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:
aberration   Speak
deviation, not normal
Show examples and contexts    Close
auspicious   Speak
attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous
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compendious   Speak
succinct
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consternation   Speak
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
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elude   Speak
avoid cleverly; escape perception of
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exhibitionist   Speak
deliberately behaving a certain way to attract attention
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
abstruse  Speak
Exercise
obscure; profound; difficult to understand.
Exercise
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
Exercise
festive; occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
Exercise
set forth; set out to public view
conflagration  Speak
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
Exercise
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Exercise
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
Exercise
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion
despondent  Speak
Exercise
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Exercise
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts; make urgent appeal
Exercise
urgent, dreadful
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
dilatory  Speak
Exercise
tending to waste time
Exercise
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts; make urgent appeal
Exercise
rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing
Exercise
deliberately behaving a certain way to attract attention
disseminate  Speak
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Exercise
destroy or kill a large part of; select by lot and kill one in every ten of
Exercise
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
Exercise
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
divergent  Speak
Exercise
sudden downfall; complete disaster
Exercise
differing; tending to move apart in different directions
Exercise
useless; having no useful result; vain
Exercise
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
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]
strong feeling of aversion; dislike


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


Spelling Word: apt
Read [Esc]
dictator; ruler having unlimited power


Spelling Word: autocrat
Read [Esc]
greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain


Spelling Word: avarice
Read [Esc]
marsh, swamp


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