Barron's GRE "C" WordList

venkata K.
476 words 11 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. cabal
    a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
  2. cache
    a hidden storage space
  3. cacophonous
    having an unpleasant sound
  4. cadaver
    the dead body of a human being
  5. cadaverous
    of or relating to a corpse
  6. cadence
    the accent in a metrical foot of verse
  7. cadet
    a military trainee (as at a military academy)
  8. cajole
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  9. calamity
    an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
  10. calculated
    carefully thought out in advance
  11. caldron
    a very large pot that is used for boiling
  12. caliber
    diameter of a tube or gun barrel
  13. calligraphy
    beautiful handwriting
  14. callous
    emotionally hardened
  15. callow
    young and inexperienced
  16. callus
    a skin area that is thick or hard from continual pressure
  17. calorific
    of or relating to the energy in food
  18. calumny
    a false accusation of an offense
  19. camaraderie
    the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
  20. cameo
    engraving or carving in low relief on a stone
  21. camp
    temporary lodgings in the country for travelers
  22. canard
    a deliberately misleading fabrication
  23. candor
    the quality of being honest and straightforward
  24. canine
    a dog, wolf, jackal, or other closely related mammal
  25. canker
    an ulcerlike sore
  26. canny
    showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
  27. cant
    a slope in the turn of a road or track
  28. cantankerous
    stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
  29. cantata
    a musical composition for voices and orchestra
  30. canter
    a smooth three-beat gait
  31. canto
    a major division of a long poem
  32. canvass
    get opinions by asking specific questions
  33. capacious
    large in the amount that can be contained
  34. capacity
    capability to perform or produce
  35. capillary
    a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
  36. capitulate
    surrender under agreed conditions
  37. caprice
    a sudden desire
  38. capricious
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
  39. capsize
    overturn accidentally
  40. caption
    brief description accompanying an illustration
  41. captious
    tending to find and call attention to faults
  42. carafe
    a bottle with a stopper
  43. carapace
    hard outer covering or case of certain organisms
  44. carat
    a unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy
  45. carcinogenic
    causing or tending to cause cancer
  46. cardinal
    a vivid red color
  47. cardiologist
    a specialist in the structure and function of the heart
  48. careen
    move at high speed and in an uncontrolled way
  49. career
    the particular occupation for which you are trained
  50. carefree
    without trouble or worry
  51. caricature
    a representation of a person exaggerated for comic effect
  52. carillon
    set of bells hung in a bell tower
  53. carnage
    the savage and excessive killing of many people
  54. carnal
    of or relating to the body or flesh
  55. carnivorous
    relating to flesh-eating animals
  56. carousal
    revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
  57. carping
    persistent petty and unjustified criticism
  58. carrion
    the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
  59. cartographer
    a person who makes maps
  60. cascade
    a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
  61. caste
    a hereditary social class among Hindus
  62. castigation
    verbal punishment
  63. castrate
    remove the testicles of a male animal
  64. casual
    without or seeming to be without plan or method; offhand
  65. casualty
    someone injured or killed in an accident
  66. cataclysm
    a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
  67. catalyst
    substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
  68. catapult
    an engine providing medieval artillery used during sieges
  69. cataract
    disease that involves the clouding of the lens of the eye
  70. catastrophe
    a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
  71. catcall
    a cry expressing disapproval
  72. catechism
    an elementary book summarizing the principles of a religion
  73. categorical
    relating to or included in a class or classes
  74. cater
    give what is desired or needed
  75. catharsis
    purging the body to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
  76. cathartic
    emotionally purging
  77. catholic
    comprehensive or broad-minded in tastes and interests
  78. caucus
    meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
  79. caulk
    a waterproof filler and sealant used in building and repair
  80. causal
    involving an entity that produces an effect
  81. caustic
    capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
  82. cauterize
    burn, sear, or freeze using a hot iron or electric current
  83. cavalcade
    a procession of people traveling by foot, horse, or vehicles
  84. cavalier
    showing a lack of concern or seriousness
  85. cavil
    raise trivial objections
  86. cede
    give over
  87. celerity
    a rate that is rapid
  88. celestial
    relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
  89. celibate
    abstaining from sexual intercourse
  90. cemetery
    a tract of land used for burials
  91. censor
    a person authorized to suppress unacceptable material
  92. censorious
    harshly critical or expressing censure
  93. censure
    harsh criticism or disapproval
  94. centaur
    a mythical being that is half man and half horse
  95. centigrade
    temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees
  96. centrifugal
    tending to move away from the middle
  97. centrifuge
    an apparatus that separates particles from a suspension
  98. centripetal
    tending to move toward an area in the middle
  99. centurion
    leader of soldiers in ancient Rome
  100. cerebral
    of or relating to the brain
  101. cerebration
    the process of using one's mind to consider something
  102. ceremonious
    characterized by pomp and stately display
  103. certitude
    complete assurance or confidence
  104. certainty
    the state of being sure about something
  105. cessation
    a stopping
  106. cession
    the act of surrendering possession or control
  107. chafe
    become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
  108. chaff
    material consisting of seed coverings and pieces of stem
  109. chaff
    material consisting of seed coverings and pieces of stem
  110. chagrin
    strong feelings of embarrassment
  111. chalice
    a bowl-shaped drinking vessel
  112. chameleon
    lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color
  113. champion
    someone who has won first place in a competition
  114. championship
    a competition at which a winner is chosen
  115. chancellor
    the person who is head of state (in several countries)
  116. chant
    a repetitive song in which syllables are assigned to a tone
  117. chaotic
    completely unordered and unpredictable and confusing
  118. chapel
    a place of worship that has its own altar
  119. chaperon
    one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
  120. chaplain
    a member of the clergy ministering to some institution
  121. char
    burn to charcoal
  122. charisma
    personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others
  123. charlatan
    a flamboyant deceiver
  124. charm
    attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
  125. chary
    characterized by great caution
  126. chase
    go after with the intent to catch
  127. chasm
    a deep opening in the earth's surface
  128. chassis
    the skeleton of a motor vehicle
  129. chaste
    abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
  130. chasten
    censure severely
  131. chastise
    scold or criticize severely
  132. chauvinist
    a person with a prejudiced belief in his own superiority
  133. check
    examine to determine accuracy or quality
  134. checkered
    patterned with alternating squares of color
  135. cherubic
    having a sweet nature befitting an angel
  136. chicanery
    the use of tricks to deceive someone
  137. chide
    scold or reprimand severely or angrily
  138. chimerical
    like a grotesque product of the imagination
  139. chip
    a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
  140. chisel
    an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
  141. chivalrous
    attentive and honorable like an ideal knight
  142. choice
    the act of selecting
  143. choir
    a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
  144. choleric
    characterized by anger
  145. chore
    a specific piece of work required to be done
  146. choreography
    a series of dance steps and movements for stage performances
  147. chortle
    a soft partly suppressed laugh
  148. chorus
    actors who comment on the action in a classical Greek play
  149. chronic
    long-lasting or characterized by long suffering
  150. chronicle
    a record or narrative description of past events
  151. chuckle
    a soft partly suppressed laugh
  152. churlish
    having a bad disposition; surly
  153. ciliated
    having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections
  154. cipher
    a secret method of writing
  155. circlet
    a small ring-shaped object
  156. circuit
    a journey or route all the way around a place or area
  157. circuitous
    deviating from a straight course
  158. circumlocution
    an indirect way of expressing something
  159. circumscribe
    draw a geometric figure around another figure
  160. circumspect
    careful to consider potential consequences and avoid risk
  161. circumvent
    surround so as to force to give up
  162. cistern
    a sac or cavity containing fluid
  163. citadel
    a stronghold for shelter during a battle
  164. cite
    make reference to
  165. civil
    of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
  166. clairvoyant
    someone who can perceive things not present to the senses
  167. clamber
    climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
  168. clamor
    utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
  169. clandestine
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
  170. clangor
    a loud resonant repeating noise
  171. clap
    strike one's hands together
  172. clapper
    metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound
  173. clarion
    loud and clear
  174. clasp
    hold firmly and tightly
  175. claustrophobia
    a morbid fear of being closed in a confined space
  176. clavicle
    bone linking the scapula and sternum
  177. collarbone
    bone linking the scapula and sternum
  178. cleave
    separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
  179. cleft
    a long narrow opening
  180. clemency
    leniency and compassion shown toward offenders
  181. cliche
    a trite or obvious remark
  182. clientele
    customers collectively
  183. climactic
    consisting of or causing a decisive moment
  184. clime
    the weather in some location averaged over a period of time
  185. climate
    the weather in some location averaged over a period of time
  186. clip
    a small fastener used to hold loose articles together
  187. clipper
    scissors for cutting hair or finger nails
  188. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  189. cloister
    residence that is a place of religious seclusion
  190. clot
    a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
  191. clout
    (boxing) a blow with the fist
  192. clown
    a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
  193. cloying
    overly sweet
  194. coagulate
    change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
  195. coalesce
    fuse or cause to come together
  196. coalition
    the union of diverse things into one body or form or group
  197. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
  198. coda
    the closing section of a musical composition
  199. coddle
    cook in nearly boiling water
  200. codicil
    a supplement to a will
  201. codify
    organize into a system, such as a body of law
  202. coercion
    using force to cause something to occur
  203. coeval
    of the same period
  204. cog
    tooth on the rim of gear wheel
  205. cogent
    powerfully persuasive
  206. convincing
    causing one to believe the truth of something
  207. cogitate
    consider carefully and deeply
  208. cognate
    related by blood
  209. cognitive
    relating to or involving the mental process of knowing
  210. cognizance
    the state or act of having knowledge of
  211. cohabit
    share living quarters
  212. cohere
    cause to form a united, orderly, and consistent whole
  213. cohesion
    the state of sticking together
  214. cohort
    a band of warriors
  215. coiffure
    the arrangement of the hair
  216. coin
    a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
  217. coincidence
    the property of two things happening at the same time
  218. colander
    bowl-shaped strainer used to wash or drain foods
  219. collaborate
    work together on a common enterprise or project
  220. collage
    a paste-up of pieces to form an artistic image
  221. collate
    assemble in proper sequence
  222. collateral
    accompanying; following as a consequence
  223. collation
    assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence
  224. collected
    brought together in one place
  225. colloquial
    characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
  226. colloquy
    formal conversation
  227. collusion
    secret agreement
  228. collude
    act in unison and in secret towards a deceitful purpose
  229. colossal
    so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
  230. colossus
    someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
  231. coma
    a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness
  232. comatose
    in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
  233. combustible
    capable of igniting and burning
  234. comeback
    a quick reply to a question or remark
  235. comely
    according with custom or propriety
  236. comestible
    suitable for use as food
  237. comeuppance
    a usually negative outcome or fate that is well deserved
  238. comity
    a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility
  239. commandeer
    take arbitrarily or by force
  240. commemorate
    call to remembrance
  241. commemorative
    intended to honor the memory of someone or something
  242. commensurate
    corresponding in size or degree or extent
  243. commiserate
    feel or express sympathy or compassion
  244. commodious
    large and roomy
  245. commonplace
    completely ordinary and unremarkable
  246. commonwealth
    a political system in which power lies in a body of citizens
  247. communal
    for or by a group rather than individuals
  248. commune
    share or interact intimately with
  249. compact
    closely and firmly united or packed together
  250. compartment
    a partitioned section within a larger enclosed area
  251. compassion
    a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
  252. compatible
    able to exist and perform in harmonious combination
  253. compelling
    capable of arousing and holding the attention
  254. compendium
    a publication containing a variety of works
  255. compensate
    make amends for
  256. compilation
    the act of putting together
  257. compile
    get or gather together
  258. complacency
    the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
  259. complaisant
    showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
  260. complement
    something added to embellish or make perfect
  261. complementary
    serving to fill out, enhance, or supply what is lacking
  262. compliance
    the act of submitting, usually surrendering power to another
  263. compliant
    disposed to act in accordance with someone's wishes
  264. complicity
    guilt as a confederate in a crime or offense
  265. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
  266. comport
    behave in a certain manner
  267. compost
    a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure
  268. composure
    steadiness of mind under stress
  269. compound
    a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
  270. comprehend
    get the meaning of something
  271. comprehensive
    including all or everything
  272. compress
    squeeze or push together
  273. comprise
    be made of
  274. compromise
    an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
  275. compulsion
    using force to cause something to occur
  276. compulsive
    having obsessive habits or irresistible urges
  277. compulsory
    required by rule
  278. compunction
    a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
  279. compute
    make a mathematical calculation
  280. concatenate
    add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series
  281. concave
    curving inward
  282. concede
    give over
  283. conceit
    the trait of being unduly vain
  284. concentric
    having a common center
  285. conception
    the creation of something in the mind
  286. concerted
    involving the joint activity of two or more
  287. concession
    the act of yielding
  288. conciliatory
    making or willing to make concessions
  289. concise
    expressing much in few words
  290. conclave
    a confidential or secret meeting
  291. conclusive
    forming a decisive end or resolution
  292. concoct
    make something by mixing
  293. concomitant
    following or accompanying as a consequence
  294. concord
    a harmonious state of things and of their properties
  295. concordat
    a signed written agreement between two or more parties
  296. concur
    happen simultaneously
  297. concurrent
    occurring or operating at the same time
  298. condescend
    behave in a patronizing manner
  299. condign
    fitting or appropriate and deserved
  300. condiment
    a preparation to enhance flavor or enjoyment
  301. condole
    express one's sympathy on the occasion of someone's death
  302. condone
    excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
  303. conducive
    tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
  304. conduit
    a passage through which water or electric wires can pass
  305. confidant
    someone to whom private matters are told
  306. confide
    reveal in private
  307. confidence
    belief in yourself and your abilities
  308. confidential
    given in secret
  309. confine
    place limits on
  310. confiscate
    take temporary possession of a security by legal authority
  311. conflagration
    a very intense and uncontrolled fire
  312. confluence
    a place where things merge or flow together
  313. conformist
    someone who follows established standards of conduct
  314. conformity
    correspondence in form, type, or appearance
  315. confound
    be confusing or perplexing to
  316. congeal
    solidify, thicken, or come together
  317. congenial
    suitable to your needs
  318. congenital
    present at birth but not necessarily hereditary
  319. conglomerate
    collect or gather
  320. conglomeration
    a sum total of many varied things taken together
  321. congruence
    the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
  322. congruent
    corresponding in character or kind
  323. conifer
    a type of tree or shrub bearing cones
  324. conjecture
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  325. conjugal
    relating to the relationship between a wife and husband
  326. conjure
    summon into action or bring into existence
  327. connivance
    agreement on a secret plot
  328. connoisseur
    an expert able to appreciate a field
  329. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
  330. connubial
    relating to marriage or the relationship between spouses
  331. consanguineous
    related by blood
  332. consanguinity
    relation by blood
  333. conscientious
    characterized by extreme care and great effort
  334. conscript
    enroll into service compulsorily
  335. consecrate
    give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
  336. consensus
    agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
  337. consequential
    having important effects or results
  338. conservatory
    a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts
  339. consign
    give over to another for care or safekeeping
  340. consistency
    uniformity or stability in arrangement, behavior, or quality
  341. console
    give moral or emotional strength to
  342. consolidation
    combining into a solid mass
  343. consonance
    a harmonious state of things and of their properties
  344. consonant
    a speech sound that is not a vowel
  345. consort
    keep company with
  346. conspiracy
    a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
  347. conspire
    act in agreement and in secret towards a deceitful purpose
  348. consternation
    sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion
  349. constituency
    the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
  350. constituent
    one of the individual parts making up a composite entity
  351. constitution
    the act of forming or establishing something
  352. constraint
    the state of being physically limited
  353. construe
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
  354. consummate
    having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
  355. contagion
    an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted
  356. contaminate
    make impure
  357. contempt
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
  358. contend
    compete for something
  359. contention
    the act of competing as for profit or a prize
  360. contentious
    showing an inclination to disagree
  361. contest
    a struggle between rivals
  362. context
    the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
  363. contiguous
    having a common boundary or edge
  364. continence
    voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
  365. contingent
    determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
  366. contortion
    a tortuous and twisted shape or position
  367. contraband
    distributed or sold illicitly
  368. contravene
    go against, as of rules and laws
  369. contrite
    feeling or expressing pain or sorrow
  370. contrivance
    the faculty of inventive skill
  371. contrive
    make or work out a plan for; devise
  372. contrived
    showing effects of planning or manipulation
  373. controvert
    prove to be false or incorrect
  374. contumacious
    willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
  375. contusion
    an injury in which the skin is not broken
  376. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  377. convene
    meet formally
  378. convention
    the act of meeting formally
  379. conventional
    following accepted customs and proprieties
  380. converge
    be adjacent or come together
  381. conversant
    well informed about or knowing thoroughly
  382. converse
    carry on a discussion
  383. convert
    change the nature, purpose, or function of something
  384. convex
    curving or bulging outward
  385. conveyance
    something that serves as a means of transportation
  386. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
  387. convivial
    occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
  388. convoke
    call together
  389. convoluted
    highly complex or intricate
  390. convulsion
    a violent uncontrollable contraction of muscles
  391. copious
    large in number or quantity
  392. coquette
    talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
  393. cordial
    politely warm and friendly
  394. cordon
    a series of sentinels or posts enclosing some place or thing
  395. cornice
    the topmost projecting part of an entablature
  396. cornucopia
    a horn filled with fruit and grain symbolizing prosperity
  397. corollary
    an inference following from the proof of another proposition
  398. coroner
    an official who investigates death not due to natural causes
  399. corporeal
    having material or physical form or substance
  400. corpulent
    excessively large
  401. corpus
    a collection of writings
  402. corpuscle
    an unattached cell such as a red or white blood cell
  403. correlate
    bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
  404. correlation
    a reciprocal connection between two or more things
  405. corroborate
    give evidence for
  406. corrode
    cause to deteriorate due to water, air, or an acid
  407. corrosive
    capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
  408. corrugated
    shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
  409. cosmic
    pertaining to or characteristic of the universe
  410. coterie
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  411. countenance
    the appearance conveyed by a person's face
  412. countermand
    cancel officially
  413. counterpart
    a person or thing having the same function as another
  414. coup
    a sudden and decisive change of government by force
  415. couple
    two items of the same kind
  416. courier
    a person who carries a message
  417. court
    an assembly to conduct judicial business
  418. covenant
    an agreement between a god and the people
  419. covert
    secret or hidden
  420. covetous
    immoderately desirous of acquiring something
  421. cow
    female of domestic cattle
  422. cower
    crouch or curl up
  423. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
  424. cozen
    be dishonest with
  425. crabbed
    annoyed and irritable
  426. craft
    the skilled practice of a practical occupation
  427. crass
    so unrefined as to be offensive or insensitive
  428. crave
    have an appetite or great desire for
  429. craven
    lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
  430. cowardly
    lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted
  431. credence
    the mental attitude that something is believable
  432. credential
    a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
  433. credo
    any system of principles or beliefs
  434. creed
    any system of principles or beliefs
  435. credulity
    tendency to believe readily
  436. creed
    any system of principles or beliefs
  437. creep
    move slowly
  438. cremate
    reduce to ashes
  439. crescendo
    a gradual increase in loudness
  440. crest
    the top or extreme point of something
  441. crestfallen
    brought low in spirit
  442. crevice
    a long narrow opening
  443. cringe
    draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
  444. crinkle
    make wrinkles or creases on a smooth surface
  445. criterion
    the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
  446. crochet
    needlework by interlocking stitches with a hooked needle
  447. crone
    an ugly, evil-looking old woman
  448. cross
    a marking that consists of lines that intersect each other
  449. crossbreed
    the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock
  450. crotchety
    having a difficult and contrary disposition
  451. crust
    a hard outer layer that covers something
  452. crux
    the most important point
  453. crypt
    a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber
  454. cryptic
    having a secret or hidden meaning
  455. cubicle
    small area set off by walls for special use
  456. cue
    a reminder for some action or speech
  457. cuisine
    the manner of preparing food or the food so prepared
  458. culinary
    of or relating to or used in cooking
  459. cull
    remove something that has been rejected
  460. culmination
    a concluding action
  461. culpable
    deserving blame or censure as being wrong or injurious
  462. culprit
    someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing
  463. culvert
    a transverse and enclosed drain under a road or railway
  464. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
  465. cumulative
    increasing by successive addition
  466. cunning
    showing inventiveness and skill
  467. cupidity
    extreme greed for material wealth
  468. curator
    the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
  469. curb
    the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
  470. curfew
    an order that after a certain time activities are prohibited
  471. curmudgeon
    an irascible, cantankerous person full of stubborn ideas
  472. cursive
    handwriting in which letters are connected within words
  473. cursory
    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
  474. curtail
    terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
  475. cynical
    believing the worst of human nature and motives
  476. cynosure
    something that provides guidance
Created on Mon Aug 12 10:58:00 EDT 2013

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