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]

lacking a clear or distinct shape or form

Ex: The gelatin dessert was still amorphous before chilling .

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
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!

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