SAT Essay Vocabulary

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 SAT Essay Vocabulary
1   Overview:
SAT essay vocabulary consists of 500 moderately difficult words; many high school students may learn them somehow but cannot use them confidently. This SAT word list includes examples, contexts, and interactive spelling exercises to build a solid essay vocabulary and sharpen writing skills.

If an essay is only done in plain or simple words in SAT writing, the chance to shoot a high score is relatively low. As a general rule, better vocabulary rewards a higher score. Unlike big-size reading vocabulary, writing vocabulary relies on your choice. You can prepare a set of words, then just use them in the right place, in the right way, and with the right spelling.

Most students can study or review the 500 SAT essay vocabulary in 2 weeks; some can even finish in 1 week. Nevertheless, in a real writing test, several hard words are enough; you should avoid using too many difficult words in a short essay. For example, if you have 5-7 uncommon but proper words in your essay, it will definitely impress readers.

If your time is tight and you feel the vocabulary big or hard, you may shrink the list to 200-300 words by excluding some relatively rare words. Only a doable task can bring your future writing with both confidence and skill.
2   View all words by groups:        
Go to Word List by Group:
1  2 

Select Vocabulary Group:
1  2 

Words of Group 2 (Part of words, select list to view all.):
idiosyncrasy
idyllic
ignominy
illicit
impasse
imperious
impetuous
impudence
inane
incongruity
incredulous
incriminate
incubate
indeterminate
indictment
indigenuous
indignant
indiscriminate
indolent
indomitable
induce
indulgent
ineffable
ineptitude
inert
ingenuous
inherent
inhibit
innate
innocuous
innuendo
inscrutable
insipid
insolence
instigate
insular
intrepid
inundate
invoke
irate
irony
irreverent
jaded
jocular
jovial
judicious
lackadaisical
laconic
laggard
languid
latent
laud
listless
lithe
lucid
lucrative
lull
lurid
luxuriant
magnanimous
malleable
marred
maudlin
melancholy
mercenary
mercurial
miserly
mitigate
modicum
morose
motley
multifarious
nebulous
nefarious
neophyte
notoriety
noxious
nuance
obdurate
obstinate
officious
onerous
opportunist
oracle
orthodox
ostensible
oversight
pacifist
pacify
painstaking
palliate
paradigm
parch
parody
partisan
patronize
paucity
pedant
peevish
penchant
penurious
peremptory
perfunctory
peripheral
perquisite
petulant
philanthropist
piety
...
3   Demonstrate word list style:
assail   Speak
assault; attack with or as if with violent blows
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belie   Speak
contradict; give a false impression
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chagrin   Speak
anxiety caused by humiliation or injured pride; disappointment
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charlatan   Speak
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
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deprecate   Speak
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
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disheartening   Speak
discouraging
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
aberration  Speak
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Exercise
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Exercise
deviation, not normal
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
aspire  Speak
Exercise
expert at; very skilled; having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
Exercise
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Exercise
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
atrophy  Speak
Exercise
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts; make urgent appeal
Exercise
deliberately deceptive
Exercise
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease
Exercise
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
automaton  Speak
Exercise
detect; perceive
Exercise
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Exercise
surround; form a circle or ring around; enclose; envelop
Exercise
deliberately deceptive
conflagration  Speak
Exercise
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Exercise
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Exercise
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
decorum  Speak
Exercise
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
Exercise
characteristic of acting or stage performance
Exercise
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
mental keenness; quickness of perception


Spelling Word: acumen
Read [Esc]
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent


Spelling Word: assiduous
Read [Esc]
make slender, fine, or small; weaken; lessen density of


Spelling Word: attenuate
Read [Esc]
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality


Spelling Word: banal
Read [Esc]
yielding to request or desire; ready to accommodate; disposed or willing to comply


Spelling Word: compliant
Read [Esc]
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of


Spelling Word: contempt
This is 6 words spelling. Try spelling exercises of the list