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:
abate   Speak
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
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amicable   Speak
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
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assail   Speak
assault; attack with or as if with violent blows
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duplicitous   Speak
deliberately deceptive
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elated   Speak
overjoyed; extremely happy and excited
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flummox   Speak
confuse
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
acumen  Speak
Exercise
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Exercise
cheating; deceitful; planning or using fraud; given to practice of fraud
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
anthropology  Speak
Exercise
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
Exercise
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
Exercise
force to leave; remove from office
Exercise
social science that studies origins and social relationships of human beings
antipathy  Speak
Exercise
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Exercise
compatible
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Exercise
supported by two opposing parties
ascendancy  Speak
Exercise
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Exercise
intrusive
Exercise
critical; addicted to censure; severe in making remarks on others, or on their writings or manners; implying or expressing censure
Exercise
willingness to carry out the wishes of others; great respect
bitartisanship  Speak
Exercise
supported by two opposing parties
Exercise
well-suited, happy
Exercise
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Exercise
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
chide  Speak
Exercise
obscure; profound; difficult to understand.
Exercise
bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack
Exercise
cheating; deceitful; planning or using fraud; given to practice of fraud
Exercise
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
ease or lessen pain; satisfy or appease


Spelling Word: assuage
Read [Esc]
contradict; give a false impression


Spelling Word: belie
Read [Esc]
supported by two opposing parties


Spelling Word: bitartisanship
Read [Esc]
suffering from a disease; destroyed, ruined, or spoiled


Spelling Word: blighted
Read [Esc]
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly


Spelling Word: burgeon
Read [Esc]
convoluted, complex


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