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Words (Nouns)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| ABERRATION | a deviation from the standard; not typical |
| ACCESS | a means of approach or admittance (e.g., to an area or organization) |
| ACCORD | agreement |
| ADAGE | wise proverb or saying (e.g., "too soon old, too late smart") |
| ADVERSARY | enemy; opponent |
| ADVOCATE | one who speaks in favor of or on behalf of another |
| AFFLUENCE | wealth or abundance |
| AGENDA | list of items to discuss or to accomplish |
| ALACRITY | cheerful williness or ready response |
| ALIAS | an assumed name or pseudodym, used for purposes of deception, as a pen name, or the like |
| ALLUSION | an indirect reference to something else, especially in leterature; a hint |
| AMITY | friendship |
| ANARCHY | lawlessness, disorder; a loack of government control or effectiveness |
| ANEDOTE | a brief, entertaining story |
| ANIMOSITY | bitter hostility or open hatred |
| ANOMALY | an abnormality or irregularity |
| ANTHOLOGY | collection of writings, songs, or other creative works |
| APATHY | indifference or lack of caring |
| APEX | highest point (e.g., of a triangle) |
| ARBITER | one who decides; a judge |
| ATLAS | book of maps |
| AUDACITY | boldness |
| AVARICE | greed, desire for wealth |
| AWE | deep feeling of respect and wonder |
| BASTION | stronghold, fortress, fortified place against opposition |
| BEACON | a guiding light to show the way or mark a spot |
| BENEDICTION | blessing; often a benediction is given at the end of an event, ceremony, or religious service |
| BIAS | prejudice or tendency in a certain direction; literally, a slant ot tilt |
| BIGOT | a person who is prejudiced against someone else because of their race, skin color, religion, gender, and so forth; also a person who is intolerant of others with different opinions or beliefs |
| BLASPHEMY | an insult to something held sacred |
| BLEMISH | defect, stain, or flaw that takes away from the quality of the rest of the area or item |
| BANDAGE | slavery |
| BOON | benefit or gift |
| BRAWL | a noisy fight |
| BREVITY | shortness, conciseness |
| BROCHURE | pamphlet |
| BULWARK | strong protection or barrier to enemy attacks |
| CACOPHONY | a harsh or unpleaseant mixture of sounds, vocies, or words |
| CALIBER | literally refers to size; the caliber or size of a bullet is reffered to in hundredths of an inch, so a .50 calibar bullet is half an inch in diameter as the base; also used figuratively when referring to the quality of something/one |
| CAMOUFLAGE | something that conceals people of things from the enemy by making them blend into their surroundings |
| CASTE | socail class or category |
| CATASTROPHE | sudden disater |
| CHAGRIN | embarassment or disappointment |
| CHRONICLE | historical record or listing, usually in sequential, chronological order |
| CLAMOR | uproar |
| CLEMENCY | mercy (e.g., on a prisoner or criminal) |
| CONDOLENCE | expression of sympathy to one who has sufferd a loss |
| CONNOISSEUR | an expert judge of the best of something, such as wine, food, painting, etc |
| CONSENSUS | general or group agreement |
| CONTEXT | the words or ideas surrounding one particular word or idea that give clues or contribute depth to the word's meaning |
| CONUNDRUM | a perplexing puzzle or riddle |
| CRITERION | standard of judgement or comparison |
| CRUX | the essential point or central part |
| CYNIC | one who mocks or disbelieves the good intentions or values of others; one who believes people are motivated only by selfishness |
| DATA | facts or information |
| DEARTH | scarcity or lack of something |
| DEBACLE | large-scale defeat or complete failure |
| DEBUT | first appearence, especially before an audience |
| DEFERENCE | conceding to another's desire or will; respect or courtesy |
| DELUGE | great flood or overwhelming inflow |
| DEPOT | warehouse., large storage place |
| DEPRAVITY | moral corruption |
| DESTINY | predetermined fate |
| DETRIMENT | damage, loss, or disadvantage |
| DIAGNOSIS | analysis or determination of the cause of a disease or problem |
| CHRONOLOGY | an order or listing of events, either written or spoken, in the order in which they happened |
| DICTION | the way in which words are used by a speaker |
| DISCERNMENT | insight, ability to see things |
| DISDAIN | arrogant scorn or contempt |
| DILEMMA | situation requiring a choice between two or more deeply held values, or between two or more possibly upleasant courses of action |
| DIN | loud, pervasive, continuos noise |
| DIRECTIVE | a general order or instruction |
| DISCORD | disagreement, often noisy |
| DISCREPANCY | inconsistency or error |
| DISCRETION | freedom of choice; also refers to a judicious reserve in one's spech or behavior |
| DISSENT | difference of opinion, especially from a widely held opinion |
| DROUGHT | long period of dry weather or conditions |
| EFFLUVIUM | a disagreeable or bad-smelling vapor or gas |
| EGOTIST | self-centered person |
| ELITE | a part of the whole that is considered to be at or near the top |
| ENIGMA | mystry |
| ENTERPRISE | an important project or self-suffiicient orgnization |
| ENVIRONMENT | general surroundings, either physical or referring to influences |
| EPITOME | a top-level representation of a quality, usually a virute (e.g., "June is the epitome of beauty and wisdom") |
| EPOCH | a particular period of history, especially one regarded in some way as remarkable or significant |
| ERA | a period of time, usually of significant length, identified by particular conditions, events, or the influence of a person or group |
| ESSENCE | basic nature |
| ETIQUETTE | generally accepted rules of a social behavior and manners |
| EXCERPT | passage quoted from a book or other document |
| EXODUS | departure, usually referring to a group or large numbers |
| EXPOSITION | an explanation or expounding |
| FACET | a side or aspet of a problem or situation; also refers to a particular angled cut of a diamond or other precious stone |
| FACSIMILE | exact copy or representation |
| FALLACY | mistaken or erroneous idea, assumption, or conclusion |
| FANTASY | imagined scenario or situation |
| FERVOR | passion or enthusiasm |
| FEUD | long-term disagrement or open hatred between individuals or groups |
| FIASCO | disater or complete failure |
| FIEND | cruel, hateful person |
| FINALE | the last part of a performance |
| FLAIR | natural-seeming talent or style |
| FLAW | defect or imperfection |
| FOCUS | central point |
| FOE | enemy, adversary, opponent |
| FORMAT | arrangement, especially of a document, book, or audiovisual presentation |
| FORTE | an area in which a person excels |
| FORTITUDE | steady courage or strength |
| FORUM | a gathering or place where ideas or situations are discussed |
| FOYER | the entrance hall to a building or dwelling |
| FRAUD | deliberate deception, especially an illegal one |
| FRICTION | the surfae of one object rubbing against another |
| FUNCTION | the purpose served by a person, object, or organzation |
| FUROR | an outburst of excitement or disagreement |
| GAMUT | an entire range or spectrum of possible outcomes or conditions |
| GENESIS | beginning or origin |
| GENRE | a class or category, especially when refering to arts or entertainment |
| GIST | essential content, central idea |
| GLUTTON | one who overeats or indulges in anything to excess |
| GRIEVANCE | a complaint made against an individual or an organization; also a grude held over a period of time |
| GUILE | cunning, deceit, duplicity |
| HAVOC | great damage, destruction, or confusion |
| HAZARD | danger or risk of injury |
| HERESY | an opinion directly opposed to established beliefs, especially in a religious sense |
| HERITAGE | historical family, cultural, or organizational set of traditions, customs, and/or values; also can refer to an inferitance ofeither real property or traditions |
| HINDRANCE | obstacle or delaying obstrution |
| HOAX | deliberate attempt to trick someone, either as a joke or seriously |
| HORDE | multitude, great mass of people |
| HORIZON | farthest limit, usually referring to vision, knowledge, or experience |
| HUE | shade of color |
| HYSTERIA | excessive or uncontrollable fear or other strong emotion |
| IDIOM | a regional or group jargon, dialect, or manner of speech; can also mean a phrase or expression that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the words that make it up |
| ILLUSION | an idea or impresion that differs from reality |
| IMAGE | the likenes or reflected or interpreted impression of a person, object, or locale; can also refer to the general group of perceptions surrounding a person |
| IMPETUS | moving force or starting idea |
| INCENTIVE | motivation or benefit to doing something |
| INCUMBENT | present holder of an office or position |
| INCURSION | a hostile invasion |
| INDOLENCE | laziness |
| INFIRMITY | physical disease, injury, or defect |
| INFLUX | a flowing in of a substance, as of a wave or a flood |
| INFRACTION | violation of a rule, regulation, or law |
| INITIATIVE | desre, idea, or ability to take the first step in carrying out some action |
| INNOVATION | a new or impoved way of doing something |
| INTEGRITY | moral and intellectual honesty and forthrightness; also refers to the quality of a structure or object to hold together |
| INTERIM | a period of time between one event, process, or period and antother |
| INTERLUDE | a short feature or period of time coming between two other, longer events (such as acts of a play or movements of an oper) or time periods |
| INTRIGUE | secret plot or scheme |
| INTUITION | knowledge or conclusion ontained through instinct or feeling rather than conscious thought |
| INVECTIVE | insulting or abusive speech |
| IOTA | a very small amount or piece |
| IRONY | a significant and often unexpected difference between what might be expected and what actually occurs; also, the conscious use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning |
| ITINERARY | agenda or schedule of events or places visited during a trip |
| JEOPARDY | risk of danger or harm |
| KEYNOTE | main theme or idea, usually referring to the main speech at a convention or the like |
| LARCENY | theft, usually small |
| LAYMAN | a "regular" person who is not a member of a particular professional or technical specialty |
| LEGACY | material or spiritual inheritance of heritage; can also refer to the historical perceptions of someone after they have left their office or position of responsibility |
| LEGEND | unverified stories handed down from earlier times, can also refer to a person of great fame or reputation |
| LEGION | a large number of people; sometimes historically used as a designation |
| LETHARGY | sluggishnes, laziness, drowsiness |
| LEVEE | a raised embankment designed to prevent flooding from a river or other body of water |
| LEVITY | lightness, frivolity |
| LIAISON | contact or coordination bwtween two or more individuals or groups |
| LITIGATION | legal proceeding |
| LORE | body or traditional or historical knowledge |
| MALADY | disease or illness |
| MANEUVER | movement of a unit or individual to achieve a goal |
| MANIA | abnormal concentration on or enthusiasm for something |
| MARATHON | a footrace of 26 miles and 385 yards |
| MAVERICK | a person who acts independently instead of in conformance with common organizational or expected behavior |
| MAXIM | an adage or proverb prescribing a rule or method of conduct, as in, "measure twice, cut once" |
| MEDIUM | means of communication of presentation (e.g., radio, telephone, television, etc.); plural is media |
| MEMENTO | object that commemorates or reminds someone of a past event |
| METROPOLIS | a very large city |
| MILIEU | surrounding, environment |
| MORALE | the state of mind or attitude of an individual or group, usually in reference to how that attitude will either positively or negatively affect the future actions or sucess of that person or group |
| MORES | established customs or values of a group or segment of society |
| MULTITUDE | large number of something |
| MYRIAD | a vast number or great multitude of something, usually implying wide variations within that group |
| MYTH | a traditional story, usually attempting to explain a natural condition or occurrence, often involving supernatural influences |
| NEGLIGENCE | careless |
| NEOPHYTE | a beginner |
| NICHE | literally, a recess in a wall for holding a statue or other ornament; figuratively, an appropriate activity or situation that is especially well suited to a person's abilities or character |
| NOMAD | wander |
| NOSTALGIA | desire to return to a past experience or situation |
| OASIS | an isolated place or area of comfort surrounded by desolation or barrenness |
| OBJECTIVE | a goal |
| OBLIVION | a condition of complete ignorance, forgetfulness, or unawareness |
| OBSCURE | unclear, clouded, partially hidden |
| ODYSSEY | a long journey, usually involving significant challenges or obstacles; derived from the mythic ten-year journey home of Odysseus after the Trojan War chronicled in Homer's epic Greek poem " The Odyssey" |
| OMEN | a sign or event believed to foretell the future |
| OPTIMUM | the best possible condition or combination of factors |
| OVATION | applause of an audience, or any enthusiastically positive reception accompanied by applause |
| OVERSIGHT | an omission through error or carelessness; also can refer to a situation where one person or group supervises the activities of another, usually loosely |
| OVERTURE | first step, usually one that is intended to lead to others in action or discussion |
| PANACEA | a cure for all problems or diseases |
| PANORAMA | an unobstructed view of a wide area |
| PARADOX | a statement that contradicts or appears to contradict itself |
| PARSIMONY | stinginess or overzealous desire to be thrifty |
| PARTISAN | one who supports a particular cause, person, or idea, in a country occupied by an enemy, a partisan is one who opposes the occupying enemy by acts of defiance or sabotage |
| PASTIME | a way of spending leisure time |
| PATHOLOGY | the science of diseases; any deviation from a normal, healthy condition |
| PAUCITY | scarcity of a resource or condition |
| PAUPER | a very poor person |
| PEDAGOGUE | a strict, overly academic teacher or speaker |
| PEER | an equal in age, social standing, professional rank, or ability |
| PHENOMENON | an unusual, noticeable, or outstanding occurrence that is directly perceived by the senses or by results |
| PHILANTHROPY | love of mankind, usually exemplified by donations to charitable causes |
| PHOBIA | an unreasonable fear of something |
| PHYSIQUE | the build or physical condition of a human body |
| PILGRIMAGE | long journey to some place or condition worthy of respect or devotion |
| PINNACLE | highest point |
| PITFALL | trap or obstacle for the unwary |
| PITTANCE | very small amount, usually referring to money |
| PLATEAU | an elevated, relatively level expanse of land; also can refer toa leveling-off of progress or results |
| PLIGHT | an unfavorable condition or situation |
| POISE | calm and controlled behavior |
| POPULACE | the people living in a certain area; can also refer to "common" people, i.e., middle- and lower-class citizens |
| POSTERITY | future descendants or generations |
| PRECEDENT | event or law that serves as an example for later action |
| PREDECESSOR | someone or something that came before another |
| PREDICAMENT | unpleasant problem or situation, usually one that is difficult to escape |
| PREFACE | introductory statement or passage to a book, speech, or other communication |
| PRELUDE | something that is preliminary to some act or event that is more important |
| PREMISE | a statement or assumption from which a conclusion is drawn |
| PREMIUM | best quality; can also refer to an amount added to the usual price or payment |
| PRESTIGE | respect or status achieved through achievement or rank |
| PRETEXT | a reason given as a cover-up for the real purpose for an action |
| PRIORITY | something that comes before others in significance or importance |
| PROBITY | integrity, uprightness, honesty |
| PROCESS | a system or design for accomplishing a goal or objective |
| PRODIGY | an extremely talented or gifted child |
| PROPINQUITY | nearness |
| PROPRIETY | good manners, appropriately respectful and reserved behavior |
| PROSPECT | possibility for the future |
| PROVISO | a requirement that something specific is done, usually in writing |
| PROWESS | strength or superior ability |
| PROXIMITY | nearness |
| PSEUDONYM | an assumed name, usually a "pen name" taken by an author (e.g., Mark Twain was the pseudonym used by Samuel Clemens) |
| PUN | a play on words that depends on two or more different meanings or sounds of the same word or phrase |
| PUNDIT | a knowledgeable person in a particular field; can also refer to a commentator who publicizes his opinions, whether or not he is actually an expert in that field |
| QUAGMIRE | literally, a bog or swamp that impedes movement or in which people or vehicles could be struck or mired; figuratively, a difficult or dangerous situation from which there is limited hope of escape |
| QUALM | doubt or unease about some action or situation |
| QUANDARY | deep uncertainty or indecision about a choice between two or more courses of action; a dilemma |
| QUERY | a question or request for information |
| RAMPART | a fortification; bulwark or defense against attack |
| RAPPORT | a harmonious or mutually trusting relationship |
| RARITY | something that is infrequent or not commonly encountered |
| REFUGE | a place to which one can go for protection or separation from difficulty |
| REMNANT | remaining of left-over part of something |
| REMORSE | regret or guilt |
| RENAISSANCE (also RENASCENCE) | a rebirth or revival; a "Renaissance man" is one who is skilled in many different areas of learning |
| RENDEZVOUS | a meeting or location for a meting |
| RENOWN | fame or wide acclaim, especially for accomplishments or skill |
| REPLICA | an exact copy or facsimile of something, although it may only be proportionate and not the same size |
| REPRIMAND | a=s=serve scolding or rebuke, usually from a superior to a subordinate |
| REPRISAL | retaliation for real or perceived injuries; often implies giving back more than was originally received |
| REPROBATE | a wicked, sinful, depraved person |
| RESERVE(S) | a fighting force kept uncommitted until the need arises |
| RESIDUE | the remainder of something after removal of a part; usually implies a small amount left, perhaps in a container, after the majority is removed |
| RESOURCES | asets that are available for use, either material or spiritual |
| RESPITE | a temporary break, usually one that brings relief |
| RESUME | a written summary of work, education, and accomplishments, usually complied for purposes of getting a particular job |
| REVERENCE | a feeling of great respect, usually religious in nature |
| ROSTER | list of names (e.g., of organization members, students in a class, etc.) |
| SABOTAGE | deliberate damage to facilities or equipment belonging to an enemy, usually performed by spies or an underground movement within an occupied country |
| SAGA | a long story or tale, usually involving heroic deeds |
| SALUTATION | a written or spoken greeting; also can refer to a person's title, such as Dr., Mr., Mrs., etc. |
| SANCTION | approval, usually by a higher authority; can also mean a penalty for breaking a law or rule |
| SARCASM | cutting or insulting ironic remarks |
| SATIRE | criticism of someone or something by seeming approval cast in a light o taken to an extreme that makes the subject appear ridiculous |
| SCAPEGOAT | someone who is blamed, usually unjustly for the mistakes or misdeeds of others |
| SCENT | distinctive aroma or smell |
| SCOPE | the complete area or extent of action or thought |
| SCROLL | a roll of paper or parchment with writing |
| SECT | a group of people having the same beliefs, usually religious; often has a slight to severe negative connotation |
| SEMBLANCE | outward appearance |
| SEQUEL | something that follows from what has happened before (e.g., a novel or movie) |
| SHAM | a false imitation; slang, refers to avoiding work, sometimes by pretense |
| SHEAF | a bundle, usually either of papers or gain |
| SHEEN | shine or luster (e.g., of polished furniture) |
| SILHOUETTE | the outline of a person or object, usually without observable details because of low lighting |
| SITE | a location |
| SLANDER | spoken untruth that damages one's reputation |
| SLOGAN | motto or saying that sums up an individual or group's attitude |
| SLOPE | the angle of a surface that is neither vertical nor horizontal; measured between 0 and 90 degrees |
| SNARE | trap |
| SOLACE | comfort after loss of disappointment |
| SPONSOR | one who supports and approves of a person or activity; implies that the sponsor is at a higher level of status or authority that the sponsored person or group |
| STAGNATION | motionless or inactivity |
| STAMINA | endurance; physical or mental ability to withstand fatigue |
| STANZA | a section of a poem or song; a verse |
| STATURE | a height, measured either physically or in respect |
| STATUS | social or professional standing or level |
| STIGMA | mark or perception of disgrace or bad reputation |
| STIMULUS | an encouragement to act or react |
| STRATEGY | planing and coordination aimed at achieving a goal or objective; a way to get something done |
| STRIFE | conflict, disagreement, contention |
| SUMMIT | the highest point (e.g., of a mountain or a career) |
| SUPPLEMENT | an amount added to complete something |
| SURVEY | a general study of a topic or issue |
| SUSPENSE | tenseness brought on by uncertainty about an outcome; can also refer to a deadline |
| SYCOPHANT | one who flatters a superior in hope of getting preferential treatment |
| SYMBOL | a design or insignia that represents something, usually a value, action, or group identity |
| SYMPTOM | indication of a problem, usually referring to a disease or illness |
| SYNOPSIS | brief summary |
| SYNTHESIS | the combining of part to form a whole, especially referring to ideas or procedures |
| TACIT | silent or unspoken (e.g., "His brief grin constituted his tacit approval."); implied |
| TACT | the ability to communicate without causing offense, especially an unpleasant message |
| TACTICS | specific actions used to achieve a purpose or accomplish an objective; in military terms, maneuvers by small or lower-level units in contact with the enemy |
| TALLY | a record of an account or score; any list that involves counting or enumeration |
| TECHNIQUE | a method or specific way of doing something |
| TEMERITY | recklessness, audacity; boldness verging on foolhardines |
| TEMPERAMENT | overall attitude, disposition, or character |
| TEMPO | the pace or speed of an activity or series of activities |
| TENSION | mental or emotional strain, usually brought on by perceived or actual problems or conflicts |
| THEME | the main topic, as of a written work, movie, show, speech, etc. |
| THRESHOLD | the starting point of any activity; literally, the line that separates one area (such as a room or house) from another |
| THRIFT | an ability or desire to spend money wisely, to get the most value possible |
| TIMBRE | the quality of a sound, independent of pitch and volume |
| TINT | a shade of a color |
| TOKEN | a sign or object that signifies greater feeling or whole (e.g., "a token of respect") |
| TRADITION | customs and beliefs common to a group that are passed down through time |
| TRAIT | characteristic or distinguishing feature |
| TRANSITION | movement from one condition or situation to another; implies some degree of change or transformation |
| TREPIDATION | fear, apprehension |
| TRIBUNAL | a place of judgement, usually legal in nature |
| TRIBUTE | a demonstration of respect or gratitude |
| TURMOIL | disturbance or upheaval |
| TURPITUDE | shameful wickedness or depravity |
| TUTOR | a private teacher, often for a student who needs extra or specialized help in a particular academic area |
| TYCOON | a very wealthy and powerful business leader |
| ULTIMATUM | a final demand or condition (e.g., :Get the dog out of the house or I'm leaving!") |
| UPHEAVAL | conflict or disturbance, usually characterized by changes in group membership, leadership, or goals |
| UTENSIL | an implement or tool to help the user accomplish something |
| UTOP{IA | an ideal place or society, usually regarded as unachievable |
| VALOR | courage, heroism |
| VENTURE | a project or enterprise, usually one involving some degree of risk, although not necessarily physical risk |
| VICINITY | local area |
| VICTOR | winner |
| VIGOR | vitality or energy |
| VISIONARY | one with lofty, revolutionary, or sometimes impractical goals or ideas about the future |
| VOLITION | will or conscious choice |
| VOW | solemn pledge or promise |
| WAGER | bet |
| WELTER | confused mass; commotion or turmoil |
| WHIM | impulsive idea or desire, usually not thought out |
| WOE | great trouble or sorrow |
| WRATH | intense anger or fury |
| ZEAL | eager desire or enthusiasm |
| ZENITH | highest point |
| ZEST | enthusiasm |
Created by:
abhill12
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