1. Top GRE Vocabulary Words
Knowledge is Power!

2. Anomaly Deviation from what is normal Ex: Related words:
Albino animals may display too great an anomaly in their coloring to attract normally colored mates.
Related words:
Anomalous
From Greek- irregular/uneven

3. Assuage To make something unpleasant less severe Ex:
Like many people, Philip used alcohol to assuage his sense of meaninglessness and despair.
From Latin: ad (to), suave (sweet)
similar words:
Allay, alleviate, mollify

4. Enigma A puzzle; a mystery Ex: Conundrum perplexity
Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an enigma.
From Greek: riddle
Similar words:
Conundrum perplexity

5. Equivocate
To use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead/deceive
Ex:
When faced with criticism of his policies, the politician equivocated and left all parties thinking he agreed with them.
From Latin: same name
Related words:
Equivocal, equivocation
Ambiguous, evasive, waffling

6. Erudite Learned, scholarly, bookish Ex: Scholastic learned wise
The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering of the most erudite, well-published people in the field.
From Latin: educate/train
Similar words:
Scholastic learned wise

7. Fervid Intensely emotional, feverish Ex: Fervent fervor passionate
The fans of Maria Callas were particularly fervid, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer.
From Latin: burning/glowing
Related words:
Fervent fervor passionate
zealous

8. Lucid Clear and easily understood Ex: Intelligible coherent explicit
The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that students were immediately able to apply what they learned.
From Latin: luc- light
Similar words:
Intelligible coherent explicit
clear

9. Opaque
Impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light
From Latin: shady/dark
Ex:
The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them opaque.
Similar words:
obscure

10. Placate Appease conciliate mollify To soothe or pacify Ex:
The burglar tried to placate the snarling dog by saying “Nice doggy,” and offering it a treat.
Related words:
From Latin: to please
Appease conciliate mollify

11. Precipitate To bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation Ex:
Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other for only two months, family members expected such a precipitate marriage to end in divorce.
From Latin: throw down/hurl down on the head
Related words:
Precipice precipitation precipitous
Abrupt hasty impetuous

12. Prodigal Lavish, wasteful Ex: Extravagant lavish profligate
The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
From Latin: wasteful
Related words:
Extravagant lavish profligate

13. Zeal Passion, excitement Ex: Zealot fervor passion
She brought her typical zeal to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
From Greek: jealous
Related words:
Zealot fervor passion