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:
charlatan   Speak
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
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coalesce   Speak
combine; fuse; grow together; come together so as to form one whole; unite
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demure   Speak
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
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despondent   Speak
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
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divisive   Speak
creating conflict
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elicit   Speak
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
alacrity  Speak
Exercise
principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction
Exercise
a party of persons having a common end in view
Exercise
cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Exercise
representative or perfect example of a class or type; brief summary, as of a book or article
antipathy  Speak
Exercise
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Exercise
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
Exercise
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Exercise
compromising, apologizing
apathetic  Speak
Exercise
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
Exercise
feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent
Exercise
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
Exercise
manner of walking or stepping; bearing or carriage while moving; walk; rate of moving
burgeon  Speak
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Exercise
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
Exercise
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
Exercise
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion
cantankerous  Speak
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Exercise
confuse
Exercise
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
Exercise
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
chide  Speak
Exercise
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Exercise
put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of
Exercise
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Exercise
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
mental keenness; quickness of perception


Spelling Word: acumen
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constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent


Spelling Word: assiduous
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impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration


Spelling Word: august
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air, feeling


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


Spelling Word: blighted
Read [Esc]
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke


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