Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
ameliorate (verb)
Definition: to make something better, to improve
"The new social programs were designed to ameliorate the conditions of the city's poorest residents."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'ameliorate' sounding like 'aim to do better,' which is what you do when you improve something.
superfluous (adjective)
Definition: unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
"After the renovation, many of the old decorative elements seemed superfluous and cluttered the space."
💡 Mnemonic: 'Superfluous' sounds like 'super flu,' meaning a very contagious illness that is unneeded and spreads everywhere.
deleterious (adjective)
Definition: causing harm or damage
"The long-term effects of the pollution were deleterious to the local ecosystem."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'delete' button that removes good things, causing 'deleterious' harm.
acrimonious (adjective)
Definition: bitter and ill-tempered (describing speech or a debate)
"The divorce proceedings became increasingly acrimonious, with both sides slinging insults."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'acrid' and 'monotonous.' Imagine a bitter, unpleasant taste (acrid) that is also droning on and on (monotonous) in an argument.
sagacious (adjective)
Definition: having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd
"The sagacious investor foresaw the market crash and protected her assets."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of a 'sage' (wise person) who is also 'acious' (having or showing) wisdom.
perspicacious (adjective)
Definition: having a ready insight into and understanding of things; very perceptive
"Her perspicacious analysis of the complex data revealed the underlying trends."
💡 Mnemonic: 'Perspicacious' sounds like 'per spici,' as in 'per specimen.' Imagine looking closely at each specimen (per spici) to gain a deep understanding.
egregious (adjective)
Definition: outstandingly bad; shocking
"The company's egregious disregard for environmental regulations led to massive fines."
💡 Mnemonic: The 'e' in 'egregious' stands for 'exceptionally,' and the rest of the word implies something going against the grain, making it remarkably bad.
obsequious (adjective)
Definition: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
"The new intern was so obsequious, constantly fawning over the manager and agreeing with everything."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine someone who is 'obsessed with being meek' (ob-sequious), always trying to please others by being overly humble or submissive.
propensity (noun)
Definition: an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
"He has a propensity for exaggeration when telling stories."
💡 Mnemonic: 'Propensity' sounds like 'pro-pensity,' as in 'pro' (for) 'pensity' (tendency), meaning a natural leaning towards something.
salubrious (adjective)
Definition: healthy; pleasant; not run-down
"The mountain air was salubrious, invigorating all who breathed it."
💡 Mnemonic: 'Salubrious' sounds like 'soothing' and 'humorous.' Imagine a place that is so healthy and pleasant that it makes you feel good and perhaps even laugh.
