Browse By Letter

Vocabulary Collections

Vocabulary words beginning with A.

Abate Formal Legal Medical verb common

To become less intense or widespread; to reduce in amount, degree, or severity.

Aberrant Formal adjective

different from what is typical or usual, especially in an unacceptable way

Abetment Formal Legal noun uncommon

The act of encouraging, supporting, or assisting someone to commit a wrongdoing or crime.

Acrid Formal Literary adjective common GRE: medium

Having a sharp, bitter, and irritating taste or smell; also, harsh or caustic in tone.

Alacrity Formal noun

Speed and eagerness

Alluvial Science adjective uncommon

Relating to or derived from alluvium, which is sediment deposited by flowing water, typically in riverbeds, floodplains, or deltas.

Ancillary adjective common

Providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, system, or process; subordinate or supplementary.

Antediluvian Formal Literary adjective

Relating to the period before the biblical Flood; extremely old-fashioned or outdated.

Apportion Formal Business Legal verb common

To divide and allocate something among several people or groups, especially in proportion to a certain factor or criterion.

Apprehensive Formal adjective common GRE: high

Anxious or fearful that something undesirable may happen.

Ardent adjective

Having or showing very strong feelings, passion, or enthusiasm; fervent or intense.

Armature noun uncommon

A framework used to support material being shaped, especially in sculpture or modeling; also an electrical component consisting of the rotating part of a motor or generator.

Austere Formal Literary adjective common GRE: high

Severely simple, plain, or lacking comfort and decoration; also characterized by strict self-discipline or severity.

Avaricious Formal Literary adjective uncommon

Having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Awning noun common

A secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building, typically made of canvas or other fabric, designed to provide shade or shelter from the elements.

arbitrary adjective common

Based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system.