people sitting in a library

SAT Vocabulary Words

English Vocabulary · SAT Preparation Live Review Preview

SAT Vocabulary Words

The current digital SAT Reading and Writing section uses short passages from literature, history and social studies, the humanities, and science. Its Craft and Structure questions ask students to determine the meaning of high-utility words in context and to choose the most logical and precise word or phrase. Vocabulary also supports evidence, inference, rhetorical synthesis, transitions, and clear Standard English expression across the section.

This independently authored 800-word beta curriculum is arranged in twenty-three pages of up to thirty-five words. Pages containing words 1–500 include five cloze questions drawn only from that enhanced range; words 501–800 remain fully visible and editable while the expanded practice layer is developed. Each row includes a passage-field label and an editable word-study note about a transparent affix, compound structure, capitalization, or dictionary base form. The list is an unofficial KSSR learning resource and is not endorsed by or affiliated with College Board. SAT is a registered trademark of College Board.

Open the basic text version — works without JavaScript and is suitable for printing.

Your private study tools

Track your learning with My Vocabulary

Use the three small controls beside any word. Your choices stay attached to your account and appear in your My Vocabulary record.

  • Star a difficult word to practise it again.
  • Check a word when you have learned it.
  • Add a note with a memory clue, synonym, or reminder.

These controls work during your free visits and save privately on this browser. Sign in to move them into your account’s My Vocabulary record.

Printable study sheet

Create a PDF worksheet

Choose any start-to-end page range and meaning language, then include or omit each practice section.

Include practice sections
800 words
Words 36–70 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
36allusionnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -sion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

aluzjaThe title contains an allusion to a well-known folktale.
37aloofadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: aloof is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. trzymający się z dala 2. z dystansem 3. z rezerwąHis aloof manner made cooperation seem unlikely.
38altruismnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

altruizmThe anonymous donation was an act of genuine altruism.
39ambiguousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

1. wieloznaczny 2. dwuznacznyThe ambiguous instructions produced three different results.
40ambivalentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: ambivalent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

ambiwalentnyShe felt ambivalent about leaving home for a distant university.
41ameliorateverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: ameliorate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

ulepszaćThe new drainage system should ameliorate flooding in the valley.
42amenableadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

uległyThe board was amenable to a compromise supported by both groups.
43amiableadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: amiable is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. przyjazny 2. życzliwy 3. przyjacielskiDespite the fierce debate, the candidates remained amiable afterward.
44amnestynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: amnesty is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. amnestionować 2. amnestiowaćThe government offered amnesty to people who surrendered banned equipment.
45amorphousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

1. amorficzny 2. bezkształtny 3. bezpostaciowyThe movement remained amorphous until its members adopted shared goals.
46anachronismnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

1. anachronizm 2. anachronicznośćA digital wristwatch would be an anachronism in a film set in 1800.
47anarchynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: anarchy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. anarchia 2. bezrządThe collapse of local authority briefly led to anarchy.
48anecdotaladjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: anecdotal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

anegdotycznyThe claim rests on anecdotal reports, not a controlled study.
49animositynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

1. animozja 2. wrogość 3. ansaOld animosity between the rivals complicated the negotiations.
50anomalynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: anomaly is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. anomalia 2. nieprawidłowośćScientists rechecked the instrument after detecting an anomaly in the data.
51antecedentnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: antecedent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. antecedentny 2. uprzedni 3. antecedensThe historian traced the law's antecedent to a colonial ordinance.
52antipathynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Prefix focus: anti- means against or opposed to.

antypatiaHer antipathy toward dishonesty shaped every hiring decision.
53apathynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: apathy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. apatia 2. tępotaVoter apathy can weaken public accountability.
54aphorismnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

1. aforyzm 2. maksyma 3. sentencjaThe essay opens with an aphorism about patience and power.
55appeaseverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: appease is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

gasićA minor concession did little to appease the angry residents.
56approbationnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

aprobataThe proposal won the approbation of several respected researchers.
57arbitraryadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: arbitrary is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. arbitralny 2. umowny 3. dowolnyThe deadline seemed arbitrary because no schedule depended on it.
58arcaneadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: arcane is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

tajemniczyThe manual explains arcane legal terms in plain language.
59archaicadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: archaic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

archaicznyThe translator replaced each archaic expression with a modern equivalent.
60ardentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: ardent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. płomienny 2. zapalonyAn ardent conservationist, Lee spent weekends restoring wetlands.
61arduousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

1. uciążliwy 2. arcytrudnyRestoring the storm-damaged archive was an arduous task.
62articulateverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: articulate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. artykułować 2. wyartykułowaćThe witness struggled to articulate exactly what she had observed.
63asceticadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: ascetic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. asceta 2. ascetkaThe monk followed an ascetic routine of simple meals and few possessions.
64assiduousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

1. gorliwy 2. sumienny 3. wytrwałyThrough assiduous research, the biographer verified every quotation.
65assimilateverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: assimilate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. asymilować 2. zasymilowaćReaders need time to assimilate several competing explanations.
66assuageverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: assuage is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. uspokajać 2. uspokoićClear safety data helped assuage public anxiety.
67astuteadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: astute is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. chytry 2. przebiegłyAn astute editor recognized the argument's hidden assumption.
68audaciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

1. śmiały 2. zuchwałyThe engineers proposed an audacious plan to move the entire lighthouse.
69augmentverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: augment is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

augmentSolar panels will augment the building's existing power supply.
70austereadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Base-form focus: austere is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

surowyThe room's austere design reflected the order's values.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 2 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 2.

Vocabulary quiz

Choose the dictionary equivalent for each of 5 selected words.

About the digital SAT

The digital SAT Reading and Writing section measures comprehension, analysis, synthesis, rhetoric, and command of language. Its Words in Context questions ask students to determine a word’s meaning or choose the most logical and precise word for a particular passage. That means SAT vocabulary study should focus on useful academic words, multiple meanings, tone, and exact usage—not on memorizing rare words in isolation.

Use this list as one part of SAT preparation. Read each example closely, compare near-synonyms, and notice how surrounding sentences control meaning. The lesson readings and questions are designed to practise the same habits of contextual reasoning, while official College Board questions remain the best guide to the test’s exact format.

College Board test overview

Sources and curriculum references

These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.