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:
abate   Speak
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
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aberration   Speak
deviation, not normal
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banal   Speak
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
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coalesce   Speak
combine; fuse; grow together; come together so as to form one whole; unite
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dispel   Speak
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
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expose   Speak
set forth; set out to public view
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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
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
Exercise
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Exercise
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
Exercise
unselfishly generous; concerned for others
assiduous  Speak
Exercise
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Exercise
marked by or having equity; just and impartial
Exercise
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
berate  Speak
Exercise
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
Exercise
friendly; cordial; having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner
Exercise
bold; incapable of being discouraged; fearless
Exercise
rebuke or scold angrily and at length
circumvent  Speak
Exercise
surround; form a circle or ring around; enclose; envelop
Exercise
surround an enemy; enclose or entrap; beat by cleverness and wit
Exercise
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
Exercise
well-suited, happy
copious  Speak
Exercise
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Exercise
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
Exercise
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
Exercise
free, as from difficulties or perplexities; cause to be emitted or evolved
cosmopolitan  Speak
Exercise
cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Exercise
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Exercise
sophisticated; of worldwide scope
Exercise
belief in equality
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
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bitter animosity


Spelling Word: acrimony
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attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous


Spelling Word: auspicious
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emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened


Spelling Word: callous
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fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly


Spelling Word: capricious
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limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle


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