All 346 advanced words
Every word in Advanced Word of the Day — each with a clear definition, pronunciation, and example sentence. Tap any word to learn it, or get a new one delivered daily.
A
- abeyancea state of temporary disuse or suspension
- abjureto solemnly renounce a belief or cause
- abrogateto repeal or do away with
- abstemiousnot allowing oneself much in the way of food or drink; self-denying
- abstrusedifficult to understand; obscure
- acerbicsharp and forthright in tone or manner
- acrimoniousangry and bitter in tone
- acumenkeen insight; shrewdness
- adroitclever or skillful in handling situations
- adulationexcessive praise or admiration
- adumbrateto foreshadow or symbolize vaguely
- alacritybrisk and cheerful readiness
- aleatorydepending on chance or luck
- anathemasomeone or something vehemently disliked
- anodynenot likely to provoke dissent or offense; soothing
- antediluvianridiculously old-fashioned
- antipathya deep-seated feeling of dislike
- antitheticaldirectly opposed or contrasted
- aplombself-confidence and poise in difficult situations
- apocryphalof doubtful authenticity
- apostateone who renounces a religious or political belief
- apothegma terse, witty saying
- approbationapproval or praise
- arrogateto take or claim for oneself without justification
- asceticpracticing severe self-discipline and abstention
- asperityharshness of tone or manner
- asperseto attack with false or damaging charges
- assiduousshowing great care and perseverance
- assuageto make less intense
- atavisticrelating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient
- auguryan omen or portent
B
- balefulthreatening harm; menacing
- beleaguerto beset with difficulties
- bellicosedemonstrating aggression and a willingness to fight
- blandishmentflattering speech or actions used to persuade
- bloviateto speak at length in a pompous manner
- bombastichigh-sounding but with little meaning; pompous
- bowdlerizeto remove material considered improper from a text
- burgeonto grow or develop rapidly
- byzantineexcessively complicated and intricate
C
- cacophonya harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
- cajoleto persuade by sustained coaxing or flattery
- calumniousslanderous; defamatory
- calumnythe making of false and defamatory statements
- capitulateto surrender or yield
- capriciousgiven to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or behavior
- castigateto reprimand severely
- catharsisthe process of releasing strong emotions
- cavilto make petty or unnecessary objections
- celerityswiftness of movement
- censureto express formal, strong disapproval
- chicanerythe use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
- cholericbad-tempered or irritable
- churlishrude and surly in a mean-spirited way
- circumlocutionthe use of many words where fewer would do, often to be evasive
- cogentclear, logical, and convincing
- cogitateto think deeply about something
- concatenationa series of interconnected things or events
- concomitantnaturally accompanying or associated
- conflagrationa large destructive fire
- contumaciousstubbornly or willfully disobedient
- contumelyinsolent or insulting language or treatment
- convolutedextremely complex and difficult to follow
- copiousabundant in supply or quantity
- coruscateto flash or sparkle
- cravencontemptibly lacking in courage
- cupiditygreed for money or possessions
D
- declivitya downward slope
- deferentialshowing respectful submission or regard
- deleteriouscausing harm or damage
- demagoguea leader who appeals to popular emotion and prejudice
- demurto raise objections or show reluctance
- deprecateto express disapproval of
- desuetudea state of disuse
- diaphanouslight, delicate, and translucent
- diatribea forceful and bitter verbal attack
- didacticintended to teach, often with a moral lesson
- diffidentmodest or shy due to lack of self-confidence
- diffusespread out and lacking concision
- dilatoryslow to act
- dilettantea person who dabbles in a subject without serious commitment
- disabuseto free someone from a mistaken belief
- discomfitto make someone feel uneasy or embarrassed
- disparageto belittle or speak slightingly of
- disparateessentially different in kind
- dissembleto conceal one's true motives or feelings
- dogmaticasserting opinions as if they were unquestionable
- dyspepticgrumpy or irritable
E
- ebullientcheerful and full of energy
- eclecticderiving ideas or style from a broad range of sources
- edifyto instruct or improve morally or intellectually
- efficacythe ability to produce a desired result
- effronteryinsolent or impertinent behavior
- effulgentradiant; shining brightly
- egregiousoutstandingly bad; shocking
- elucidateto make something clear; to explain
- emollienthaving a softening or soothing effect
- encomiuma speech or piece of writing of high praise
- enervateto weaken or drain of energy
- enmitya state of deep, mutual hatred
- ennuia feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction from boredom
- ephemerallasting for a very short time
- epicurea person with refined taste in food and drink
- epistolaryrelating to the writing of letters
- equableeven-tempered; not easily disturbed
- equanimitymental calmness and composure
- equivocateto use ambiguous language to conceal the truth
- ersatzmade or used as a substitute, typically inferior
- eschewto deliberately avoid or abstain from
- esotericunderstood by only a small group with specialized knowledge
- euphemisma mild expression substituted for a harsh or blunt one
- evanescentquickly fading or disappearing
- excoriateto criticize severely
- exculpateto clear from blame; to vindicate
- execrableextremely bad or unpleasant
- exigentpressing; demanding
- expatiateto speak or write at length
- expiateto atone for guilt or sin
- expurgateto remove objectionable matter from a text before publication
- extantstill existing; surviving
- extemporaneousspoken or done without preparation
- extirpateto root out and destroy completely
F
- facetioustreating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor
- farragoa confused mixture
- fastidiousvery attentive to accuracy and detail; hard to please
- fatuoussilly and pointless
- fecklesslacking initiative or strength of character
- fecundhighly fertile or productive
- fervidintensely enthusiastic or passionate
- flippantnot showing a serious or respectful attitude
- fomentto stir up or instigate trouble
- fortuitoushappening by lucky chance
- fractiousirritable and quarrelsome
- fulsomeoffensively insincere or excessive
G
H
I
- iconoclasta person who attacks cherished beliefs
- idyllicpeacefully and charmingly simple or picturesque
- ignominiousdeserving or causing public disgrace
- imbroglioa confused or complicated and embarrassing situation
- immutableunchanging over time
- impassivenot showing emotion
- impecunioushaving little or no money
- imperiousarrogantly domineering
- imperturbableunable to be upset or excited
- imperviousnot allowing fluid to pass; unaffected
- impetuousacting quickly without thought
- imprecationa spoken curse
- impugnto challenge as false
- inchoatejust begun and so not fully formed
- incisiveshowing sharp, clear analysis
- inculcateto instill an idea by persistent instruction
- indefatigablepersisting tirelessly
- indigentpoor; needy
- indolenthabitually lazy
- ineffabletoo great or extreme to be expressed in words
- ineluctableinescapable
- inexorableimpossible to stop
- ingratiateto bring oneself into favor by flattery
- inimicaltending to obstruct or harm
- inscrutableimpossible to understand or interpret
- insidiousproceeding gradually with harmful effects
- insipidlacking flavor or interest
- insolentshowing a rude lack of respect
- insouciantshowing a casual lack of concern
- intractablehard to control or deal with
- intransigentunwilling to change views
- intrepidfearless
- inureto accustom someone to something unpleasant
- invectiveinsulting, abusive language
- irascibleeasily angered
J
K
L
- lachrymosetearful or given to weeping
- laconicusing few words
- languiddisplaying a relaxed lack of energy or vigor
- largessgenerosity in bestowing money or gifts
- lassitudea state of physical or mental weariness
- laudabledeserving praise
- legerdemainskillful use of one’s hands when performing tricks
- libertinea person unrestrained by morality
- licentiousdisregarding accepted moral rules, especially sexually
- lucidclear and easy to understand
- lugubriouslooking or sounding sad and dismal
M
- magnanimousgenerous and forgiving, especially toward a rival
- malingerto exaggerate illness to avoid duty
- malleableeasily influenced or shaped
- martineta strict disciplinarian
- maudlinself-pityingly sentimental
- maverickan unconventional or independent-minded person
- mawkishexcessively sentimental in a feeble way
- mellifluoussweetly flowing or sounding
- mendaciousnot telling the truth; lying
- mendicanta beggar
- mercurialsubject to sudden changes of mood
- meticulousshowing great attention to detail
- milieua person’s social environment
- miscreanta villain; a wrongdoer
- mitigateto make less severe or painful
- mollifyto soothe the anger or anxiety of
- morosesullen and ill-tempered
- multifarioushaving great variety; numerous and diverse
- munificencegreat generosity
- munificentvery generous
N
O
- obduratestubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion
- obfuscateto render obscure or unclear
- obsequiousexcessively eager to please or obey
- obstinatestubbornly refusing to change one's mind
- obstreperousnoisy and difficult to control
- obtuseslow to understand; insensitive
- obviateto remove a need or difficulty
- officiousasserting authority or interfering in an annoying way
- onerousinvolving great burden
- opaquehard to understand; not transparent
- opprobriumpublic disgrace
- ossifyto become rigid
- ostentatiouscharacterized by showy display intended to impress
P
- palliateto make less severe
- palpableso intense as to be almost touchable
- panaceaa universal cure
- panegyrica public speech or text in praise of someone
- paradigma typical example or model of something
- paragona model of excellence
- pariaha social outcast
- parsimoniousunwilling to spend money or use resources
- parsimonyextreme unwillingness to spend money
- paucitythe presence of something in too small an amount
- pellucidtransparently clear
- penchanta strong liking or inclination
- penitentfeeling or showing sorrow for sin
- penumbrathe partially shaded outer region of a shadow
- penuriousextremely poor; poverty-stricken
- perfidiousdeceitful and untrustworthy
- perfidydeceitfulness; untrustworthiness
- perfunctorycarried out with minimal effort
- peripatetictraveling from place to place
- pernicioushaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual way
- perspicacioushaving a ready insight into things
- phlegmaticcalm, unemotional disposition
- pithyconcise and forcefully expressive
- placateto make someone less angry or hostile
- plethoraan excessively large amount
- polemica strong verbal or written attack on an opinion
- ponderousslow and clumsy because of great weight; dull
- pragmaticdealing with matters in a practical, sensible way
- precariousdangerously uncertain or insecure
- prevaricateto speak evasively to avoid the truth
- pristinein its original, unspoiled condition
- probitythe quality of having strong moral principles
- proclivitya tendency or inclination toward something
- prodigalrecklessly wasteful with money or resources
- profligaterecklessly extravagant or wasteful
- propitiousgiving signs of a favorable outcome
- prosaiclacking imagination; dull and ordinary
- proteanreadily able to change form or character; versatile
- puerilechildishly silly and trivial
- pugnaciouseager or quick to argue or fight
- pulchritudephysical beauty
Q
R
- rancorbitter, long-lasting resentment
- rarefiedbelonging to a small, select, and exclusive circle
- recalcitranthaving an uncooperative attitude
- recapitulateto summarize the main points of
- reconditelittle known; abstruse
- recrudescencethe recurrence of something undesirable after a lull
- redolentstrongly reminiscent or suggestive of something
- redoubtableformidable and commanding respect
- remonstrateto make a forcefully reproachful protest
- reticentnot revealing one's thoughts readily; reserved
S
- sacrosanctregarded as too important to be interfered with
- sagaciouswise or shrewd
- salientmost noticeable or important
- sanctimoniousmaking a show of being morally superior
- sanguineoptimistic or positive
- sardonicgrimly mocking or cynical
- scurrilousmaking scandalous claims with the intention of damaging reputation
- sedulousshowing dedication and diligence
- serendipitythe occurrence of fortunate events by chance
- sobriqueta person's nickname
- solicitousshowing attentive care or concern
- soporifictending to induce sleep
- spuriousnot genuine or authentic
- stoicenduring hardship without showing feelings
- stymieto prevent or hinder the progress of
- succinctexpressed clearly in few words
- sumptuoussplendid and expensive-looking
- superciliousbehaving as though one is superior
- surreptitiouskept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
- sycophanta person who acts obsequiously toward someone important
- sycophanticbehaving obsequiously to gain advantage
T
- tacitunderstood without being directly stated
- taciturnreserved or uncommunicative in speech
- tantamountequivalent in effect or value
- temerityexcessive confidence or boldness
- tenuousvery weak or slight
- timorousshowing or suffering from nervousness and fear
- torpora state of physical or mental inactivity
- tractableeasy to control or manage
- trenchantvigorous or incisive in expression or style
- truculenteager or quick to argue or fight
- turgidswollen or congested; or pompous and bombastic in style
- turpitudedepraved or wicked behavior
U
V
- vacillateto waver between different opinions or actions
- vapidoffering nothing stimulating; dull
- venalopen to bribery; corruptible
- venerateto regard with deep respect
- veracityconformity to truth; truthfulness
- verdantgreen with lush vegetation
- verisimilitudethe appearance of being true or real
- vicissitudea change of circumstances or fortune, typically unwelcome
- viscoushaving a thick, sticky consistency
- vituperateto blame or insult in strong language
- vituperativebitter and abusive in language
- vociferousexpressing opinions loudly and forcefully
- volublespeaking fluently and at great length