Aback
Surprised; Startled
Abate
To lesson; To decrease
Abdicate
To give up
Abduct
To take away; To kidnap
Aberration
Abnormality
Abet
to aid; Encourage
Abeyance
A postponement
Abhor
To hate
Abide
To remain or put up with
Abject
Miserable
Abjure
to give up (rights); To deny
Ablution
cleansing
Abolition
doing away with
Abominate
to dislike strongly
Aborigine
original inhabitant
Abortive
unsucessful
Abrade
To wear or scrape away
Abridge
to shorten or diminish
Abrogate
to abolish
Abscond
To leave secretly
Absolve
to free from responsibility
Abstemious
to show moderation in eating or dirnking
Abstinence
self-denial; voluntary restraint
Abstract
lacking substance; theoretical
Abut
to border on; adjoin
Abysmal
extremely bad
Abyss
A bottomless pit; vast
Macabre
Gruesome
Machination
Evil design
Macroscopic
visible to the naked eye
maelstrom
whirlpool
Magnanimous
generous
Magnate
Important Person
Maim
to cripple
Maladroit
clumsy or unskillful
Malady
disease
malaise
uneasiness
Malapropism
word humorously misused
Malediction
Curse
Malefactor
Villain
Malevolent
harmful
Malfeasence
wrongdoing
Malicious
Spiteful
Malign
to speak badly about
Malignant
Evil
Malingerer
one who pretends to be ill to avoid work
Malleable
adaptable
Manacle
handcuff
Mandarin
influential person
Mandate
an order
Manifest
Obvious
Manifold
Many
Manipulate
to handle with skill; to influence a person
Manumit
to set free
Maraud
to raid
Maritime
pertaining to the ocean
Marquee
a canopy over an entrance
Marred
damaged; ruined
Martial
Warlike
Martinet
A Strict Disciplinarian
Masochist
One who enjoys his own pain
Masticate
to chew
Matriarchy
a society in which the mother is the head of the family
Matrix
A place of origin
Maudlin
very sentimental
Maul
to injure
Mausoleum
large tomb
Maverick
a noncomformist
Mawkish
overly sentimental
Maxim
a proverb or saying
Meager
inadequate; of poor quality
Mean
nasty of offensive; inferior or low; an average
Meander
to wander aimlessly
Mediate
to settle a dispute
Meditate
to think deeply
Medley
A mixture
Megalomania
exaggeration of one’s own greatness
Melancholy
depressed
Melee
noisy fight
Mellifluous
sweet-sounding
Melodramatic
overly emotional
Menace
a threat
Menage
household
Menageria
collection of animals
Mendacious
lying
Mendicant
A beggar
Menial
Degrading
Mentor
Adviser or coach
Mercantile
pertaining to merchants
Mercenary
acts only for money
Mercurial
unpredictably
Meretricious
gaudy or showy
Merger
a joining together
Mesmerize
hypnotize
Metamorphosis
a transformation
Metaphor
comparison
Metaphysics
beyond what is natural
Mete
to distribute
Meteoric
Swift rise
Meticulous
Extremely careful
Metropolis
large city
Mettle
courage
Miasma
Pollution
Microcosm
a little word
Mien
Manner
Milieu
Environment; setting
Militant
Ready and willing to fight
Millenium
a thousand years
Mimic
to imitate
Minion
a devoted follower
Minute
unit of time or small and insignificant
Mire
swampy ground; to sink down
Mirth
joy or laughter
Misanthrope
a hater of mankind
Misapprehension
A misunderstanding
Miscegenation
mixture of races
Mischance
unlucky accident; bad luck
Misconstrue
Misinterpret
Miscreant
A vicious person
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime
Miser
One who hoards money excessively
Misgiving
Doubt; suspicion
Misnomer
an error in name
Misogamy
hatred of marriage
Misogynist
woman-hater
Missive
letter
Mitigate
to make less severe
Mnemonic
pertaining to memory
Mock
to ridicule or insult
Modicum
a small amount
Modish
stylish
Modulate
to tone down
Mogul
powerful person
Mollify
to calm or appease
Molt
to shed
Momentous
very important
Monarchy
one ruler
Monastic
self-denying
Monitor
one who watches
Monograph
written about a single subject
Monolithic
Unified or solid
Monologue
speech by one person
Monotheism
Belief in one god
Monotonous
boring; without variety
Monumental
important
Moot
debatable or having no significance
Moratorium
delay
Morbid
Depressing
Mordant
Sarcastic
Mores
Customs or traditions
Moribund
dying
Morose
gloomy
Mortal
destined to die
Mortify
to embarrass or humiliate
Motif
Central idea
Motley
Assorted or different colors
Mottled
spotted
Mounterbank
A fraud
Muddle
To confuse
Mulct
a fine or to defraud
Mull
(over) think about
Multifarious
having many parts
Mundane
Worldly
Munificent
Generous
Murky
Unclear; gloomy
Muse
to think deeply
Muster
to gather together
Musty
stale; moldy
Mute
Silent
Muzzle
to restrain
Myopic
having a narrow point of view
Myriad
Infinitely vast in number
Myrmidon
An unquestioning follower
Nabob
a very wealthy person
Nadir
lowest point
Naive
Unsophisticated
Nercissistic
vain
Nascent
coming into being
Natation
The Act of Swimming
Nativity
Birth
Nebulous
Vague
Necromancy
Magic
Nefarious
Evil
Negate
to deny; to nullify
Negligent
careless; neglectful
Nemisis
Victorious rival
Neologism
new use of a word
Neophyte
A beginner
Nepotism
Favoritism shown towards relatives
Nether
Lower or under
Nettle
to irritate
Neutralize
to make ineffective
Nexus
Connection or link
Nicety
Dainty or delicate
Niche
Recess in a wall or best place for a person
Niggardly
stingy
Niggle
petty
Nihilism
total rejection of law
Nimble
quick
Nirvana
Place of great happiness
Nocturnal
pertaining to night
Nodule
A small lump
Noisome
harmful or offensive
Nomadic
Wandering
Nomenclature
a set of terms
Nominal
in name only; unimportant
Non Sequitur
something that is not logical
Nonage
Immaturity
Nonchalant
Casual
Noncommittal
no definite point of view
Nonentity
person of little importance
Nonpareil
unequaled
Nonplus
to confuse
Nostalgic
longing for the past
Nostrum
Questionable medicine
Notorious
having a bad reputation
Novel
New; unusal
Novice
A beginner
Noxious
harmful to health
Nuance
small variation in meaning or color
Nub
a small piece
Nugatory
Worthless
Nullify
to make useless
Numismatist
coin collector
Nupital
pertain to marriage
Nurture
to nourish; to sustain
Nutriment
Nourishment
Oaf
a dunce
Obdurate
Stubborn
Obeisance
Gesture expressing deep respect
Obfuscate
to confuse
Objective
unbiased
Oblation
an offering
Obligatory
required
Oblique
indirect
Oblivious
unmindful; unaware
Obloquy
bad reputation resulting from public disgrace
Obscure
not clear; partially hidden
Obsequious
Submissive or overly attentive
Obsequy
A funeral rite
Absess
to control the thoughts or feelings of a person
Obstinate
Stubborn
Obstreperous
loud and unruly
Obtrude
to push something toward or upon a person
Obtuse
slow to understand
Obviate
to prevent
Occidental
western
Occlude
to close; to block out
Occult
Secret or mysterious
Ocular
pertaining to sight
Odious
disgusting
Odoriferous
giving off a pleasant smell
Odyssey
a long journey
Offal
garbage
Officious
interfering
Ogle
to look at with desire
Ogre
monster
Olfactory
pertaining to smell
Oligarchy
government by only a few
Omen
a sign which indicates the future
Ominous
threatening
Omnifarious
of all kinds
Omnipotent
all-powerful
Omniscient
all-knowing
Omnivorous
eating anything; absorbing everything
Onerous
burdensome
Onslaught
a furious attack
Onus
a burden
Opaque
not transparent; not letting light pass through
Opiate
narcotic; causing sleep
Opprobrious
Shameful
Opt
to choose
Optimist
one who sees the good side of things
Optimum
the best; most favorable
Opulent
rich; luxurious
Oracular
mysterious
Oration
a speech
Orbit
a path around an object
Ordain
to order or establish
Ordinance
a law
Organic
fundamental or essential
Orient
an area of the Far East; to adjust
Orifice
an opening
Ornate
showy
Ornithology
study of birds
Orthodox
accepting traditional beliefs; conventional
Oscillate
to swing or move back and forth
Ossify
to change into bone or become rigid
Ostensible
Apparent
Ostentatious
showing off
Ostracize
to banish
Overt
open; not hidden
Ovine
like a sheep
Ovoid
egg-shaped
Pacify
to calm down
Pact
an agreement
Paean
song of joy
Palatable
Pleasant to taste
Palatial
Magnificent
Paleontology
study of prehistoric life
Pall
Something that covers or to be unpleasant
Palliate
to lesson
Pallid
pale; dull
Palpable
capable of being touched
Palpitate
to beat rapidly
Palsy
Muscle Paralysis
Paltry
Worthless; small
Panacea
an answer for all problems
Panache
a showy manner
Pandemonium
Confusion
Panegyric
an expression of praise
Pang
a sharp pain
Panoply
suit of armor; any protective covering
Panorama
unlimited view; comprehensive survery
Parable
a simple story giving a moral or religious lesson
Paradigm
a model; an example
Paradox
a statement that contradictory, but probably true
Paragon
a model of perfection
Paramount
Supreme
Paraphernilia
Equipment
Parched
Extremely thirsty
Pariah
an outcast
Parley
a conference
Parochial
limited or related to a church
Parody
a work which imitates another in a satirical way
Paroxysm
a sudden outburst
Parrot
to repeat or imitate
Parry
to avoid something such as a blow; to evade
Parsimonious
stingy
Partisan
a strong supporter
passe
out-of-date
passive
submissive
Pastoral
pertaining to the country
Patent
government protection for an invention; obvious
Paternal
Fatherly
Pathogenic
causing disease
Pathos
deep feeling of pity
Patriarch
a person regarded as a founder or father
Patrician
Aristocratic
Patrimony
Inherited right
Patronage
the power to make appointments to government jobs
Patronize
to be a customer or to talk down to
Paucity
Scarcity; lack of
Peccadillo
A Minor offense
Pectoral
pertaining to the chest
Peculate
to steal
Pecuniary
pertaining to money
Pedagogue
a schoolteacher
Pedantic
to show off one’s knowledge
Pedestrian
ordinary; common; banal
Pedigree
a record of ancestors
Peer
an equal or to look at closely
Peerless
without equal
Peevish
hard to please
Pejorative
insulting
Pellucid
Transparent
Pelt
skin of an animal; to throw
Penal
pertaining to punishment
Penchant
a strong liking for
Penitent
expressing sorrow for a wrongdoing
Pensive
thoughtful
Penury
extreme poverty
Peon
common worker
Perceive
to observe or understand
Perceptible
recognizable
Perceptive
quick witted; keen
Perdition
damnation
Peregrinate
to travel; journey
Peremptory
decisive or final
Perennial
lasting for a long time
Perfidious
deceitful; unfaithful
Perforce
of necessity
Perfunctory
Routine
Perigree
point nearest to the earth
Periphery
outside boundary; unimportant area of subject
Permeate
to spread throughout
Pernicious
destrutive
Peroration
the concluding part of a speech
Perpetrate
to be guilty of
Perpetuate
cause to continue
Perplex
confuse
Perquisite
something additional to regular pay
Persevere
to endure
Personification
giving human qualities to a non-human being or to abstract ideas
Perspicacity
sharp insight
Perspicuity
clearness
Pert
bold; lively
Pertinent
to the point
Perturb
to disturb
Peruse
to read carefully
Pervade
to spread throughout
Perverse
contrary; stubborn
Pervert
to corrupt
Pessimist
one who sees the worst
Petrify
to paralyze with fear
Petrology
Study of rocks
Petty
unimportant
Petulant
irritable
Phalanx
compact group of people
Phenomenon
extraordinary (fact or occurrence)
Philander
to engage in many love affairs
Philanthropy
generosity to mankind
Philately
stamp collecting
Philippic
a verbal attack
Philistine
uncultured
Phlegmatic
unemotional
Phobia
intense fear
Phoenix
a bird symbolizing immortality
Picaresque
adventurous scoundrel
Piddling
Petty
Piecemeal
Bit by bit
Pied
many-colored; variegated
Piety
devotion
Pigment
dye
Pilgrimage
a journey to a holy place
Pillage
to loot
Pillory
to expose to public ridicule
Pinnacle
highest point
Pious
religious; deeply devoted to religion
Piquant
stimulating to the taste; exciting
Pique
to irritate
Piscine
of or like a fish
Pithy
to the point
Pittance
Small Amount
Pivotal
crucial; critical; important
Placard
small poster
Placate
to calm
Placebo
harmless; phony medicine
Placid
Calm
Plague
A contagious disease; to trouble
Plaintive
sorrwoful
Platitude
a dull or trite remark
Platonic
spiritual; free from sensual desire
Plaudit
applause; any expression of approval
Plausible
apparently true; reasonable
Plebian
pertaining to the lower classes
Plenary
complete or absolute
Plethora
abundance
Pliant
easily bent
Plight
a sad situation
Ploy
a trick
Pluck
to pull at; courage
Plumb
to measure
Plutocracy
rule by the wealthy class
Poach
hunt or fish illegally
Podium
a platform
Poignant
distressing; affecting the emotions
Polarize
to separate into opposing groups
Polemic
a controversy
Politic
dramatic
Poltroon
a coward
Polychromatic
many-colored
Polyglot
speaking or writing several languages
Polymorphic
having many forms
Polytheism
belief in many forms
Pomp
show or display
Ponder
to think deeply
Ponderous
heavy
Porcine
like a pig
Portable
capable of being carried
Portal
door or entrance
Portentous
warning
Portly
large
Posterity
future generations
Posthumous
after death
Postulate
to assume
Potable
drinkable
Potent
powerful
Potentate
ruler
Potential
capacity or ability
Potion
a drink
Potpourri
a mixture
Pragmatic
practical
Prate
to talk long and pointlessly
Precarious
uncertain or risky
Precedent
an act used as an example
Precept
a rule of conduct
Precipice
cliff
Precipitate
to bring about an action
Precipitous
extremely steep
Precis
brief summary
Preclude
to shut out; prevent
Precocious
prematurely developed
Precursor
a forerunner
Predecessor
one who comes before another
Predicate
to declare
Predilection
a liking; preference; inclination
Predispose
inclined in advance
Preeminent
standing our above all others
Preen
to dress
Prehensile
adapted for grasping something
Premeditate
to plan beforehand
Premier
first in importance
Premise
statement made as a basis of an argument
Premonition
forewarning
Preponderance
superiority in quantity; dominance
Preposterous
ridiculous
Prerogative
privilege
Presage
to indicate or warn in advance
Prescience
knowledge of things before they happen
Presentiment
anticipation, especially of something evil
Prestige
importance
Presumptuous
boldly assuming
Pretentious
showy; self-important; pompous
Preternatural
abnormal
Pretext
a false reason
Prevail
to succeed
Prevaricate
to lie
Prim
formal; proper
Primeval
of the earliest times
Primogeniture
state of being the first born
Primordial
original
Primp
to dress up in a funny away
Prismatic
many-colored
Pristine
many-colored
Pristine
uncorrupted; in its original state
Privation
loss of something essential
Privy
having knowledge of something private
Probe
to investigate or examine
Probity
honesty
Proclivity
tendency
Procrastinate
to postpone
Procreate
to produce
Procrustean
to get conformity at any cost
Procure
to obtain
Prodigal
wasteful
Prodigious
enormous; great amount
Profane
showing disrespect
Profess
to acknowledge or admit
Proffer
to offer
Proficiency
skill; ability
Profilgate
immoral or extremely wasteful
Profound
very deep; insightful
Profuse
abundant
Progeny
descendants
Prognosticate
to predict; to fortell
Proletarian
a member of the working class
Proliferate
to increase or expand
Prolific
productive
Prolix
tediously long and wordy
Prologue
introduction
Promenade
a stroll or a walk; an area used for walking
Promiscuous
sexually loose
Promontory
piece of land that juts out
Promulgate
to advocate
Prone
lying flat
Propogate
to multiply
Propensity
inclination
Prophetic
predicting
Propinquity
closeness
Propitious
favorable
Propriety
conformity; apporpriateness
Prosaic
commonplace or dull
Proscribe
to denounce; exile
Proselyte
a convert
Prospectus
a report describing a new project
Prostrate
lying flat
Protagonist
main character
Protean
changeable
Protege
one who has been instructed by another
Protocol
etiquette observed by diplomats
Prototype
the original
Protract
to prolong
Protrude
to stick out
Proverbial
well-known
Provident
having foresight; prudent
Provincial
unsophisticated; narrow; limited
Provisional
temporary
Proviso
a condition
Provoke
to irritate
Prowess
skill or strength
Prozimity
nearness
Proxy
one who acts in place of another
Prudence
good judgement; cautious; careful
Prune
to cut off or lop off such as twigs, branches, or roots
Prurient
lustful; obscene; lewd
Pseudo
false
Pseudonym
an assumed name
Psyche
the human spirit
Puerile
immature
Pugilist
a boxer
Pugnacious
eager to fight
Puissant
powerful
Pulchritude
beauty
Pulmonary
pertaining to the lungs
Pulverize
crush or grind; totally destroy
Pummel
to beat or thrash with the fists
Pun
the use of words that sound alike but differ in meaning
Punctilious
presice
Pundit
an expert
Pungent
having a sharp taste or smell; severely critical or sarcastic
Punitive
pertaining to punishment
Puny
weak
Purge
to purify
Puritanical
strict
Purloin
to steal
Purvey
to supply
Pusillanimous
cowardly
Putative
supposed; believed
Putrefy
to decay
Pyre
a funeral fire
Pyretic
pertaining to fever
Pyromaniac
one who likes to start fires
Quadruped
a four-footed animal
Quaff
to gulp; to drink in large quantities
Quagmire
a swamp; a difficult situation
Quail
to lose courage
Quaint
pleasant or amusing
Qualm
a feeling of uneasiness
Quandry
a puzzling situation
Quarry
being hunted
Quash
to cancel
Quasi
resembling
Quaver
to tremble
Quay