Advanced English words
Literary and formal words that most intermediate learners haven't met yet: the kind found in good journalism, novels, and SAT or GRE reading passages.
Practice these words with flashcards →aberrationSomething that differs from what usually happens or is considered normal.abhorTo feel intense hatred or disgust toward something.accoladeA sign of high praise or an honor recognizing someone's achievement.acquiesceTo accept something quietly and without protest, even after having doubts or objections.acumenSharpness of mind that lets a person judge situations well and decide quickly.adroitClever and skillful, especially in handling tricky situations or tasks.affableWarm, welcoming, and easy to talk to.alacrityCheerful willingness and quickness in doing something.altruismUnselfish concern for the well-being of other people, without thought for oneself.altruisticCaring about the welfare of others rather than your own; unselfish and generous.amenableOpen to suggestions and willing to be persuaded or to cooperate.anomalySomething that departs from the usual pattern or expected rule.aplombCalm self-assurance, especially in difficult situations.ardentFeeling or showing intense enthusiasm or passion.ardorIntense warmth of emotion; burning passion or enthusiasm.arduousDemanding great effort and stamina; exhausting to carry out.ascertainTo find something out for certain by checking or investigating.assiduousShowing steady, careful effort; diligent and persistent in one's work.assuageTo ease or soften something unpleasant, such as pain, hunger, or a strong emotion.astuteQuick to understand situations correctly and use them to advantage; shrewd.atoneTo make up for a wrong, mistake, or shortcoming.audaciousDaring and bold, sometimes to the point of recklessness.augmentTo increase the size, amount, or value of something by adding to it.auspiciousSuggesting that success is likely; promising good fortune ahead.austereStern and serious in manner or look; plain and without comfort or decoration.avariceAn extreme and selfish greed for money or possessions.banalSo ordinary and unoriginal that it feels dull and easy to predict.belligerentHostile and aggressive; eager to argue or fight.benevolentKind-hearted and wishing to do good for others.bravadoA bold, showy display meant to prove courage or defiance.brazenBold and shameless; doing something wrong openly, without any embarrassment.brevityThe use of few, well-chosen words; also, the shortness of a period of time.brusqueShort and blunt in manner, to the point of seeming rude.buoyantCheerful and full of energy.cacophonyAn unpleasant, jarring mix of many noises at once.cajoleTo coax an unwilling person into doing something, often with flattery or promises.callowYoung and lacking experience, especially in a way that shows poor judgment.camaraderieThe warm, trusting friendship shared among members of a group or team.candorHonest, open, and direct speech or behavior.capriciousChanging suddenly and without warning, guided by whim rather than reason.catharticHelping to release built-up emotions, especially after something overwhelming.censureStrong criticism or official blame for something judged to be wrong.chagrinA feeling of annoyance and embarrassment caused by failure, disappointment, or a mistake.chastiseTo criticize or scold someone strongly for something they did wrong.chivalrousBehaving in a polite, brave, and honourable way, especially toward women.churlishRude and ungracious, especially when refusing to be polite or generous.circumspectCareful to think about every side of a situation before acting or speaking.circumventTo find a way around a rule, problem, or obstacle instead of dealing with it directly.clairvoyantClaimed to be able to perceive things beyond what the ordinary senses can detect.clamorA loud, ongoing noise of many voices shouting or demanding something.clandestineCarried out in secret, often because the activity is not allowed or approved of.coalesceTo come together and merge into one body or group.coerceTo hold someone back or force them to act by using pressure, threats, or authority.cogentClear, logical, and persuasive; supported by good evidence.cogitateTo think about something carefully and deeply.cognizantKnowing about something; conscious of a fact or situation.commenceTo start or get underway.complacentSo pleased with yourself or your success that you stop trying to improve or notice risks.condoneTo accept or let pass behavior that is widely seen as wrong, without punishing or criticizing it.conferTo formally give someone an honor, right, or gift.confoundTo puzzle or baffle someone completely.congenialSharing similar tastes, interests, or temperament; pleasant to be around.conjectureAn opinion or conclusion based on guesswork rather than proof.conscientiousTaking great care to do your work thoroughly and properly.conspicuousStanding out and easily seen; attracting attention.contentiousCausing or full of strong disagreement and argument.contriteTruly sorry and regretful about something you have done wrong.contriveTo think up or work out something cleverly; to devise a plan.conundrumA puzzle or problem that is hard to solve.convolutedSo complicated, with so many twists or steps, that it is hard to follow.corroborateTo back up a claim or account by providing further proof or testimony.covertSecret or hidden, especially when done by governments, police, or spies.covetTo long for something that belongs to another person, often with envy.covetousFull of greedy longing, especially for things that belong to other people.cowerTo crouch down or shrink back because you are afraid.credulousToo willing to believe whatever you are told; easily fooled.crestfallenFeeling down or discouraged after something has disappointed you.crypticCarrying a meaning that is hidden or hard to work out.culminateTo end with or reach a final, most important point after a long process.cumbersomeHeavy, awkward, or troublesome to deal with or carry.curtRudely short in what you say or how you respond, showing impatience or a lack of warmth.curtailTo reduce something or cut it short, often by putting limits on it.dapperDressed in a neat, smart, and fashionable way.dauntlessImpossible to frighten or discourage; fearless.debacleA sudden and complete failure, often an embarrassing one.debonairCharming, self-assured, and elegant in manner and appearance.declaimTo speak or recite words loudly and dramatically, as if giving a speech to an audience.decorumPolite, proper behavior that suits the occasion.decryTo speak against something publicly because you consider it damaging.deemTo consider or judge something in a particular way.deftDoing something quickly, neatly, and with skill.delectableExtremely pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell; delicious.delineateTo draw, trace, or mark out the outline or boundaries of something.demeanorThe outward manner typical of a person, shown through things like body language and facial expressions.demiseThe death of a person, or the point at which something comes to an end or collapses.demureQuiet, modest, and a little shy in manner.denoteTo be a sign of something; to show or mark it.depleteTo use up or greatly reduce the supply of something, such as money, energy, or resources.deplorableSo bad or shameful that it deserves strong disapproval.deploreTo strongly disapprove of something and say publicly that it is very wrong.derelictLeft empty and uncared for, so that it is slowly falling apart.derideTo laugh at someone or something in a cruel, mocking way.desolateEmpty of people and life, in a way that feels bleak and lonely.despondentFeeling very low because hope or courage has drained away.destituteExtremely poor, without money, food, shelter, or other basic things needed to live.detrimentalHaving a harmful or damaging effect.dexteritySkill and ease in carrying out tasks, especially ones done with the hands.diffidentShy and lacking confidence in yourself or your abilities.discernTo notice or make something out with the senses, especially by sight.disconcertTo make someone feel uneasy, confused, or less confident.discordantClashing rather than fitting together in harmony or agreement.disdainA feeling that someone or something is beneath you and deserves no respect.disdainfulShowing scorn and a marked lack of concern for people seen as beneath one's notice.disheveledUntidy and messy, especially of someone's hair, clothes, or general appearance.disingenuousNot honest or sincere, especially by pretending to know less or care more than you really do.disparageTo talk about someone or something as if they have little value or importance.disparateSo different from each other that they are hard to compare or bring together.dispassionateCalm and fair, without letting emotion or personal bias get in the way.dispatchA report or communication delivered with speed, especially an official one from a diplomat, journalist, or military officer; also, quickness in getting something done.dispelTo make something, such as a feeling or belief, go away by scattering or driving it off.disquietA feeling of unease or worry; the absence of calm in the mind or body.dissipateTo scatter and gradually disappear, or to cause something to fade away.dissonanceAn unpleasant clash of sounds that do not blend well together.divergeTo split apart and head in different directions, or to become increasingly different.divulgeTo reveal information, especially something private or secret, so that others come to know it.docileQuiet and easy to control, teach, or lead; willing to do what one is told.dogmaticStating opinions in a forceful, superior way, as if they could never be wrong.dormantNot active for a period of time, as if asleep, but able to become active again.dourSerious, unfriendly, and severe in manner or appearance.dwindleTo become steadily smaller or weaker over time.ebullientFull of cheerful energy and excitement.eclecticDrawing on a wide mix of sources, styles, or ideas, choosing whatever seems best from each.effaceTo rub out or wipe away something written or marked, making it impossible to read or see.effervescentLively, cheerful, and overflowing with energy and enthusiasm.efficaciousAble to produce the intended result; working well.effusiveExpressing feelings, especially praise or gratitude, in an overflowing and unrestrained way.egregiousStanding out as remarkably bad; shockingly obvious in a negative way.elicitTo draw out a reaction, answer, or feeling from someone.eludeTo cleverly avoid or slip away from a person or thing trying to catch you.emanateTo flow or spread out from a particular source.embellishTo add decoration to something to make it prettier, or to add extra details to a story.eminentWell known and highly respected; outstanding in some way.emoteTo show your feelings in an obvious, dramatic way, as if acting on a stage.emulateTo try to match someone or copy what they do, often because you admire them.enamoredFeeling strong love, fondness, or admiration for someone or something.encompassTo include a wide range of things or ideas.encroachTo gradually take over land, rights, or territory that belongs to someone else.endeavorA serious, determined effort to achieve something.enervateTo drain someone's strength or energy; to weaken.engrossTo hold someone's attention so completely that they forget everything else.enigmaA person or thing that is mysterious and very hard to understand or explain.enigmaticMysterious and difficult to interpret or figure out.enmityA deep feeling of hatred or hostility toward someone, like that between enemies.ennuiA heavy feeling of boredom and low spirits; weary dissatisfaction with life.ensueTo happen afterward, often as a result of something.entailTo involve something as a necessary part or consequence.enthrallTo capture someone's full attention as if by magic; to fascinate or charm completely.enticeTo tempt someone into doing something by offering what they want or hope for.enumerateTo name items one by one, going through a list in order.enunciateTo state something clearly and precisely; also, to pronounce words distinctly.ephemeralExisting only briefly; quickly passing away.epiphanyA sudden moment when you understand something important or see a situation in a completely new way.epitomeA person or thing that perfectly represents a whole type or quality.epitomizeTo serve as the ideal example of a particular quality or kind of thing.equanimityCalmness and evenness of mind, especially when under pressure.equivocalUnclear or able to be understood in more than one way, often on purpose.eradicateTo destroy or get rid of something completely, such as a disease or a social problem.eruditeHaving or showing deep knowledge gained from a lot of reading and study.esotericMeant for or understood by only a small circle of people who share special knowledge or interests.espouseTo support a belief, cause, or way of life and speak publicly in favor of it.etherealBelonging to the sky or a realm beyond the earth; light, delicate, and seemingly not of this world.evocativeBringing strong memories, feelings, or mental pictures to mind.exacerbateTo make a bad situation, problem, or unpleasant feeling even worse.exaltTo praise someone highly or treat them with great honor and respect.exasperateTo annoy someone so much that their patience wears out; to make angry.exorbitantFar beyond what is reasonable or fair, especially when talking about prices.expansiveCovering a wide range or a large area; broad in scope.expedientPractical and useful for achieving a particular goal, even if not always the ideal choice.expediteTo make a process move along faster.expoundTo explain the meaning of something thoroughly and at length.extolTo praise someone or something with great enthusiasm.facetiousJoking about serious matters in a way that seems out of place.facilitateTo help a process happen more smoothly or with less difficulty.fallacyAn idea that many people believe but that is false, often because it is based on faulty reasoning.fastidiousPaying extremely close attention to detail and wanting everything to be exactly right.fathomTo understand something difficult or puzzling after thinking about it.felicityA graceful, well-chosen way of putting things in speech or writing.ferventFeeling or showing strong, sincere passion.fervorA burning warmth of feeling; deep passion or enthusiasm.finesseSkillful, delicate handling of a tricky situation.flippantNot showing the seriousness or respect that a situation deserves.forefatherA relative from generations long past; an ancestor.forlornSad and lonely, especially because you have been left alone or abandoned.formidableSo large, strong, or impressive that it inspires respect, awe, or fear.forsakeTo leave someone or something behind for good; to abandon or renounce.fortitudeThe strength of mind to face pain or hardship bravely.fortuitousComing about by chance or accident rather than by plan.fraughtFull of something unpleasant, such as danger, problems, or risk.freneticMoving or acting with wild, hurried energy; fast and frantic.furtiveDone secretly and quickly, as if trying to hide something or avoid being noticed.gallantryGreat bravery, especially in battle or in a dangerous situation.galvanizeTo make people suddenly feel strongly enough about something that they take action.garishToo bright or flashy in a way that looks cheap or tasteless.garnerTo collect or gain something, such as support, attention, or praise.garrulousTalking too much, especially about unimportant things.genialWarm, friendly, and pleasant in manner.genteelOverly polite and refined in manner, often in a way that seems artificial or old-fashioned.gleanTo gather information slowly, piece by piece, from different sources.grandioseVery large or ambitious in a way meant to impress.gratuitousGiven or done without payment or without being deserved; unnecessary and uncalled for.gregariousEnjoying being around other people; outgoing and sociable.guileCleverness used to trick or deceive people.hackneyedUsed so often that it has become boring and lost its original effect.hallowedTreated with great respect because of a long history or special importance, almost as if it were holy.harangueA long, angry, forceful speech, especially one that criticizes or lectures people.harbingerSomething or someone whose arrival is a sign that another thing is coming.hastenTo hurry, or to do something more quickly.haughtyBehaving as if you are better or more important than other people; proud and scornful.heedTo pay attention to advice or a warning and act on it.heedlessPaying no attention to something; careless of risks or warnings.heinousShockingly evil or wicked.hiatusA break or interruption in an activity, series, or process.homageAn act that shows deep respect for someone, often after they have died or stepped down.idiosyncrasyA habit or way of thinking that is particular to one person.idyllicWonderfully peaceful, beautiful, or happy, like a scene from a perfect painting.illustriousFamous and greatly respected, especially because of outstanding achievements.immaculatePerfectly clean, or free from any flaw or mark.impartTo pass a quality, property, or piece of knowledge on to someone or something.impassionedShowing strong feeling; full of emotion and energy.impeccableSo good that no fault can be found; flawless.impedeTo slow something down or make it harder for it to move forward.imperceptibleToo slight or small to be noticed or sensed.imperturbableStaying calm no matter what happens; impossible to fluster.impetuousActing suddenly on impulse and with force, without thinking things through.imploreTo ask for something in a desperate or heartfelt way; to plead.impudentRude and disrespectful in a bold, shameless way.inadvertentDone by accident, without meaning to or noticing.inarticulateUnable to express ideas or feelings clearly in words.incandescentGlowing with light because of intense heat; brilliantly bright.incessantContinuing without a break, often to an annoying degree.incisiveQuick, sharp, and direct in judgment or expression.inconspicuousNot standing out or drawing attention; easy to overlook.incredulousUnwilling or unable to believe something; showing doubt.incurTo bring something unwelcome, such as a cost or penalty, upon yourself.indelibleImpossible to erase, wash off, or forget.indignantAngry about something that seems unfair or wrong.indignationRighteous anger sparked by something unfair or wrong.indolentAvoiding work or effort by nature; habitually lazy.indomitableImpossible to defeat, discourage, or bring under control.industriousWorking hard and steadily; diligent.ineptLacking skill or ability; clumsy or incompetent at something.ingenuousInnocent and trusting; open and without cunning.inherentExisting as a natural, built-in part of something.innatePresent from birth; natural rather than learned.innocuousCausing no harm or offense.insatiableNever satisfied; impossible to fill or fulfill.inscrutableImpossible to understand, read, or interpret.insidiousCausing damage slowly and secretly, so that it goes unnoticed at first.insinuateTo suggest something unpleasant in an indirect way instead of saying it outright.insipidDull and bland; lacking flavor, character, or interest.insolentRude and disrespectful in words or behavior.instigateTo set an action or event in motion, especially by urging or encouraging others.insurmountableToo great to be overcome or dealt with.intrepidBrave and adventurous; showing no fear.intrinsicBelonging to the basic nature of a thing; essential and impossible to separate from it.introspectionThe act of looking inward and examining your own thoughts and feelings.introspectiveInclined to examine your own thoughts and feelings; reflective about yourself.inundateTo flood a place with water, or to overwhelm someone or something with a huge amount.invokeTo appeal to someone or something, such as a deity or an authority, for support or guidance.irascibleQuick to lose one's temper; easily made angry.irateFilled with intense anger; furious.irkTo annoy or mildly anger someone.irresoluteUnable to make up one's mind; hesitant about what to do.jadedTired, bored, or no longer excited because you have had too much of something.jauntyShowing a cheerful, confident, and energetic attitude.jovialFull of good humor and warmth toward others.jubilantFeeling or showing great joy, especially over a success.judiciousShowing careful thought and good sense in making decisions.juxtaposeTo put two things side by side so that their differences stand out.kinPeople who belong to the same family; relatives.kineticConnected with movement or produced by it.labyrinthA confusing tangle of paths or passages in which it is easy to get lost; a maze.lacklusterDull and lacking energy, excitement, or quality.laconicUsing very few words when speaking or writing, often in a dry or unemotional way.lamentTo show deep sorrow or regret about something.languidPleasantly slow and relaxed, without much energy.languishTo grow weak or feeble; to remain in a poor or declining condition.laudableDeserving praise or admiration.lethargicLacking energy; slow and drowsy.lineageThe line of ancestors a person or family descends from, or the descendants that follow from a common ancestor.listlessWithout energy or interest in anything.litheSlender and flexible, moving with ease and grace.loatheTo feel intense hatred or disgust for someone or something.loftyVery tall or high; rising to a great height.loquaciousFond of talking a lot; very chatty.lucidClearly expressed and simple to follow.ludicrousSo foolish or absurd that it seems laughable.luminousGiving off light; glowing brightly.lusterA soft shine or gleam on a surface.magnanimousKind and forgiving toward others, especially a defeated rival or someone weaker.malaiseA general feeling that things are not going well, with low energy and little hope, often shared by a whole group, economy or society.malevolentWanting to hurt others or wishing them harm.malleableCapable of being beaten or pressed into thin sheets or new shapes, as with a hammer or rollers.manifestTo show something clearly, or to appear in a way people can see. Often used of feelings, symptoms, or problems.marTo damage something or make it less good or attractive.meanderTo move along a twisting, winding path, or to wander without a fixed direction.melancholyA deep, quiet sadness, often one that comes with a lot of thinking or reflection.mellifluousSmooth and pleasing to listen to, like sweet music.mercurialQuick to change in mood or behaviour; lively and unpredictable.mesmerizeTo hold someone's complete attention, as if by magic; to fascinate.meticulousExtremely careful about small details; precise and thorough.mirthCheerful amusement and fun, usually shown by laughter.mitigateTo make something bad less serious, painful, or harmful.mollifyTo calm someone down or make their worry or anger less intense; to soothe.momentousExtremely important, with major or lasting consequences.moroseGloomy and bad-tempered, saying little and looking unhappy.mundaneOrdinary and unexciting; part of everyday routine.munificentExtremely generous with money or gifts.musterTo gather a feeling or quality you need, such as courage or strength, often with great effort.myriadA very large number of things, too many to count.nascentOnly just starting to exist or develop.nebulousVague and unclear, like a cloud or mist.nefariousExtremely bad or dishonest; involving evil or crime.nonchalantAppearing relaxed and unworried, as if nothing matters much.noxiousPoisonous or damaging, especially to health.nuanceA very small difference in meaning, feeling, colour, or sound.nullifyTo cancel something officially so that it no longer has legal force.obdurateRefusing to change your behaviour or admit you are wrong, no matter what anyone says.obfuscateTo make something confusing or difficult to understand on purpose.obliterateTo destroy something so completely that nothing remains.oblivionThe condition of being completely forgotten, or of noticing nothing around you.obsequiousToo eager to obey or please someone, in a way that seems insincere.obtuseSlow to understand things, or acting as if you do not understand.onerousRequiring so much effort that it feels like a heavy load; hard to bear.opulentShowing great wealth in an impressive, showy way; grand and luxurious.ornateDecorated with a lot of complicated detail.oscillateTo move repeatedly from side to side or back and forth, often in a steady rhythm.ostentatiousDeliberately showy in order to catch people's attention.ostracizeTo shut someone out of a group or society by ignoring them and refusing to have any contact with them.outlandishVery strange or unusual; far from what is normal or expected.overtDone openly, without any attempt to hide it.palatableAcceptable enough that people are willing to agree to it or put up with it.pallidLacking color or brightness; looking pale and weak.palpableAble to be touched or physically felt; so strong it seems almost physical.paltrySo small or worthless as to be almost meaningless.paragonSomeone so excellent that others treat them as the ideal example to copy.paramountMore important than anything else; of the highest priority.pariahSomeone whom society or their community refuses to accept; an outcast.pensiveQuietly lost in serious or deep thought.peremptoryExpecting to be obeyed at once, in a rude way that allows no questions or refusal.perennialContinuing or staying active through the whole year, or without ever stopping.perfunctoryDone quickly and without real care or interest, merely because it has to be done.perilousInvolving serious danger or risk.permeateTo spread through every part of something, such as a place, substance, or group.perpetualContinuing forever or seeming never to end.perpetuateTo make something continue existing, often longer than it should.perplexTo confuse someone so much that they cannot understand or explain something.pertinentDirectly related to the matter being discussed; relevant.pervadeTo spread through and be present in every part of something.pervasiveSpread widely through every part of something; present everywhere.petulantRude, irritable, and childishly bad-tempered.philanthropyGenerous giving of money, time, or effort to improve the lives of other people.phlegmaticCalm and slow to react; hard to stir into excitement or strong emotion.pinnacleThe very top or most successful point of something.piousDeeply religious and devoted to worship.piqueA brief feeling of irritation or resentment, especially when your pride has been hurt.placateTo soothe an angry person until they calm down and stop being upset.placidQuiet and still; showing little motion or excitement.pliableEasy to bend, shape, or mold without breaking.poignantProducing a strong feeling of sadness or emotional pain.precariousUnstable and risky; likely to fail or fall at any moment.precludeTo make something impossible or rule it out in advance.precociousDeveloping skills, interests, or maturity much earlier than is usual for a child.premonitionA strange feeling or dream that seems to warn of something before it happens.preposterousCompletely ridiculous and against all common sense.prescientSeeming to know about events before they actually happen.pristineCompletely clean and untouched, as if in its original perfect condition.proclivityA natural tendency to behave in a particular way or to like a particular thing.procureTo get hold of something, often with some effort.prodigalSpending or giving something freely and wastefully; extravagant.prodigiousRemarkably large in amount, size, or degree; enormous.profuseProduced or given in very large amounts.proliferateTo grow or spread quickly in number.propagateTo make plants or animals reproduce and multiply; to spread something more widely.propensityA natural tendency to act or feel a certain way.prosaicRelating to ordinary prose rather than poetry; dull and unimaginative.protrudeTo stick out beyond a surface or edge.pugnaciousQuick to argue or fight; aggressive by nature.pungentHaving a sharp, strong smell or taste that seems to sting the nose.quandaryA situation in which you cannot decide what to do; a state of confusion or doubt.quellTo stop or calm something, often by using force or authority.querulousAlways complaining, often in an irritable or whining tone.quintessentialBeing the clearest and most typical example of something.rambunctiousFull of noisy, wild energy; hard to control.reprieveA short break from something hard or unpleasant.resplendentStrikingly beautiful and impressive, often because of rich colours or shine.reticentUnwilling to share your thoughts or talk about yourself.reverberateTo echo repeatedly; to keep having an effect over time.sagaciousWise and able to make sound judgments.scrupulousCareful to act honestly and fairly, and to do what is morally right.serendipityThe lucky discovery of something good purely by accident, as if it had been arranged.solitudeThe condition of being on your own, often deliberately.steadfastFirm and unchanging in purpose, loyalty, or belief.sublimeSo excellent or beautiful that it inspires awe.taciturnQuiet by nature and tending to say very little.tenaciousHolding on firmly; refusing to give up or let go.thicketA small but dense patch of bushes, shrubs, or young trees growing close together.throngA big crowd of people pressed closely together.tranquilPeaceful and quiet, with nothing moving or making noise.trepidationA nervous, fearful feeling about something that might happen.ubiquitousSeeming to be everywhere at once; found in every place.undulateTo move in gentle, rolling waves.unfetteredFree from limits or restraints.venerableDeserving deep respect, usually because of long life, experience, or wisdom.verdantCovered in fresh green plants; richly green.vexTo annoy or trouble someone.vigilantStaying alert and watchful for any danger or trouble.vivaciousFull of life and energy in a charming way.waneTo grow weaker, smaller, or less intense.whimsicalCharmingly odd, playful, or fanciful.wistfulFilled with a quiet, slightly sad longing for something.yearnTo long for something deeply.yearningA deep, often sad longing for something.zealousFull of intense energy and passion for a cause.zenithThe point at which something reaches its greatest power or success.