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:
abhor   Speak
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
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congenial   Speak
compatible
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debunk   Speak
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
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disingenuous   Speak
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
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elated   Speak
overjoyed; extremely happy and excited
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extricate   Speak
free, as from difficulties or perplexities; cause to be emitted or evolved
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
abate  Speak
Exercise
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
Exercise
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
Exercise
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
Exercise
surround; form a circle or ring around; enclose; envelop
affected  Speak
Exercise
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Exercise
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Exercise
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
Exercise
learned; scholarly, with emphasis on knowledge gained from books
august  Speak
Exercise
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy
Exercise
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; exceeding proper limits
Exercise
impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
Exercise
well-suited, happy
burgeon  Speak
Exercise
extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding
Exercise
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Exercise
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
circuitous  Speak
Exercise
extreme corruption or degradation; wickedness
Exercise
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
Exercise
being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit; not direct
Exercise
disappointed, defeated
compendious  Speak
Exercise
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
Exercise
yielding to request or desire; ready to accommodate; disposed or willing to comply
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Exercise
succinct
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
strong feeling of aversion; dislike


Spelling Word: antipathy
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leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere


Spelling Word: ascetic
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greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain


Spelling Word: avarice
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discordant; inharmonious; sounding harshly; ill-sounding


Spelling Word: cacophonous
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fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly


Spelling Word: capricious
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capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action


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