Who Created it ?

VocabAhead, with the help of talented artists, high school teachers and professional narrators created this product so students involved in building strong vocabulary have best possible material. VocabAhead is dedicated to coming up with methods and techniques which would simplify the process of building a strong vocabulary. Strong vocabulary is not only essential in doing excellent in standardized Tests like SAT but also key to professional development and getting ahead in your career.

Groundbreaking Technique

It is easier to understand a word's meaning if concept behind it is brought to life through visuals. Picture is worth a thousand words hence we created a unique picture for every word. In order to make sure you not only know correct pronunciation but context and 'sense' of the word and its meaning we got help from professional narrators (voice talent folks) to narrate the 'short story' which we created around every word. The accompanying DVD contains matching Vidoes and Mp3 files.

At VocabAhead we believe in today's day and age building vocabulary should not be limited to reading dead written text from a dictionary or via Flash Cards. Those are so boring! Vocabulary is about words and words carry depth in concepts, hence vocabulary building must bring those core concept / meanings to life.

SAT Vocabulary Word List

1 Abridge (v) To cut short, reduce in size or to shrink
2 Abscond (v) To make off with something secretly
3 Abstruse (adj) Deep, hard to understand, or complicated
4 Accolade (n) Awards, honors, or praise
5 Accrue (v) To grow in size or number over time, to add to something slowly
6 Acumen (n) Great skill, smartness
7 Adhere (v) To hold tightly, to support a certain cause, rule, or belief, or to stay attached to 
something
8 Affinity (n) A family relationship that is not by blood but by marriage, or a natural attraction
9 Aftermath (n) The results of an event, the effects or outcome of an action or situation
10 Aggrandize (v) To expand something or make it bigger, to exaggerate
11 Agnostic (n) Someone who is not certain about existence of God
12 Agog (adj) To be very excited, eager and full of interest
13 Amalgam (n) A combination or mixture
14 Amass (v) To collect for oneself or to accumulate
15 Ambivalent (adj) Undecided or simultaneously having opposite or conflicting feelings, such as love and hate
16 Ameliorate (v) To make more tolerable or to make better
17 Amenable (adj) Ready to be changed or controlled
18 Amiable (adj) Having a pleasant and friendly disposition
19 Anachronistic (adj) Out of place in a particular time period or out of chronological order
20 Animosity (n) Extreme dislike, hatred, or ill will
21 Anomalous (adj) To be out of the ordinary or unusual
22 Antecede (v) To come before something
23 Apathy (n) Lack of emotion or interest
24 Appall (v) To horrify, shock, disgust, or revolt someone
25 Apparition (n) A ghostly figure 
26 Appease (v) To calm someone down, especially by giving in to the demands
27 Apprehensive (adj) Worried or anxious, or having fear of what may happen
28 Arbitrator (n) A third party or person who steps in to smooth over or settle a disagreement
29 Arcane (adj) Meant for or known to only a select few
30 Archaic (adj) Old and out of use
31 Arduous (adj) Difficult, exhausting or requiring lots of energy and effort
32 Articulate (adj) Using language clearly or spoken in a way that is easily understood
33 Ascertain (v) To learn, to find out with certainty, or to discover through investigation
34 Asinine (adj) Stupid, foolish, or lacking good sense or intelligence
35 Aspersion (n) A damaging remark about someone or something, or verbal abuse
36 Assuage (v) To ease the pain, to soothe, or to pacify
37 Astute (adj) Very clever, smart and perceptive
38 Asunder (adj) Cut apart or being apart in direction or position
39 Atrophy (n) Wasting away, especially of body tissue, muscle, or organ
40 Attrition (n) Wearing away, a normal loss of workers or members by retirement or dying
41 Augment (v) To increase, to grow, or to intensify
42 Auspicious (adj) Of good omen for the future, favorable or promising
43 Avuncular (adj) Of or like an uncle
44 Axiom (n) Something that's generally accepted as true or self-evident
45 Badger (v) To bother or to nag
46 Baffle (v) To confuse or frustrate someone
47 Baleful (adj) Harmful, threatening, evil in effect or intent
48 Ballast (n) Anything heavy carried in a ship, airplane or vehicle in order to give stability
49 Banal (adj) Ordinary, common place or unoriginal
50 Bandy (v) To throw or pass back and forth
51 Barrage (n) An unending attack, a bombing, or an overwhelming outpouring
52 Bauble (n) A pretty but cheap ornament; the scepter carried by a court jester
53 Bedlam (n) A scene of great confusion and wildness or great uproar
54 Bellicose (adj) Warlike, ready to attack or eager to fight
55 Belligerent (adj) Hostile, inclined to fight, or aggressive
56 Benevolent (adj) Kind, good-hearted, or generous 
57 Benign (adj) Good-natured and kindly; causing no harm 
58 Bereave (trv) To deprive someone of something and leave in sad or lonely state
59 Beset (v) To cover, attack, or surround on all sides
60 Bilk (v) To cheat or to trick someone
61 Bizarre (adj) Very strange or odd
62 Blanch (v) To whiten, to lose color or bleach
63 Bland (adj) Pleasantly mild and soothing, not sharp or harsh; it also means tasteless or flavorless
64 Blatant (adj) Conspicuous, often to the point of being offensive
65 Bleak (adj) Bare, cold, and gloomy
66 Bludgeon (n) A club
67 Bolster (v) To support or to strengthen
68 Bombastic (adj) To be characterized by grand, dramatic gestures, inflated and overblown
69 Boon (n) Something to be thankful for or something that is asked for
70 Boorish (adj) Behaving in a rude manner
71 Bovine (adj) Like a cow; slow and dull
72 Brawn (n) Strong, well-developed muscles
73 Brazen (adj) Bold and unashamed, or extremely cocky
74 Brouhaha (n) Turmoil, heated confrontation or huge fight over something small
75 Bulwark (n) A structure that acts as a defense, something that protects from outside danger
76 Buttress (v) To support or reinforce something, often with brick, wood, or stone
77 Byzantine (adj) Characteristic of the ancient Byzantine Empire; complex
78 Cajole (v) To persuade with flattery or sweet talk
79 Callous (adj) Indifferent or insensitive to other people's feelings
80 Camaraderie (n) Loyalty and friendship among a group of people
81 Candid (adj) Honest in what one writes or says
82 Candor (n) The straight-forward, or quality of being fair, honest, and frank
83 Cantankerous (adj) Cranky, unpleasant or hard to get along with
84 Castigate (v) To criticize or punish severely, especially to correct a behavior
85 Cataclysm (n) A disaster, great upheaval that causes sudden and often violent changes
86 Caucus (n) A meeting of leaders to decide on policy, pick candidates, etc
87 Chastise (v) To discipline, to criticize sharply, or to scold
88 Choleric (adj) Having or showing a quick temper, irritable
89 Churlish (adj) One who is mean and rude or grumpy
90 Cliche (n) An idea that's been repeated too much
91 Coerce (v) To force or compel someone to do something
92 Commodious (adj) Offering plenty of room or space
93 Complacent (adj) Being self-satisfied and uncritically pleased with one's circumstances 
94 Conciliatory (adj) Making peace or attempting to solve a dispute through goodwill
95 Congenial (adj) Agreeable in tastes and temperament
96 Conscript (v) To force into service for the government or to enroll in the armed forces
97 Convivial (adj) Being fun-loving, festive or joyful
98 Cornucopia (n) Abundance or a large amount of something 
99 Cower (v) To shrink or tremble from fear
100 Craven (adj) Very cowardly or fearful
101 Credulous (adj) Tending to believe too readily, or easily convinced
102 Debase (v) To lower in value, quality, character or dignity
103 Debilitate (v) To weaken, to sicken or to harm
104 Decimate (trv) To destroy something thoroughly
105 Deluge (n) An overwhelming amount of something 
106 Demote (v) To reduce to a lower grade or rank
107 Denounce (v) To speak out against or to condemn
108 Deride (v) To laugh at or make fun of someone or something
109 Derivative (adj) Created from another source or unoriginal 
110 Descry (v) To look over or to discover by searching hard
111 Devoid (adj) Empty or lacking 
112 Diatribe (n) A harsh verbal attack, sharp criticism or rant
113 Dichotomy (n) A division into two parts, groups, or halves
114 Dictum (n) An authoritative pronouncement; a popular saying
115 Diffident (adj) Being shy or lacking self-confidence
116 Dilettante (n) An amateur, usually in connection with the arts 
117 Diverse (adj) Varied and different
118 Doff (v) To take off clothes; it also means to lift a hat in a greeting
119 Don (v) To put on a garment or other item of clothing
120 Elucidate (v) To make clear or to explain effectively
121 Embellish (v) To decorate or improve using small details; it also means to add imaginary details to a story
122 Emulate (v) To try to equal by imitating or copying
123 Eschew (v) To give up or avoid something
124 Esoteric (adj) Understood by only a few 
125 Estrange (v) To turn one�s affections away from another person; it also means to remove or to keep apart
126 Exemplar (n) A model, something deserving to be imitated 
127 Extirpate (trv) To destroy or get rid of something 
128 Extol (v) To praise highly or admire
129 Facilitate (trv) To enable something or make it easier
130 Fathom (v) To understand thoroughly or to measure the depth of something
131 Feign (v) To pretend, imagine, or make up such as a story or excuse
132 Fetter (v) To chain or tie up, to restrict
133 Fickle (adj) Changeable in interest, loyalty, affection, etc
134 Fusillade (n) A number of shots fired, usually at the same time 
135 Futile (adj) That which could not succeed despite great effort
136 Gaffe (n) A blunder or a mistake which results in an awkward situation
137 Gloat (v) To show mean-spirited happiness, to be happy about someone's bad luck or misfortune
138 Glutton (n) A greedy eater, or someone who has a large capacity to absorb
139 Grandiose (adj) Grand or affectedly grand
140 Gullible (adj) Naive, easily deceived or cheated
141 Harangue (n) A long, blustering speech or a rant
142 Heterodoxy (n) Being outside of the accepted belief or established doctrine
143 Histrionic (adj) Overly dramatic or over-acting
144 Hoard (v) To store something away for future use without sharing it
145 Hypothetical (adj) Based on an unproven theory
146 Iconoclast (n) Someone who attacks others� religious beliefs or images
147 Implacable (adj) Unable to be eased or appeased
148 Incongruous (adj) Lacking harmony or agreement, or being absurd
149 Indolence (n) Disliking or avoiding work; idleness, laziness
150 Indomitable (adj) Not easily defeated or discouraged, or invincible
151 Innate (adj) Existing naturally, often from birth
152 Inured (adj) Being used to something difficult or painful
153 Inveigle (v) To persuade someone with kind words, to flatter to get something you want
154 Invocation (n) Request to God or spirit for help or protection
155 Irascible (adj) Easily angered or quick-tempered
156 Irreverence (n) Disrespect
157 Jaded (adj) Worn out; made insensitive by excess
158 Jaunt (n) A short trip for pleasure
159 Jingoist (n) Someone who shows extreme nationalism
160 Jubilant (adj) Triumphant or thrilled
161 Judicious (adj) Having good judgment or being balanced and wise
162 Kindle (v) To build or light a fire, to inspire, or to become bright
163 Laconic (adj) Brief with words, concise or something said with few words
164 Lampoon (v) To make fun of or to mock
165 Languish (v) To lose vigor and vitality, to become weak
166 Languor (n) A lack of energy, lack of interest or spirit
167 Lassitude (n) Feeling of being tired, or weariness of mind or body; it also means a condition of 
indifference
168 Laudable (adj) Worthy of being praised or honored
169 Leaven (v) To lighten and/or cause to rise 
170 Lethargy (n) A great lack of energy, sluggishness or dullness
171 Libel (n) A false statement written out of a desire to damage someone's reputation
172 Lithe (adj) Being easily bendable or flexible
173 Lugubrious (adj) Deeply sad and gloomy in an exaggerated way
174 Macerate (v) To soften or break down into parts, usually by soaking in a liquid
175 Magnanimous (adj) Very generous and kind
176 Malcontent (adj) Someone who is discontented or rebellious
177 Mandate (n) An authoritative command or order
178 Manifest (v) To make clear or evident, to reveal, or to appear
179 Manifesto (n) A public declaration of motives and intentions by a government, person, or group 
180 Mawkish (adj) Emotional to the point of being unpleasant
181 Mellifluous (adj) Like honey, sweet and smooth
182 Menagerie (n) A collection of wild or exotic animals kept for exhibition; or an unusual and varied group
183 Mendicant (n) A person who lives by begging
184 Mercenary (adj) Working for payment only or motivated by a desire for money
185 Metaphor (n) A word or phrase that draws a comparison between two unlike things
186 Meticulous (adj) Extremely or excessively careful about details
187 Migratory (adj) Animals or other creatures that move from place to place
188 Milieu (n) Cultural and social surroundings, environment
189 Misanthrope (n) Someone who hates other people
190 Modicum (n) A small amount, a bit
191 Mores (n) Actions, behaviors, or manners that are socially accepted without question
192 Motley (adj) Containing a great variety such as being multi-colored
193 Mottled (adj) Spotted
194 Myriad (n) Variety, a great number of things
195 Neutral (adj) Not taking part in either side of a dispute or quarrel, or a war
196 Nirvana (n) A state of bliss, state of perfect calm or peace
197 Noisome (adj) Disgusting, offensive, gross, or harmful
198 Nonplus (v) To confuse or to puzzle
199 Nostrum (n) A medicine of questionable value 
200 Novel (adj) New and unusual, especially being the first of its kind, unique
201 Noxious (adj) Harmful, upsetting or causing damage
202 Oblique (adj) Indirect or not straightforward
203 Obtuse (adj) Lacking in insight or intellect, or slow to comprehend
204 Obviate (v) To make unnecessary 
205 Officious (adj) Overly eager to serve or to advise, usually in a bossy way
206 Ogle (v) To look at with great attention, often in an sexual way 
207 Operetta (n) A light, amusing opera with spoken dialogue
208 Ornate (adj) Beautifully detailed, showy or decorated
209 Overwrought (adj) Overworked or fatigued; it can also mean very nervous or excited
210 Palatable (adj) Agreeable to the taste 
211 Palliate (v) To bring some relief or comfort
212 Pallid (adj) Unusually pale, weak, or lacking intensity or spirit
213 Palpitate (v) To beat rapidly, especially one�s heart
214 Pan (v) To criticize severely 
215 Panacea (n) A cure-all, a solution for everything
216 Panache (n) Having a lot of style and flair
217 Paradigm (n) A model or a set of beliefs
218 Paragon (n) An example of excellence, a positive model
219 Peccadillo (n) A minor or petty offense, or a slight fault
220 Penury (n) Severe poverty 
221 Perennial (n) A plant that lives all seasons or for several years
222 Perfunctory (adj) Mechanical, unthinking, having little interest 
223 Perplex (trv) To confuse or puzzle
224 Perquisite (n) A special privilege, or perk 
225 Pious (adj) Having or showing religious devotion
226 Pluck (v) To pick or pull on something
227 Preclude (trv) To make something impossible, usually in advance, shut out
228 Precursor (n) Something that comes before 
229 Predilection (n) Having a preference or liking for someone or something
230 Preen (v) To groom oneself excessively 
231 Prelude (n) The introduction to a main event, performance, or action
232 Prodigal (n) A person who wastes his money and means
233 Profuse (adj) Plentiful or generous
234 Propensity (n) A natural tendency to something, inclination or bias
235 Propriety (n) The quality of being proper, acceptable, or decent
236 Provocative (adj) Stimulating, as in provoking an action, thought, or feeling
237 Purist (n) One who follows strict, often formal, rules and observances
238 Quandary (n) An uncertain and confusing situation or position
239 Quell (v) To put an end to or to quiet something
240 Quiescent (adj) To become quiet or still
241 Quirk (n) A peculiar trait or mannerism; it can also mean a sudden twist or turn
242 Quixotic (adj) Extravagantly romantic, or foolishly idealistic or unrealistic
243 Ramification (n) The result, effect, or consequence derived from an action, statement, decision, etc
244 Ratify (v) To approve or confirm in an official manner
245 Raze (v) To tear down completely or to level to the ground
246 Recalcitrant (adj) Refusing to obey authority, customs or regulations; stubborn
247 Receptive (adj) Open to new ideas or things, favorable, or welcoming
248 Reciprocate (v) To give or feel in return for a favor or a feeling
249 Recluse (n) Someone who lives a secluded life, apart from society
250 Reconcile (v) To make friendly again or to settle a dispute or disagreement
251 Recrimination (n) A countercharge or the act of making a similar accusation toward another
252 Rectitude (n) Conduct according to moral character and uprightness of character
253 Refute (trv) To prove a person, argument, or statement to be false
254 Relegate (trv) To assign to a lower order of or to a lower position; demote
255 Relinquish (v) To surrender something owned, or to give up or to abandon something, such as a plan
256 Remonstrance (n) The act or instance of protest or complaint
257 Remorse (n) A deep sense of guilt or regret felt over doing wrong
258 Reproach (trv) To blame someone for a fault, to accuse or scold
259 Rescind (v) To revoke or cancel
260 Resilient (adj) Springing back into shape, or quickly recover one�s strength or spirits
261 Resolute (adj) Showing or having a fixed purpose
262 Retard (v) To slow something down, or to delay
263 Reticent (adj) Silent, uncommunicative or quiet
264 Rift (n) An opening or break caused by a split
265 Routine (n) A regular pattern that is followed, or a habitual activity
266 Saccharine (adj) Containing or producing sugar, or being too sweet or sugary
267 Saga (n) A lengthy story or narrative
268 Scotch (trv) To put an end to or to crush
269 Scrutinize (v) To look at very closely or to inspect
270 Serrated (adj) Having saw-like notches along the edge
271 Shunt (v) To shift something from one track or path to another
272 Skeptical (adj) Not easily persuaded or convinced
273 Skiff (n) A light, open boat usually propelled by oars or a sail
274 Solicit (trv) To ask for or to request, usually in earnest, to plead
275 Somatic (adj) Relating to the body or physical
276 Steadfast (adj) Being firm, constant or loyal
277 Striated (adj) Marked by grooves or stripes; it can also mean hollow or empty
278 Stringent (adj) Rigid, controlled or strict
279 Successive (adj) Following one after another in sequence
280 Supercilious (adj) Full of pride or arrogance
281 Supposition (n) A guess, hypothesis or a theory
282 Svelte (adj) Elegantly slim or slender
283 Sycophant (n) A person who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or power
284 Tangible (adj) That which can be touched or felt by touch
285 Tether (v) To tie something or someone to something
286 Transitional (adj) Characteristic of change; in the process of change or modulation
287 Travail (n) Hard physical exertion or agony
288 Tremulous (adj) Fearful, trembling, or shaky
289 Unbridled (adj) Unrestrained or uncontrolled, wild
290 Undermine (v) To injure, weaken, or impair, especially by subtle means
291 Unprecedented (adj) Having no precedent or parallel, being unheard of, unique
292 Upright (adj) Standing erect; it can also mean honest and just
293 Vehement (adj) Acting or moving with great force or strong passion
294 Vilify (v) To criticize harshly or to defame
295 Vindicate (v) To clear from criticism, blame, guilt, or suspicion
296 Virulent (adj) Full of hate, or extremely poisonous or deadly
297 Wax (v) To grow larger or more numerous in a gradual way; it can also mean to speak or express 
oneself
298 Whimsical (adj) Fanciful, unpredictable, enchanting in a light-hearted way
299 Wistful (adj) Expressing vague longings or having desires tinged with sadness
300 Zealous (adj) Showing extreme enthusiasm or devotion