GRE Vocab_AB Flashcards

Question 1

Q

abacus

(noun)

/ˈæbəkəs/

Answer

A

a frame with small balls which slide along wires. It is used as a tool or toy for counting.

Question 2

Q

abandon

(noun)

/əˈbændən/

Answer

A

(formal) an uncontrolled way of behaving that shows that somebody does not care what other people think

> He signed checks with careless abandon.

Question 3

Q

abandon

(verb)

/əˈbændən/

Answer

A

1 to leave somebody, especially somebody you are responsible for, with no intention of returning

> People often simply abandon their pets when they go abroad.

2 to leave a thing or place, especially because it is impossible or dangerous to stay

SYN leave

> Snow forced many drivers to abandon their vehicles.

3 to stop doing something, especially before it is finished; to stop having something

> She abandoned hope of any reconciliation.

4 to stop supporting or helping somebody; to stop believing in something

> The country abandoned its political leaders after the war.

5 to feel an emotion so strongly that you can feel nothing else

> He abandoned himself to despair.

Question 4

Q

abase

(verb)

/əˈbeɪs/

Answer

A

(formal) (yourself) to act in way that makes you seem lower or less deserving of respect

> politicians abasing themselves before wealthy businessmen

Question 5

Q

abashed

(adjective)

/əˈbæʃt/

Answer

A

embarrassed or ashamed because of something that you have done

SYN embarrased, ashamed

> She seemed a little abashed when they asked about her job.

Question 6

Q

abate

(verb)

/əˈbeɪt/

Answer

A

(formal) to become less strong; to make something less strong

> The storm showed no signs of abating. Steps are to be taken to abate pollution.

Question 7

Q

abbess

(noun)

/ˈæbes/

Answer

A

a woman who is the head of a convent

Question 8

Q

abbey

(noun)

/ˈæbi/

Answer

A

a large church together with a group of buildings in which monks or nuns live or lived in the past

> Westminster Abbey

Question 9

Q

abbot

(noun)

/ˈæbət/

Answer

A

a man who is the head of a monastery or an abbey

Question 10

Q

abbreviate

(verb)

/əˈbri:viˌeɪt/

Answer

A

to make (something) shorter, especially a word or name.

SYN shorten

> He gave us an abbreviated account of his travels. United States of America is commonly abbreviated as USA.

Question 11

Q

abdicate

(verb)

/ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt/

Answer

A

1 to leave the position of being king or queen

> The king was forced to abdicate the throne of Spain.

2 to fail or refuse to perform a duty

Question 12

Q

abdomen

(noun)

/ˈæbdəmən/

Answer

A

1 the part of the body below the chest that contains the stomach, bowels, etc.

2 the end part of an insect’s body that is attached to its thorax

Question 13

Q

abduction

(verb)

/æbˈdʌkt/

Answer

A

to take somebody away illegally, especially using force

SYN kidnap

> He had attempted to abduct the two children.

Question 14

Q

abed

(adverb)

/əˈbed/

Answer

A

(old use) in bed

Question 15

Q

aberrant

(adjective)

/əˈberənt/

Answer

A

(formal) not usual or not socially acceptable

SYN abnormal, unusual

> aberrant behavior

Question 16

Q

aberration

(noun)

/ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/

Answer

A

(formal) a fact, an action or a way of behaving that is not usual, and that may be unacceptable

SYN abnormality, deviation

> For her, such a low grade on an exam was an aberration. A childless woman was regarded as an aberration, almost a social outcast.

Question 17

Q

abet

(verb)

/əˈbɛt/

Answer

A

to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act

> She abetted the thief in his getaway. Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.

Question 18

Q

abeyance

(noun)

/əˈbejəns/

Answer

A

(formal) in a temporary state of being stopped

> The plans are in abeyance.

Question 19

Q

abhor

(verb)

/əbˈhoɚ/

Answer

A

to hate something or someone, for example a way of behaving or thinking, especially for moral reasons

SYN detest, loath

> They abhor violence/racism.

Question 20

Q

abhorrence

(noun)

/əbˈhɔːrəns/

Answer

A

(formal) a feeling of strong hatred, especially for moral reasons

> He had an abhorrence of waste of any kind.

Question 21

Q

abhorrent

(adjective)

/əbˈhɔːrənt/

Answer

A

(formal) causing hatred, especially for moral reasons

SYN repugnant

> Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society.

Question 22

Q

abidance

(noun)

/əˈbaɪdns/

Answer

A

1 an act or state of abiding

SYN continuance

> the reassuring abidance of their friendship through times both good and bad

2 compliance

SYN compliance

> The FDA requires strict abidance by food manufacturers of its definitions for certain terms used on product labels.

Question 23

Q

abide

(verb)

/əˈbaɪd/

Answer

A

1 to accept or bear (someone or something unpleasant)

SYN bear, stand

> I can’t abide his bad moods.

2 to stay or live somewhere

> May joy and peace abide in us all.

Question 24

Q

abide by

(verb)

/əˈbaɪd/

Answer

A

(formal) to accept and be guided by

> We have to abide by the rules. They promise to abide by our decision.

Question 25

Q

abiding

(adjective)

/əˈbaɪdɪŋ/

Answer

A

lasting for a long time and not changing

> He is an artist with an abiding concern for humanity.

Question 26

Q

abject

(adjective)

/ˈæbˌʤɛkt/

Answer

A

(formal) 1 terrible and without hope

> abject poverty/misery/failure

2 without any pride or respect for yourself

> an abject apology

Question 27

Q

abjure

(verb)

/æbˈʤuɚ/

Answer

A

(formal) to reject (something) formally

> He abjured allegiance to his native country.

Question 28

Q

able-bodied

(adjective)

/ˌeɪbəlˈbɑ:did/

Answer

A

physically healthy, fit and strong in contrast to somebody who is weak or disabled

> Military service is compulsory for every able-bodied male between 18 and 27.

Question 29

Q

ablution

(noun)

/əˈblu:ʃən/

Answer

A

(formal or humorous) the act of washing yourself - usually plural

> ritual ablutions before prayers. He performed his daily ablutions before having breakfast.

Question 30

Q

abnegate

(verb)

/ˈæbnɪɡeɪt/

Answer

A

1 to give up something

SYN renounce

2 to deny something to oneself

SYN deny

> The minister abnegated the luxuries of life.

Question 31

Q

abnegation

(noun)

/ˌæbnɪˈgeɪʃn/

Answer

A

(formal) the act of not allowing yourself to have something that you want; the act of rejecting something

Question 32

Q

abnormal

(adjective)

/æbˈnɔːrml/

Answer

A

different from what is usual or expected, especially in a way that is worrying, harmful or not wanted

> abnormal levels of sugar in the blood

Question 33

Q

abode

(noun)

/əˈboʊd/

Answer

A

(formal or humorous) the place where someone lives - usually singular

> The cottage became their abode for the summer. Welcome to my humble abode.

Question 34

Q

abolish

(verb)

/əˈbɑ:lɪʃ/

Answer

A

to officially end a law, a system or an institution

> He is in favor of abolishing the death penalty.

Question 35

Q

abominable

(adjective)

/əˈbɑ:mənəbəl/

Answer

A

extremely unpleasant and causing disgust

SYN appalling, disgusting

> We had abominable weather all week.

Question 36

Q

abominate

(verb)

/əˈbɑ:məˌneɪt/

Answer

A

(formal) to feel great hatred for (someone or something)

SYN loathe, hate

> a politician who is revered by his supporters and abominated by his enemies

Question 37

Q

abomination

(noun)

/əˌbɑːmɪˈneɪʃn/

Answer

A

a thing that causes disgust and hatred, or is considered extremely offensive

> a concrete abomination masquerading as a hotel

Question 38

Q

aboriginal

(adjective)

/ˌæbəˈrɪʤənl̟/

Answer

A

1 relating to the people and things that have been in a region from the earliest time

SYN primitive, native

> aboriginal plant species

2 relating to the original people living in Australia

> the issue of Aboriginal land rights

Question 39

Q

aborigine

(noun)

/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒəni/

Answer

A

1 a member of a race of people who were the original people living in a country

2 a member of the race of people who were the original people of Australia

Question 40

Q

abortive

(adjective)

/əˈboɚtɪv/

Answer

A

(formal) failing to achieve the desired result

SYN unsuccessful, fruitless

> He made several abortive attempts to escape

Question 41

Q

above board

(adjective)

/əˈbʌvˌboɚd/

Answer

A

legal and honest; in a legal and honest way

> Don’t worry; the deal was completely above board.

Question 42

Q

abrade

(verb)

/əˈbreɪd/

Answer

A

to rub the surface of something, such as rock or skin, and damage it or make it rough

Question 43

Q

abrasion

(noun)

/əˈbreɪʒn/

Answer

A

1 a damaged area of the skin where it has been rubbed against something hard and rough

> He suffered cuts and abrasions to the face.

2 damage to a surface caused by rubbing something very hard against it

> Diamonds have extreme resistance to abrasion.

Question 44

Q

abrasive

(adjective)

/əˈbreɪsɪv/

Answer

A

1 a rough substance that can be used to clean a surface or to make it smooth

> abrasive kitchen cleaners

2 (of a person and their manner) rude and unkind; acting in a way that may hurt other people’s feelings

> Throughout his career he was known for his abrasive manner.

Question 45

Q

abridge

(verb)

/əˈbrɪʤ/

Answer

A

to make a book, play, etc. shorter by leaving parts out

SYN shorten, curtail, weaken

> She has been asked to abridge the novel for the radio.

Question 46

Q

abridgment

(noun)

/əˈbrɪdʒmənt/

Answer

A

1 a shortened form a a work retaining the general sense and unity of the original

SYN digest, condensation

> This dictionary is an abridgment of the hardcover edition.

2 the action of shortening a work

Question 47

Q

abrogate

(verb)

/ˈæbrəˌgeɪt/

Answer

A

(technical) 1 to end or cancel (something) in a formal or official way

SYN abolish

> abrogate a law, abrogate a treaty

2 to fail to do what is required by (something, such as a responsibility)

> The company’s directors are accused of abrogating their responsibilities.

Question 48

Q

abrupt

(adjective)

/əˈbrʌpt/

Answer

A

1 sudden and unexpected, often in an unpleasant way

> an abrupt change/halt/departure

2 speaking or acting in a way that seems unfriendly and rude; not taking time to say more than is necessary

SYN brusque, curt

> She was very abrupt with me in our meeting.

Question 49

Q

abscess

(noun)

/ˈæbses/

Answer

A

a swollen and infected area on your skin or in your body, full of a thick yellowish liquid (called pus)

> a painful abscess on the gum

Question 50

Q

abscission

(noun)

/æbˈsɪʒən/

Answer

A

1 the act or process of cutting off

SYN removal

2 the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer

Question 51

Q

abscond

(verb)

/æbˈskɑ:nd/

Answer

A

1 to go away or escape from a place secretly

SYN The suspect absconded to Canada. Several prisoners absconded from the jail.

2 to go away and take something that does not belong to you

SYN a banker who absconded with all the money

Question 52

Q

absence

(noun)

/ˈæbsəns/

Answer

A

1 the fact of somebody being away from a place where they are usually expected to be; the occasion or period of time when somebody is away

> We did not receive any news during his long absence.

2 the fact of somebody/something not existing or not being available; a lack of something

> The case was dismissed in the absence of any definite proof.

Question 53

Q

absolute

(adjective)

/ˈæbsəˌlu:t/

Answer

A

1 total and complete

> a class for absolute beginners

2 (before a noun) used to give emphasis to what you are saying

> absolute rubbish

3 definite and without any doubt or confusion

> There was no absolute proof

4 not limited or restricted

> absolute power

5 existing or measured independently and not in relation to something else

> Beauty cannot be measured by any absolute standard.

Question 54

Q

absolution

(noun)

/ˌæbsəˈluːʃn/

Answer

A

(especially in the Christian Church) a formal statement that a person is forgiven for what he or she has done wrong

Question 55

Q

absolve

(verb)

/əbˈzɑ:lv/

Answer

A

(formal) 1 to state formally that somebody is not guilty or responsible for something

> The court absolved him of all responsibility for the accident.

2 to give absolution to somebody

> I absolve you from all your sins.

Question 56

Q

absorb

(verb)

/əbˈsɔːrb/

Answer

A

1 to take in a liquid, gas or other substance from the surface or space around

2 to make something smaller become part of something larger

3 to take something into the mind and learn or understand it

4 to interest somebody very much so that they pay no attention to anything else

5 to take in and keep heat, light, energy, etc. instead of reflecting it

6 to reduce the effect of a blow, hit, etc

7 to use up a large supply of something, especially money or time

8 to deal with changes, effects, costs, etc

Question 57

Q

absorption

(noun)

/əbˈsɔːrpʃn/

Answer

A

1 the process of a liquid, gas or other substance being taken in

> Vitamin D is necessary to aid the absorption of calcium from food.

2 the process of a smaller group, country, etc. becoming part of a larger group or country

> the absorption of immigrants into the host country

3 the fact of somebody being very interested in something so that it takes all their attention

> His work suffered because of his total absorption in sport.

Question 58

Q

abstain

(verb)

/əbˈsteɪn/

Answer

A

1 to choose not to vote, either for or against something

> The people voted in favor, five against and two abstained.

2 to decide not to do or have something because it is bad for your health or considered morally wrong

> to abstain from alcohol

3 to stay away from something

> The workers who abstained from work yesterday have been suspended.

Question 59

Q

abstemious

(adjective)

/æbˈsti:mijəs/

Answer

A

(formal) not allowing yourself to have much food or alcohol, or to do things that are enjoyable

> He was a hard-working man with abstemious habits

Question 60

Q

abstinence

(noun)

/ˈæbstənəns/

Answer

A

(formal) the practice of not allowing yourself something, especially food, alcoholoic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons

> total abstinence from strong drink

Question 61

Q

abstinent

(adjective)

/ˈæbstɪnənt/

Answer

A

not allowing yourself something, especially alcoholic drinks, for moral, religious or health reasons

Question 62

Q

abstract

(adjective)

/ˈæbstrækt/

Answer

A

1 based on general ideas and not on any particular real person, thing or situation

> The research shows that preschool children are capable of thinking in abstract terms.

2 existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical reality

> We may talk of beautiful things but beauty itself is abstract.

3 (of art) not representing people or things in a realistic way, but expressing the artist’s ideas about them

> the work of abstract expressionists like Mark Rothko

Question 63

Q

abstract

(noun)

/ˈæbstrækt/

Answer

A

1 an abstract work of art

> Kandinsky’s first abstracts are maked by their wild color.

2 a short piece of writing containing the main ideas in a documents

SYN summary

Question 64

Q

abstract

(verb)

/æbˈstrækt/

Answer

A

1 to remove something from somewhere

> She abstracted the main points from the argument.

2 to make a written summary of a book, etc.

> She abstracted the main points from the argument.

Answer 65

A

(formal, often disapproving) difficult to understand

Answer 66

A

completely ridiculous; not logical and sensible

SYN ridiculous

> That uniform makes the guards look absurd.

Answer 67

A

existing in large quantities; more than enough

SYN plentiful

> Fish are abundant in the lake.

Answer 68

A

1 the use of something in a way that is wrong or harmful

SYN misuse

> What she did was an abuse of her position as manager.

2 unfair, cruel or violent treatment of somebody

> She suffered years of physical abuse.

3 rude and offensive remarks, usually made when somebody is very angry

SYN insults

> The man burst into a torrent of foul-mouthed racist abuse.

Answer 69

A

1 to make bad use of something, or to use so much of something that it harms your health

> He systematically abused his body with heroin and cocaine.

2 to use power or knowledge unfairly or wrongly

> She abused her position as principal by giving jobs to her friends.

3 to treat a person or an animal in a cruel or violent way, especially sexually

> The boy had been sexually abused.

4 to make rude or offensive remarks to or about somebody

> The referee had been threatened and abused.

Answer 70

A

1 rude and offensive; criticizing rudely and unfairly

> He became abusive when he was drunk.

2 involving violence

> an abusive relationship

Answer 71

A

(formal) to be next to something or to have one side touching the side of something

> His land abuts onto a road.

Answer 72

A

extremely bad or of a very low standard

SYN terrible

> His manners are abysmal.

Answer 73

A

a very deep wide space or hole that seems to have no bottom

> Ahead of them was a gaping abyss. The country is stepping back from the edge of an abyss.

Answer 74

A

abacus

(noun)

/ˈæbəkəs/

Answer 75

A

abandon

(noun)

/əˈbændən/

Answer 76

A

abandon

(verb)

/əˈbændən/

Answer 77

A

abase

(verb)

/əˈbeɪs/

Answer 78

A

abashed

(adjective)

/əˈbæʃt/

Answer 79

A

abate

(verb)

/əˈbeɪt/

Answer 80

A

abbess

(noun)

/ˈæbes/

Answer 81

A

abbey

(noun)

/ˈæbi/

Answer 82

A

abbot

(noun)

/ˈæbət/

Answer 83

A

abbreviate

(verb)

/əˈbri:viˌeɪt/

Answer 84

A

abdicate

(verb)

/ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt/

Answer 85

A

abdomen

(noun)

/ˈæbdəmən/

Answer 86

A

abduction

(verb)

/æbˈdʌkt/

Answer 87

A

abed

(adverb)

/əˈbed/

Answer 88

A

aberrant

(adjective)

/əˈberənt/

Answer 89

A

aberration

(noun)

/ˌæbəˈreɪʃən/

Answer 90

A

abet

(verb)

/əˈbɛt/

Answer 91

A

abeyance

(noun)

/əˈbejəns/

Answer 92

A

abhor

(verb)

/əbˈhoɚ/

Answer 93

A

abhorrence

(noun)

/əbˈhɔːrəns/

Answer 94

A

abhorrent

(adjective)

/əbˈhɔːrənt/

Answer 95

A

abidance

(noun)

/əˈbaɪdns/

Answer 96

A

abide

(verb)

/əˈbaɪd/

Answer 97

A

abide by

(verb)

/əˈbaɪd/

Answer 98

A

abiding

(adjective)

/əˈbaɪdɪŋ/

Answer 99

A

abject

(adjective)

/ˈæbˌʤɛkt/

Answer 100

A

abjure

(verb)

/æbˈʤuɚ/

Answer 101

A

able-bodied

(adjective)

/ˌeɪbəlˈbɑ:did/

Answer 102

A

ablution

(noun)

/əˈblu:ʃən/

Answer 103

A

abnegate

(verb)

/ˈæbnɪɡeɪt/

Answer 104

A

abnegation

(noun)

/ˌæbnɪˈgeɪʃn/

Answer 105

A

abnormal

(adjective)

/æbˈnɔːrml/

Answer 106

A

abode

(noun)

/əˈboʊd/

Answer 107

A

abolish

(verb)

/əˈbɑ:lɪʃ/

Answer 108

A

abominable

(adjective)

/əˈbɑ:mənəbəl/

Answer 109

A

abominate

(verb)

/əˈbɑ:məˌneɪt/

Answer 110

A

abomination

(noun)

/əˌbɑːmɪˈneɪʃn/

Answer 111

A

aboriginal

(adjective)

/ˌæbəˈrɪʤənl̟/

Answer 112

A

aborigine

(noun)

/ˌæbəˈrɪdʒəni/

Answer 113

A

abortive

(adjective)

/əˈboɚtɪv/

Answer 114

A

above board

(adjective)

/əˈbʌvˌboɚd/

Answer 115

A

abrade

(verb)

/əˈbreɪd/

Answer 116

A

abrasion

(noun)

/əˈbreɪʒn/

Answer 117

A

abrasive

(adjective)

/əˈbreɪsɪv/

Answer 118

A

abridge

(verb)

/əˈbrɪʤ/

Answer 119

A

abridgment

(noun)

/əˈbrɪdʒmənt/

Answer 120

A

abrogate

(verb)

/ˈæbrəˌgeɪt/

Answer 121

A

abrupt

(adjective)

/əˈbrʌpt/

Answer 122

A

abscess

(noun)

/ˈæbses/

Answer 123

A

abscission

(noun)

/æbˈsɪʒən/

Answer 124

A

abscond

(verb)

/æbˈskɑ:nd/

Answer 125

A

absence

(noun)

/ˈæbsəns/

Answer 126

A

absolute

(adjective)

/ˈæbsəˌlu:t/

Answer 127

A

absolution

(noun)

/ˌæbsəˈluːʃn/

Answer 128

A

absolve

(verb)

/əbˈzɑ:lv/

Answer 129

A

absorb

(verb)

/əbˈsɔːrb/

Answer 130

A

absorption

(noun)

/əbˈsɔːrpʃn/

Answer 131

A

abstain

(verb)

/əbˈsteɪn/

Answer 132

A

abstemious

(adjective)

/æbˈsti:mijəs/

Answer 133

A

abstinence

(noun)

/ˈæbstənəns/

Answer 134

A

abstinent

(adjective)

/ˈæbstɪnənt/

Answer 135

A

abstract

(adjective)

/ˈæbstrækt/

Answer 136

A

abstract

(noun)

/ˈæbstrækt/

Answer 137

A

abstract

(verb)

/æbˈstrækt/

Answer 138

A

abstruse

(adjective)

/əbˈstru:s/

Answer 139

A

absurd

(adjective)

/əbˈsɜːrd/

Answer 140

A

abundant

(adjective)

/əˈbʌndənt/

Answer 141

A

abuse

(noun)

/əˈbjuːs/

Answer 142

A

abuse

(verb)

/əˈbjuːz/

Answer 143

A

abusive

(adjective)

/əˈbjuːsɪv/

Answer 144

A

abut

(verb)

/əˈbʌt/

Answer 145

A

abysmal

(adjective)

/əˈbɪzməl/

Answer 146

A

abyss

(noun)

/əˈbɪs/

Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

GRE Vocab_AB Flashcards

Brainscape's Knowledge Genome^TM