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VOCABULARY LISTS > USER LISTS

Words to Ponder 392 words

August 23, 2008 By Karen F. (New Castle, PA)
I love to write poetry taking from my own lifes' adventures.
This is just for my use and to broaden my thoughts, think outside the box.

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Definitions Notes & Examples Words Only
  1. abattoir
    a building where animals are butchered
  2. auburn
    (of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
  3. assignation
    the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
  4. a la carte
    (of a restaurant meal) having unlimited choices with a separate price for each item
  5. a priori
    involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact
  6. aback
    by surprise
  7. abacus
    a calculator that performs arithmetic functions by manually sliding counters on rods or in grooves
  8. abandon
    forsake, leave behind
  9. abase
    cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
  10. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
  11. abatement
    the act of abating
  12. abbey
    a monastery ruled by an abbot
  13. abbreviate
    shorten
  14. abdicate
    give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
  15. abdomen
    the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
  16. abduct
    take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
  17. aberrant
    markedly different from an accepted norm
  18. abet
    assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
  19. abeyance
    temporary cessation or suspension
  20. abhor
    find repugnant
  21. abide
    dwell
  22. abject
    of the most contemptible kind
  23. abjure
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
  24. ablate
    wear away through erosion or vaporization
  25. ablution
    the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
  26. abode
    any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
  27. abolish
    do away with
  28. abominable
    unequivocally detestable
  29. aboriginal
    having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
  30. abortive
    failing to accomplish an intended result
  31. abound
    be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
  32. abreast
    alongside each other, facing in the same direction
  33. abridge
    lessen, diminish, or curtail
  34. abroad
    to or in a foreign country
  35. abrogate
    revoke formally
  36. abrupt
    exceedingly sudden and unexpected
  37. abscess
    symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
  38. abscond
    run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
  39. absquatulate
    run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
  40. absolve
    grant remission of a sin to
  41. abstain
    choose not to consume
  42. abstract
    existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
  43. abstruse
    difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
  44. abut
    lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  45. adjoin
    lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  46. abysmal
    resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable
  47. abyss
    a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
  48. abysm
    a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
  49. academy
    a learned establishment for the advancement of knowledge
  50. accede
    yield to another's wish or opinion
  51. accentuate
    to stress, single out as important
  52. accession
    the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne)
  53. accessory
    a supplementary component that improves capability
  54. acclaim
    enthusiastic approval
  55. acclimate
    get used to a certain climate
  56. acclivity
    an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
  57. ascent
    a movement upward
  58. accolade
    a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  59. accommodate
    have room for; hold without crowding
  60. accomplice
    a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
  61. accord
    concurrence of opinion
  62. accost
    speak to someone
  63. account
    a record or narrative description of past events
  64. accouter
    provide with military equipment
  65. accoutre
    provide with military equipment
  66. accredit
    grant credentials to
  67. accrete
    grow together (of plants and organs)
  68. accrue
    grow by addition
  69. accumulate
    get or gather together
  70. acerbic
    sour or bitter in taste
  71. acme
    the highest point (of something)
  72. acolyte
    someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service; a cleric ordained in the highest of the minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church but not in the Anglican Church or the Eastern Orthodox Churches
  73. acoustic
    of or relating to the science of acoustics
  74. acquaint
    cause to come to know personally
  75. acquiesce
    to agree or express agreement
  76. acquit
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  77. acrid
    strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
  78. acrimonious
    marked by strong resentment or cynicism
  79. acrophobia
    a morbid fear of great heights
  80. actuate
    put in motion or move to act
  81. acumen
    shrewdness shown by keen insight
  82. acute
    ending in a sharp point
  83. ad nauseam
    to a sickening extent
  84. ad-lib
    perform without preparation
  85. adage
    a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
  86. adamant
    very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
  87. adapt
    make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
  88. adaptable
    capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use
  89. addendum
    textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
  90. adduce
    advance evidence for
  91. abduce
    advance evidence for
  92. adept
    having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
  93. ace
    one of four playing cards in a deck having a single pip on its face
  94. adhere
    stick to firmly
  95. adherent
    someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
  96. adieu
    a farewell remark
  97. adipose
    composed of animal fat
  98. adjacent
    having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
  99. adjourn
    close at the end of a session
  100. adjudicate
    put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of
  101. adjunct
    something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
  102. administer
    work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of
  103. admissible
    deserving to be admitted
  104. admonish
    take to task
  105. ado
    a rapid active commotion
  106. adonis
    any handsome young man
  107. adroit
    quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
  108. adulation
    servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
  109. adulterate
    corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
  110. adumbration
    the act of providing vague advance indications; representing beforehand
  111. advent
    arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
  112. adventitious
    associated by chance and not an integral part
  113. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
  114. adverse
    in an opposing direction
  115. adversity
    a state of misfortune or affliction
  116. advise
    give advice to
  117. advocate
    a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
  118. aegis
    armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
  119. aerial
    characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
  120. aerobics
    exercise that increases the need for oxygen
  121. aesthetic
    concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
  122. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  123. affect
    have an effect upon
  124. affectation
    a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
  125. affidavit
    written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath
  126. affiliate
    join in an affiliation
  127. affiliation
    the act of becoming formally connected or joined
  128. affinity
    a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
  129. affix
    attach to
  130. affliction
    a cause of great suffering and distress
  131. affluent
    having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
  132. affray
    a noisy fight
  133. affront
    a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
  134. aficionado
    a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
  135. afoul
    especially of a ship's lines etc
  136. aft
    at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
  137. abaft
    at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
  138. astern
    at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
  139. aftermath
    the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
  140. agape
    with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
  141. awe
    an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  142. agenda
    a list of matters to be taken up (as at a meeting)
  143. agent provocateur
    a secret agent who incites suspected persons to commit illegal acts
  144. aggrandize
    add details to
  145. aggravate
    make worse
  146. aggregate
    a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
  147. aggressor
    someone who attacks
  148. aggrieve
    cause to feel sorrow
  149. aghast
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
  150. agile
    moving quickly and lightly
  151. agitate
    move or cause to move back and forth
  152. agnate
    related on the father's side
  153. agnostic
    a person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist)
  154. agrarian
    relating to rural matters
  155. agronomy
    the application of soil and plant sciences to land management and crop production
  156. air
    a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
  157. airs
    affected manners intended to impress others
  158. akimbo
    with hands on hips and elbows extending outward
  159. akin
    related by blood
  160. alfresco
    in the open air
  161. alacrity
    liveliness and eagerness
  162. albatross
    large web-footed birds of the southern hemisphere having long narrow wings; noted for powerful gliding flight
  163. albino
    a person with congenital albinism: white hair and milky skin; eyes are usually pink
  164. alcove
    a small recess opening off a larger room
  165. alias
    a name that has been assumed temporarily
  166. a.k.a.
    as known or named at another time or place
  167. alibi
    (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
  168. alienate
    arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
  169. alight
    to come to rest, settle
  170. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
  171. allege
    report or maintain
  172. aver
    to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  173. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
  174. allocate
    distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose
  175. allot
    give out
  176. allude
    make a more or less disguised reference to
  177. ally
    a friendly nation
  178. almanac
    an annual publication containing tabular information in a particular field or fields arranged according to the calendar of a given year
  179. alms
    money or goods contributed to the poor
  180. aloof
    remote in manner
  181. altercation
    noisy quarrel
  182. altitude
    elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
  183. alto
    the lowest female singing voice
  184. allegory
    a short moral story (often with animal characters)
  185. allegro
    in a quick and lively tempo
  186. alleviate
    provide physical relief, as from pain
  187. alliteration
    use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse
  188. altruism
    the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
  189. amalgamation
    the combination of two or more commercial companies
  190. amass
    collect or gather
  191. ambient
    completely enveloping
  192. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  193. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
  194. ambulatory
    able to walk about
  195. ambulant
    able to walk about
  196. ameliorate
    to make better
  197. amenable
    disposed or willing to comply
  198. amend
    make amendments to
  199. amenities
    things that make you comfortable and at ease
  200. amenity
    pleasantness resulting from agreeable conditions
  201. amiable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  202. amiss
    in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
  203. awry
    turned or twisted to one side
  204. amity
    a state of friendship and cordiality
  205. amnesty
    a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
  206. amoral
  207. amorous
    inclined toward or displaying love
  208. amorphous
    having no definite form or distinct shape
  209. amphibious
    relating to or characteristic of animals of the class Amphibia
  210. amphitheater
    an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held
  211. amuck
    wildly; without self-control
  212. amok
    wildly; without self-control
  213. amulet
    a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
  214. amuse
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
  215. anachronistic
    chronologically misplaced
  216. anaerobic
    not aerobic
  217. anagram
    a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase
  218. analgesic
    capable of relieving pain
  219. analogous
    similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
  220. analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
  221. anarchist
    an advocate of anarchism
  222. anarchy
    a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
  223. anathema
    a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
  224. anecdote
    short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
  225. aneurysm
    a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
  226. aneurism
    a cardiovascular disease characterized by a saclike widening of an artery resulting from weakening of the artery wall
  227. Angst
  228. animadversion
    harsh criticism or disapproval
  229. animated
    having life or vigor or spirit
  230. animosity
    a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
  231. animus
    a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
  232. annals
    a chronological account of events in successive years
  233. annex
    attach to
  234. annihilate
    kill in large numbers
  235. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
  236. annul
    cancel officially
  237. annular
    shaped like a ring
  238. anodyne
    capable of relieving pain
  239. anoint
    administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing
  240. anele
    administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing
  241. anomalous
    deviating from the general or common order or type
  242. anonymity
    the state of being anonymous
  243. antagonistic
    characterized by antagonism or antipathy
  244. antagonize
    provoke the hostility of
  245. antechamber
    a large entrance or reception room or area
  246. anteroom
    a large entrance or reception room or area
  247. antediluvian
    of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
  248. anthology
    a collection of selected literary passages
  249. anthrax
    a highly infectious animal disease (especially cattle and sheep); it can be transmitted to people
  250. antic
    ludicrously odd
  251. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  252. antipodal
    the relation of opposition along a diameter
  253. antiquated
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
  254. antiquity
    the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
  255. antithesis
    exact opposite
  256. apartheid
    a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites; the former official policy in South Africa
  257. apathetic
    showing little or no emotion or animation
  258. apathy
    an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
  259. ape
    any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
  260. aper
    someone who copies the words or behavior of another
  261. aperture
    a natural opening in something
  262. apex
    the highest point (of something)
  263. aphasia
    inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of a brain lesion
  264. aphorism
    a short pithy instructive saying
  265. apophthegm
    a short pithy instructive saying
  266. aplomb
    great coolness and composure under strain
  267. apocalyptic
    of or relating to an apocalypse
  268. apocryphal
    being of questionable authenticity
  269. apoplexy
    a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
  270. apostate
    not faithful to religion or party or cause
  271. apotheosis
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
  272. appall
    strike with disgust or revulsion
  273. apparition
    a ghostly appearing figure
  274. appease
    make peace with
  275. appellation
    identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
  276. append
    fix to; attach
  277. apposite
    being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
  278. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
  279. apprise
    inform (somebody) of something
  280. approbation
    official approval
  281. apropos
    of an appropriate or pertinent nature
  282. apt
    being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
  283. aptitude
    inherent ability
  284. aquatic
    operating or living or growing in water
  285. arbiter
    someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
  286. arbitrament
    the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment
  287. arbitration
    the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment
  288. arbitrement
    the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment
  289. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
  290. arcane
    requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
  291. archaic
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
  292. archetype
    something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
  293. archipelago
    a group of many islands in a large body of water
  294. archives
    collection of records especially about an institution
  295. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
  296. ardor
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
  297. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
  298. argonaut
    someone engaged in a dangerous but potentially rewarding adventure
  299. argot
    a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
  300. aria
    an elaborate song for solo voice
  301. arid
    lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  302. aristocrat
    a member of the aristocracy
  303. armada
    a large fleet
  304. arraign
    accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
  305. array
    an impressive display
  306. arrears
    the state of being behind in payments
  307. armistice
    a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
  308. apposition
    the act of positioning close together (or side by side)
  309. arrogate
    seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
  310. arroyo
    a stream or brook
  311. arsenal
    all the weapons and equipment that a country has
  312. artful
    not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
  313. articulate
    express or state clearly
  314. artifice
    a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
  315. artless
    simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
  316. ascend
    travel up, "We ascended the mountain"
  317. ascendancy
    the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
  318. ascertain
    learn or discover with certainty
  319. ascetic
    someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
  320. ascribe
    attribute or credit to
  321. aseptic
    free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms
  322. ashen
    anemic looking from illness or emotion
  323. asinine
    devoid of intelligence
  324. askance
    with suspicion or disapproval
  325. askew
    turned or twisted to one side
  326. aspersion
    a disparaging remark
  327. asphyxiate
    deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
  328. aspirant
    an ambitious and aspiring young person
  329. aspiration
    a cherished desire
  330. assail
    attack someone physically or emotionally
  331. assassin
    a member of a secret order of Muslims (founded in the 12th century) who terrorized and killed Christian Crusaders
  332. assent
    to agree or express agreement
  333. assert
    to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  334. assess
    evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
  335. assiduous
    marked by care and persistent effort
  336. assimilate
    make similar
  337. assonance
    the repetition of similar vowels in the stressed syllables of successive words
  338. assuage
    provide physical relief, as from pain
  339. astral
    being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
  340. astringent
    tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
  341. astute
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
  342. asunder
    into parts or pieces
  343. asylum
    a shelter from danger or hardship
  344. asymmetric
    characterized by asymmetry in the spatial arrangement or placement of parts or components
  345. atavistic
    characteristic of an atavist
  346. atelier
    a studio especially for an artist or designer
  347. atoll
    an island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
  348. atomize
    break up into small particles
  349. atone
    turn away from sin or do penitence
  350. abye
    make amends for
  351. aby
    make amends for
  352. atrophy
    a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
  353. attenuate
    become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
  354. attest
    provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
  355. attire
    clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
  356. attribute
    an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity
  357. attrition
    the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
  358. atypical
    not representative of a group, class, or type
  359. au courant
    being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
  360. audacity
    aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery
  361. adient
    characterized by acceptance or approach
  362. audition
    perform in order to get a role
  363. au fait
    being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
  364. abreast of
  365. augment
    enlarge or increase
  366. augur
    predict from an omen
  367. august
    profoundly honored
  368. aura
    a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
  369. auspices
    kindly endorsement and guidance
  370. auspicious
    auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
  371. austere
    of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
  372. authorize
    grant authorization or clearance for
  373. automaton
    a mechanism that can move automatically
  374. autonomous
    existing as an independent entity
  375. auxiliary
    furnishing added support
  376. avail
    be of use to, be useful to
  377. avant-garde
    radically new or original
  378. avarice
    reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
  379. avatar
    the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form
  380. averse
    (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
  381. avert
    turn away or aside
  382. avian
    pertaining to or characteristic of birds
  383. avid
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
  384. avocation
    an auxiliary activity
  385. avouch
    admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about
  386. avow
    to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  387. avuncular
    being or relating to an uncle
  388. axiom
    (logic) a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof; its truth is assumed to be self-evident
  389. azure
    of a deep somewhat purplish blue color similar to that of a clear October sky
  390. babbitt
    an alloy of tin with some copper and antimony; a lining for bearings that reduces friction
  391. bacchanal
    a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
  392. badger
    sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws; widely distributed in the northern hemisphere