Free vocabulary library

1,000 words. Meaningful context.

Build the vocabulary to read carefully, explain ideas precisely, and recognize shades of meaning. Every entry pairs a useful sense with an original example sentence.

Learn the meaning, then use it.

Choose five to ten unfamiliar words. Read each example, explain the word without looking, and write a sentence of your own. Review the next day, then again a few days later. For reading practice, explain why a word fits its context—not just what its synonym is.

This is an independently written study collection, not an official or guaranteed word list for any exam. Each entry teaches one sense; words may have other meanings. Definitions and example sentences were written for Askesis rather than copied from dictionaries, textbooks, or exam materials.

Your learning journey

Your vocabulary progress

Loading your saved progress…

1000 of 1,000 words · Showing 1–40

abandon

verb

Leave behind or stop supporting.

In contextThe team decided to abandon the unsafe route.

abate

verb

Become less intense.

In contextThe wind began to abate after midnight.

aberrant

adjective

Departing from the expected pattern.

In contextThe aberrant reading prompted a calibration check.

aberration

noun

A departure from the usual pattern.

In contextOne warm winter was an aberration, not a trend.

abhor

verb

Dislike intensely.

In contextThe editor came to abhor deliberately misleading headlines.

abide

verb

Accept and follow a rule.

In contextAll competitors must abide by the same rules.

abject

adjective

Extremely miserable or degraded.

In contextThe drought left many families in abject poverty.

abolish

verb

End a practice or institution officially.

In contextThe council voted to abolish the outdated fee.

abrade

verb

Wear away through friction.

In contextRough sand can abrade the painted surface.

abridge

verb

Shorten while preserving the main content.

In contextThe publisher will abridge the memoir for younger readers.

abrupt

adjective

Sudden and without a gradual transition.

In contextThe abrupt ending left several questions unanswered.

abscond

verb

Leave secretly to avoid detection.

In contextThe treasurer tried to abscond with the donations.

absolute

adjective

Complete and without exceptions.

In contextThe laboratory requires absolute silence during sensitive measurements.

absolve

verb

Free someone from blame or responsibility.

In contextNew evidence may absolve the accused driver.

absorb

verb

Take in material, energy, or information.

In contextThe dark surface will absorb more heat.

abstain

verb

Choose not to participate or consume.

In contextTwo board members decided to abstain from voting.

abstract

adjective

Concerned with ideas rather than concrete objects.

In contextJustice is an abstract concept with practical consequences.

abundant

adjective

Present in large amounts.

In contextThe marsh provides abundant food for migrating birds.

abysmal

adjective

Extremely poor in quality.

In contextThe abysmal lighting made the map unreadable.

accede

verb

Agree to a request or proposal.

In contextThe landlord agreed to accede to the repair request.

accelerate

verb

Increase in speed or rate.

In contextAdditional funding could accelerate the bridge repairs.

accessible

adjective

Easy to reach, use, or understand.

In contextThe museum installed an accessible entrance beside the stairs.

acclaim

noun

Strong public praise.

In contextThe young composer received acclaim for her first symphony.

accommodate

verb

Make room or adjustments for something.

In contextThe schedule can accommodate an additional laboratory session.

accompany

verb

Go together with someone or something.

In contextDetailed diagrams accompany each set of assembly instructions.

accomplish

verb

Successfully complete a task.

In contextCareful planning helped us accomplish the difficult repair.

accord

noun

Agreement between people or groups.

In contextThe neighbors reached an accord about shared parking.

accordingly

adverb

In a way that follows from the circumstances.

In contextThe route was closed; we changed plans accordingly.

accountable

adjective

Required to explain and justify actions.

In contextPublic officials should be accountable for spending decisions.

accrue

verb

Accumulate gradually over time.

In contextInterest will accrue while the loan remains unpaid.

accurate

adjective

Correct and free from significant error.

In contextAn accurate thermometer is essential for this experiment.

acerbic

adjective

Sharp and biting in tone.

In contextHer acerbic review offended the director.

acknowledge

verb

Recognize or admit something.

In contextThe report must acknowledge the study's small sample.

acquiesce

verb

Accept without active resistance.

In contextThe residents refused to acquiesce to the sudden eviction.

acquire

verb

Obtain or develop something.

In contextStudents acquire confidence through repeated public speaking.

acquittal

noun

A formal finding that guilt was not proved.

In contextThe jury's acquittal ended the criminal trial.

acrid

adjective

Unpleasantly sharp in smell or taste.

In contextAn acrid smell drifted from the burned wiring.

acrimony

noun

Bitter hostility in a disagreement.

In contextThe merger discussions ended in acrimony.

acumen

noun

Skill in making sound judgments.

In contextHer financial acumen helped the shop survive.

acute

adjective

Severe and requiring immediate attention.

In contextThe region faces an acute shortage of clean water.

Put vocabulary into practice.

Combine word study with passages, reasoning, and careful review—not memorization alone.

Explore exam resources →

Study Assistant

Ask questions, get hints, or review concepts