English Vocabulary · GRE Live Review Preview
GRE Vocabulary Words
The GRE Verbal Reasoning measure asks test takers to understand and evaluate written material, analyze relationships among ideas, and use evidence within a sentence or passage. Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence all reward careful attention to connotation, contrast, logic, and precise word choice—not isolated memorization alone.
This independently authored 800-word beta curriculum prioritizes vocabulary identified in Magoosh’s official public GRE vocabulary ebook, then draws on advanced KSSR entries that have already passed English safety and structure audits. Additional official and public GRE references guide test alignment and editorial review. Overlap with SAT and advanced school-level vocabulary is intentional because the tests share academic language. Pages containing words 1–500 include five cloze questions; every word remains visible, editable in Vocabulary Studio, and available for private difficult/learned tracking. This unofficial resource is not endorsed by or affiliated with ETS.
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| # | Word | Details | Meaning | Sample sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 771 | descry | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: descry is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to notice or discover something difficult to see | From the tower, scouts could descry a sail on the horizon. |
| 772 | detente | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: detente is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | an easing of hostile relations | The cultural exchange contributed to a brief detente. |
| 773 | diaphanous | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by. | light, delicate, and almost transparent | A diaphanous curtain moved in the breeze. |
| 774 | dissemble | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: dissemble is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to hide one's true feelings or intentions | The diplomat tried to dissemble her alarm. |
| 775 | ebullience | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state. | lively enthusiasm | The crowd's ebullience continued long after the victory. |
| 776 | efficacious | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by. | successful in producing the intended result | The trial found the treatment safe and efficacious. |
| 777 | encomium | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: encomium is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a speech or piece of writing that gives high praise | The retirement dinner included an encomium to the professor's mentorship. |
| 778 | enervating | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: enervating is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | causing weakness or loss of energy | The enervating humidity slowed the workers. |
| 779 | epistemic | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: epistemic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | related to knowledge and how it is justified | The essay examines the epistemic limits of eyewitness testimony. |
| 780 | expiate | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: expiate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to make amends for guilt or wrongdoing | The character hopes to expiate his betrayal through sacrifice. |
| 781 | expurgate | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: expurgate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to remove material considered offensive or unsuitable | The editor refused to expurgate the historical letters. |
| 782 | fecund | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: fecund is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | highly productive or fertile | The collaboration proved fecund, producing several new theories. |
| 783 | gambit | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: gambit is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | an opening action intended to gain an advantage | The generous offer was a negotiating gambit. |
| 784 | homily | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: homily is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a moralizing speech or religious sermon | The novel ends with action rather than a homily. |
| 785 | immanent | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: immanent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | existing or operating within something | The philosopher describes justice as immanent in human cooperation. |
| 786 | immolate | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: immolate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to sacrifice or destroy, especially by fire | The mythic hero chose to immolate himself to save the city. |
| 787 | impasse | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: impasse is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a situation in which no progress is possible | Talks reached an impasse over border security. |
| 788 | importune | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: importune is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to ask persistently and urgently | Lobbyists continued to importune legislators for exemptions. |
| 789 | inchoate | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: inchoate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | only partly formed or organized | The protest began with an inchoate set of demands. |
| 790 | inculcate | verb StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: inculcate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to teach an idea through persistent repetition | The program seeks to inculcate habits of careful source checking. |
| 791 | ineluctable | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action. | impossible to avoid or escape | The tragedy moves toward an ineluctable conclusion. |
| 792 | inimitable | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action. | so distinctive that it cannot be copied | The singer's inimitable phrasing transformed the familiar song. |
| 793 | internecine | adjective StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: internecine is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | destructive conflict within a group | An internecine struggle weakened the governing coalition. |
| 794 | lacuna | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: lacuna is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a gap or missing part | A lacuna in the records obscures three years of the artist's life. |
| 795 | largesse | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: largesse is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | generous gifts of money or resources | The university expanded through a benefactor's largesse. |
| 796 | milieu | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: milieu is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a person's social or cultural environment | The novel recreates the artistic milieu of 1920s Paris. |
| 797 | modicum | noun StudyField: GRE science and social-science vocabulary Word study: Base-form focus: modicum is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | a small amount | The proposal needs at least a modicum of public support. |
| 798 | exculpate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: exculpate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to clear someone from blame or guilt | Security footage may exculpate the employee who was accused. |
| 799 | canvass | verb StudyField: GRE evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: canvass is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | to seek opinions, support, or votes from people | Volunteers will canvass the district before the referendum. |
| 800 | exemplify | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ify commonly forms a verb meaning to make or become. | to serve as a clear example of something | The final scene can exemplify the novel's theme of forgiveness. |
Vocabulary reading and practice
Page 23 vocabulary review
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English reading
Reading passage is being prepared.
Translation
Vocabulary quiz
Complete 5 review questions for this page.
Vocabulary chart page
This page focuses on the word chart. Reading passages appear once in each three-page group, while cloze quizzes remain in the established enhanced range for this level.
About GRE Verbal Reasoning
The GRE Verbal Reasoning measure examines how well test takers understand and evaluate written material, recognize relationships among words and concepts, and analyze how parts of a sentence work together. Its three principal verbal question types are Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence.
Vocabulary matters on the GRE, but memorizing a definition is only the beginning. Strong preparation also connects each word to its connotation, common contrasts, near-synonyms, and role in an argument. Use the examples, readings, and quizzes here to practise choosing words from evidence in the sentence, then use official ETS material to learn the precise test format.
Sources and curriculum references
These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.
- ETS: GRE General Test Verbal Reasoning Overview
- Magoosh: GRE Vocabulary eBook
- Kaplan Test Prep: Top 52 GRE Vocabulary Words
- Kaplan Test Prep: 48 More GRE Vocabulary Words
- Magoosh: Free GRE Vocabulary Flashcards
- Vocabulary.com: 900+ Essential GRE Words
- Reddit r/GRE: community 2,000-word cross-check
- WikDict downloadable bilingual dictionaries
- Kaikki.org / Wiktextract machine-readable Wiktionary data
- Language-Learning-decks public flashcard datasets
- SBBIC English-to-Khmer Dictionary
- English–Khmer Dictionary Dataset (machine-generated Khmer fallback; human review required)
- PanLex meanings snapshot (direct CC0 gap candidates; human review required)
- Cambridge bilingual dictionaries (individual editorial sense checks)
- Collins English–Hindi Dictionary (individual editorial checks)
- Hindwi and Rekhta dictionaries (individual Hindi/Urdu checks)
- National Institute of Korean Language: Basic Korean Dictionary
- JMdict/EDRDG Japanese dictionary project
- CC-CEDICT Chinese dictionary project
- VDict Vietnamese Dictionary (individual editorial check)
- Google Translate (machine-assisted lesson-reading draft; fluent review required)
- Kuperman et al.: Age-of-acquisition ratings for 30,000 English words

