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Vocab Video Contest (2016) - List 3

Vocabulary.com and the New York Times Learning Network have teamed up to launch a Vocabulary Video contest. Just create a short (15 seconds or less) video that defines or teaches any of the words in the Times' Word of the Day collection, post it online, and submit a link to your video in the comments section of the announcement. Click on these links to learn more about the eligible words: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, and List 6.
250 words 14 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. expansive
    able or tending to extend in one or more directions
  2. expenditure
    the act of spending money for goods or services
  3. expletive
    profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  4. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
  5. expropriate
    deprive of possessions
  6. extenuate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or degree of
  7. extort
    obtain by coercion or intimidation
  8. extradition
    surrender of an accused by one state or country to another
  9. extrapolate
    draw from specific cases for more general cases
  10. extrinsic
    not forming an essential part of a thing
  11. exuberance
    joyful enthusiasm
  12. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
  13. faction
    a dissenting clique
  14. factitious
    not produced by natural forces; artificial or fake
  15. fallacious
    containing or based on incorrect reasoning
  16. fallible
    wanting in moral strength, courage, or will
  17. fallow
    left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
  18. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
  19. fanaticism
    excessive intolerance of opposing views
  20. fancy
    not plain; decorative or ornamented
  21. fancier
    a person having a strong liking for something
  22. febrile
    of or relating to or characterized by fever
  23. fecundity
    the state of being fertile or capable of producing offspring
  24. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
  25. feint
    any distracting or deceptive maneuver
  26. felon
    someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
  27. feral
    wild and menacing
  28. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
  29. festive
    offering fun and gaiety
  30. fete
    an elaborate party, often outdoors
  31. fetter
    a shackle for the ankles or feet
  32. fiat
    a legally binding command or decision
  33. fickle
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  34. fictitious
    formed or conceived by the imagination
  35. fidelity
    the quality of being faithful
  36. figurative
    not literal
  37. filch
    make off with belongings of others
  38. filibuster
    a tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches
  39. filigree
    delicate and intricate ornamentation
  40. filing
    the entering of a legal document into the public record
  41. finale
    the closing section of a musical composition
  42. finite
    bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  43. firebrand
    a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
  44. fissure
    a long narrow depression in a surface
  45. fleck
    a small contrasting part of something
  46. fleece
    outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
  47. flick
    throw or toss with a quick motion
  48. flit
    move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
  49. floe
    a flat mass of ice drifting at sea
  50. florid
    elaborately or excessively ornamented
  51. flotsam
    the floating wreckage of a ship
  52. flounder
    move clumsily or struggle to move, as in mud or water
  53. fluency
    powerful and effective language
  54. fluke
    a stroke of luck
  55. foppish
    overly concerned with extreme elegance in dress and manner
  56. forensic
    used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
  57. forestall
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
  58. forgo
    do without or cease to hold or adhere to
  59. forswear
    formally reject or disavow
  60. fortitude
    strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
  61. fracas
    a noisy quarrel
  62. franchise
    a statutory right or privilege granted by a government
  63. frantic
    marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
  64. fraudulent
    intended to deceive
  65. fray
    wear away by rubbing
  66. fresco
    a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
  67. friction
    the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
  68. frieze
    an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band
  69. fritter
    fried batter containing meat, vegetables, or fruit
  70. frond
    compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
  71. frugality
    prudence in avoiding waste
  72. functionary
    a worker who holds or is invested with an office
  73. fundamental
    serving as an essential component
  74. furtive
    secret and sly
  75. gainsay
    take exception to
  76. gall
    a digestive juice secreted by the liver
  77. galleon
    a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts
  78. gambit
    a chess move in which the player sacrifices minor pieces
  79. gambol
    play or run boisterously
  80. gamely
    in a plucky or sporting manner
  81. gape
    look with amazement
  82. gastronomy
    the art and practice of preparing and eating good food
  83. gauche
    lacking social polish
  84. gaudy
    tastelessly showy
  85. gaunt
    very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
  86. gawk
    look with amazement
  87. generality
    the quality of being widespread or having wide applicability
  88. generate
    bring into existence
  89. gentility
    elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
  90. gentry
    the most powerful members of a society
  91. gerontocracy
    a political system governed by old people
  92. gerrymander
    divide voting districts unfairly and to one's advantage
  93. gestate
    be pregnant with
  94. gesticulation
    a deliberate and vigorous motion of the hands or body
  95. ghastly
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
  96. giddy
    lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
  97. girth
    the distance around something, especially a person's body
  98. gist
    the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
  99. glacial
    relating to or derived from a slowly moving mass of ice
  100. glare
    be sharply reflected
  101. glimmer
    a flash of light
  102. gloat
    dwell on with satisfaction
  103. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
  104. glutinous
    having the sticky properties of an adhesive
  105. glutton
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
  106. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
  107. gory
    covered with blood
  108. gouge
    an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
  109. gourmand
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
  110. grandeur
    the quality of being magnificent or splendid
  111. granulate
    form into grains
  112. grate
    reduce to shreds by rubbing against a perforated surface
  113. grievance
    a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment
  114. grotto
    a small cave, usually with attractive features
  115. grovel
    show submission or fear
  116. grudging
    petty or reluctant in giving or spending
  117. gruel
    a thin porridge
  118. gruff
    blunt and unfriendly or stern
  119. guffaw
    a burst of loud and hearty laughter
  120. guileless
    innocent and free of deceit
  121. guise
    an artful or simulated semblance
  122. gusto
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  123. habituate
    familiarize psychologically or physically
  124. hackles
    a feeling of anger and animosity
  125. hale
    exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
  126. hallucination
    illusory perception
  127. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  128. haughtiness
    overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
  129. hazardous
    involving risk or danger
  130. headstrong
    habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
  131. heckler
    someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and objections
  132. hegemony
    the dominance or leadership of one social group over others
  133. herbivorous
    feeding only on plants
  134. hermetic
    completely sealed or airtight
  135. hermitage
    the abode of a recluse
  136. heterodox
    characterized by departure from accepted standards
  137. heyday
    the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
  138. hilarity
    great merriment
  139. hinterland
    a remote and undeveloped area
  140. hireling
    a person who works only for money
  141. hoary
    having gray or white hair as with age
  142. homespun
    made of cloth woven in one's household
  143. hoodwink
    conceal one's true motives from
  144. horticultural
    of or relating to the cultivation of plants
  145. hubris
    overbearing pride or presumption
  146. hue and cry
    loud and persistent clamor or protest from many people
  147. humanitarian
    marked by devotion to popular welfare
  148. husbandry
    the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
  149. hypercritical
    inclined to judge too severely
  150. hypocritical
    professing feelings or virtues one does not have
  151. iconoclastic
    characterized by attack on established beliefs
  152. ideology
    an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group
  153. idiom
    expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words
  154. idyllic
    charmingly simple and serene
  155. igneous
    produced by the action of fire or intense heat
  156. ignite
    cause to start burning
  157. ignoble
    dishonorable in character or purpose
  158. ignominy
    a state of dishonor
  159. illimitable
    without restrictions in extent or size or quantity
  160. illusion
    an erroneous mental representation
  161. imbalance
    a lack of stability, evenness, or equilibrium
  162. imbroglio
    an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
  163. immolate
    kill as a sacrifice, especially by fire
  164. immune
    of the condition in which an organism can resist disease
  165. immutable
    not subject or susceptible to change or variation
  166. impale
    pierce with a sharp stake or point
  167. impassable
    incapable of being gone across or through
  168. impasse
    a situation in which no progress can be made
  169. impassive
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  170. impeach
    bring an accusation against
  171. impenetrable
    not admitting of passage into or through
  172. impenitent
    not remorseful
  173. imperceptible
    impossible or difficult to sense
  174. imperious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  175. impermeable
    preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
  176. impertinent
    improperly forward or bold
  177. impiety
    unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
  178. impious
    lacking piety or reverence for a god
  179. implausible
    highly imaginative but unlikely
  180. imply
    express or state indirectly
  181. impolitic
    lacking tact, shrewdness, or prudence
  182. imponderable
    difficult or impossible to evaluate with precision
  183. importunate
    making persistent or urgent requests
  184. imposture
    pretending to be another person
  185. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  186. improvident
    not supplying something useful for the future
  187. imprudent
    not sensible, responsible, or wise
  188. impudence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
  189. inadvertently
    without knowledge or intention
  190. inarticulate
    without or deprived of the use of speech or words
  191. incandescent
    emitting light as a result of being heated
  192. incantation
    a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical effect
  193. incarnation
    act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
  194. incisive
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
  195. incite
    provoke or stir up
  196. inclusive
    encompassing much or everything
  197. incompatible
    not in harmonious or agreeable combination
  198. incorrigible
    impervious to correction by punishment
  199. incubate
    grow under conditions that promote development
  200. incursion
    the act of entering some territory or domain
  201. indemnify
    secure against future loss, damage, or liability
  202. indeterminate
    not fixed or known in advance
  203. indicative
    pointing out or revealing clearly
  204. indisputable
    not open to question; obviously true
  205. indomitable
    impossible to subdue
  206. inductive
    influencing or causing to arise
  207. inert
    unable to move or resist motion
  208. infantile
    of or relating to babies
  209. infernal
    characteristic of or resembling Hell
  210. ingenuous
    lacking in sophistication or worldliness
  211. inimitable
    matchless
  212. injurious
    harmful to living things
  213. innuendo
    an indirect and usually malicious implication
  214. inopportune
    not suitable for a purpose
  215. inquisitor
    a questioner who is excessively harsh
  216. insightful
    exhibiting clear and deep perception
  217. insolence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
  218. insomnia
    an inability to sleep
  219. insouciant
    marked by unconcern
  220. insubordination
    defiance of authority
  221. insubstantial
    lacking material form
  222. insularity
    lack of openness to new ideas; narrow-mindedness
  223. insurgent
    in opposition to a civil authority or government
  224. intangible
    incapable of being perceived by the senses, especially touch
  225. integral
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
  226. intelligentsia
    an educated elite
  227. interdict
    command against
  228. intransigence
    stubborn refusal to compromise or change
  229. inured
    made tough by habitual exposure
  230. invalidate
    make no longer acceptable for use
  231. invective
    abusive language used to express blame or censure
  232. invocation
    the act of appealing for help
  233. invulnerable
    immune to attack; impregnable
  234. iota
    a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  235. iridescent
    varying in color when seen in different lights
  236. irony
    incongruity between what might be expected and what occurs
  237. irreconcilable
    impossible to bring into accord
  238. irrefutable
    impossible to deny or disprove
  239. irremediable
    impossible to correct or redress
  240. irreparable
    impossible to rectify or amend
  241. irresolute
    uncertain how to act or proceed
  242. irretrievable
    impossible to recover or recoup or overcome
  243. irreverence
    a mental attitude showing lack of due respect
  244. isotope
    atom with same atomic number, different number of neutrons
  245. isthmus
    a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas
  246. jargon
    technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
  247. jaunt
    a journey taken for pleasure
  248. jettison
    throw away, of something encumbering
  249. jibe
    shift from one side of the ship to the other
  250. jingoist
    an extreme bellicose nationalist
Created on January 20, 2016 (updated January 25, 2016)

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