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GRE MINIDICTIONARY

This Minidictionary provides you with the definitions of many common GRE words. Use this list not only when you work with the vocabulary exercises but whenever you encounter an unfamiliar word anywhere-such as in released tests or everyday reading.

ABANDON (n) total lack of inhibition

ABASE to humble, disgrace

ABASH to embarrass

ABDICATE to give up a position, right, or power

ABERRANT atypical, not normal

ABERRATION something different from the usual or normal

ABEYANCE temporary suppression or suspension

ABHOR to loathe, detest

ABJECT miserable, pitiful

ABJURE to reject, abandon formally

ABLUTION act of cleansing

ABNEGATE to deny, renounce

ABOLITIONIST one who opposes the practice of slavery

ABORTIVE interrupted while incomplete

ABRIDGE to condense, shorten

ABROGATE to abolish or invalidate by authority ABRUPT sudden, unexpected

ABSCOND to depart secretly

ABSOLVE to forgive, free from blame

ABSTAIN to refrain deliberately from something

ABSTEMIOUS moderate in appetite

ABSTRACT (adj) theoretical; complex, difficult

ABSTRUSE difficult to comprehend

ABUT to touch, to be in contact with

ABYSS an extremely great depth

ACCEDE to express approval; agree to

Test 1 through 25 A words

ACCESSIBLE attainable, available; approachable

ACCESSORY attachment, ornament; accomplice, partner

ACCLAIM praise

ACCOLADE praise, distinction

ACCORD to reconcile, come to an agreement

ACCOST to approach and speak to someone

ACCRETION growth in size or increase in amount

ACCRUE to accumulate, grow by additions

ADVERSE unfavorable, unlucky, harmful

ADVOCATE to speak in favor of

AERIAL having to do with the air

AERIE nook or nest built high in the air

AERODYNAMIC relating to objects moving through the air

AESTHETIC pertaining to beauty or art

AFFABLE friendly, easy to approach

AFFECTED (adj) pretentious, phony

AFFINITY fondness, liking; similarity

AFFLUENT rich, abundant

AFFRONT (n) personal offense, insult

ACERBIC bitter, sharp in taste or temper

ACIDULOUS sour in taste or manner

ACME highest point, summit

ACQUIESCE to agree, comply quietly

ACQUITTAL release from blame

ACRID harsh, bitter

ACRIMONY bitterness, animosity

Test 26 through 50 A words

ACUITY sharpness

ACUMEN sharpness of insight

ACUTE sharp, pointed

ADAGE old saying or proverb

ADAMANT uncompromising, unyielding

ADAPT to accommodate, adjust

ADHERE to cling or to follow without deviation

ADJACENT next to

ADJUNCT something added, attached, or joined

ADMONISH to caution or reprimand

ADROIT skillful, accomplished, highly competent

ADULATION high praise

ADULTERATE to corrupt or make impure

ADUMBRATE to sketch, outline in a shadowy way

ADVANTAGEOUS favorable, useful

ADVENTITIOUS accidental

AGENDA plan, schedule

AGGRANDIZE to make larger or greater in power

AGGREGATE (n) collective mass or sum; total

AGGRIEVE to afflict, distress

AGILE well coordinated, nimble

AGRARIAN relating to farming or rural matters

ALACRITY cheerful willingness, eagerness; speed

ALCHEMY medieval chemical philosophy based on quest to change metal into gold

ALGORITHM mechanical problem-solving procedure

Test 51 through 75 A words

ALIAS assumed name

ALIENATED distanced, estranged

ALIGNED precisely adjusted; committed to one side or party

ALLEGORY symbolic representation

ALLEVIATE to relieve, improve partially

ALLITERATION repetition of the beginning sounds of words

ALLOCATION allowance, portion, share

ALLURE (v) to entice by charm; attract

ALLUSION indirect reference

ALLUSIVENESS quality of making many indirect references

ALOOF detached, indifferent

ALTERCATION noisy dispute

ALTRUISM unselfish concern for others' welfare

AMBIDEXTROUS able to use both hands equally well

AMBIGUOUS uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations

AMBIVALENCE attitude of uncertainty; conflicting emotions

AMBULATORY itinerant; related to walking around

AMELIORATE to make better, improve

AMENABLE agreeable, cooperative

AMEND to improve or correct flaws in

AMENITY pleasantness; something increasing comfort

AMIABLE friendly, pleasant, likable

AMICABLE friendly, agreeable

AMITY friendship

Test 76 through 100 A words

Test 1 through 100 A words

AMORAL unprincipled, unethical

AMOROUS strongly attracted to love; showing love

AMORPHOUS having no definite form

AMORTIZE to diminish by installment payments

AMPHIBIAN (n) creature equally at home on land or in water

AMPHITHEATER arena theater with rising tiers around a central open space

AMPLE abundant, plentiful

AMPLIFY to increase, intensify

AMULET ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits

ANACHRONISM something chronologically inappropriate

ANACHRONISTIC outdated

ANALGESIA a lessening of pain

ANALOGOUS comparable, parallel

ANATHEMA ban, curse; something shunned or disliked

ANCILLARY accessory, subordinate, helping

ANECDOTE short, usually funny account of an event

ANGULAR characterized by sharp angles; lean and gaunt

ANIMATION enthusiasm, excitement

ANIMOSITY hatred, hostility

ANNUL to cancel, nullify, declare void, or make legally invalid

ANODYNE something that calms or soothes pain

ANOINT to apply oil to, esp. as a sacred rite

ANOMALY irregularity or deviation from the norm

ANONYMITY condition of having no name or an unknown name

ANTECEDENT (adj) coming before in place or time

Test 101 through 125 A words

ANTEDATE dated prior to the actual occurrence

ANTEDILUVIAN prehistoric, ancient beyond measure

ANTERIOR preceding, previous, before, prior (to)

ANTHOLOGY collection of literary works

ANTHROPOMORPHIC attributing human qualities to nonhumans

ANTIPATHY dislike, hostility; extreme opposition or aversion

ANTIQUATED outdated, obsolete

ANTIQUITY ancient times; the quality of being old or ancient

ANTITHESIS exact opposite or direct contrast

APACE done quickly

APATHETIC indifferent, unconcerned

APATHY lack of feeling or emotion

APERTURE an opening or hole

APHASIA inability to speak or use words

APHELION point in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sun

APHORISM old saying or short pithy statement

APLOMB poise, confidence

APOCRYPHAL not genuine; fictional

APOSTATE (n) one who renounces a religious faith

APOSTROPHE speech to the reader or someone not present; a superscript sign (')

Test 126 through 146 A words

APOTHEGM a short, instructive saying

APOTHEOSIS glorification; glorified ideal

APPEASE to satisfy, placate, calm, pacify

APPEND to attach

APPLAUSE praise

APPRAISE to evaluate the value of something

APPREHENSION the act of comprehending; fear, foreboding

APPRISE to give notice of; inform

APPROBATION praise; official approval

APPROPRIATE (v) to take possession of

AQUATIC belonging or living in water

ARABLE suitable for cultivation

ARBITRARY depending solely on individual will; inconsistent

ARBITRATOR mediator, negotiator

ARBOREAL relating to trees; living in trees

ARBORETUM place where trees are displayed and studied

ARCANE secret, obscure, known only to a few

ARCHAIC antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated

ARCHIPELAGO large group of islands

ARDENT passionate, enthusiastic, fervent

ARDOR great emotion or passion

ARDUOUS extremely difficult, laborious

ARID extremely dry or deathly boring

ARRAIGN to call to court to answer a charge

Test 147 through 170 A words

ARSENAL ammunition storehouse

ARTICULATE (adj) well-spoken, expressing oneself clearly

ARTIFACT historical relic, item made by human craft

ARTISAN craftsperson; expert

ARTLESS open and honest ASCEND to rise or climb

ASCENDANCY state of rising, ascending; power or control

ASCERTAIN to determine, discover, make certain of

ASCETIC (adj) self-denying, abstinent, austere

ASCRIBE to attribute to, assign

ASHEN resembling ashes; deathly pale

ASININE lacking intelligence or sound judgment

ASKANCE scornfully

ASKEW crooked, tilted

ASOCIAL unable or unwilling to interact socially

ASPERITY harshness, roughness

ASPERSION false rumor, damaging report, slander

ASPIRE to have great hopes; to aim at a goal

ASSAIL to attack, assault

ASSAY to analyze or estimate

ASSENT (v) to express agreement

ASSERT to affirm, attest

ASSIDUOUS diligent, persistent, hardworking

ASSIGNATION appointment for lovers' meeting; assignment

ASSIMILATION act of blending in, becoming similar

ASSONANCE resemblance in sound, especially in vowel sounds; partial rhyme

ASSUAGE to make less severe, ease, relieve

ASTRAL exalted, elevated in position; relating to the stars

Test 171 through 196 A words

ASTRINGENT harsh, severe, stern

ASTUTE having good judgment

ASUNDER (adv) into different parts

ASYMMETRICAL not corresponding in size, shape, position, etcetera

ATONE to make amends for a wrong

ATROCIOUS monstrous, shockingly bad, wicked

ATROPHY (v) to waste away, wither from disuse

ATTAIN to accomplish, gain

ATTENUATE to make thin or slender; weaken

ATTEST to testify, stand as proof of, bear witness

AUDACIOUS bold, daring, fearless

AUDIBLE capable of being heard

AUDIT (n) formal examination of financial records

AUDITORY having to do with hearing

AUGMENT to expand, extend

AUGURY (adj) prophecy, prediction of events

AUGUST dignified, awe-inspiring, venerable

AUSPICIOUS having favorable prospects, promising

AUSTERE stern, strict, unadorned

AUTHORITARIAN extremely strict, bossy

AUTOCRAT dictator

AUTONOMOUS separate, independent

AVENGE to retaliate, take revenge for an injury or crime

AVER to declare to be true, affirm

AVERSE being disinclined toward something