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SAT Natural Sciences - Appearance and Texture

Here you will learn some English words related to appearance and texture, such as "turbid", "wispy", "taut", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Vocabulary for Natural Sciences

the natural process of becoming smaller, tighter, or more compact

Ex: Scientists study the contraction of muscles to understand movement in the human body .
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the act or process of compressing or reducing the volume of something, resulting in increased density

Ex: Compaction of the trash in the garbage truck facilitated more efficient waste disposal .
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dimension
[noun]

a measure of the height, length, or width of an object in a certain direction

Ex: When designing the new bridge , engineers took into account the dimensions of the river and the surrounding landscape .
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curvature
[noun]

the state or quality of being curved or bent, describing the shape or contour of an object or surface

Ex: The curvature of the waves on the beach created picturesque scenes at sunset .
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facet
[noun]

a polished, flat surface on a gemstone or bone, crucial for reflecting light in gems and for articulation in bones

Ex: Archaeologists discovered ancient bones with intricately carved facets used for ceremonial purposes .
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turbid
[Adjective]

(of liquids) lacking in clarity for being mixed by other things such as sand or soil

Ex: Turbid liquids can often harbor microorganisms that are not visible to the naked eye .
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crooked
[Adjective]

not in any ways straight, with bends, curves, or disorganized angles

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expansive
[Adjective]

able to increase in size or volume

Ex: The expansive properties of the foam made it ideal for insulation purposes .
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iridescent
[Adjective]

exhibiting a shimmering, rainbow-like play of colors, typically due to refraction of light

Ex: The opalescent seashell washed ashore, its iridescent surface gleaming softly in the sunlight.
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porous
[Adjective]

containing small holes or gaps, allowing liquid or air to pass through

Ex: The sponge cake was porous, soaking up the syrup and becoming moist .
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ungainly
[Adjective]

hard to manage because of awkward form

Ex: The cyclist , unfamiliar with the new and ungainly bike , had trouble maintaining speed and control on the winding trail .
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towering
[Adjective]

having an impressive height

Ex: She stood beneath the towering oak tree, marveling at its ancient branches.
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distorted
[Adjective]

changed from its original shape or form, often in a way that makes it appear twisted, misshapen, or unclear

Ex: The heat caused the plastic ruler to become distorted, bending out of shape.
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rigid
[Adjective]

not flexible or easily bent

Ex: The steel beam was rigid, providing strong support for the building .
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adhesive
[Adjective]

having the quality of sticking or bonding objects together

Ex: She applied an adhesive strip to the torn page to repair her book .
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sleek
[Adjective]

having a smooth and shiny texture, typically describing hair, fur, or skin that appears healthy and well-maintained

Ex: The dog 's sleek fur showed how well it had been groomed .
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elastic
[Adjective]

having a flexible quality, capable of returning to its original shape after being stretched or compressed

Ex: The dough had an elastic consistency , making it easy to knead and shape .
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concrete
[Adjective]

consisting of a hard building material that is made of the mixture of cement, water, sand, and small stones

Ex: The real estate agent showed us a house with concrete countertops in the kitchen .
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wispy
[Adjective]

thin, delicate, and feathery in appearance or texture

Ex: The cat's fur was soft and wispy, giving it a delicate and ethereal appearance as it prowled through the garden.
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undulating
[Adjective]

having a surface that rises and falls in gentle curves

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bumpy
[Adjective]

covered with small raised areas or irregularities, making it uneven to the touch

Ex: The mattress was old and bumpy, making it uncomfortable to sleep on .
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scraggly
[Adjective]

uneven, unkempt, or ragged in appearance

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pleated
[Adjective]

(of a fabric or garment) folded or gathered in a series of small, parallel folds

Ex: The tablecloth had pleated corners , providing a tailored appearance to the table setting .
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shallow
[Adjective]

having a short distance from the surface to the bottom

Ex: The river became shallow during the dry season , exposing rocks and sandbars .
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labyrinthine
[Adjective]

complicated or difficult to follow, like a maze

Ex: The labyrinthine process delayed the project 's approval for months .
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ornate
[Adjective]

elaborately decorated or adorned with intricate details

Ex: The ornate gates led into the palace , showcasing intricate ironwork .
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elliptical
[Adjective]

shaped like a slightly stretched-out circle or oval

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tubular
[Adjective]

having the shape or characteristics of a tube

Ex: The telescope had a tubular design , allowing for easy adjustment and focus .
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ovoid
[Adjective]

shaped like an egg, with a rounded or elliptical form

Ex: The seeds were small and ovoid in shape , perfect for planting in the garden .
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malleable
[Adjective]

capable of being hammered or manipulated into different forms without cracking or breaking

Ex: The heated plastic became malleable, allowing it to be molded into the desired shape before cooling and hardening .
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clammy
[Adjective]

unpleasantly damp and sticky, often referring to skin or surfaces that feel cool and moist to the touch

Ex: His clammy skin suggested he might have a fever .
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unkempt
[Adjective]

(of an appearance) not washed, neat, or cared for

Ex: The once-elegant mansion now appeared unkempt, its grandeur fading over the years .
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taut
[Adjective]

firm and tight, lacking any slackness or excess

Ex: As she tied her shoelaces, she pulled them taut to ensure they wouldn't come undone during the race.
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crinkly
[Adjective]

having small, fine wrinkles or creases on the surface, often producing a texture that is slightly rough or uneven

Ex: His crinkly hair gave him a distinctive and charming appearance .
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hollow
[Adjective]

having an empty space within

Ex: The old well had a hollow shaft leading deep into the ground .
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lifelike
[Adjective]

having the appearance or qualities that closely resemble or imitate real life

Ex: Her performance in the play was so lifelike that it left the audience deeply moved and fully immersed in the story .
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tensile
[Adjective]

prone to shaping, bending, or stretching

Ex: Fabricated from carbon fiber , the bike frame boasts exceptional tensile characteristics .
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to expand
[Verb]

to spread out or stretch in various directions

Ex: As the hot air balloon ascended , it expanded to its full size , carrying the passengers high above the landscape .
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to reduce the volume or size of something by applying pressure, squeezing, or condensing it

Ex: The scientist designed a device to compress the air in the container for the experiment .
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to stretch something in order to make it longer

Ex: By the end of the renovation , the hallway will have been elongated to create a more spacious entrance .
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to become colored with a particular hue or tint

Ex: As the flower petals opened , they pigmented, revealing a stunning array of hues .
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to damage the appearance of something by causing a flaw or imperfection

Ex: Avoid using harsh chemicals that could blemish the finish of your countertops .
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to crease
[Verb]

to cause a wrinkle or indentation on a surface

Ex: He carefully folded the letter , trying not to crease it too much , but it still ended up with visible lines .
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to smudge
[Verb]

to make a dirty mark by rubbing or spreading something on a surface

Ex: The makeup artist gently smudged the eyeliner for a smoky eye look .
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to shape something, emphasizing its natural curves and outlines

Ex: The car manufacturer carefully contoured the body of the vehicle for aerodynamic efficiency .
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to smear
[Verb]

to spread a substance over a surface in a messy or uneven manner

Ex: The chef smeared sauce on the plate to add a decorative touch to the dish .
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to felt
[Verb]

to cause fibers to become matted and compacted, resembling felt, typically through pressure, moisture, or agitation

Ex: They felted the wool roving into a cozy blanket using traditional techniques .
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to improve the appearance of something by adding things such as decorative pieces, colors, etc. to it

Ex: The garden was embellished with stone pathways and ornate sculptures to create a serene environment .
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to extend
[Verb]

to enlarge or lengthen something

Ex: The city council plans to extend the park by adding more green space .
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SAT Natural Sciences
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