unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
earthly
of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
ebb
(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric
irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity
oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic
ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
chapel
small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
chaplain
clergyman attached to a chapel
padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
eclectic
selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse
darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
ecliptic
path of the sun and the planets
ecologist
person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
ecosystem
ecological community together with its environment
economy
efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecstasy
rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
rapture
great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
eddy
swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
edict
decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
sovereign
ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
sovereignty
complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern
edify
instruct; correct morally
edifice
building (of imposing size)
eerie
weird; causing fear because strange
efface
rub out; remove the surface of
effectual
able to produce a desired effect; valid
effective
effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
effectuate
effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
effeminate
having womanly traits
emasculate
weaken; castrate
castrate
remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
effervescence
inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
effete
having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
efficacy
power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
effigy
dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
dummy
imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
effluvium
noxious(harmful) smell
effrontery
rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
effusion
pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
gush
(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.
egoism
excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
egregious
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
egress
exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
ejaculation
exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
elaboration
addition of details; intricacy
elaborate
work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
elated
filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
elicit
draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
elixir
cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
ellipsis
omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical
elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
eloquence
expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate
explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive
evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
elysian
relating to paradise; blissful
Elysium
place or condition of bliss
emaciated
thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
emanate
issue forth; come out
emancipate
set free; liberate
embargo
ban on commerce or other activity
embark
commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed)
enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish
adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement
taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
emblazon
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
embody
give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
emboss
produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
embrace
hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
encircle
surround
embroider
decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
embryonic
undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emetic
substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
eminent
rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
emissary
agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument
salary; payment for an office; compensation
empathy
ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
compassion
sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
empirical
based on experience
emulate
imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
enamored
in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
encipher
encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
enclave
territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic
praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass
surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment
gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
encumber
burden; N. encumbrance
endearment
fond word or act; expression of affection
endear
make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
endemic
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
endorse
approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue
provide with some quality; endow
enduring
lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize
invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate
weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engage
attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
engaging
charming; attractive
engaged
employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
engender
cause; produce; give rise to
engross
occupy fully; absorb
enhance
increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
enjoin
command; order; forbid
enmity
ill will; hatred; hostility
ennui
boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
enormity
hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
enrapture
please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
ensue
follow (as a result)
entail
make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
enterprising
full of initiative; showing enterprise
enterprise
willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat
enthrall
capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice
lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
mischief
behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome
entity
real being
entomology
study of insects
entrance
put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight
trance
hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
hypnosis
induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize
entreat
plead; ask earnestly
entree(entr\'ee)
entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle
entrepreneur
businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate
list; mention one by one
enunciate
announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.
environ
enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
eon(aeon)
long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras
epaulet(epaulette)
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
fringe
decorative edge of hanging threads; edge
ephemeral
short-lived; fleeting
fleet
fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral
epic
long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure
connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
Epicurean
believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
epigram
witty thought or saying, usually short
epilogue
short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
episodic
(of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience
epistemologist
philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
epitaph
inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)
epithet
word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
epitome
perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch
period of time
equable
tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity
calmness of temperament; composure
equestrian
rider on horseback; ADJ.
equilibrium
balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
equine
resembling a horse; Ex. equine face
equinox
period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
equipoise
balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equitable
fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity
fairness; justice; OP. inequity
equivocal
(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
equivocate
use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
erode
eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic
pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
errant
wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
erratic
odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
erroneous
mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite
(of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
escapade
prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules
prank
mischievous trick
flighty
(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
eschew
avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
esoteric
hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
espionage
spying
espouse
adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
esteem
respect; value; judge; N.
estranged
separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
ethereal
like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air
airy
of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
ethnic
relating to races
ethnology
study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
ethos
underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
etymology
study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic
pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic
praising; full of eulogy
eulogy
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize
euphemism
mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony
sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
euphoria
feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric
euthanasia
mercy killing
evanescent
fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evasive
not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
evince
show clearly
evenhanded
impartial; fair
evocative
tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke
call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
ewe
female sheep
ram
male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact
exacerbate
worsen; aggravate; embitter
embitter
make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
exacting
extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
exact
demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction
exalt
raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
exasperate
vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)
exceptionable
objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
except
exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
excerpt
selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.
exchequer
treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
chancellor
legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
treasure
keep as precious; cherish
excise
cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim
cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
exculpate
clear from blame or guilt
execrable
very bad; detestable
execrate
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute
put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
executor
person designated to execute the terms of a will; ¿¹¼ú ÀÛÇ°ÀÇ Ã¦ÀÛÀÚ
executioner
person administering capital punishment
executive
person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
legislature
legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws
judiciary
judicial branch of government
exegesis
explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
exemplary
serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify
show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt
not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion
effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
exhale
breathe out; OP. inhale
exhilarating
invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
exhort
urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
urge
drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
urgent
compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
exhume
dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency
urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous
small in amount; minute
existential
pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism
exodus
departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate
acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant
(of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise
drive out evil spirits
exotic
not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
intrigue
make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair
expansive
(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
outgoing
sociable; eager to mix socially with others
expatiate
talk at length; speak or write in detail
expatriate
exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country
expedient
suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite
hasten; make go faster
expeditious
done with speed; quick; N. expedition
expenditure
payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise
specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words
swear-word
word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''
oath
solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
explicate
explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit
totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit
brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
exploit
make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expository
explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
expostulation
protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
exposure
risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound
explain
expropriate
take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
expunge
cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
expurgate
clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extant
(of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous
not planned; impromptu; extempore
extenuate
weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
extirpate
root up; uproot; destroy completely
extol
praise very highly; glorify
extort
wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
extradition
surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
extraneous
not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject
extrapolation
projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information
extricate
free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle
extrinsic
external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert
person interested mostly in external objects and actions
mingle
mix together in close association
extrude
force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
exuberance
overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
glow
shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color
exude
flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation
ooze
(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
exult
rejoice
fabricate
build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society
facade(fa\c{c}ade)
front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance
facet
small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility
facilitate
help bring about; make less difficult
facsimile
copy
faction
party; clique (within a large group); dissension
dissension
disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group
factious
inclined to form factions; causing dissension
factitious
artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
factotum
handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
faculty
mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fallacious
false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
fallible
liable to err
falsify
make (something written) false by changing
fallow
(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
sow
plant or scatter seed
falter
hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.
stumble
trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
fanaticism
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic
fancied
imagined; unreal
fancier
breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal
fanciful
whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme
fancy
imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate
fanfare
call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display
farce
broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
fastidious
difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky
squeamish
easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
fatalism
belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
fathom
comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
fathomless
too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable
fatuous
smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
fauna
animals of a period or region; CF. flora
fawning
courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness
court
attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
faze
disconcert; dismay; embarrass
feasible
practical; able to be carried out; practicable
febrile
feverish
fecundity
fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young
fertile
producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize
fruitful
producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance
feign
pretend
feint
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
shift
change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group
felicitous
(of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
felicity
happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous
feline
of a member of the cat family; N.
fell
cruel; (of a disease) deadly
fell
cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)
felon
person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime
feral
(of an animal) not domestic; wild
ferment
agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
fermentation
chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation
ferret
drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes
fervent
ardent; zealous; hot
fervid
ardent; zealous; hot
impassioned
(of speech) filled with passion; fervent
fervor
glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat
fester
rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.
festive
joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
fete(f\^ete)
honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
fetid(foetid)
malodorous; foul
foul
very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul
fetish(fetich)
object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
fetter
shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
fiasco
total failure; CF. bottle
fiat
command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
fickle
changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination
figurative
not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
figure
written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. My name did not figure in the list.
figurine
small ornamental statuette(very small statue)
filch
steal (things of small value)
pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
filial
pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
filibuster
block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter
freebooter
pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich
bust
piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
filigree
delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork
lace
cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace
filing
particle removed by a file
finale
conclusion; concluding part
finesse
delicate skill; V: handle with finesse
finicky
too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food
fussy
fastidious; finicky; easily upset
fuss:
trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby
finite
limited
firebrand
piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble
hothead
person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded
fissure
crevice; crack
fitful
spasmodic; intermittent; irregular
fit
sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy
droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
droop
bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
flagrant
conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous
outrage
act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
flail
beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle
thresh
beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
toss
throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''
flay
strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
fleck
spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
fledgling(fledgeling)
inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person
fleece
wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder
shear
remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors
trickster
person who cheats people
flick
light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Ex. flick the switch
flicker
burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement
flutter
(of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.
flinch
hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.
flippant
lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy
flip
send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
flit
fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower
floe
flat mass of floating ice
flora
plants of a region or era
florescence
condition or period of flowering
florid
ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose
flush
redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing
blush
become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
tinge
give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
tint
slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
flowery
full of flowers; full of ornate expressions
flotsam
drifting wreckage
jetsam
things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
flounder
struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
thrash
beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.
flourish
grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)
flout
reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules
curb
chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
fluctuate
waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly
fluency
smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent
fluke
unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky
fluster
confuse; make nervous and confused; N.
fluted
having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column
groove
long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record
stammer
speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
flux
flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux
fodder
coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food
foible
small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
foil
contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
foil
defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail
foist
insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
palm
conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
pass_off
present falsely; represent falsely to be
foliage
masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
foment
stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
foolhardy
rash; reckless; foolishly daring
foppish
vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance
foray
raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.
forbearance
patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
ford
place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.
forebears(forbears)
ancestors
foreboding
premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
forensic
suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
forum
public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law
foreshadow
give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure
prefigure
be a sign of; foreshadow
forerunner
predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another
foresight
ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future
forestall
prevent by taking action in advance
nuptial
of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony
forfeit
something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture
forge
counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated
forgo(forego)
give up; do without
forlorn
sad and lonely; wretched; desolate
formality
ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality
formidable
menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question
menace
threat; V: threaten
forsake
desert; abandon; renounce
forswear
renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
forte
strong point or special talent in a person's character
forthright
straightforward; direct; frank
forthcoming
happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.
fortitude
bravery; courage; strength of mind
fortuitous
accidental; by chance; N. fortuity
foster
rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents
founder
fail completely; sink; CF. flounder
founder
person who establishes (an organization or business)
fracas
brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee
bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition
frustrate
thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose
fugitive
fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large
fulcrum
support on which a lever rests or pivots
fulminate
thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
fulsome
disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
fumble
move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
functionary
official (who performs a particular function)
functional
made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism
fundamental
basic; primary; essential
funereal
sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
furor
frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
furtive
stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
sneak
move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
underhand(underhanded)
done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
sly
clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions
fusillade
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
fusion
union; coalition; V. fuse
futile
useless; hopeless; ineffectual
gadfly
animal-biting fly; irritating person
gaffe
social blunder
gainsay
deny
gait
manner of walking or running; speed
galaxy
large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities
gale
windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter
gall
bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ´ãÃó(bile); CF. gall bladder
gall
annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
galleon
large three-masted sailing ship
galley
low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)
clipper
sailing vessel built for great speed
pinnace
small boat
clip
cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
galvanize
stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
galvanic
of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
gambit
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage
ploy
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
gambol
romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.
romp
play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.
zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
gamely
in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game
gamut
entire range
gape
open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape
garbled
mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible
jumble
mix in a confused way
gargantuan
huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel
gargoyle
waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building
garish
overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
trim
make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
garner
gather; store up; amass
garnish
decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N.
garrulous
loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
gastronomy
art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome
gauche
clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
gaudy
flashy; showy
flashy
showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance
gild
cover with a thin layer of gold
gaunt
lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren
gavel
hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V.
bid
command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
gawk
stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
gazette
official periodical publication; newspaper
genealogy
record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry
generality
vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people
generate
cause; produce; create
generic
characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus
genus
division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species
genesis
beginning; origin
geniality
cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered
genre
particular variety of art or literature
genteel
well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty
gentility
those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel
breed
produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
crossbreed
hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
well-bred
of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
gentry
people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility
gentle
kindly; soft; mild; of good family
genuflect
bend the knee as in worship
germane
pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
germinal
pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea
germ
earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe
germinate
cause to sprout; sprout
sprout
begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot
shoot
new growth from a plant
gerontocracy
government ruled by old people
gerontology
study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age
geriatrics
medical treatment and care of old age
gerrymander
change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander
gestate
evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth
natal
connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
gesticulation
motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)
shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.
glaze
cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery
glean
gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty
glib
fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick
slick
make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib
sleek
smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
glimmer
shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope
glitter
shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
glamor
compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous
gloat
express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.
gloss_over
explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults
gloss
brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V.
glossary
brief explanation of words used in the text
glossy
smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners
mat
not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
finish
surface texture; completeness of execution
finished
properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance
glower
scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
scowl
frown angrily; N: angry frown
glut
overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply
glutinous
sticky; viscous; gluey
glutton
someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much
gnarled
twisted
gnarl
protruding knot on a tree; V.
gnome
dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards
goad
urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually
gorge
narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it)
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
sheer
pure; thin and transparent; very steep
gouge
tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood
gouge
overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury
gourmand
epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
gourmet
connoisseur of food and drink; epicure
graduated
arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)
graduate
arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler
granary
storehouse for grain
grandeur
impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
stately
formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic
grandiloquent
(of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
grandiose
affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas
high-flown
highly pretentious or inflated
matin\'ee(matinee)
dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon
granulate
form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle
graphic
pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described
vivid
(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
graphite
black form of carbon used in lead pencils
grapple
wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar
grate
make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace
gratify
please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire
gratis
free; without charge; ADJ.
gratuitous
given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment
gratuity
tip
gravity
seriousness; ADJ. grave
gregarious
sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group
grievance
cause of complaint; complaint
grill
question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars
broil
cook by direct heat; N.
grim
causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile
grimace
facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.
grisly
ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies
groom
man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
grotesque
fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)
hideous
repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream
grotto
small cavern
grouse
complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird
grumble
complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.
mutter
utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones
rumble
make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)
grovel
crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner
grudging
unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)
gruel
thin liquid porridge
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
oatmeal
crushed oats used for making porridge
grueling
exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race
gruesome
grisly; horrible
gruff
rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse
grunt
utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.
guffaw
boisterous laughter; V.
guile
deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
cunning
clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
guileless
without deceit
guise
outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
gull
trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe
gullible
easily deceived
gustatory
affecting or relating to the sense of taste
gusto
eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm
gusty
windy
gust
strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster
guy
cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide
topple
become unsteady and fall down
overthrow
topple; N.
overturn
turn over; capsize; topple
capsize
(of a boat) turn over
gyroscope
apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.
habituate
accustom or familiarize; addict
hackles
hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise
growl
low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog)
hackneyed
commonplace; trite
haggard
wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners
haggle
argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)
halcyon
calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
hale
healthy
hail
frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail
hallowed
blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy
hallucination
delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory
halting
hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop
waver
move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
hamper
obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°À̳ª ÀǺ¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ã
hap
chance; luck
haphazard
random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town
hapless
unfortunate; luckless
harangue
long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.
harass
annoy by repeated attacks
harbinger
forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)
harbor
give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge
habitat
natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation
hardy
(of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather
harping
tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously
harrowing
agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth
deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg
latch
fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch
notch
V-shaped cut in a surface; V.
haughtiness
pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
haunt
(of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented
haven
place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven
havoc
widespread damage; disorder; chaos
hazardous
dangerous
hazard
venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger
hazy
slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind
headlong
hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.
headfirst
moving with the head leading; headlong
headstrong
willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'
heckler
person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)
hedonist
one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure
total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens
helm
steering wheel of a ship; position of control
herbivorous
grain-eating; CF. herbivore
heresy
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
hermetic
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
hermetic
concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult
sterile
incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize
hermitage
home of a hermit
herpetologist
one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians
heterodox
(of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional
heterogeneous
dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants
hew
cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.
heyday
time of greatest success or power; prime
prime
period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
primary
first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
primal
first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
primate
group of mammals including humans
hiatus
gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break
hibernal
wintry; wintery; of or like winter
hibernate
sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
hierarchy
arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority
totem
animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
hieroglyphic
picture writing; ADJ.
hilarity
boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter
hindmost
furthest behind; farthest to the rear
wage
begin and continue (a war)
hindrance
block; obstacle; V. hinder
hinterlands
back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland
hireling
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
hirsute
hairy; having a lot of hair
histrionic
theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior
historic
important in history; Ex. historic battle
historical
connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not)
hoard
stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use
hoary
white with age
hoax
trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.
holocaust
destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust
holster
leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist)
homage
honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to
homeostasis
tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm
homespun
domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
spin
rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.
of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout
hone
sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool
hoodwink
deceive; delude
horde
crowd; swarm
swarm
large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass
hortatory
encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort
horticultural
pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops
hostility
unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile
hovel
shack; small wretched house
hut
crude dwelling; shack
shack
crude cabin
shed
small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves
hover
hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state
hubbub
confused uproar; loud noise; din
hubris
arrogance; excessive self-conceit
hue
color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue
hue_and_cry
outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
humane
marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian
humanitarian
one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism
humdrum
dull; monotonous
humid
damp; N. humidity
humility
humbleness of spirit
humble
of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others
hummock
small hill; hillock
humus
substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
hurtle
crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train
husband
use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder
line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot
hydrophobia
fear of water; rabies
rabies
disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)
hygiene
science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition
hyperbole
exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola
hypercritical
excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)
hypochondriac
person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen
hypocritical
pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite
hypothetical
based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis
ichthyology
study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
icon(ikon)
religious image; idol; image or representation
iconoclastic
attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images
ideology
system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
idiom
expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic
idiosyncrasy
individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic
idolatry
worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous
idyllic
charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene
idyll(idyl)
short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
igneous
produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite
ignite
kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
ignoble
unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed
ignominy
deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
illicit
illegal
illimitable
infinite; limitless
illuminate
brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks
illusion
misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
illusive
deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive
illusory
illusive; deceptive; not real
imbalance
lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
disproportion
lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate
imbecility
weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool
imbibe
drink in
imbroglio
complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
imbue
saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings
immaculate
spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
tenant
one that pays rent to use property owned by another
tenancy
possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy
imminent
impending; near at hand
immobility
state of being immovable
immolate
offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
immune
resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
immure
imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
immutable
unchangeable
impair
injure; hurt; damage
impale
pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear
drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impending
nearing; approaching; about to happen
impenetrable
not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impenitent
not repentant
imperative
absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done
imperceptible
unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable
imperial
like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
imperil
put in danger
imperious
domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor
impermeable
impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate
impertinent
insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
imperturbable
unshakably calm; placid
collected
composed; calm; self-possessed
impervious
impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism
impetuous
violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
impetus
moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
impiety
irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
impinge
infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
impious
irreverent
implacable
incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
implausible
unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi
implement
put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
implicate
incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime
implication
something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
implicit
understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
implode
burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
implore
beg
imply
suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
impolitic
not wise; not expedient; not politic
imponderable
weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
import
significance; importance; meaning
significant
expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant
importunate
urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent
importune
beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
imposture
assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
masquerade
wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise
impotent
weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power
crave
desire; want intensely
imprecation
curse; swearword
impregnable
invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take
impregnate
make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
impromptu
without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
impropriety
improperness; unsuitableness
improvident
thriftless; not providing for the future
improvise
compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent
lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impudence
impertinence; insolence
impugn
dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
impuissance
powerlessness; feebleness
impunity
freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
impute
attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
inadvertently
unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
oversee
watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
inalienable
not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
inane
silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
inanimate
lifeless; not animate
inarticulate
speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly
speechless
unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
inaugurate
begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
incandescent
strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
incantation
singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
chant
tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
charm
quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
bewitch
cast a spell over; captivate completely
recite
repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation
recital
act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)
incapacitate
disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity
incarcerate
imprison
incarnate
endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody
incarnation
act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
personify
represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
incendiary
arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense
enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
incentive
spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
inception
start; beginning
incessant
uninterrupted; unceasing
inchoate
(of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass
incidence
rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality
incidental
not essential; minor; N: something incidental
incident
event; event that causes a crisis
incinerate
burn to ashes
incipient
beginning; in an early stage
incisive
(appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into
incite
arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
inclement
stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
incline
slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
inclined
tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
tend
have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend
inclusive
tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
incognito
with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.
incoherent
unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent
incommodious
not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible
inharmonious; N. incompatibility
incongruity
lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
attire
clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
inconsequential
insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency
state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
incontinent
lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible
indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorporate
introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
incorporeal
without a material body; insubstantial
incorrigible
uncorrectable
incredulity
tendency to disbelief
incredulous
withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
increment
increase
incriminate
accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence
incrustation
hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust
incubate
hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease
inasmuch_as
since; owing to the fact that
incubus
burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate
teach (ideas or principles); instill
incumbent
obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
incur
bring upon oneself
incursion
temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
indefatigable
tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
indelible
not able to be erased
indemnify
make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
indentation
notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
indenture
bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)
indeterminate
uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative
suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
indices
signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
indict
charge; N. indictment
indifferent
unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
indigence
poverty
indigenous
native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
indigent
poor; destitute
indignation
anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
righteous
morally upright; just
rightful
legally correct; Ex. rightful owner
indignity
treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
indiscriminate
choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions
indisputable
too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indissoluble
permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
indite
write; compose
indolent
lazy
indomitable
unconquerable; unyielding
indubitable
unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
induce
persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement
inductive
pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
induct
place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts
indulgent
humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
indulge
yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence
humor
indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor
industrious
diligent; hard-working; N. industry
inebriated
habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety
inebriate
make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person
intoxicate
make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win
ineffable
unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state
inevitable
unavoidable
inexorable
relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises
infallible
unerring; never making mistakes
infamous
notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
infantile
childish; infantlike
infer
deduce; conclude; N. inference
infernal
pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction
infidel
unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
infiltrate
pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
penetrate
enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
infinitesimal
very small
infirmity
weakness
inflated
exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
influx
flowing into
infraction
violation (of a rule or regulation); breach
infringe
violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)
ingenious
marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity
resourceful
clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness
ingenuous
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity
initiate
begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated
injurious
harmful; causing injury
inkling
hint; slight indication
innate
inborn
innocuous
harmless
innovation
change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative
innuendo
indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo
inopportune
untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen
questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition
inquisitive
eager for knowledge; unduly curious
insalubrious
unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place
healthful
conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air
healthy
possessing good health; healthful
wholesome
conducive to mental or physical health; healthful
insatiable
not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
inscrutable
difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
insensate
without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
insidious
treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot
insightful
discerning; perceptive
insinuate
hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate
creep
move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
artful
exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
insipid
lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character
chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
insurgent
rebellious; N.
insurmountable
overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection
rebellion; uprising
intangible
not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral
complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part
integrate
make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity
honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness
upright
(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
intellect
higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability
intelligentsia
intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
inter
bury; N. interment
cemetery
place for burying the dead
interdict
prohibit; forbid; N.
interim
meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
interloper
intruder; one who interferes
interminable
endless
intermittent
periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
internecine
mutually destructive
interpolate
insert between
interregnum
period between two successive reigns or governments
interrogate
question closely; cross-examine; cross-question
intervene
come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention
intimate
hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy
intimidate
frighten; N. intimidation
intractable
unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
intransigence
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intrepid
fearless
intrinsic
essential; inherent; built-in
introspective
looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination
introvert
one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
intrude
put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
intuition
immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
inundate
flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
overwhelm
(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
submerge
place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work
engulf
surround and swallow up
inured
accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
invalidate
weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
invalid
one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
invective
abuse
inveigh
denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
inveigle
deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
inverse
opposite
invert
turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
inveterate
deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
invidious
designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
invincible
unconquerable
inviolable
secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
invocation
prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
invoke
call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God
invulnerable
incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
iota
very small quantity
irascible
irritable; easily angered
irate
angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
iridescent
exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence
irksome
annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
ironic
expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
irony
hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
irreconcilable
impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefutable
indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant
not applicable; unrelated
irremediable
incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
irreparable
not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
irrepressible
unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back