abase v. To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.
abbess n. The lady superior of a nunnery. 
abbey n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns.   Free SAT prep math notes below vocabulary ↓ 
abbot n. The superior of a community of monks. 
abdicate v. To give up (royal power or the like). 
abdomen n. In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly. 
abdominal n. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen. 
abduction n. A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally. 
abed adv. In bed; on a bed. 
aberration n. Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course. 
abet v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense). 
abeyance n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction. 
abhorrence n. The act of detesting extremely. 
abhorrent adj. Very repugnant; hateful. 
abidance n. An abiding. 
abject adj. Sunk to a low condition. 
abjure v. To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath. 
able-bodied adj. Competent for physical service. 
ablution n. A washing or cleansing, especially of the body. 
abnegate v. To renounce (a right or privilege). 
abnormal adj. Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard. 
abominable adj. Very hateful. 
abominate v. To hate violently. 
abomination n. A very detestable act or practice. 
aboriginal adj. Primitive; unsophisticated. 
aborigines n. The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country. 
aboveboard adv. & adj. Without concealment, fraud, or trickery. 
abrade v. To wear away the surface or some part of by friction. 
abrasion n. That which is rubbed off. 
abridge v. To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles. 
abridgment n. A condensed form as of a book or play. 
abrogate v. To abolish, repeal. 
abrupt adj. Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break. 
abscess n. A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body. 
abscission n. The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation. 
abscond v. To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest. 
absence n. The fact of not being present or available. 
absent-minded adj. Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business. 
absolution n. Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses. 
absolve v. To free from sin or its penalties. 
absorb v. To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water. 
absorption n. The act or process of absorbing. 
abstain v. To keep oneself back (from doing or using something). 
abstemious adj. Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food. 
abstinence n. Self denial. 
abstruse adj. Dealing with matters difficult to be understood. 
absurd adj. Inconsistent with reason or common sense. 
abundant adj. Plentiful. 
abusive adj. Employing harsh words or ill treatment. 
abut v. To touch at the end or boundary line. 
abyss n. Bottomless gulf. 
academic adj. Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university. 
academician n. A member of an academy of literature, art, or science. 
academy n. Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught. 
accede v. To agree. 
accelerate v. To move faster. 
accept v. To take when offered. 
access n. A way of approach or entrance; passage. 
accessible adj. Approachable. 
accession n. Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government. 
accessory n. A person or thing that aids the principal agent. 
acclaim v. To utter with a shout. 
accommodate v. To furnish something as a kindness or favor. 
accompaniment n. A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part. 
accompanist n. One who or that which accompanies. 
accompany v. To go with, or be associated with, as a companion. 
accomplice n. An associate in wrong-doing. 
accomplish v. To bring to pass.
accordion n. A portable free-reed musical instrument. 
accost v. To speak to. 
account n. A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions. 
accouter v. To dress. 
accredit v. To give credit or authority to. 
accumulate v. To become greater in quantity or number. 
accuracy n. Exactness. 
accurate adj. Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard. 
accursed adj. Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune. 
accusation n. A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error. 
accusatory adj. Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation. 
accuse v. To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error. 
accustom v. To make familiar by use. 
acerbity n. Sourness, with bitterness and astringency. 
acetate n. A salt of acetic acid. 
acetic adj. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar. 
ache v. To be in pain or distress. 
Achillean adj. Invulnerable. 
achromatic adj. Colorless, 
acid n. A sour substance. 
acidify v. To change into acid. 
acknowledge v. To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of. 
acknowledgment n. Recognition. 
acme n. The highest point, or summit. 
acoustic adj. Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing. 
acquaint v. To make familiar or conversant. 
acquiesce v. To comply; submit. 
acquiescence n. Passive consent. 
acquire v. To get as one's own. 
acquisition n. Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor. 
acquit v. To free or clear, as from accusation. 
acquittal n. A discharge from accusation by judicial action. 
acquittance n. Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility. 
acreage n. Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land. 
acrid adj. Harshly pungent or bitter. 
acrimonious adj. Full of bitterness. 
acrimony n. Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper. 
actionable adj. Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words. 
actuality n. Any reality. 
actuary n. An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums. 
actuate v. To move or incite to action. 
acumen n. Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination. 
acute adj. Having fine and penetrating discernment. 
adamant n. Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability. 
addendum n. Something added, or to be added. 
addle v. To make inefficient or worthless; muddle. 
adduce v. To bring forward or name for consideration. 
adhere v. To stick fast or together. 
adherence n. Attachment. 
adherent adj. Clinging or sticking fast. 
adhesion n. The state of being attached or joined. 
adieu inter. Good-by; farewell. 
adjacency n. The state of being adjacent. 
adjacent n. That which is near or bordering upon. 
adjudge v. To award or bestow by formal decision. 
adjunct n. Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place. 
adjuration n. A vehement appeal. 
adjutant adj. Auxiliary. 
administrator n. One who manages affairs of any kind. 
admissible adj. Having the right or privilege of entry. 
admittance n. Entrance, or the right or permission to enter. 
admonish v. To warn of a fault. 
admonition n. Gentle reproof. 
ado n. unnecessary activity or ceremony. 
adoration n. Profound devotion.

ballad n. Any popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form. 
balsam n. A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing. 
banal adj. Commonplace. 
barcarole n. A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers. 
barograph n. An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure. 
barometer n. An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface. 
barring prep. Apart from. 
baritone adj. Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor. 
bask v. To make warm by genial heat. 
bass adj. Low in tone or compass. 
baste v. To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking. 
baton n. An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or privilege. 
battalion n. A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a regiment. 
batten n. A narrow strip of wood. 
batter n. A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery. 
bauble n. A trinket. 
bawl v. To proclaim by outcry. 
beatify v. To make supremely happy. 
beatitude n. Any state of great happiness. 
beau n. An escort or lover. 
becalm v. To make quiet. 
beck v. To give a signal to, by nod or gesture. 
bedaub v. To smear over, as with something oily or sticky. 
bedeck v. To cover with ornament. 
bedlam n. Madhouse. 
befog v. To confuse. 
befriend v. To be a friend to, especially when in need. 
beget v. To produce by sexual generation. 
begrudge v. To envy one of the possession of. 
belate v. To delay past the proper hour. 
belay v. To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat. 
belie v. To misrepresent. 
believe v. To accept as true on the testimony or authority of others. 
belittle v. To disparage. 
belle n. A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments, etc. 
bellicose adj. Warlike. 
belligerent adj. Manifesting a warlike spirit. 
bemoan v. To lament 
benediction n. a solemn invocation of the divine blessing. 
benefactor n. A doer of kindly and charitable acts. 
benefice n. A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine service. 
beneficent adj. Characterized by charity and kindness. 
beneficial adj. Helpful. 
beneficiary n. One who is lawfully entitled to the profits and proceeds of an estate or property.