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:
automaton   Speak
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
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conscientious   Speak
diligent; responsible; reliable
Show examples and contexts    Close
demonstrative   Speak
openly emotional
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discount   Speak
give reduction in price on
Show examples and contexts    Close
excavate   Speak
unearth; dig out; make a hole in; hollow out
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glutton   Speak
person who eats too much food and drink
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
altruistic  Speak
Exercise
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
Exercise
unselfishly generous; concerned for others
Exercise
dislike, aversion
Exercise
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
amicable  Speak
Exercise
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Exercise
accidental; by chance; coming or occurring without any cause
Exercise
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
Exercise
useless; having no useful result; vain
conscientious  Speak
Exercise
suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest
Exercise
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause
Exercise
diligent; responsible; reliable
Exercise
blacken; defame; attack reputation of; degrade
consternation  Speak
Exercise
suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest
Exercise
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause
Exercise
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
Exercise
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
contempt  Speak
Exercise
inclined or eager to fight; aggressive
Exercise
difficult to work with; rude; unyielding; unmanageable
Exercise
useless; having no useful result; vain
Exercise
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
dauntless  Speak
Exercise
convoluted, complex
Exercise
bold; incapable of being discouraged; fearless
Exercise
extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
Exercise
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality


Spelling Word: banal
Read [Esc]
rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners


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


Spelling Word: compliant
Read [Esc]
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior


Spelling Word: decorum
Read [Esc]
force to leave; remove from office


Spelling Word: depose
Read [Esc]
something that discourages; tending to deter


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