GRE 11 (Graduate Record Examination) Vocabulary Words – Online Spelling Bee

Spell: accentuate (verb) /ækˈsɛn tʃuˌeɪt/
Definition: To emphasize or highlight something, typically by giving it greater prominence or making it more noticeable.
Example Sentence: "The artist aimed to accentuate the beauty of nature."
Word origin: The verb 'accentuate' has its etymological roots in Latin and French.

Spell: aesthetic (adjective) /iːsˈθɛtɪk/
Definition: Relating to matters of beauty, art, or the appreciation of artistic and visual qualities.
Example Sentence: "She had a refined aesthetic sense, always selecting tasteful and visually pleasing designs."
Word origin: The adjective 'aesthetic' has its etymological roots in the Greek word 'aisthētikos,' which means 'perceptive' or 'sensitive to beauty.

Spell: aggrandize (verb) /əˈɡrandʌɪz/
Definition: To make someone appear more powerful or important than they actually are, often for the purpose of gaining attention or respect.
Example Sentence: "Some historical figures are known to have exaggerated their achievements to aggrandize their legacies."
Word origin: The verb 'aggrandize' has its roots in French, originating from the word 'agrandir,' which means 'to enlarge' or 'to increase.

Spell: ambiance (noun) /ˈæm bi əns/
Definition: The overall atmosphere, mood, or character of a place, environment, or situation.
Example Sentence: "The cozy fireplace added to the cabin's ambiance."
Word origin: The noun 'ambiance' has an interesting etymology rooted in the French language.

Spell: analogous (adjective) /əˈnæl ə gəs/
Definition: Having similarities or corresponding to something else, without being identical or the same.
Example Sentence: "His behavior in the meeting was analogous to a child's tantrum."
Word origin: The adjective 'analogous' derives its etymological roots from the Greek word 'analogos,' where 'ana' means 'upward' or 'according to,' and 'logos' means 'ratio' or 'word.

Spell: beget (verb) /bɪˈɡɛt/
Definition: To cause, produce or create something, especially a child or descendant.
Example Sentence: "The ancient ritual is believed to beget the birth of a divine being."
Word origin: The verb 'beget' has an etymology that can be traced back to Old English and Old Norse.

Spell: charlatan (noun) /ˈʃɑːlət(ə)n/
Definition: A person who pretends to have knowledge, skills, or qualifications, especially to deceive or cheat others.
Example Sentence: "She exposed the charlatan's false claims about supernatural powers."
Word origin: The noun 'charlatan' has a fascinating etymology with roots in Italian and French.

Spell: comport (verb) /kəmˈpɔːt/
Definition: To behave or conduct oneself in a particular manner, often in accordance with established norms or standards of behavior.
Example Sentence: "It's essential to comport oneself professionally in a formal business setting."
Word origin: The verb 'comport' has an etymology that leads us back to Latin.

Spell: consummate (adjective) /ˈkɒns(j)əmət/
Definition: Extremely skilled, proficient, or accomplished in a particular activity or skill, often to the highest degree possible.
Example Sentence: "His consummate professionalism earned him respect."
Word origin: The adjective 'consummate' finds its origins in the Latin word 'consummare,' which consists of two elements: 'con,' meaning 'completely,' and 'summus,' meaning 'highest' or 'utmost.

Spell: convivial (adjective) /kənˈvɪvɪəl/
Definition: Cheerful and friendly in manner or attitude, especially in a group setting.
Example Sentence: "A convivial dinner with friends made the evening memorable."
Word origin: The adjective 'convivial' has its origins in the Latin word 'convivialis,' which is derived from 'convivium,' meaning 'a banquet' or 'a feast.

Spell: decorum (noun) /dɪˈkɔːrəm/
Definition: Correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners in a particular social setting or situation.
Example Sentence: "The court treated the victim with great decorum throughout the trial."
Word origin: The noun 'decorum' is rooted in the Latin word 'decor,' which means 'beauty,' 'grace,' or 'propriety.

Spell: dissonance (noun) /ˈdɪs(ə)nəns/
Definition: A state of tension, conflict, or incongruity between two or more things, such as ideas, emotions, or actions.
Example Sentence: "He felt a sense of dissonance between his beliefs and his actions."
Word origin: The noun 'dissonance' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: dossier (noun) /ˈdɒsɪə/
Definition: A collection of documents or information on a specific subject or person.
Example Sentence: "The agency prepared a dossier on the suspect's background."
Word origin: The noun 'dossier' has its origins in the French language, where it originally referred to a bundle of documents or papers with information on a specific subject.

Spell: ebullient (adjective) /ɪˈbʌljənt/
Definition: Filled with an exuberant and effervescent energy, enthusiasm, or joy that is infectious to those around them.
Example Sentence: "The attractive and ebullient woman was the center of attention."
Word origin: The adjective 'ebullient' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: euphoric (adjective) /yuˈfɔr ɪk/
Definition: Characterized by or feeling intense happiness, joy, or elation.
Example Sentence: "Watching the sunset over the ocean left me feeling utterly euphoric."
Word origin: The adjective 'euphoric' draws its etymological origins from the ancient Greek language.

Spell: fait-accompli (noun) /ˌfeɪt əˈkɒmpli/
Definition: An event that has already happened and cannot be changed or undone.
Example Sentence: "We had no choice but to accept it as a fait accompli."
Word origin: The noun 'fait accompli' has an interesting etymology that originates from the French language.

Spell: galvanize (verb) /ˈɡalvənʌɪz/
Definition: To stimulate or excite someone into taking action, as if by electric shock.
Example Sentence: "A good leader will take responsibility to galvanize his team into action."
Word origin: The verb 'galvanize' has its etymological roots in the name of the Italian scientist Luigi Galvani, who lived in the 18th century.

Spell: grandiloquent (adjective) /grænˈdɪl ə kwənt/
Definition: Speaking in a pompous or extravagant manner, often using grand, showy, or overly complicated language.
Example Sentence: "She often uses grandiloquent words to sound more intelligent than she actually is."
Word origin: The adjective 'grandiloquent' has its etymology deeply rooted in Latin.

Spell: harbinger (noun) /ˈhɑːbɪn(d)ʒə/
Definition: A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something, or serves as a warning or indication of something to come.
Example Sentence: "He took the stock market drop as a harbinger of a recession."
Word origin: The noun 'harbinger' has its etymological origins in Old English.

Spell: hubris (noun) /ˈhjuːbrɪs/
Definition: Excessive pride or self-confidence that often leads to arrogance and a disregard for others.
Example Sentence: "His hubris blinded him to the advice of others, resulting in his failure."
Word origin: The noun 'hubris' finds its origins in ancient Greece, where it was a central concept in Greek tragedy and philosophy.

Spell: impeach (verb) /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/
Definition: To officially charge and try a public official, such as a president or governor, with wrongdoing while in office.
Example Sentence: "Senators may soon impeach the governor if evidence of fraud becomes clear."
Word origin: The word 'impeach' has its origins in the late Middle English period, deriving from the Middle English word 'empechen,' which means to hinder or impede.

Spell: incendiary (adjective) /ɪnˈsɛndɪəri/
Definition: Intending to cause or stir up conflict, especially in a political or social context.
Example Sentence: "The politician's incendiary speech ignited a wave of protests."
Word origin: The adjective 'incendiary' has its origins in the Latin word 'incendiarius,' derived from 'incendium,' meaning 'fire' or 'conflagration.

Spell: innate (adjective) /ɪˈneɪt/
Definition: Inherent to an individual or organism from birth or without external influence.
Example Sentence: "His innate talent for music became evident at a young age."
Word origin: The adjective 'innate' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: insolvent (adjective) /ɪnˈsɒlv(ə)nt/
Definition: Unable to pay debts or meet one's financial obligations when they are due.
Example Sentence: "She was forced to declare insolvency after her business failed."
Word origin: The adjective 'insolvent' has its etymological roots in Latin and Middle English.

Spell: intransigent (adjective) /ɪnˈtransɪdʒ(ə)nt/
Definition: Unwilling to compromise or change one's position.
Example Sentence: "The government's intransigent stance on the issue resulted in a stalemate."
Word origin: The adjective 'intransigent' finds its origins in the Latin word 'intransigens,' which is formed by combining 'in,' meaning 'not,' and 'transigens,' the present participle of 'transigere,' which means 'to come to an agreement' or 'to compromise.

Spell: kinetic (adjective) /kɪˈnɛt ɪk/
Definition: Characterized by motion, activity, or the dynamic movement of energy.
Example Sentence: "The city's kinetic energy was palpable as people rushed to and fro."
Word origin: The adjective 'kinetic' has its etymology rooted in Greek.

Spell: lethargic (adjective) /lɪˈθɑːdʒɪk/
Definition: Lacking vitality or enthusiasm, and suggesting a state of being slow-moving.
Example Sentence: "The heatwave made everyone feel lethargic and sluggish."
Word origin: The adjective 'lethargic' has its origins in the ancient Greek word 'lethargos,' which is a compound of 'leth-' (meaning 'forgetfulness' or 'oblivion') and '-argos' (indicating 'sluggish' or 'inactive').

Spell: litigious (adjective) /lɪˈtɪdʒəs/
Definition: Having a tendency to engage in legal disputes or to be involved in lawsuits.
Example Sentence: "The company, known for its litigious nature, constantly tangled itself in legal battles."
Word origin: The adjective 'litigious' has its etymology rooted in Latin.

Spell: melancholy (noun) /ˈmɛlənkəli/
Definition: A state of sadness or depression, often characterized by feelings of hopelessness, despair, and a general loss of interest in life.
Example Sentence: "She couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy when she visited her childhood home, now abandoned and in disrepair."
Word origin: The noun 'melancholy' has its etymological origins in Greek and later Latin.

Spell: misanthrope (noun) /ˈmɪz(ə)nθrəʊp/
Definition: A person who dislikes, distrusts, or has a general hatred or contempt for humanity.
Example Sentence: "With a scowl on his face, the misanthrope muttered about the state of society."
Word origin: The noun 'misanthrope' has its roots in ancient Greek.

Spell: nebulous (adjective) /ˈnɛbjʊləs/
Definition: Hazy, vague, or unclear, lacking well-defined boundaries or precise details.
Example Sentence: "Her memories of that day were nebulous, clouded by the passage of time."
Word origin: The adjective 'nebulous' has its roots in Latin, specifically from the word 'nebula,' which means 'mist' or 'cloud.

Spell: obtrusive (adjective) /əbˈtruːsɪv/
Definition: Excessively noticeable or attention-seeking, often in a negative way.
Example Sentence: "The loud and obtrusive music from the neighboring party kept us awake all night."
Word origin: The adjective 'obtrusive' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: pageant (noun) /ˈpæʤənt/
Definition: A public spectacle or display, typically involving a parade, procession, or performance.
Example Sentence: "The medieval pageant reenacted historical battles and events."
Word origin: The noun 'pageant' has a rich etymology that can be traced back to the Middle English word 'pagent,' which meant a dramatic scene or tableau.

Spell: petulant (adjective) /ˈpɛtjʊlənt/
Definition: Excessively irritable, peevish, or prone to complaining or behaving in a sulky or ill-tempered manner.
Example Sentence: "Her petulant attitude made her difficult to work with."
Word origin: The adjective 'petulant' has its origins in the Latin word 'petulans,' which means 'impudent' or 'forward.

Spell: polyglot (noun) /ˈpɒlɪɡlɒt/
Definition: A person who speaks multiple languages fluently and can use them in an effective way.
Example Sentence: "The translator was a polyglot, able to translate between several languages."
Word origin: The noun 'polyglot' has its roots in the Greek language.

Spell: proclivity (noun) /prəˈklɪvɪti/
Definition: A tendency or inclination towards a particular type of behavior or activity.
Example Sentence: "She had a proclivity for drama, always finding herself in complicated situations."
Word origin: The noun 'proclivity' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: proletariat (noun) /ˌprəʊlɪˈtɛːrɪət/
Definition: A term for working-class people, or the lowest social and economic group in a society.
Example Sentence: "Historically, revolutions have often been driven by the discontent of the proletariat."
Word origin: The noun 'proletariat' has a historical etymology that connects it to the socio-economic dynamics of ancient Rome.

Spell: quagmire (noun) /ˈkwaɡmʌɪə/
Definition: A difficult or uncertain situation, often one that is complex and hard to resolve.
Example Sentence: "Navigating the swampy terrain felt like wading through a quagmire."
Word origin: The noun 'quagmire' has its origins in the Scots word 'quakmyre,' which combines 'quak,' meaning 'quake' or 'shake,' with 'myre,' meaning 'marsh' or 'bog.

Spell: quixotic (adjective) /kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/
Definition: Exceedingly idealistic, impractical, or visionary, often to the point of being unrealistic or far-fetched.
Example Sentence: "Starting a new business with no experience in the industry seemed like a quixotic endeavor."
Word origin: The adjective 'quixotic' has a colorful etymology linked to one of literature's most iconic characters, Don Quixote.

Spell: rakish (adjective) /ˈreɪkɪʃ/
Definition: Having a stylish, debonair, and somewhat unconventional appearance or demeanor.
Example Sentence: "His rakish grin hinted at a mischievous side."
Word origin: The adjective 'rakish' has its origins in the 17th century and is believed to have been derived from the earlier word 'rake,' which referred to a fashionable and dissolute person, often associated with a libertine lifestyle.

Spell: resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪlɪəns/
Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficult situations or adversity.
Example Sentence: "She was admired for her resilience in the face of adversity."
Word origin: The noun 'resilience' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'resilire,' which combines 're,' meaning 'back,' and 'salire,' meaning 'to jump' or 'to leap.

Spell: severance (noun) /ˈsɛv(ə)r(ə)ns/
Definition: The act of separating or cutting off something from a larger whole.
Example Sentence: "Following the company's merger, employees anxiously awaited news of their severance packages and job security."
Word origin: The noun 'severance' has its etymology rooted in Latin.

Spell: stigma (noun) /ˈstɪɡmə/
Definition: A mark of shame, disgrace, or disapproval that is associated with a particular person or group.
Example Sentence: "There is still a lot of stigma attached to being a single parent."
Word origin: The noun 'stigma' has an etymology that traces its roots to ancient Greece.

Spell: stipulate (verb) /ˈstɪpjʊleɪt/
Definition: To specify, demand, or require certain conditions, terms, or provisions as part of an agreement, contract, or arrangement.
Example Sentence: "Our constitution does stipulate the rights and responsibilities of every citizen."
Word origin: The verb 'stipulate' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: symposium (noun) /sɪmˈpəʊzɪəm/
Definition: A formal gathering at which experts discuss a specific topic or theme.
Example Sentence: "The symposium brought together experts from various fields to discuss the future of sustainable energy."
Word origin: The noun 'symposium' has its etymological origins in ancient Greek.

Spell: tacit (adjective) /ˈtasɪt/
Definition: Understood, implied, or conveyed without being explicitly expressed through words or formal agreement.
Example Sentence: "Her actions showed a tacit approval of the plan."
Word origin: The adjective 'tacit' has its etymology in Latin.

Spell: tirade (noun) /tʌɪˈreɪd/
Definition: A prolonged and intense outburst of anger, criticism or condemnation.
Example Sentence: "She launched into a tirade, venting her frustration at the team's performance."
Word origin: The noun 'tirade' has its etymological roots in French.

Spell: traduce (verb) /trəˈdjuːs/
Definition: To speak or write about someone or something in a way that is false, malicious or damaging to their reputation.
Example Sentence: "The journalist was sued for attempting to traduce the character of a prominent public figure."
Word origin: The verb 'traduce' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: trite (adjective) /trʌɪt/
Definition: Overused, clichéd, and lacking in originality, often to the point of becoming stale and uninteresting.
Example Sentence: "Her writing, once fresh and innovative, had become trite and uninspiring."
Word origin: The adjective 'trite' has its etymological roots in the Middle English word 'trit,' which means 'worn out' or 'frayed.

Spell: venerable (adjective) /ˈvɛn(ə)rəbl/
Definition: Deserving honor and respect because of age, character, or achievement.
Example Sentence: "He was a venerable jazz musician who played with all the greats of his era."
Word origin: The adjective 'venerable' has its etymological origins in Latin.