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:
assiduous   Speak
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
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circumvent   Speak
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
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contemptible   Speak
worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean
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desecration   Speak
violate the sacredness of
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disputatious   Speak
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
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evoke   Speak
bring out; arouse; call forth
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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
make weak; enfeeble; impair the strength of
Exercise
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Exercise
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
aspire  Speak
Exercise
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Exercise
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Exercise
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
burgeon  Speak
Exercise
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Exercise
suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest
Exercise
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
Exercise
act of two things flowing together; junction or meeting place where two things meet
cantankerous  Speak
Exercise
foolishness; lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
chagrin  Speak
Exercise
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Exercise
anxiety caused by humiliation or injured pride; disappointment
Exercise
supported by two opposing parties
Exercise
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
circumvent  Speak
Exercise
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
Exercise
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
Exercise
calmness of temperament; steadiness of mind under stress.
Exercise
alienate
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate


Spelling Word: abhor
Read [Esc]
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request


Spelling Word: accost
Read [Esc]
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable


Spelling Word: amenable
Read [Esc]
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning


Spelling Word: bombastic
Read [Esc]
worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean


Spelling Word: contemptible
Read [Esc]
humiliation


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