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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 176 | cursory | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: cursory is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | somero | A cursory inspection failed to reveal the small fracture. |
| 177 | dearth | noun StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: dearth is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. escasez 2. carestía 3. cortedad | A dearth of reliable records limits the historian's conclusions. |
| 178 | debunk | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: debunk is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. desacreditar 2. ridiculizar 3. hacer añicos | The experiment helped debunk a popular myth about memory. |
| 179 | deference | noun StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state. | deferencia | Out of deference to local experts, the team revised its plan. |
| 180 | delineate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: delineate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | delinear | The contract must delineate each partner's responsibilities. |
| 181 | denigrate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: denigrate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | denigrar | The article should challenge the theory without trying to denigrate its author. |
| 182 | denote | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: denote is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. señalar 2. denotar 3. marcar | On this map, a dashed line may denote a seasonal trail. |
| 183 | deride | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: deride is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. burlarse de 2. irrisionar 3. ridiculizar a | Critics began to deride the invention before testing it. |
| 184 | derivative | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency. | derivada | Reviewers found the sequel derivative despite its impressive effects. |
| 185 | despondent | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: despondent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. abatido 2. descorazonado | The repeated rejections left the applicant despondent. |
| 186 | didactic | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: didactic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | didáctico | The novel is didactic, but its characters still feel convincing. |
| 187 | diffident | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: diffident is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. apocado 2. desconfiado 3. tímido | The diffident student spoke more freely in a small group. |
| 188 | diligent | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: diligent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | diligente | A diligent researcher checks every citation against its source. |
| 189 | discerning | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: discerning is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. discernidor 2. discerniente | A discerning reader notices when evidence does not support a conclusion. |
| 190 | discredit | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: discredit is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. desacreditar 2. descreer | One fabricated result can discredit an otherwise valuable study. |
| 191 | discrepancy | noun StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: discrepancy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | discrepancia | Auditors investigated a discrepancy between the invoice and the payment. |
| 192 | discrete | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: discrete is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | discreto | The survey measures three discrete aspects of public opinion. |
| 193 | disdain | noun StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: disdain is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. desdén 2. desprecio 3. desdeño | The narrator expresses disdain for empty displays of wealth. |
| 194 | dispassionate | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: dispassionate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | calma | A judge must offer a dispassionate evaluation of the evidence. |
| 195 | disseminate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: disseminate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | diseminar | Public agencies disseminate storm warnings through several channels. |
| 196 | diverge | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: diverge is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | divergir | The researchers' interpretations diverge after the first experiment. |
| 197 | dogmatic | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: dogmatic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | dogmático | The essay sounds dogmatic because it ignores reasonable objections. |
| 198 | eclectic | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: eclectic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | ecléctico | The exhibit presents an eclectic mix of sculpture, film, and textiles. |
| 199 | elicit | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: elicit is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. sonsacar 2. saconear 3. elicitar | The interviewer used open questions to elicit detailed memories. |
| 200 | eloquent | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: eloquent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | elocuente | Her eloquent defense of the library changed several votes. |
| 201 | elusive | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency. | 1. impreciso 2. inexacto 3. indefinible | A simple explanation for the pattern remains elusive. |
| 202 | emulate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: emulate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | emular | Young architects often emulate designs they admire. |
| 203 | engender | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: engender is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | engendrar | Transparent rules can engender trust in public institutions. |
| 204 | enigmatic | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: enigmatic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. enigmático 2. cabalístico | The painting's enigmatic symbols invite several interpretations. |
| 205 | ephemeral | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: ephemeral is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | efímero | Online fame can be ephemeral without meaningful work behind it. |
| 206 | equanimity | noun StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition. | ecuanimidad | The pilot responded to the emergency with remarkable equanimity. |
| 207 | erroneous | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by. | erróneo | The article withdrew an erroneous claim about the study. |
| 208 | erudite | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: erudite is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. erudito 2. docto | The historian's erudite lecture remained accessible to beginners. |
| 209 | esoteric | adjective StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: esoteric is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | esotérico | The journal translates esoteric research into language the public can follow. |
| 210 | exacerbate | verb StudyField: GRE words in context and precision Word study: Base-form focus: exacerbate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context. | 1. exacerbar 2. agravar 3. empeorar | Delaying repairs will exacerbate the damage caused by rain. |
Vocabulary reading and practice
Page 6 vocabulary review
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English reading
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Vocabulary quiz
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Vocabulary chart page
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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