Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
gregarious (adjective)
Definition: fond of company; sociable.
"The gregarious host made sure every guest felt welcome and engaged in conversation."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'Greg' who is 'arious' (like hilarious) and loves being around people.
salient (adjective)
Definition: most noticeable or important.
"The salient features of the proposal were its cost-effectiveness and its innovative approach."
💡 Mnemonic: Salient sounds like 'sailing' – the most important part of sailing is the sail itself, which is prominent.
ephemeral (adjective)
Definition: lasting for a very short time.
"The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each spring."
💡 Mnemonic: Eph-em-eral: sounds like 'effort-made-real' for a short time, then gone.
ubiquitous (adjective)
Definition: present, appearing, or found everywhere.
"In today's world, smartphones have become ubiquitous, connecting people across vast distances."
💡 Mnemonic: Ubiquitous sounds like 'you-be-kidding-us' – it's everywhere, you can't believe it!
deleterious (adjective)
Definition: causing harm or damage.
"The long-term effects of the pollution proved deleterious to the local ecosystem."
💡 Mnemonic: Deleterious sounds like 'delete-rious' – something that deletes health or well-being.
fastidious (adjective)
Definition: very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; very concerned about cleanliness.
"The fastidious editor meticulously proofread every sentence for errors."
💡 Mnemonic: Fastidious sounds like 'faster-tidious' – someone who is so particular they want things done perfectly, fast.
bellicose (adjective)
Definition: demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.
"The general's bellicose rhetoric stirred up nationalistic fervor."
💡 Mnemonic: Bellicose sounds like 'belly-close' – someone who is ready to fight and gets in your face.
insidious (adjective)
Definition: proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
"The insidious spread of misinformation can erode public trust over time."
💡 Mnemonic: Insidious sounds like 'in-side-us' – a danger that creeps in subtly from the inside.
veracity (noun)
Definition: conformity to facts; accuracy.
"The journalist questioned the veracity of the politician's claims, demanding evidence."
💡 Mnemonic: Veracity sounds like 'very-accurate' – the quality of being truthful and accurate.
contumacious (adjective)
Definition: stubbornly disobedient.
"The contumacious student refused to follow the school's dress code."
💡 Mnemonic: Contumacious sounds like 'come-to-my-house-us' – a refusal to obey, like saying 'you can't tell me what to do'.
