500 Words That Belong in Your Reading Vocabulary
1) aberration
ˌabəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: aberration; plural noun: aberrations
1. a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one.
"they described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration"
synonyms:
anomaly, deviation, divergence, abnormality, irregularity, variation, digression, freak, rogue, rarity, quirk, oddity, curiosity, mistake More
"economists said the figure was an aberration"
abnormality, irregularity, eccentricity, deviation, transgression, straying, lapse, aberrancy
"it is possible that, in a moment of aberration, the parent may strike the child"
Biology
a characteristic that deviates from the normal type.
"colour aberrations"
synonyms:
disorder, defect, disease, irregularity, instability, derangement, vagary
"the experience might have been no more than a temporary aberration of an exhausted mind"
Optics
the failure of rays to converge at one focus because of a defect in a lens or mirror.
Astronomy
the apparent displacement of a celestial object from its true position, caused by the relative motion of the observer and the object.
Origin
late 16th century: from Latin aberratio(n- ), from aberrare ‘to stray’ (see aberrant).
2) abject
ˈabdʒɛkt/
adjective
adjective: abject
1. 1.
(of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree.
"his letter plunged her into abject misery"
(of a situation or condition) extremely unpleasant and degrading.
"the abject condition of the peasants"
synonyms:
wretched, miserable, hopeless, pathetic, pitiful, pitiable, piteous, stark, sorry, forlorn, woeful, lamentable, degrading, appalling, atrocious, awful
"many such families are living in abject poverty"
2. 2.
(of a person or their behaviour) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing.
"an abject apology"
synonyms:
obsequious, grovelling, crawling, creeping, fawning, toadyish, servile, cringing, snivelling, ingratiating, toadying, sycophantic, submissive, craven, humiliating
"an abject apology"
antonyms:
proud
3) abominable
əˈbɒm(ə)nəb(ə)l/
adjective
adjective: abominable
1. causing moral revulsion.
"the uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty"
synonyms:
loathsome, detestable, hateful, odious, obnoxious, despicable, contemptible, damnable, cursed, accursed, diabolical; More
disgusting, revolting, repellent, repulsive, offensive, repugnant, abhorrent, reprehensible, atrocious, horrifying, execrable;
foul, vile, wretched, base, miserable, horrible, awful, dreadful, appalling, abysmal, brutal, nauseating;
horrid, nasty, disagreeable, unpleasant, distasteful;
informal: terrible, shocking, God-awful, beastly;
informal: chronic
"the abominable slave trade"
antonyms:
good, admirable
very bad; terrible.
"what an abominable mess!"
4) abortive
əˈbɔːtɪv/
adjective
adjective: abortive
1. 1.
failing to produce the intended result.
"the rebel officers who led the abortive coup were shot"
synonyms:
failed, unsuccessful, non-successful, vain, thwarted, futile, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual, to no effect, inefficacious, fruitless, unproductive, unavailing, to no avail, sterile, nugatory;
archaic: bootless
"the rebels who led the abortive coup were shot"
antonyms:
successful, fruitful
2. 2.
Medicine
(of a virus infection) failing to produce symptoms.
dated
(of an organ or organism) rudimentary; arrested in development.
"abortive medusae"
3. 3.
rare:
causing or resulting in abortion.
"abortive techniques"
5) abstemious
əbˈstiːmɪəs/
adjective
adjective: abstemious
1. indulging only very moderately in something, especially food and drink.
"‘We only had a bottle.’ ‘Very abstemious of you.’"
synonyms:
temperate, abstinent, austere, moderate, self-disciplined, self-denying, restrained, self-restrained, non-indulgent, sober, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, strict, severe, self-abnegating, hair-shirt
"he seems to have led an abstemious, not to say ascetic life"
antonyms:
self-indulgent, intemperate
6) abstruse
abstruse
əbˈstruːs/
adjective
adjective: abstruse
difficult to understand; obscure.
"an abstruse philosophical inquiry"
synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic, complex, complicated, involved, over/above one's head, incomprehensible, unfathomable, impenetrable, mysterious;
7) acerbity
acerbity. A lemon in your mouth, a mean-spirited neighbor, a roomful of sarcastic people: these are examples of acerbity, a type of harsh bitterness that can leave you stunned. The Latin word acerbus means “sour-tasting,” and that is acerbity in a nutshell: sour.
acerbic
əˈsəːbɪk/
adjective
adjective: acerbic
1. 1.
(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.
"his acerbic wit"
synonyms:
sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, satirical, scathing, cutting, razor-edged, incisive, penetrating, piercing, biting, stinging, searing, keen, caustic, trenchant, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, harsh, severe, devastating, abrasive, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, vitriolic, virulent, mordant, venomous, waspish, poisonous, spiteful, vicious, malicious; More
acerb;
informal: bitchy, catty;
informal: sarky;
informal: snarky;
rare: mordacious, acidulous
"he was renowned for his abrasive manner and acerbic tongue"
antonyms:
mild, kind
2. 2.
archaic: technical
tasting sour or bitter.
synonyms:
sour, acid, acidic, acidulated, tart, bitter, unsweetened, sharp, acetic, acetous, vinegary, pungent, acrid; More
unpleasant, distasteful;
acerb;
rare: acidulous
"a yellowy acerbic fluid came out of the tap"
antonyms:
sweet
8) acme
acme
ˈakmi/
noun
noun: acme; plural noun: acmes
the point at which something is at its best or most highly developed.
"physics is the acme of scientific knowledge"
9) acrid
acrid
ˈakrɪd/
adjective
adjective: acrid
unpleasantly bitter or pungent.
"acrid smoke"
synonyms: pungent, bitter, sharp, sour, tart, harsh, acid, acidic, acidulated, vinegary, acerbic, acetic, acetous; More
stinging, burning, irritating, nauseating;
noxious, strong, malodorous, odorous, burnt, sooty;
literarymephitic;
rare: acidulous, miasmic, miasmal
"the acrid smell of smoke clung about the building"
antonyms: sweet
10) acrimonious
acrimonious
ˌakrɪˈməʊnɪəs/
adjective
adjective: acrimonious
(typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter.
"an acrimonious dispute about wages"
synonyms: bitter, rancorous, caustic, acerbic, scathing, sarcastic, acid, harsh, sharp, razor-edged, cutting, astringent, trenchant, mordant, virulent; More
11 ) acumen
ˈakjʊmən,əˈkjuːmən/
noun
noun: acumen
1. the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.
"she hides a shrewd business acumen"
synonyms:
astuteness, awareness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, brightness, smartness; More
judgement, understanding, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity, perspicacity, ingenuity, insight, intuition, intuitiveness, perception, perspicuity, penetration;
capability, enterprise, initiative, resourcefulness, flair, vision;
brains, powers of reasoning;
savoir faire;
informalnous, savvy, know-how, horse sense, gumption, grey matter;
informalcommon;
informalsmarts;
raresapience, arguteness
"a gullible young man with little or no business acumen"
antonyms:
witlessness
12 ) adamant
ˈadəm(ə)nt/
adjective
adjective: adamant
1. 1.
refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
"he is adamant that he is not going to resign"
synonyms:
unshakeable, immovable, inflexible, unwavering, uncompromising, resolute, resolved, determined, firm, rigid, steadfast; More
unswerving, stubborn, unrelenting, unyielding, unbending, obdurate, inexorable, intransigent, dead set, iron-willed, strong-willed, steely;
rock-ribbed;
informalstiff-necked;
rareindurate
"scientists are adamant about the absence of risk"
antonyms:
unsure
noun
archaic
noun: adamant
1. 1.
a legendary rock or mineral to which many properties were attributed, formerly associated with diamond or lodestone.
13 ) adroit
əˈdrɔɪt/
adjective
adjective: adroit; comparative adjective: adroiter; superlative adjective: adroitest
1. clever or skilful.
"he was adroit at tax avoidance"
synonyms:
skilful, adept, dexterous, deft, agile, nimble, nimble-fingered, handy; More
able, capable, competent, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practised, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented, peerless;
quick-witted, quick-thinking, quick, clever, intelligent, brilliant, bright, smart, sharp, cunning, artful, wily, resourceful, astute, shrewd, canny, ingenious, inventive;
informalnifty, nippy, crack, mean, wicked, wizard, demon, ace, A1, on the ball, savvy, genius;
informalcrackerjack;
archaiccompleat, rathe
"an adroit shot from a bunker enabled him to finish well"
antonyms:
clumsy, incompetent
14 ) adulation
adjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: adulation
1. excessive admiration or praise.
"he found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans"
synonyms:
hero-worship, worship, admiration, admiring, high regard, respect, lionization, lionizing, idolization, idolizing, veneration, awe, devotion, adoration, exaltation, honour, homage, glorification, glory, praise, praising, commendation, flattery, applause; More
15 ) affluence
ˈaflʊəns/
noun
noun: affluence
1. the state of having a great deal of money; wealth.
"a sign of our growing affluence"
synonyms:
wealth, prosperity, opulence, fortune, richness, luxury, plenty; More
riches, money, cash, lucre, resources, assets, possessions, property, substance, means, deep pockets
"the affluence of the higher social classes"
antonyms:
poverty
16 ) agnostic
aɡˈnɒstɪk/
noun
noun: agnostic; plural noun: agnostics
1. 1.
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.
synonyms:
sceptic, doubter, questioner, doubting Thomas, challenger, scoffer, cynic; More
unbeliever, disbeliever, non-believer;
rationalist;
rare: nullifidian
"he was an agnostic, but his notebooks reveal a kind of religious attitude to the universe"
antonyms:
believer, theist
adjective
adjective: agnostic
1. 1.
relating to agnostics or agnosticism.
synonyms:
sceptical, doubting, questioning, unsure, cynical, unbelieving, disbelieving, non-believing, faithless, irreligious; More
rationalist;
rare: nullifidian
"a group of prominent agnostic scientists"
antonyms:
theist
(in a non-religious context) having a doubtful or non-committal attitude towards something.
"until now I've been fairly agnostic about electoral reform"
Computing
denoting or relating to hardware or software that is compatible with many types of platform or operating system.
"many common file formats (JPEG, MP3, etc.) are platform-agnostic"
17 ) alacrity
əˈlakrɪti/
noun
noun: alacrity
1. brisk and cheerful readiness.
"she accepted the invitation with alacrity"
synonyms:
eagerness, willingness, readiness; More
enthusiasm, ardour, fervour, keenness, joyousness, liveliness, zeal;
promptness, haste, briskness, swiftness, dispatch, speed;
datedaddress
"she accepted with alacrity"
antonyms:
apathy
18 ) alleviate
əˈliːvɪeɪt/
verb
verb: alleviate; 3rd person present: alleviates; past tense: alleviated; past participle: alleviated; gerund or present participle: alleviating
1. make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
"he couldn't prevent her pain, only alleviate it"
synonyms:
reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, allay, assuage, palliate, damp, soothe, help, soften, temper, control, still, quell, quieten, quiet, tone down, blunt, dilute, moderate, mitigate, modify, abate, lull, pacify, placate, mollify, sweeten;
rareextenuate
"he couldn't prevent her pain, only alleviate it"
antonyms:
aggravate
19 ) altruism
ˈaltrʊɪz(ə)m/
noun
noun: altruism
1. disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
"some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism"
synonyms:
unselfishness, selflessness, self-sacrifice, self-denial; More
consideration, compassion, kindness, goodwill, decency, nobility, public-spiritedness;
generosity, magnanimity, liberality, open-handedness, free-handedness, big-heartedness, lavishness, benevolence, beneficence, philanthropy, humanitarianism, charity, charitableness;
literarybounty, bounteousness
"they supported the measures not out of altruism but out of self-interest"
antonyms:
selfishness
Zoology
behaviour of an animal that benefits another at its own expense.
"reciprocal altruism"
Origin
20 ) ambidextrous
ˌambɪˈdɛkstrəs/
adjective
adjective: ambidextrous
1. able to use the right and left hands equally well.
"few of us are naturally ambidextrous"
(of an implement) designed to be used by left-handed and right-handed people with equal ease.
"an ambidextrous tile gauge"
21 ) ambiguous
amˈbɪɡjʊəs/
adjective
adjective: ambiguous
1. open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
"ambiguous phrases"
not clear or decided.
"the election result was ambiguous"
synonyms:
equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate, open to argument, arguable, debatable; More
Delphic, cryptic, enigmatic, gnomic, paradoxical, misleading;
obscure, unclear, vague, abstruse, puzzling, perplexing, riddling, doubtful, dubious, uncertain;
double-edged, backhanded
"the judge agreed that the law was ambiguous"
antonyms:
unambiguous, clear
22 ) ameliorate
23 ) amenable
24 ) amenities
25 ) amorphous
26 ) anachronism
27 ) analogous
28 ) anathema
29 ) animosity
30 ) anodyne
31 ) anomaly
32 ) anthropoid
33 ) anthropology
34 ) anticlimax
35 ) antipathy
36 ) antithesis
37 ) aphrodisiac
38 ) aplomb
39 ) apocryphal
40 ) arbitrary
41 ) archaic
42 ) argot
43 ) ascetic
44 ) assiduous
45 ) assuage
46 ) astute
47 ) atavistic
48 ) atheist
49 ) attrition
50 ) augment
51 ) auspicious
52 ) austere
53 ) autonomous
54 ) avarice
55 ) avidity
56 ) badinage
57 ) baleful
58 ) bathos
59 ) belated
60 ) benediction
61 ) beneficent
62 ) benevolent
63 ) benign
64 ) blanche
65 ) blithe
66 ) bovine
67 ) bromide
68 ) bucolic
69 ) bumptious
70 ) cacophony
71 ) cadaverous
72 ) cadence
73 ) cajole
74 ) calumny
75 ) capricious
76 ) captious
77 ) carnivorous
78 ) carte
79 ) castigate
80 ) catholic (adj.)
81 ) cavil
82 ) celibate
83 ) chauvinism
84 ) chicanery
85 ) chimera
86 ) clairvoyant
87 ) clandestine
88 ) claustrophobia
89 ) coerce
90 ) cogent
91 ) cogitate
92 ) commiserate
93 ) complacency
94 ) compunction
95 ) concomitant
96 ) condone
97 ) consummate (adj.)
98 ) contentious
99 ) contrite
100 ) convivial
101 ) corpulent
102 ) corroborate
103 ) cryptic
104 ) culinary
105 ) culpable
106 ) cupidity
107 ) cursory
108 ) cynosure
109 ) dearth
110 ) debauchery
111 ) decimate
112 ) decorum
113 ) defunct
114 ) deleterious
115 ) deprecate
116 ) depredation
117 ) desultory
118 ) detract
119 ) dexterity
120 ) diffidence
121 ) dilettante
122 ) dipsomaniac
123 ) dishabille
124 ) disparage
125 ) disparity
126 ) docile
127 ) dogmatic
128 ) dormant
129 ) dour
130 ) dubious
131 ) dulcet
132 ) duplicity
133 ) ebullience
134 ) effervescence
135 ) effete
136 ) egomaniac
137 ) egregious
138 ) emasculate
139 ) empirical
140 ) emulate
141 ) encomium
142 ) enervation
143 ) enigmatic
144 ) ennui
145 ) ephemeral
146 ) epitome
147 ) equanimity
148 ) equivocal
149 ) eschew
150 ) esoteric
151 ) esthetic
152 ) ethereal
153 ) eugenics
154 ) eulogy
155 ) euphemism
156 ) euphony
157 ) evanescent
158 ) execrable
159 ) exigency
160 ) exotic
161 ) expedite
162 ) expiate
163 ) expostulate
164 ) extirpate
165 ) extrovert
166 ) fatuous
167 ) fecund
168 ) fetid
169 ) fetish
170 ) fiasco
171 ) fiat
172 ) flagrant
173 ) fortuitous
174 ) fracas
175 ) fractious
176 ) frugality
177 ) fulminate
178 ) functional
179 ) furtive
180 ) futilitarian
181 ) germane
182 ) grandiose
183 ) gregarious
184 ) gullible
185 ) gynecology
186 ) halcyon
187 ) harass
188 ) harbinger
189 ) hauteur
190 ) heterogeneous
191 ) histrionic
192 ) holocaust
193 ) homogoeneous
194 ) hyperbole
195 ) hypochondria
196 ) iconoclasm
197 ) idiosyncrasy
198 ) ignominy
199 ) illusory
200 ) imbroglio
201 ) immolate
202 ) imperturbable
203 ) impious
204 ) implacable
205 ) implicit
206 ) impugn
207 ) impunity
208 ) impute
209 ) inadvertent
210 ) inane
211 ) incipient
212 ) inclement
213 ) incompatible
214 ) incongruous
215 ) incorrigible
216 ) incredulous
217 ) indefatigable
218 ) indigent
219 ) indolence
220 ) ineffable
221 ) inexorable
222 ) ingenuous
223 ) iniquity
224 ) innocuous
225 ) insidious
226 ) insipid
227 ) insouciant
228 ) intractable
229 ) intransigent
230 ) intrepid
231 ) introversion
232 ) inundate
233 ) inviolate
234 ) irascible
235 ) itinerant
236 ) jingoism
237 ) jubilation
238 ) kleptomania
239 ) laconic
240 ) lampoon
241 ) lascivious
242 ) latent
243 ) lechery
244 ) lethargy
245 ) levity
246 ) libidinous
247 ) limbo
248 ) limpid
249 ) lithe
250 ) loquacious
251 ) lugubrious
252 ) Machiavellian
253 ) malaise
254 ) malediction
255 ) malefactor
256 ) malevolent
257 ) malign (vb.)
258 ) malignant
259 ) malinger
260 ) manic
261 ) martinet
262 ) maudlin
263 ) mayhem
264 ) megalomania
265 ) melange
266 ) mellifluous
267 ) mendacity
268 ) Mephistophelian
269 ) mercurial
270 ) meretricious
271 ) metamorphosis
272 ) metaphorical
273 ) meticulous
274 ) militate
275 ) mirage
276 ) misanthropy
277 ) misogyny
278 ) mitigate
279 ) mollify
280 ) mordant
281 ) moribund
282 ) mulct
283 ) mundane
284 ) mure
285 ) myriad
286 ) nadir
287 ) naive
288 ) nebulous
289 ) nefarious
290 ) nepotism
291 ) nostalgia
292 ) novitiate
293 ) nuance
294 ) nymphomania
295 ) obdurate
296 ) obfuscate
297 ) oblique
298 ) oblivion
299 ) obloquy
300 ) obsequious
301 ) obstetrician
302 ) obtuse
303 ) occult
304 ) ominous
305 ) omnipotent
306 ) omnipresent
307 ) omniscient
308 ) omnivorous
309 ) opinionated
310 ) opulence
311 ) orient (vb.)
312 ) orthodox
313 ) ostracize
314 ) paean
315 ) palliate
316 ) pallid
317 ) palpable
318 ) panacea
319 ) panegyric
320 ) paragon
321 ) paranoia
322 ) paroxysm
323 ) parsimonious
324 ) patent (adj.)
325 ) pathological
326 ) pedantic
327 ) pediatrician
328 ) penchant
329 ) penurious
330 ) peonage
331 ) perfidious
332 ) perfunctory
333 ) peripheral
334 ) persiflage
335 ) perspicacity
336 ) perspicuity
337 ) philander
338 ) phlegmatic
339 ) pique
340 ) placate
341 ) plaintive
342 ) platitude
343 ) plebeian
344 ) plethora
345 ) poignant
346 ) polyglot
347 ) pompous
348 ) portentous
349 ) posthumous
350 ) pragmatic
351 ) preclude
352 ) predatory
353 ) predilection
354 ) pre-empt
355 ) presage
356 ) presentiment
357 ) presumptuous
358 ) prodigal
359 ) prodigious
360 ) prolific
361 ) prolixity
362 ) promiscuity
363 ) propinquity
364 ) propitiate
365 ) prosaic
366 ) prurience
367 ) pseudo
368 ) psychotic
369 ) puberty
370 ) puerile
371 ) pugnacious
372 ) punctilious
373 ) pungent
374 ) pusillanimous
375 ) pyromania
376 ) querulous
377 ) quintessence
378 ) quixotic
379 ) rampant
380 ) rationalize
381 ) raucous
382 ) recalcitrant
383 ) recondite
384 ) recrimination
385 ) redolent
386 ) redundancy
387 ) regimen
388 ) regurgitate
389 ) relevant
390 ) renegade
391 ) repudiate
392 ) resilient
393 ) respite
394 ) retribution
395 ) revulsion
396 ) ribald
397 ) risible
398 ) risque
399 ) rotund
400 ) rubble
401 ) rudimentary
402 ) ruminate
403 ) rustic
404 ) saccharine (adj.)
405 ) sacrilegious
406 ) sadism
407 ) sagacity
408 ) salient (adj.)
409 ) sanctimonioui
410 ) sanguinary
411 ) sanguine
412 ) sardonic
413 ) saturnalia
414 ) saturnine
415 ) schizophrenia
416 ) scourge
417 ) sedate
418 ) sedulous
419 ) senile
420 ) sententious
421 ) sepulchral
422 ) shambles
423 ) simulate
424 ) sloth
425 ) sobriquet
426 ) solicitous
427 ) sonorous
428 ) sophistry
429 ) soporific
430 ) specious
431 ) sporadic
432 ) stilted
433 ) stoic
434 ) stolid
435 ) stratum
436 ) strident
437 ) stringent
438 ) suave
439 ) subterfuge
440 ) subversive
441 ) succinct
442 ) summary (adj.)
443 ) supercilious
444 ) surfeit
445 ) surreptitious
446 ) sycophant
447 ) synthesis
448 ) tacit
449 ) taciturn
450 ) tantamount
451 ) tedium
452 ) temerity
453 ) temporize
454 ) tenet
455 ) tenuous
456 ) therapeutic
457 ) titanic
458 ) titillation
459 ) torpid
460 ) toxic
461 ) translucent
462 ) travesty
463 ) trenchant
464 ) trepidation
465 ) truculent
466 ) truism
467 ) turgid
468 ) tyro
469 ) ubiquitous
470 ) ukase
471 ) unctuous
472 ) unrequited
473 ) unwitting
474 ) upbraid
475 ) urbane
476 ) utilitarian
477 ) vacillate
478 ) vacuous
479 ) vagary
480 ) vapid
481 ) vegetate
482 ) venomous
483 ) veracity
484 ) verbatim
485 ) verbose
486 ) verisimilitude
487 ) vicarious
488 ) vicissitude
489 ) vindictive
490 ) virile
491 ) virtuoso
492 ) virulent
493 ) visceral
494 ) vitiate
495 ) vitriolic
496 ) vituperative
497 ) volatile
498 ) voluble
499 ) vortex
500 ) wanton
501 ) zenith
1) aberration
ˌabəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: aberration; plural noun: aberrations
1. a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one.
"they described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration"
synonyms:
anomaly, deviation, divergence, abnormality, irregularity, variation, digression, freak, rogue, rarity, quirk, oddity, curiosity, mistake More
"economists said the figure was an aberration"
abnormality, irregularity, eccentricity, deviation, transgression, straying, lapse, aberrancy
"it is possible that, in a moment of aberration, the parent may strike the child"
Biology
a characteristic that deviates from the normal type.
"colour aberrations"
synonyms:
disorder, defect, disease, irregularity, instability, derangement, vagary
"the experience might have been no more than a temporary aberration of an exhausted mind"
Optics
the failure of rays to converge at one focus because of a defect in a lens or mirror.
Astronomy
the apparent displacement of a celestial object from its true position, caused by the relative motion of the observer and the object.
Origin
late 16th century: from Latin aberratio(n- ), from aberrare ‘to stray’ (see aberrant).
2) abject
ˈabdʒɛkt/
adjective
adjective: abject
1. 1.
(of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree.
"his letter plunged her into abject misery"
(of a situation or condition) extremely unpleasant and degrading.
"the abject condition of the peasants"
synonyms:
wretched, miserable, hopeless, pathetic, pitiful, pitiable, piteous, stark, sorry, forlorn, woeful, lamentable, degrading, appalling, atrocious, awful
"many such families are living in abject poverty"
2. 2.
(of a person or their behaviour) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing.
"an abject apology"
synonyms:
obsequious, grovelling, crawling, creeping, fawning, toadyish, servile, cringing, snivelling, ingratiating, toadying, sycophantic, submissive, craven, humiliating
"an abject apology"
antonyms:
proud
3) abominable
əˈbɒm(ə)nəb(ə)l/
adjective
adjective: abominable
1. causing moral revulsion.
"the uprising was suppressed with abominable cruelty"
synonyms:
loathsome, detestable, hateful, odious, obnoxious, despicable, contemptible, damnable, cursed, accursed, diabolical; More
disgusting, revolting, repellent, repulsive, offensive, repugnant, abhorrent, reprehensible, atrocious, horrifying, execrable;
foul, vile, wretched, base, miserable, horrible, awful, dreadful, appalling, abysmal, brutal, nauseating;
horrid, nasty, disagreeable, unpleasant, distasteful;
informal: terrible, shocking, God-awful, beastly;
informal: chronic
"the abominable slave trade"
antonyms:
good, admirable
very bad; terrible.
"what an abominable mess!"
4) abortive
əˈbɔːtɪv/
adjective
adjective: abortive
1. 1.
failing to produce the intended result.
"the rebel officers who led the abortive coup were shot"
synonyms:
failed, unsuccessful, non-successful, vain, thwarted, futile, useless, worthless, ineffective, ineffectual, to no effect, inefficacious, fruitless, unproductive, unavailing, to no avail, sterile, nugatory;
archaic: bootless
"the rebels who led the abortive coup were shot"
antonyms:
successful, fruitful
2. 2.
Medicine
(of a virus infection) failing to produce symptoms.
dated
(of an organ or organism) rudimentary; arrested in development.
"abortive medusae"
3. 3.
rare:
causing or resulting in abortion.
"abortive techniques"
5) abstemious
əbˈstiːmɪəs/
adjective
adjective: abstemious
1. indulging only very moderately in something, especially food and drink.
"‘We only had a bottle.’ ‘Very abstemious of you.’"
synonyms:
temperate, abstinent, austere, moderate, self-disciplined, self-denying, restrained, self-restrained, non-indulgent, sober, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, strict, severe, self-abnegating, hair-shirt
"he seems to have led an abstemious, not to say ascetic life"
antonyms:
self-indulgent, intemperate
6) abstruse
abstruse
əbˈstruːs/
adjective
adjective: abstruse
difficult to understand; obscure.
"an abstruse philosophical inquiry"
synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic, complex, complicated, involved, over/above one's head, incomprehensible, unfathomable, impenetrable, mysterious;
7) acerbity
acerbity. A lemon in your mouth, a mean-spirited neighbor, a roomful of sarcastic people: these are examples of acerbity, a type of harsh bitterness that can leave you stunned. The Latin word acerbus means “sour-tasting,” and that is acerbity in a nutshell: sour.
acerbic
əˈsəːbɪk/
adjective
adjective: acerbic
1. 1.
(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.
"his acerbic wit"
synonyms:
sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, satirical, scathing, cutting, razor-edged, incisive, penetrating, piercing, biting, stinging, searing, keen, caustic, trenchant, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, harsh, severe, devastating, abrasive, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, vitriolic, virulent, mordant, venomous, waspish, poisonous, spiteful, vicious, malicious; More
acerb;
informal: bitchy, catty;
informal: sarky;
informal: snarky;
rare: mordacious, acidulous
"he was renowned for his abrasive manner and acerbic tongue"
antonyms:
mild, kind
2. 2.
archaic: technical
tasting sour or bitter.
synonyms:
sour, acid, acidic, acidulated, tart, bitter, unsweetened, sharp, acetic, acetous, vinegary, pungent, acrid; More
unpleasant, distasteful;
acerb;
rare: acidulous
"a yellowy acerbic fluid came out of the tap"
antonyms:
sweet
acme
ˈakmi/
noun
noun: acme; plural noun: acmes
the point at which something is at its best or most highly developed.
"physics is the acme of scientific knowledge"
9) acrid
acrid
ˈakrɪd/
adjective
adjective: acrid
unpleasantly bitter or pungent.
"acrid smoke"
synonyms: pungent, bitter, sharp, sour, tart, harsh, acid, acidic, acidulated, vinegary, acerbic, acetic, acetous; More
stinging, burning, irritating, nauseating;
noxious, strong, malodorous, odorous, burnt, sooty;
literarymephitic;
rare: acidulous, miasmic, miasmal
"the acrid smell of smoke clung about the building"
antonyms: sweet
10) acrimonious
acrimonious
ˌakrɪˈməʊnɪəs/
adjective
adjective: acrimonious
(typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter.
"an acrimonious dispute about wages"
synonyms: bitter, rancorous, caustic, acerbic, scathing, sarcastic, acid, harsh, sharp, razor-edged, cutting, astringent, trenchant, mordant, virulent; More
11 ) acumen
ˈakjʊmən,əˈkjuːmən/
noun
noun: acumen
1. the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.
"she hides a shrewd business acumen"
synonyms:
astuteness, awareness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, brightness, smartness; More
judgement, understanding, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity, perspicacity, ingenuity, insight, intuition, intuitiveness, perception, perspicuity, penetration;
capability, enterprise, initiative, resourcefulness, flair, vision;
brains, powers of reasoning;
savoir faire;
informalnous, savvy, know-how, horse sense, gumption, grey matter;
informalcommon;
informalsmarts;
raresapience, arguteness
"a gullible young man with little or no business acumen"
antonyms:
witlessness
12 ) adamant
ˈadəm(ə)nt/
adjective
adjective: adamant
1. 1.
refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
"he is adamant that he is not going to resign"
synonyms:
unshakeable, immovable, inflexible, unwavering, uncompromising, resolute, resolved, determined, firm, rigid, steadfast; More
unswerving, stubborn, unrelenting, unyielding, unbending, obdurate, inexorable, intransigent, dead set, iron-willed, strong-willed, steely;
rock-ribbed;
informalstiff-necked;
rareindurate
"scientists are adamant about the absence of risk"
antonyms:
unsure
noun
archaic
noun: adamant
1. 1.
a legendary rock or mineral to which many properties were attributed, formerly associated with diamond or lodestone.
13 ) adroit
əˈdrɔɪt/
adjective
adjective: adroit; comparative adjective: adroiter; superlative adjective: adroitest
1. clever or skilful.
"he was adroit at tax avoidance"
synonyms:
skilful, adept, dexterous, deft, agile, nimble, nimble-fingered, handy; More
able, capable, competent, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practised, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented, peerless;
quick-witted, quick-thinking, quick, clever, intelligent, brilliant, bright, smart, sharp, cunning, artful, wily, resourceful, astute, shrewd, canny, ingenious, inventive;
informalnifty, nippy, crack, mean, wicked, wizard, demon, ace, A1, on the ball, savvy, genius;
informalcrackerjack;
archaiccompleat, rathe
"an adroit shot from a bunker enabled him to finish well"
antonyms:
clumsy, incompetent
14 ) adulation
adjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: adulation
1. excessive admiration or praise.
"he found it difficult to cope with the adulation of the fans"
synonyms:
hero-worship, worship, admiration, admiring, high regard, respect, lionization, lionizing, idolization, idolizing, veneration, awe, devotion, adoration, exaltation, honour, homage, glorification, glory, praise, praising, commendation, flattery, applause; More
15 ) affluence
ˈaflʊəns/
noun
noun: affluence
1. the state of having a great deal of money; wealth.
"a sign of our growing affluence"
synonyms:
wealth, prosperity, opulence, fortune, richness, luxury, plenty; More
riches, money, cash, lucre, resources, assets, possessions, property, substance, means, deep pockets
"the affluence of the higher social classes"
antonyms:
poverty
16 ) agnostic
aɡˈnɒstɪk/
noun
noun: agnostic; plural noun: agnostics
1. 1.
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.
synonyms:
sceptic, doubter, questioner, doubting Thomas, challenger, scoffer, cynic; More
unbeliever, disbeliever, non-believer;
rationalist;
rare: nullifidian
"he was an agnostic, but his notebooks reveal a kind of religious attitude to the universe"
antonyms:
believer, theist
adjective
adjective: agnostic
1. 1.
relating to agnostics or agnosticism.
synonyms:
sceptical, doubting, questioning, unsure, cynical, unbelieving, disbelieving, non-believing, faithless, irreligious; More
rationalist;
rare: nullifidian
"a group of prominent agnostic scientists"
antonyms:
theist
(in a non-religious context) having a doubtful or non-committal attitude towards something.
"until now I've been fairly agnostic about electoral reform"
Computing
denoting or relating to hardware or software that is compatible with many types of platform or operating system.
"many common file formats (JPEG, MP3, etc.) are platform-agnostic"
əˈlakrɪti/
noun
noun: alacrity
1. brisk and cheerful readiness.
"she accepted the invitation with alacrity"
synonyms:
eagerness, willingness, readiness; More
enthusiasm, ardour, fervour, keenness, joyousness, liveliness, zeal;
promptness, haste, briskness, swiftness, dispatch, speed;
datedaddress
"she accepted with alacrity"
antonyms:
apathy
18 ) alleviate
əˈliːvɪeɪt/
verb
verb: alleviate; 3rd person present: alleviates; past tense: alleviated; past participle: alleviated; gerund or present participle: alleviating
1. make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
"he couldn't prevent her pain, only alleviate it"
synonyms:
reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, allay, assuage, palliate, damp, soothe, help, soften, temper, control, still, quell, quieten, quiet, tone down, blunt, dilute, moderate, mitigate, modify, abate, lull, pacify, placate, mollify, sweeten;
rareextenuate
"he couldn't prevent her pain, only alleviate it"
antonyms:
aggravate
19 ) altruism
ˈaltrʊɪz(ə)m/
noun
noun: altruism
1. disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
"some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism"
synonyms:
unselfishness, selflessness, self-sacrifice, self-denial; More
consideration, compassion, kindness, goodwill, decency, nobility, public-spiritedness;
generosity, magnanimity, liberality, open-handedness, free-handedness, big-heartedness, lavishness, benevolence, beneficence, philanthropy, humanitarianism, charity, charitableness;
literarybounty, bounteousness
"they supported the measures not out of altruism but out of self-interest"
antonyms:
selfishness
Zoology
behaviour of an animal that benefits another at its own expense.
"reciprocal altruism"
Origin
ˌambɪˈdɛkstrəs/
adjective
adjective: ambidextrous
1. able to use the right and left hands equally well.
"few of us are naturally ambidextrous"
(of an implement) designed to be used by left-handed and right-handed people with equal ease.
"an ambidextrous tile gauge"
21 ) ambiguous
amˈbɪɡjʊəs/
adjective
adjective: ambiguous
1. open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
"ambiguous phrases"
not clear or decided.
"the election result was ambiguous"
synonyms:
equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate, open to argument, arguable, debatable; More
Delphic, cryptic, enigmatic, gnomic, paradoxical, misleading;
obscure, unclear, vague, abstruse, puzzling, perplexing, riddling, doubtful, dubious, uncertain;
double-edged, backhanded
"the judge agreed that the law was ambiguous"
antonyms:
unambiguous, clear
22 ) ameliorate
23 ) amenable
24 ) amenities
25 ) amorphous
26 ) anachronism
27 ) analogous
28 ) anathema
29 ) animosity
30 ) anodyne
31 ) anomaly
32 ) anthropoid
33 ) anthropology
34 ) anticlimax
35 ) antipathy
36 ) antithesis
37 ) aphrodisiac
38 ) aplomb
39 ) apocryphal
40 ) arbitrary
41 ) archaic
42 ) argot
43 ) ascetic
44 ) assiduous
45 ) assuage
46 ) astute
47 ) atavistic
48 ) atheist
49 ) attrition
50 ) augment
51 ) auspicious
52 ) austere
53 ) autonomous
54 ) avarice
55 ) avidity
56 ) badinage
57 ) baleful
58 ) bathos
59 ) belated
60 ) benediction
61 ) beneficent
62 ) benevolent
63 ) benign
64 ) blanche
65 ) blithe
66 ) bovine
67 ) bromide
68 ) bucolic
69 ) bumptious
70 ) cacophony
71 ) cadaverous
72 ) cadence
73 ) cajole
74 ) calumny
75 ) capricious
76 ) captious
77 ) carnivorous
78 ) carte
79 ) castigate
80 ) catholic (adj.)
81 ) cavil
82 ) celibate
83 ) chauvinism
84 ) chicanery
85 ) chimera
86 ) clairvoyant
87 ) clandestine
88 ) claustrophobia
89 ) coerce
90 ) cogent
91 ) cogitate
92 ) commiserate
93 ) complacency
94 ) compunction
95 ) concomitant
96 ) condone
97 ) consummate (adj.)
98 ) contentious
99 ) contrite
100 ) convivial
101 ) corpulent
102 ) corroborate
103 ) cryptic
104 ) culinary
105 ) culpable
106 ) cupidity
107 ) cursory
108 ) cynosure
109 ) dearth
110 ) debauchery
111 ) decimate
112 ) decorum
113 ) defunct
114 ) deleterious
115 ) deprecate
116 ) depredation
117 ) desultory
118 ) detract
119 ) dexterity
120 ) diffidence
121 ) dilettante
122 ) dipsomaniac
123 ) dishabille
124 ) disparage
125 ) disparity
126 ) docile
127 ) dogmatic
128 ) dormant
129 ) dour
130 ) dubious
131 ) dulcet
132 ) duplicity
133 ) ebullience
134 ) effervescence
135 ) effete
136 ) egomaniac
137 ) egregious
138 ) emasculate
139 ) empirical
140 ) emulate
141 ) encomium
142 ) enervation
143 ) enigmatic
144 ) ennui
145 ) ephemeral
146 ) epitome
147 ) equanimity
148 ) equivocal
149 ) eschew
150 ) esoteric
151 ) esthetic
152 ) ethereal
153 ) eugenics
154 ) eulogy
155 ) euphemism
156 ) euphony
157 ) evanescent
158 ) execrable
159 ) exigency
160 ) exotic
161 ) expedite
162 ) expiate
163 ) expostulate
164 ) extirpate
165 ) extrovert
166 ) fatuous
167 ) fecund
168 ) fetid
169 ) fetish
170 ) fiasco
171 ) fiat
172 ) flagrant
173 ) fortuitous
174 ) fracas
175 ) fractious
176 ) frugality
177 ) fulminate
178 ) functional
179 ) furtive
180 ) futilitarian
181 ) germane
182 ) grandiose
183 ) gregarious
184 ) gullible
185 ) gynecology
186 ) halcyon
187 ) harass
188 ) harbinger
189 ) hauteur
190 ) heterogeneous
191 ) histrionic
192 ) holocaust
193 ) homogoeneous
194 ) hyperbole
195 ) hypochondria
196 ) iconoclasm
197 ) idiosyncrasy
198 ) ignominy
199 ) illusory
200 ) imbroglio
201 ) immolate
202 ) imperturbable
203 ) impious
204 ) implacable
205 ) implicit
206 ) impugn
207 ) impunity
208 ) impute
209 ) inadvertent
210 ) inane
211 ) incipient
212 ) inclement
213 ) incompatible
214 ) incongruous
215 ) incorrigible
216 ) incredulous
217 ) indefatigable
218 ) indigent
219 ) indolence
220 ) ineffable
221 ) inexorable
222 ) ingenuous
223 ) iniquity
224 ) innocuous
225 ) insidious
226 ) insipid
227 ) insouciant
228 ) intractable
229 ) intransigent
230 ) intrepid
231 ) introversion
232 ) inundate
233 ) inviolate
234 ) irascible
235 ) itinerant
236 ) jingoism
237 ) jubilation
238 ) kleptomania
239 ) laconic
240 ) lampoon
241 ) lascivious
242 ) latent
243 ) lechery
244 ) lethargy
245 ) levity
246 ) libidinous
247 ) limbo
248 ) limpid
249 ) lithe
250 ) loquacious
251 ) lugubrious
252 ) Machiavellian
253 ) malaise
254 ) malediction
255 ) malefactor
256 ) malevolent
257 ) malign (vb.)
258 ) malignant
259 ) malinger
260 ) manic
261 ) martinet
262 ) maudlin
263 ) mayhem
264 ) megalomania
265 ) melange
266 ) mellifluous
267 ) mendacity
268 ) Mephistophelian
269 ) mercurial
270 ) meretricious
271 ) metamorphosis
272 ) metaphorical
273 ) meticulous
274 ) militate
275 ) mirage
276 ) misanthropy
277 ) misogyny
278 ) mitigate
279 ) mollify
280 ) mordant
281 ) moribund
282 ) mulct
283 ) mundane
284 ) mure
285 ) myriad
286 ) nadir
287 ) naive
288 ) nebulous
289 ) nefarious
290 ) nepotism
291 ) nostalgia
292 ) novitiate
293 ) nuance
294 ) nymphomania
295 ) obdurate
296 ) obfuscate
297 ) oblique
298 ) oblivion
299 ) obloquy
300 ) obsequious
301 ) obstetrician
302 ) obtuse
303 ) occult
304 ) ominous
305 ) omnipotent
306 ) omnipresent
307 ) omniscient
308 ) omnivorous
309 ) opinionated
310 ) opulence
311 ) orient (vb.)
312 ) orthodox
313 ) ostracize
314 ) paean
315 ) palliate
316 ) pallid
317 ) palpable
318 ) panacea
319 ) panegyric
320 ) paragon
321 ) paranoia
322 ) paroxysm
323 ) parsimonious
324 ) patent (adj.)
325 ) pathological
326 ) pedantic
327 ) pediatrician
328 ) penchant
329 ) penurious
330 ) peonage
331 ) perfidious
332 ) perfunctory
333 ) peripheral
334 ) persiflage
335 ) perspicacity
336 ) perspicuity
337 ) philander
338 ) phlegmatic
339 ) pique
340 ) placate
341 ) plaintive
342 ) platitude
343 ) plebeian
344 ) plethora
345 ) poignant
346 ) polyglot
347 ) pompous
348 ) portentous
349 ) posthumous
350 ) pragmatic
351 ) preclude
352 ) predatory
353 ) predilection
354 ) pre-empt
355 ) presage
356 ) presentiment
357 ) presumptuous
358 ) prodigal
359 ) prodigious
360 ) prolific
361 ) prolixity
362 ) promiscuity
363 ) propinquity
364 ) propitiate
365 ) prosaic
366 ) prurience
367 ) pseudo
368 ) psychotic
369 ) puberty
370 ) puerile
371 ) pugnacious
372 ) punctilious
373 ) pungent
374 ) pusillanimous
375 ) pyromania
376 ) querulous
377 ) quintessence
378 ) quixotic
379 ) rampant
380 ) rationalize
381 ) raucous
382 ) recalcitrant
383 ) recondite
384 ) recrimination
385 ) redolent
386 ) redundancy
387 ) regimen
388 ) regurgitate
389 ) relevant
390 ) renegade
391 ) repudiate
392 ) resilient
393 ) respite
394 ) retribution
395 ) revulsion
396 ) ribald
397 ) risible
398 ) risque
399 ) rotund
400 ) rubble
401 ) rudimentary
402 ) ruminate
403 ) rustic
404 ) saccharine (adj.)
405 ) sacrilegious
406 ) sadism
407 ) sagacity
408 ) salient (adj.)
409 ) sanctimonioui
410 ) sanguinary
411 ) sanguine
412 ) sardonic
413 ) saturnalia
414 ) saturnine
415 ) schizophrenia
416 ) scourge
417 ) sedate
418 ) sedulous
419 ) senile
420 ) sententious
421 ) sepulchral
422 ) shambles
423 ) simulate
424 ) sloth
425 ) sobriquet
426 ) solicitous
427 ) sonorous
428 ) sophistry
429 ) soporific
430 ) specious
431 ) sporadic
432 ) stilted
433 ) stoic
434 ) stolid
435 ) stratum
436 ) strident
437 ) stringent
438 ) suave
439 ) subterfuge
440 ) subversive
441 ) succinct
442 ) summary (adj.)
443 ) supercilious
444 ) surfeit
445 ) surreptitious
446 ) sycophant
447 ) synthesis
448 ) tacit
449 ) taciturn
450 ) tantamount
451 ) tedium
452 ) temerity
453 ) temporize
454 ) tenet
455 ) tenuous
456 ) therapeutic
457 ) titanic
458 ) titillation
459 ) torpid
460 ) toxic
461 ) translucent
462 ) travesty
463 ) trenchant
464 ) trepidation
465 ) truculent
466 ) truism
467 ) turgid
468 ) tyro
469 ) ubiquitous
470 ) ukase
471 ) unctuous
472 ) unrequited
473 ) unwitting
474 ) upbraid
475 ) urbane
476 ) utilitarian
477 ) vacillate
478 ) vacuous
479 ) vagary
480 ) vapid
481 ) vegetate
482 ) venomous
483 ) veracity
484 ) verbatim
485 ) verbose
486 ) verisimilitude
487 ) vicarious
488 ) vicissitude
489 ) vindictive
490 ) virile
491 ) virtuoso
492 ) virulent
493 ) visceral
494 ) vitiate
495 ) vitriolic
496 ) vituperative
497 ) volatile
498 ) voluble
499 ) vortex
500 ) wanton
501 ) zenith
(Norman Lewis, How to read better and faster, 3e 1958)
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