. suitable or carefully chosen for some purpose or situation; aptly chosen; appropriate; apt 2. marked by happiness or good fortune; pleasing and fortunate
feral: 1. a wild or undomesticated animal 2. a person who behaves in a wild manner
fervent: 1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc. 2. hot; boiling; burning; glowing
fervid: 1. having or showing feelings, spirit, or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree 2. very hot; burning; glowing
fervor: 1. intensity of emotion 2. zeal 3. enthusiasm 4. great heat
fetid: 1. something that has a terrible smell, often as if it were decaying
file: 1. to cut away using a file 2. to put in order; to arrange 3. to submit or send a document 4. to walk in a line
financial: 1. related to money or finance
finesse: 1. impressive delicacy, skill, or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc. 2. skillful, subtle handling or manipulating of people or difficult situations; tactful, diplomatic maneuvering; adroit and artful management
fitful: 1. restless or sporadic 2. marked by frequent stops or pauses 3. prone to change
flabbergasted: 1. shocked 2. surprised 3. dumbfounded
flagrant: 1. (of a bad action, situation, person, etc.) shockingly noticeable or evident; obviously offensive; glaringly bad; notorious; outrageous 2. notorious; scandalous
flamboyant: 1. excessively decorated 2. ornate 3. brightly colored and showy, often to draw attention to someone or something
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
fledgling: 1. a young bird just fledged 2. a young, inexperienced, or underdeveloped person or organization
flippant: showing a lack of proper respect or seriousness about a serious subject or situation, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever, especially when this annoys other people
florid: 1. flushed with red or pink 2. highly decorated
flout: 1. to scorn something 2. to reject 3. to consciously refuse to comply with a rule or law
fluctuate: 1. to constantly undergo changes 2. to undulate 3. to shift back and forth; to rise and fall
folly: 1. a lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight; foolishness 2. a foolish action, practice, idea, etc. 3. any foolish and useless but expensive undertaking
foolhardy: bold or daring in a foolish way; foolishly ignoring obvious dangers; rash; reckless
forbearance: the quality of being polite, calm, and patient in difficult situations or in the face of provocation; self-control; patient restraint and tolerance
forlorn: 1. pitifully sad and lonely; unhappy and neglected; abandoned or left behind 2. nearly hopeless; desperate
forsake: 1. to desert or abandon someone who needs you 2. to give up something special or important
fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing or enduring pain, difficulty, adversity, misfortune, danger, or temptation with courage
fortuitous: 1. happening by accident or chance rather than intention, especially in a way that is lucky or convenient 2. lucky; fortunate
foster: 1. promote the growth or development of (something, especially something desirable and over a period of time) 2. bring up with care, raise, or rear a child, usually for a limited time, without being the child's legal parent
fractious: 1. irritable and quarrelsome 2. difficult to control; unruly
fraudulent: 1. dishonest and illegal; based on fraud or deception; using fraud; tricky; deceitful; dishonest 2. done or obtained by deception, especially criminal deception
fraught: filled, charged, or loaded (with), especially unpleasant or undesirable things such as problems, difficulties, or things that are confusing
frivolous: 1. not serious 2. unimportant 3. carefree in nature and superficial 4. trivial
furor: 1. a great, widespread outburst of enthusiasm, excitement, controversy, or the like; craze; fury; rage; madness 2. a sudden outburst (as of protest); public disorder or uproar 3. violent anger; frenzy
furtive: done quietly, quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed
gait: 1. a particular way or manner of walking, stepping, or running; manner of moving on foot; way of walking or running 2. the particular way a horse or dog walks or runs
gallant: 1. (of a person or their behavior) brave and noble; high-spirited and daring 2. (of a man) courteously attentive especially to women; chivalrous; flirtatious 3. showy, colorful, or stylish, as in dress or manner; splendid; magnificent; well-dressed
galleon: 1. a three-masted ship used, primarily by the Spanish, between the 15th and 17th century as a warship or a merchant ship
gambol: 1. to frolic or jump about playfully 2. to skip about
gargantuan: very large in size or amount; of a tremendous size, volume, or degree; huge; enormous; gigantic
garish: too bright or colorful (clothes or decoration) in an ugly way; tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate
garrulous: talking much or too much, especially about things that are not important
gaunt: 1. extremely thin due to illness or hunger 2. empty or barren 3. dreary
generate: 1. to create or bring about 2. to produce 3. to produce energy, like electricity
genial: 1. cheerful, friendly, and sympathetic; amiable 2. (of air or climate) pleasantly mild and warm; favorable for life, growth, or comfort
germane: 1. relevant to the argument or subject being discussed 2. fitting 3. related to a subject
germinal: 1. in the earliest stages of development 2. embryonic 3. creative
germinate: 1. sprout or cause to sprout, as from a seed, spore, bulb, or bud 2. start developing or growing 3. come into existence; begin
glacial: 1. icy or unfriendly 2. related to a glacier 3. slow moving 4. extraordinarily cold
goal: 1. an aim, target or objective 2. the area where players must put a ball or puck in order to receive points in various sporting events
grandiose: 1. (in a good sense) large and impressive, in size, effect, grandeur, or extent 2. (in a bad sense) seeming or trying to seem very important, but really looking artificial or silly; pompous and showy 3. more complicated or elaborate than necessary
grant: 1. to give something to someone 2. to allow someone to have something 3. to bestow
gratis: 1. free 2. without charge or price
gravity: 1. the force that pulls matter toward a center of attraction; the force that pulls matter to the ground 2. seriousness or solemnity
gregarious: 1. an extremely sociable person 2. an animal that tends to live in flocks or herds
guffaw: 1. a hearty, unrestrained, and loud burst of laughter
guile: clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something or to make others do what you want
guileless: innocent; honest; straightforward
gustatory: 1. pertaining to the sense of taste
hackneyed: 1. (of a phrase, idea, fashion, etc.) have been said or used so often that they no longer seem interesting or original and have become boring and not interesting 2. not fresh or original
harangue: 1. a long, angry and vociferous speech, often made with the intention of persuading someone 2. an aggressive and highly opinionated piece of writing
hardy: 1. capable of enduring extreme conditions or difficult situations; robust 2. bold or daring; courageous 3. brazenly daring; audacious 4. (of plants) able to survive outside during winter without protection from the weather
hasten: 1. make something happen sooner or more quickly; speed up; accelerate 2. move or act quickly; hurry 3. cause to hurry
haughtiness: 1. arrogance 2. believing that one is better or more important than others 3. shameful pride
headlong: 1. with the head leading 2. very quickly and without taking time to think about your actions
hedonist: a person who believes that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in life; a pleasure-seeker
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
heed: 1. to listen to or pay attention, especially when referring to advice or warnings 2. to consider or take notice of
hegemony: 1. dominance, influence or control over others, especially in reference to political power
heresy: 1. a belief or opinion that is against the orthodox doctrines of a particular (especially Christian) religion and is considered wrong 2. any belief or theory (in politics, philosophy, science, etc.) that is opposed to established beliefs, customs, etc.
hierarchy: 1. the order of people based on their rank or status 2. a system where people or things are ranked based on their status
highlight: 1. to stress something 2. to make something appear more important 3. to emphasize
histrionic: 1. of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater 2. excessively theatrical, dramatic, or emotional in character or style; affected
hoary: 1. white, gray, or grayish-white in color 2. ancient 3. extremely old
homogeneous: of the same or similar nature or kind
hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence that offends people; arrogance resulting from excessive pride or from passion
hyperbole: 1. a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer exaggerates for emphasis 2. an exaggerated statement that is not intended to be taken literally
hypochondriac: 1. a person who speculates a great deal about his or her own health and believes that they are sick when they are, in fact, not sick at all 2. someone who is constantly anxious about his or her own health
hypothesis: an unproved theory, proposition, supposition, etc. that is made on the basis of limited evidence and not proven but that leads to further study, discussion, or investigation, etc.
i c o n o c l a s t: 1. a person who attacks widely accepted ideas, beliefs, traditional institutions, etc. 2. a person who destroys sacred images used in religious worship or opposes to the religious use of images
identical: 1. exactly alike 2. the same as something else 3. extraordinarily similar
identify: 1. to discover 2. to equate 3. to recognize a person or a problem
ideology: 1. a set of ideas which influence or govern a person or a society
idiosyncrasy: 1. a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that is characteristic of a person, especially that is different from most people 2. an unusual feature or characteristic of something 3. an unusual individual reaction to food or a drug
idyllic: 1. extremely pleasant, beautiful, or peaceful; extremely happy, without any problems 2. pastoral or picturesque
ignominy: public shame or embarrassment where you lose other people's respect; shame and dishonor; infamy
illusory: 1. not real despite appearing as if it's real 2. deceptive
immutable: 1. not able to be changed 2. always the same
impact: 1. a collision; the moment when two or more bodies hit 2. the effect that an event has on a person; an influence
impassive: 1. calm and not showing emotion 2. unaffected 3. expressionless and without feeling
impecunious: having little or no money
imperious: proud and unplesant attitude of assuming power or authority without justification and expecting other people to obey
impertinent: 1. rude and not demonstrating the amount of respect that is customary for the situation at hand
impervious: 1. (scientific) impenetrable 2. incapable of being affected or harmed
impetuous: 1. acting or done quickly, without considering the results of your actions; controlled by emotion rather than thought 2. moving with great force or violence; rushing; furious
impinge: 1. to have a negative effect on something, often limiting it 2. to collide with or hit something 3. to encroach upon something
impious: 1. disrespectful or not showing the proper respect, especially when related to religion 2. lacking the expected level of respect for authority
implacable: 1. someone with strong ideas which are impossible to change 2. unable to appease
implicit: 1. not explicitly said or explained; implied 2. suggested
imply: 1. express or indicate (something) indirectly 2. indicate or suggest without saying or showing
impose: 1. to force people to comply with a rule or to accept something 2. to demand
impoverished: 1. very poor; poverty stricken 2. something that has become worse than it previously was
impudence: the quality of being offensively bold; offensively bold behavior; impertinence
impute: say or suggest that someone or something has a specific quality, especially a bad one, or is guilty of (something, especially something undesirable)
inadvertent: 1. accidental or not on purpose 2. not intentional 3. heedless
inchoate: not completely formed or developed yet; disorganized; incomplete
incidence: 1. the rate or frequency at which something happens 2. occurrence
incipient: 1. just starting 2. in the beginning stages 3. beginning to appear
incisive: 1. sharp 2. penetrating 3. clearly expressed 4. direct
incline: 1. to be in favor of something or have a preference 2. to bend or slant 3. to slope
incoherent: 1. unclear; difficult to understand 2. rambling or disjointed 3. lacking unity
incompatible: 1. unable to exist together in harmony or agreement because of basic differences 2. not consistent or able to coexist with (another)
incongruity: 1. the condition, quality, or fact of being unusual or different to other things which happen or exist in the same situation; incompatibility; unsuitableness; dissimilarity; inconsistency 2. disagreement of parts; lack of symmetry or of harmony
incongruous: 1. inappropriate or not considered to be normal 2. incompatible or inconsistent with the rest of things in its group or time
inconsequential: 1. of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial 2. inconsequent; illogical 3. irrelevant
incontrovertible: 1. very clear and obviously true; undeniable
incorporate: 1. to include something into a larger unit or group 2. to combine
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
incorrigible: (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, changed, improved, or reformed, especially because firmly established
incredulous: 1. unwilling or unable to believe something, and usually showing this; doubting; skeptical 2. showing doubt or disbelief 3. incredible; not easy to be believed
incubate: 1. hatch 2. develop or cause to develop under favorable conditions
indefatigable: 1. untiring and inexhaustible 2. not yielding to fatigue despite persisting in labor or effort for a long time
indelible: 1. impossible to remove or forget 2. producing marks that cannot be erased or removed 3. permanent
indeterminate: not clearly known or precisely determined or established; undetermined; indefinite; not precise; not clear
index: 1. an alphabetical list showing all that is included in a book or a larger document 2. an alphabetical list of the documents in a collection 3. an indication
indifferent: 1. not caring about something; apathetic or indifferent 2. impartial 3. unremarkable or average
indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at unfair, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment
indiscriminate: 1. affecting or harming many people or things without considering who or what you harm or damage 2. done without choosing or judging carefully; not discriminating 3. random; haphazard
indolent: 1. disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy 2. causing little or no pain 3. slow to heal, grow, or develop; inactive
indomitable: very determined and impossible to defeat, discourage, or subdue; unyielding; unconquerable
ineffable: too great, powerful, impressive, beautiful, etc., to be described or expressed in words
inert: 1. unable to move or act 2. moving or acting very slowly 3. not energetic or interesting
inexorable: 1. incapable of being altered, swayed or stopped 2. not capable of being persuaded
infallible: 1. never failing 2. unable to make a mistake 3. trustworthy or totally sure 4. incapable of being wrong
infer: form an opinion or guess that something is true by reasoning, especially based on known facts, evidence, or premises
ingenious: clever, resourceful, original, and inventive
ingenuous: innocent and unsuspecting, artless, innocent, naive, candid or openly straightforward, especially because they have not had much experience of life
inherent: existing in someone or something as a natural and inseparable element, quality, right, or attribute
inhibit: 1. prevent someone from doing what he or she wants to do 2. prevent or slow down the activity, growth or occurrence of (something) 3. restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.)
inimical: 1. harmful or injurious 2. unkind or hostile towards others
initial: 1. first 2. occurring at the beginning of something 3. incipient
initiate: 1. to begin 2. to introduce a person to into a subject or knowledge; to teach someone 3. to formally admit someone into a group
injury: 1. physical harm caused by violence or an accident
innate: 1. a quality or ability existing in one from birth 2. an essential characteristic existing as part of the basic nature
innocuous: 1. that does not injure or harm 2. not likely to bother or offend anyone 3. not likely to arouse strong feelings or hostility
innovation: 1. the use of something new; a change to a particular process
inscrutable: (especially of a person or their expression) difficult or impossible to understand or interpret; enigmatic; mysterious
insensible: 1. not able to feel pain, emotions, etc. 2. unaware; unconscious 3. not caring about or sympathetic to someone or something; not be unwilling to react to it 4. not realizing or noticing something
insert: 1. to put or place something in something else 2. to add something
insipid: 1. without flavor; tasteless 2. not interesting or exciting; dull; boring
insolence: rude and disrespectful behavior, treatment, or speech
inspection: 1. the act of examining something by an official or a person who has been specially trained 2. an official or formal review
instance: 1. an occurrence 2. an example used to demonstrate something
instigate: 1. cause something to happen or begin, especially an official process 2. urge, provoke, or incite to some action, especially something bad
institute: 1. an organization that promotes education or art 2. an organization that carries out research 3. an organization with a specific purpose
insular: 1. ignorant of or no interested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside your own group or country 2. not interested in learning new ideas or ways of doing things 3. of, relating to, or from an island
insurgent: 1. rebellious 2. fighting against leadership, authority, government or political rule
integral: 1. fundamental; essential 2. of the utmost importance 3. necessary
integrate: 1. to add something to a unit to make it whole 2. to combine two or more things 3. to join; to unify
intelligence: 1. the ability to learn or to acquire knowledge or skills 2. classified or secret information about an organization or a country
intend: plan
intense: 1. acute 2. very strong; extreme 3. profound
interact: 1. to communicate with and react to another human 2. to act on
interaction: 1. the act of communicating and acting with other individuals
interminable: 1. continual 2. without end 3. tedious
intermittent: 1. happening at irregular intervals 2. not steady 3. stopping and starting
internal: 1. found or existing within certain limits 2. inner 3. interior
interpretation: 1. explanation 2. definition 3. the act of orally translating from one language to another
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
intervention: 1. the act of becoming involved in something
intransigence: 1. stubbornness 2. unwillingness to compromise or yield 3. inflexibility
intrepid: very bold or brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations; fearless
intrinsic: 1. inherent 2. relating to the basic nature of something 3. fundamental
inundate: overwhelm (someone or something) by sending or providing with a large amount of things at the same time
inure: 1. to make someone or something used to something unpleasant 2. to harden 3. to take effect
invective: 1. severe or abusive language used to blame, criticize or insult
investigate: 1. to thoroughly examine something 2. to explore a topic in order to learn the truth about it 3. to try to get information about something
investigation: 1. research or inquiry 2. the act of trying to find information about something in order to better understand it
inveterate: 1. established or habitual 2. deep-rooted 3. settled in a habit and unlikely to change
invidious: 1. arousing anger or envy in others 2. causing animosity due to unfairness 2. offensive
inviolable: 1. incorruptible 2. indestructible 3. unable to be violated or attacked due to its sacred status
irascible: becoming angry very easily
ire: 1. intense anger 2. wrath 3. rage
irksome: 1. annoying and tedious 2. irritating
irony: a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words is different from and often opposite to their literal meaning
irreproachable: 1. impeccable 2. perfect 3. without fault 4. blameless
irreverent: having or showing a lack of seriousness or respect for official, important, or holy things that are generally taken seriously
irrevocable: 1. unable to be taken away 2. unable to be changed 3. final
issue: topic
itinerant: 1. moving from place to place, especially for work reasons 2. traveling
jargon: 1. special vocabulary or expressions that are difficult to understand and are exclusively used by a certain group of professionals 2. gibberish
jaundiced: 1. unnaturally yellow in color 2. envious or jealous 3. prejudiced or judgmental
jaunt: 1. a short trip or journey taken for fun or pleasure
jocular: humorous, amusing, or joking; funny or intended to make someone laugh
jollity: 1. happiness or cheerfulness 2. a festive or celebratory gathering
jovial: 1. (of a person ) cheerful, friendly, and good-humored 2. (of a situation ) enjoyable because of being friendly and pleasant
jubilant: 1. thrilled 2. feeling and expressing great joy 3. expressing extreme happiness, often due to a victory or success
jubilation: great happiness or joy because something good has happened
judicious: having, applying, or showing reason and good judgment or sense in making decisions
jurisprudence: 1. the theory or science of law 2. a system, body or department of law
justify: 1. to explain or defend one's position or reasoning 2. to adjust one's text so that the right and left edges of a document are equal 3. to prove something to be correct
juxtaposition: 1. the act of placing items side-by-side 2. the act of placing items close together, often to incite comparison
kindle: 1. to build or light a fire 2. to make something burn; to ignite 3. to arouse an emotion or cause a feeling 4. to stir up
knotty: 1. full of knots and tangles 2. confusing or puzzling
lachrymose: 1. depressed; sad 2. tending to cry easily or frequently 3. causing tears
lackadaisical: feeling or showing a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or determination; carelessly lazy
lackluster: 1. dull in color or brightness 2. boring 3. unimaginative
laconic: using very few words in speech, writing, or expression; terse; concise
laggard: someone or something that is very slow or late in doing things and always falling behind others
lampoon: 1. to criticize a person or a group through a humorous piece of writing or art
languid: 1. lacking enthusiasm, energy, or strength; without interest or spirit 2. (of a period of time) relaxed and pleasant 3. weak or faint from illness or fatigue 4. slow in progress; tardy
languish: 1. to become weaker 2. to suffer through a difficult, unwanted situation over an extended period of time 3. to long for something or someone 4. to be ignored or neglected
largess: 1. money or gifts given liberally or openly, often to many people 2. generous giving of gifts
laud: praise someone or something highly
laudable: deserving or worthy of praise
legend: 1. the part of a map or a chart where each symbol or color are explained 2. a story that has been told over generations that may or may not be true; myth
legerdemain: 1. trickery or skillful deceit 2. a sleight of hand or cleverly executed trick
legislation: 1. laws 2. the act of lawmaking
lethargic: 1. sluggish or drowsy; tired or slightly tired 2. apathetic
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
levity: 1. lack of seriousness, especially when strictness is required or appropriate 2. frivolity 3. fickleness
liberal: 1. tolerant or open-minded 2. in favor of personal rights and freedoms 3. in favor of reform and progressive policies 4. generous
libertarian: 1. a person who believes that individuals should be able to make their own decisions and that the government shouldn't limit them
licentious: 1. amoral or lascivious 2. showing little to no respect for laws or social norms 3. not restrained
limpid: 1. transparent; clear 2. easily intelligible 3. serene and without worry
liniment: 1. a fluid that is rubbed on a specific part of the body in order to relieve muscle pain
listless: having or showing little or no energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness and unwilling to do anything needing effort
lithe: young, healthy, attractive, and able to move and bend in an easy and graceful way
locate: 1. to find 2. to situate 3. to be in a certain place 4. to discover the exact position
lofty: 1. elevated; high 2. arrogant; thinking that one is better or more important than others 3. tall
longevity: 1. long life 2. the length or duration of life 3. long existence or service
loquacious: tending to talk a lot or too much
lugubrious: very sad, mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in a way that seems exaggerated, ridiculous, or insincere way
lull: 1. cause to sleep, rest, or calm, typically with soothing sounds or movements 2. cause someone feel secure, relaxed, or confident instead of careful and alert, especially by deception 3. a temporary calm, quiet, or stillness, as in a storm 4. become calm
lummox: 1. a large and clumsy person who is often considered to be quite stupid
luxuriant: 1. (of vegetation) abundant or lush in growth; having heavy and thick growth 2. fertile; fruitful; productive 3. richly abundant, profuse, or superabundant 4. marked by or displaying luxury; luxurious
maelstrom: 1. extremely turbulent and violent water that rapidly moves in a circular direction 2. a violent or tumultuous situation
magnate: 1. a very successful or very important person in a specific industry
maladroit: 1. awkward 2. clumsy 3. inept 4. unskilled
malady: 1. an illness, disease or ailment 2. a major problem
malediction: 1. a curse or the act of saying a curse 2. speaking in a defamatory or evil way
malefactor: 1. a person that does things that are illegal; a criminal 2. a person that does evil
malevolent: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil to another or others; malicious; evil
malingerer: 1. a person who fakes being ill in order to avoid work or a duty they are supposed to perform
malleable: 1. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered, pounded, or pressed into various shapes without breaking or cracking 2. easily influenced, trained, or controlled; adaptable
mallet: 1. a hammer or a hammer-like tool 2. a stick with a spherical padded head that is used to play specific percussion instruments 3. a long-handled wooden hammer used to play croquet
manual: 1. a guide book that tells one how to operate or use something 2. an instruction book
margin: 1. a border or edge 2. the difference between the cost of production of a good and the amount at which it is sold
marred: damaged or disfigured by injury or rough wear; spoiled; impaired
marsupial: 1. any animal that has a pouch in which its young stay until they are fully developed and able to survive outside of the pouch
martinet: 1. a person who demands that others follow the laws or rules exactly 2. an extremely strict person
maverick: a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of or resists adherence to a group
mawkish: 1. sickening or nauseating 2. overly emotional or excessively sentimental, often in a false way
maxim: 1. a general truth that someone lives by 2. a rule of conduct 3. a proverb
meager: 1. meek or feeble 2. inadequate 3. deficient in quantity; less than is needed or necessary
meander: 1. to walk slowly and without purpose or without direction 2. to follow a winding path 3. to randomly wander
mechanism: 1. a machine or device 2. the working parts of a machine
mediate: 1. to settle disputes through negotiation 2. to be an intermediary 3. to work with opposing sides to reach an agreement
menagerie: 1. a collection of animals that are kept in cages and exhibited for the public 2. a place where a collection of animals is kept 3. a diverse group
mendacious: 1. deceptive and untruthful 2. false 3. lying
mercurial: 1. changing mood or opinion unexpectedly, suddenly, and often 2. volatile; erratic; unstable 3. lively and continuously active
merge: 1. to put two or more things together; to unite; to combine
meticulous: 1. extremely concerned with details 2. thorough and precise 3. finicky
mettle: 1. resilience; stamina 2. fortitude and courage 3. the ability to deal with situations that are considered difficult 4. temperament
milieu: 1. setting 2. environment 3. the conditions and people that create a person's environment
minute: extremely small
mire: 1. to entangle or trap 2. to cause to stick or get stuck 3. to soil or stain with mud
misanthrope: a person who hates or distrusts all people and avoids involvement with human society
miserly: 1. a person who is reluctant or unhappy to spend money 2. a person who is not charitable or thoughtful with others
misnomer: a name, term, designation, or description that is incorrect or unsuitable for a person or thing
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
mitigate: make something less severe, serious, painful, harmful, unpleasant, or bad
mode: 1. a fashion 2. a way of doing something or performing a task
modicum: 1. a limited amount of something 2. a small object 3. a reduced quantity
modify: 1. to make changes to something 2. to adjust or alter
monotonous: 1. repetitive and boring 2. lacking variety 3. dull 4. wearisome
moribund: 1. near death 2. near extinction or obsoleteness 3. stagnant or not active
motivation: 1. the enthusiasm, interest or reason for doing something
motive: 1. one of the reasons behind someone's behavior 2. something that inspires someone to behave in a certain way 3. a motif
multifarious: 1. characterized by variety 2. largely diverse 3. composed of a wide variety of parts or elements
mundane: 1. ordinary and not interesting or exciting 2. relating to the world and practical matters instead of heavenly or spiritual ones; worldly; earthly
munificent: 1. very generous 2. liberal with one's giving of money 3. lavish
mutinous: 1. rebellious and uncontrollable 2. refusing to accept authority 3. unruly; disobedient
mutual: 1. shared between two or more parties 2. held in common
nadir: 1. the point opposite the zenith on a sphere, directly below the observer 2. the lowest, worst point in a situation
nascent: 1. emerging or beginning to exist 2. recently formed or started 3. developing
navigable: 1. safe, wide, and deep enough to allow the passage or transit of ships 2. able to be directed or steered
nebulous: 1. vague; ambiguous; missing a definitive shape or definition 2. cloud-like 3. misty; foggy
negate: 1. to deny something or say something isn't true 2. to cancel something out; to nullify
negative: 1. pessimistic 2. harmful or bad 3. expressing or showing "no" 4. expressing disapproval
neologism: 1. a word or phrase which has only recently been invented or coined 2. a new meaning for a word that already exists
neophyte: 1. a newcomer to a specific belief; a proselyte 2. a person who has only recently started to participate in a subject or an activity
nettle: 1. to bother or annoy 2. to provoke 3. to irritate or sting as if with nettles
neutral: 1. impartial 2. not supporting either side involved in a conflict
noisome: 1. very unpleasant, offensive or disgusting, as an odor 2. harmful, dangerous, or injurious, especially to health
nomadic: 1. constantly moving from place to place without a fixed pattern 2. itinerant 3. pertaining to a wandering tribe
nominal: 1. insignificant 2. in name, but not in practice 3. very small
nonchalance: 1. indifference 2. a lack of concern 3. composure; casualness
nondescript: 1. lacking any characteristic or quality which marks something as different or individual 2. very ordinary 3. dull; drab; plain
nonentity: 1. something that doesn't exist 2. something imaginary 3. someone or something that is not important
nonetheless: 1. nevertheless 2. however
norm: 1. a rule or standard 2. a pattern or something that is expected 3. a model
nostalgia: 1. homesickness; a longing for one's home or hometown 2. a feeling of sadness and pleasure when thinking about events or things from the past; sentimentality
notion: 1. an idea, belief or opinion about something
notoriety: 1. infamy; disrepute 2. fame that is received for negative reasons or actions
notwithstanding: 1. in spite of 2. nevertheless 3. although
novel: 1. new 2. different from anything that has previously existed 3. surprisingly new or unusual
novice: a person who is new and not experienced in a job or situation
noxious: 1. detrimental to living beings 2. something that is dangerous for one's physical health
nuance: a small variation in meaning, tone or feeling
nullify: 1. to void something, especially a legal agreement or decision 2. to make something useless or null
obdurate: 1. stubbornly refusing to do what other people want 2. stubbornly refusing to change your opinions, plans, or the way you do something despite what anyone else says, in a way that does not seem reasonable
obfuscate: 1. to make something more difficult to understand, often intentionally 2. to darken or make opaque 3. to make something obscure or confusing
objective: 1. fair and impartial 2. unbiased 3. based on facts and not affected by feelings 4. actual
oblique: 1. possessing a slanting or sloping angle or direction; inclined 2. not expressing something in a clear or direct manner
obliterate: 1. to totally destroy 2. to make something disappear completely 3. to get rid of, erase or cover completely
obscure: 1. not famous or well-known 2. difficult to see 3. faint; vague 4. unnoticeable 5. mysterious
obsequious: 1. overly attentive or eager to flatter others 2. excessive obedience or flattery, often in order to gain favors from people of influence
obstinate: 1. unreasonably stubborn and unwilling to change one's opinion or attitude 2. troublesome to deal with, change or remove
obstreperous: 1. noisy and unruly, often in an aggressive way 2. resistant to authority; defiant
obtain: 1. to get 2. to acquire 3. to procure
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
obtuse: annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand explanations or situations quickly
obviate: anticipate and prevent or remove (a need, problem, difficulty, disadvantage, etc.) by effective measures so that action to deal with it becomes unnecessary
obvious: 1. clear 2. easy to see 3. apparent 4. evident
occupy: 1. to be inside something 2. to dwell in 3. to fill 4. to keep someone busy
odious: 1. something that causes strong dislike or hatred 2. repulsive or vile
officious: someone who is overly eager to offer their unsolicited opinion, advice or services; overbearing
ogle: 1. to look at someone fondly or amorously 2. to stare at something in a way that shows desire
olfactory: 1. related to one's sense of smell
ominous: 1. threatening or suggestive that something bad is going to occur 2. inauspicious
omnipotent: 1. possessing infinite power 2. having an enormous influence 3. all-powerful
omniscient: 1. possessing unlimited knowledge 2. knowing, or seemingly knowing, everything
onerous: 1. something difficult to deal with, oppressive or burdensome 2. something difficult to endure 3. something draining
ongoing: 1. continuing 2. happening at the present time 3. in progress
onus: 1. a burden or a difficult task 2. an obligation 3. responsibility
opaque: 1. not letting light pass through; not transparent or translucent 2. difficult to understand or explain
option: 1. the ability or right to choose 2. a choice or something that can be chosen
orator: an eloquent and skilled public speaker
ordain: 1. to formally make or declare someone a preacher, priest or other religious leader 2. to formally declare or order 3. to establish by law or other rules
orient: 1. to adapt something 2. to align something based on a specific point or direction 3. to direct towards a goal
orientation: 1. the act of finding or determining one's position 2. a person or group's interests or beliefs 3. training for a job
ornate: 1. elaborate or heavily adorned 2. marked by complex language and unusual vocabulary
ossify: 1. convert or be converted into bone 2. become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, opinions, etc.
ostensible: 1. something apparent or professed to be true 2. something conspicuous and open to view
ostentatious: 1. pretentious or showy display, as of wealth, knowledge, etc., in an attempt to attract attention, admiration, or envy 2. designed to impress
oust: 1. to eject someone from a place or a role 2. to force someone out of a position
overall: 1. comprehensive 2. all-inclusive 3. total 4. in general
overt: 1. transparent; done or displayed in public 2. not hidden 3. clear and apparent
overwrought: 1. tired; fatigued 2. upset 3. nervous or worried 4. overly emotional 5. too ornate or complex
pacifist: 1. a person who is totally opposed to the use of violence or force 2. a person opposed to the military who refuses to participate in military activities
pacify: 1. to ease a tense situation or someone's anger 2. to cause calm or peace to come to a previously tense situation 3. to put an end to violence or conflict
painstaking: 1. performing or characterized by diligent and careful work, in which much attention is paid to detail 2. trying very hard to do something
palatable: 1. tasty 2. fit to be consumed by humans 3. acceptable
palliate: 1. to lessen the symptoms of an illness 2. to make something less severe 3. to make something serious seem less important or negative
pallid: 1. lacking vitality, liveliness or intensity; dull 2. extremely pale, to the point that one appears to be unhealthy
palpable: 1. so strong or so obvious that it can be felt 2. easily noticed 3. tangible
panacea: 1. a cure for any malady 2. something that people think will cure any difficulty or problem
panegyric: a speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something
panel: 1. a board 2. a group of people who work together in order to make decisions, pass judgment or entertain people
paradigm: 1. something that serves as an example or a model 2. accepted ideas or practices that are used in order to explain or view a shared reality
parallel: 1. not intersecting 2. occurring at the same time 3. extending in the same direction
parameter: 1. a boundary that limits a specific action or process 2. a rule that controls something
paramount: 1. supreme 2. more important than any other thing
parasite: 1. any animal or plant that lives on and feeds on another animal or plant
parch: 1. to scorch the surface of something through exposure to light or heat 2. to cause something to become extremely dry 3. to expose certain food products (grains, corn, etc.) to extreme heat in order to roast them
parity: 1. similarity 2. the condition or state of being equal
parochial: 1. showing interest only in matters that directly affect you; narrow in scope 2. related to a parish
parody: 1. a work of art such as a text or a play which is created to poke fun at or ridicule another work 2. to poke fun at someone or something
parry: 1. to skillfully avoid dealing with criticism or answering a tough question 2. to deflect or ward off an attack
parsimonious: 1. cheap; frugal with one's money 2. unwilling to spend or give money
parsimony: 1. unwillingness to spend money when it is not absolutely necessary 2. extreme frugality
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
partisan: 1. strongly prejudiced in favor of something 2. one-sided or partial 3. someone who is devoted to a political party
passive: 1. inactive 2. complacent 3. submissive 4. inert
pathos: 1. sadness or pity 2. the quality of something, such as a work of art, which arouses emotions such as pity or sadness
patron: 1. a person who supports a group, activity or organization by donating money to them; a benefactor 2. a regular or frequent customer
patronize: 1. to support something or someone financially 2. to act in a condescending way towards someone
paucity: 1. a lack of something 2. scantiness 3. insufficiency in number; shortage
peccadillo: a small mistake, fault, sin, or offense that is not very serious or harmful
pedant: a person who is obsessed with the rules and minor details
pedantic: 1. giving too much importance to formal rules or small details 2. making an excessive display of one's own learning
peerless: 1. unequaled or unrivaled 2. incomparable to anything else 3. better than anything else of its type
pejorative: 1. derogatory or disapproving 2. causing something to become worse
pellucid: 1. simple to understand 2. clear, transparent or translucent; allowing the passage of light
penchant: 1. a clear inclination towards something 2. a taste for something
pensive: 1. contemplative 2. appearing as if lost in thought, especially about something serious or sad 3. thoughtful
penury: 1. extreme poverty; the state of being extraordinarily poor 2. insufficiency or scarcity
perceive: 1. to become aware of 2. to observe; to notice
perceptive: 1. possessing the ability to perceive things 2. observant 3. capable of noticing and understanding things quickly 4. wise
perdition: 1. total destruction; utter ruin 2. eternal damnation 3. a state of eternal punishment
peremptory: 1. someone who is overly assertive, to the point that they do not allow contradiction 2. someone domineering and totalitarian 3. someone who is offensively arrogant
perfidious: deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful
perfunctory: 1. an action performed in a routine and careless manner 2. acting in a way which shows a lack of interest
period: 1. an interval or length of time 2. a full stop
peripheral: 1. something that is found on the outer edge or boundary 2. trivial or unimportant 3. something that is secondary or supplementary
pernicious: 1. deadly 2. causing extreme harm, destruction or injury
perquisite: 1. any money or other benefit received in addition to one's fixed salary 2. a bonus payment or a tip
persist: 1. to persevere 2. to continue despite difficulty 3. to stand firm
persistent: 1. unending; unstopping 2. constant 3. stubborn; not willing to give up
perspective: 1. a vista or view 2. a way of looking at or examining something 3. an outlook
perspicacious: 1. astute 2. shrewd and clear-sighted 3. quick to notice things and judge them correctly
pertinacious: 1. stubborn or unyielding; resolute in one's belief or opinion 2. determined and persistent 3. obstinate
pertinent: 1. relevant to the topic at hand 2. logically related to the matter 3. fitting
peruse: 1. to read something thoroughly 2. to examine something in detail 3. to skim something; to read something in a relaxed manner
pervasive: 1. spread all over or spreading to all parts 2. present everywhere 3. permeating; penetrating
petrify: 1. to make something become hard or stone like 2. to freeze with horror or fear 3. to make hard or inflexible
petulant: easily, suddenly, frequently, childishly, or unreasonably annoyed, irritable, or bad-tempered, especially over trivial matters
phase: 1. a stage (of time) 2. a period of time in a person's life
phenomenon: 1. an extraordinary person or thing 2. an observable fact or occurrence 3. something remarkable
philanthropist: 1. a person who loves mankind and works to promote its wellbeing 2. a person or organization that is generous with its resources, especially with its money
philistine: 1. an uncultured person who does not like or understand art 2. a vulgar person
philosophy: 1. the study of human morals and behavior 2. ideas and theories about something 3. the way someone thinks about life 4. a theory or belief that guides someone's behavior
phlegmatic: not easily upset, excited, or angered to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish
piety: 1. devoutness, love or reverence to God 2. devoutness shown through actions or one's daily life
pillage: 1. to rob using force, especially during wartime 2. to loot
pinnacle: 1. the peak 2. the highest point 3. a tall and pointed formation 4. the most important or successful part of a person's life
pious: 1. extremely religious 2. devout in one's religious beliefs 3. falsely devout or moral 4. dutiful to one's parents or other authority figures
pithy: 1. precise and full of meaning 2. succinct; concise, yet meaningful
pivotal: 1. of extreme importance 2. critical; crucial 3. significant
placate: make (someone) less angry or hostile, especially by making concessions or by being nice to them
placebo: 1. a harmless substance that has no real affect on the person who takes it 2. something designed or done to placate the person who takes or receives it
placid: 1. peaceful and undisturbed 2. serene, with a lack of movement or activity 3. showing calm
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
plasticity: 1. flexibility or the ability to be shaped or formed into different shapes 2. the capacity to be molded
platitude: 1. a trite, dull or unoriginal saying that is considered common information, despite the remark being said as if it were original information 2. absence of originality
plaudit: 1. applause 2. any sort of expression of praise or approval
plethora: a large or excessive amount of (something), especially a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with; overabundance; excess
pliable: 1. malleable 2. flexible 3. easy to manipulate into other shapes
plumage: 1. the feathers of a bird (collectively) 2. elaborate costume or dress
plummet: 1. to fall suddenly or drastically 2. to plunge
plus: 1. positive 2. higher than 3. extra or added
podium: 1. a platform that is raised above the ground which people stand on to give a speech, receive a prize, or to conduct a musical group
polemical: 1. controversial and often hostile 2. strongly critical
policy: 1. a course of action decided upon by an organization, a group of people, a government or a political party 2. guidelines
ponderous: 1. slow and clumsy because of great weight or size 2. very boring or dull 3. that seems heavy; bulky; massive
portend: 1. to foreshadow something negative that is going to occur in the future 2. to be a sign of something
portent: 1. a warning about something that is going to occur in the future 2. an indication or sign that something is going to happen, especially referring to negative events
pose: 1. to take on a posture for artistic purposes 2. to formally ask a question 3. to cause a problem 4. to impersonate someone
poseur: 1. a person who pretends to be something that they are not in order to impress others
positive: 1. extremely certain, without any doubt 2. more than zero 3. hopeful or giving reasons to be so
posthumous: 1. taking place after death 2. published after death
postulate: 1. a prerequisite 2. something which is accepted as true before developing or discussing another idea 3. a basic principle
potable: 1. fit to drink 2. suitable for drinking by humans or animals
potential: 1. possible 2. able to occur 3. capable of developing or happening
practice: the expected procedure or way of doing something
practitioner: 1. a person engaged in a specific practice, such as medicine or law 2. a professional
pragmatist: 1. a person who approaches situations by dealing with specific situations rather than theories or ideas 2. a person who focuses on results instead of theories
prattle: 1. to speak at length about subjects that are unimportant, often without making any sense 2. to speak without sense and in a juvenile manner
preamble: 1. the introduction to a written document or a speech 2. an introductory statement
precede: 1. to exist before something 2. to come before 3. to have a higher rank than someone
precedent: 1. a practice or act in the past which is used to justify a similar practice in the present
preceding: 1. before 2. prior to
precept: 1. a command or rule which indicates what proper behavior is 2. a standard of conduct 3. a warrant
precipice: 1. a very steep side of a mountain or cliff, typically a tall one 2. a dangerous situation that could lead to harm or failure 3. a very dangerous situation
precipitate: 1. cause (something) to happen quickly, suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely before expected, warranted, needed, or desired 2. throw headlong; hurl downward 3. fall; fall downward suddenly and dramatically
precipitous: 1. quite steep 2. occurring suddenly or dramatically
preclude: 1. to make something impossible or prevent 2. to deter or impede something from happening
precocious: 1. (especially of children) unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development 2. appearing or developing early
precursor: a person or thing that goes before another person or something else and that often leads to or influences its development; forerunner; harbinger
predecessor: 1. the previous occupant of a post or a role 2. something that comes before another related thing
predilection: 1. a personal preference towards something 2. a special liking of something
preeminent: 1. superior 2. excelling or more important than others 3. outstanding
presentiment: 1. a feeling that a negative or unfortunate event is about to occur or is going to occur in the near future 2. a premonition
pretext: a false reason or motive that you pretend to have in order to hide your real reason or motive for doing something; excuse
prevaricate: 1. stray away from or avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question 2. speak or act falsely or misleadingly
prime: 1. chief 2. most important 3. of the highest quality
primeval: 1. primordial 2. related to or from the earliest time, especially when referring to the origin of Earth 3. original
proceed: 1. to continue onward 2. to advance 3. to begin something
process: 1. a series of happenings or actions that lead to a specific result 2. a naturally occurring series of changes
proclivity: 1. an inclination towards something 2. a natural propensity or tendency 3. a predisposition to want to do something, especially when referring to something bad
procrastinate: 1. delay or postpone doing (something unpleasant or burdensome) until a future time, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness 2. postpone or delay needlessly
prodigious: 1. very great or impressive in size, force, or extent; enormous 2. extraordinary; marvelous; wonderful; amazing
profane: 1. to defile 2. to show a lack of respect for objects considered to be sacred or holy 3. to violate
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
professional: 1. relating to or suitable for a specific profession 2. performing an activity to earn money instead of to relax or have fun 3. possessing the necessary qualities
profound: 1. very deep 2. (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great 3. (of a disease or disability) very severe 4. (of a subject or idea) intellectually deep; entering far into subjects 5. (of a person or statement) having or showing deep thought or wisdom
prohibit: 1. to forbid or ban 2. to not allow or permit 3. to officially ban
prohibitive: 1. something that discourages one from doing something 2. restricting people from doing something
project: 1. a scheme or a plan 2. a proposal 3. a task which requires work to be done
proletarian: 1. a member of the working class
proliferate: 1. to increase or grow at a rapid pace 2. to multiply or reproduce quickly
prolific: 1. producing a large amount of something, especially fruit, offspring or works 2. bountiful, fruitful or productive
promote: 1. to raise in rank 2. to encourage or support 3. to encourage people to buy something 4. to give publicity to
promulgate: 1. to put an official decree or law into effect via official announcement 2. to make something publicly known by officially announcing it
propensity: 1. a tendency or natural inclination to behave in a certain way 2. a preference
propitiate: 1. make (a god, spirit, or person) pleased, less angry, or regain their favor by giving or doing something that pleases them 2. appease; conciliate
propitious: 1. likely to result in or show success 2. something advantageous 3. benevolent; favorable
proponent: 1. a person who is actively in favor of something 2. a supporter 3. an advocate
prosaic: lacking in interest, imagination, originality, or excitement; commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative
proscribe: 1. to make something no longer be lawful; to prohibit (legally) 2. to banish 3. to forbid 4. to denounce
prospective: 1. something in the future that is expected or predicted to happen 2. probable or likely to happen
prosperity: a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial respects; good fortune, wealth, success, etc.
protean: 1. ever changing 2. versatile and able to change form, shape or meaning quickly 3. able to play many roles
provident: 1. making arrangements for the future and showing foresight 2. preparing for the future, especially by saving money for possible emergencies
provocative: 1. provoking or tending to provoke, as to action, thought, feeling, etc.; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing 2. causing people to become sexually excited
prudent: 1. careful, and using good judgment in practical matters 2. careful in regard to one's own interests; provident 3. cautious or discreet in conduct; circumspect; not rash
prurient: 1. expressing lustful behaviors or ideas 2. overly interested in sex
puerile: 1. childish, juvenile or immature 2. silly; foolish 3. related to or belonging to childhood
pulchritude: 1. physical beauty or attractiveness, especially related to women 2. moral beauty
punctilious: 1. exact in one's attention to detail; extremely correct with one's behavior
pundit: 1. an expert or educated person on a specific subject 2. an authority on a specific subject who often makes public declarations on the subject
purloin: 1. to take something from someone in violation of their trust 2. to pilfer or steal
pursue: 1. to follow someone or something 2. to hunt for or look for
pusillanimous: lacking courage or determination; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
pyromania: 1. a compulsive and irresistible want to set things on fire
quaff: 1. to drink or swallow hurriedly and heartily
quagmire: 1. a soft and wet piece of land which yields if stepped on 2. a complicated, dangerous or awkward situation
quell: 1. to suppress or stop something, especially through the use of force 2. to pacify or soothe a previously problematic situation
querulous: often complaining, especially in a way that annoys other people
quirk: 1. a peculiarity in one's personal behavior 2. an idiosyncrasy 3. a sharp twist or turn
quixotic: having or showing ideas, plans, hope, etc. that are not practical or likely to succeed; unrealistic and impractical
radical: 1. extreme; drastic 2. supporting drastic changes 3. very important 4. new and different
ramshackle: (especially of buildings or vehicles) in a very bad condition and likely to fall down; out of repair; likely to fall to pieces; shaky
rancor: a bitter and long-lasting angry feeling of hatred or dislike about something in the past
range: 1. a set of things that are similar 2. the upper and lower limits 3. the period of time in which something can happen
ratify: (especially of governments or organizations) make (a treaty, contract, or agreement) official by signing it or formally accepting it
rational: 1. logical 2. using reason to make decisions or act 3. sensible
raucous: loud, harsh, and disturbing noise
ravenous: 1. extremely or wildly hungry; voracious 2. very eager for prey or gratification
raze: 1. completely destroy a city, building, etc. 2. scrape or shave off; erase
reap: 1. cut (wheat, rye, etc.) with a scythe, sickle, or reaping machine 2. gather or take (a crop, harvest, etc.) by cutting 3. gain or obtain as the reward of one’s own or another’s action, conduct, work, etc.
rebuke: 1. to punish or scold someone severely 2. to express disapproval, often in a sharp way 3. to harshly criticize
recalcitrant: 1. (of a person ) stubbornly refusing to obey authority, discipline, rules, orders, etc. 2. (of an animal ) refusing to be controlled
recapitulate: 1. to summarize something or repeat it in a more concise way 2. to briefly restate
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
receptacle: 1. any container or device for holding substances or objects 2. a vessel used to hold things
rectitude: 1. moral correctness 2. honest behavior 3. righteousness
redolent: 1. sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic 2. strongly smelling of 3. (redolent of/with) strongly reminding you of something
redress: 1. compensation or remedy for some wrong that was done against someone; retribution 2. rectification
refurbish: 1. to restore something to its original quality 2. to renovate 3. to make something look like new again
refute: 1. to prove that something is not correct or true 2. to deny something
regale: 1. to entertain someone with food or drink; to feast 2. to entertain someone with a story or something amusing
regime: 1. a government that is currently in power 2. a system of rules 3. a political system 4. a management system
register: 1. to record something in writing 2. to enroll a student in a school 3. to express or show 4. to convey
regulate: 1. to create and impose rules for something 2. to adjust to ensure accuracy 3. to control; to manage
relaxed: 1. not strict 2. free 3. calm 4. informal
release: 1. to let go or free 2. to emancipate 3. to allow something to flow freely 4. to make information available to the public
relegate: 1. put (someone or something) into a lower or less important rank or position 2. refer, commit, or hand over for decision, action, etc. 3. (UK) moved down to a lower division
reliance: 1. a dependence on a specific person or object 2. the act of depending on someone or something
renounce: 1. give up (a claim, right, or possession, etc.), especially by formal announcement 2. give up (a cause, bad habit, way of life, etc.) voluntarily 3. reject; disown
renovation: 1. restore to an earlier condition by making changes and repairs, especially an old house, building, room, etc. 2. reinvigorate; refresh; revive
renown: 1. celebrity or great fame 2. the state of being famous or honored
replete: 1. completely stuffed; full, especially referring to food 2. well supplied
reprimand: a severe, formal, or official rebuke, disapproval, or censure
reprobate: 1. someone who has bad habits or lacks scruples 2. a person without principles
reprove: 1. to find fault with 2. to condemn, criticize or express disapproval of bad behavior 3. to rebuke
repudiate: 1. refuse to accept or reject with denial 2. disown
repugnant: extremely unpleasant, distasteful, objectionable, or offensive; arousing disgust or aversion
reside: 1. to inhabit 2. to live in a certain place 3. to exist
resident: 1. someone who lives in a certain place or region 2. an inhabitant
resolution: 1. a decision that is made by a group through a voting process 2. a personal promise to oneself 3. a formal statement of intent or opinion
resolve: 1. firm or strong determination 2. a resolution made by a legislative body; a ruling
resonant: 1. prompting thoughts of a similar experience 2. loud, clear, or deep 3. enduring 4. echoing
resource: 1. material used to do or make something 2. a supply of something that can be used when required 3. a country's tools for generating wealth
respite: 1. a short break or delay from work or an unpleasant experience 2. a postponement of punishment
resplendent: 1. brilliant; dazzling; bright; shiny 2. beautiful 3. impressive
restive: 1. impatient and restless 2. not willing to be controlled 3. difficult to control, usually due to dissatisfaction or boredom
restore: 1. to bring something back to its original condition 2. to make something new again
restrain: 1. to hold back or put limits on someone or something 2. to curb 3. to keep under control
restrained: calm, controlled and not emotional; unemotional or dispassionate
restrict: 1. to limit 2. to physically confine 3. to keep under control
retain: 1. to remember information 2. to hold or keep someone or something 3. to hire someone by paying them an initial fee
reticent: 1. not willing to tell people about one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs 2. uncommunicative, restrained, or reserved in style 3. reluctant; unwilling
reverent: feeling, showing, or characterized by great respect and admiration; deeply respectful
revise: 1. to check something and make changes to make sure that it is acceptable 2. to change or amend 3. to alter
revolution: 1. a huge change in something, such as a political organization or country 2. the circular movement around a certain celestial body 3. a complete cycle 4. a very important change in the way people act
rhetoric: 1. a style of speaking or writing that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable 2. the art, skill, or study of using language formally and effectively in speaking or writing
ribald: 1. vulgar or indecent 2. rude or lewd, but in a humorous way
rife: 1. prevalent or abundant 2. widespread; common 3. full of (something)
rigor: 1. strictness, harshness, or severity 2. exactitude 3. inflexibility
ruminate: 1. to think about something carefully over a long period of time 2. to meditate on 3. to chew on cud
ruse: 1. a trick with is used with the intent of confusing or deceiving someone 2. a plan used to hide one's own intentions
sacrosanct: 1. something that is considered to be sacred 2. something considered far too important to be subjected to changes
sagacious: having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense and the ability to make good practical decisions
salacious: 1. lustful or obscene 2. containing sexual content
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
salient: 1. of utmost importance; prominent; notable 2. protruding beyond a line or surface 3. jumping
salubrious: 1. healthy 2. wholesome 3. beneficial to one's health
salutary: 1. beneficial 2. favorable to one's health 3. bringing about good effects or improvement
sanctimonious: pretending to be morally better than other people; excessively or hypocritically pious
sanction: 1. official permission or approval, as for an action 2. a threat to punish someone for breaking a law or rule 3. an official order, such as the limiting or stopping of trade, that is taken against a country in order to force it to obey international laws
sanguine: cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident, especially in a difficult situation
sardonic: 1. demonstrating a lack of respect for another person or what they have said or done 2. mocking 3. sneering 4. cynical
sate: satisfy (an appetite, desire, etc.) fully
satiate: 1. satisfy (an appetite or desire) fully so that you could not have any more 2. having had enough or more than enough
satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize someone or something and make them seem foolish, weak, bad, etc.
saturate: 1. make something completely wet with water or other liquid so that no more can be absorbed 2. cause (a substance) to combine with, dissolve, or hold the greatest possible amount of another substance
saturnine: very serious and unhappy; gloomy; taciturn
savant: a person with a high level of knowledge or skill, especially a distinguished scientist
scale: 1. to climb a surface that is steep 2. to set something according to a scale or measure something by a scale 3. to remove something in layers or scales
scanty: 1. very small in size or amount, and less than is needed; insufficient; not enough 2. (of clothing) revealing; skimpy
scheme: 1. an elaborate plan that is devised in order to gain something and, often, trick people 2. an official plan
scrupulous: 1. very careful about doing something correctly, giving a lot of attention to details 2. careful about doing what is honest and morally right
scrutinize: examine or inspect (something) closely, thoroughly, and very carefully
scurrilous: 1. fond of using coarse or indecent language 2. foul mouthed or obscene 3. slanderous
scuttle: 1. to move across a surface hurriedly with short steps 2. to scurry
secure: 1. safe 2. free from danger or worry 3. strong or stable
sedulous: showing continued hard work, effort, dedication, and determination
seminary: 1. an institution of higher education where people train to be religious leaders, such as preachers, priests or rabbis 2. an institution of higher education for girls
s e n t i n e l: 1. a person or an animal that guards a certain location 2. a sentry; someone who keeps watch
sequester: 1. to take someone's property until they have paid their debts or complied with an order 2. to seclude or segregate 3. to hide something away
serendipity: 1. the fact of finding interesting or valuable things by chance; unexpected and fortunate discoveries 2. accidental good fortune or luck
serene: 1. tranquil, peaceful or calm 2. bright or clear 3. untroubled or unaffected
serrated: 1. possessing a row of tooth-like sharp points along its edge 2. saw-like
servile: 1. too eager to serve, please, or obey others 2. of a slave or slaves
significant: 1. quite important 2. suggesting or showing a meaning 3. noticeable or detectable 4. noteworthy
simile: (the use of) a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else, always including the words 'as' or 'like'
simulate: 1. to reproduce a situation 2. to feign 3. to do something that looks as if it is real when it truly is not
skirmish: 1. a short or small battle 2. a minor fight in a much larger conflict 3. a squabble or a short argument
slight: 1. small in size, degree, or amount 2. treat with disrespect or indifference; treat as unimportant
slipshod: 1. (especially of a piece of work) showing a lack of care, thought, or organization 2. careless in dress, manners, style, etc.; untidy or slovenly; shabby
sluggard: 1. a person who is habitually lazy 2. a slothful person 3. an idler
smelt: 1. to get metal from its ore by heating it
sole: 1. the bottom part of a foot or shoe 2. the bottom part of an object such as a golf club or a plow
solicit: 1. to ask for something, often through a formal process 2. to petition
solicitous: 1. showing care, attention, or concern about someone's health, feelings, safety, etc. 2. showing anxious desire; eager
somber: 1. very sad and serious; gloomy; depressing or grave 2. dull or dark in color, especially grey or black
somnambulist: 1. a person who walks around while they are asleep 2. a sleepwalker
somnolent: 1. drowsy or sleepy 2. inducing sleep or sleepiness 3. causing sluggishness
sophistry: the clever use of reasoning or arguments that seem true but are really false, especially with the intention of deceiving
sophomoric: 1. immature yet overly confident in one's abilities 2. puerile 3. pretentious and juvenile
soporific: 1. causing sleep 2. drowsy
sparse: 1. not dense or thick 2. small in amount and not dense or crowded 3. scanty
Spartan: avoiding luxury and comfort; rigorously self-disciplined or self-restrained
specified: 1. defined 2. thoroughly commented or explained 3. expressly stated
specify: 1. to designate 2. to state in an explicit manner 3. to be specific
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
specious: seeming to be right or true, but in fact wrong or false
sphere: 1. a globe; a ball shaped object 2. an area of knowledge, study or expertise
spontaneity: the state, quality, or fact of being spontaneous
spontaneous: 1. happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without being planned or thought about 2. growing without cultivation or human labor, as plants and fruits
sporadic: 1. occurring at irregular intervals; not constant or regular; patternless 2. appearing singly or at widely scattered localities, as a plant or disease
spurious: 1. not genuine, authentic, or true; counterfeit 2. based on false ideas or bad reasoning
spurn: refuse or reject with contempt or disdain, especially because you feel that something or someone does not deserve your respect, attention, affection, etc.
stability: 1. balance 2. firmness of position 2. being unlikely to change
stagnant: 1. (of water or air ) not flowing or moving, and often smells bad 2. not active, changing, or progressing
staid: of a settled, unadventurous, sedate, and steady but boring character
stanza: 1. a part of a poem that is presented in paragraph form
stark: 1. very obvious; very plain and easily seen; unpleasantly or sharply clear 2. complete; absolute; full; perfect; entire 3. unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience; severe; violent; fierce
statistics: 1. a field of study that collects and analyzes data 2. the data collected and what it means
steadfast: 1. very committed or loyal to a person, belief, or cause 2. not changing, fickle, or wavering; constant
stereotype: 1. an oversimplified way of looking at something 2. a simple and unwavering idea about what a certain person or group of people are like
stifle: 1. to hide or conceal something 2. to repress 3. to suffocate or smother 4. to prevent something from happening
stock: 1. the supply of goods or merchandise available for sale or distribution in a store or warehouse 2. a supply of something for future use or sale 3. the shares of a particular company or corporation
stoic: 1. not showing emotion or complaining, even when something bad happens 2. unemotional 3. indifferent to pleasure and pain
stoke: 1. to supply something with fuel, especially a furnace 2. to make a feeling stronger 3. to add fuel to a fire
stolid: 1. expressing little to no emotion 2. unexcitable or impassive 3. dull (referring to things)
stratagem: 1. a military plan designed to surprise or trick the enemy 2. a clever and deceptive scheme for achieving a specific goal
strident: 1. (of a sound) loud, unpleasant, and rough 2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in a way that offends some people
stringent: 1. strict, rigid 2. binding 3. constraining 4. extremely limiting
stupefy: 1. make (someone) confused or unable to think or feel properly 2. shock or surprise (someone) very much; amaze; astonish
submissive: inclined, ready, or willing to obey someone else without arguing, resistance, etc.; docile; yielding
subordinate: 1. from a lower rank or position 2. inferior 3. less important
subsequent: 1. following 2. succeeding 3. happening after something else
subservient: 1. very willing or too willing to obey others unquestioningly 2. considered less important than something or someone else; subordinate
subsidiary: 1. secondary 2. used to supplement something or someone 3. auxiliary
subsidy: 1. money that a government gives a group to help it 2. financial assistance
substantiate: 1. support with proof or evidence 2. give concrete form or body to; convert into substance; embody 3. give substance to; make real or actual
substitute: 1. to temporarily replace someone or something with something else 2. to exchange one thing for another
subterfuge: 1. a plan or device used to conceal or hide something 2. a trick or dishonest way of doing something
subversive: trying to overthrow, destroy, or damage an established system or institution by persons working secretly from within, especially an established government or political system
successive: 1. consecutive 2. following 3. sequential
succinct: 1. concise and clearly expressed 2. expressed in a short and easy to understand way
sufficient: 1. enough as necessary 2. adequate
suffragist: 1. a person who fights in favor of granting voting rights to people who do not have them, especially women
supercilious: behaving or looking as though you are better or more important than everyone else, and that their opinions, beliefs, or ideas are not important
superfluous: being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive
supplant: remove or uproot (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted) in order to replace with (more powerful) someone or something else
supplement: 1. to add to something, especially in order to make up for a deficiency 2. an addition 3. something added to make something complete
supplementary: 1. used in order to complete something 2. additional
surfeit: 1. an excessive or too large amount or supply of something 2. overeat or feed to excess 3. disgust caused by excess
surly: 1. rude or threatening 2. hostile 3. unfriendly 4. dismal or menacing (related to weather) 5. bad tempered
surmise: 1. to draw a conclusion or guess, usually with little to no proof or evidence 2. to conjecture
surreptitious: 1. obtained, done, or made in a secret, stealthy way, especially because it would not be approved of; clandestine; secret or unauthorized 2. acting in a secret, stealthy way
survive: 1. to live through an event 2. to stay alive 3. to continue to exist 4. to outlive someone
susceptible: 1. easily influenced or harmed by something 2. (of a person) easily affected emotionally; sensitive 3. a person who is vulnerable to being infected by a certain disease, or to be affected by it more severely than others are
suspect: 1. to distrust someone or something 2. to think that someone or something is responsible for a specific action or something bad
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
suspend: 1. to delay something 2. to postpone 3. to stop something temporarily or permanently 4. to hang something in the air
sustain: 1. to bear or to hold 2. to support 3. to keep something alive 4. to provide for 5. to deal with
sybarite: 1. a person who is quite fond of luxury and pleasure
sycophant: a self-seeking person who attempts to win favor by flattering rich or influential people
tacit: 1. expressed or understood without being directly said or expressed; implied 2. unspoken; silent
taciturn: tending not to speak much; not liking to talk; uncommunicative
tactile: 1. tangible 2. related to the sense of touch 3. perceptible or detectable through touch
tangential: 1. slightly or indirectly related to what you are doing, discussing, or thinking about; not closely connected to something 2. merely touching; slightly connected; peripheral
tangible: 1. palpable 2. able to be felt or touched 3. real
tantamount: 1. of an equal amount of value, force, etc. 2. having an equal effect as something 3. equivalent to
tardy: 1. late 2. slow to perform a task or do something 3. delayed
tawdry: 1. unpleasant or immoral 2. cheap and clearly of bad quality 3. gaudy
tedium: 1. boredom 2. tediousness 3. the state of being boring over an extended period of time
teem: 1. be full of things; abound or swarm; move in large numbers 2. be present in large quantity
temerity: 1. recklessness or disregard for danger or consequences 2. foolish boldness 3. audacity
temper: 1. to neutralize or relax something 2. to moderate 3. to cause a substance to reach its desired consistency or hardness, often by putting it through a heating and cooling process
temperate: 1. emotionally calm and controlled 2. not extreme in behavior or language 3. (of weather conditions) neither very hot nor very cold
temporize: act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision
tenacious: 1. holding firmly 2. that clings; adhesive; sticky 3. holding together firmly; cohesive 4. very determined to do something; persistent; stubborn
tension: 1. a feeling of nervousness before something 2. a feeling of anger or hostility between two or more people 3. the degree to which a string, rope or wire is tensed
tenuous: 1. thin, weak, and easily broken; not certain, definite, or strong 2. very thin or slender in form, as a thread; insubstantial
termination: 1. the conclusion to or end of something 2. the act of ending something
terse: 1. short or curt, often in a way that is interpreted as unfriendly 2. concise and to the point
theory: 1. a hypothesis 2. an idea that tries to explain something 3. an idea used to justify or explain something
thwart: 1. to prevent something from happening 2. to hinder, frustrate or foil
timorous: 1. lacking confidence or nervous 2. showing fear 3. demonstrating timidness
titter: 1. to giggle 2. to laugh softly and in a nervous manner
toady: a person who praises and pretends to like a rich or important person, usually in order to get some advantage from them; sycophant; yes man
tome: 1. a heavy and large book that often deals with scholarly or serious subjects
torpor: a state of not being active and having no or very little energy or enthusiasm
tortuous: 1. full of twists, turns, or bends 2. complicated, long, and confusing
totter: 1. to walk or move in an unsteady way, as if one were about to fall 2. to stagger 3. to sway or rock
tout: 1. try to persuade people to like, accept, or buy something by praising or recommending highly and repeatedly, especially loudly and in public 2. (British) buy tickets for an event and resell them at a much higher price
trace: 1. to follow or to track 2. to find the starting point of something 3. to copy a drawing by placing a piece of paper over the original and following the lines one can see through the paper
tractable: 1. (of a person) easily managed, taught, or controlled 2. (of a situation or problem) easy to deal with
tranquil: 1. calm 2. relaxed 3. free from disturbances 4. quiet
transcribe: 1. to write something down 2. to make an exact written copy of 3. to put something into writing
transform: 1. to change something 2. to convert 3. to totally change something in an attempt to make it more attractive or improve it
transformation: 1. a major change in something or someone 2. a change into something entirely different 3. the process of changing into something totally different
transient: existing, happening, or staying somewhere for only a short time; temporary
transition: 1. the conversion from one state to another 2. to cause someone or something to convert from one state to another
transmit: 1. to convey 2. to send across 3. to communicate or broadcast 4. to give a virus or illness to others 5. to pass from one person to another
transmute: 1. to transform 2. to convert from one form or state into another 3. to cause something to convert into something else
traverse: 1. to move across or through 2. to cross 3. to extend across
treatise: a formal, usually lengthy, book or piece of writing about a particular subject
trenchant: 1. clear-cut 2. forceful, vigorous, or severe especially when referring to one's arguments or ideas
trepidation: a feeling of fear or worry about what is going to happen because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
trifling: of very little value or importance; trivial; insignificant
trigger: 1. to bring about 2. to cause 3. to set something off 4. to make something happen
trinket: 1. a small object or piece of jewelry that is of no great value 2. a small object
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
trite: 1. (of a remark or idea) not fresh or original 2. not interesting or effective because of overuse or repetition; worn out by constant use; common
truculent: easily annoyed or angered and always ready, eager or quick to argue or fight
truncate: 1. to make something shorter by cutting off one of its ends
tumult: 1. a loud noise that is produced by a large group of people 2. a violent or turbulent uprising; a riot 3. confusion
turgid: 1. pompous or too serious; grandiloquent 2. swollen or bloated
turpitude: depraved, shameful, dishonest, or immoral behavior or character
tyro: 1. a person who has just started learning or doing something 2. a beginner or novice
ubiquitous: present, or seeming to be present everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent
ultimate: 1. last 2. found at the end of something 3. the best or the worst of something 4. the most extreme
uncouth: 1. behaving in a rude, unpleasant, or offensive way 2. not polite or socially acceptable
unctuous: 1. oily or greasy 2. overly friendly or interested behavior that is often clearly insincere
undergo: 1. to go through a certain procedure or experience 2. to experience something 3. to endure 4. to suffer something
underlie: 1. to serve as a basis for 2. to be a strong influence on 3. to be situated below something
underscore: 1. to emphasize or stress something 2. to draw a line under a word or words 3. to stress
undertake: 1. to agree to do something 2. to begin something, especially a long and difficult process 3. to pledge to do something
unequivocal: 1. clear and easy to understand or see 2. without doubt 3. unambiguous
unfathomable: 1. difficult or impossible to explain or understand 2. (of water or a natural feature) difficult or impossible to measure
unfetter: 1. to release; to liberate 2. to free from restraint of any type
unfrock: 1. to remove someone's religious status; to take someone's status as a religious leader away from them
ungainly: (of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy; not moving in an attractive or graceful way
uniform: 1. a set of clothes that must be worn to be in a specific school or do a specific job 2. an outfit worn by people from a same school or doing the same job
unify: 1. to join two or more units together in order to create a newer, larger unit 2. to combine 3. to consolidate
unprecedented: 1. new and never been seen or done before 2. without precedent
unruly: difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule
unwitting: 1. (of a person) not aware of the full facts; not knowing; unaware; ignorant 2. without knowing or planning; unintentional
upbraid: 1. to harshly criticize or scold 2. to strongly reproach someone for their behavior
uproarious: 1. loud and noisy 2. marked by loud and unstructured noise 3. provoking much laughter; highly funny
upshot: 1. the outcome or result 2. the main idea; the gist 3. the conclusion
urbane: (of a person, especially a man) polite, courteous, and confident in a smooth, polished way
usurp: seize and hold (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) by force or without legal right
utopian: 1. modeled on or related to the idea of a perfect society 2. visionary 3. impractical
utter: Complete
vacillate: 1. to change opinions or show indecision 2. to sway or stagger in an unsteady manner 3. to oscillate
vacuous: 1. having or showing a lack of intelligence, interest, purpose, or thought 2. without contents, meaning, importance, or substance; empty
vagrant: 1. a homeless person that does not have a job; a rover 2. a bird that is no longer on its proper migratory route
vapid: 1. showing no intelligence or imagination, and therefore very boring 2. lifeless, dull, or boring 3. lacking taste or flavor
variegated: 1. marked with different and varied colors, stripes, spots or other markings 2. diversified or varied
vehement: 1. powerful 2. forceful 3. intense; impassioned 4. expressing strong feelings and great energy
vehicle: 1. any device which is used to transport one or more people around 2. a means or way of expressing a certain idea
venal: 1. dishonest and ready to do dishonest things in return for money; open to bribery 2. for sale, available for a price, as by a bribe
veneer: 1. a thin coating 2. a decorative coating or facade 3. a polite but insincere way of behaving
venerable: deserving respect, especially because of age, wisdom, character, long use, etc.
venerate: regard or treat (someone or something ) with great respect
venial: 1. trivial 2. easily forgiven 3. minor
veracity: 1. honesty, accuracy, truthfulness 2. habitual or constant truthfulness
verbose: using or containing more words than are necessary, and therefore long and boring
verdant: 1. covered in green, often referring to vegetation 2. inexperienced
vertigo: 1. a dizzy sensation 2. a loss of balance or dizziness which is often caused by being up high 3. a dizzy or confused state of mind
vex: make someone angry, annoyed, confused, or worried, especially with trivial matters
vicarious: 1. living an experience through another person's description instead of doing the action oneself 2. suffered by one person in place of another, especially referring to punishment
Click here to test your ACT Vocabulary
vicissitude: 1. changes that occur throughout one's life, often making things worse; the ups and downs of life 2. mutability or the natural process of change 3. alternation between opposite things
vignette: 1. a short story 2. a small decorative design found at the start or end of a chapter in a book 3. a small image or drawing which fades into its background
vilify: 1. to slander or spread negative information about 2. to use negative language about someone
vindicate: 1. clear from criticism, blame, guilt, suspicion, etc. with supporting arguments or proof 2. defend or maintain (a cause, claim, etc.) against opposition
virtually: 1. essentially 2. almost 3. just about
virtuoso: a person who has special knowledge or skill in in some fine art, especially playing a musical instrument
virulent: 1. (of a disease or poison) extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous; deadly 2. (of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective 3. bitterly hostile or antagonistic; full of hate and violent opposition
viscous: (of liquids) thick and sticky and does not flow easily
visible: 1. able to be seen 2. frequently seen in public; conspicuous 3. obvious
vision: 1. sight 2. the ability to see 3. a mental image 4. something or someone considered to be extremely beautiful
vital: 1. necessary for life 2. related to life 3. showing great energy or liveliness 4. of great importance; crucial
vitriolic: 1. cruel and hateful language 2. marked by notable criticism or sarcasm
vocation: a particular occupation, business, or profession, especially one for which a person is particularly suited or qualified
vociferous: 1. highly opinionated and loud about one's beliefs 2. clamorous or offensively loud
voluble: 1. talkative; speaking with enthusiasm 2. fluent 3. expressed in many words 4. garrulous
volume: 1. the amount of space taken up by something 2. an amount of something 3. the sound level
voluminous: 1. large in volume 2. bulky 3. great in extent 4. long and detailed; enough to fill volumes (writing)
voracious: 1. consuming or eager to consume very large amounts of food 2. very eager in some desire, activity or pursuit
waive: 1. to defer something 2. to relinquish a right to something 3. to not enforce something 4. to put aside
wane: 1. to decline in power 2. to lose strength or intensity 3. to approach the end 4. to ebb or dwindle
wanton: 1. a cruel, malicious or violent action done, shown, used deliberately, unprovokedly and unjustifiably 2. careless; reckless
wax: 1. to get larger or increase in size 2. to become stronger 3. to put wax on a surface 4. to express oneself
waylay: 1. to wait to ambush 2. to stop someone who is going somewhere in order to talk to them or to harm them 3. to intercept or interrupt someone
welfare: 1. the well-being of a person or people 2. financial aid from a government to a person in need
whelp: 1. the babies or young of an animal like a wolf, seal, lion, bear, etc. 2. a puppy or cub
whet: 1. to stimulate or increase someone's interest in something 2. to sharpen
whimsical: 1. strange and unusual in a way that is considered to be amusing or interesting 2. capricious 3. unpredictable and erratic
willful: 1. intentional 2. done on purpose, especially with the intention of causing harm 3. deliberate 4. stubborn
wily: 1. cunning 2. capable of deceiving others in order to get what you want 3. clever; sly
winsome: 1. charming and pleasing, often in an innocent or child-like way 2. attractive
wispy: 1. quite thin or frail 2. not clear or distinct 3. a small quantity of something
wistful: 1. showing longing or sad thinking about the past 2. marked by or inspiring yearning
wry: 1. using or expressing dry humor, often with a touch of irony 2. (of a person's face or features) temporarily twisted in an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance 3. abnormally bent or turned to one side
zany: 1. crazy or strange 2. funny due to its buffoonish behavior 3. unusual in a humorous way
zeal: great energy, effort, and enthusiasm, as in working for a person, cause, or object
zealot: 1. a fanatically committed person who is uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals 2. an excessively zealous person; fanatic
zenith: 1. the point in the sky that's directly over one's head 2. the highest point or peak
zephyr: 1. a light breeze, especially one that comes from the west 2. any lightweight, soft or gentle fabric or yarn
Bookmark This Page (Ctrl + D)
English Grammar Exercise Tips
The following simple English grammar tips and tricks will help you to learn and memorize English grammar rules and speak correctly. If you are on this site for English grammar practice, these tips will really help you. Let's start.
Invest your time in learning
It surely takes some time to learn English. There is no shortcut way to learn it. Some websites may say that they will teach you English in seven days or one month. These are false offers. Invest some time in learning and practicing. Your English skills will surely improve.
Speak, speak, and speak!
Try to speak English the same way you write it. Do not worry about grammatical mistakes. The more you practice, the less mistakes you will make and the more fluent you will be. So, practice daily and do not be afraid of grammatical errors.
Slow down your speaking speed
Your confidence will go down if you try to speak fluently from the very beginning. Give yourself some time. Start with slow speaking speed and increase your speed over time as you make more progress day by day. Slowing down speaking speed has another benefit — you will get enough time to make sentences in your mind before you speak.
The more you practice speaking, the more confident you will be.
Use Mobile apps
Luckily, there are many English learning apps available. Some are free and some are paid apps. If you are a smartphone user, you should install some of these apps in your mobile phone. You can at least install one app and start practicing. A mobile app is a very handy and useful thing to learn at your convenient time. You can start with free apps.
Install and use a dictionary app in your mobile
There are several free dictionary apps that will help you to learn proper pronunciation and new words. It is highly possible that your smartphone already has a dictionary installed. Use it or install a better one.
Try to get a good bilingual dictionary for better understanding. Besides using a mobile app, you can buy and use a good bilingual dictionary. A good bilingual dictionary is always a good investment for personal improvement.
Learn English idioms and phrasal verbs
Idioms and phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English conversation. If you do not know them, you may fail to understand the correct meaning of what the other person is saying. So, do not ignore them. Try to learn the most common English idioms and phrasal verbs.
Listen to news bulletins
Almost every radio and television channel broadcasts news bulletins. If you have a smartphone, radio or television, you can listen to these English news bulletins. Besides learning the correct pronunciation, you can learn correct English. Listening to these bulletins will also improve your fluency. This is a common technique used by English learners.
Read out loud
How does your English sound? The pronunciation style of some people is very bad. But there is a simple and easy way to fix improve pronunciation. Take a newspaper or any other script written in English and read out loud. This way you can hear and test your own pronunciation. If you are not happy with your own pronunciation, keep practicing and your English pronunciation will surely improve.
Learn new words daily
The more words you learn, the better you can understand English and express yourself. You may be surprised to know that learning only the basic words can help you to speak English that is used in communication everyday.
Learn sentences
Besides learning common words, try learning common sentences used in everyday English communication. This will give you a huge boost in your learning efforts.
Write every day
When you write, do not be shy of your mistakes. Try to write at least a few paragraphs, ideally at least one page. It is a great practice to use your newly learned words and practice grammar. This will also improve your writing skills.
Watch English movies
These movies will help you to learn proper pronunciation and improve your understanding of English. When you see how native English speakers speak English, your mind will automatically start copying the style. You can try to speak like them at home to understand the quality of your pronunciation and fluency.
Language swap
There are several websites where you can find people who are native English speakers and want to help your learn English if you teach them your language. This is free and can be a great way to learn from native speakers. Many learners are using this method and you should give a try.
Go to a mentor
A mentor can help you to guide in the right direction. She can measure your progress and suggest whatever you need to improve. You can regularly discuss about your improvement and weakness with your mentor. Oftentimes, she can help you. Your mentor can be someone who is good at English. She can be your school / college / university teacher, your friend or any person good at English.
Try to correct your mistakes
It is common to make mistakes. Every time you make a mistake, write it in a separate piece of paper. Make a list of mistakes. Check your mistakes from time to time and try not to make these mistakes again when you practice. These mistakes are clear and good indications of your weakness in English.
Give yourself time to think
Whenever you make a mistake, you should think how you can avoid this mistake from next time. Take time and assess your progress and weakness.
Be an advance learner
Try to learn advance English grammatical rules and vocabulary. Never be happy with your progress. The more you learn and practice, the better English skills you achieve.
Start with "Tense"
There are mainly three types of tense - past, present and future. Usually, verbs indicate the correct form of each tense. Besides learning tense, you should memorize some verbs too. Do not worry. It is interesting and easy to learn the necessary verbs.
Learn common pronoun usage
Do you know the difference between the common subject pronouns and object pronouns such as I/me, we/us, he/him, she/her, they/them?
We use subject pronouns such as I, we, he she, they when the subject is doing an action. Usually, we use subject pronouns at the beginning of a sentence. Example: I cannot remember the story.
But we do not start a sentence with object pronouns such as me, us, him, her, them. Example: Call him.
Active voice and passive voice
Many English learning students get confused here. In active voice, the subject performs an action. In passive voice, the subject and the object of a sentence swap to form the correct sentence.
Incorrect: The cinema was gone to by me.
Correct: The cinema was enjoyed by me.
Prepositions
A preposition defines the relationship between an object and its surroundings. Without the proper use of prepositions, your English will sound weird. Luckily, there are only a handful of prepositions and these are easy to learn.
English Vocabulary Exercise Tips
Learning new words can be a matter of fun but you need to follow some effective methods to learn new words faster. Read them all in the list below.
Read, read, and read
You will find many new words that you need to learn in novels and literary works. You will be most benefited if you read classic literary books. You should also read magazines and newspapers because these are also good sources of new words that you need to learn. These sources often use high quality English that often contain both common and advance words.
Vocabulary wordbooks
In the bookshops, you will find vocabulary wordbooks that range from beginner to advance levels. You can buy one or more depending on your requirements. These books make it a lot easier to learn because these books come with a complete list of words that is suitable for your level.
Use a journal
During your learning time, you will surely find new words. Add them in your journal. This list will slowly grow. But this journal will help you to measure your progress and show where you need to improve. The journal can inspire you to learn more and faster if you find that you are going slow.
Learn some new words everyday
It is easier and more realistic to digest some new words everyday. If you are determined to learn some new words everyday, you will be surprised and happy to see your progress after a month. The progress will surely motivate you to keep using this learning method.
Use flashcards
Using flashcards is a common way to learn new words. You maybe know that you can buy flashcards from bookshops. Some learners find it easier to learn new words with flashcards. You should give a try too.
Set a target
Set a target that is achievable and realistic. Whatever happens, try to achieve your target at any cost.
Look up new words
Have you found a new word? Get in the habit of looking up words you do not know and immediately do this. If you leave it for later, you may completely forget about it and miss the chance to learn it. A quick way is to look the words in the dictionary installed or available in your smartphone. Another alternative is — look up the word on a search engine like Google.com and you will find the meaning of your desired word in several high quality websites.
Play some word games
If you search online, you can find several word learning games. Some of these games are developed in such a fun and entertaining way that you will not get bored even if you use them hours after hours. These games are not hard to find out. Vocabulary learners usually learn using crossword puzzles, anagrams, word jumble, Scrabble, and Boggle. You can try one of them or all of them.
Use your newly learned words
Take a piece of paper and make one or more sentences for every word you just learned. This way every word will be more memorable. It can take some time but it definitely has its benefits.
Engage in conversations
When you engage in conversation, use your newly learned vocabulary. It can be interesting because the other person will be surprised to see your improved vocabulary power / skills. Besides, you will be able to express / communicate in a better way.
Take vocabulary tests
There are several websites that give you free access to their website so that you can test your vocabulary. This website also helps you to test your SAT vocabulary, GRE vocabulary, IELTS vocabulary, TOEFL vocabulary, ACT vocabulary, TOEIC vocabulary, GMAT vocabulary, PTE vocabulary, ECPE vocabulary, MELAB vocabulary, MCAT vocabulary, and PCAT vocabulary.