Calling all English nerds. Looking to wow your professor when you hand in that final paper? Or are you bored of using the same combinations of words in every single assignment? Fear not, for I have compiled a list of words, in alphabetical order, that will quench your vocabulary-parched pallet. Who knew the English language was so divine?
1. Albatross
[al-buh-traws]
n.
- any large, web-footed sea bird of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods.
- a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, like guilt or responsibility.
2. Ameliorate
[uh-meel-yuh-reyt]
v.
- to improve; to make more bearable or satisfactory
3. Bucolic
[byoo-kol-ik]
adj.
- pastoral; suggesting an ideal rural area
4. Chatoyant
[shuh-toi-uh nt]
adj.
- changing in luster or color
5. Crestfallen
[krest-faw-luh n]
adj.
1. dejected; dispirited; discouraged
6. Dalliance
[dal-ee-uh ns, dal-yuh ns]
n.
- wasting away of time; dawdling
- amorous toying; flirtation.
7. Denouement
[deh-noo-mahn]
n.
- the final resolution of a drama or novel; the place in which this occurs.
8. Elixir
[ih-lik-ser]
n.
- an absolute embodiment of anything; cure-all or sovereign remedy.
9. Felicity
[fi-lis-i-tee]
n.
- high degree of happiness; blissful
10. Gueridon
[ger-ee-don]
n.
1. a small table or stand
11. Halcyon
[hal-see-uh n]
adj.
- calm; tranquil
- wealthy; prosperous
- happy; carefree
12. Insouciance
[in-soo-see-uh ns]
n.
- being insouciant; lack of care, or being indifferent.
13. Jackanapes
[jak-uh-neyps]
n.
- an impertinent, presumptuous person, especially a young man; mischievous
14. Juxtapose
[juhk-stuh-pohz]
v.
- to place close together or sidebar side, especially for comparison or contrast.
15. Kaleidoscopic
[kuh-lahy-duh-skop-ik]
adj.
- changing form, pattern, color like a kaleidoscope.
- continually shifting from one set of relations to another; rapidly changing
16. Knave
[neyv]
n.
- an untrustworthy, dishonest person.
17. Lagniappe
[lan-yap]
n.
- A small gift given with a purchase to a customer for good measure.
- an unexpected or indirect benefit.
18. Mondegreen
[mon-di-green]
n.
- a misinterpretation of a word or phrase that has been heard.
19. Niveous
[niv-ee-uh s]
adj.
- resembling snow, especially in whiteness; snowy
20. Opulent
[op-yuh-luh nt]
adj.
1. wealthy, rich, or affluent.
21. Obbligato
[ob-li-gah-toh]
adj.
- (used as a musical direction) so important that it cannot be omitted.
22. Panacea
[pan-uh-see-uh]
n.
- an answer or solution for all problems.
23. Plethora
[pleth-er-uh]
n.
- overabundance; excess
24. Quintessence
[kwin-tes-uh ns]
n.
- the pure and concentrated essence of a substance.
- the most perfect embodiment of something.
25. Rampageous
[ram-pey-juh s]
adj.
- violent; unruly; boisterous
26. Resplendent
[ri-splen-duh nt]
adj.
- shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid
27. Scintilla
[sin-til-uh]
n.
1. a minute particle; spark or trace.
28. Superfluous
[soo-pur-floo-uh s]
adj.
- more than required; being excess or unnecessary.
29. Susurrous
[soo-sur-uh s]
adj.
- full of whispering or rustling sounds.
30. Torrid
[tawr-id]
adj.
- parching or burning heat, especially of the sun.
- ardent; passionate
31. Transient
[tran-shuh nt]
adj.
- not lasting, enduring, or permanent.
- lasting only a short time; existing briefly
32. Umami
[oo-mah-mee]
n.
- a strong meaty taste; considered to be one of the basic taste sensations along with sweet, sour, bitter and salty.
33. Usurp
[yoo-surp]
v.
- to seize and hold by force or without legal right.
34. Vespertine
[ves-per-tin]
adj.
- relating to, or occurring during, the evening
35. Wanton
[won-tn]
adj.
- done, shown, used; maliciously or unjustifiably
- deliberate and without motive; uncalled-for; headstrong
- without regard for what is right, just or humane.
36. Xeric
[zeer-ik]
adj.
- adapted to a dry environment
37. Yoke
[yohk]
v.
- to be or become joined, linked or united.
38. Zephyr
[zef-er]
n.
- a gentle, mild breeze.
Congratulations! Your vocabulary has just increased. Now go impress everyone.