Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE - Artsy Endeavors

Here you will learn some English words about art, such as "artifact", "epigram", "phony", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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apothegm [noun]

a clever and concise expression that contains a general truth or principle

Ex: The philosopher ’s apothegm about the nature of happiness provided a succinct perspective on well-being .

anachronism [noun]

something occurring at a time when it could not have existed or happened

Ex: That law was cited centuries before it was written , an obvious anachronism .

artifact [noun]

a man-made object, tool, weapon, etc. that was created in the past and holds historical or cultural significance

Ex: Each artifact in the exhibit told a story about the civilization that created it .

buttress [noun]

a protruding structure that supports a building or wall and is made out of bricks or stones

Ex: The Romanesque church featured exterior buttresses adorned with decorative carvings , adding to the architectural beauty of the building .

connoisseur [noun]

an individual who is an expert of art, food, music, etc. and can judge its quality

Ex: A connoisseur of fine cuisine , she savored every bite of the meticulously prepared tasting menu , delighting in the harmonious balance of flavors and textures .

counterpoint [noun]

a musical composition in which two or more independent melodies are played or sung simultaneously, creating harmony and interplay

Ex: Mastering counterpoint is essential for classical composition .

denouement [noun]

the last section of a literary or dramatic piece where the plot is concluded and all the matters of the work is explained

Ex: The film ’s denouement tied up all loose ends , leaving the audience with a sense of closure .

epigram [noun]

a saying that coveys an idea in a manner that is short and witty

eulogy [noun]

a text or speech that offers high praise for a person or thing, not necessarily linked to the deceased

Ex: The book launch began with a eulogy of the author 's previous works and his contribution to literature .

prolixity [noun]

the fact of having an excessive number of words that results in being tedious

Ex: The lawyer 's closing argument suffered from prolixity , causing the jury to lose focus as he elaborated on every minor point in exhaustive detail .

raconteur [noun]

an individual who has the skill of telling stories in a way that is entertaining

Ex: He ’s known as a great raconteur , able to turn any ordinary event into a memorable story .

rhetoric [noun]

the study of techniques and principles for using language effectively, especially in public speaking

Ex: The course on rhetoric included exercises in speechwriting and delivery .

to inform [verb]

to characterize or influence a style, behavior, opinion, etc.

Ex: The principles of minimalism inform the design aesthetic of the company 's products .

canonical [adjective]

according to the rules that are broadly accepted or are official

Ex: The film 's adaptation was faithful to the canonical storyline of the original novel .

fanciful [adjective]

coming from the imagination rather than facts

Ex: She spun fanciful stories about faraway lands and magical adventures to entertain her younger siblings .

figurative [adjective]

using language in a way that words don't have their actual meaning, but an imaginative meaning instead

Ex: In the figurative sense , the " mountain " he spoke of represented the challenges he faced .

hackneyed [adjective]

(of phrases, words, ideas, etc.) used so much that it has lost its effect, interest, or originality

Ex: The novel 's hackneyed dialogue made the characters seem predictable and clichéd .

kafkaesque [adjective]

resembling Franz Kafka's works in being extremely nightmarish, bizarre, and confusing

Ex:

limpid [adjective]

(of language or music) clear and easy to understand

Ex: The poem ’s limpid verses conveyed deep emotions with a simplicity that resonated with many .

macabre [adjective]

disturbing and fear inducing due to its connection with death, murder, violence, etc.

Ex:

mellifluous [adjective]

(of sounds) smooth, pleasant, and sweet to the ear

Ex: The gentle rustle of leaves and the mellifluous chirping of birds created a serene atmosphere in the garden .

objective [adjective]

having an existence that is independent of personal perception or interpretation

Ex: Objective knowledge is not influenced by personal beliefs .

phantasmagorical [adjective]

seeming unreal, confusing, and dream-like

Ex: The novel ’s phantasmagorical plot twists kept readers guessing and questioning what was real .

phony [adjective]

not based on honesty or truth and intended to mislead others

Ex: The phony charity solicited donations for a cause that did n't exist , scamming well-meaning donors .

posthumous [adjective]

referring to something that happens, is published, or is awarded after the death of the person to whom it relates

Ex: He was honored with a posthumous medal for bravery during the ceremony .

subjective [adjective]

existing within one's mind and dependent on one's perspective rather than reality

Ex: Dreams provide a subjective experience unique to each person .

Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE
Likes and Dislikes	Features and Attributes	Characteristics and Disposition	Traits and Behavior
Quality and Temperament	Aspects and Manners	Hold an Opinion, Give an Advice!	What's on Your Mind?
Everyone Is Entitled to Their Own Opinion!	Make Up Your Mind!	Open and Shut Case	Ripples in a Pond
Only Change Is Constant!	The Soul of a Soulless World	Civil Society and Religiosity	Cultural Sphere and Arts
Artsy Endeavors	Government as a Necessary Evil	Appearance Could be Deceptive!	As It Appears!
Beyond Measure!	Ensure Good Health!	Success Is a Sure Thing, Failure Is Not!	Experiment, Learn, and Repeat!
Stay on the Safe Side!	From Rags to Riches