Barron's GRE 3500 Master Word List 16-20

Saami R.
As found in Barron's 17th Edition GRE prep
405 words 114 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. duration
    the period of time during which something continues
  2. duress
    compulsory force or threat
  3. dutiful
    willingly obedient out of a sense of respect
  4. dwindle
    become smaller or lose substance
  5. dynamic
    characterized by action or forcefulness of personality
  6. dyspeptic
    suffering from indigestion
  7. earthy
    of or consisting of or resembling the soil
  8. ebb
    the outward flow of the tide
  9. ebullient
    joyously unrestrained
  10. eccentric
    conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
  11. eccentricity
    strange and unconventional behavior
  12. ecclesiastic
    of or associated with a church
  13. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
  14. eclipse
    the phenomenon when one celestial body obscures another
  15. ecologist
    a biologist who studies organisms and their environment
  16. economy
    the system of production and distribution and consumption
  17. ecstasy
    a state of elated bliss
  18. eddy
    a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
  19. edict
    a formal or authoritative proclamation
  20. edify
    make understand
  21. eerie
    suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
  22. efface
    remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
  23. effectual
    producing or capable of producing an intended result
  24. effeminate
    lacking traits typically associated with men or masculinity
  25. effervescence
    the process of bubbling as gas escapes
  26. effete
    excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent
  27. efficacy
    capacity or power to produce a desired result
  28. effigy
    a representation of a person
  29. effluvium
    a foul-smelling outflow or vapor
  30. effrontery
    audacious behavior that you have no right to
  31. effusion
    an unrestrained expression of emotion
  32. effusive
    uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
  33. egoism
    concern for your own interests and welfare
  34. egotistical
    having an inflated idea of one's own importance
  35. egregious
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  36. egress
    the act or means of going out
  37. ejaculation
  38. elaboration
    developing in intricate and painstaking detail
  39. elated
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
  40. elegy
    a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
  41. elicit
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  42. elixir
    a substance believed to cure all ills
  43. ellipsis
    a mark indicating that words have been omitted
  44. elliptical
    rounded like an egg
  45. eloquence
    powerful and effective language
  46. elucidate
    make clear and comprehensible
  47. elusive
    skillful at evading capture
  48. elysian
    relating to the abode of the blessed after death
  49. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
  50. emanate
    give out, as breath or an odor
  51. emancipate
    free from slavery or servitude
  52. embargo
    a government order imposing a trade barrier
  53. embark
    go on board
  54. embed
    fix or set securely or deeply
  55. embellish
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
  56. embezzlement
    the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
  57. emboss
    raise in a relief
  58. embrace
    squeeze tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
  59. embroider
    decorate with needlework
  60. embroil
    force into some kind of situation or course of action
  61. embryonic
    of an organism prior to birth or hatching
  62. emend
    make corrections to
  63. emendation
    a correction by emending
  64. emetic
    a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
  65. eminent
    standing above others in quality or position
  66. emissary
    someone sent to represent another's interests
  67. emollient
    a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin
  68. emolument
    compensation received by virtue of holding an office
  69. empathy
    understanding and entering into another's feelings
  70. empirical
    derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
  71. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
  72. enamored
    marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
  73. encipher
    convert ordinary language into code
  74. enclave
    an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct
  75. encomiastic
    formally expressing praise
  76. encomium
    a formal expression of praise
  77. encompass
    include in scope
  78. encroachment
    any entry into an area not previously occupied
  79. encumber
    hold back, impede, or weigh down
  80. endemic
    native to or confined to a certain region
  81. endorse
    approve of
  82. endue
    give qualities or abilities to
  83. enduring
    unceasing
  84. energize
    cause to be alert and active
  85. enervate
    weaken physically, mentally, or morally
  86. enfranchise
    grant freedom to, as from slavery or servitude
  87. engage
    consume all of one's attention or time
  88. engaging
    attracting or delighting
  89. engender
    call forth
  90. engross
    devote fully to
  91. enhance
    increase
  92. enigma
    something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
  93. enigmatic
    not clear to the understanding
  94. enjoin
    give instructions to or direct somebody to do something
  95. enmity
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
  96. ennui
    the feeling of being bored by something tedious
  97. enormity
    the quality of extreme wickedness
  98. enrapture
    hold spellbound
  99. ensconce
    fix firmly
  100. ensue
    take place or happen afterward or as a result
  101. entail
    have as a logical consequence
  102. enterprising
    marked by initiative and readiness to undertake new projects
  103. enthrall
    hold spellbound
  104. entice
    provoke someone to do something through persuasion
  105. entity
    that which is perceived to have its own distinct existence
  106. entomology
    the branch of zoology that studies insects
  107. entrance
    something that provides access to get in
  108. entreat
    ask for or request earnestly
  109. entree
    the principal dish of a meal
  110. entrepreneur
    someone who organizes a business venture
  111. enumerate
    specify individually
  112. enunciate
    express or state clearly
  113. environ
    extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
  114. eon
    the longest unit of geological time
  115. epaulet
    an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
  116. ephemeral
    anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
  117. epic
    a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
  118. epicure
    a person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink
  119. epigram
    a witty saying
  120. epilogue
    a short speech by an actor at the end of a play
  121. episodic
    divided into or composed of distinct scenes or events
  122. epistemologist
    a specialist in the philosophical theory of knowledge
  123. epitaph
    an inscription in memory of a buried person
  124. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  125. epitome
    a standard or typical example
  126. epoch
    a period marked by distinctive character
  127. equable
    not varying
  128. equanimity
    steadiness of mind under stress
  129. equestrian
    of or relating to or featuring horseback riding
  130. equilibrium
    a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
  131. equine
    relating to or resembling a horse
  132. equinox
    when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
  133. equipoise
    equality of distribution
  134. equitable
    fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
  135. equity
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
  136. equivocal
    open to two or more interpretations
  137. equivocate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
  138. erode
    remove soil or rock
  139. erotic
    giving sexual pleasure; sexually arousing
  140. errant
    straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  141. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  142. erroneous
    containing or characterized by mistakes
  143. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
  144. escapade
    any carefree episode
  145. eschew
    avoid and stay away from deliberately
  146. esoteric
    understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
  147. espionage
    the systematic use of spies to obtain secrets
  148. espouse
    choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.
  149. essay
    an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  150. esteem
    the condition of being honored
  151. estimable
    deserving of respect or high regard
  152. estranged
    caused to be unloved
  153. ethereal
    characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
  154. ethnic
    distinctive of the ways of living of a group of people
  155. ethnology
    branch of anthropology dealing with divisions of humankind
  156. ethos
    the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
  157. etymology
    a history of a word
  158. eugenic
    causing improvement in the offspring produced
  159. eulogistic
    formally expressing praise
  160. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
  161. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  162. euphony
    any pleasing and harmonious sounds
  163. euphoria
    a feeling of great elation
  164. euthanasia
    the act of killing someone painlessly
  165. evanescent
    short-lived; tending to vanish or disappear
  166. evasive
    avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger
  167. evince
    give expression to
  168. evenhanded
    without partiality
  169. evocative
    serving to bring to mind
  170. evoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  171. ewe
    female sheep
  172. exacerbate
    make worse
  173. exact
    marked by strict and complete accordance with fact
  174. exacting
    severe and unremitting in making demands
  175. exalt
    praise, glorify, or honor
  176. exasperate
    make furious
  177. exceptionable
    likely to cause objection or disapproval
  178. excerpt
    a passage selected from a larger work
  179. excise
    remove by cutting
  180. exclaim
    utter aloud, often with surprise, horror, or joy
  181. excoriate
    express strong disapproval of
  182. exculpate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  183. execrable
    unequivocally detestable
  184. execrate
    curse or declare to be evil or anathema
  185. execute
    put in effect
  186. exegesis
    an explanation or critical interpretation
  187. exemplary
    worthy of imitation
  188. exemplify
    be characteristic of
  189. exempt
    freed from or not subject to an obligation or liability
  190. exertion
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  191. exhilarating
    making lively and joyful
  192. exhort
    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
  193. exhume
    dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
  194. exigency
    a pressing or urgent situation
  195. exiguous
    extremely scanty
  196. existential
    relating to or dealing with the state of being
  197. exodus
    a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
  198. exonerate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  199. exorbitant
    greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
  200. exorcise
    expel through adjuration or prayers
  201. exotic
    characteristic of another place or part of the world
  202. expansive
    able or tending to extend in one or more directions
  203. expatiate
    add details to clarify an idea
  204. expatriate
    a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
  205. expedient
    appropriate to a purpose
  206. expedite
    process fast and efficiently
  207. expenditure
    the act of spending money for goods or services
  208. expertise
    skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge
  209. expiate
    make amends for
  210. expletive
    profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  211. explicate
    elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
  212. explicit
    precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable
  213. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
  214. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
  215. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
  216. expostulation
    an exclamation of protest, opposition, or criticism
  217. exposure
    the state of being exposed to harm
  218. expropriate
    deprive of possessions
  219. expunge
    remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
  220. extant
    still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
  221. extemporaneous
    with little or no preparation or forethought
  222. extenuate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or degree of
  223. extirpate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
  224. extol
    praise, glorify, or honor
  225. extort
    obtain by coercion or intimidation
  226. extradition
    surrender of an accused by one state or country to another
  227. extraneous
    not belonging to that in which it is contained
  228. extrapolation
    an inference about the future based on known facts
  229. extricate
    release from entanglement or difficulty
  230. extrinsic
    not forming an essential part of a thing
  231. extrovert
    a person directed toward others as opposed to the self
  232. extrude
    form or shape by forcing through an opening
  233. exuberance
    joyful enthusiasm
  234. exude
    release in drops or small quantities
  235. exult
    feel extreme happiness or elation
  236. fabricate
    put together out of artificial or natural components
  237. facade
    the front of a building
  238. facet
    a distinct feature or element in a problem
  239. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
  240. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
  241. facilitate
    make easier
  242. facsimile
    an exact copy or reproduction
  243. faction
    a dissenting clique
  244. factious
    dissenting with the majority opinion
  245. factitious
    not produced by natural forces; artificial or fake
  246. factotum
    a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
  247. faculty
    an inherent cognitive or perceptual power of the mind
  248. fallacious
    containing or based on incorrect reasoning
  249. fallacy
    a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
  250. fallible
    wanting in moral strength, courage, or will
  251. fallow
    left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
  252. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
  253. fanaticism
    excessive intolerance of opposing views
  254. fancied
    formed or conceived by the imagination
  255. fancier
    a person having a strong liking for something
  256. fancy
    not plain; decorative or ornamented
  257. fanfare
    a short lively tune played on brass instruments
  258. farce
    a comedy characterized by broad satire
  259. fastidious
    giving careful attention to detail
  260. fatalism
    a doctrine that all events are predetermined in advance
  261. fathom
    a linear unit of measurement for water depth
  262. fatuous
    devoid of intelligence
  263. fauna
    all the animal life in a particular region or period
  264. fawning
    attempting to win favor by flattery
  265. faze
    disturb the composure of
  266. feasible
    capable of being done with means at hand
  267. febrile
    of or relating to or characterized by fever
  268. feckless
    generally incompetent and ineffectual
  269. fecundity
    the state of being fertile or capable of producing offspring
  270. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
  271. feint
    any distracting or deceptive maneuver
  272. felicitous
    exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
  273. felicity
    pleasing and appropriate manner or style
  274. fell
    cause to go down by or as if by delivering a blow
  275. fell
    cause to go down by or as if by delivering a blow
  276. felon
    someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
  277. feral
    wild and menacing
  278. ferment
    cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
  279. ferret
    a small domesticated mammal with a flexible, elongated body
  280. fervent
    characterized by intense emotion
  281. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
  282. fervor
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
  283. fester
    generate pus
  284. festive
    offering fun and gaiety
  285. fete
    an elaborate party, often outdoors
  286. fetid
    offensively malodorous
  287. fetter
    a shackle for the ankles or feet
  288. fiasco
    a complete failure or collapse
  289. fiat
    a legally binding command or decision
  290. fickle
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  291. fictitious
    formed or conceived by the imagination
  292. fidelity
    the quality of being faithful
  293. figment
    a contrived or fantastic idea
  294. figurative
    not literal
  295. figurine
    a small carved or molded figure
  296. filch
    make off with belongings of others
  297. filial
    designating the generation following the parental generation
  298. filibuster
    a tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches
  299. filigree
    delicate and intricate ornamentation
  300. filling
    any material that fills a space or container
  301. finale
    the closing section of a musical composition
  302. finesse
    subtly skillful handling of a situation
  303. finicky
    fussy, especially about details
  304. finite
    bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  305. firebrand
    a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
  306. fissure
    a long narrow depression in a surface
  307. fitful
    occurring in spells and often abruptly
  308. flaccid
    drooping without elasticity
  309. flag
    a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
  310. flagrant
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  311. flail
    an implement with a handle and a free swinging stick
  312. flair
    a natural talent
  313. flamboyant
    tending to attract attention; marked by ostentatious display
  314. flaunt
    display proudly
  315. flay
    strip the skin off
  316. fleck
    a small contrasting part of something
  317. fledgling
    young bird that has just become capable of flying
  318. fleece
    the outer coat of an animal, especially sheep and yaks
  319. fleece
    the outer coat of an animal, especially sheep and yaks
  320. flick
    throw or toss with a quick motion
  321. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  322. flippant
    showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
  323. flit
    move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
  324. floe
    a flat mass of ice drifting at sea
  325. flora
    all the plant life in a particular region or period
  326. florid
    elaborately or excessively ornamented
  327. flotsam
    the floating wreckage of a ship
  328. flounder
    move clumsily or struggle to move, as in mud or water
  329. flourish
    grow vigorously
  330. flout
    treat with contemptuous disregard
  331. fluctuate
    move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
  332. fluency
    powerful and effective language
  333. fluke
    a stroke of luck
  334. fluster
    cause to be nervous or upset
  335. flute
    a high-pitched woodwind instrument
  336. flux
    a state of constant change
  337. fodder
    coarse food composed of plants or leaves and stalks
  338. foible
    a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character
  339. foil
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  340. foil
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  341. foist
    force onto another
  342. foliage
    the collective amount of leaves of one or more plants
  343. foment
    try to stir up
  344. foolhardy
    marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
  345. fop
    a man who is overly concerned with his dress and appearance
  346. foray
    a sudden short attack
  347. forbearance
    a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges
  348. ford
    cross a river where it's shallow
  349. forebear
    a person from whom you are descended
  350. foreboding
    a feeling of evil to come
  351. forensic
    used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
  352. foreshadow
    indicate by signs
  353. foresight
    seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing
  354. forestall
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
  355. forgo
    do without or cease to hold or adhere to
  356. forlorn
    marked by or showing hopelessness
  357. formality
    a requirement of etiquette or custom
  358. formidable
    extremely impressive in strength or excellence
  359. forsake
    leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
  360. forswear
    formally reject or disavow
  361. forte
    an asset of special worth or utility
  362. forthright
    directly and without evasion; not roundabout
  363. fortitude
    strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
  364. fortuitous
    lucky; occurring by happy chance
  365. foster
    providing nurture though not related by blood or legal ties
  366. founder
    a person who establishes some institution
  367. founder
    a person who establishes some institution
  368. fracas
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
  369. fractious
    easily irritated or annoyed
  370. frail
    physically weak
  371. franchise
    a statutory right or privilege granted by a government
  372. frantic
    marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
  373. fraudulent
    intended to deceive
  374. fraught
    filled with or attended with
  375. fray
    wear away by rubbing
  376. frenetic
    fast and energetic in an uncontrolled or wild way
  377. frenzied
    affected with or marked by mania uncontrolled by reason
  378. fresco
    a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
  379. fret
    be agitated or irritated
  380. friction
    the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
  381. frieze
    an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band
  382. frigid
    extremely cold
  383. fritter
    fried batter containing meat, vegetables, or fruit
  384. frivolous
    not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
  385. frolicsome
    given to merry play
  386. frond
    compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
  387. froward
    habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
  388. fructify
    make productive or fruitful
  389. frugality
    prudence in avoiding waste
  390. fruition
    the condition of producing seed-bearing structures
  391. frustrate
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  392. fugitive
    someone who is sought by law officers
  393. fulcrum
    the pivot about which a lever turns
  394. fulminate
    cause to explode violently and with loud noise
  395. fulsome
    unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
  396. functionary
    a worker who holds or is invested with an office
  397. fundamental
    serving as an essential component
  398. funereal
    suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
  399. furor
    an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
  400. furtive
    secret and sly
  401. fusillade
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
  402. fusion
    the act of melding or melting together
  403. futile
    producing no result or effect
  404. gadfly
    any of various large flies that annoy livestock
  405. gaffe
    a socially awkward or tactless act
Created on Mon Oct 08 04:52:01 EDT 2012 (updated Thu Oct 11 03:11:55 EDT 2012)

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