Learn your SAT vocabulary by studying the Vocab Videos’ SAT vocabulary list! This free SAT and ACT vocabulary list features 500 frequently-tested SAT vocabulary words. Prepare for your college entrance exams by studying these key SAT vocabulary words, and then by watching the hilarious Vocab Video that accompanies each vocab word on the list! Remember: research has shown that people remember more effectively when they have visual and auditory cues. Just watch:
Knowing your SAT vocabulary can earn you 150+ points on the big test, so be sure to take advantage of Vocab Videos’ SAT vocabulary word list, and get started with the Vocab Videos study program!
Vocab Videos SAT Vocabulary List (scroll down for link to printable PDF):
ABHOR | to hate |
ABSTINENCE | deliberate self-restraint |
ABSTRUSE | difficult to understand |
ACCLAIM | to praise |
ACCORD | agreement |
ACERBIC | bitter |
ACRIMONY | hostility |
ACUITY | sharp perception or vision |
ADEPT | very skilled |
ADMONISH | to gently criticize or warn |
ADORN | to decorate |
ADROIT | very skilled |
ADULATION | excessive flattery |
ADVERSITY | great hardship |
ADVOCATE | to speak in favor of, promote |
AESTHETIC | concerning beauty |
AFFABLE | friendly |
AFFLUENT | wealthy |
ALACRITY | eagerness, enthusiasm |
ALIENATE | to make unfriendly or hostile |
ALLEVIATE | to make more bearable |
ALTRUISTIC | unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others |
AMALGAM | a combination of diverse elements |
AMBIGUOUS | unclear |
AMBIVALENT | having opposing feelings; uncertain |
AMELIORATE | to improve |
AMENABLE | open to advice or suggestion |
AMIABLE | friendly |
AMICABLE | friendly |
AMORPHOUS | lacking definite form |
ANACHRONISTIC | in the wrong time period |
ANECDOTE | a short account of an interesting or humorous incident |
ANIMOSITY | bitter hostility |
ANTAGONISTIC | hostile |
APATHETIC | lacking interest, concern, or emotion |
APPEASE | to bring peace, quiet, or calm to; to relieve |
APPREHENSIVE | fearful |
ARBITRARY | determined by impulse or chance, without reason |
ARCHAIC | outdated; really old |
ARDOR | energy, intensity, enthusiasm |
ARID | dry |
ARTICULATE | characterized by clear and expressive language |
ASCERTAIN | to discover |
ASPIRE | to have a great ambition |
ASSESS | to make a judgment about |
ASSIDUOUS | hard working |
ASTUTE | having sharp judgment |
ATROPHY | to waste away |
AUDACITY | disrespectful boldness |
AUGMENT | to make greater in size or quantity |
AUSPICIOUS | favorable; successful |
AUSTERE | strict or severe in discipline |
AUTONOMY | independence |
AVARICE | greed |
AVERSE | reluctant |
AWE | a mixed emotion of respect, wonder, and dread |
BANAL | ordinary and commonplace |
BANE | a cause of death or ruin |
BELIE | to represent falsely |
BELITTLE | to speak of in an insulting way |
BELLIGERENT | eager to fight |
BEMUSE | to confuse, stun, or stump |
BENEVOLENT | inclined to perform kind acts |
BENIGN | kind; beneficial |
BERATE | to criticize severely or angrily |
BOISTEROUS | noisy; disorderly |
BOLSTER | to support; to reinforce |
BOMBASTIC | using arrogant or pretentious speech |
BRAZEN | rudely bold |
BRUSQUE | rudely brief |
BUOYANT | cheerful |
BURGEON | to grow |
BUTTRESS | to support or strengthen |
CACOPHONY | jarring, disagreeable sound |
CAJOLE | to persuade by flattery |
CALLOUS | emotionally hardened or unfeeling |
CAMARADERIE | goodwill among friends |
CANDID | honest and straightforward |
CANTANKEROUS | ill-tempered |
CAPRICIOUS | impulsive, unpredictable |
CARNIVOROUS | meat-eating |
CATHARTIC | emotionally cleansing or relieving |
CAUSTIC | harsh, stinging; sarcastic |
CENSURE | to criticize severely |
CEREBRAL | intellectual |
CHRONIC | continuing or lingering |
CIRCUITOUS | being or taking a roundabout course |
CIRCUMSPECT | cautious and wise |
CIRCUMVENT | to avoid or get around |
CLAIRVOYANCE | the power to see things that cannot be perceived by the senses |
CLANDESTINE | kept or done in secret |
COGENT | forcefully convincing |
COGNIZANT | aware |
COHERENT | logically connected; making sense |
COHESIVE | sticking or holding together |
COLLABORATE | to work together |
COMMEND | to praise |
COMPEL | to exert a strong, irresistible force on |
COMPETENT | having adequate ability |
COMPLACENT | self-satisfied to the point of inactivity; unconcerned |
COMPLICITY | participation in a bad act or a crime |
COMPOSED | calm |
COMPROMISE | to expose to danger or suspicion |
CONCEDE | to acknowledge, often reluctantly, as being true |
CONCILIATE | to bring peace, quiet, or calm to; to relieve |
CONCISE | expressing much in few words |
CONCORD | agreement |
CONCUR | to agree |
CONDESCEND | to deal with people in a superior manner |
CONDONE | to excuse or overlook |
CONFORM | to be similar; to adapt |
CONFOUND | to confuse |
CONJECTURE | guesswork |
CONSCIENTIOUS | thorough and careful |
CONSENSUS | general agreement |
CONSOLIDATE | to combine |
CONSTITUENT | a component |
CONSTRAIN | to hold back; to restrict |
CONSTRUE | to interpret |
CONTEMPT | a lack of respect and intense dislike |
CONTEND | to compete; to argue |
CONTRITE | feeling or expressing remorse |
CONTRIVED | obviously planned or made up |
CONVIVIAL | sociable |
CONVOLUTED | complicated |
COPIOUS | plentiful, abundant |
CORDIAL | friendly, warm, polite |
CORROBORATE | to strengthen or support with evidence |
CREDIBLE | believable |
CUNNING | clever, sneaky |
CURSORY | performed with haste and little attention to detail |
CURTAIL | to cut short |
CYNICAL | believing that people are motivated by selfishness; pessimistic |
DAUNT | to intimidate or lessen one’s courage |
DEARTH | a scarce supply |
DEBILITATE | to weaken |
DEBUNK | to disprove or expose the falseness of |
DECORUM | correct or appropriate behavior |
DECRY | to condemn openly |
DEFER | to submit or yield to another’s wish or opinion |
DELETERIOUS | harmful |
DELINEATE | to depict or describe |
DEMEAN | to lower in status or worth |
DENIGRATE | to attack the reputation of |
DENOUNCE | to condemn openly |
DEPRECATE | to mildly insult or belittle |
DERIDE | to speak of or treat with cruelty |
DESPAIR | a complete loss of hope |
DESPONDENT | depressed, having no hope |
DETER | to prevent or discourage from acting |
DIFFIDENCE | a lack of self-confidence, shyness |
DIGRESS | to stray from the main subject |
DILATORY | tending to delay; late or slow |
DILIGENT | hard working |
DIMINUTIVE | tiny |
DISCERN | to detect or perceive |
DISCORD | lack of agreement, quarreling |
DISCREDIT | to bring shame or dishonor on |
DISCREET | careful in one’s conduct or speech |
DISCREPANCY | an unexpected difference |
DISCRETE | separate; distinct |
DISDAIN | intense dislike |
DISGRUNTLED | unhappy |
DISMISS | to reject |
DISPARAGE | to speak of in an insulting way |
DISPARITY | the state of being different |
DISPASSIONATE | not influenced by emotion or bias |
DISPEL | to rid of |
DISPOSITION | one’s usual mood |
DISSEMBLE | to conceal behind a false appearance |
DISSEMINATE | to spread out |
DISSENT | disagreement |
DISSIPATE | to disappear |
DIVERGENT | drawing apart from a common point; differing from another |
DIVISIVE | creating disagreement or dissent |
DIVULGE | to make known, reveal |
DOCILE | easily managed or taught |
DOGGED | stubbornly persevering |
DOGMATIC | stubbornly and arrogantly opinionated |
DOUR | gloomy |
DUBIOUS | doubtful, questionable |
DUPLICITY | deception, deceit |
EARNEST | showing deep sincerity or seriousness |
EBULLIENT | enthusiastic, lively |
ECCENTRIC | strange; unconventional |
ECLECTIC | having elements from a variety of sources |
ECSTASY | intense joy or delight |
EFFACE | to erase |
EFFICACIOUS | effective |
EFFUSIVE | overflowing (usually referring to emotions) |
ELATED | filled with delight |
ELITE | superior in status |
ELOQUENT | well spoken |
ELUCIDATE | to make clear |
ELUSIVE | tending to escape |
EMBELLISH | to add fictitious details to |
EMINENT | outstanding; distinguished |
EMPIRICAL | based on observation or experiment |
EMULATE | to equal through imitation |
ENCOMPASS | to enclose; to include |
ENCROACH | to advance beyond limits |
ENERVATE | to weaken or drain of energy |
ENHANCE | to make greater or better |
ENIGMATIC | puzzling |
ENMITY | hatred |
ENTHRALL | to hold spellbound, captivate |
ENTICE | to lure |
ENTRENCH | to fix firmly or securely |
ENUMERATE | to specify individually; to count |
ENUNCIATE | to pronounce with clarity |
EPHEMERAL | lasting for a brief time |
EQUANIMITY | calmness |
EQUIVOCAL | uncertain, vague, misleading |
ERADICATE | to eliminate |
ERRATIC | irregular |
ERUDITE | scholarly, well educated |
ESOTERIC | understood by only a few |
ESPOUSE | to give one’s support to |
ESTEEM | to value highly, to respect |
ESTRANGE | to cause to become unfriendly or hostile |
EULOGY | a written or spoken tribute (usually for someone who has died) |
EUPHEMISM | the substitution of inoffensive term for one considered offensive |
EUPHORIA | a feeling of great happiness |
EVANESCENT | fading away |
EVASIVE | tending to escape |
EVOKE | to summon or call forth |
EXACERBATE | to make more severe |
EXACTING | requiring great care or effort |
EXALT | to elevate, glorify, or praise |
EXASPERATE | to anger or irritate |
EXEMPLARY | worthy of imitation |
EXONERATE | to free from blame or responsibility |
EXORBITANT | excessive |
EXPEDITE | to speed the progress of |
EXPLOIT | to utilize fully or advantageously (often selfishly or unethically) |
EXTOL | to praise |
EXTRAVAGANT | excessive |
EXUBERANT | lively |
FACILE | simple; easy |
FACILITATE | to make easier |
FATUOUS | foolish, ridiculously stupid |
FEASIBLE | possible, workable, practical |
FELICITY | great happiness |
FERVENT | greatly emotional or enthusiastic |
FLAGRANT | obviously bad or offensive |
FLAMBOYANT | highly elaborate; showy |
FLORID | elaborately or excessively ornamented; flowery |
FLOURISH | to grow well |
FORTHRIGHT | honest, direct, straightforward |
FOSTER | to promote the development of |
FRENETIC | wildly excited; frenzied; frantic |
FRIVOLOUS | unworthy of serious attention |
FRUGAL | careful with money, stingy |
FUTILE | having no useful result |
GALVANIZE | to stimulate |
GARISH | flashy, tastelessly loud and brightly colored |
GARRULOUS | talkative |
GENIAL | friendly, cheerful |
GRANDIOSE | falsely exaggerating one’s worth |
GRATE | to irritate |
GRATUITOUS | unnecessary |
GREGARIOUS | sociable |
GUILE | skillful deceit |
HACKNEYED | overused |
HAIL | to salute or greet |
HAMPER | to prevent the movement or action of |
HARANGUE | a long, angry speech |
HAUGHTY | snobbish; overly proud |
HEED | to pay close attention to |
HERETICAL | characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards |
HINDER | to be or get in the way of |
HOMOGENEOUS | all of the same or similar kind |
IDIOSYNCRATIC | peculiar to an individual |
ILLICIT | not permitted by custom or law |
ILLUSORY | based on or producing illusion; deceptive |
IMPARTIAL | not biased |
IMPASSIONED | filled with passion |
IMPASSIVE | having or showing little emotion |
IMPECCABLE | perfect |
IMPEDE | to be or get in the way of |
IMPERIOUS | arrogantly authoritative or overbearing |
IMPETUOUS | impulsive, unthinking |
IMPUGN | to attack as false or wrong, to challenge or question |
INACCESSIBLE | not easily approached, entered, or obtained |
INCISIVE | penetrating, clear and sharp |
INCONGRUOUS | inappropriate; inconsistent |
INCONSEQUENTIAL | lacking importance |
INCONTROVERTIBLE | impossible to dispute |
INCORRIGIBLE | incapable of being corrected or reformed |
INCREDULOUS | disbelieving |
INDICT | to accuse of wrongdoing |
INDIFFERENT | having no preference |
INDIGENOUS | native |
INDIGNATION | anger (over something unjust) |
INDUCE | to bring about the occurrence of; |
INDULGE | to please or satisfy |
INFLAMMATORY | arousing strong emotion, esp. anger |
INGENUOUS | innocent; honest and straightforward |
INHERENT | naturally occurring; essential |
INHIBIT | to hold back; to restrain |
INNATE | inborn |
INNOCUOUS | harmless |
INNOVATIVE | new and creative |
INQUISITIVE | showing curiosity |
INSINUATE | to suggest subtly; to hint |
INSIPID | lacking flavor or zest; dull |
INSOLENT | disrespectfully arrogant |
INSTIGATE | to stir up |
INSULAR | isolated; narrow-minded |
INTELLIGIBLE | capable of being understood |
INTRANSIGENT | uncompromising |
INUNDATE | to overwhelm with, to flood |
INVIGORATE | to give life or energy to |
INVOKE | to enforce or put into operation |
IRATE | enraged |
JADED | weary, worn out |
JUDICIOUS | having good judgment, prudent |
JUXTAPOSE | to place side by side |
KEEN | sharp, perceptive |
LACONIC | using few words (often rudely or mysteriously) |
LAMENT | to regret; to show grief for |
LANGUID | lacking energy or spirit |
LATENT | existing in hidden or dormant form |
LAUD | to praise |
LAVISH | excessive; plentiful |
LUCID | clear |
LUXURIOUS | rich and superior in quality |
MAGNANIMOUS | noble and generous in spirit |
MANDATE | an authoritative command |
MANIFEST | to make evident or certain by displaying or demonstrating |
MEAGER | small, inadequate, or insufficient |
MEDIOCRE | ordinary; so-so |
MELANCHOLY | sad; gloomy |
MERCENARY | motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain |
MERCURIAL | changeable, erratic |
METICULOUS | extremely careful |
MIRTH | gladness, amusement, laughter |
MITIGATE | to lessen in force or intensity |
MOLLIFY | to soften, to ease the anger of |
MOROSE | gloomy |
MUNDANE | ordinary, commonplace |
MUTABLE | subject to change |
NEBULOUS | hazy, vague, or confused; lacking defined form |
NEGLIGENT | guilty of neglect |
NEGLIGIBLE | insignificant; really small |
NONCHALANT | casually unconcerned (sometimes falsely) |
NOSTALGIA | a bittersweet longing for the past |
NOTORIOUS | known widely and unfavorably; famous for something bad |
NOVEL | strikingly new or different |
NURTURE | to help develop, to nourish |
OBDURATE | stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing |
OBLIVIOUS | forgetful; unaware |
OBSOLETE | no longer in use or current |
OBSTINATE | stubborn |
OBSTREPEROUS | noisily and stubbornly defiant |
OBTRUSIVE | sticking out, noticeable; brash, meddling |
OBTUSE | lacking intellect |
OFFICIOUS | overly eager in offering unwanted help |
OMINOUS | menacing; threatening |
OPAQUE | not clearly understood, dense |
OPPORTUNE | suitable, occurring at an appropriate time |
OPULENT | rich or superior in quality |
ORNATE | excessively decorated |
ORTHODOX | commonly accepted; traditional |
PARADOX | a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true |
PARTISAN | devoted to or biased in support of a group |
PATRONIZE | to treat condescendingly |
PENITENT | feeling or expressing remorse |
PERNICIOUS | deadly or destructive |
PERPETUAL | continuing forever or indefinitely |
PERSEVERE | to be persistent, refuse to stop |
PERSPICACITY | a high level of perception or understanding |
PERTINENT | exactly relevant |
PERVASIVE | spread throughout |
PLACID | calm, quiet |
PLAUSIBLE | believable |
PLIABLE | easily bent or shaped |
POIGNANT | touching |
POLARIZE | to set at opposite ends or extremes |
POMPOUS | exaggeratedly self-important |
PRAGMATIC | practical |
PRECARIOUS | dangerously unstable or insecure |
PRECIPITOUS | extremely steep |
PREDILECTION | a preference; a tendency toward favoring |
PRETENTIOUS | claiming unjust standing |
PREVALENT | widely occurring |
PRISTINE | unspoiled, completely pure |
PRODIGIOUS | enormous; extraordinary |
PROFOUND | deep; far-reaching |
PROLIFERATE | to increase or spread at a rapid rate |
PROLIFIC | producing abundant works or results |
PROPAGATE | to transmit or cause to broaden or spread |
PROPENSITY | tendency |
PROPRIETY | the quality of being proper |
PROSAIC | lacking in imagination; dull |
PROSPERITY | success; being well-off |
PROVINCIAL | narrow-minded |
PROVOCATIVE | tending to stir to anger or action |
PRUDENT | wise; careful |
PUGNACIOUS | eager to fight |
QUELL | to put down forcibly |
RANCOR | hostility |
RAVENOUS | violently hungry or greedy |
REBUKE | to criticize or find fault with |
RECIPROCATE | to show or give in return |
RECLUSIVE | seeking or preferring isolation |
RECONCILE | to reestablish a close relationship between |
REFUGE | protection or shelter |
REFUTE | to prove to be false |
REITERATE | to repeat |
RELINQUISH | to give up; to release |
REMINISCE | to recollect and tell of the past |
RENOUNCE | to reject, disown, or formally give up |
REPREHENSIBLE | deserving of criticism or disapproval |
REPROACH | to criticize or express disappointment |
REPUDIATE | to reject the validity of |
RESENT | to feel angry and bitter about |
RESIGNATION | acceptance of something as inescapable; submission |
RESILIENT | able to recover promptly |
RESOLUTE | firm or determined |
RESOLVE | to make a firm decision about |
RETICENT | restrained or reserved |
REVERE | to respect, honor or admire |
REVOKE | to void by recalling, reversing, or withdrawing |
RUDIMENTARY | being or involving basic facts or principles |
SAGACIOUS | insightful and wise |
SANCTION | to give official authorization or approval to |
SANGUINE | cheerful |
SCATHING | harshly critical |
SCOFF | to express or treat with disrespectful disregard |
SCORN | intense hatred or disrespect |
SCRUPULOUS | thorough and careful |
SCRUTINIZE | to examine carefully |
SERENE | calm |
SHREWD | smart in a sneaky or tricky manner |
SKEPTICAL | doubting, questioning, not believing |
SMUG | self-satisfied (especially in a mocking way) |
SOLEMN | serious and sober |
SOLICITOUS | anxious or concerned |
SOMBER | gloomy |
SPECIOUS | seemingly true but actually logically false |
SPORADIC | occurring at irregular intervals |
SPURIOUS | not genuine; false |
SPURN | to reject with disrespect |
SQUANDER | to waste |
STAGNANT | not moving, flowing, or developing |
STEADFAST | firm and dependable |
STOIC | seemingly unaffected by pleasure or pain |
SUBDUE | to bring under control |
SUBSTANTIATE | to support with proof |
SUBVERT | to ruin; to overthrow |
SUCCINCT | precise expression using few words |
SUPERFLUOUS | extra, unnecessary |
SUPPLANT | to take the place of |
SUPPRESS | to put down; to hold back |
SURREPTITIOUS | done or made by secret or stealthy means |
TACT | sensitivity in dealing with others |
TEDIOUS | tiresomely long or boring |
TEMPER | to soften or moderate |
TENACITY | persistence, determination |
TERSE | expressing much in few words |
THERAPEUTIC | having healing powers |
THWART | to stop or prevent |
TORPOR | inactivity |
TRACTABLE | easily managed, led, or taught |
TRANQUIL | calm |
TRANSIENT | existing only briefly |
TRANSITORY | existing only briefly |
TREACHERY | deliberate betrayal of trust |
TRITE | uninteresting because of overuse |
TRIVIAL | insignificant, unimportant |
TUMULTUOUS | disorderly or noisy |
UNASSUMING | not showy or arrogant; modest; plain |
UNDERMINE | to weaken |
UNDERSCORE | to emphasize |
UNIFORM | always the same |
URBANE | polite, suave, and cultivated in manner |
USURP | to seize and take control without authority and possibly with force |
UTILITARIAN | having only a useful function; practical |
VACILLATE | to be undecided, to hesitate |
VAPID | lacking liveliness or interest; dull |
VEILED | concealed or disguised |
VENERATE | to respect |
VERBOSE | using more words than necessary |
VERSATILE | capable of doing many things competently |
VICARIOUS | felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another |
VIGILANT | alert; watchful |
VILIFY | to say bad things about, to make into a villain |
VINDICATE | to clear of blame or suspicion |
VINDICTIVE | seeking revenge |
VIVACIOUS | lively |
VOLATILE | explosive, tending to change |
VOLUBLE | characterized by ready and rapid speech |
VOLUMINOUS | big; having large volume |
VULNERABLE | not protected against harm; easily injured |
WARRANT | to justify |
WARY | on guard, cautious, watchful |
WAVER | to be unsure or weak |
WHIMSICAL | impulsive, fanciful |
ZEALOUS | filled with or motivated by enthusiastic devotion |