S-list

andrea S.
402 words 1 learner

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. saccharine
    overly sweet
  2. sacred cow
    one unreasonably protected from opposition or criticism
  3. saddle
    a seat for the rider of a horse or camel
  4. salacious
    suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
  5. sallow
    unhealthy looking
  6. sally
    a military action in which besieged troops burst forth
  7. salutation
    an acknowledgment or expression of good will
  8. salve
    a preparation applied externally as a soothing remedy
  9. salvo
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
  10. sanctimonious
    excessively or hypocritically pious
  11. sanction
    official permission or approval
  12. sanctuary
    a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
  13. sang-froid
    great coolness and composure under strain
  14. sapid
    full of flavor
  15. sapient
    acutely insightful and wise
  16. sardonic
    disdainfully or ironically humorous
  17. scornful
    expressing extreme contempt
  18. sartorial
    of or relating to tailoring or clothing
  19. satchel
    luggage consisting of a small case with a flat bottom
  20. sate
    fill to contentment
  21. soak
    submerge in a liquid
  22. saturnine
    bitter or scornful
  23. satyr
    one of a class of woodland deities
  24. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
  25. savanna
    a flat grassland in tropical or subtropical regions
  26. savant
    a learned person
  27. savor
    a particular taste or smell, especially an appealing one
  28. savory
    pleasing to the sense of taste
  29. savvy
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
  30. scabrous
    rough to the touch, as if covered with scales or projections
  31. scant
    less than the correct or legal or full amount
  32. scapegoat
    someone who is punished for the errors of others
  33. scarify
    puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals
  34. scathe
    the act of damaging something or someone
  35. scepter
    a ceremonial or emblematic staff
  36. scheme
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
  37. scintilla
    a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  38. shred
    a small piece of cloth or paper
  39. scion
    a descendent or heir
  40. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
  41. scone
    a small biscuit-like cake, often cut into triangles
  42. scoundrel
    someone who does evil deliberately
  43. scour
    rub hard or scrub
  44. scourge
    something causing misery or death
  45. scrutinize
    examine carefully for accuracy
  46. scurf
    a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
  47. scurrilous
    expressing offensive, insulting, or scandalous criticism
  48. scurry
    move about or proceed hurriedly
  49. scuttle
    move about or proceed hurriedly
  50. scythe
    an edge tool for cutting grass
  51. sear
    become superficially burned (also figurative)
  52. scorch
    burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
  53. singe
    burn superficially or lightly
  54. sebaceous
    containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
  55. secede
    withdraw from an organization or polity
  56. secluded
    hidden from general view or use
  57. seclusion
    the act of isolating oneself from others
  58. sectarian
    of or relating to a subdivision of a larger religious group
  59. secular
    someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
  60. sedation
    state of reduced excitement induced by administering a drug
  61. sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
  62. sedulous
    marked by care and persistent effort
  63. seedy
    shabby and untidy
  64. seemly
    according with custom or propriety
  65. seethe
    foam as if boiling
  66. seismic
    subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
  67. self-effacing
    reluctant to draw attention to yourself
  68. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
  69. seminal
    influential and providing a basis for later development
  70. senescence
    the property characteristic of old age
  71. seniority
    higher rank especially by reason of longer service
  72. sensational
    relating to elementary awareness of stimulation
  73. sensible
    able to feel or perceive
  74. sensory
    relating to or concerned in sensation
  75. sensualist
    a person who enjoys sensuality
  76. sensuous
    providing perceptible pleasure or gratification
  77. sententious
    concise and full of meaning
  78. sentient
    endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
  79. setaceous
    having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
  80. sequester
    keep away from others
  81. seraphic
    having a sweet nature befitting an angel
  82. serendipity
    good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
  83. seamless
    not having a joint between two pieces
  84. seam
    joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
  85. stuffy
    lacking fresh air
  86. slip-up
    a small, inadvertent mistake in speech or writing
  87. shrine
    a place of worship associated with something sacred
  88. spire
    a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
  89. serpentine
    resembling a snake in form
  90. serried
    pressed together
  91. serum
    an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates
  92. servile
    submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
  93. servitude
    the state of being required to labor for someone else
  94. sessile
    attached directly by the base
  95. session
    a meeting for execution of a group's functions
  96. settee
    a small sofa
  97. sever
    set or keep apart
  98. severance
    the act of cutting
  99. shallot
    type of onion plant producing small clustered mild-flavored bulbs used as seasoning
  100. sham
    something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
  101. shambles
    a condition of great disorder
  102. slaughterhouse
    a building where animals are butchered
  103. shard
    a broken piece of a brittle artifact
  104. sheen
    the visual property of something that shines
  105. sheepish
    showing a sense of shame
  106. shibboleth
    a favorite saying of a sect or political group
  107. shirk
    avoid one's assigned duties
  108. sliver
    a small thin sharp bit of wood, glass, or metal
  109. splinter
    a small thin sharp bit of wood, glass, or metal
  110. shoal
    a stretch of shallow water
  111. shallow
    lacking physical depth
  112. shoring
    a beam or timber that is propped against a structure to provide support
  113. shortcoming
    a failing or deficiency
  114. shrew
    small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
  115. shrewd
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
  116. shrill
    having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
  117. shun
    avoid and stay away from deliberately
  118. shunt
    a conductor diverting a fraction of current from a device
  119. shyster
    a person who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
  120. sibilant
    of speech sounds forcing air through a constricted passage
  121. sickle
    an edge tool for cutting grass or crops
  122. sidereal
    of or relating to the stars or constellations
  123. sidle
    move sideways
  124. sashay
    walk with a lofty proud gait, often to impress others
  125. siege
    an action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place
  126. sieve
    a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material
  127. sift
    move as if through a sieve
  128. signatory
    one who writes his or her name on and is bound by a document
  129. signet
    a seal (especially one used to mark documents officially)
  130. silhouette
    a filled-in drawing of the outline of an object
  131. silo
    a cylindrical tower used for storing grain
  132. simian
    relating to or resembling an ape or a monkey
  133. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
  134. simper
    smile in an insincere, unnatural, or coy way
  135. smirk
    smile in a mocking or condescending way
  136. simulacrum
    a representation of a person
  137. sinecure
    a job that involves minimal duties
  138. sinewy
    consisting of tendons or resembling a tendon
  139. singly
    apart from others
  140. sinister
    wicked, evil, or dishonorable
  141. sinistral
    of or on the left
  142. siphon
    a tube used to move liquid from one vessel to another
  143. sire
    the male parent of an animal, especially a domestic animal
  144. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
  145. skinflint
    a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
  146. scrooge
    a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
  147. skirmish
    a minor short-term fight
  148. skittish
    unpredictably excitable, especially of horses
  149. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
  150. sneak
    to go stealthily or furtively
  151. skullduggery
    verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
  152. slake
    satisfy, as thirst
  153. slack
    not tense or taut
  154. slander
    words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
  155. slate
    fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into layers
  156. slaver
    a person who forces others into servitude
  157. slay
    kill intentionally and with premeditation
  158. sleight
    adroitness in using the hands
  159. slew
    a large number or amount or extent
  160. sheer
    so thin as to transmit light
  161. slither
    pass or move unobtrusively or smoothly
  162. sloth
    a disinclination to work or exert yourself
  163. spew
    eject or send out in large quantities
  164. spindle
    a stick or pin used to twist the yarn when making thread
  165. shaft
    a long rod or pole, especially the body of a weapon
  166. spindly
    long, thin, and often weak or fragile
  167. spinster
    an elderly unmarried woman
  168. slovenly
    negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
  169. smattering
    a slight or superficial understanding of a subject
  170. smelt
    extract by heating, as a metal
  171. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
  172. smite
    inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon
  173. smock
    a loose coverall that protects the clothes
  174. snare
    a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose
  175. snide
    expressive of contempt
  176. sneering
    expressive of contempt
  177. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  178. snippet
    a small piece of anything
  179. snivel
    cry or whine with snuffling
  180. snub
    refuse to acknowledge
  181. snuff
    inhale audibly through the nose
  182. sobriety
    the state of being unaffected or not intoxicated by alcohol
  183. sobriquet
    a familiar name for a person
  184. socialite
    one who is well known or prominent in fashionable circles
  185. sodality
    people who work together in a particular job or occupation
  186. sodden
    wet through and through; thoroughly wet
  187. soaked
    very drunk
  188. soppy
    very sentimental or emotional
  189. sojourn
    a temporary stay
  190. solace
    comfort offered to one who is disappointed or miserable
  191. solder
    join or fuse with an alloy
  192. solecism
    a socially awkward or tactless act
  193. slip
    move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
  194. solicit
    request urgently or persistently
  195. solicitous
    full of anxiety and concern
  196. soliloquy
    speech you make to yourself
  197. solstice
    when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator
  198. spirited
    displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
  199. spirituous
    containing or of the nature of alcohol
  200. spite
    meanness or nastiness
  201. spittle
    a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches
  202. splay
    widen or spread apart
  203. splayfoot
    a foot afflicted with a fallen arch
  204. soluble
    capable of being dissolved in some solvent
  205. solvent
    capable of meeting financial obligations
  206. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
  207. sonnet
    a verse form of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
  208. sonorous
    full and loud and deep
  209. sop
    dip into liquid
  210. sophistry
    a deliberately invalid argument in the hope of deceiving
  211. soprano
    the highest female voice; the voice of a boy before puberty
  212. sordid
    foul and run-down and repulsive
  213. seamy
    morally degraded
  214. sleazy
    morally degraded
  215. sorority
    a social club for female undergraduates
  216. soubrette
    a pert or flirtatious young girl
  217. souse
    immerse briefly into a liquid
  218. soaker
    a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
  219. sovereign
    a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
  220. spar
    stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging
  221. spasmodic
    occurring in spells and often abruptly
  222. spate
    a sudden forceful flow
  223. spawn
    the mass of eggs deposited by fish or amphibians or mollusks
  224. specimen
    a bit of tissue or fluid taken for diagnostic purposes
  225. specious
    plausible but false
  226. spectacle
    something or someone seen, especially a notable sight
  227. spectral
    resembling or characteristic of a phantom
  228. spleen
    a large oval organ between the stomach and the diaphragm
  229. splenetic
    of or relating to the spleen
  230. splurge
    indulge oneself
  231. spontaneous
    said or done without having been planned in advance
  232. sporadic
    recurring in scattered or unpredictable instances
  233. spry
    moving quickly and lightly
  234. spume
    foam or froth on the sea
  235. spurn
    reject with contempt
  236. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
  237. squelch
    suppress or crush completely
  238. splosh
    dash a liquid upon or against
  239. slosh
    spill or splash copiously or clumsily
  240. squall
    a loud and harsh cry
  241. stagnant
    not growing or changing; without force or vitality
  242. staid
    characterized by dignity and propriety
  243. sedate
    characterized by dignity and propriety
  244. stalwart
    having rugged physical strength
  245. stamina
    enduring strength and energy
  246. stanch
    stop the flow of a liquid
  247. staunch
    firm and dependable especially in loyalty
  248. steadfast
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
  249. stanchion
    any vertical post or rod used as a support
  250. stanza
    a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
  251. stark
    severely simple
  252. startle
    surprise greatly
  253. stately
    impressive in appearance
  254. static
    not in physical motion
  255. statue
    a sculpture representing a human or animal
  256. stave off
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
  257. stealth
    the act of moving in a quiet or secretive way to avoid being noticed
  258. steeper
    a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
  259. steep
    having a sharp inclination
  260. stenography
    the act or art of writing in shorthand
  261. stentorian
    very loud or booming
  262. sterling
    highest in quality
  263. stern
    serious and harsh in manner or behavior
  264. stevedore
    a laborer who loads and unloads ships at a waterfront
  265. stifle
    impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
  266. strangle
    kill by squeezing the throat of so as to cut off the air
  267. stigma
    a symbol of disgrace or infamy
  268. stain
    make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air
  269. stiletto
    a small dagger with a tapered blade
  270. stilted
    artificially formal or stiff
  271. stint
    supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
  272. stipend
    a sum of money allotted on a regular basis
  273. stipulate
    make an express demand or provision in an agreement
  274. stodgy
    excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull
  275. stoic
    seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
  276. stoke
    (of a fire) stir up or tend
  277. stolid
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  278. stout
    having rugged physical strength
  279. strait
    a narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water
  280. stratagem
    an elaborate or deceitful scheme to deceive or evade
  281. stratify
    form, arrange, or deposit in layers
  282. stratum
    one of several parallel layers of material
  283. striate
    marked with stripes
  284. stricture
    a principle that restricts the extent of something
  285. stenosis
    abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway
  286. strife
    bitter conflict; heated or violent dissension
  287. striking
    having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
  288. stringent
    demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
  289. strive
    attempt by employing effort
  290. studious
    characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
  291. sprain
    twist suddenly so as to wrench
  292. stultify
    deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
  293. stunted
    inferior in size or quality
  294. scrawny
    being very thin
  295. scrubby
    sparsely covered with stunted trees or vegetation and underbrush
  296. stupefy
    make someone dazed or foolish
  297. stupendous
    so great in size, force, or extent as to elicit awe
  298. stupor
    a state of being half-awake
  299. stylize
    represent according to a conventional fashion
  300. stymie
    hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
  301. stymy
    hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
  302. suave
    having a sophisticated charm
  303. sub rosa
    in secret or covertly
  304. subcutaneous
    located or applied under the skin
  305. subdue
    put down by force or intimidation
  306. subjugate
    make subservient; force to submit or subdue
  307. sublet
    lease a rented property to or from another renter
  308. sublimate
    change directly from a solid into a vapor without melting
  309. sublime
    of high moral or intellectual value
  310. sublunary
    situated between the earth and the moon
  311. submit
    yield to the control of another
  312. subordinate
    an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
  313. subsequent
    following in time or order
  314. subservient
    compliant and obedient to authority
  315. subside
    wear off or die down
  316. subsidiary
    functioning in a supporting capacity
  317. subsidize
    support, as through grants or other funds
  318. substantiate
    establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
  319. substantive
    having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
  320. subterfuge
    something intended to misrepresent the nature of an activity
  321. subterranean
    being or operating under the surface of the earth
  322. subvert
    overthrow or destroy completely
  323. succor
    assistance in time of difficulty
  324. succulent
    tasty and full of juice
  325. succumb
    give in, as to overwhelming force, influence, or pressure
  326. suffice
    be adequate, either in quality or quantity
  327. suffrage
    a legal right to vote
  328. suffuse
    cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
  329. suggestive
    tending to imply
  330. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
  331. sully
    make dirty or spotty
  332. sultry
    attractive and suggesting hidden passion
  333. sulphurous
    of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur
  334. stifling
    characterized by oppressive heat and humidity
  335. summon
    ask to come
  336. sumptuous
    rich and superior in quality
  337. sunder
    break apart or in two, using violence
  338. sundry
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
  339. superb
    surpassingly good
  340. supererogatory
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  341. superfluous
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  342. superimpose
    place on top of
  343. superintend
    watch and direct
  344. superlative
    highest in quality
  345. supernumerary
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  346. supersede
    take the place or move into the position of
  347. supervene
    take place as an additional or unexpected development
  348. supervise
    watch and direct
  349. supine
    lying face upward
  350. supplant
    take the place or move into the position of
  351. supplication
    the act of communicating with a deity
  352. suppress
    put down by force or authority
  353. surfeit
    indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
  354. surly
    unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
  355. surmise
    infer from incomplete evidence
  356. surmisal
    a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
  357. surmount
    get on top of; deal with successfully
  358. surreptitious
    marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
  359. sustenance
    the act of providing a means of subsistence or survival
  360. susurrant
    making a low continuous indistinct sound
  361. suture
    a seam used in surgery
  362. svelte
    being of delicate or slender build
  363. slender
    having little width in proportion to the length or height
  364. swank
    imposingly fashionable and elegant
  365. susceptible
    yielding readily to or capable of undergoing a process
  366. swarthy
    naturally having skin of a dark color
  367. swart
    naturally having skin of a dark color
  368. swatch
    a sample piece of cloth
  369. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
  370. swivel
    turn on a pivot
  371. sybarite
    a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
  372. sycophant
    a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
  373. syllabicate
    divide into syllables
  374. syllabus
    a summary or outline of what will be covered in an academic course
  375. sylph
    a slender graceful young woman
  376. sylvan
    relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
  377. symbiotic
    of organisms living together, especially to mutual advantage
  378. symposium
    a meeting for the public discussion of some topic
  379. symptomatic
    relating to sensations experienced by a patient
  380. syndicate
    an association of companies for some definite purpose
  381. syndrome
    a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
  382. synod
    a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business
  383. synopsis
    a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
  384. systole
    the contraction of the chambers of the heart
  385. shatter
    break into many pieces
  386. sock
    hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot
  387. shady
    sheltered from the sun's rays
  388. setose
    having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
  389. strumpet
    a woman adulterer
  390. swell
    increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
  391. stockyard
    enclosed yard where cattle, pigs, horses, or sheep are kept temporarily
  392. spotlight
    a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage performer
  393. stillborn
    showing no signs of life at birth; not liveborn
  394. set off
    direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
  395. soot
    black powder formed when fuel such as wood or coal is burned
  396. sportsman
    someone who engages in sports
  397. strand
    a group of fibers twisted together to form a thread or rope
  398. slide rule
    analog computer consisting of a handheld instrument used for rapid calculations; have been replaced by pocket calculators
  399. smuggle
    import or export without paying customs duties
  400. stale
    lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration
  401. scowl
    frown with displeasure
  402. sanguine
    confidently optimistic and cheerful
Created on Mon Feb 04 01:58:29 EST 2008 (updated Mon Jun 16 08:56:55 EDT 2008)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.