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:
ascetic   Speak
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
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byzantine   Speak
convoluted, complex
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chastise   Speak
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
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despot   Speak
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; eastern Orthodox bishop
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diminutive   Speak
below the average size; very small; little
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eulogy   Speak
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
adroit  Speak
Exercise
below the average size; very small; little
Exercise
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
Exercise
confuse
Exercise
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
ascetic  Speak
Exercise
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
Exercise
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
Exercise
below the average size; very small; little
Exercise
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
auspicious  Speak
Exercise
accelerate; quicken
Exercise
confuse
Exercise
attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous
Exercise
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
banal  Speak
Exercise
extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
Exercise
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
boorish  Speak
Exercise
make worse
Exercise
influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Exercise
rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners
Exercise
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
censure  Speak
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Exercise
obscure; profound; difficult to understand.
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Exercise
make worse
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
obscure; profound; difficult to understand.


Spelling Word: abstruse
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speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked


Spelling Word: affected
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good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly


Spelling Word: amiable
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antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times


Spelling Word: antediluvian
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wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease


Spelling Word: atrophy
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supported by two opposing parties


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