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 

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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:
amicable   Speak
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
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clandestine   Speak
secret; conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
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demure   Speak
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
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disingenuous   Speak
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
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fastidious   Speak
difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
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frugal   Speak
sparing; economical; costing little; inexpensive
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
accost  Speak
Exercise
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Exercise
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
Exercise
measure the depth; come to understand
Exercise
short-lived; enduring a very short time
amenable  Speak
Exercise
friendly; cordial; having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner
Exercise
impressive from inherent grandeur; large and impressive, in size, scope or extent
Exercise
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
Exercise
put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of
atrophy  Speak
Exercise
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Exercise
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease
Exercise
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Exercise
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
cerebral  Speak
Exercise
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Exercise
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
Exercise
put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of
Exercise
relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional
charlatan  Speak
Exercise
puzzle; difficult problem
Exercise
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
Exercise
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; eastern Orthodox bishop
Exercise
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
chastise  Speak
Exercise
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Exercise
social science that studies origins and social relationships of human beings
Exercise
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
Exercise
discouraging
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
assign, portion


Spelling Word: aloocate
Read [Esc]
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand


Spelling Word: apt
Read [Esc]
air, feeling


Spelling Word: aura
Read [Esc]
influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering


Spelling Word: cajole
Read [Esc]
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy


Spelling Word: contentious
Read [Esc]
having harmful effect; injurious; having quality of destroying life; noxious; poisonous


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