WORD OF THE DAY Ms. Wysocki English 11
accentuate 1. to give emphasis or prominence to.
affable easy to approach and to talk to; friendly
alliteration the repetition of the initial consonant sounds in words. Ex. Dressy daffodils
ambitious eagerly wanting to achieve success, power, or wealth
analogy a comparison between made between two similar things
aspire to seek ambitiously; to desire to achieve something
auspicious promising success; favorable; fortunate
bamboozle to get the better of someone by trickery
Bellicose Warlike or hostile
bizarre unusual in appearance, style, or general character; strange
boisterous rough and noisy; rowdy; unrestrained
boycott to hold back from buying or using something
camouflage hiding or altering the appearance of something so it blends in/cannot be seen
capable having the ability to do something; competent
charisma a personal quality that gives an individual influence over a large group of people
chicanery a trick used to deceive
chronology the sequential order in which past events occur.
circumnavigate to sail or fly around
commemorate to serve as a memorial or reminder
conscientious done according to conscience; careful
cower to crouch in fear or shame.
dauntless not to be intimidated; fearless
deciduous a plant that sheds its leaves annually
decorum proper behavior, speech, dress;orderliness
deduce to draw a logical conclusion
deleterious harmful to health
despondent feeling hopelessness, gloomy
dialogue 1. conversation between two or more persons. 2. an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue
diffident lacking confidence in one's own ability; timid; shy
diligent consistent effort to accomplish something
divulge to disclose or reveal
effervescent bubbling; lively; sparkling.
eloquent having fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech
epiphany a sudden insight into the meaning of something
exuberant extremely good; overflowing; plentiful
facetious not meant to be taken seriously or literally
fallacy deceptive, misleading, or false argument
flourish to thrive; to be successful; prosper.
formidable causing fear, or dread
garrulous excessively talkative; wordy
Gauche Lacking grace or social polish
guru an intellectual or spiritual guide or leader.
hubris excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
homogenous Uniform in structure or composition; of the same or similar in kind
immaculate free from spot or stain; pure; free from errors
immune exempt or protected
impeach to bring an accusation against.
incognito having one's identity concealed; in disguise
incontrovertible not open to question or dispute
industrious working energetically and devotedly; hardworking; diligent
infrastructure the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.
insolent boldly rude or disrespectful; insulting
introspection observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state
jovial Having a joyous humor or a spirit of good-will
kinetic caused by motion;characteriz ed by movement
labyrinth an intricate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find one's way; a maze of paths bordered by high hedges
lackadaisical Lazy; without interest
languid lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent.
loquacious tending too talk much or freely
lugubrious dismal, or gloomy
metamorphosis a complete change of form, structure, or substance
meticulous showing extreme care about minute details.
notarize To certify; to state something is valid
nuisance An annoying person or thing
omnipotent Having unlimited or universal power
omnivorous eating all kinds of foods (animal and plant)
Pecuniary Relating to money
petulant Showing sudden irritation over small matters
plagiarize To use others ideas and writing and pass off as one s own.
precipitous Extremely steep; rapid or abrupt
pulverize To reduce to dust or powder by crushing or grinding
quandary A state of uncertainty; a difficult choice
quarantine Strict isolation; a period of isolation
quotidian Commonplace; ordinary
rambunctious Difficult to control or handle; active and noisy
renegade A person who leaves one group or cause for another
repose Ease; relaxation; rest
sacrifice To give up something that is valuable
sanguine Cheerfully confident; optimistic
scorn Open dislike or contempt
silhouette An outline of the general shape of something; a dark image outlined against a lighter background
shrewd Quick; perceptive; intelligent
slovenly Untidy or unclean in appearance or habits
stereotype A simplified idea of something held in common by members of a group
tempestuous Violent emotions or actions; stormy
tenacious Persistent or stubborn
tranquility Calmness; peacefulness; quiet
tumult Violent and noisy disturbance; uproar
unanimous In complete agreement; everyone agreeing
unctuous insincere; slippery
undulate To move in a wavelike motion
usurp To seize and hold power without authority
vehement Impassioned; characterized by anger; violent
Vacuous Lacking intelligence; stupid
versatile Turning easily from one task to another; having many uses
virtuoso A person who has special knowledge or skill in a field
vivacious Lively; animated; happy and energetic in action
wretched Unfortunate circumstances; miserable
wrought Created; shaped by hammering with tools
xenophobe A person fearful of things that are new or foreign