Today's GRE Vocabulary
Master these 10 high-frequency GRE words. Each word includes definition, usage, and a memory trick.
equivocal (adjective)
Definition: Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
"The politician's response to the scandal was deliberately equivocal, leaving voters unsure of his true stance."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of someone 'equally' split, unable to commit to one side, hence 'vocal' about being unclear.
gregarious (adjective)
Definition: Fond of company; sociable.
"She was a gregarious individual, always the life of the party and eager to meet new people."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'greatarious' - someone who is great at being with people, thus social.
capricious (adjective)
Definition: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
"The capricious weather in the mountains made it difficult to plan our hiking itinerary."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine a 'caprice' (a whim) – this word describes something driven by sudden, unpredictable whims.
deleterious (adjective)
Definition: Causing harm or damage.
"The long-term effects of the pollution proved deleterious to the local ecosystem."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'delete-erious' – something that deletes or destroys, causing harm.
ubiquitous (adjective)
Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
"In today's digital age, smartphones have become ubiquitous, connecting people across the globe."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'ubiquity' - the feeling of being everywhere, like a ghost.
fastidious (adjective)
Definition: Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; excessively particular or demanding.
"The fastidious editor proofread the manuscript multiple times, catching even the smallest errors."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine someone being so 'fast' and 'tidy' about details that they drive you crazy with their pickiness.
proclivity (noun)
Definition: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing.
"His proclivity for procrastination often led to last-minute rushes to meet deadlines."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of a 'pro' who has a natural 'clivity' (closeness or inclination) towards a certain action.
bellicose (adjective)
Definition: Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.
"The dictator's bellicose rhetoric threatened to plunge the region into war."
💡 Mnemonic: Sounds like 'bellows' and 'cause' – someone who bellows and wants to cause a fight.
veracity (noun)
Definition: The quality of being truthful; accuracy.
"Despite the witnesses' accounts, the jury questioned the veracity of the defendant's testimony."
💡 Mnemonic: Think of 'veritas' (Latin for truth) – this word is about the truthfulness of something.
contumacious (adjective)
Definition: Stubbornly rebellious; insubordinate.
"The contumacious student refused to follow the school's dress code, leading to frequent detentions."
💡 Mnemonic: Imagine someone 'counting' themselves 'out' of rules, making them rebellious.
