SAT Essay Vocabulary

Free Online Vocabulary Test
K12, SAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL
Quick Access Resources:
Print PDF Quiz/Test Online Study
Vocabulary Study Online by Level
Vocabulary Study Online
Vocabulary Study Online By Level (VSOBL) is a Fast, Reliable, and Handy tool to prepare English exam vocabulary. (Available for all VIP accounts: US$2/Month). It has built-in word lists: 6000 IELTS words, 6000 TOEFL words, 5000 GRE words, and 3000 SAT words. You can load them by level with one click.
 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:
arcane   Speak
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
Show examples and contexts    Close
aspire   Speak
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Show examples and contexts    Close
chide   Speak
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Show examples and contexts    Close
demystify   Speak
clarify; free from mystery or obscurity
Show examples and contexts    Close
egalitarian   Speak
belief in equality
Show examples and contexts    Close
exhibitionist   Speak
deliberately behaving a certain way to attract attention
Show examples and contexts    Close
This is 6 words quick view. View words of the list
4   Word meaning matching - Test words you know:
antediluvian  Speak
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Exercise
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
Exercise
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Exercise
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
arcane  Speak
Exercise
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
Exercise
devaluation; decrease in price or value
Exercise
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Exercise
make slender, fine, or small; weaken; lessen density of
bog  Speak
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Exercise
marsh, swamp
Exercise
convoluted, complex
Exercise
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
byzantine  Speak
Exercise
manner of walking or stepping; bearing or carriage while moving; walk; rate of moving
Exercise
clarify; free from mystery or obscurity
Exercise
convoluted, complex
Exercise
open to two or more interpretations and often intended to mislead
cantankerous  Speak
Exercise
great excitement; public disorder or uproar
Exercise
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
Exercise
characteristic of acting or stage performance
Exercise
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
culpable  Speak
Exercise
blameworthy
Exercise
convoluted, complex
Exercise
bring out; arouse; call forth
Exercise
representative or perfect example of a class or type; brief summary, as of a book or article
This is 6 words matching. Try matching quizzes of the list
5   Interactive spelling - Check your spelling skill online:
Read [Esc]
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere


Spelling Word: ascetic
Read [Esc]
relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional


Spelling Word: cerebral
Read [Esc]
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble


Spelling Word: complacency
Read [Esc]
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy


Spelling Word: contentious
Read [Esc]
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule


Spelling Word: debunk
Read [Esc]
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; eastern Orthodox bishop


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