Barron's GRE 3500 Master Word List 21-25

Saami R.
As found on Barron's 17th Edition GRE Prep
388 words 99 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. gainsay
    take exception to
  2. gait
    an animal's manner of moving
  3. galaxy
    a collection of star systems
  4. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
  5. gall
    a digestive juice secreted by the liver
  6. galleon
    a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts
  7. galvanize
    stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
  8. gambit
    a chess move in which the player sacrifices minor pieces
  9. gambol
    play or run boisterously
  10. gamely
    in a plucky or sporting manner
  11. gamut
    a complete extent or range
  12. gape
    look with amazement
  13. garbled
    lacking orderly continuity
  14. gargantuan
    of great mass; huge and bulky
  15. gargoyle
    an ornament consisting of a grotesquely carved figure
  16. garish
    tastelessly showy
  17. garner
    assemble or get together
  18. garnish
    decorate, as with parsley or other ornamental foods
  19. garrulous
    full of trivial conversation
  20. gastronomy
    the art and practice of preparing and eating good food
  21. gauche
    lacking social poise or refinement
  22. gaudy
    tastelessly showy
  23. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
  24. gavel
    a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge
  25. gawk
    look with amazement
  26. gazette
    a newspaper or official journal
  27. genealogy
    the study or investigation of ancestry and family history
  28. generality
    the quality of being widespread or having wide applicability
  29. generate
    bring into existence
  30. generic
    relating to or applicable to an entire class or group
  31. genesis
    a coming into being
  32. geniality
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable
  33. genre
    a kind of literary or artistic work
  34. genteel
    marked by refinement in taste and manners
  35. gentility
    elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
  36. gentry
    the most powerful members of a society
  37. genuflect
    bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
  38. germane
    relevant and appropriate
  39. germinal
    containing seeds of later development
  40. germinate
    sprout; produce buds or branches
  41. gerontocracy
    a political system governed by old people
  42. gerrymander
    divide voting districts unfairly and to one's advantage
  43. gestate
    be pregnant with
  44. gesticulation
    a deliberate and vigorous motion of the hands or body
  45. ghastly
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
  46. gibberish
    unintelligible talking
  47. gibe
    laugh at with contempt and derision
  48. giddy
    lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
  49. gingerly
    in a manner marked by extreme care or delicacy
  50. girth
    the distance around something, especially a person's body
  51. gist
    the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
  52. glacial
    relating to or derived from a slowly moving mass of ice
  53. glaring
    shining intensely
  54. glaze
    a coating, as for ceramics or metal
  55. glean
    gather, as of natural products
  56. glib
    artfully persuasive in speech
  57. glimmer
    a flash of light
  58. gloat
    dwell on with satisfaction
  59. gloss over
    treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly
  60. glossary
    an alphabetical list of technical terms in a field
  61. glossy
    reflecting light
  62. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
  63. glut
    supply with an excess of
  64. glutinous
    having the sticky properties of an adhesive
  65. glutton
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
  66. gnarled
    old and twisted and covered in lines
  67. gnome
    a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man
  68. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
  69. gorge
    a deep ravine, usually with a river running through it
  70. gory
    covered with blood
  71. gossamer
    a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
  72. gouge
    an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
  73. gourmand
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
  74. gourmet
    a person highly knowledgeable and appreciative of fine food and drink
  75. graduated
    marked with or divided into degrees
  76. granary
    a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed
  77. grandeur
    the quality of being magnificent or splendid
  78. grandiloquent
    lofty in style
  79. grandiose
    impressive because of unnecessary largeness or magnificence
  80. granulated
    made grainy or formed into granules
  81. graphic
    written or drawn or engraved
  82. grapple
    work hard to come to terms with or deal with something
  83. grate
    reduce to shreds by rubbing against a perforated surface
  84. gratify
    make happy or satisfied
  85. gratis
    costing nothing
  86. gratuitous
    unnecessary and unwarranted
  87. gratuity
    a small, extra gift of money for services rendered
  88. gravity
    the force of attraction between all masses in the universe
  89. gregarious
    temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
  90. grievance
    a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment
  91. grill
    a framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate
  92. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
  93. grisly
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
  94. grotto
    a small cave, usually with attractive features
  95. grouse
    popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs
  96. grovel
    show submission or fear
  97. grudging
    petty or reluctant in giving or spending
  98. gruel
    a thin porridge
  99. grueling
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
  100. gruesome
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
  101. gruff
    blunt and unfriendly or stern
  102. guffaw
    a burst of loud and hearty laughter
  103. guile
    shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
  104. guileless
    innocent and free of deceit
  105. guise
    an artful or simulated semblance
  106. gull
    a mostly white aquatic bird found along beaches
  107. gullible
    naive and easily deceived or tricked
  108. gustatory
    of or relating to the sense of taste
  109. gusto
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  110. gusty
    blowing in puffs or short intermittent blasts
  111. guy
    an informal term for a youth or man
  112. gyroscope
    rotating mechanism in the form of a mounted spinning wheel
  113. habituate
    familiarize psychologically or physically
  114. hackles
    a feeling of anger and animosity
  115. hackneyed
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  116. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
  117. haggle
    an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
  118. halcyon
    a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
  119. hale
    exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
  120. hallowed
    worthy of religious veneration
  121. hallucination
    illusory perception
  122. halting
    proceeding in a fragmentary, hesitant, or ineffective way
  123. hamper
    prevent the progress or free movement of
  124. hap
    come to pass
  125. haphazard
    dependent upon or characterized by chance
  126. hapless
    unfortunate and deserving pity
  127. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  128. harass
    annoy continually or chronically
  129. harbinger
    something indicating the approach of something or someone
  130. harbor
    a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
  131. hardy
    having rugged physical strength
  132. harp
    a chordophone with strings between the neck and the soundbox
  133. harrowing
    causing extreme distress
  134. harry
    make a pillaging or destructive raid on, as in wartimes
  135. hatch
    a movable barrier covering an entrance
  136. haughtiness
    overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
  137. haven
    a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
  138. hazardous
    involving risk or danger
  139. hazy
    filled or abounding with fog or mist
  140. headlong
    with the upper or anterior part of the body foremost
  141. headstrong
    habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
  142. heckler
    someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and objections
  143. hedonist
    someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
  144. heedless
    marked by or paying little attention
  145. hegemony
    the dominance or leadership of one social group over others
  146. heinous
    extremely wicked or deeply criminal
  147. herbivorous
    feeding only on plants
  148. heresy
    a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
  149. hermetic
    completely sealed or airtight
  150. hermitage
    the abode of a recluse
  151. herpetologist
    a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians
  152. heterodox
    characterized by departure from accepted standards
  153. heterogeneous
    consisting of elements not of the same kind or nature
  154. hew
    make or shape as with an axe
  155. heyday
    the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
  156. hiatus
    an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
  157. hibernal
    characteristic of or relating to winter
  158. hibernate
    be in an inactive or dormant state
  159. hierarchy
    a series of ordered groupings within a system
  160. hieroglyphic
    a writing system using picture symbols
  161. hilarity
    great merriment
  162. hindmost
    located farthest to the rear
  163. hindrance
    any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
  164. hinterland
    a remote and undeveloped area
  165. hireling
    a person who works only for money
  166. hirsute
    having or covered with hair
  167. histrionic
    overly dramatic or emotional
  168. hoard
    a secret store of valuables or money
  169. hoary
    having gray or white hair as with age
  170. hoax
    something intended to deceive
  171. holocaust
    an act of mass destruction and loss of life
  172. holster
    a sheath for carrying a handgun
  173. homeostasis
    metabolic equilibrium maintained by biological mechanisms
  174. homespun
    made of cloth woven in one's household
  175. homily
    a sermon on a moral or religious topic
  176. homogeneous
    all of the same or similar kind or nature
  177. hone
    sharpen with a whetstone
  178. hoodwink
    conceal one's true motives from
  179. horde
    a vast multitude
  180. hortatory
    giving strong encouragement
  181. horticulture
    the cultivation of plants
  182. hostility
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
  183. hovel
    small crude shelter used as a dwelling
  184. hover
    hang in the air; fly or be suspended above
  185. hubbub
    loud confused noise from many sources
  186. hubris
    overbearing pride or presumption
  187. hue
    the quality of a color determined by its dominant wavelength
  188. hue and cry
    loud and persistent clamor or protest from many people
  189. humane
    marked by concern with the alleviation of suffering
  190. humdrum
    tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
  191. humid
    containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
  192. humility
    a lack of arrogance or false pride
  193. hummock
    a small natural mound
  194. hummus
    a thick spread made from mashed chickpeas
  195. hurtle
    move with or as if with a rushing sound
  196. husband
    a male partner in a marriage
  197. husbandry
    the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
  198. hybrid
    the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock
  199. hydrophobia
    a morbid fear of water
  200. hyperbole
    extravagant exaggeration
  201. hypercritical
    inclined to judge too severely
  202. hypochondriac
    a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
  203. hypocritical
    professing feelings or virtues one does not have
  204. hypothetical
    a conjectural possibility or circumstance
  205. ichthyology
    the branch of zoology that studies fishes
  206. icon
    a visual representation produced on a surface
  207. iconoclastic
    characterized by attack on established beliefs
  208. ideology
    an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group
  209. idiom
    expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words
  210. idiosyncrasy
    a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
  211. idolatry
    the worship of objects or images as gods
  212. idyllic
    charmingly simple and serene
  213. igneous
    produced by the action of fire or intense heat
  214. ignite
    cause to start burning
  215. ignoble
    dishonorable in character or purpose
  216. ignominy
    a state of dishonor
  217. illicit
    contrary to accepted morality or convention
  218. illimitable
    without restrictions in extent or size or quantity
  219. illuminate
    make lighter or brighter
  220. illusion
    an erroneous mental representation
  221. illusory
    having the nature of something unreal or deceptive
  222. imbalance
    a lack of stability, evenness, or equilibrium
  223. imbecility
    mental retardation
  224. imbibe
    take in liquids
  225. imbroglio
    an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
  226. imbue
    spread or diffuse through
  227. immaculate
    completely neat and clean
  228. imminent
    close in time; about to occur
  229. immobility
    the quality of not moving
  230. immolate
    kill as a sacrifice, especially by fire
  231. immune
    of the condition in which an organism can resist disease
  232. immure
    lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
  233. immutable
    not subject or susceptible to change or variation
  234. impair
    make worse or less effective
  235. impale
    pierce with a sharp stake or point
  236. impalpable
    not perceptible to the touch
  237. impartial
    free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
  238. impassable
    incapable of being gone across or through
  239. impasse
    a situation in which no progress can be made
  240. impassive
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  241. impeach
    bring an accusation against
  242. impeccable
    without error or flaw
  243. impecunious
    not having enough money to pay for necessities
  244. impede
    be a hindrance or obstacle to
  245. impediment
    something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
  246. impel
    urge or force to an action; constrain or motivate
  247. impending
    close in time; about to occur
  248. impenetrable
    not admitting of passage into or through
  249. impertinent
    improperly forward or bold
  250. imperative
    requiring attention or action
  251. imperceptible
    impossible or difficult to sense
  252. imperial
    relating to or associated with an empire
  253. imperious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  254. impermeable
    preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
  255. impertinent
    improperly forward or bold
  256. imperturbable
    marked by extreme calm and composure
  257. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
  258. impetuous
    characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
  259. impetus
    a force that makes something happen
  260. impiety
    unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
  261. impinge
    infringe upon
  262. impious
    lacking piety or reverence for a god
  263. implacable
    incapable of being appeased or pacified
  264. implausible
    highly imaginative but unlikely
  265. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
  266. implicate
    bring into intimate and incriminating connection
  267. implication
    something that is inferred
  268. implicit
    suggested though not directly expressed
  269. implode
    burst inward
  270. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
  271. imply
    express or state indirectly
  272. impolitic
    lacking tact, shrewdness, or prudence
  273. imponderable
    difficult or impossible to evaluate with precision
  274. import
    bring in from abroad
  275. importunate
    making persistent or urgent requests
  276. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
  277. imposture
    pretending to be another person
  278. impotent
    (of a male) unable to copulate
  279. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  280. impregnable
    incapable of being attacked or tampered with
  281. impromptu
    with little or no preparation or forethought
  282. impropriety
    the condition of being unsuitable or offensive
  283. improvident
    not supplying something useful for the future
  284. improvise
    manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
  285. imprudent
    not sensible, responsible, or wise
  286. impudence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
  287. impugn
    attack as false or wrong
  288. impuissance
    powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
  289. impunity
    exemption from punishment or loss
  290. impute
    attribute or credit to
  291. inadvertently
    without knowledge or intention
  292. inalienable
    incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
  293. inane
    devoid of intelligence
  294. inanimate
    not endowed with life
  295. inarticulate
    without or deprived of the use of speech or words
  296. inaugurate
    commence officially
  297. incandescent
    emitting light as a result of being heated
  298. incantation
    a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical effect
  299. incapacitate
    make unable to perform a certain action
  300. incarcerate
    lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
  301. incarnate
    possessing or existing in bodily form
  302. incarnation
    act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
  303. incendiary
    capable of causing fires or catching fire spontaneously
  304. incense
    make furious
  305. incentive
    a positive motivational influence
  306. inception
    an event that is a beginning
  307. incessant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
  308. inchoate
    only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
  309. incidence
    the relative frequency of occurrence of something
  310. incidental
    minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature
  311. incipient
    only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
  312. incisive
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
  313. incite
    provoke or stir up
  314. inclement
    severe, of weather
  315. incline
    lower or bend, as in a nod or bow
  316. inclined
    at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
  317. inclusive
    encompassing much or everything
  318. incognito
    without revealing one's identity
  319. incoherent
    without logical or meaningful connection
  320. incommodious
    uncomfortably or inconveniently small
  321. incompatible
    not in harmonious or agreeable combination
  322. incongruity
    the quality of disagreeing
  323. inconsequential
    lacking worth or importance
  324. inconsistency
    the quality of lacking a harmonious uniformity among parts
  325. incontinent
    lacking restraint or self-control
  326. incontrovertible
    impossible to deny or disprove
  327. incorporate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
  328. incorporeal
    without material form or substance
  329. incorrigible
    impervious to correction by punishment
  330. incredulity
    doubt about the truth of something
  331. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
  332. increment
    the amount by which something increases
  333. incriminate
    suggest that someone is guilty
  334. incrustation
    the formation of a hard outer layer
  335. incubate
    grow under conditions that promote development
  336. incubus
    an evil spirit thought to visit people while they sleep
  337. inculcate
    teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
  338. incumbent
    necessary as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
  339. incur
    make oneself subject to
  340. incursion
    the act of entering some territory or domain
  341. indefatigable
    showing sustained enthusiasm with unflagging vitality
  342. indelible
    not able to be forgotten, removed, or erased
  343. indemnify
    secure against future loss, damage, or liability
  344. indentation
    the space left between the margin and a line set in
  345. indenture
    formal agreement as to terms of a debt
  346. indeterminate
    not fixed or known in advance
  347. indicative
    pointing out or revealing clearly
  348. index
    alphabetical listing of names and topics with page numbers
  349. indict
    accuse formally of a crime
  350. indifferent
    marked by a lack of interest
  351. indigence
    a state of extreme poverty or destitution
  352. indigenous
    originating where it is found
  353. indigent
    poor enough to need help from others
  354. indignation
    a feeling of righteous anger
  355. indignity
    an affront to one's self-esteem
  356. indiscriminate
    failing to make or recognize distinctions
  357. indisputable
    not open to question; obviously true
  358. indissoluble
    incapable of being broken up
  359. indite
    produce a literary work
  360. indolent
    disinclined to work or exertion
  361. indomitable
    impossible to subdue
  362. indubitable
    too obvious to be doubted
  363. induce
    cause to act in a specified manner
  364. inductive
    influencing or causing to arise
  365. indulgent
    given to yielding to the wishes of someone
  366. industrious
    characterized by hard work and perseverance
  367. inebriated
    stupefied or excited by a chemical substance
  368. ineffable
    defying expression or description
  369. ineffectual
    not producing an intended consequence
  370. ineluctable
    impossible to avoid or evade
  371. inept
    generally incompetent and ineffectual
  372. inequity
    injustice by virtue of not conforming with standards
  373. inerrancy
    exemption from mistakes
  374. inert
    unable to move or resist motion
  375. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
  376. inexorable
    impossible to prevent, resist, or stop
  377. infallible
    incapable of failure or error
  378. infamous
    known widely and usually unfavorably
  379. infantile
    of or relating to babies
  380. infer
    conclude by reasoning
  381. infernal
    characteristic of or resembling Hell
  382. infidel
    a person who does not acknowledge your god
  383. infiltrate
    pass through an enemy line in a military conflict
  384. infinitesimal
    immeasurably small
  385. infirmity
    the state of being weak in health or body
  386. inflated
    enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
  387. influx
    the process of flowing in
  388. infraction
    a violation of a law or rule
Created on Thu Oct 11 15:11:12 EDT 2012 (updated Sat Oct 13 23:46:35 EDT 2012)

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