GMAT Vocab & Idioms

Question 1

abate (v.)

Answer 1

Reduce or diminish.

Her stress over spending so much money on a house abated when the real estate broker told her about the property’s 15-year tax abatement.

Question 2

abberation (n.) / anomaly (adv.)

Answer 2

Something that stands out or is abnormal. Outlier is similar.

The election of a liberal condidate in the conservative county was an abberation or anomaly, made possible only by the sudden death of the conservative candidate two days before the election.

Question 3

acclaim (n.)

Answer 3

Great praise or approval.

Her performance in the ballet earned her critical acclaim.

Question 4

accord (n.)

Answer 4

Agreement

Our management is in accord with regulatory agencies about tightening standards.

Question 5

discord (n.)

Answer 5

Disagreement

Question 6

acquisitiveness (n.)

Answer 6

Desire to acquire more, especially an excessive desire.

The firm did well in buying up its competitors as a means of growth, but its acquisitiveness ultimately resulted in problems related to growing too quickly.

Question 7

acreage (n.)

Answer 7

Land measured in acres.

Our property is large, but much of the acreage is swampland not suitable for building.

Question 8

adhere (v.)

Answer 8

To stick to

literally such as with glue or metaphorically such as to a plan/belief

Employees who do not adhere to the policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Question 9

adherent (n.)

Answer 9

a person who sticks to a belief or a cause

The adherents of the plan won’t admit that, in the long term, such a policy would bankrupt our state.

Question 10

ad-lib (v.)

Answer 10

Make something up on the spot, give an uprepared speech; freely, as needed, according to desire

lWe have ended our policy or rationing office supplies - pens may now be given to employees ad-lib.

Question 11

adopt (n.)

Answer 11

take and make one’s own

You can adopt a child, of course, or a new policy.
To adopt a plan implies that you didn’t come up with it yourself.

Question 12

advent (n.)

Answer 12

arrival

Before the advent of the internet, people often called reference librarians to look up information for them in the library’s reference section.

Question 13

adverse (adj.)

Answer 13

Unfavorable, opposed

A noisy environment is adverse to studying, and lack of sleep can have further adverse effects.

Question 14

agency (n.)

Answer 14

The ability to use power or influence.

Some climate change deniers acknowledge that the planet is heating up, but they argue that human agency does not affect the climate.

Question 15

aggravate (v.)

Answer 15

Make worse

Allowing your band to practice in our garage has greatly aggravated my headache.

Question 16

altogether (adv.)

Answer 16

Completely, overall

It was an altogether stunning new design.

Question 17

ambivalent (adj.)

Answer 17

Uncertain, unable to decide; wanting to do two contradictory things at once

The health care plan has been met with ambivalence from lawmakers who would like to pass the bill but find supporting it to be politically impossible.

Question 18

amortize (v.)

Answer 18

Gradually pay off a debt or gradually write off an asset

A mortgage is a common form of amortized debt - spreading the payments out over as long as 30 years is not uncommon.

Question 19

analogous (adj.)

Answer 19

Corresponding in a particular way; making a good analogy

Our situation is analogous to one in a case study I read in business school. Maybe what worked for that company will work for us.

Question 20

annex (v.)

Answer 20

To add on something that has been added on.

An annex to a building is a part built later and added on or a new building that allows an organization to expand.

Question 21

annihilate (v.)

Answer 21

Completely destroy

Question 22

annul (v.)

Answer 22

Make void or null, cancel, abolish

Usually of laws or other established rules

Can we appreciate the art of a murderer? For many, the value of these paintings is annulled by the artist’s crimes.

Question 23

anoint (v.)

Answer 23

to power or praise being given to someone who is thought of very highly

After Principle Smitters raised test scores over 60% at her school, it was only a matter of time before she was anointed superintendent by a fawning school board.

Question 24

antithetical (adj.)

Answer 24

totally opposed to; opposite

The crimes of our chairman are totally antithetical to what the Society for Ethical Leadership stands for.

Question 25

application (n.)

Answer 25

Act or result of applying ## Footnote Company morales is at an all-time low, so the **application** of a severe cost-cutting policy may drive even more employees to look for a new job.

Question 26

apprentice (n.)

Answer 26

A person who works for someone else in order to learn a trade from that person

Question 27

arbiter (n.)

Answer 27

Judge, umpire, person empowered to decide matters at hand ## Footnote The principal said, "As the final **arbiter** of what is and is not appropriate in the classroom, I demand that you take down that poster of Miley Cyrus."

Question 28

arbitration (n.)

Answer 28

A process of settling an argument or disagreement in which the people or groups on both sides present their opinions and ideas to a third person or group ## Footnote Both parties have agreed to **arbitration.**

Question 29

archaic (adj.)

Answer 29

Characteristic of an earlier period, ancient, primitive. ## Footnote The school's **archaic** computer system predated even floppy disks - it stored record on tape drives!

Question 31

aristocracy (n.)

Answer 31

A hereditary ruling class, nobility | Or a form of gvt. ruled by these people

Question 32

accorded to

Answer 32

Given or granted to | Sometimes accorded is used without 'to' ## Footnote I was surprised by the adulation **accorded** the elderly author at the high school assembly.

Question 33

account for

Answer 33

Take into consideration or make adjustments based on; cause ## Footnote I **accounted** for the fact that Joe is always late by telling him to meet us at 1:30 when the event is really at 2. (made adjustments to compensate for.) I did get us the meeting, but Ellen's hard work **accounted** for the rest of our success (caused).

Question 34

a given

Answer 34

something taken for granted, something assumed or something that does not require proof ## Footnote When I was planning my wedding, it was **a given** that my parents would invite anyone they wanted, since they were paying for everything.

Question 35

albatross / albatross around the neck of (a person or group)

Answer 35

A constant burden or worry; an obstacle ## Footnote The city has done a admirable job rebuilding its infrastructure and marketing itself, but the crime rate continues to be an **albatross around the city's neck** in trying to attract tourists

Question 36

all but

Answer 36

almost definitely ## Footnote Your objections have arrived too late; the proposal is **all but** approved.

Question 37

and yet

Answer 37

A stronger way of saying yet. | Used for emphasis. Indicates a surprising twist, an ironic realization ## Footnote THe company was lauded for its commitment to the environment. **And yet** its employees regularly fly in private jets, creating carbon footprints that would embarass any true environmentalist.

Question 38

arms race

Answer 38

Competition between two countries to build up the best and largest supply of weapons ## Footnote Analysts carefully watched stock prices as the two internet giants competed in an **arms race,** expanding rapidly by buying up smaller companies with little due diligence.

Question 39

aside from

Answer 39

In addition to, not even counting ## Footnote **Aside from** the obvious financial benefits of investing in a socially responsible fund, you can rest assured that your money is used to maximize social good.

Question 40

(adjective) as it is, ...

Answer 40

Pattern is used to contrast the part after the comma with the part before ## Footnote **Charming as she is,** I just don't want to be friends with her anymore. **As pleased as we are to see more minorities on the board than ever before,** discrimiation in hiring and promotion is still a serious problem.

Question 41

as well as

Answer 41

'And' | used to mention 1 thing as a way to contrast with or emphasize another

Question 42

at best

Answer 42

at the most, interpreted in the most favorable way ## Footnote The seminar drew 20 people **at best.** (20 or fewere people attended).

Question 43

at fault

Answer 43

Guilty ## Footnote The insurance company is investigating who is **at fault** for the collision.

Question 44

at loggerheads

Answer 44

in conflict, at a standstill ## Footnote Ths strike is not likely to end soon - the transit authority and the union representatives have beent **at loggerheads** for weeks.

Question 45

at odds

Answer 45

In conflict ## Footnote The teachers' union and the state government are always **at odds.**

Question 46

at once

Answer 46

immediately; at the same time ## Footnote Once the hurricane veered near the coast, the governor ordered that we evacuate **at once.** (now) We've received three proposals that are all quite different, but we can evaluate them all **at once** (at the same time)

Question 47

upend (v.)

Answer 47

to cause (something) to be upside down; to cause (someone) to fall down or turned over ## Footnote He **upended** the bicycle to fix its flat tire. A giant wave **upended** the surfer. The new regulations could **upend** the entire industry.

Question 48

ward off

Answer 48

to avoid being hit by (something) ## Footnote I tried different remedies to **ward off** a cold.

Question 49

incursion (n.)

Answer 49

A sudden invasion or attack ## Footnote A military **incursion**. An **incursion** into enemy airspace.

Question 50

enclave (v.)

Answer 50

An area with people who are different in some way from the people in areas around it ## Footnote The city has a large Chinese **enclave.** (an area where many Chinese people will live).

Question 51

desecrate (v.)

Answer 51

to damage (a holy place or object); to treat (a holy place or object) with disrespect ## Footnote The vandals were accused of **desecrating** graves.

Question 52

diaspora (n.)

Answer 52

a group of people who live outside an area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their acestors lived ## Footnote Members of the **Diaspora** (=Jewish people who lived throughout the world who do not live in Israel)

Question 53

enmity (n.)

Answer 53

A very deep unfriendly feeling ## Footnote There's a long history of **enmity** between them.

Question 54

barrage (n.)

Answer 54

a heavy and continuous firing of weapons during a battle

Question 55

barrage (v.)

Answer 55

to cause (someone) to receive a great amount of something

Question 56

notable (adj.)

Answer 56

Unusual and worth noticing; Remarkable; very successful or respected

Question 57

antipathy (n.)

Answer 57

a strong feeling of dislike ## Footnote There has always been strong **antipathy** between the two groups.

Question 58

eradicate (v.)

Answer 58

to remove (something) completely; to eliminate or destroy (something harmful) ## Footnote The diesase has now been completely **eradicated.**

Question 59

solidarity (adj.)

Answer 59

a feeling of unity between people who have the same interests, goals, etc. ## Footnote THe vote was a show of **solidarity.**

Question 60

sporadic (adj.)

Answer 60

happening often but not regularly; not constant or steady

Question 61

deterrent (n.)

Answer 61

something that makes someone decide not to do something ## Footnote We would like to go, but cost is a major **deterrent.**

Question 62

borne (adj.)

Answer 62

the main force or effect of (something harmful or dangerous) ## Footnote His troops took the **brunt** of the enemy attach.

Question 63

laureates (n.)

Answer 63

someone who has won an important prize or honor for achievements in an art or science

Question 64

quip (v.)

Answer 64

to make a clever remark

Question 65

posthumous (adj.)

Answer 65

happening, done, or published after someone's death ## Footnote She received a **posthumous** award for her life of philanthropy.

Question 66

mystique (n.)

Answer 66

a special quality that makes a person or thing interesting or exciting ## Footnote There's a certain **mystique** to/about people who fight fires.

Question 67

ghastly (adv.)

Answer 67

very shocking or horrible; very bad ## Footnote A **ghastly** [=gruesome, hideous] crime/ritual Her behavior was truly **ghastly** [=dreadful, appling]

Question 68

toil (n.)

Answer 68

long, hard labor

Question 69

haven (n.)

Answer 69

a place where you are protected from danger, trouble, etc. ## Footnote The shelter offers/provides a **haven** from abusive spouses.

Question 70

mire (n.)

Answer 70

thick & deep mud; a troublesome situation | often used figuratively ## Footnote The economy is sinking deeper into a **mire.** [=the economy is bad and getting worse] His name/reputation has been dragged through the **mire.** [=has been unfairly damaged or ruined]

Question 71

dearth (n.)

Answer 71

the state or condition of not having enough of something : lack ## Footnote The **dearth** [=scarcity] of jobs in the city forced many families to leave the area.

Question 72

inequity (n.)

Answer 72

lack of fairness; unfair treatment ## Footnote She has been a leader in the fight against racial **inequity.** [=injustice]

Question 73

inception (n.)

Answer 73

the time at which something begins: beginning, start ## Footnote The project has been shrouded (to cover or hide) in controversy from /since its **inception**.

Question 74

fare (v.)

Answer 74

to do something well or badly ## Footnote How did you **fare** [=do] on your exam? The team hasn't **fared** [=done] well in recent weeks.

Question 75

disdain (n.)

Answer 75

a feeling of strong dislike or disapporval of someone or something you think does not deserve respect ## Footnote He glared at the waiter with a look of **disdain** on his face.

Question 76

disdain (v.)

Answer 76

to strongly dislike or disapprove of

Question 77

pedigree (n.)

Answer 77

the origin and history of something especially when it is good or impressive ## Footnote The company has an exceelent **pedigree** with over a century in the business.

Question 78

scour (v.)

Answer 78

to search carefully and thorougly ## Footnote We **scoured** the woods for the missing child.

Question 79

endow (v.)

Answer 79

to freely or naturally provide (someone or something) with something ## Footnote Human beings are **endowed** with reason [=they naturally have reason; they are naturally able to think in a logical way]. The country is richly **endowed** with mineral deposits.

Question 80

bequest (n.)

Answer 80

the property or money that you promise in your will to give ot another person or organization after you die ## Footnote He made a **bequest** of his paintings to the museums.

Question 81

confer (v.)

Answer 81

to discuss something important in order to make a decision ## Footnote The lawyer and judge **conferred** about the ruling.

Question 82

artifact (n.)

Answer 82

Any object made by humans, especially those from an earlier time, such as those excavated by archaeologists ## Footnote The archaeologists dug up countless **artifacts,** from simple pottery shards and coins to comples written tablets.

Question 83

ascribe to (v.), ascription (n.)

Answer 83

to give credit ## Footnote He **ascribed** his good grades to diligent studying.

Question 84

assert (v.)

Answer 84

affirm, claim, state, or express (that something is true.)

Question 85

assimilation (n.)

Answer 85

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and way of life of a larger group or the process by which any new things begins to "blend in"

Question 86

attain (v.)

Answer 86

achieve

Question 87

attribute to

Answer 87

give credit to

Question 88

a typical (n.)

Answer 88

not typical

Question 89

backfire (v.)

Answer 89

To produce an unexpected and unwanted result ## Footnote The company's new efficiency measures **backfired** when workers protested and staged a walkout, thus stopping production completely.

Question 90

balance (n.)

Answer 90

The remaining part or leftover amount

Question 91

baldly (adv.)

Answer 91

Plainly, explicitly. To be blunt. ## Footnote An article in Mother Jones explained that Maine is not very diverse: "It is, to put it **baldly**, one of the whitest states in the union."

Question 92

balloon (v.)

Answer 92

Swell or puff out; increase rapidly ## Footnote During the dot-com bubble, the university's investments **ballooned** to three times their former value

Question 93

balloon payment

Answer 93

a single payment at the end of a loan or mortgage term that is much larger than the other payments

Question 94

befall (v.)

Answer 94

Happen to (used with something bad) ## Footnote Disaster **befell** the company once again when the CEO was thrown from a horse.

Question 95

belie (v.)

Answer 95

Contradict or misrepresent ## Footnote The actress's public persona as a perky "girl next door" **belied** her private penchant for abusing her assistants and demanding that her trailer be filled with ridiculous luxury goods.

Question 96

penchant (n.)

Answer 96

a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a certain way

Question 97

the better part

Answer 97

The largest or longest part | The better part does not have to be good! ## Footnote For the **better part** of human history, slavery has been a reality. (Speaker is saying that for most of human history, slavery has existed). When the oil magnate died, he left **the better part** of his fortune to his third wife, and only a small silver to his children.

Question 98

beside the point

Answer 98

irrelevant, off topic

Question 99

bite the hand that feeds you

Answer 99

expression means exactly what it sounds like (think of a mean and not very smart dog) ## Footnote The music industry **bites the hand that feeds** it when it penalizes consumers who share (and therefore publicize) their favorite songs with friend

Question 100

(adj.) but (adj.)

Answer 100

Used for two adjectives that provide a contrast. | Can be opposites or one good and one bad ## Footnote A boring but lucrative job. The food available in such neighborhoods is inexpensive but unhealthy.

Question 101

By no means

Answer 101

Not at all ## Footnote This is **by no means** a new idea. (The idea is certainly not new.)

Question 102

The ends justify the means

Answer 102

as long as the goals (the ends) are good, it's acceptable to do anything (the means) in order to achieve the goals

Question 103

By the same token

Answer 103

In the same way, for the same reason. ## Footnote As a libertarian, he wants to ablish the IRS. **By the same token,** he wants drugs legalized.

Question 104

The case at issue

Answer 104

the matter at hand, the thing that is being discussed ## Footnote Usually, raising prices results in a drop in demand, but in **the case at issue**, the price jump convinced consumers that the product was a luxury good, thus spurring demand from aspirational consumers.