AFOQT Vocab - Nouns Flashcards
(249 cards)
1
Q
Aberration
A
A deviation from the standard; not typical
2
Q
Access
A
A means of approach or admittance
3
Q
Accord
A
Agreement
4
Q
Adage
A
Wise proverb or saying
5
Q
Adversary
A
Enemy, opponent
6
Q
Advocate
A
One who speaks in favor of or on behalf of another
7
Q
Affluence
A
Wealth or abundance
8
Q
Alacrity
A
Cheerful willingness or ready response
9
Q
Allusion
A
An indirect reference to something else, especially in literature; a hint
10
Q
Amity
A
Friendship
11
Q
Anarchy
A
Lawlessness, disorder; a lack of government control or effectiveness
12
Q
Anecdote
A
A brief, entertaining story
13
Q
Animosity
A
Bitter hostility or open hatred
14
Q
Anomaly
A
An abnormality or irregularity
15
Q
Anthology
A
Collection of writings, songs, or other creative works
16
Q
Apex
A
Highest point (e.g., of a triangle)
17
Q
Arbiter
A
One who decides; a judge
18
Q
Audacity
A
Boldness
19
Q
Avarice
A
Greed, desire for wealth
20
Q
Bastion
A
Stronghold, fortress, fortified place against opposition
21
Q
Beacon
A
A guiding light to show the way or mark a spot
22
Q
Benediction
A
Blessing, often a benediction is given at the end of an event, ceremony, or religious service
23
Q
Bias
A
Prejudice or tendency in a certain direction; literally, a slant or tilt
24
Q
Bigot
A
A person who is prejudiced against someone else because of their race, skin color, religion, gender, and so forth; also, a person who is intolerant of others with different opinions or beliefs
25
Blasphemy
An insult to something held sacred
26
Bondage
Slavery
27
Boon
Benefit or gift
28
Brevity
Shortness, conciseness
29
Bulwark
Strong protection or barrier to enemy attacks
30
Cacophony
A harsh or unpleasant mixture of sounds, voices, or words
31
Caliber
Literally refers to size; the caliber or size of a bullet is referred to in hundredths of an inch; also used figuratively when referring to the quality of something or someone
32
Camouflage
Something that conceals people or things from the enemy by making them blend into their surroundings
33
Caste
Social class or category
34
Catastrophe
Sudden disaster
35
Chagrin
Embarrassment or disappointment
36
Chronicle
Historical record or listing, usually in sequential, chronological order
37
Chronology
An order or listing of events, either written or spoken, in the order in which they happened
38
Clamor
Uproar
39
Clemency
Mercy (e.g., on a prisoner or criminal)
40
Condolence
Expression of sympathy to be who has suffered a loss
41
Consensus
General or group agreement
42
Context
The words or ideas surrounding one particular word or idea that give clues or contribute depth to the word's meaning
43
Conundrum
A perplexing puzzle or riddle
44
Criterion
Standard of judgement or comparison
45
Crux
The essential point or central part
46
Cynic
One who mocks or disbelieves the good intentions or values of others; one who believes people are motivated only by selfishness
47
Dearth
Scarcity or lack of something
48
Debacle
Large scale defeat or complete failure
49
Deference
Conceding to another's desire or will; respect or courtesy
50
Deluge
Great flood or overwhelming inflow
51
Depot
Warehouse, large storage place
52
Depravity
Moral corruption
53
Destiny
Predetermined fate
54
Detriment
Damage, loss, or disadvantage
55
Diction
The way in which words are used by a speaker
56
Discernment
Insight, ability to see things clearly
57
Disdain
arrogant scorn or contempt
58
Din
loud, pervasive, continuous noise
59
Directive
a general order or instruction
60
Discord
disagreement, often noisy
61
Discrepancy
inconsistency or error
62
Discretion
freedom of choice; also refers to a judicious reserve in one's speech or behavior
63
Dissent
difference of opinion, especially from a widely held opinion
64
Effluvium
a disagreeable or bad smelling vapor or gas
65
Egotist
self-centered person
66
Enigma
mystery
67
Enterprise
an important project or self-sufficient organization
68
Epitome
a top-level representation of a quality, usually a virtue
69
Epoch
a particular period of history, especially one regarded in some way as remarkable or significant
70
Era
a period of time, usually of significant length, identified by particular conditions, events, or the influence of a person or group
71
Essence
basic nature
72
Etiquette
generally accepted rules of social behavior and manners
73
Exposition
an explanation or expounding
74
Facet
a side or aspect of a problem or situation; also refers to a particular angled cut of a diamond or other precious stone
75
Facsimile
Exact copy or representation
76
Fallacy
mistaken or erroneous idea, assumption, or conclusion
77
Fervor
passion or enthusiasm
78
Forte
an area in which a person excels
79
Fortitude
steady courage or strength
80
Forum
a gathering or place where ideas or situations are discussed
81
Furor
an outburst of excitement or disagreement
82
Gamut
an entire range or spectrum of possible outcomes or conditions
83
Genesis
beginning or origin
84
Glutton
one who overeats or indulges in anything to excess
85
Grievance
a complaint made against an individual or an organization; also a grudge held over a period of time
86
Guile
cunning, deceit, duplicity
87
Havoc
great damage, destruction, or confusion
88
Heresy
an opinion directly opposed to established beliefs, especially in a religious sense
89
Hindrance
obstacle or delaying obstruction
90
Horde
multitude, great mass of people
91
Hysteria
excessive or uncontrollable fear or other strong emotion
92
Idiom
a regional or group jargon, dialect, or manner of speech; can also mean a phrase or expression that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the words that make it up
93
Illusion
an idea or impression that differs from reality
94
Impetus
moving force or starting idea
95
Incentive
motivation or benefit to doing something
96
Incumbent
present holder of an office or position
97
Incursion
a hostile invasion
98
Indolence
laziness
99
Infirmity
physical disease, injury, or defect
100
Influx
a flowing in of a substance, as of a wave or a flood
101
Infraction
violation of a rule, regulation, or law
102
Initiative
desire, idea, or ability to take the first step in carrying out some action
103
Innovation
a new or improved way of doing something
104
Integrity
moral and intellectual honesty and forthrightness; also refers to the quality of a structure or object to hold together
105
Interim
a period of time between one event, process, or period and another
106
Interlude
a short feature or period of time coming between two other longer events
107
Intrigue
secret plot or scheme
108
Intuition
knowledge or conclusion obtained through instinct or feeling rather than conscious thought
109
Invective
insulting or abusive speech
110
Iota
a very small amount or piece
111
Irony
a significant and often unexpected difference between what might be expected and what actually occurs
112
Jeopardy
risk of danger or harm
113
Keynote
main theme or idea, usually referring to the main speech at a convention or the like
114
Larceny
theft, usually small
115
Layman
a regular person who is not a member of a particular professional or technical specialty
116
Legacy
material or spiritual inheritance or heritage; can also refer to the historical perceptions of someone after they have left their office or position of responsibility
117
Legend
unverified stories handed down from earlier times; can also refer to a person of great fame or reputation
118
Legion
a large number of people; sometimes historically used as a designation of a military or paramilitary unit
119
Lethargy
sluggishness, laziness, drowsiness
120
Levee
a raised embankment designed to prevent flooding from a river or other body of water
121
Levity
lightness, frivolity
122
Liaison
contact or coordination between two or more individuals or groups
123
Litigation
legal proceedings
124
Lore
body of traditional or historical knowledge
125
Malady
disease or illness
126
Mania
abnormal concentration on or enthusiasm for something
127
Maverick
a person who acts independently instead of in conformance with common organizational or expected behavior
128
Maxim
an adage or proverb prescribing a rule or method of conduct, as in, "Measure twice, cut once"
129
Medium
means of communication of presentation (e.g., radio, telephone, television. etc.)
130
Memento
object that commemorates or reminds someone of a past event
131
Metropolis
a very large city
132
Milieu
surroundings, environment
133
Morale
the state of mind or attitude of an individual or group, usually in reference to how that attitude will either positively or negatively affect the future actions or success of that person or group
134
Morés
established customs or values of a group or segment of society
135
Multitude
large number of something
136
Myriad
a vast number or great multitude of something, usually implying wide variations within that group
137
Neophyte
a beginner
138
Niche
literally, a recess in a wall for holding a statue or other ornament; figuratively, an appropriate activity or situation that is especially well suited to a person's abilities or character
139
Oblivion
a condition of complete ignorance, forgetfulness, or unawareness
140
Obscure
unclear, clouded, partially hidden
141
Odyssey
a long journey, usually involving significant challenges or obstacles
142
Omen
a sign or event believed to foretell the future
143
Optimum
the best possible condition or combination of factors
144
Ovation
applause of an audience, or any enthusiastically positive reception accompanied by applause
145
Oversight
an omission through error or carelessness; also can refer to a situation where one person or group supervises the activities of another, usually loosely
146
Overture
first step, usually one that is intended to lead to others in action or discussion
147
Panacea
a cure for all problems or diseases
148
Panorama
an unobstructed view of a wide area
149
Paradox
a statement that contradicts or appears to contradict itself
150
Parsimony
stinginess or overzealous drive to be thrifty
151
Partisan
one who supports a particular cause, person, or idea
152
Pastime
a way of spending leisure time
153
Pathology
the science of diseases; any deviation from a normal, healthy condition
154
Paucity
scarcity of a resource or condition
155
Pauper
a very poor person
156
Pedagogue
a strict, overly academic teacher or speaker
157
Phenomenon
an unusual, noticeable, or outstanding occurrence that is directly perceived by the senses or by results
158
Pilgrimage
long journey to some place or condition worthy of respect or devotion
159
Pinnacle
highest point
160
Pitfall
trap or obstacle for the unwary
161
Pittance
very small amount, usually referring to money
162
Plateau
an elevated, relatively level expanse of land
163
Plight
an unfavorable condition or situation
164
Poise
calm and controlled behavior
165
Populace
the people living in a certain area; can also refer to the common people or middle or lower class citizens
166
Posterity
future descendants or generations
167
Precedent
event or law that serves as an example for later action
168
Predecessor
someone or something that came before another
169
Predicament
unpleasant problem or situation, usually one that is difficult to escape
170
Preface
introductory statement or passage to a book, speech, or other communication
171
Prelude
something that is preliminary to some act or event that is more important
172
Premise
a statement or assumption from which a conclusion is drawn
173
Premium
best quality; can also refer to an amount added to the usual price or payment
174
Prestige
respect or status achieved through achievement or rank
175
Pretext
a reason given as a cover up for the real purpose for an action
176
Probity
integrity, uprightness, honesty
177
Prodigy
an extremely talented or gifted child
178
Propinquity
nearness
179
Propriety
good manners, appropriately respectful and reserved behavior
180
Prospect
possibility for the future
181
Proviso
a requirement that something specific is done, usually in writing
182
Prowess
strength or superior ability
183
Proximity
nearness
184
Pseudonym
an assumed name, usually a pen name taken by an author
185
Pun
a play on words that depends on two or more different meanings or sounds of the same word or phrase
186
Pundit
a knowledgeable person in a particular field
187
Quagmire
literally, a bog or swamp that impedes movement or in which people or vehicles could be stuck or mired; figuratively, a difficult or dangerous situation from which there is limited hope of escape
188
Qualm
doubt or unease about some action or situation
189
Quandary
deep uncertainty or indecision about a choice between two or more courses of action; a dilemma
190
Query
a question or request for information
191
Rampart
a fortification; bulwark or defense against attack
192
Rapport
a harmonious or mutually trusting relationship
193
Rarity
something that is infrequent or not commonly encountered
194
Refuge
a place to which one can go for protection or separation from difficulty
195
Remnant
remaining or left-over part of something
196
Remorse
regret or guilt
197
Renaissance
a rebirth or revival
198
Rendezvous
a meeting or location for a meeting
199
Renown
fame or wide acclaim, especially for accomplishments or skill
200
Replica
an exact copy or facsimile of something
201
Reprimand
severe scolding or rebuke, usually from a superior to a subordinate
202
Reprisal
retaliation for real or perceived injuries; often implies giving back more than was originally received
203
Reprobate
a wicked, sinful, depraved person
204
Reserves
a fighting force kept uncommitted until the need arises
205
Residue
the remainder of something after removal of a part
206
Respite
a temporary break, usually one that brings relief
207
Reverence
a feeling of great respect, usually religious in nature
208
Sabotage
deliberate damage to facilities or equipment belonging to an enemy
209
Saga
a long store or tale, usually involving heroic deeds
210
Sanction
approval, usually by a higher authority; can also mean a penalty for breaking a law or rule
211
Sarcasm
cutting or insulting ironic remarks
212
Satire
criticism of someone or something by seeming approval cast in a light or taken to an extreme that makes the subject appear ridiculous
213
Scapegoat
someone who is blamed, usually unjustly, for the mistakes or misdeeds of others
214
Scope
the complete area or extent of action or thought
215
Scroll
a roll of paper or parchment with writing
216
Sect
a group of people having the same beliefs, usually religious; often has a slight to severe negative connotation
217
Semblance
outward appearance
218
Sham
a false imitation
219
Sheaf
a bundle, usually either of papers or grain
220
Sheen
shine or luster
221
Solace
comfort after loss or disappointment
222
Stagnation
motionlessness or inactivity
223
Stanza
a section of a poem or song; a verse
224
Stigma
mark or perception of disgrace or bad reputation
225
Stimulus
an encouragement to act or react
226
Strife
conflict, disagreement, contention
227
Sycophant
one who flatters a superior in hope of getting preferential treatment
228
Synthesis
the combining of parts to form a whole
229
Tacit
silent or unspoken
230
Tact
the ability to communicate a message without causing offense, especially an unpleasant message
231
Tactics
specific actions used to achieve a purpose or accomplish objectives
232
Temerity
recklessness, audacity, boldness verging on foolhardiness
233
Tempo
the pace or speed of an activity or series of activities
234
Timbre
the quality of a sound, independent of pitch and volume
235
Trepidation
fear, apprehension
236
Tribunal
a place of judgement, usually legal in nature
237
Turpitude
shameful wickedness or depravity
238
Upheaval
conflict or disturbance, usually characterized by changes in group membership, leadership, or goals
239
Valor
courage, heroism
240
Venture
a project or enterprise
241
Vicinity
local area
242
Vigor
vitality or energy
243
Volition
will or conscious choice
244
Welter
confused mass; commotion or turmoil
245
Whim
impulsive idea or desire, usually not thought out
246
Woe
great trouble or sorrow
247
Zeal
eager desire or enthusiasm
248
Zenith
highest point
249
Zest
enthusiasm
