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:
arcane   Speak
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
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churlish   Speak
difficult to work with; rude; unyielding; unmanageable
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circuitous   Speak
being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit; not direct
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congenial   Speak
compatible
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effervesce   Speak
bubble, fizz
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extricate   Speak
free, as from difficulties or perplexities; cause to be emitted or evolved
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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
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out
Exercise
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Exercise
generous in providing aid to others; charitable
Exercise
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
amenable  Speak
Exercise
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
Exercise
foolishness; lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight
Exercise
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Exercise
refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful, subtle handling
antediluvian  Speak
Exercise
devaluation; decrease in price or value
Exercise
list each one; mention one by one
Exercise
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Exercise
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
benevolent  Speak
Exercise
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Exercise
succinct
Exercise
blameworthy
Exercise
generous in providing aid to others; charitable
bombastic  Speak
Exercise
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Exercise
list each one; mention one by one
Exercise
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
Exercise
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
congenial  Speak
Exercise
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
Exercise
devaluation; decrease in price or value
Exercise
compatible
Exercise
sparing; economical; costing little; inexpensive
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
Read [Esc]
bitter animosity


Spelling Word: acrimony
Read [Esc]
feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent


Spelling Word: apathetic
Read [Esc]
contradict; give a false impression


Spelling Word: belie
Read [Esc]
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication


Spelling Word: castigate
Read [Esc]
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance


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