Top 1000 Vocabulary Words

Top 1000 Vocabulary Words

By Vocabulary.comMay 19, 2011

DESCRIPTION:

The top 1,000 vocabulary words have been carefully chosen to represent difficult but common words that appear in everyday academic and business writing. These words are also the most likely to appear on the SAT, ACT, GRE, and ToEFL.
To create this list, we started with the words that give our users the most trouble and then ranked them by how frequently they appear in our corpus of billions of words from edited sources. If you only have time to study one list of words, this is the list to work with.

1. consider

deem to be

1. minute

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

1. accord

go together

1. evident

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

1. practice

a customary way of operation or behavior

1. intend

have in mind as a purpose

1. concern

be relevant to

1. commit

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

1. issue

an important question that is in dispute and must be settled

1. approach

move towards

1. establish

set up or found

1. utter

without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers

1. conduct

manner of acting or controlling yourself

1. engage

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

1. obtain

come into possession of

1. scarce

deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand

1. policy

a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group

1. straight

successive (without a break)

1. stock

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity)

1. apparent

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

1. property

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

1. fancy

not plain; decorative or ornamented

1. concept

an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

1. court

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

1. appoint

create and charge with a task or function

1. passage

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

1. vain

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

1. instance

an occurrence of something

1. coast

the shore of a sea or ocean

1. project

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

1. commission

a special group delegated to consider some matter

1. constant

unvarying in nature

1. circumstances

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

1. constitute

form or compose

1. level

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

1. affect

have an effect upon

1. institute

an association organized to promote art or science or education

1. render

cause to become

1. appeal

take a court case to a higher court for review

1. generate

bring into existence

1. theory

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

1. range

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

1. campaign

a race between candidates for elective office

1. league

an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

1. labor

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

1. confer

have a conference in order to talk something over

1. grant

let have

1. dwell

think moodily or anxiously about something

1. entertain

provide entertainment for

1. contract

a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law

1. earnest

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

1. yield

be the cause or source of

1. wander

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

1. insist

be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

1. knight

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

1. convince

make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something

1. inspire

heighten or intensify

1. convention

a large formal assembly

1. skill

an ability that has been acquired by training

1. harry

annoy continually or chronically

1. financial

involving financial matters

1. reflect

manifest or bring back

1. novel

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

1. furnish

give something useful or necessary to

1. compel

force somebody to do something

1. venture

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

1. territory

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

1. temper

a sudden outburst of anger

1. bent

fixed in your purpose

1. intimate

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

1. undertake

enter upon an activity or enterprise

1. majority

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

1. assert

state categorically

1. crew

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

1. chamber

a natural or artificial enclosed space

1. humble

low or inferior in station or quality

1. scheme

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

1. keen

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

1. liberal

showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

1. despair

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

1. tide

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

1. attitude

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

1. justify

show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for

1. flag

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

1. merit

any admirable quality or attribute

1. manifest

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

1. notion

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

1. scale

an ordered reference standard

1. formal

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

1. resource

available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed

1. persist

continue to exist

1. contempt

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

1. tour

a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area

1. plead

appeal or request earnestly

1. weigh

have a certain weight

1. mode

how something is done or how it happens

1. distinction

a discrimination between things as different and distinct

1. inclined

(often followed by `to') having a preference, disposition, or tendency

1. attribute

attribute or credit to

1. exert

put to use

1. oppress

come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority

1. contend

maintain or assert

1. stake

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something

1. toil

work hard

1. perish

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

1. disposition

your usual mood

1. rail

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

1. cardinal

(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes

1. boast

show off

1. advocate

a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea

1. bestow

present

1. allege

report or maintain

1. notwithstanding

despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)

1. lofty

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

1. multitude

a large indefinite number

1. steep

having a sharp inclination

1. heed

pay close attention to; give heed to

1. modest

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

1. partial

being or affecting only a part; not total

1. apt

(usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward

1. esteem

the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)

1. credible

capable of being believed

1. provoke

call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

1. tread

put down or press the foot, place the foot

1. ascertain

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

1. fare

an agenda of things to do

1. cede

give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another

1. perpetual

continuing forever or indefinitely

1. decree

a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)

1. contrive

make or work out a plan for; devise

1. derived

formed or developed from something else; not original

1. elaborate

marked by complexity and richness of detail

1. substantial

fairly large

1. frontier

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

1. facile

arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth

1. cite

make reference to

1. warrant

a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts

1. sob

weep convulsively

1. rider

a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

1. dense

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

1. afflict

cause great unhappiness for; distress

1. flourish

grow vigorously

1. ordain

order by virtue of superior authority; decree

1. pious

having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity

1. vex

cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

1. gravity

(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface

1. suspended

(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment

1. conspicuous

obvious to the eye or mind

1. retort

answer back

1. jet

an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

1. bolt

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

1. assent

agreement with a statement or proposal to do something

1. purse

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

1. plus

on the positive side or higher end of a scale

1. sanction

formal and explicit approval

1. proceeding

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

1. exalt

praise, glorify, or honor

1. siege

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

1. malice

feeling a need to see others suffer

1. extravagant

unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings

1. wax

any of various substances of either mineral origin or plant or animal origin; they are solid at normal temperatures and insoluble in water

1. throng

a large gathering of people

1. venerate

regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

1. assail

attack someone physically or emotionally

1. sublime

inspiring awe

1. exploit

use or manipulate to one's advantage

1. exertion

use of physical or mental energy; hard work

1. kindle

catch fire

1. endow

give qualities or abilities to

1. imposed

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

1. humiliate

cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of

1. suffrage

a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment

1. ensue

issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

1. brook

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

1. gale

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

1. muse

reflect deeply on a subject

1. satire

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

1. intrigue

cause to be interested or curious

1. indication

something that serves to indicate or suggest

1. dispatch

send away towards a designated goal

1. cower

crouch or curl up

1. wont

an established custom

1. tract

an extended area of land

1. canon

a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy

1. impel

urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate

1. latitude

the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

1. vacate

leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

1. undertaking

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

1. slay

kill intentionally and with premeditation

1. predecessor

one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)

1. delicacy

the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

1. forsake

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

1. beseech

ask for or request earnestly

1. philosophical

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

1. grove

a small growth of trees without underbrush

1. frustrate

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

1. illustrious

widely known and esteemed

1. devices

an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase `left to your own devices'

1. pomp

cheap or pretentious or vain display

1. entreat

ask for or request earnestly

1. impart

transmit (knowledge or skills)

1. propriety

correct or appropriate behavior

1. consecrate

appoint to a clerical posts

1. proceeds

the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

1. fathom

a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth

1. objective

undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

1. clad

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

1. partisan

a fervent and even militant proponent of something

1. faction

a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

1. contrived

showing effects of planning or manipulation

1. venerable

impressive by reason of age

1. restrained

cool and formal in manner

1. besiege

surround so as to force to give up

1. manifestation

a clear appearance

1. rebuke

censure severely or angrily

1. insurgent

in opposition to a civil authority or government

1. rhetoric

using language effectively to please or persuade

1. scrupulous

having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled

1. ratify

approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation

1. stump

the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

1. discreet

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

1. imposing

impressive in appearance

1. wistful

showing pensive sadness

1. mortify

practice self-denial of one's body and appetites

1. ripple

a small wave on the surface of a liquid

1. premise

a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn

1. subside

wear off or die down

1. adverse

contrary to your interests or welfare

1. caprice

a sudden desire

1. muster

gather or bring together

1. comprehensive

including all or everything

1. accede

yield to another's wish or opinion

1. fervent

characterized by intense emotion

1. cohere

come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

1. tribunal

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

1. austere

severely simple

1. recovering

returning to health after illness or debility

1. stratum

one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)

1. conscientious

characterized by extreme care and great effort

1. arbitrary

based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice

1. exasperate

exasperate or irritate

1. conjure

summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic

1. ominous

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

1. edifice

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

1. elude

escape, either physically or mentally

1. pervade

spread or diffuse through

1. foster

promote the growth of

1. admonish

admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

1. repeal

cancel officially

1. retiring

not arrogant or presuming

1. incidental

(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence

1. acquiesce

to agree or express agreement

1. slew

turn sharply; change direction abruptly

1. usurp

seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession

1. sentinel

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

1. precision

the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance

1. depose

force to leave (an office)

1. wanton

occurring without motivation or provocation

1. odium

state of disgrace resulting from detestable behavior

1. precept

rule of personal conduct

1. deference

a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard

1. fray

wear away by rubbing

1. candid

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

1. enduring

unceasing

1. impertinent

characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality

1. bland

lacking taste or flavor or tang

1. insinuate

introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner

1. nominal

relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name

1. suppliant

one praying humbly for something

1. languid

lacking spirit or liveliness

1. rave

participate in an all-night techno dance party

1. monetary

relating to or involving money

1. headlong

with the head foremost

1. infallible

incapable of failure or error

1. coax

influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

1. explicate

make plain and comprehensible

1. gaunt

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

1. morbid

suggesting an unhealthy mental state

1. ranging

wandering freely

1. pacify

cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

1. pastoral

of or relating to a pastor

1. dogged

stubbornly unyielding

1. ebb

a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)

1. aide

an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer

1. appease

cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

1. stipulate

specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement

1. recourse

act of turning to for assistance

1. constrained

lacking spontaneity; not natural

1. bate

moderate or restrain; lessen the force of

1. aversion

a feeling of intense dislike

1. conceit

feelings of excessive pride

1. loath

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

1. rampart

an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

1. extort

obtain through intimidation

1. tarry

having the characteristics of pitch or tar

1. perpetrate

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

1. decorum

propriety in manners and conduct

1. luxuriant

marked by complexity and richness of detail

1. cant

stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition

1. enjoin

issue an injunction

1. avarice

reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)

1. edict

a formal or authoritative proclamation

1. disconcert

cause to feel embarrassment

1. symmetry

(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

1. capitulate

surrender under agreed conditions

1. arbitrate

act between parties with a view to reconciling differences

1. cleave

separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument

1. append

add to the very end

1. visage

the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)

1. horde

a vast multitude

1. parable

a short moral story (often with animal characters)

1. chastise

censure severely

1. foil

enhance by contrast