GRE 6 (Graduate Record Examination) Vocabulary Words – Online Spelling Bee

Spell: accolade (noun) /ˈakəleɪd/
Definition: A formal recognition or award given in recognition of achievement, merit, or distinction.
Example Sentence: "The author's novel won a prestigious literary accolade."
Word origin: The noun 'accolade' has its roots in medieval European knighthood and heraldry.

Spell: acrophobia (noun) /ˌakrə(ʊ)ˈfəʊbɪə/
Definition: A specific phobia that is characterized by an excessive and persistent fear of heights.
Example Sentence: "Acrophobia can be debilitating, preventing people from enjoying scenic views."
Word origin: The noun 'acrophobia,' denoting an irrational and intense fear of heights, has its origins in Greek etymology.

Spell: altruistic (adjective) /altruːˈɪstɪk/
Definition: Selflessly concerned for the well-being of others, often with no thought of personal gain or reward.
Example Sentence: "The altruistic gesture of donating her entire paycheck to charity impressed everyone."
Word origin: The adjective 'altruistic' has its roots in the Latin language.

Spell: anomaly (noun) /əˈnɒməli/
Definition: Something that deviates from what is considered to be normal or expected.
Example Sentence: "The scientist was intrigued by the unexpected anomaly in the data."
Word origin: The noun 'anomaly' has its etymological origins in Greek.

Spell: apathetic (adjective) /ˌæp əˈθɛt ɪk/
Definition: Lacking interest, concern, or enthusiasm towards something or someone.
Example Sentence: "His apathetic response disappointed the team."
Word origin: The adjective 'apathetic' has its etymological origins in the Greek word 'apatheia,' which is derived from 'a-' (meaning 'without') and 'pathos' (meaning 'feeling' or 'emotion').

Spell: askance (adverb) /əˈskans/
Definition: With a side glance or look that is given with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval.
Example Sentence: "She looked askance at the car salesman 's assertion that the car has only 20,000 genuine miles."
Word origin: The adverb 'askance' has a rich etymology rooted in Old English.

Spell: beleaguer (verb) /bɪˈliːɡə/
Definition: To surround, besiege, or harass a person, place, or group persistently, typically with the intention of causing distress, exhaustion, or disruption.
Example Sentence: "The chess player's clever strategy began to beleaguer his unsuspecting opponent."
Word origin: The verb 'beleaguer' has an interesting etymology that traces back to the Dutch word 'belegeren,' which is a combination of 'be-' meaning 'around' and 'legeren' meaning 'to camp' or 'to station.

Spell: convalesce (verb) /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs/
Definition: To recover one's health and strength after an illness or injury.
Example Sentence: "They advised her to convalesce in a calm environment."
Word origin: The verb 'convalesce' has its roots in Latin, originating from the word 'convalescere,' which is a combination of 'con-' (meaning 'together') and 'valescere' (meaning 'to grow strong' or 'to become well').

Spell: curmudgeon (noun) /kəʳmʌdʒən/
Definition: A person, often an older individual, who is ill-tempered, irritable, and prone to complaining or being critical.
Example Sentence: "My grandfather can be a bit of a curmudgeon, but deep down, he has a heart of gold."
Word origin: The noun 'curmudgeon' has an intriguing and somewhat uncertain etymology.

Spell: derision (noun) /dɪˈrɪʒən/
Definition: The act of expressing contempt or ridicule towards someone or something.
Example Sentence: "The student felt the sting of derision from his classmates when he gave the wrong answer."
Word origin: The noun 'derision' has its etymology rooted in Latin and Old French.

Spell: derivation (noun) /ˌdɛr əˈveɪ ʃən/
Definition: The process of deriving or obtaining something from a particular source or origin.
Example Sentence: "The historian researched the derivation of ancient cultural practices."
Word origin: The noun 'derivation' has an etymology that relates directly to its meaning.

Spell: docile (adjective) /ˈdəʊsʌɪl/
Definition: Easily manageable, obedient, and submissive, displaying a willingness to follow instructions or be trained without resistance.
Example Sentence: "She appreciated the docile nature of her well-behaved students."
Word origin: The adjective 'docile' has its origins in the Latin word 'docilis,' which means 'teachable' or 'easy to teach.

Spell: domicile (noun) /ˈdɒmɪsɪl/
Definition: A person's permanent residence or the place where they consider their home.
Example Sentence: "He chose a quaint beachfront domicile for his retirement."
Word origin: The noun 'domicile' has its roots in Latin, originating from the word 'domicilium,' which is a combination of 'domus,' meaning 'house,' and '-cilium,' a suffix indicating a place.

Spell: efficacy (noun) /ˈɛfɪkəsi/
Definition: The ability or capacity of something, typically a method, treatment, or intervention, to produce the desired or intended results or effects.
Example Sentence: "The vaccine demonstrated high efficacy against the targeted virus."
Word origin: The noun 'efficacy' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: erudite (adjective) /ˈɛr(j)ʊdʌɪt/
Definition: Having or showing great academic knowledge or formal learning.
Example Sentence: "His erudite style was highly reveered among critics."
Word origin: The adjective 'erudite' finds its origins in the Latin word 'eruditus,' which is the past participle of 'erudire,' meaning 'to instruct' or 'to educate.

Spell: etymology (noun) /ˌet̬.ɪˈmɑː.lə.dʒi/
Definition: The study of the origin and history of words, their meanings, and how they have evolved over time.
Example Sentence: "The etymology of the word "decimate" traces back to the Roman practice of punishing mutinous soldiers."
Word origin: The noun 'etymology' itself has a fascinating etymology.

Spell: facetious (adjective) /fəˈsiːʃəs/
Definition: Not seriously meaning what you say in an attempt to be humorous, usually with deliberately inappropriate humour.
Example Sentence: "She adopted a facetious tone to downplay her nervousness during the interview."
Word origin: The adjective 'facetious' has an etymology rooted in Latin and French influences.

Spell: gastronomy (noun) /ɡaˈstrɒnəmi/
Definition: The study of food, cooking techniques, and culinary traditions, with a focus on the art and science of preparing and presenting food.
Example Sentence: "Gastronomy is not just about food; it's about the entire dining experience."
Word origin: The noun 'gastronomy' has its origins in Greek, where it is derived from the words 'gaster' (meaning 'stomach') and 'nomos' (meaning 'law' or 'knowledge').

Spell: genome (noun) /ˈdʒiːnəʊm/
Definition: The complete set of genetic information that defines the characteristics of an organism.
Example Sentence: "Scientists are mapping the genome of various plant species to understand their unique traits."
Word origin: The noun 'genome' has its etymological origins in the 20th century, specifically from a blend of two words: 'gene' and 'chromosome.

Spell: hackneyed (adjective) /ˈhaknɪd/
Definition: Overused, trite, or lacking in originality to the point of becoming clichéd and uninteresting.
Example Sentence: "The movie's plot was predictable and hackneyed."
Word origin: The term 'hackneyed' finds its etymological roots in the word 'hackney,' which originally referred to a horse for hire or a horse used for common, everyday tasks.

Spell: hindsight (noun) /ˈhʌɪn(d)sʌɪt/
Definition: The ability to understand or explain an event or situation only after it has occurred.
Example Sentence: "She wished she had listened to her intuition, but in hindsight, it all made sense."
Word origin: The noun 'hindsight' is a compound word formed by combining 'hind,' which means 'behind,' and 'sight,' referring to the act of seeing or perception.

Spell: homonym (noun) /ˈhɒmənɪm/
Definition: A word that is pronounced or spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning.
Example Sentence: "Tear" is a homonym that can refer to a drop of liquid that comes out of the eye or to rip something."
Word origin: The noun 'homonym' has its origins in ancient Greek, where 'homōnymos' was formed from 'homos' meaning 'same' and 'onoma' meaning 'name.

Spell: impasse (noun) /amˈpɑːs/
Definition: A state of being in which a situation or dispute cannot be resolved or progressed any further.
Example Sentence: "The impasse in the contract talks led to a worker's strike."
Word origin: The noun 'impasse' has its etymological origins in French.

Spell: implicate (verb) /ˈɪmplɪkeɪt/
Definition: To suggest or indicate that someone or something is involved in a particular action or event, often with negative connotations.
Example Sentence: "Despite his alibi, the evidence gathered was sufficient to implicate him in the robbery."
Word origin: The verb 'implicate' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: indefatigable (adjective) /ˌɪndɪˈfatɪɡəb(ə)l/
Definition: Determined and persistent without ever tiring or admitting defeat.
Example Sentence: "Despite the strenuous journey, the explorers remained indefatigable."
Word origin: The adjective 'indefatigable' has an etymology that can be traced back to Latin.

Spell: infer (verb) /ɪnˈfəː/
Definition: To make an educated guess or conclusion based on available information or evidence.
Example Sentence: "It is difficult to infer the meaning of the text without any context."
Word origin: The verb 'infer' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: juxtapose (verb) /ˌʤʌkstəˈpoʊz/
Definition: To place two or more things close together or side by side in order to compare or contrast them.
Example Sentence: "The exhibit will juxtapose artifacts from different epochs."
Word origin: The word 'juxtapose' has a fascinating etymology that sheds light on its meaning.

Spell: laissez-faire (noun) /ˌleɪseɪˈfɛː/
Definition: A policy or attitude of non-interference or minimal government intervention.
Example Sentence: "The company's laissez-faire management style allows employees more autonomy."
Word origin: The noun 'laissez-faire' has its etymological roots in French.

Spell: leery (adjective) /ˈlɪər i/
Definition: Cautious, suspicious, or wary about something or someone.
Example Sentence: "The customer was leery of purchasing the product due to negative reviews."
Word origin: The adjective 'leery' has an uncertain etymology, and its origins are somewhat obscure.

Spell: macabre (adjective) /məˈkɑːbrə/
Definition: Gruesome, eerie, or disturbing, often associated with themes related to death, the supernatural, or the grotesque.
Example Sentence: "She had a fascination with macabre literature, devouring horror novels."
Word origin: The adjective 'macabre' has its etymological origins in the French language, specifically from the phrase 'danse macabre,' which means 'dance of death.

Spell: machismo (noun) /məˈtʃɪzməʊ/
Definition: A set behaviors traditionally associated with masculinity, often characterized by an exaggerated display of male strength, dominance, or virility.
Example Sentence: "Gyms are testosterone-fuelled spectacles of machismo."
Word origin: The noun 'machismo' has its etymological origins in Spanish.

Spell: malaise (noun) /maˈleɪz/
Definition: A general feeling of discomfort, unease, or mild illness, often characterized by a vague sense of physical or emotional discomfort.
Example Sentence: "She couldn't shake off the feeling of malaise after the exhausting week."
Word origin: The noun 'malaise' has its etymological roots in French.

Spell: mnemonic (noun) /nɪˈmɒnɪk/
Definition: A memory aid that helps a person to remember information more easily.
Example Sentence: "He used a mnemonic to remember the order of the planets in our solar system."
Word origin: The noun 'mnemonic' has its etymology rooted in the Greek word 'mnēmonikos,' which is derived from 'mnēmōn,' meaning 'mindful' or 'remembering.

Spell: nepotism (noun) /ˈnɛpətɪz(ə)m/
Definition: The practice of favoring one's own family members or close associates in business or political appointments, regardless of their qualifications or merit.
Example Sentence: "The CEO's nepotistic tendencies angered shareholders."
Word origin: The noun 'nepotism' finds its etymological roots in the Latin word 'nepos,' which means 'nephew' or 'grandchild.

Spell: odyssey (noun) /ˈɒdɪsi/
Definition: A long journey or voyage, typically one that is filled with adventure, challenges, and obstacles.
Example Sentence: "Her career was an odyssey filled with ups and downs."
Word origin: The noun 'odyssey' is deeply rooted in ancient Greek literature, specifically in Homer's epic poems, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey.

Spell: onus (noun) /ˈəʊnəs/
Definition: A responsibility, obligation or burden that is placed on someone or something.
Example Sentence: "The onus of responsibility falls on the project manager to deliver the results."
Word origin: The noun 'onus' has its roots in Latin, where it meant 'a load' or 'a burden.

Spell: ossify (verb) /ˈɒsɪfʌɪ/
Definition: Becoming rigid, inflexible, or unchanging over time, often in a metaphorical sense.
Example Sentence: "As you age, make sure not to let your knowledge ossify and always strive to continue learning."
Word origin: The verb 'ossify' has its roots in Latin.

Spell: parlance (noun) /ˈpɑːl(ə)ns/
Definition: A particular way of speaking or using language within a certain group or culture.
Example Sentence: "Linguistics delves into the structure and evolution of language."
Word origin: The noun 'parlance' finds its origins in the Old French word 'parler,' which means 'to speak' or 'to talk.

Spell: perturb (verb) /pəˈtəːb/
Definition: To worry, unsettle, or disrupt someone, usually in a significant or prolonged way.
Example Sentence: "Interruptions perturb the flow of a well-planned meeting."
Word origin: The verb 'perturb' originates from the Latin word 'perturbare,' which is a combination of 'per,' meaning 'thoroughly,' and 'turbare,' meaning 'to disturb' or 'to throw into disorder.

Spell: pithy (adjective) /ˈpɪθi/
Definition: Concise, direct, and to the point, but containing a wealth of meaning or insight.
Example Sentence: "She was able to convey complex ideas in pithy statements."
Word origin: The adjective 'pithy' has its etymological origins in the Old English word 'pith,' which referred to the central, essential part of a plant stem or the marrow of animals.

Spell: plaudit (noun) /ˈplɔːdɪt/
Definition: Enthusiastic praise, applause, or acclaim given to someone or something in recognition of their achievements, performance, or qualities.
Example Sentence: "Critics were unanimous in their plaudit for the film's director."
Word origin: The noun 'plaudit' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: posterity (noun) /pɒˈstɛrɪti/
Definition: All future generations, the descendants of a particular person or group, or the legacy that one leaves for those who come after them.
Example Sentence: "We must consider the needs of posterity when making decisions."
Word origin: The noun 'posterity' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: pro-bono (adverb) /prəʊ ˈbəʊnəʊ/
Definition: Describing work or services provided by professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, or consultants, without charging a fee or expecting payment.
Example Sentence: "The doctors provided medical care pro bono to the uninsured patients."
Word origin: The adverb 'pro bono' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: recalcitrant (adjective) /rɪˈkalsɪtr(ə)nt/
Definition: Stubbornly resistant to authority or control, often in a rebellious or non-cooperative way.
Example Sentence: "Her recalcitrant attitude towards learning new software slowed down the team's progress."
Word origin: The adjective 'recalcitrant' finds its etymological origins in the Latin word 'recalcitrans,' which is a combination of 're,' indicating 'back' or 'against,' and 'calcitrare,' meaning 'to kick.

Spell: replete (adjective) /riˈplit/
Definition: Abundantly filled, well-supplied, or brimming with a particular quality, substance, or content.
Example Sentence: "The garden was replete with colorful flowers and lush foliage."
Word origin: The adjective 'replete' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: reprobate (noun) /ˈrɛprəbeɪt/
Definition: A person who is morally corrupt, wicked, and beyond redemption.
Example Sentence: "Some called him a rogue; others, a reprobate."
Word origin: The noun 'reprobate' has an etymology that traces back to Latin and carries a strong moral connotation.

Spell: specious (adjective) /ˈspiːʃəs/
Definition: Superficially plausible or attractive, but in reality, is false or deceptive.
Example Sentence: "The reasoning was specious and failed to address the real issue at hand."
Word origin: The adjective 'specious' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: subversion (noun) /səbˈvəːʃ(ə)n/
Definition: The undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution.
Example Sentence: "The spy was accused of engaging in subversion to undermine national security."
Word origin: The term 'subversion' has a nuanced etymology that reflects its role in undermining established systems or institutions.

Spell: unilateral (adjective) /juːnɪˈlat(ə)r(ə)l/
Definition: Pertaining to actions, decisions, or agreements undertaken by a single party or individual without the involvement, consent, or cooperation of others.
Example Sentence: "The country's decision to withdraw from the treaty was unilateral and not agreed upon by the other signatories."
Word origin: The adjective 'unilateral' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: vagary (noun) /ˈveɪɡ(ə)ri/
Definition: An unpredictable or unusual change in behavior, mood, or action.
Example Sentence: "The vagary of the weather had us packing both umbrellas and sunscreen for the trip."
Word origin: The noun 'vagary' has its etymological roots in Latin.