-
earthy
of or consisting of or resembling earth
-
ebullience
overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval
-
eccentric
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
ecclesiastic
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
-
eclectic
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
-
economical
using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
-
edifice
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
-
edify
make understand
-
educe
deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning)
-
efface
remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
-
effeminate
having unsuitable feminine qualities
-
effervescence
the process of bubbling as gas escapes
-
effigy
a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
effrontery
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
-
effusive
uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
-
egocentric
limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
elaboration
developing in intricate and painstaking detail
-
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
-
ellipsis
omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences
-
eloquence
powerful and effective language
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
elusive
skillful at eluding capture
-
emanate
give out (breath or an odor)
-
embarkation
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
-
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
eminence
high status importance owing to marked superiority
-
emollient
toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin
-
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
-
enamored
marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
-
encomium
a formal expression of praise
-
encroach
advance beyond the usual limit
-
encumber
hold back
-
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region
-
endorse
be behind; approve of
-
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
-
enfeeble
make weak
-
enfranchised
endowed with the rights of citizenship especially the right to vote
-
engender
make children
-
enhance
increase
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
enigmatic
not clear to the understanding
-
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
eon
the longest division of geological time
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
epicure
a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
-
epigram
a witty saying
-
epilogue
a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
-
Epiphany
twelve days after Christmas; celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus
-
epitaph
an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
-
epitome
a standard or typical example
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
equinox
either of two times of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
equivocation
intentionally vague or ambiguous
-
eradication
the complete destruction of every trace of something
-
errant
straying from the right course or from accepted standards
-
erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
erroneous
containing or characterized by error
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
esoteric
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
-
estimable
deserving of respect or high regard
-
ethereal
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
-
ethnic
denoting or deriving from or distinctive of the ways of living built up by a group of people
-
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
-
euphemism
an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
-
euphony
any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds
-
evanescent
tending to vanish like vapor
-
evasion
the act of physically escaping from something (an opponent or a pursuer or an unpleasant situation) by some adroit maneuver
-
evoke
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
execute
put in effect
-
exemplary
worthy of imitation
-
exhaustive
performed comprehensively and completely
-
exhume
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
exigent
demanding attention
-
exonerate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
-
exorbitant
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
exotic
being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
expedite
process fast and efficiently
-
explicit
precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication
-
exposition
a collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
-
expunge
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
extemporize
perform without preparation
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
extricable
capable of being extricated
-
exultation
the utterance of sounds expressing great joy
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
facilitate
make easier
-
facsimile
an exact copy or reproduction
-
faction
a dissenting clique
-
fallacious
containing or based on a fallacy
-
fallible
wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings
-
fanatic
a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)
-
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
-
fathom
a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
-
fatuous
devoid of intelligence
-
fealty
the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)
-
feasible
capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are
-
fecund
capable of producing offspring or vegetation
-
feign
make believe with the intent to deceive
-
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
-
ferment
cause to undergo fermentation
-
ferret
domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
-
fervent
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervid
characterized by intense emotion
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
fester
ripen and generate pus
-
fetid
offensively malodorous
-
fetish
a form of sexual desire in which gratification depends to an abnormal degree on some object or item of clothing or part of the body
-
fetter
a shackle for the ankles or feet
-
fickle
liable to sudden unpredictable change
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
figment
a contrived or fantastic idea
-
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
-
finite
bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
flaccid
drooping without elasticity; wanting in stiffness
-
flag
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
-
flagrant
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
flamboyant
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
-
fledgling
young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
-
flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
flippant
showing inappropriate levity
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
fluency
powerful and effective language
-
flux
a flow or discharge
-
foist
to force onto another
-
foray
a sudden short attack
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
forensic
used or applied in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law
-
formidable
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
-
fortitude
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
-
fortuitous
occurring by happy chance
-
Foster
United States songwriter whose songs embody the sentiment of the South before the American Civil War (1826-1864)
-
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
-
fraught
filled with or attended with
-
frenetic
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
-
fret
be agitated or irritated
-
frivolity
the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible
-
froward
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
-
frugality
prudence in avoiding waste
-
fulminate
cause to explode violently and with loud noise
-
fulsome
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
-
fundamental
any factor that could be considered important to the understanding of a particular business
-
furtive
secret and sly or sordid
-
fustian
a strong cotton and linen fabric with a slight nap
-
futile
producing no result or effect
-
gaffe
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
gainsay
take exception to
-
galvanize
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
-
gamut
a complete extent or range: "a face that expressed a gamut of emotions"
-
garbled
lacking orderly continuity
-
garish
tastelessly showy
-
garner
store grain
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
gauche
lacking social polish
-
gauntlet
a glove of armored leather; protects the hand
-
generic
applicable to an entire class or group
-
genial
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
genre
a kind of literary or artistic work
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
gerrymander
divide unfairly and to one's advantage; of voting districts
-
gibber
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
gloat
dwell on with satisfaction
-
glutton
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
gnarled
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
-
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
-
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
grandiose
impressive because of unnecessary largeness or grandeur; used to show disapproval
-
gravity
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
-
gregarious
instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
-
guffaw
a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
-
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
-
guise
an artful or simulated semblance
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
Haggard
British writer noted for romantic adventure novels (1856-1925)
-
Halcyon
(Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
-
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
-
haphazard
dependent upon or characterized by chance
-
hapless
deserving or inciting pity
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
harbor
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
-
harmonious
exhibiting equivalence or correspondence among constituents of an entity or between different entities
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
hedonistic
devoted to pleasure
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
hefty
of considerable weight and size
-
heresy
a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
-
heretic
a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
-
hiatus
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
-
hierarchy
a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system
-
hoary
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
-
homage
respectful deference
-
homeostasis
(physiology) metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes
-
homily
a sermon on a moral or religious topic
-
hone
sharpen with a hone
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
humility
a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
-
hybrid
a composite of mixed origin
-
hyperbole
extravagant exaggeration
-
hypocritical
professing feelings or virtues one does not have
-
hypothetical
a hypothetical possibility, circumstance, statement, proposal, situation, etc.
-
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
-
ideology
an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation
-
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
igneous
produced by the action of fire or intense heat
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
-
illuminate
make lighter or brighter
-
illusive
based on or having the nature of an illusion
-
illusory
based on or having the nature of an illusion
-
imbue
spread or diffuse through
-
immaculate
completely neat and clean
-
imminent
close in time; about to occur
-
immune
relating to the condition of immunity
-
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
-
impale
pierce with a sharp stake or point
-
impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
-
impasse
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
-
impenitent
not penitent or remorseful
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
imperturbable
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
-
impervious
not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
impiety
unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
implement
instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
-
implication
something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
-
implicit
implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something
-
impolitic
not politic
-
imprecate
wish harm upon; invoke evil upon
-
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
-
impudent
improperly forward or bold
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
imputation
the attribution to a source or cause
-
inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
-
inanimate
not endowed with life
-
inarticulate
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
-
inaudible
impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
incidental
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence
-
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
-
inclined
at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
-
incognito
without revealing one's identity
-
incoherent
without logical or meaningful connection
-
incommodious
uncomfortably or inconveniently small
-
incompatible
not compatible
-
incompetence
lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications
-
inconclusive
not conclusive; not putting an end to doubt or question
-
incorporeal
without material form or substance
-
incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
-
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
-
indecipherable
not easily deciphered
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
indemnify
secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for
-
indict
accuse formally of a crime
-
indifferent
marked by a lack of interest
-
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
indigenous
originating where it is found
-
indignant
angered at something unjust or wrong
-
indolent
disinclined to work or exertion
-
indomitable
impossible to subdue
-
indubitably
in a manner or to a degree that could not be doubted
-
indulgent
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
-
ineluctable
impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
-
inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
inert
unable to move or resist motion
-
inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented
-
infamous
known widely and usually unfavorably
-
infamy
a state of extreme dishonor
-
infer
conclude by reasoning; in logic
-
ingenious
showing inventiveness and skill
-
ingenue
an artless innocent young girl (especially as portrayed on the stage)
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
-
ingratitude
a lack of gratitude
-
inherent
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
-
inimical
not friendly
-
iniquitous
characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin
-
initiate
set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
-
innate
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
innovate
bring something new to an environment
-
innuendo
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
insinuate
give to understand
-
insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
-
insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations
-
instigate
provoke or stir up
-
insubordinate
not submissive to authority
-
insular
relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
-
insularity
the state of being isolated or detached
-
intangible
incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch
-
intercede
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
-
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
-
intractable
not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
-
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
inundate
fill or cover completely, usually with water
-
inured
made tough by habitual exposure
-
inveterate
habitual
-
invoke
request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
-
iota
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
ironic
characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
-
irrational
not consistent with or using reason
-
irreparable
impossible to repair, rectify, or amend
-
irreproachable
free of guilt; not subject to blame
-
jargon
specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
-
jeopardy
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
-
jester
a professional clown employed to entertain a king or nobleman in the Middle Ages
-
jettison
throw away, of something encumbering
-
jocund
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
-
jollity
feeling jolly and jovial and full of good humor
-
jovial
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
-
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
-
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
-
juxtapose
place side by side
-
ken
range of what one can know or understand
-
kindle
catch fire
-
kinship
(anthropology) relatedness or connection by blood or marriage or adoption
-
kith
your friends and acquaintances
-
knavery
lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
-
knead
make uniform
-
knotty
tangled in knots or snarls
-
labyrinth
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
-
lacerate
cut or tear irregularly
-
laconic
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
laggard
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
-
lambaste
censure severely or angrily
-
lambent
softly bright or radiant
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
languid
lacking spirit or liveliness
-
larceny
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
-
lascivious
driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
-
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
-
latency
the state of being not yet evident or active
-
laud
praise, glorify, or honor
-
lax
lacking in rigor or strictness
-
lecherous
given to excessive indulgence in sexual activity
-
lethargic
deficient in alertness or activity
-
levee
a pier that provides a landing place on a river
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
liaison
a channel for communication between groups
-
liberalism
a political orientation that favors social progress by reform and by changing laws rather than by revolution
-
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
licentious
lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
-
ligneous
consisting of or containing lignin or xylem
-
limber
(used of artifacts) easily bent
-
lithe
moving and bending with ease
-
litigate
engage in legal proceedings
-
livid
furiously angry
-
loiter
be about
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
lucent
softly bright or radiant
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
lucrative
producing a sizeable profit
-
lugubrious
excessively mournful
-
luminous
softly bright or radiant
-
lunge
the act of moving forward suddenly
-
lurid
horrible in fierceness or savagery
-
lustrous
reflecting light
-
luxuriant
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
macerate
soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
-
maculate
morally blemished; stained or impure
-
magnanimity
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
-
malediction
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
-
malefactor
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
-
malicious
having the nature of or resulting from malice
-
malign
speak unfavorably about
-
malinger
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
mandate
a document giving an official instruction or command
-
manifest
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
-
Mar
the month following February and preceding April
-
marauder
someone who attacks in search of booty
-
materialism
a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters
-
maudlin
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
-
meander
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
-
melancholy
a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
-
mellifluous
pleasing to the ear
-
melodious
having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
-
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
-
mendacious
given to lying
-
mentor
a wise and trusted guide and advisor
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
Mercurial
relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
mesmerize
attract strongly, as if with a magnet
-
metamorphosis
a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
-
meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
mien
dignified manner or conduct
-
mimicry
the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
-
minatory
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
minute
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
-
mire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
-
miscreant
a person without moral scruples
-
miser
a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
modulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
-
mollify
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
molten
reduced to liquid form by heating
-
moot
of no legal significance (as having been previously decided)
-
mordant
harshly ironic or sinister
-
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
-
motif
a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
-
motility
ability to move spontaneously and independently
-
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
-
munificent
very generous
-
Muse
in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science
-
myriad
a large indefinite number