High frequency words for GRE/CAT

Darssh S. (India)
479 words 175 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. abandon
    forsake; leave behind
  2. abase
    cause to feel shame
  3. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
  4. abbreviate
    shorten
  5. abdicate
    give up power, duties, or obligations
  6. abdication
    the act of giving up power
  7. aberration
    a state or condition markedly different from the norm
  8. abet
    assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
  9. abhor
    feel hatred or disgust toward
  10. abide
    dwell
  11. abjure
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
  12. ablution
    the act of washing oneself, as for ritual purposes
  13. abridgement
    a shortened version of a written work
  14. abscond
    run away, often taking something or somebody along
  15. abstruse
    difficult to understand
  16. abysmal
    exceptionally bad or displeasing
  17. abyss
    a bottomless gulf or pit
  18. accede
    yield to another's wish or opinion
  19. acclaim
    enthusiastic approval
  20. accolade
    a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  21. accost
    approach and speak to someone aggressively or insistently
  22. accredited
    given official approval to act
  23. accomplice
    a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan
  24. acquaint
    cause to come to know personally
  25. acquit
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  26. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
  27. acrimony
    a rough and bitter manner
  28. acronym
    a word formed from the initial letters of several words
  29. acumen
    shrewdness shown by keen insight
  30. adage
    a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
  31. adamant
    very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
  32. addle
    mix up or confuse
  33. adduce
    advance evidence for
  34. adjudicate
    hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of
  35. adjure
    command solemnly
  36. admonish
    scold or reprimand; take to task
  37. admonitory
    expressing reprimand, criticism, or censure
  38. ado
    a great deal of fuss, concern, or commotion
  39. adorn
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
  40. adroit
    quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
  41. adulteration
    the act of adulterating
  42. advent
    arrival that has been awaited
  43. adventitious
    associated by chance and not an integral part
  44. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
  45. adversity
    a state of misfortune or affliction
  46. advert
    a public promotion of some product or service
  47. aeon
    the longest division of geological time
  48. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  49. affinity
    a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
  50. affirm
    declare solemnly and formally as true
  51. agape
    with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
  52. aggravate
    make worse
  53. agile
    moving quickly and lightly
  54. agog
    highly excited
  55. ail
    be unwell
  56. alacrity
    liveliness and eagerness
  57. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
  58. alienate
    arouse hostility or indifference in
  59. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
  60. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
  61. alleviate
    provide physical relief, as from pain
  62. allocate
    distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
  63. alloy
    a mixture containing two or more metallic elements
  64. allure
    the power to entice or attract
  65. aloof
    distant, cold, or detached in manner
  66. amalgamate
    bring or combine together or with something else
  67. ambient
    completely enveloping
  68. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  69. amble
    walk leisurely
  70. amiable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  71. amicable
    characterized by friendship and good will
  72. amnesia
    partial or total loss of memory
  73. amorphous
    having no definite form or distinct shape
  74. analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
  75. anarchy
    a state of lawlessness and disorder
  76. ancillary
    furnishing added support
  77. anguish
    extreme distress of body or mind
  78. animosity
    a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
  79. annihilate
    kill in large numbers
  80. annuity
    income from capital investment paid regularly
  81. annul
    cancel officially
  82. anoint
    administer an oil or ointment to, often ceremonially
  83. anomaly
    deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
  84. anon
    (old-fashioned or informal) in a little while
  85. antidote
    a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison
  86. apiary
    a shed containing a number of beehives
  87. appease
    make peace with
  88. appraise
    consider in a comprehensive way
  89. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
  90. apprise
    inform somebody of something
  91. arcade
    a structure composed of arches supported by columns
  92. arcane
    requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
  93. archaic
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
  94. archives
    collection of records especially about an institution
  95. arid
    lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  96. arrogance
    overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
  97. articulate
    express or state clearly
  98. articulate
    express or state clearly
  99. artefact
    a man-made object taken as a whole
  100. ascend
    travel up
  101. ascendancy
    the state when one person or group has power over another
  102. ascertain
    learn or discover with confidence
  103. ashen
    pale from illness or emotion
  104. asterisk
    a star-shaped character used in printing
  105. astringent
    tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
  106. atheism
    the doctrine or belief that there is no God
  107. atonement
    the act of making amends for sin or wrongdoing
  108. attune
    adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
  109. audacious
    disposed to venture or take risks
  110. august
    profoundly honored
  111. auspicious
    indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
  112. austere
    of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
  113. auxiliary
    furnishing added support
  114. aver
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  115. aversion
    a feeling of intense dislike
  116. avid
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
  117. avow
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  118. babble
    utter meaningless sounds
  119. bacchanalian
    used of riotously drunken merrymaking
  120. backlog
    an accumulation of jobs not done or materials not processed
  121. badger
    sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws
  122. bait
    something used to lure fish or other animals
  123. baleful
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
  124. balk
    refuse to proceed or comply
  125. banal
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  126. barbaric
    without civilizing influences
  127. barrage
    the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area
  128. barrack
    lodge in buildings used to house military personnel
  129. barren
    completely wanting or lacking
  130. bashful
    self-consciously timid
  131. bask
    expose oneself to warmth and light, as for relaxation
  132. beacon
    a fire that can be seen from a distance
  133. benediction
    a blessing or ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
  134. benefactor
    a person who helps people or institutions
  135. benevolence
    disposition to do good
  136. benign
    kind in disposition or manner
  137. berate
    censure severely or angrily
  138. bereaved
    sorrowful through loss or deprivation
  139. bereft
    lacking or deprived of something
  140. berserk
    frenzied as if possessed by a demon
  141. besiege
    surround so as to force to give up
  142. bestow
    give as a gift
  143. bestial
    resembling an animal, especially by being vicious or cruel
  144. bewilder
    cause to be confused emotionally
  145. bigot
    a prejudiced person who is intolerant of differing opinions
  146. bizarre
    conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
  147. bland
    lacking taste or flavor or tang
  148. blast
    a sudden, loud sound
  149. blatant
    without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
  150. blemish
    a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something
  151. bogus
    fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
  152. boisterous
    marked by exuberance and high spirits
  153. bolster
    support and strengthen
  154. boorish
    ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance
  155. brainchild
    a product of your creative thinking and work
  156. brash
    offensively bold
  157. brass
    an alloy of copper and zinc
  158. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
  159. bravura
    brilliant and showy technical skill
  160. brazen
    not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
  161. breach
    an opening, especially a gap in a dike or fortification
  162. brittle
    having little elasticity
  163. broach
    bring up a topic for discussion
  164. cacophony
    loud confusing disagreeable sounds
  165. cajole
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  166. callous
    emotionally hardened
  167. camaraderie
    the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
  168. camouflage
    an outward semblance misrepresenting the nature of something
  169. candid
    openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness
  170. canon
    a collection of books accepted as holy scripture
  171. cant
    a slope in the turn of a road or track
  172. canvass
    get opinions by asking specific questions
  173. cardinal
    a vivid red color
  174. caricature
    a representation of a person exaggerated for comic effect
  175. catalyst
    substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
  176. cataract
    disease that involves the clouding of the lens of the eye
  177. catholic
    comprehensive or broad-minded in tastes and interests
  178. caustic
    capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
  179. cede
    give over
  180. celerity
    a rate that is rapid
  181. celestial
    relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
  182. celibacy
    abstaining from sexual relations
  183. censure
    harsh criticism or disapproval
  184. chaff
    material consisting of seed coverings and pieces of stem
  185. charismatic
    possessing an extraordinary ability to attract
  186. chisel
    an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
  187. chromatic
    being, having, or characterized by color
  188. circumscribe
    draw a geometric figure around another figure
  189. clamor
    utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
  190. clerical
    appropriate for or engaged in office work
  191. clientele
    customers collectively
  192. clinch
    secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
  193. cling
    hold on tightly or tenaciously
  194. clot
    a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
  195. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
  196. coerce
    cause to do through pressure or necessity
  197. cognizant
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
  198. collusion
    secret agreement
  199. comatose
    in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
  200. combustion
    a reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
  201. comely
    according with custom or propriety
  202. commuter
    someone who travels regularly to and from work
  203. compatible
    able to exist and perform in harmonious combination
  204. conceal
    prevent from being seen or discovered
  205. concede
    give over
  206. conceited
    having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
  207. concise
    expressing much in few words
  208. concord
    a harmonious state of things and of their properties
  209. concur
    happen simultaneously
  210. condense
    cause a gas or vapor to change into a liquid
  211. condone
    excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
  212. conduct
    the way a person behaves toward other people
  213. congenial
    suitable to your needs
  214. conjure
    summon into action or bring into existence
  215. connive
    form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
  216. conspicuous
    obvious to the eye or mind
  217. constrain
    hold back
  218. constrict
    squeeze or push together
  219. construe
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
  220. consume
    take in as food
  221. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
  222. cordial
    politely warm and friendly
  223. correlate
    bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
  224. corroboration
    confirmation that some fact or statement is true
  225. countenance
    the appearance conveyed by a person's face
  226. counterfeit
    not genuine; imitating something superior
  227. covetous
    immoderately desirous of acquiring something
  228. cower
    crouch or curl up
  229. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
  230. crass
    so unrefined as to be offensive or insensitive
  231. crease
    an angular indentation made by folding
  232. cringe
    draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
  233. cryptic
    having a secret or hidden meaning
  234. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
  235. cupidity
    extreme greed for material wealth
  236. curriculum
    an integrated course of academic studies
  237. cursory
    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
  238. curtail
    terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
  239. dabble
    bob under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water
  240. daft
    foolish or mentally irregular
  241. dainty
    something considered choice to eat
  242. dally
    behave carelessly or indifferently
  243. dearth
    an insufficient quantity or number
  244. debacle
    a sudden and complete disaster
  245. debutante
    a young woman making her formal entrance into society
  246. deciduous
    shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
  247. decisive
    characterized by resoluteness and firmness
  248. declaim
    recite in a skilled and formal way
  249. decorum
    propriety in manners and conduct
  250. decree
    a legally binding command or decision
  251. decry
    express strong disapproval of
  252. defer
    yield to another's wish or opinion
  253. defiance
    a hostile challenge
  254. defile
    make dirty or spotty
  255. definitive
    clearly formulated
  256. deft
    skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
  257. demean
    reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
  258. demur
    politely refuse or take exception to
  259. demure
    shy or modest, often in a playful or provocative way
  260. denizen
    a plant or animal naturalized in a region
  261. denounce
    speak out against
  262. deplete
    use up, as resources or materials
  263. depreciate
    decline in value
  264. derivative
    a compound obtained from another compound
  265. derogatory
    expressive of low opinion
  266. desiccant
    a substance that promotes drying
  267. despicable
    morally reprehensible
  268. despot
    a cruel and oppressive dictator
  269. deter
    turn away from as by fear or persuasion
  270. detraction
    a petty disparagement
  271. detriment
    a damage or loss
  272. deviance
    a state or condition markedly different from the norm
  273. devious
    turning away from a straight course
  274. dexterity
    adroitness in using the hands
  275. diffidence
    lack of self-assurance
  276. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
  277. dilate
    become wider
  278. dilatory
    wasting time
  279. disabuse
    free somebody from an erroneous belief
  280. disallow
    command against
  281. discern
    perceive, recognize, or detect
  282. discomfit
    cause to lose one's composure
  283. discompose
    cause to lose one's composure
  284. discord
    lack of agreement or harmony
  285. discourse
    an extended communication dealing with some particular topic
  286. discredit
    the state of being held in low esteem
  287. discreet
    marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
  288. discrete
    constituting a separate entity or part
  289. discretion
    power of making choices unconstrained by external agencies
  290. disdain
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
  291. disinter
    dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
  292. dislodge
    remove or force from a position previously occupied
  293. dismal
    causing dejection
  294. disparate
    fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
  295. disproof
    the act of determining that something is false
  296. dissemble
    behave unnaturally or affectedly
  297. dissent
    a difference of opinion
  298. dissipate
    cause to separate and go in different directions
  299. dissolute
    unrestrained by convention or morality
  300. dissolution
    separation into component parts
  301. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
  302. divergence
    moving away in different direction from a common point
  303. divulge
    make known to the public information previously kept secret
  304. dogmatic
    pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
  305. dolt
    a person who is not very bright
  306. dormant
    inactive but capable of becoming active
  307. dote
    shower with love; show excessive affection for
  308. drawl
    a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
  309. drone
    make a monotonous low dull sound
  310. drowsiness
    a very sleepy state
  311. drudge
    a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
  312. dubious
    fraught with uncertainty or doubt
  313. dud
    an explosion that fails to occur
  314. dupe
    fool or hoax
  315. duplicity
    the act of deceiving or acting in bad faith
  316. dwarf
    a person who is markedly small
  317. dynamo
    a coil that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet
  318. earthenware
    ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
  319. earthy
    of or consisting of or resembling the soil
  320. eddy
    a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
  321. edible
    suitable for use as food
  322. efficacy
    capacity or power to produce a desired result
  323. egoism
    concern for your own interests and welfare
  324. egotism
    an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
  325. egress
    the act or means of going out
  326. elaborate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
  327. elan
    enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness
  328. elegiac
    resembling or characteristic of a lament for the dead
  329. elegy
    a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
  330. elicit
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  331. eloquence
    powerful and effective language
  332. emaciate
    grow weak and thin or waste away physically
  333. emanate
    give out, as breath or an odor
  334. embark
    go on board
  335. embellish
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
  336. embezzlement
    the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
  337. emend
    make corrections to
  338. emote
    give expression to, in a stage or movie role
  339. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
  340. encapsulate
    enclose in or as if in a small container
  341. encumbrance
    an onerous or difficult concern
  342. endearing
    lovable especially in a childlike or naive way
  343. endorse
    approve of
  344. enduring
    unceasing
  345. engrave
    carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
  346. engrossing
    capable of arousing and holding the attention
  347. engulf
    flow over or cover completely
  348. enmity
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
  349. ennui
    the feeling of being bored by something tedious
  350. enormity
    the quality of extreme wickedness
  351. ensign
    a person who holds a commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy
  352. entangle
    cause to twist together or be caught in a snarled mass
  353. enthrall
    hold spellbound
  354. entice
    provoke someone to do something through persuasion
  355. entreat
    ask for or request earnestly
  356. enunciate
    express or state clearly
  357. enzyme
    a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst
  358. eon
    the longest unit of geological time
  359. epitome
    a standard or typical example
  360. equable
    not varying
  361. equilibrium
    a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
  362. eradicate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
  363. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  364. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
  365. espouse
    choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.
  366. etiquette
    rules governing socially acceptable behavior
  367. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
  368. euphoria
    a feeling of great elation
  369. euthanasia
    the act of killing someone painlessly
  370. evasive
    avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger
  371. evoke
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  372. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
  373. excerpt
    a passage selected from a larger work
  374. exhaustive
    performed comprehensively and completely
  375. exigency
    a pressing or urgent situation
  376. exorbitant
    greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
  377. expedient
    appropriate to a purpose
  378. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
  379. extempore
    with little or no preparation or forethought
  380. extinct
    no longer in existence
  381. extinguish
    put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
  382. extol
    praise, glorify, or honor
  383. extort
    obtain by coercion or intimidation
  384. extrovert
    a person directed toward others as opposed to the self
  385. fallacious
    containing or based on incorrect reasoning
  386. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
  387. fanciful
    indulging in or influenced by the imagination
  388. fawn
    a young deer
  389. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
  390. felon
    someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
  391. femur
    the thigh bone of the human skeleton
  392. ferment
    cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
  393. ferocity
    the property of being aggressive or forceful
  394. fervor
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
  395. feud
    a bitter quarrel between two parties
  396. fidelity
    the quality of being faithful
  397. fidget
    move restlessly
  398. figurehead
    a leader in name only, without real power or authority
  399. finesse
    subtly skillful handling of a situation
  400. finical
    exacting especially about details
  401. finicky
    fussy, especially about details
  402. fission
    reproduction of a unicellular organism by cell division
  403. fixate
    pay attention to exclusively and obsessively
  404. flak
    artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes
  405. fleet
    group of aircraft operating under the same ownership
  406. flop
    fall loosely
  407. florid
    elaborately or excessively ornamented
  408. flout
    treat with contemptuous disregard
  409. fluke
    a stroke of luck
  410. fluster
    cause to be nervous or upset
  411. foil
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  412. foment
    try to stir up
  413. foolproof
    not liable to failure
  414. forbear
    refrain from doing
  415. forbearance
    a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges
  416. forensic
    used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
  417. forerunner
    something that precedes something or someone
  418. forfeit
    lose the right to or lose by some error, offense, or crime
  419. forge
    create by hammering
  420. forgery
    criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument
  421. forte
    an asset of special worth or utility
  422. forthright
    directly and without evasion; not roundabout
  423. foster
    providing nurture though not related by blood or legal ties
  424. fragile
    easily broken or damaged or destroyed
  425. frantic
    marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
  426. fraternal
    like or characteristic of or befitting a brother
  427. fraudulent
    intended to deceive
  428. fray
    wear away by rubbing
  429. frenzied
    affected with or marked by mania uncontrolled by reason
  430. fret
    be agitated or irritated
  431. fringe
    an ornamental border of short lengths of hanging threads
  432. frolicsome
    given to merry play
  433. frugal
    avoiding waste
  434. futile
    producing no result or effect
  435. gala
    a lavish public entertainment or celebration
  436. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
  437. gallant
    having or displaying great dignity or nobility
  438. galvanise
    stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
  439. gambol
    play or run boisterously
  440. gamut
    a complete extent or range
  441. gape
    look with amazement
  442. garish
    tastelessly showy
  443. garment
    an article of clothing
  444. garnish
    decorate, as with parsley or other ornamental foods
  445. gasket
    seal consisting of a ring for packing pistons or sealing a pipe joint
  446. gasp
    a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
  447. gawk
    look with amazement
  448. gawky
    awkward and clumsy in movement or posture
  449. generic
    relating to or applicable to an entire class or group
  450. genteel
    marked by refinement in taste and manners
  451. gentry
    the most powerful members of a society
  452. gesticulate
    show, express, or direct through movement
  453. gibe
    laugh at with contempt and derision
  454. gild
    decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold
  455. girth
    the distance around something, especially a person's body
  456. gist
    the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
  457. gleam
    a flash of light
  458. glib
    artfully persuasive in speech
  459. glimmer
    a flash of light
  460. gloss
    the property of being smooth and shiny
  461. gnarled
    old and twisted and covered in lines
  462. gnaw
    bite or chew on with the teeth
  463. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
  464. gorge
    a deep ravine, usually with a river running through it
  465. gouge
    an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
  466. grave
    a place for the burial of a corpse
  467. gravel
    rock fragments and pebbles
  468. graze
    feed as in a meadow or pasture
  469. grievous
    causing or marked by grief or anguish
  470. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
  471. grit
    small coarse bits of stone, sand, or gravel
  472. grovel
    show submission or fear
  473. grueling
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
  474. grumpy
    annoyed and irritable
  475. guild
    a formal association of people with similar interests
  476. guise
    an artful or simulated semblance
  477. gullible
    naive and easily deceived or tricked
  478. gush
    flow forth in a sudden stream or jet
  479. gust
    a strong current of air
Created on Thu Sep 26 10:24:26 EDT 2013 (updated Wed Oct 16 11:06:46 EDT 2013)

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