Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE - Features and Attributes

Here you will learn some English words about features and attributes, such as "din", "bereft", "keen", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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affectation

[noun]

an insincere and unnatural manner of speaking, behaving, or writing that is intended to impress

Ex: The critic noted the affectation in her acting , criticizing how it detracted from the authenticity of her performance .

amalgam

[noun]

a combination or blend of different things

Ex: The novel is an amalgam of different genres , combining elements of mystery , romance , and science fiction .

din

[noun]

an unpleasant and loud noise that could be heard for an extended amount of time

Ex: As the children played outside , their shouts and laughter created a din that could be heard throughout the neighborhood .

guile

[noun]

an artful cleverness used to perform trickery, deception, and manipulation

Ex: Her guile was obvious when she manipulated the situation to get what she wanted .

levity

[noun]

the lack of seriousness that is wrongly suited to or respectful of the circumstances

Ex: His attempt at levity during the crisis only made the situation more tense .

to clamor

[Verb]

to loudly complain about something or demand something

Ex: In the classroom , students began to clamor for less homework , their voices growing louder .

to mollify

[Verb]

to do something that lessens someone's anger or sadness

Ex: The government mollified the protestors by addressing their concerns .

aberrant

[Adjective]

different from the usual and accepted way

Ex: The weather patterns this year have been aberrant for this region .

to run amok

[phrase]

to behave in a wild, uncontrolled, and often violent manner

Ex: The rioters began run amok, looting stores and setting fires in the city .

antic

[Adjective]

behaving or acting in a way that is funny, energetic, or silly, it is usually annoying or strange

Ex: The clown 's antic gestures delighted the children but annoyed the adults .

becoming

[Adjective]

(of clothes, colors, hairstyles etc.) enhancing the wearer's appearance and making them more attractive

Ex: The elegant necklace was becoming and added a touch of grace to her outfit.

bereft

[Adjective]

(of people) feeling very lonely and sorrowful, particularly as a result of a loss

Ex: Losing her job left her feeling bereft and uncertain about the future .

bleak

[Adjective]

(of situations) not giving any or much hope or encouragement

Ex: The bleak conditions of the deserted village told a story of hardship .

callow

[Adjective]

(of a person) young and behaving in a manner that displays one's inexperience or immaturity

Ex: The team ’s callow tactics were easily outmaneuvered by their opponents .

choleric

[Adjective]

easily angered or irritated

Ex: His choleric attitude often led to tense situations in meetings .

covert

[Adjective]

not displayed or acknowledged openly

Ex: The agent ’s covert actions were hidden from public view to ensure the mission ’s success .

cynical

[Adjective]

having a distrustful or negative outlook, often believing that people are motivated by self-interest

Ex: He approached every new opportunity with a cynical attitude , expecting to be let down .

erratic

[Adjective]

lacking a regular or fixed pattern of movement

Ex: The car 's erratic path on the winding road made it hard to follow .

facile

[Adjective]

lacking deep thought and true understanding thus being superficial

Ex: Her facile approach to the project did n’t account for the challenges that lay ahead .

inherent

[Adjective]

inseparable essential part or quality of someone or something that is in their nature

Ex: Freedom of speech is an inherent right that should be protected in a democratic society .

intrinsic

[Adjective]

belonging to something or someone's character and nature

Ex: Intrinsic motivation comes from within and drives people to achieve personal goals .

keen

[Adjective]

(of senses) sharp and highly-developed

Ex: The hunter 's keen senses made him successful in tracking prey .

novel

[Adjective]

new and unlike anything else

Ex: He came up with a novel strategy to improve sales .

obsolete

[Adjective]

outdated and gone out of style, often replaced by more current trends or advancements

Ex: Many obsolete technologies can still be found in antique shops .

optimal

[Adjective]

most favorable or effective under specific conditions

Ex: Regular maintenance ensures the machine 's optimal performance .

placid

[Adjective]

peaceful and calm, not easily excited, irritated, angered, or upset

Ex: His placid nature allowed him to handle the unexpected challenges with ease .

pragmatic

[Adjective]

based on reasonable and practical considerations rather than theory

Ex: Facing a complex problem , the engineer proposed a pragmatic solution that considered both efficiency and feasibility .

retiring

[Adjective]

shy and not fond of being with others or being noticed

Ex: She was known for her retiring ways, always slipping out of the room unnoticed.

sportive

[Adjective]

behaving in a playful, fun, and light-hearted way

Ex: Their sportive nature made the gathering more enjoyable .

timely

[Adjective]

happening at exactly the best time possible

Ex: The timely announcement of the sale attracted many customers to the store .

unprecedented

[Adjective]

never having existed or happened before

Ex: The government implemented unprecedented measures to control the crisis .

vintage

[Adjective]

(of things) old but highly valued for the quality, excellent condition, or timeless design

Ex: His home is decorated with vintage furniture that adds a charming, nostalgic feel.

volatile

[Adjective]

prone to unexpected and sudden changes, usually gets worse or dangerous

Ex: The CEO ’s volatile decision-making caused instability within the company .

whimsical

[Adjective]

driven by impulses and desires rather than logical necessity or reasoning

Ex: His whimsical decision to quit his job and travel the world was driven by a desire for freedom .

byzantine

[Adjective]

so detailed and complex that understanding becomes difficult

Ex: The Byzantine tax code was notorious for its complexity, often requiring expert assistance to navigate.

Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE

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Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE - Features and Attributes