Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
Meticulous (adjective)
Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
"The scientist's meticulous laboratory procedures ensured the accuracy and reproducibility of her experimental results."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of a 'METER-CULOUS' person, always measuring things with extreme care, down to the last millimeter.
Mundane (adjective)
Definition: Lacking interest or excitement; dull; commonplace.
"While aspiring to grand adventures, he often found his day-to-day life filled with mundane tasks like endless paperwork."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'MONDAY-ANNE' - Anne finds Mondays to be the most mundane day of the week, full of routine and little excitement.
Ambivalent (adjective)
Definition: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
"She felt ambivalent about the job offer; the high salary was appealing, but the demanding hours were a major deterrent."
💡 Mnemonic: 'AM-BI-VALENT' – 'Ambi' means both (like ambidextrous), so you have 'both' strong feelings or 'valent' (value) points for and against something.
Equivocate (verb)
Definition: To use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
"When pressed for a clear answer, the politician chose to equivocate, dancing around the question without offering a direct stance."
💡 Mnemonic: 'EQUAL-VOCATE' – giving 'equal voice' to two opposing ideas to avoid taking a definite position, thus muddying the waters.
Prodigal (adjective)
Definition: Spending money or resources recklessly and wastefully; extravagantly wasteful.
"The prodigal heir quickly depleted his vast inheritance on lavish parties and frivolous purchases."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'PRODIGY GAL' who is so talented she thinks money will always come, so she spends it wastefully.
Ostentatious (adjective)
Definition: Characterized by or given to pretentious or showy display designed to impress.
"Her ostentatious diamond necklace and fur coat were clearly meant to flaunt her newfound wealth at the charity gala."
💡 Mnemonic: 'OH-STENT-TATIOUS' – imagine someone setting up a huge, flashy 'tent' just to show off how rich they are.
Assuage (verb)
Definition: To make an unpleasant feeling less intense; to soothe or mitigate.
"A heartfelt apology helped to assuage the anger and hurt caused by his thoughtless remarks."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'MASSAGE' – a massage helps to assuage your aches and pains, making them less intense.
Erudite (adjective)
Definition: Having or showing great knowledge or learning.
"The venerable professor, known for his erudite lectures, was respected by students and colleagues alike for his vast intellect."
💡 Mnemonic: 'E-RUD-ITE' – Think of a very 'rude' person who always corrects others because they are so 'erudite' and knowledgeable.
Cacophony (noun)
Definition: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
"The construction site produced a cacophony of banging, drilling, and shouting that made it difficult to concentrate."
💡 Mnemonic: 'CACO-PHONY' – 'Caco' means bad, 'phony' refers to sound. So, bad sounds, a harsh noise.
Aberration (noun)
Definition: A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one.
"The sudden dip in stock prices was an unexpected aberration in an otherwise stable market, causing investors concern."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'A BEAR-ATION' – imagine 'a bear in a nation' (city street), a complete and unwelcome departure from the norm.
