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:
byzantine   Speak
convoluted, complex
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contempt   Speak
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
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dauntless   Speak
bold; incapable of being discouraged; fearless
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disingenuous   Speak
giving a false appearance of frankness; not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating
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flagrant   Speak
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
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histrionic   Speak
characteristic of acting or stage performance
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This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
banal  Speak
Exercise
emotionally hardened; unfeeling; toughened
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
characteristic of acting or stage performance
Exercise
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
bitartisanship  Speak
Exercise
sophisticated; of worldwide scope
Exercise
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Exercise
supported by two opposing parties
Exercise
sudden realization
circumscribe  Speak
Exercise
limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle
Exercise
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
Exercise
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication
Exercise
artificial obstruction; heavy curtain of artillery fire; rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles
compliant  Speak
Exercise
yielding to request or desire; ready to accommodate; disposed or willing to comply
Exercise
creating conflict
Exercise
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
Exercise
principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction
conflagration  Speak
Exercise
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Exercise
dislike, aversion
Exercise
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
Exercise
extreme corruption or degradation; wickedness
cosmopolitan  Speak
Exercise
sophisticated; of worldwide scope
Exercise
set forth; set out to public view
Exercise
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand


Spelling Word: apt
Read [Esc]
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease


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


Spelling Word: chastise
Read [Esc]
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval


Spelling Word: chide
Read [Esc]
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out


Spelling Word: delineate
Read [Esc]
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle


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