Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
paucity (noun)
Definition: The presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.
"Despite the candidate's brilliant ideas, the paucity of funding ultimately doomed his campaign."
💡 Mnemonic: Think 'PAW-city' – a city with a paucity of paws would have very few animals.
venerate (verb)
Definition: Regard with great respect; revere.
"In many cultures, elders are venerated for their wisdom and experience."
💡 Mnemonic: VENER-ate sounds like 'vendor rate.' You venerate a vendor who gives you a great rate.
soporific (adjective)
Definition: Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.
"The professor's monotone lecture had a soporific effect on the entire class, causing several students to nod off."
💡 Mnemonic: SO-PO-RI-FIC sounds like 'so poor, terrific!' If you're poor, a terrific sleep aid is very welcome.
garrulous (adjective)
Definition: Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
"The garrulous old man could often be found at the park, recounting endless stories to anyone who would listen."
💡 Mnemonic: 'GARR-ulous' sounds like 'GAB-ulous.' Someone who loves to gab is garrulous.
recalcitrant (adjective)
Definition: Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
"The manager struggled to train the recalcitrant new employee, who refused to follow instructions."
💡 Mnemonic: RE-CALC-ITRANT: imagine a 're-calculating ant' that stubbornly refuses to follow the path and keeps doing its own thing.
pernicious (adjective)
Definition: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
"The pernicious rumors slowly but surely destroyed the politician's reputation."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'BURN-ish-us' – something that burns you slowly and subtly is pernicious.
capricious (adjective)
Definition: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; fickle.
"Her capricious nature made it difficult to predict her reactions, as her moods could shift without warning."
💡 Mnemonic: CAPRICE-ious. Think of a CAPRICE car that keeps changing lanes unpredictably.
malediction (noun)
Definition: A magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing evil or destruction; a curse.
"The ancient sorceress pronounced a malediction upon the kingdom, dooming it to a century of famine."
💡 Mnemonic: 'MAL' (bad) + 'DICT' (saying) = a bad saying or curse.
lugubrious (adjective)
Definition: Looking or sounding dismal, mournful, or gloomy, especially in an exaggerated or theatrical manner.
"The comedian's attempt at a tragic monologue was so lugubrious that it became unintentionally hilarious."
💡 Mnemonic: 'LUG-UBRIOUS' sounds like 'lug a briefcase.' If you have to lug a heavy, old, sad briefcase, you might feel lugubrious.
sedulous (adjective)
Definition: Showing dedication and diligence; assiduous.
"The sedulous student spent countless hours in the library, determined to master every concept before the exam."
💡 Mnemonic: 'SED-ULOUS' sounds like 'SCHEDULE-US.' If you follow your schedule religiously, you are sedulous in your work.
