GRE Vocabulary Words

[Roshina]

So, as I mentioned in another thread, GRE-studying is going on in my world these months! I figured maybe we could all benefit from this studying if I share some of the vocabulary words referred to as "GRE High-Frequency Words," words that appear on virtually every single GRE. If you're taking other standardized tests that contain a verbal section, you will have to tolerate seeing pretty much the same terms, so you might as well get to know them. And, besides, they're always useful no matter what your field of study is.

So, I will post three vocabulary words a day here (well, I'll try to post them daily, but if I either forget or don't visit PF on certain days, I'll make up for it, I'm sure) with definitions and sample sentences.

Learning new vocabulary is important because it can help you:

• Formulate your ideas better
• Write better papers, emails and business letters
• Speak more precisely and persuasively
• Comprehend more of what you read
• Read faster because you comprehend better
• Get better grades in high school, college and graduate school
• Score higher on tests like the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT
• Perform better at job interviews and conferences
• Sell yourself, your services, and your products better
• Be more effective and successful at your job

(Source: http://www.freerice.com/faq.html)

[pekhawar]

A definition of the word would help..

[Roshina]

A definition of the word would help..

Nooooooooo :p But the whole idea is to get you to look it up and then try using it in a sentence :D

But you think it'd be more helpful if I actually gave a definition? And then members would have to use it in a sentence?

I agree A list of teaching us words would sound better.

A list of vocab words? I'm not sure what you mean. But I think if you're suggesting a list of vocab words, that might be better, yes. How many words per list, though?

[Roshina]

All right. Then three words a day it is :D With definition and sample sentences.

Thanks for the suggestion, folks! My initial idea was to keep a closed threads (where no one would be able to reply to) in which I'd post a word a day for all to learn. But then I wasn't too sure that'd be a good idea. Now I'm thinking a couple of words would be better.

And, so, I'm gonna change the title and direction of this thread now, k?

[Roshina]

Has anyone ever heard of this thing/campaign called "Free Rice"? It's like, you play this word game, where they ask you for a synonym of a random word. If you get it correct, the page/organization donates ten grains of rice through the World Food Programme to help end hunger. It's reported that "a child dies every 6 seconds from hunger related causes." More information at this link: http://www.freerice.com/faq.html


The link to the page where you play the game is: http://www.freerice.com/

It's a really "fun" way of helping the poor. And you help yourself by building your vocabulary as well.

[Roshina]

A thread in which no one can reply too is what I prefer.

So it can be you in charge and us strictly learning.

I dont want to see people chatting around, I just want to learn new words from you and you only.

I agree. I'll make it "closed" then. If anyone has questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. If anyone has a specific word that she/he would like for me to include in my list of words, I'll be happy to share it.

[Roshina]

^Does that mean you are passing on the idea of teaching us new words?

LOL. Naaa ... I'll be sharing them, don't worry. Three words a day it is, wrora! :D
And I doubt I'll know most of them, so it won't really be like "teaching" We'll all be learning them together. We might know them already, we might not.

[Admin Khan]

Good idea.

[Roshina]

For correct pronunciation, please visit either TheFreeDictionary.Com or M-W.com. I will be using both of these links for the definitions of some words or for sample sentences.

- Prodigal - 1. wasteful; careless with money. 2. generous in giving.

1. Stop being so prodigal spending my money; I'm no Bill Gates yet, k?
2. Really, I don't deserve such prodigal praise!

(Rough) Synonyms: lavish, wasteful, profuse
(Rough) Antonyms: cautious, economical, stingy

- Sycophant - a person who uses flattery to win favor; someone who tries to please people to gain a personal advantage

Some insecure people, the sycophants that they ares, will do ANYTHING to win the admiration of the people of the opposite gender.

Synonyms: toady, flatterer, yes-man/yes-woman, minion

- Artifice - 1. trickery; a clever act. 2. false or insincere behavior
1. The Trojan War proved to the Greeks that cunning and artifice were often more effective than military might.
2. I did not enjoy the play because of the artifice of performance of some of the actors onstage.

Synonyms: stratagem, chicanery
Antonyms:sincerity, candidness

[Roshina]

Funny thing I just remembered.

My English teacher once had two male students bring some really heavy boxes to our classroom, and once they were done, she said to them, "Awww! Thank you guys SO much! How EFFEMINATE you are!" And the boys grinned in response! :D It was hillllllllarious 'cause "effeminate" means "having characteristics often associated with females"

[Roshina]

- Abject (adj.) - 1. Brought low in condition or status. 2. Of the most contemptible kind. 3. Indicating humiliation

1. Afghanistan is currently suffering from abject tension.
2. According to many Americans, the recent health care bill was a sign of Obama's abject leadership; they are very much against it.
3. I could tell from the apologetic look on his face how abject and sincere his apology was.
Synonyms: miserable, forlorn, despicable

- Prevaricate (v.) - To stray from or evade the truth; to turn aside from the truth; to lie

When asked serious questions about certain matters, politicians have the tendency to prevaricate, thereby fooling many people.

Synonyms: deceive, lie, equivocate

- Officious (adj.) - Too eager to offer unwanted help, advice, or services

I suggest you stop being so officious and help people only when they ask you for it because your friends seem to be getting tired of you.

Synonyms: intrusive, dictatorial, inquisitive, pushy
Antonyms: modest, timid, reserved, democratic

[Roshina]

Thanks for all the feedback and comments, guys! Keep 'em coming; sincere attempts are made to implement, with your help, any suggestions you make! Thank you.

[Roshina]

- Assiduous (adj.) -marked by care and persistent effort; characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks

Some members on PashtunForums have made assiduous attempts to learn other languages, including Spanish and French.

Synonyms: diligent, studious, persevering
Antonyms: lazy, negligent

- Effusive (adj.) - unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression

Effusive displays of love in public can be unpleasant scenes for many.

Synonyms: gushy, profuse, wordy
Antonyms: reserved, inexpressive

- Incredulous (adj.) - not prepared or not willing to believe something; unbelieving

As he went on and on about why she should stop working, she listened with an incredulous expression on her face.

Synonyms: suspicious, doubting, confused, curious
Antonyms: convinced, unquestioning

[Roshina]

Folks, please accept my sincere apologies for not having posted anything for two days! I was (and still) trying to categorize words so that it'll be easier for us to remember them (e.g, words that have the same root, terms that can be used in discussions or debates, medical terminology, etc.). With the help of some members who are sending in suggestions and words, it'll happen much faster. Thank you, all!

Below are words that our PF member Spomgai Shaghlay has decided to share with me/us. Although they're more than three, I think they're fairly easy to remember; some of us might already even know them.

The category for the following words is personality type. (Note: I don't think I need to use sample sentences for these ones, but if anyone thinks I do, please let me know.)

Egoist: a person preoccupied with his/her own interests; an egocentric person; a conceited individual

Egotist: someone who talks excessively about her/his own accomplishments

Altruist: an individual who is interested in the welfare of others; someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being

Synonym:philanthropist
Antonym: misanthropist

Introvert: a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and is preoccupied with his own thoughts

Synonyms: shy, quiet

Extrovert: 1. concerned with the social and physical environment. 2. a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings;

Synonyms: outgoing, active

Ambivert: someone who possesses the qualities of both an introvert and an extrovert

Misanthrope/misanthropist: a person who hates or mistrusts people or humankind

Antonym: philanthropist, altruist

Misogynist: someone hates women

Misogamist: an individual who hates or opposes marriage

Ascetic: a person who renounces material comforts and leads a life of austere self-discipline, especially as an act of religious devotion

[Roshina]

I understand (most of) these are very simple and easy, but they're pre-reqs for what will be coming soon, ka khair wee.

Ego: one's concept of oneself

Egocentric: one who is excessively fixated on his own desires

Ego-maniacal: morbidly, obsessively wrapped up in oneself

Altruism:thephilosophy of putting another's welfare above own

Alternate: to take one, to skip one; to go back and forth

Alter: to change

Altercation: argument

Alternative: a choice

Alteration: a change