Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE - Appearance Could be Deceptive!

Here you will learn some English words about appearance, such as "austere", "opaque", "turgid", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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amorphous

[Adjective]

not having a fixed structure, shape, or form

Ex: The amorphous foam material expanded to fill the mold , taking on its final shape as it hardened .

austere

[Adjective]

simple in design or style and lacking embellishments

Ex: The architect 's design for the new library was intentionally austere, reflecting a modern and functional approach .

cadaverous

[Adjective]

very thin or pale in a way that is suggestive of an illness

Ex: The ghost in the movie was depicted as a cadaverous figure , with sunken eyes and hollow cheeks .

ethereal

[Adjective]

extremely delicate, light, as if it belongs to a heavenly realm

Ex: The cloud formation was so delicate and fluffy that it appeared almost ethereal in the sky .

heterogeneous

[Adjective]

composed of a wide range of different things or people

Ex: The neighborhood was heterogeneous in terms of architecture , with a mix of modern and historic buildings .

homogeneous

[Adjective]

composed of things or people of the same or very similar type

Ex: The company 's workforce was predominantly homogeneous, with employees sharing similar educational backgrounds .

incongruous

[Adjective]

peculiar and not like what is considered suitable or appropriate for a situation

Ex: The modern art piece looked incongruous in the traditional setting of the antique gallery .

lackluster

[Adjective]

(of hair or eyes) without shine, sheen, or brightness

Ex: The artist 's work felt lackluster compared to his previous vibrant pieces .

opaque

[Adjective]

(of an object) blocking the passage of light and preventing objects from being seen through it

Ex: The opaque glass in the bathroom ensured privacy while blocking outside light .

peripheral

[Adjective]

relating or belonging to the edge or outer section of something

Ex: The peripheral sections of the museum house lesser-known artworks that still hold significant cultural value .

pronounced

[Adjective]

immediately noticed due to being apparent

Ex: The difference in temperatures between the two regions was particularly pronounced during the winter months.

sardonic

[Adjective]

humorous in a manner that is cruel and disrespectful

Ex: The comedian 's sardonic jokes about current events crossed the line from humor to outright insult .

specious

[Adjective]

falsely giving a pleasing appearance

Ex: The lawyer ’s specious defense was designed to confuse the jury rather than present a solid case .

surreptitious

[Adjective]

doing something secretly in an attempt to avoid notice

Ex: His surreptitious behavior made everyone curious about his intentions .

tenuous

[Adjective]

very delicate or thin

Ex: He held onto the tenuous thread , hoping it would support the weight of the object .

turgid

[Adjective]

(of speech or writing) using a serious and elevated style that makes it tedious and complicated

Ex: The legal document was filled with turgid language that made it nearly impossible to understand .

to dovetail

[Verb]

to fit together in a satisfactory or suitable way

Ex: The new policies were crafted to dovetail with the existing guidelines , ensuring consistency across the organization .

to mesmerize

[Verb]

to capture someone's attention and interest completely, in a way that they forget about everything else

Ex: The intricate details of the intricate puzzle mesmerized her , making her lose track of time .

disposition

[noun]

the inherent qualities that one is normally characterized by

Ex: She has a generous disposition, always going out of her way to help others .

fringe

[noun]

the marginal, or outer part of something, such as an area, activity, or group

Ex: Their office was located on the fringe of the business district , which provided a quieter working environment .

goose bumps

[noun]

a state in which little bumps appear on the skin and bodily hair becomes upright because of excitement, cold, or fear

Ex: Witnessing the breathtaking sunset over the ocean filled me with awe and gave me goosebumps.

semblance

[noun]

a condition or situation that is similar or only appears to be similar to something

Ex: Her calm demeanor gave a semblance of control , even though she was feeling anxious inside .

eclectic

[Adjective]

containing what is best of various ideas, styles, methods, beliefs, etc.

Ex: The university ’s curriculum was eclectic, incorporating elements from diverse academic disciplines .

verisimilitude

[noun]

the state or quality of implying the truth

Ex: The actor ’s performance was praised for its verisimilitude, making the character ’s emotions feel authentic .

Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE

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Advanced Vocabulary for the GRE - Appearance Could be Deceptive!