Vocabulary Level F

Unit 4

affable – adj. courteous and pleasant, sociable,

easy to speak to

The new student made friends easily because he was affable and outgoing.

aggrandize – v. to build up or intensify

syn. augment, amplify, enhance, exalt

If I save 50% of my paycheck each week, I will aggrandize my savings account so that I can buy a car this year.

amorphous – adj. shapeless, without definite form; without organization, unity, or cohesion

The first meeting of the new club lacked a strong leader or agenda; its amorphous start did not give me faith that it would be successful.

archetype – the ideal example of a particular type of person or thing

Sherlock Holmes was an archetype of a clever detective who always solves the case.

aura – n. a distinctive air or personal quality

syn. atmosphere

The abandoned house at the end of the street has an aura of loneliness and desolation to it.

contraband – n. smuggled goods; adj. illegal, prohibited

When traveling to another country, you will be searched by security for contraband.

erudite – scholarly, learned, pedantic

syn. profoundly educated, well-read

To be considered for membership in MENSA, a person must not only have a minimum IQ of 180, but he must also prove himself erudite through a series of tests in many areas of study.

gossamer – adj. thin, light, delicate, insubstantial

Lace is a gossamer fabric and must be treated delicately so it won’t tear.

inscrutable – adj. incapable of being understood

syn. impenetrable, incomprehensible

I found the diagnosis was inscrutable initially because the doctor spoke only medical jargon that I am unfamiliar with.

insular – adj. narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

syn. narrow-minded, provincial

The senator was accused of being insular because he refused to address any concerns outside of his realms of experience.

irrevocable – adj. incapable of being changed

syn. irreversible

Many people regret the irrevocable tattoos they get in their youth.

propensity – n. a natural inclination toward

syn. penchant, proclivity

The little girl displayed a propensity for music at an early age.

querulous – adj. peevish, complaining, fretful

Some adults are more querulous than toddlers; they gripe over every little thing.

remonstrate – v. to argue or plead with someone against something,

object to

In a debate, each side remonstrates with the other to sway the decision.

repudiate – v. to disown, reject, or deny the validity of

resilient – adj. able to recover quickly

People who take care of their bodies by exercising, eating healthy foods, and getting plenty of sleep are usually more resilient than those who don’t practice healthy habits when battling illness.

reverberate – v. re-echo, resound

syn. echo

Our voices reverberated through the canyon.

scurrilous – adj. foul-mouthed, coarsely abusive

syn. obscene, filthy

School is not an appropriate place for scurrilous language or behavior; in fact, I can’t really think of a place that is!

sedulous – adj. sedulous – adj. persistentpersistent

syn. tirelesssyn. tireless

The tortoise never would have won if he hadn’t been so sedulous.

sleazy – adj. thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or

character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable

Cat-calling and other forms of harassment are generally considered sleazy behavior.As the fashion designer sewed, the sleazy material fell apart in her hands; she should have spent money on the higher quality fabric!