Start learning with an activity...
-
Practice
Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz!
-
Spelling Bee
Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly.
-
Vocabulary Jam
Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly.
Explore the Words
-
joyously unrestrainedThe piece opened with
ebullient bursts of energy and color that scampered over harmonica drones played by one or more members.New York Times (May 10, 2010) -
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideasA former student of fine art, Mr Scruff's
eclectic selections are accompanied by animations of the trademark "potato people" who humorously narrate his musical journey. -
suitable for use as foodNevertheless, hunger increased so much that many ventured out into woods along the river seeking
edible roots, and with some success.Spears, John R. -
make understandThen Miss Fairbairn held one of her little discourses, with which now and then she endeavoured to
edify her pupils.Warner, Susan -
remove by or as if by rubbing or erasingHer rich beauty was wiped out as an acid-soaked sponge might
efface a portrait.Terhune, Albert Payson -
marked by high spirits or excitementWhen he ran for president, Barack Obama's
effervescent campaign was about hope, optimism, national unity, and, above all, the future.Newsweek (May 17, 2010) -
radiating or as if radiating lightEre another year be passed, we hope to see its
effulgent rays light up all the dark corners of our land.Cutter, Orlando P. -
favoring social equality“We are living in an
egalitarian society where everyone is equal,” he said. -
having an inflated idea of one's own importanceI have lived an entirely
egotistical life, for myself alone. -
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible“His comments were so
egregious, naturally advertisers will have doubts about being associated with Limbaugh’s brand of hate,” Mr. Boehlert said in an e-mail message.New York Times (Mar 5, 2012) -
full of high-spirited delightYoung Barry returned from his parting walk with his brother in high spirits,
elated with hope, and better both in mind and body.Cobbold, Richard -
expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectivelyBut, so far as the best selection of words, the clearest style, the most coherent and convincing argument can constitute eloquence, Mill's speeches are
eloquent.McCarthy, Justin -
make clear and comprehensibleImproving the understanding of why tissues in bar-headed geese are so adept at taking up oxygen might
elucidate human respiration as well.Scientific American (Nov 5, 2011) -
escape, either physically or mentallyGregory Standifer was arrested at the scene after allegedly attempting to
elude police by jumping out of a window, police said. -
skillful at evading captureThey are an
elusive lot and Don Ramon would soon wear out his troops hunting them in the bush.Bindloss, Harold -
free from slavery or servitudeThe Civil War came to an end, leaving the slave not only
emancipated but endowed with the full dignity of citizenship.Elliott, Maud Howe -
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or colorAt Saks, reedy shapes and flared minis, and more vanguard looks like Marc Jacobs’s sports-inspired skirts
embellished with a racing stripe, are projected best sellers.New York Times (Mar 21, 2012) -
represent in physical formHe was a can-do optimist who, despite many years in the environs of Hollywood, identified with and
embodied American values.New York Times (Jan 29, 2012) -
of an organism prior to birth or hatchingHuman
embryonic stem cells typically come from fertilized eggs.Scientific American (Nov 4, 2011) -
standing above others in quality or positionThe daring aviator was heartily congratulated again by the President and other
eminent men who thronged about him.Galbreath, C. B. (Charles Burleigh) -
forceful and definite in expression or actionMiss Penny repeated my question in her loud,
emphatic voice.Huxley, Aldous -
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory"So far, no one has reported
empirical evidence from real city-traffic data that the transition Kerner predicted actually occurs," Davis pointed out. -
strive to equal or match, especially by imitatingPeople in the technology field described Mr. Jobs as someone they could only look up to — and try to
emulate.New York Times (Oct 6, 2011) -
attractNot long ago I fell in love, But unreturned is my affection— The girl that I'm
enamored of Pays little heed in my direction.Morley, Christopher -
hold back, impede, or weigh downTwo others were making slower progress for the reason that each was
encumbered by supporting a disabled man.Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis) -
lovable especially in a childlike or naive way“They have goofy and lovable personalities that are incredibly
endearing,” she said.New York Times (Nov 23, 2011) -
attempt by employing effortA few men
endeavored to win popularity by pursuing a few others, and thus far they have been conspicuous failures.Ingersoll, Robert Green -
of a disease constantly present in a particular localityAn
endemic disease, due to local causes and spreading by intercommunication.Various -
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explainedTails are often an
enigma; many creatures have them, but scientists know little about their function, particularly for extinct species. -
a state of deep-seated ill-willHe looked at the young man with
enmity, while his face every day grew harder, more angry, and stern, like iron.Lathrop, George Parsons -
the feeling of being bored by something tedious“You are in the Land of Pleasure, and in yonder castle lives a horrid Giant called
Ennui, who bores everybody he catches to death.”Taylor, Bert Leston -
hold spellboundBut despite the bottomless spate of new "Housewives" series that Bravo keeps trotting out, the "Real Housewives" franchise still fascinates and
enthralls me. -
provoke someone to do something through persuasionMy new acquisition, "Boy," insisted on being petted, and his winning and
enticing ways are irresistible.Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy) -
the branch of zoology that studies insectsFrom the department of
entomology you expect to learn something about the troublesome insects, which are so universal an annoyance.Latham, A. W. -
ask for or request earnestly"Let me go now, please," she
entreated, her eyes unable to meet his any longer.Hope, Anthony -
someone who organizes a business ventureMr. Boehner said it would be “good news for
entrepreneurs and aspiring small businesspeople struggling to overcome government barriers to job creation.”New York Times (Apr 6, 2012) -
determine the number or amount ofThe houses in this street are not
enumerated beyond forty-five, all told. Allbut, Robert -
express or state clearlyOn the second floor, kindergarten children stand together in a circle, clapping while learning how to
enunciate different words.New York Times (Dec 31, 2011) -
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a daySuch larger political structures as the tyrants of Syracuse built up by the subjugation of other cities were purely
ephemeral, barely outliving their founders.Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly -
an inspiration or divine manifestationBut at least he's acting as the father of his child, and that, rather than any
epiphany or miraculous transformation, is the point. -
a standard or typical exampleMs. Netrebko, in particular, riveted all eyes and ears, the
epitome of star-crossed glamour in her black bob and sick-rose-red cocktail dress.New York Times (Dec 26, 2010) -
a period marked by distinctive characterThe best authorities put the climax of the last glacial
epoch between twenty-five and thirty thousand years ago.Huntington, Ellsworth -
of or relating to or featuring horseback ridingWhile some racehorses peak in their younger years and move on to breeding,
equestrian horses tend to be older and require complex training.Seattle Times (Jan 20, 2012) -
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscienceI suggested, as a more
equitable adjustment, an equal division of profits; and to that Mr. Gye at last agreed.Mapleson, James H. -
be deliberately ambiguous or unclearBeaten in the open field, the church began to
equivocate, to evade, and to give new meanings to inspired words.Ingersoll, Robert Green -
kill in large numbersSome people are misusing poisonous chemicals in a desperate bid to
eradicate the pests, federal officials said Thursday.New York Times (Sep 23, 2011) -
become ground down or deterioratePrime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lost his absolute majority in the Italian parliament in a vote today on last year’s budget, further
eroding his authority. -
liable to sudden unpredictable changeThe U.S. officials stressed that North Korea’s past behavior has been notoriously
erratic, making predictions about its intentions difficult.Washington Post (Dec 19, 2011) -
having or showing profound knowledgeIn countless deft, darting,
erudite essays, it has enabled him to explain the unexpected continuities and awkward breaks of literary history. -
avoid and stay away from deliberatelyVegans
eschew all animal products, including dairy and eggs, so their iodine sources may be few. -
understandable only by an enlightened inner circleBut researchers can get lost in their genius, drilling into ever more
esoteric questions.Scientific American (Feb 7, 2012) -
a history of a wordIts “suggested”
etymology or word origin is Latin serpens meaning “a snake” and French sortir meaning “come out of, to leave.”New York Times (May 17, 2010) -
an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive oneIt is an oddly polite term—a
euphemism—that conceals varying degrees of fear, loathing, and admiration.New York Times (Mar 30, 2010) -
a feeling of great elationPopular
euphoria and joy at their leaders' departure has given way to frustration, grievance and fear. -
short-lived; tending to vanish or disappearTime seems stopped but it is moving on, and every glimmer of light is
evanescent, flitting. -
deliberately vague or ambiguousI anticipated finding them deceitful and
evasive: furtive people, wandering in devious ways and disappearing into mysterious houses, at dead of night.Street, Julian -
give expression toTogether, the performers
evince an easy, humorous energy, like affectionate but mischievous siblings.New York Times (Mar 16, 2012) -
call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or responseTropical fish tanks in restaurants, hospitals and homes
evoke feelings of tranquility and beauty.Scientific American (Apr 6, 2012) -
undergo developmentIn its 166+ year history, Scientific American has changed and
evolved in different directions many times.Scientific American (Apr 2, 2012) -
make worsePoliticians have argued that further austerity will only
exacerbate the country's economic death spiral by deepening its worse than expected recession. -
fill with sublime emotionBut this woman's beauty was glorified by eyes that spoke of
exalted thoughts, passionate longings, lofty emotions.Hocking, Joseph -
recover through diggingWith many of Caligula's monuments destroyed after he was killed by his Praetorian guard at 28, archaeologists are eager to
excavate for his remains. -
express strong disapproval ofThe landlord had another
excoriating remark, which he might have flung at the young man and finished him up, but he magnanimously forbore.Bouton, John Bell -
pronounce not guilty of criminal chargesStepan did not try to
exculpate himself, and bore patiently his sentence which was three days in the punishment-cell, and after that solitary confinement.Tolstoy, Leo, graf -
curse or declare to be evil or anathemaEven the crimes of monsters, whom we
execrate, are to be traced to madness and intoxication, more than to natural fierceness and wickedness.Lord, John -
clarify by giving an illustration ofHe brought up reality television — specifically, the garish sort of reality
exemplified by Bravo’s “Real Housewives” steamroller.New York Times (Aug 27, 2011) -
force or urge to do somethingA proclamation was put up on shore,
exhorting the people to keep quiet, attend to their avocations, and bring in presents as obedient subjects.Lindley, Augustus F. -
relating to or dealing with the state of beingJindal, by contrast, has treated the spill as an
existential threat, saying repeatedly that what's at stake "is a way of life for us."Washington Post (May 18, 2010) -
a journey by a group to escape from a hostile environmentIt said the flight of Christians to other parts of Iraq and abroad has become "a slow but steady
exodus". -
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges“He was, if not
exonerated, never proven guilty,” Elizabeth Hecht said in an interview on Thursday.New York Times (Feb 10, 2012) -
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderationRents are
exorbitant; but ordinary living and bad liquors are cheap.Whymper, Frederick -
add details, as to an account or ideaHe then
expatiated on his own miseries, which he detailed at full length.Manzoni, Alessandro -
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or countryShe and Jack Hemingway, also known as Bumby, were toddlers at the time, living with their
expatriate American parents in Paris.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) -
anticipating with confidence of fulfillmentEvery plan had proved abortive, every
expectation been disappointed.Headley, Joel Tyler -
discharge from the lungs and out of the mouthNo, they don't care to go,
expectorating the tobacco juice from their mouths into the fire at the same time.Various -
a means to an endIn his youth he had apparently settled the problem once for all; but the solution then found was scarcely more than a temporary
expedient.Chinard, Gilbert -
process fast and efficientlyFirst-class customers generally have access to priority check-in and boarding,
expedited baggage service and faster security lines at some airports. -
money paid out; an amount spentUnless income also rises — which isn’t happening for many people now — higher fuel costs will eventually displace other
expenditures.New York Times (Mar 3, 2012) -
make amends forYes, I was so far guilty, and I make the confession in hopes that some portion of my errors may be
expiated by repentance.Various -
precisely and clearly expressed or readily observableJust as medical researchers once uncovered the link between cigarettes and lung cancer, researchers are now making the
explicit connection between air pollution and asthma. -
an act that victimizes someoneBut this profit rested on intensive
exploitation and domination: whole families worked in the mills, including children. -
serving to expound or set forth"Several characters are required to make long
expository speeches in which the play's themes are clumsily disclosed." -
the act of forcing out someone or something“She is very near
expulsion, not suspension,” said the principal, gravely.Morrison, Gertrude W. -
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a lineIf he stays out of a trouble for a year the incident will be
expunged from his record.Seattle Times (Aug 4, 2010) -
delicately beautifulConstance lifted up her
exquisite voice untiringly, weaving her magic spell about her eager listeners.Lester, Pauline -
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lostShe then wrote her last will, which is still
extant, and consists of four pages, closely written, in a neat, firm hand.Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold) -
with little or no preparation or forethoughtHis friends sometimes held an
extemporaneous concert in his room, without preparation, programme, or audience.Various -
stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scopeOne map showed a runway system
extending across 140 square meters and including 12 underground burrows.Martin, Edwin P. -
a delay in the date set for the completion of somethingChalk River’s license expired last year, but it was given a single five-year
extension; the Dutch reactor’s lifetime is less certain but also limited.New York Times (Feb 7, 2012) -
destroy completely, as if down to the rootsThe last wolf was killed in Great Britain two hundred years ago, and the bear was
extirpated from that island still earlier.Marsh, George P. -
praise, glorify, or honorHow I praised the duck at that first dinner, and
extolled Madame's skill in cookery!Warren, Arthur -
obtain by coercion or intimidationAn instrument of torture for the leg, formerly used to
extort confessions, particularly in Scotland.Webster, Noah -
not pertinent to the matter under considerationAs a general rule, he explained, rulings other than the one being honored had been removed as
extraneous.Slate (Feb 22, 2012) -
draw from specific cases for more general casesEarlier studies,
extrapolating from recessions in the 1970s and 1980s, found larger effects. -
release from entanglement or difficultyThere was a prickly pear on top, the thorns of which caught him so that at first he could not
extricate himself.Reed, Helen Leah -
not forming an essential part of a thingThere are no external or
extrinsic influences—resulting from weariness or interruption.Hamilton, Clayton Meeker -
a person directed toward others as opposed to the selfThe
extrovert is the typical active; always leaning out of the window and setting up contacts with the outside world.Underhill, Evelyn -
joyously unrestrainedAll these prose works were marked by an
exuberant, vivid, poetic, impassioned style.Lowell, James Russell -
make apparent by one's mood or behaviorRizzo said many prospects
exude outward confidence but lack it inwardly.New York Times (Mar 3, 2012) -
feel extreme happiness or elationLike a soldier going into battle,
exulted and fired by a high and lofty purpose, his heart sang within him.Standish, Burt L.
Created on April 6, 2012
(updated August 11, 2014)
(updated August 11, 2014)